Thailand’s Bhumjaithai talking to parties in bid to form government – SABC News
Thailand‘s Bhumjaithai party said on Friday it was talking with other parties towards forming a government and has agreed with demands made by the main opposition People’s Party, the largest party in parliament, in return for its support.
In a statement, Bhumjaithai said its priorities if it forms a government would be taking steps to amend the constitution, resolve a border dispute with Cambodia, and dissolve parliament within four months.
The party has been holding a succession of meetings following the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister earlier on Friday by the Constitutional Court.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, just one year into her term. This comes after a leaked call showed her aligning with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen during a tense border dispute. This led to fighting breaking out weeks later.
In a 6-3 ruling, the court found she violated ethics by putting her personal ties before the country’s interests, and the decision marks the fifth time in 17 years that Thailand’s top court has dismissed a prime minister and the sixth time a leader from the powerful Shinawatra family has been ousted by the courts or the military.
Paetongtarn apologized for the call, insisting she only sought to avoid war.
But her removal weakens the ruling Pheu Thai Party, forcing it to scramble for alliances in parliament.
For now, the deputy premier and cabinet are acting in a caretaker role, while five contenders are eligible to become Thailand’s next prime minister.
Analysts warn that intense deal-making lies ahead, and that the process of choosing a new leader could be drawn out and divisive.