Democrats claim majority to form new Thai Govt

[taksinloong]

Re: Saving Private Abhisit

Dec 7, 1 pm: "Newin backing Abhisit as PM. Should we laugh or cry?" A reader texted me. Well, we can laugh until our tears run dry. Seriously though, it's not quite over yet. The Democrats are having an executive board meeting at 2 pm and the Chuan-Abhisit issue is expected to be discussed. As we have heard, the Newin faction is still gritting its teeth over Abhisit, making many faction members "vulnerable" to the sugar daddy on the other side.

This morning the Puea Thai Party has voted to elect Youngyuth Wichaidit as its new leader. The decision, reportedly a change of heart by ex-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his wife Yaowapa, reportedly puzzled favourite candidate Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, for a while but she finally came to term with it.

Yongyuth is an OK man but with no premiership materials. The party also appointed an executive board that comprises totally low-profile and non-MP figures. The motives are evident: When/if another party dissolution storm brews, no big names will be affected. This, I'm afraid, will be an established formula for most parties in the future when it comes to appointing their executives. Funny, isn't it? Just when we are trying to get rid of "nominees" now it will be hard to walk into Parliament and not bump into someone who isn't some nominee's nominee.

From what we have heard, the Puea Thai Party is still putting up a fight. I think it will go down to the wire and unless a royal command is handed down approving the nomination of Abhisit or Chuan, the Democrats can never be sure. According to Suthep, the Puea Thai camp is making a very sweet offer: If you come to us with 5 MPs, you'll get one Cabinet post.

Knowing Thai politicians, many jaws must have hit the floor and a lot of hush-hush meetings may be already taking place.

Note: From here on, Puea Thai will be spelt "Phue Thai" according to its registration documents.

Dec 7, 3.30 pm: From Greg Love (Hua Hin): "Will the Democrats go about appointing ministers with so many factions to please, and still have enough left to please their own loyal members? I mean this is Thailand, and I would imagine the rats leaving their sinking ships still have a price......or is maybe a truly new generation arising???"

If the Democrats survive the Pheu Thai Party's last-minute do-or-die onslaught, and if the threats of the "Red Army" besieging Parliament do not materialise, the real hard part will begin. But with their own party still intact, I mean never been "diluted" by court dissolution orders, the Democrats will be able to find enough credible names under their quota to fill the Cabinet. Of course, you will see names from the other camps that may make you shake your head, but as far as human resources go, the Democrats have a good advantage compared with their Pheu Thai rivals.

But what do we have here _ rats jumping ships or a new brave generation coming of age? Well, let's say this new generation of rats are quite brave to leave their ships like that.

The Democrats' real advantage, however, will be the lack of pressure to amend the Constitution. The Samak and Somchai governments fell simply because constitutional amendments became their agenda, something that either provoked or played into the hands of the PAD.

A Democrat government will likely face a different kind of street pressure, though. How far the red-shirt movement will go to bring it down will remain to be seen, however.

"Today's Truth" TV programme hosts have held another mobile forum, in which they condemned the "new form of coup" and Anupong in particular. The three hosts _ Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikua _ did not make an explicit call for a red-shirt uprising but they did repeatedly say what was happening on the political scene was "unacceptable." Thaksin's planned phone-in on Dec 13 is apparently still on and he is set to "say it all", according to the TV hosts.

Dec 7, 6.30 pm: Abhisit has made his first public statement since becoming the front-runner for premiership. The fact that he had spoken out about it is more important than his expected national-unity-is-my-agenda message. He would not have gone public with any agenda if he had not been confident of support right now.

Abhisit said his government would strive to bring back national harmony, restore the country's image and repair damage caused to tourism by the political showdown. Asked if he was worried that the political conflicts would make his government shortlived like the last two administrations, he said how long his government stays depends mainly on its perfomance.

"You can look at it two ways. On one hand, this is a time of crisis which makes it very difficult for all of us. On the other hand, it will force us to really work and devote ourselves and listen to what society has to say at the same time," Abhisit said.

I never doubt his oratory skills, be it on a big stage or in a mini group interview. I think few do. His real challenge, obviously, is how to act, mobilize, implement and execute as the chief executive of a deeply-divided nation still in reeling and in turmoil. Most of all, how he can reinvent himself as a remotely neutral leader after having been dragged to much to one side of the conflict may have to be the first priority on his agenda.

Dec 7, 10 pm: "At which point do you believe we will actually get real clarity as to whom is to govern, and do you think they will have the mandate from the public to do so successfully?" asks Michael Brear.

When the prime minister is sworn in. No kidding here, Mike. The Democrats are not certain themselves. Rumours about some members of the Newin camp are to be "priced out" of the alliance are continuous. And even though Sanan has pledged to support the Democrats, there is no guarantee all MPs of the defunct Chat Thai Party would follow him. This is why Abhisit and Suthep will pay a courtesy call on Banharn tomorrow to make an earnest plea for his support.

