From ousting to endorsement: the surprising Pheu Thai coalition in Thailand’s political transition

The Pheu Thai party, removed from power through a coup in 2014, secured the endorsement from the pro-military United Thai Nation party for their prime ministerial candidate’s parliamentary vote slated for August 22nd.

The United Thai Nation, having gained fifth place in the May elections, revealed its intention to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition, which secured second place, and back their nominee, as reported by Thai PBS.

Pheu Thai plans to introduce 60-year-old construction magnate Srettha Thavisin as their candidate.

Thailand has been in a political stalemate since the May 14 elections, following the unexpected triumph of Move Forward, a progressive party aiming to displace the military’s decade-long rule and diminish the monarchy’s power.

Together with seven other parties, including Pheu Thai, they formed a pro-democratic coalition majority in the 500-member House of Representatives.

Yet, the coalition struggled to establish a government, mainly because Move Forward’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat’s candidacy was twice hindered in July due to the Senate’s opposition.

With 250 members, this Senate was appointed by the former military junta (2014-2019).

After this setback, Pheu Thai, associated with exiled ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, established a new coalition with various parties, totaling 238 parliamentary seats.

With the addition of 36 seats from United Thai Nation and a potential 40 from Palang Pracharat, their numbers could increase.

Palang Pracharat was the primary party of the past government coalition, led by the former Prime Minister and ex-junta leader (2014-2019), Prayut Chan-ocha, who was United Thai Nation’s prime ministerial candidate in recent elections.

Historically, the military had ousted Thaksin in a 2006 coup led by Prayut, which removed a Pheu Thai-led government in 2014.

Pheu Thai seems to have transitioned from facing military opposition to gaining support from military-affiliated parties.

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