Thai coalition presents consensus platform
Thailand’s progressive Move Forward Party, the top vote-getter in last week’s general election, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday with seven other parties, presenting a consensus platform they hope will lead to the formation of a coalition government in July. Party head Pita Limjaroenrat was the first to sign the document which was then passed among the other leaders. The platform includes several of Move Forward’s core policies such as drafting a new more democratic constitution, passing a same-sex marriage law, decentralising administrative power, and transitioning from conscription to voluntary enlistment “except when the country is at war”. It also calls for reforms of the police, military, civil service and the justice process. But the MOU sidesteps several thorny issues. The most ticklish – amending the country’s harsh lese majeste law, under which criticising the monarchy is punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment – was not included in the pact. That proposal had been part of Move Forward’s campaign platform, and was popular with many younger Thais. However, the monarchy is considered one of the pillars of Thai national identity and some of the coalition partners do not wish to be associated with it. It is also the issue most likely to block Pita from winning a vote to become prime minister, due to fervid opposition from powerful conservative interests. The leader of the Pheu Thai party underlined the reason the proposal was excluded. "This MOU aims to put Thailand's 30th Prime Minister in place. Whatever might obstruct the voting in of the 30th Prime Minister will not be in the MOU," said Chonlanan Srikaew. In an effort to allay concerns, the pact says that all parties agree that any action they take must not affect the country’s status as a democracy under a constitutional monarchy framework, and the inviolable status of the monarch. The news conference at which the eight-party agreement was signed was deliberately scheduled to be held at the exact time when, nine years ago, then-army commander Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power in a military coup. He has been prime minister since then, being returned to office legally after the 2019 election. (AP)