(In Thailand) Thai opposition to hold off on no-confidence vote against government

 

Thailand’s political scene is facing fresh turmoil as opposition parties have decided to pause their push for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This move follows the Constitutional Court’s suspension of Paetongtarn after it accepted a petition from 36 senators accusing her of ethical misconduct. The accusations stem from a leaked phone conversation involving her and Cambodia’s influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Despite calls for accountability, opposition parties agreed not to rush into a no-confidence vote until the court’s ruling is clear. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Leader of the Opposition and head of the People’s Partywhich holds the largest number of parliamentary seatssaid their aim is to prevent a political deadlock. He stressed that all opposition leaders have agreed to cooperate to maintain stability regardless of the court’s decision on Paetongtarn’s status.

This comes as Thailand’s government, holding only a slim majority in parliament, faces mounting pressure from public protests and internal tensions. The opposition includes the Bhumjaithai Party, a former coalition partner that exited the government last month.

As the political standoff continues, public frustration grows, especially among citizens who demand clarity and stronger leadership. The focus now turns to the Constitutional Court, which holds significant influence over what happens next in this deeply divided political landscape. Opposition parties are closely monitoring the outcome before deciding on further action.

With the next parliamentary session starting, political maneuvering is expected to intensify. Both sides appear to be preparing for long-term power plays rather than immediate confrontations. This signals that while the no-confidence vote is delayed, the political heat in Thailand is far from cooling down.

To stabilize the government amidst growing challenges, Thailand’s ruling coalition carried out a major cabinet reshuffle on Thursday. Fourteen new ministers were sworn in during a ceremony led by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Notably, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, despite being suspended as Prime Minister, was included in the reshuffle and has been appointed as Minister of Culture.

This move was seen by critics and analysts as a strategic attempt to maintain party unity and strengthen the coalition’s grip on power. It has raised eyebrows over the message it sends, considering the ethical allegations still pending against her. The reshuffle appears to be aimed at appeasing both internal and external political forces, particularly as opposition pressure mounts.

The cabinet also selected Phumtham Wechayachai as caretaker Prime Minister. At 71, Phumtham is a veteran political figure and a former defense minister. Alongside his new role as caretaker leader, he will also serve as the Minister of Interior. His experience is expected to help calm tensions and maintain the functionality of the government until the court decides Paetongtarn’s fate.

Observers say the new cabinet mix includes loyalists meant to solidify support from key coalition partners and reduce the chances of a parliamentary collapse. However, with street protests growing and public dissatisfaction intensifying, many wonder if the reshuffle will be enough to contain the crisis.

Parliament has reconvened, and although no-confidence proceedings have been delayed, opposition parties are closely watching the next steps. Their unified front, despite ideological differences, signals that the current government remains under serious scrutiny.

For now, Thailand finds itself in a precarious balancing act awaiting a high court ruling, reshuffling leadership, and trying to manage both internal dissent and public pressure with no clear end in sight.

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