MFP to avoid joining inter-bloc coalition government after upcoming election

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has announced that they will not be participating in any “inter-bloc” coalition government after the forthcoming election, according to Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, the party’s campaign assistant.

During a campaign rally yesterday in Samut Sakhon, Piyabutr stated that the MFP would avoid joining a government formed through “inter-bloc breeding”. This seems to be a reference to a coalition containing both pro-democracy and pro-dictatorship parties. Piyabutr, a prominent Progressive Movement (PM) figure, claimed that the MFP would prefer to be an opposition party in such a situation.

Despite critics attempting to find wrongdoing against the party, Piyabutr mentioned that the party’s popularity had grown substantially in several opinion polls, gaining public support for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat to become prime minister. The party’s success is attributed to the clear tasks outlined, which would be executed during the first 100 days of an MFP government.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, PM chairman and an election campaign staffer of the MFP, admitted that leading the next government would present the MFP with significant challenges. Among these include military reform, devolving administrative powers, and dismantling some business monopolies held by major players. Nevertheless, Thanathorn emphasises that the government must invest in new technologies and science as tools to increase the country’s competitive edge in exports and job creation. He refutes the claims of the MFP being considered an extremist party, stressing that it advocates progressive policies.

Meanwhile, the Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) leader, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, criticised populist agendas adopted by other parties for the upcoming election. Sudarat argued that parties are competing to produce the most appealing populist policies, promising giveaways and handouts at taxpayers’ expense. She warned that such policies often lead to corruption and pointed out that the ongoing political conflict between pro-democracy and pro-dictatorship parties may worsen after the next election, reports Bangkok Post.

The TST has proposed electing an assembly of citizens to rewrite the constitution to ensure fair election rules for all. On the other hand, The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) believes that the National Village and Urban Community fund requires additional promotion to strengthen the grassroots economy. PPRP’s chief of the political strategy committee, Sontirat Sonthijirawong, has pledged to inject US$200,000 into 79,610 national village and urban community funds across the nation with a budget of around US$16 million.

Lastly, Prachachart Party leader Wan Muhamad Nor Matha mentioned his ambitions to win at least ten MP seats in the upcoming election to make a difference in the country under the pro-democracy wing. By increasing their MPs to ten seats and likely being part of the next administration, Matha believes “change will come” and the new government will work towards solving issues such as amending the constitution to create a fully democratic country.