Thailand - the Democrats for the next Thai government?

There is talk of the Democrats leading the new Thailand coalition government this time around.  It will need the backing of some rebels who were once loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra but who have now changed their allegiance.

According to today’s Bangkok Post, the Democrats now have 243 House votes (166 Democrats plus other minority parties), while the new party (Puea Thai) formed out of the old now disbanded People Power Party can muster only 203 votes. 

There still remains a lot of horse trading going on. 

Meanwhile it is unlikely that the Red shirts (Thaksin loyalists) would support a Prime Minister coming from the Democratic Party.

While the Democratic Party has support and close links with the Yellows (People Alliance for Democracy), the leader of the party came out clearly against PAD's occupation of the two Bangkok airports this week.

The Puea Thai Party have not yet chosen their new leader but it is likely to be Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s younger sister!

Thaksin’s former wife, Khunying Potjaman (they divorced on November 14th, probably for political or business convenience) has suddenly arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport, concerned to have some influence over the current shananigans over the political manoeuvres currently going on.  What grates for Potjaman is that some of the new Puea Party will not support a new prime minister that has the backing of Thaksin.  (When things get tough, send in your ex-wife!)

No one officially knows where she went:  she was whisked off briskly by the Chief of the Immigration Bueau.  But she will certainly be talking with the members of Puea Thai.

What might happen next is anyone’s guess!

 

SUNDAY DEC 7th.  The Democrats are saying they now have 252 MPs 'in the bag' out of the Lower House' 480 total seats.  So their leader, Abhisit Vejjavija could become Prime Minister.  But, as the opposition points out, a boxing match has twelve rounds!