Clock starts ticking for countdown

[Mentors]

by Veera Prateepchaikul

 

The Democrats' rejection of their coalition partners' call for constitutional amendments is a clear sign that the Democrats have set their eyes beyond the short-term benefit of keeping the coalition alliance together although its action may be the last straw for the rocky relationship with their allies.

 

After one year of half-hearted cohabitation in the same coalition government, it now appears that the Democrats wouldn’t care less if their partners will file for a divorce and break up the relationship.

 

Yesterday’s vote by Democrat MPs by 82 to 48 against constitutional amendments proposed by their five coalition parties, particularly on the proposed change of multi-MP constituency to single-MP constituency electoral system, has sent a loud and clear message to their allies that the Democrats no longer care much about them and won’t mind if they want to quit the coalition.

 

Such message was further strengthened by remarks made by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to the MPs at yesterday’s meeting. He reportedly told the MPs that he could not accept the pressure exerted by the coalition parties, among them Chart Thai Pattana, Bhumjaithai, Puea Pandin, Social Action and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, for charter rewriting. “If the other parties do not want to stay on in the coalition, they have the right to leave,†he was quoted to have said. Moreover, he has prohibited the Democrat MPs to cast a free vote when the charter amendments issue is put into the parliament.

 

[color:red]Mr Abhisit’s uncompromising stance is in sharp contrast with that of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban who tried unsuccessfully to convince the Democrat MPs to support the proposed charter changes for the sake of the government’s political stability in the wake of a formidable threat from deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his loyalists, among them the opposition Puea Thai party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.[/color]

 

The party’s decision has disappointed – if not enraged – their coalition allies. Charnchai Chairungruang, leader of Puea Pandin, yesterday, accused Mr Abhisit without naming name though of reversing on his words. “A man who fails to keep his words will be spurned by his friends,†he said.

More negative reactions are expected today from the other party leaders, including Mr Banharn Silpa-archa, de facto leader of Chart Thai Pattana, who has been the main vehicle for the proposed changes.

 

By rejecting his coalition parties’ wish, it appears that Prime Minister Abhisit has opted for confrontational approach at the risk of his own government rather than accommodating to their wish which may prolong the life span of the government.

 

Apparently, the prime minister is gambling on the belief that, despite the resentment against the Democrats’ rejection against charter changes, the coalition parties are not ready yet for fresh elections and will not jump ship or switch allegiance. Thaksin, in his latest Twitter message, also believes that the five coalition parties will stay on in the coalition.

 

But working relationship between the Democrats and their allies which has not been smooth from the beginning may be more difficult now and in the foreseeable future. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep, the so-called power broker, may have to beg the coalition parties each time the government wants an important bill to be endorsed in the parliament. The biggest “make or break†test of the coalition allies’ loyalty toward the government will be on the censure debate whether they will vote for or against the government or to abstain.

 

As of now, the rift between the Democrats and their partners seems to be beyond repairs that even some financial lures to curry favour from their allies may not work although it may buy time and allow the government to soldier on a bit longer. But the clock has started ticking for the countdown.

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/166648/clock-starts-ticking-for-countdown

 

[Flashermac]

<< particularly on the proposed change of multi-MP constituency to single-MP constituency electoral system >>

 

 

There's the problem. The change could break the Democrats' hold on the south.

 

[Mentors]

<< particularly on the proposed change of multi-MP constituency to single-MP constituency electoral system >>

 

 

There's the problem. The change could break the Democrats' hold on the south.

 

yes correct.

When i hear around in the South there are people which are not willing to vote automatically for the Democrat Party anymore.

I see a chance for the Yellow New Politics Party.

 

[Bangkoktraveler]

Is Thailand headed for another coup?

[John]

No Need for another coup, the coupmakers are in the real positions of power already, that's what the last couple of years have been about.

[Faustian]

Lots of rumours about of late though.....

 

Maybe that's why the democrats don't care.

[Flashermac]

No Need for another coup, the coupmakers are in the real positions of power already, that's what the last couple of years have been about.

 

In the late 1970s, I remember coups against coups against coups - various military factions fighting for supremacy.