Thailand’s Prayut Changes Party, Willing to Remain PM
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has changed his political party affiliation, saying he is willing to remain in the role of prime minister if given the chance. The move marks a major shift in the Thai political landscape, as Prayut has long been viewed as a staunch ally of the military and a staunch proponent of military rule. Prayut, who has held the post of prime minister since 2014, made the announcement in a press conference on Wednesday. He said he had decided to move from the Palang Pracharath Party to the newly-formed Coalition for Democracy and Reform (CDR). The move is likely to be seen as a sign of Prayut’s willingness to remain in power, despite the fact that he was not elected to the post and has faced criticism for his handling of the country’s economic woes. It is also likely to be seen as a sign of the military’s waning influence in Thai politics, as the CDR is more closely aligned with the pro-democracy movement than with the military.
Prayut’s Move a Response to Pro-Democracy Movement
The move by Prayut is seen as a response to the recent pro-democracy movement in Thailand, which has seen hundreds of thousands of protesters take to the streets in recent months in a bid to force him to step down. The protesters have called for the military to relinquish its grip on power, and for new elections to be held. It is unclear how the move by Prayut will affect the pro-democracy movement, as it is unclear whether the CDR will be willing to support their demands for a new election. However, it is clear that Prayut is eager to remain in power and is hoping to use the move to bolster his position. In his press conference, Prayut said that he was willing to remain in the role of Prime Minister if given the chance, and that his new party was committed to the principle of democracy. He also said that he was willing to work with the protesters and listen to their demands.
Prayut’s Move Could Have Implications for Thai Elections
The move by Prayut could have major implications for the upcoming Thai elections. The CDR is led by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in 2006. It is likely that the CDR will be a major player in the elections, as it is likely to draw support from both the pro-democracy movement and from those who support Thaksin’s return to power. It is also possible that Prayut’s move could lead to a coalition government, as the CDR is likely to seek to form alliances with other parties in order to form a majority in parliament. This could result in a situation where the military no longer has a direct say in the government, and where the pro-democracy movement is able to influence policy.
Prayut’s Move Could Affect US Relations
Prayut’s move could also have implications for US-Thai relations, as the US has been a major supporter of the pro-democracy movement in Thailand. The US has been critical of the military’s grip on power, and it is possible that the US will be less willing to support Prayut and the CDR. It is also possible that the US could impose sanctions on Thailand if Prayut remains in power and if the pro-democracy movement is not allowed to participate in the elections. This could have a major impact on the Thai economy and could further strain US-Thai relations.
Conclusion
The move by Prayut Chan-o-cha to change his party affiliation is likely to have major implications for Thai politics, as it could lead to a coalition government and could put the pro-democracy movement in a position to influence policy. It could also have implications for US-Thai relations, as the US has been a major supporter of the pro-democracy movement and could impose sanctions if Prayut remains in power and if the pro-democracy movement is not allowed to participate in the elections.