You also mentioned a UN-observed new election in the future. I can't laugh at that. Believe it or not, I wrote an article a year and a half ago joking that the PAD will become a fortress of militants with gun-totting guards searching visitors. What do we know?

Now from Jeremy: "Please enlighten me: all this reporting of Newin siding with the Democrats, Newin changing his mind, Newin this and Newin that - has everyone forgotten that he was banned from politics? Doesn't that ban carry any weight? Can't he be taken to task from being so blatantly involved with political manoevouring? I simply do not understand"

Welcome to the club, buddy.

Dec 8, 11.30 am: A quick wrap-up for you. The Democrats now want the House to convene the extra session ASAP because the Pheu Thai manoeuvring to unsettle the alliance is getting more intense by the minute. A motion to convene the House session, remember, has to be approved by the King.

Acting PM Chavarat has apparently dismissed a House dissolution, saying he has been told, or warned, that it could only prolong the crisis. Moreover, he admitted that he was not even sure he had the power to dissolve the House.

The Democrats surely don't want this to drag on. Rumours have it the Newin faction is in danger of a break-up. The Pheu Thai Party now is claiming about 202 MPs. All it takes is some 25 more and we are back to the stalemate.

I will be back in the afternoon. Please stay tuned. You can also follow major breaking news on the breaking news section of our website.

Dec 8, 3 pm: The Democrat motion to convene a special House session has been submitted. The Pheu Thai Party is also planning to submit a similar motion of its own. House Speaker Chai said it would take about three days to check the signatures before the Democrat motion can be presented to HM the King.

As of now, the House session may take place as late as next week. It promises to be a very long, anxious wait for Abhisit. Our latest information has it that only 21 Newin faction MPs remain committed to the Democrat alliance.



Dec 8, 3.30 pm: While we are waiting for new major developments, here are some Abhisit fun facts:

...Former finance minister Tarrin Nimanahaeminda, who was always reported to be at odds with Abhisit at the Democrat Party, once described his young party colleague as having an "exceptional mind".

....That "exceptional mind" once put his ATM code near his ATM card, and a house maid reportedly exploited them big time.

....He's addicted to iPod. His carries like 8,000 songs.

....His whole family doesn't eat breakfast.

....If you aren't his close relative, never expect to enter his house. He never invites anyone, using the same old "It's so messy" excuse.

....He wakes up very early, and loves to drive his kids to school.

Part 5

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Saving Private Abhisit

Dec 8, 4.30 pm: Chalerm has finally come out and quickly made up for his unusal silence over the past few days. "He who laughs last laughs the loudest," he said. According to him, the Democrats must be quaking in their boots now after several members of the Newin faction have refused to jump on the Abhisit bandwagon. In my humble opinion, whether the Newin faction speculation is true or false, Chalerm will do the Pheu Thai Party a whole world of good if he keeps his mouth shut. I mean, what's the use of reminding anyone that he's a challenger for the PM post on the Pheu Thai side?

To add to the Democrats' anxiety, rumours have it that the PAD may not be totally happy with what's going on, or with being practically left out to be precise. Some pro-PAD and anti-Democrat articles have emerged. And a very weird conspiracy theory has been leaked from the PAD alleging there's a possibility of a Thaksin-Demcorat secret handshake. The Manager website is at the moment highlighting calls for both camps to "stall" efforts to form a new government until all legal questions related to the three parties' dissolution are cleared.

Dec 8, 6 pm: We have just had our last news meeting of the day and the Abhisit-is-sure-bet sentiment has become anything but. Although he and Suthep gave lovely flowers to Banharn, the latter didn't return the favour by pledging his full support for a Democrat government. Or maybe Banharn has simply lost control of the MPs leaving his dissolved party in all directions.

The mind game is continuing, with the Pheu Thai camp being the one making louder noises. To compound the Democrats' worries, questions have resurfaced regarding the party list MPs' status, causing doubts about whether a House forum with them participating will be legitimate. And worse, House speaker Chai is one of the party list MP.

If we have to wait for the Constitution Court to rule on the party list issue before the House can elect the new PM, the alleged on-going bidding war may reach insane proportions. X'mas must have come early for many of our MPs.

Dec 9, 1.30 am: You can't say Thailand is not a democratically mature country when our top prime ministerial candidate is being scrutinised for his military records. To cut a long story short, Abhisit's opponents said he never got proper exemption for military service, and that his brief spell as a teacher at the Chulachomklao Military Academy could not compensate for that. (And since he was never legally exempted, his recruitment as the academy's teacher could have been a result of false documents.)

