Yodchanan defends difficult decision to join coalition

Yodchanan Wongsawat, a prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, has apologised to any supporters who may feel uneasy about the party’s decision to join a coalition government led by the Bhumjaithai Party.

Writing on his Facebook page on Saturday, he acknowledged that both party supporters and the public were divided on the direction Pheu Thai should take.

After internal deliberations, consultations and consideration of views from party members, the majority within the party concluded that Pheu Thai should join the coalition government, he said.

Mr Yodchanan admitted the decision to declare its support for Bhumjaithai was a difficult one for a party with a long track record of leading governments and delivering widely recognised policy achievements.

“To anyone who feels uneasy about the decision. I offer my sincere apologies. I have read and heard every comment and remain respectful of all viewpoints,” he said.

Over the past week, he said, he had engaged in discussions with various groups and party teams. Most agreed that both global and domestic contexts have changed significantly, and that political factors in this election were complex.

Reflecting on the party’s disappointing performance in the Feb 8 vote, he said that political management and the use of resources in various forms had played a significant role in shaping the outcome.

And while Pheu Thai respected and accepted the will of the people, many concerns raised by citizens about the polls carry weight and must be addressed by the Election Commission, which must provide factual explanations, he said.

The Pheu Thai legal team is also pursuing the matter and will monitor progress until a conclusion is reached, he added.

Pledges to be pursued

Mr Yodchanan also pledged to honour every vote cast for the party. Campaign pledges made at rallies and discussions nationwide, as well as issues raised by candidates, will be pursued to the fullest extent possible.

He said the party would work with capable people across sectors, including party personnel and state bodies, the private sector and civil society to address issues within its purview.

He emphasised that the most urgent national priority was revitalising the economy and improving livelihoods across all regions. This required coordinated efforts among multiple ministries and the creation of new engines of economic growth for the country.

“We will work tirelessly, every minute, to prove that we can deliver and to rebuild public confidence. I am ready to take responsibility for everything that lies ahead,” said Mr Yodchanan, a nephew of imprisoned former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

“Even though I entered politics at a moment of defeat, I will stand with Pheu Thai until the day we win together once again.” 

Pheu Thai won 74 seats on Sunday and will be the third-largest party in the House, behind the People’s Party, whose 118 members will lead the opposition. Bhumjaithai came first in the election with 193 seats.

More backing for Anutin

In a related development, Bhumjaithai spokesperson Nan Boontida Somchai said on Saturday that seven smaller parties — many with just one MP — had now expressed their intention to support Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister.

They are the Economic Party, New Democracy Party, New Party, Ruam Jai Thai Party, Thaisubthawee Party, People’s Power Party and New Dimension Party.

She stressed that these declarations were primarily commitments to vote for Mr Anutin rather than definitive agreements to join the government.

Unofficially, Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and three microparties that have formally agreed to join the coalition have 272 seats in total, enough for a majority in the 500-seat House.

Ms Nan admitted that some supporters had expressed dissatisfaction with Bhumjaithai’s decision to engage with Pheu Thai but urged the public to reserve judgement until the government’s composition and policy direction became clear.

The EC has up to 60 days to certify the election results and once it does so, parliament must convene within 15 days to elect the House Speaker, followed by a vote to select the prime minister.

Source – Bangkok News