A petition to dissolve the ruling Pheu Thai Party is seen as a politically motivated move, orchestrated by a former ally, according to the party.
The Election Commission (EC) has received four petitions accusing Pheu Thai of being under the influence of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is the father of the current party leader and Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Thaksin, who is not an official member of Pheu Thai, allegedly exerts influence over the party. This contravenes the Political Parties Act, which could lead to the party’s dissolution if proven.
The EC has decided to proceed with an investigation after merging the petitions.
Should the evidence support the claims, the case would be escalated to the Constitutional Court to rule on the party’s potential disbandment.
The petitioners, including an anonymous individual, Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, Palang Pracharath Party member Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, and former Phirap Khao 2006 leader Noppharut Worachitwutthikun, have urged the EC to request the dissolution of Pheu Thai and five other parties due to suspected illegal influence by Thaksin.
The allegations reference instances like the coalition’s policy presentation to parliament, which closely aligns with earlier policy suggestions made by Thaksin.
Central to the accusations is an alleged meeting between Pheu Thai, other coalition parties, and Thaksin at his Chan Song La residence in Bangkok, coinciding with Srettha Thavisin’s ousting as prime minister on August 14.
The implicated parties in the petitions include the Bhumjaithai Party, United Thai Nation Party, PPRP, Chartthaipattana Party, and Prachachart Party.
The Constitutional Court removed Mr. Srettha on August 14, citing the illegal appointment of an ex-convict, Pichit Chuenban, as PM’s Office Minister.
At the meeting on August 14, coalition members and Thaksin discussed potential replacements for Mr. Srettha, ultimately deciding that Chaikasem Nitisiri should take the position.
Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a petitioner and PPRP member, noted that Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, PPRP’s leader, did not attend the meeting, raising questions about PPRP’s involvement through other representatives.
Following Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ascent to prime minister, PPRP was excluded from the coalition, leading to internal strife and a split within the party.
The party faction led by Gen Prawit now aligns with the opposition, while another faction remains with the government.
Accusations from Pheu Thai suggest the split was fueled by Gen Prawit’s ambitions to challenge Paetongtarn for the premiership, a position Thaksin strongly supports.
Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, commented on Sunday that it was evident who was behind the attempt to undermine the party.
He addressed reporters’ inquiries about whether a petition, presumably initiated by Mr. Ruangkrai, was merely a strategic political maneuver following the removal of PPRP from the Paetongtarn-led cabinet.
“It’s plainly obvious. All these actions followed our severance of ties with that party (PPRP),” Mr. Sorawong stated.
He mentioned that Pheu Thai is prepared to counter the petitions, backed by robust evidence to support their case.
“The underlying motives of the petitions are apparent to the public,” commented Mr. Sorawong, who also holds the position of tourism and sports minister.
Anusorn Iamsa-ard, a list MP from Pheu Thai, refuted the assertion that Thaksin controls the party, although he recognized that the EC is obligated to investigate the allegations.