Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam assured members of the public that the Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP)-led coalition government is still stable, even though there are some concerns about a razor-thin margin and possible defeats on future bills.
Speaking at the first Singh-Thong Executive Dinner Forum, called "Politics and Finance, the Leading Forces of the Country" and organised by Ramkhamhaeng University Political Science Alumni at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Centara Grand at CentralWorld last night, Mr Wissanu said he was confident that the razor-thin majority would not be a hurdle to the coalition government.
“I have listened to the criticism for two or three months. However, I don’t think it will be an obstacle to our administration. Instead, it will make us more careful. The razor-thin majority is irrelevant.
''If something happens, there are three solutions: a cabinet reshuffle, a resignation, and a dissolution. If the opposition puts forward a vote of no confidence, the government will be ready to leave. All of this is according to standard procedure. It is not worrying at all,” he said.
Mr Wissanu claimed the country's political situation can improve because he has not seen any ominous portent, but he admitted a possible defeat in key bills in the future would be a problem for the coalition.
“In an emergency, the coalition can resort to a royal ordinance. In normal circumstances, it can pass an act, but the proposed law can be rejected in the Lower House, which will result in the coalition’s resignation or dissolution.
''However, the constitution stipulates that if the law is proposed for reform, it will be reviewed by the Upper and Lower Houses. Such a mechanism ensures that a good and reasonable law will not be jeopardised by the razor-thin majority.
“If the law is not proposed for reform, as in the case of the budget bill, and then it is rejected, the coalition runs the risk of having to resign or having the prime minister announce the dissolution of parliament. It is likely that the coalition will propose this type of law in the future. We have to wait and approach the situation as it unfolds,” he said.
Mr Wissanu said that from now on, politics will become more difficult to interpret because people are sceptical of everything and expect firm answers.
“It is not wrong, but the answers are subject to interpretation. Some cases are submitted without any issues in the first place. Politics will move in this direction. Next year, we will face many problems, including the local election and the government’s law proposal. I cannot assure of you whether we can find solutions or not,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the president of the Central Retail Corporation and former central bank governor, expressed concern about Thailand’s inequality, lack of competitiveness and democratic governance.
“A culture of open-mindedness will move the country forward. If we don't develop a tolerance towards conflicting viewpoints and increase our own transparency, we will not see other possibilities. Be careful of totalitarian majority rule. Democracy is not about casting ballots. It is a mindset. The application of the law should also be fair," he said.