Campaign urges senators to back winning party in forming Thai government

A campaign led by a group of academics is calling for the support of senators for the political party that secures the most House seats in Sunday’s election, in hopes to establish a new government efficiently. The public can contribute their views on this initiative from midday on Monday until midday Wednesday by voting through the QR code provided by the campaign. The results will be publicly announced at 1:30pm on Wednesday, according to Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University.

Intended as a virtual public forum, the campaign aims to emphasise that no organisation should have the ability to distort public consensus for the benefit of particular parties. This message is reinforced by Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), who voiced concerns that the Election Commission, appointed by the 2014 coup-installed Senate, was being meddled with.

Phichai urged the Election Commission to evolve and operate free from any external influences. Thanaporn Sriyakul of Kasetsart University holds an optimistic view, believing the Senate will maintain its integrity while selecting a new prime minister.

According to Olarn Thinbangtieo of Burapha University, the objective of the campaign is to align the public’s opinions with the Senate and expect senators to respect their views. He further urges the Senate to be decisive in declaring its support for the elected party with a majority of votes.

With both the Election Commission and the Senate serving crucial roles in diffusing political conflicts, Wanwichit Boonprong of Rangsit University asserts that senators should act to foster peace in Thai politics. Prinya also requests the new House Speaker to reconsider the voting order for the prime minister selection, advising senators to vote after MPs, to allow for a better understanding of the majority’s favoured candidate, while ultimately respecting the MPs’ decision, reports Bangkok Post.