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Legislators

Pheu Thai Government Faces Challenges in Delivering on Promises

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Pheu Thai government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has faced significant challenges since the operation to seize control of the Ministry of the Interior. The Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal from the coalition government has reduced the ruling coalition's seats from 324 to 255, making it increasingly difficult to manage parliamentary votes. Despite attempts to strike deals with opposition MPs and Bhumjaithai MPs, the government's stability is still precarious. However, Pheu Thai has confirmed that it can sway "cross-floor MPs" to secure votes for key legislation, potentially reaching a vote count of 270-275 seats. The government's focus now is on delivering on its campaign promises and pushing forward key policies, including the implementation of national security measures, energy security, economic and financial reforms, and agricultural price issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ruling coalition's total seats have decreased from 324 to 255, just 7 votes above the required majority of 248, following the Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal.
  • Pheu Thai has received confirmation that it can sway "cross-floor MPs" to secure votes for key legislation, potentially reaching 270-275 seats.
  • The government's focus is on delivering on its campaign promises, including key policies such as national security measures, energy security, economic and financial reforms, and agricultural price issues.
  • Pheu Thai has committed to fulfilling its campaign promise of raising the minimum wage to 600 baht per day by 2027.
  • The Ministry of Labour has been tasked with presenting measures to increase the minimum wage for Cabinet approval next week, aiming for implementation in early July.
  • The government is also focused on dismantling the legacy of the Bhumjaithai Party, particularly the entrenched "blue network" in various organisations, including the Ministry of the Interior.
  • The government has instructed the Health Minister to reclassify cannabis as a controlled substance and accelerate efforts to regulate its use solely for medical purposes.

Statistics:

  • The ruling coalition's seats have decreased from 324 to 255, a 43% reduction.
  • Pheu Thai has promised to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht per day by 2027.
  • The government aims to implement national security measures to address transnational crime linked to the Thai-Cambodian border issue.
  • The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, has been tasked with preparing measures to ensure energy reserves and support for citizens in case of shortages or price hikes.
  • The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Pichai Chunhavajira, has been assigned responsibility for tackling citizens' debt problems and resolving issues regarding agricultural product prices.

Sources:

  • The Nation: "Pheu Thai to push forward with campaign promises"
  • Bangkok Post: "Government to focus on delivering campaign promises"
  • Reuters: "Thai government to push forward with policies despite Bhumjaithai withdrawal"
  • Prachatai: "Pheu Thai to dismantle Bhumjaithai legacy, focus on key policies"

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