Military party taking shape

W hile a precise date for the general election remains shrouded in mystery — having already likely been pushed back from November — efforts are under way to form a new political party with the backing of key military figures, a source said.

They are trying to strike deals with factions from preexisting parties and persuade them to team up in support of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha so he can resume his place at the helm after the poll, the source added.

The military-backed party may operate under the name Pracharath (peoplestate partnership). This refers to a government policy aimed at bringing together the state, private sector and public to boost economic growth and make the nation more competitive.

The Pracharath programme is being steered by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who in the past served as the head of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party’s economic team.

This time, Mr Somkid is expected to assume a key role in the new party, the source said.

The same source added that several former leaders of political factions from Thai Rak Thai, particularly those based in the Central Plains and lower Northeast, are being approached to join.

The upper North and Northeast serve as strongholds of the Pheu Thai Party, meaning they are best left alone as voters there remain steadfast in their support and loyalty.

The source said the new party is expected to garner at least 60 House seats from the Central Plains, lower North and lower Northeast.

Movers and shakers behind the scenes are said to be happy with the growing support for the new party.

Moreover, several former key figures from Thai Rak Thai are believed to be making themselves available for deputy prime ministerial posts if such a party is formed and wins the poll.

On Dec 22, Gen Prayut invoked a Section 44 order in his capacity as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to amend an organic law so that existing parties could have more time to review their membership databases and re-register.

Section 44 is a hangover from the previous interim charter as it was carried over to the current constitution.

Parties have cried foul over the order, saying it will benefit emerging parties. They say requiring all party members to register again amounts to a “reset” that would open the door to some defecting elsewhere.

The order has been met with fierce criticism from both the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties, which have petitioned the Constitutional Court to rule whether the order violates the constitution.

Contentious issues stemming from the amended organic law relate to party members being required to produce letters to confirm their membership and pay party fees within 30 days from April 1 or lose their status.

The order also gives new parties a month’s head start. Existing parties will not be able to begin their member registration process until April 1, while new parties can start on March 1.

Many politicians expressed concerns about the pressing deadlines introduced as a result of the order having been invoked.