After parliament elected Pheu Thai Party’s candidate Srettha Thavisin as Thailand’s new Prime Minister, the Move Forward party (MFP) announced that it will work as an opposition party committed to bringing change to Thai society.

MFP Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon speaking during yesterday's press conference (22 August), joined by other MFP MPs.

During a press conference after parliament appointed Srettha Prime Minister, MFP Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon said that the new government was clearly not formed on the basis of election results and was not likely to try and reduce conflicts using the people’s agenda either. Bowing to political arrangements created by a military coup, it was instead continuing the life of that system, destroying people’s hope and faith in democratic power.

Chaithawat promised that, from now on, MFP would not just be an opposition party but an active opposition in which MPs do their best to keep the new administration in check while working with citizens to bring change to the country by pushing for progressive laws and other changes people demand from parliament.

Even though those in power have tried to render the people’s authority meaningless, MFP still stands with the people, Chaithawat said. He said that the party believes that the people are capable creating a better future for Thailand, which one day will be truly democratic with a fair and progressive economy. He added that MFP still hopes to build a society that respects diversity, fundamental rights and freedoms, a society where national security is measured by the security of the people, who hold the highest power.

Chaithawat insisted that, as an opposition party, MFP will work to keep the government in check, doing so constructively and on the basis of principles. He also said that people should have faith that a better government will be formed in the future , and promised that MFP will continue to prepare itself for the next election so it can do its best for the country.