Deputy PM’s confidence misplaced ahead of no-confidence vote

Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon’s confidence that small political parties will support the government in the upcoming no-confidence debate appears to be misplaced.

The 76 year old leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party believes the targeted cabinet misters have enough support from small political parties to see off the opposition at the debate planned on July 18 and predicted to last 5 days.

“They are on the government’s side. There is no problem with that.”

But General Prawit could be in for a surprise from coalition members the Setthakij Thai Party.

Setthakij Thai leader, Capt Thamanat Prompow, and its 18 MPs were all expelled by the PPRP for acting as renegades and time doesn’t appear to be a healer in this case.

Thamanat last week insisted his party would not support the government in the upcoming no-confidence motion but hinted the party may back Gen Prawit.

“We have confidence in him. He is not the type of person some media outlets understand him to be. To be honest, all of the ministers said to be the targets should have a cause for concern, except Gen Prawit.”

The no-confidence motion was tabled against the government in parliament on June 15 by core members of the opposition led by Cholnan Srikaew, leader of the Pheu Thai Party. They targeted PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and 9 cabinet ministers for their alleged mishandling of important issues and ethical code violations.

The opposition has 208 MPs within its ranks, while the government can command 230-240 votes.

There are 477 MPs and the opposition needs more than half of the votes, or 239 if it is to defeat the government in the no-confidence vote.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post