Global Courant 2023-05-22 18:35:00
BANGKOK — Eight political parties that won a majority of seats in Thailand’s May 14 general election signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday promising to rewrite the constitution, recognize same-sex marriage and end military conscription, except in times of need.
The three targets were among 23 outlined in a deal that came about following negotiations led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), which won the most seats and the largest share of the vote in the general election.
In a press conference on Monday, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who plans to support the coalition for the position of prime minister, described talks between the coalition parties as “fruitful” and “comprehensive” but stressed: “Today is only the first step .”
The document lacked any mention of the lèse-majesté law, which the MFP had promised to change during its election campaign. The law punishes any insult or slander against the king, queen, regent or heir to the throne with imprisonment up to 15 years. Royalists argue that amending the law would affect the status of the monarchy, but critics argue that the law has been misused for political reasons.
However, the preamble to the MOU stated that the government’s actions must not affect “the inviolable status of the monarch”.
Pita said his own party would continue to press for a change in the law.
The other seven parties in the coalition are Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Pue Thai Rumphlang and Plung Sungkom Mai.
Although the coalition has 313 seats in Thailand’s 500-seat House of Representatives, it cannot guarantee that Pita, her choice for prime minister, will eventually reach that position. This is because 250 senators appointed by Thailand’s former ruling junta will vote alongside the House of Commons on the choice of the prime minister, requiring each bloc to muster 376 seats to secure the premiership.
Asked by reporters what would happen if it didn’t get the required 376 votes, Mr Pita said it wasn’t something he was worried about at the moment.
He said the coalition released the accountability MOU, although he added it was too early to talk about the allocation of cabinet positions.
Other goals outlined by the coalition government include reforming the military, police and civil service, as well as introducing cannabis regulations to rein in the current free-for-all environment.
On Sunday, Pita tweeted a message in English and Burmese, calling on Thailand’s interim government and the international community to provide rapid assistance to those in Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha.
“This is in line with my new foreign policy agenda as PM-Elect,” he wrote. “My policy towards Myanmar will involve all stakeholders, with an emphasis on human security considerations, including humanitarian and economic aspects. These will be carried out with a view to achieving mutual peace and prosperity for Thailand, Myanmar, ASEAN and beyond.”
When asked on Monday to explain his foreign policy, Pita said his government would abandon quiet diplomacy so that Thailand can assume more leadership on the international front.
