Gen Wit plans to lead new pro-govt party, source claims
Gen Wit Devahastin na Ayudhya, former leader of the splinter Setthakij Thai Party, will lead a new party with the blessing of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, says a source close to the matter.
Gen Wit held discussions with Gen Prawit, who is also leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, recently over what party could accommodate Gen Wit after he was forced to resign as leader of Setthakij Thai in what was described as a “power grab” within the party.
Fifteen executives led by Setthakij Thai secretary-general Thamanat Prompow resigned en masse last month in an attempt to force a leadership change within the party.
The mass resignation came shortly after Gen Wit confirmed he would remain as party leader and reached a compromise with Capt Thamanat on the issue of supporting the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha in the no-confidence debate expected next month.
Rumours were rife about a split between Gen Wit and Capt Thamanat who is known not to be on good terms with Gen Prayut and may not support the government in the planned no-confidence debate.
With Gen Wit out of the way, the party executive board then picked Capt Thamanat as leader, which frees him up to oppose the government in the no-confidence debate if he so chooses.
Meanwhile, the source said Gen Wit and Gen Prawit talked about registering a new party which Gen Wit could lead and support the government. But then a decision was made to have an already-registered party called Palang Thai Chai Chana (Thai’s Power for Victory) invite Gen Wit to lead it.
The party under the new leadership will be unveiled next month, according to the source.
While Palang Thai Chai Chana has been registered it is not active currently.
The source said the party will be supported mainly by a financier from the beverage sector, who had no prior political affiliation. “The party will come on the government’s side although it is far from clear if it will back Gen Prayut’s return as premier after the next general election,” the source said.