- Title: Pro-establishment Thai MPs plan military-backed party to keep junta chief as PM
- Date: 7th October 2016
- Summary: AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND (OCTOBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON BOAT VISITING FLOOD AREA PRIME MINISTER PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA WEARING LIFE JACKET SITTING ON BOAT MAN ON BOAT WAVING HAND OFFICIALS ON BOAT VARIOUS OF PRAYUTH GIVING EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE TO PEOPLE ON BOAT PEOPLE SITTING ON BOAT OFFICIALS ON BOAT VISITING PEOPLE BANGKOK, THAILAND (RECENT - SEPTEMBER 27, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FORMER SENATOR PAIBOON NITITAWAN TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) FORMER SENATOR, PAIBOON NITITAWAN, SAYING: "I think it is necessary to have Prime Minister Prayuth remain in that position for the next four year term after the elections to make Thailand politically, economically and socially stable." PAIBOON TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) FORMER SENATOR, PAIBOON NITITAWAN, SAYING: "If we compare politicians who became prime minister in the past, I don't see anyone that has those 3 qualifications." AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND (OCTOBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE TO GET INTO VENUE TO MEET PRAYUTH PRAYUTH WALKING INTO VENUE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE APPLAUDING PEOPLE LISTENING TO PRAYUTH AS HE MAKES A SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) THAI PRIME MINISTER, PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA, SAYING: "There is a repetition of the same problems. That's why I am here today to fix the problems." BANGKOK, THAILAND (OCTOBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) POLITICAL ANALYST FROM CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, THITINAN PONGSUDHIRAK, TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLITICAL ANALYST FROM CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, THITINAN PONGSUDHIRAK, SAYING: "Yes, there is a political party being set up to support the regime. Then, we could see some kind of a military inspired, military supported individual. It may not necessarily be General Prayuth, maybe someone else but certainly someone that is consistence supported by the military regime." VARIOUS OF PRAYUTH HANDING EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGES TO PEOPLE PEOPLE CARRYING EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGES (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 64 YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT, SOMSRI SRAKAEW, SAYING: "It's up to them but if there is an election, I'll vote for him, for Prayuth." PRAYUTH TALKING TO PEOPLE
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2016 07:11
- Keywords: Thailand prime minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha military proxy party junta
- Location: BANGKOK, AYUTTHAYA THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, AYUTTHAYA THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00153093YD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Pro-establishment lawmakers in Thailand said they plan to ensure junta Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha stays on as prime minister by fielding a proxy political party backed by the military in a general election planned for next year.
Thailand voted overwhelmingly in August to accept a junta-backed constitution, paving the way for an election - but one that will require future elected governments to rule on the military's terms.
The military government has been working on portraying Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as a civilian leader close to the people and his visit to a flooded area in central Thailand on Wednesday (October 5) where he could be seen meeting with locals and distributing aid was carefully planned to reinforce that image.
Paiboon Nititawan, a former senator appointed by the military to its reform council and its constitution drafting committee, said he would set up a party to nominate Prayuth as the next prime minister.
"I think it is necessary to have Prime Minister Prayuth remain in that position for the next four year term after the elections to make Thailand politically, economically and socially stable," said former senate Paiboon Nititawan.
Paiboon says Prayuth is a good, talented and honest man, 3 qualifications lacking in Thai politicians.
"If we compare politicians who became prime minister in the past, I don't see anyone that has those 3 qualifications," he added.
Thailand has seen 19 coups or attempted coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 and the role of the military in politics is always closely watched.
Politicians from main political parties said the military had been lobbying people to join Paiboon's party.
During his visit to the flooded area in Ayutthaya on Wednesday, Prime Minister Prayuth reminded people why he took over the country.
"There is a repetition of the same problems. That's why I am here today to fix the problems," said Prayuth.
For its part, the junta says it does not support the formation of a political party and it is not interested in staying in power beyond 2017. Prayuth has said that all options must be exhausted before he would accept any nomination to become prime minister again.
"Yes, there is a political party being set up to support the regime. Then, we could see some kind of a military inspired, military supported individual. It may not necessarily be General Prayuth, maybe someone else but certainly someone that is consistence supported by the military regime," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak a political analyst.
Under the new constitution, a 250-member upper house Senate will be appointed by the military and six seats will be reserved for the heads of the armed forces and police.
The military will need at least 125 lawmakers from the elected lower house to join the appointed senators in voting for a non-elected prime minister.
So far, some Thais are prepared to renew their trust in Prayuth.
"It's up to them but if there is an election, I'll vote for him, for Prayuth." said 64 year-old Somsri Srakaew.
The constitution will allow the military to retain extensive powers during a transition period following the general election and, following an eventual royal succession that has prompted worries about instability. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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