Thai King ‘gives’ Prayut his backing

Royal’s Thaksin rebuke points to junta-backed govt

Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn issues a rare rebuke to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after an inconclusive national election and experts believe that the move means he prefers Prayut Chan-o-cha to lead the government. Provisional results show the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai party emerging with the most seats after the general election on March 24, which follows almost five years of military rule.

BANGKOK: Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn (pic) issued a rare rebuke of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra about a week after an inconclusive national election, making it more likely that a pro-military party would form a government.

The monarch revoked royal decorations given to Thaksin because he fled Thailand after being sentenced to prison, which is “an extremely inappropriate behaviour,” according to a statement posted on the Royal Gazette’s website.

Thaksin hasn’t set foot in the country since 2008 after being accused of corruption in a case he has called politically motivated.

Provisional results show the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai party emerged with the most seats after the general election on March 24, which followed almost five years of military rule.

He or his allies have won the most seats in every election held since 2001, only to be unseated from government by coups or the courts.

Pheu Thai says it has built an alliance of anti-junta parties that would have a majority in the lower house of parliament.

That claim is disputed by a pro-military party, Palang Pracharath, which says it will seek to form a coalition government after winning the most votes of any single party. “It’s a significant signal that one side is viewed as more favorable than the other,” said Punchada Sirivunnabood, an associate professor at Mahidol University who often writes about politics.

“Everything points to a favorable outcome for the pro-military party and its allies. They’ll be successful in forming a government, but it will be difficult for them to maintain its power and last a full term.”

The shape of the next government may not emerge for many weeks, following a messy election dogged by opposition claims of rigging and incompetent administration.

Authorities must certify official results by May 9, which comes a few days after Vajiralongkorn’s coronation ceremony.