Thai opposition plans coalition to consolidate election win

Yingluck Shinawatra announces deal to buy her valuable breathing space from opponents of her brother Thaksin Yingluck Shinawatra has moved fast to consolidate the Thai opposition’s resounding electoral victory by announcing a coalition deal that supporters say should buy her valuable breathing space from opponents of her brother Thaksin. The Puea Thai party, fronted by Yingluck and backed by the exiled former prime minister, won an absolute majority with 264 seats in the 500-seat parliament, according to preliminary results. But cementing its position will make it harder for opponents to intervene before Yingluck forms a government when the final results are announced in a few weeks. She said the agreement with four minor parties would give a coalition 299 seats. The outgoing Democrat prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said he would step down as party leader. Yingluck, who would be Thailand’s first female prime minister, said her first task was the “roadmap to reconciliation” after years of unrest. She also cited the need to tackle high prices, improve international relations and curb corruption. But both sides warned of fresh conflict in a country beset by turmoil since a coup toppled Thaksin in 2006. Last year more than 90 people died when the military cracked down on Thaksin supporters. The defence minister said the army would accept a government led by the 44-year-old businesswoman. “I’ve said this several times,” General Prawit Wongsuwon told Thai newspapers. “We are not going to intervene.” Puea Thai are understood to have held talks with the army before the election. Political analyst Chris Baker cautioned: “[The military] always say they have nothing to do with politics and then keep interfering. But they are obviously feeling quite sensitive after the last five years. They are going to be reluctant to make a move that puts them in the public eye in politics. They are going to pull the strings of the [anti-Thaksin, conservative and monarchist] yellowshirts and that sort of thing. “I think we are more likely to see a formula of street demonstrations and judicial action [than coups].” Sean Boonpracong, formerly a redshirt spokesman and close to Puea Thai, predicted the coalition “should buy six months’ peace” at best. Democrat MP Surichoke Sopha said a Puea Thai government would not last long. “They will have to compromise with the ruling class and at the same time satisfy the grassroots. [Yingluck] has many problems including the case against her in the courts and other things which could come up and really destroy her credibility.” Supporters say allegations of perjury, which relate to the confiscation of Thaksin’s assets, are a smear. Opponents have filed a complaint calling for the dissolution of Puea Thai because it is a proxy for Thaksin, who is banned from Thai politics. The billionaire has a passionate support base drawn largely from rural workers and new money – but has earned the enmity of the old elites and the urban middle class, alarmed by his rapidly expanding power and warnings of crony capitalism. He has already seen two parties disbanded and lives in Dubai as a fugitive due to a conviction for abuse of power that he says was politically motivated. Yet each apparent setback has boosted his support. “The vote is about having a voice that is heard,” Kevin Hewison, professor of Asian studies at the University of North Carolina, told Associated Press. Dr Andrew Walker, a political analyst at the Australian National University, suggested that Thaksin was now in a stronger position than if the coup had never happened. Experts say much will depend on how Puea Thai plays its hand. It campaigned in part on an amnesty allowing Thaksin to return, but knows introducing one quickly could galvanise opposition. Asked if he would return to politics, Thaksin said: “I may be too old … I really want to retire.” Activist and former senator Jon Ungpakorn, who voted Puea Thai largely due to his opposition to the crackdown on demonstrators, warned that people should “not allow Puea Thai to behave like the old Thaksin government, trying to stifle political opposition and criticism”. Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra Tania Branigan guardian.co.uk

Posted by on July 4, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.