Despite past antagonism, politicians from the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties have raised the idea of forming a political coalition to prevent the junta from prolonging its power.
Ever since junta head Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha promised an election in November 2018, political parties have made various efforts to start political discussions, despite the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s ban on political activity.
On 26 November 2017, Nipit Intrasombat and Chaturon Chaisang, from the Democrats and Pheu Thai respectively, announced in a public seminar that the two key parties might cooperate in the next election in order to prevent an ‘outsider’ Prime Minister, as well as to generally counter the NCPO influence on Thai politics.
“I think there would be no benefit if Pheu Thai declared that it would absolutely not cooperate with the Democrat Party. I see that we should not close the path on this issue so as not to allow the continuation of [the junta’s] power,” said Chaturon.
Nipit argued that since the 250 junta-appointed senators will acquire huge political power under the constitution, elected officials have to unite in order to challenge the unfair rules written by the military.
“The conditions in the constitution don’t support reconciliation because a majority government cannot be formed if the 250 senators don’t want it as well. When a government cannot be formed, the NCPO might use that as a reason to remain in power. So there might arise a situation where the boxers stop fighting and join hands to beat the referee in order the change the rules that are unfair,” Nipit stated, adding that this is merely his own opinion and may not reflect his party’s view.
A coalition between the two main parties could be a good sign for Thai democracy, given that a pro-military political party has already emerged to promote Prayut as the next PM. But whether the alliance will come to fruition remains unclear, since both parties have refused to confirm it.
On 28 November, Sudarat Keyuraphan, a key Pheu Thai leader, told the media that it is too early to discuss the possibility of a political coalition.
“It may be a proposal from those who have democratic ideas who want to maintain the system. The thing is after the election if they [Pheu Thai and the Democrats] will work together as coalition opposition or coalition government. That’s the future.” Sudarat stated.
Though Sudarat has stated that a political coalition is possible, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has strongly rejected the idea, reasoning that the two parties have different political ideologies.
“Everyone in the party, including Nipit, agrees in confirming that our ideologies do not agree, so we cannot cooperate,” said Abhisit.
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