This issue was brought up against him in Parliament many years ago with little political impact. At that time, however, he was not someone who was poised to be prime minister three months after an incument prime minister had been removed by the court for hosting a TV cooking show.



The three hosts of "Today's Truth" have vowed not to give it a rest this time round.

But the Democrats will worry about that later. The outgoing Cabinet is scheduled to meet possibly for the last time today, but on its agenda is reportedly the possibility of a House dissolution (whether acting PM Chavarat should dissolve the House and if he is constitutionally empowered to do it). We have known that Chavarat, with his close ties to Newin, didn't want to dissolve the House and has been warned against it without the legal questions being answered first. But the Cabinet agenda is a cause for concern anyway.

The Democrats have not choice but to keep the reluctant allies in line by continuing talks with them over how the Cabinet cake is to be shared. The allies have been told they will keep their PPP-era quotas. House Speaker Chai may move over to the administrative side and assume the transport portfolio (which should make his son Newin reasonably happy) while former Democrat leader Banyat Bantadtan may replace him as the speaker.

Some news websites have gone as far as naming names for key Cabinet portfolios. A little too early for that, don't you think?

Gossip of the day: According to a Newin faction member, Newin told Thaksin when the latter called and pleaded for him to stay: "It's over, boss. I have come this far. Let's go our own (separate) ways politically."

Dec 9, 11 am: On Dec 3, I wrote: "If Banharn agreed to back Abhisit after that demonstration of unbearable pain, grief and anger in the wake of his party's dissolution, why doesn't he go for a better option of entering monkhood and take a shot at nirvana?"

Well, why not do all that in one go? News reports today quoted him as saying that he's considering becoming a monk after all this is over.

Kevin Crossfield, in his second email, won't rush to judgement on whether Thailand is democratically mature, but he questions the country's competitiveness in mathematics. "3 days to check a few dozens signatures - thats a long time!!!!!!!!!!" he wrote me, referring to the time the House of Representatives needs to verify the motion to convene a special session.

Yes, in normal circumstances. But imagine a couple of parliamentary secretaries trying to reach 60 MPs whose all communications devices all plugged in exclusively for cash transfer activities. Not that easy, eh?

Dec 9, 11.30 am: Leaders of the defunct Chat Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties, Puea Paendin and Ruamjaithai Chat Pattana parties are set to have a joint press conference at noon. Oh please, I can't take any more surprise.

Abhisit's fans, however, can take heart from the latest comment by ex-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat: "The new leader I heard is someone who's handsome and kind. All the best to the new government. Everyone should start playing by the rules now because our problems were priminarily caused by the country's rules not being respected. As for me, it has been neither a loss nor a gain, just a great experience."

Wow...

You can follow the developments on our website. I will be away for a couple of hours.

Dec 9, 5.30 pm: What a difference one photo can make. Newin and Abhisit hugging and all of a sudden the Democrat alliance now is looking more than assured. Adding a press conference by the other allies defecting from the Pheu Thai camp, during which they reiterated support for the young Democrat leader, the race, which has been tormenting you and me for a week, appears very near its conclusion.

More comments, updates and analyses, however, will continue on this space until the next PM is sworn it. Please don't get bored yet.

Part 6 - end

 

[taksinloong]

Thaksin uses Coffins + Bomb + wreaths to warn traitors

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/10/politics/politics_30090622.php


Coffins for 'traitors'
By The Nation
Published on December 10, 2008


Members of the Friends of Newin group, who have decided to back the Democrats, found bombs, coffins and wreaths at their houses yesterday.

However, Nakhon Ratchasima MP Boonchong Wongtrairat said he refused to be intimidated, saying the explosive device found in his home was just a threat. Boonchong was in Bangkok at the time of its discovery. Earlier, two coffins had been placed in front of the house, along with a letter that said Boonchong lacked ideology and signed by the Korat People Love Democracy group.

The group had decided to support Democrat to form a government, regardless of whom it chooses to nominate as prime minister, he said. The would talk other coalition parties to switch sides too, he said.

Meanwhile, 20 red-shirted demonstrators placed wreaths in front of the houses of Khon Kaen MPs Panya Sripanya and Prachak Klaewklahan. The demonstrators later handed a bouquet of flowers to Chakarin Patdamromgchit, a Khon Kaen MP who still supports Pheu Thai.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Re: Saving Private Abhisit

God help Thailand is all I can say.

Anyway, if you put a gun to my he...e. Pull the damned trigger. part 1[/QUOTE]

 

[uncleyap]

Abhisit advised to throw Ang Pow to rural peasants

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/10/politics/politics_30090617.php

NEW GOVERNMENT
Spoil Isaan : Newin tells Abhisit


By Bancha Khaengkhan
The Nation
Published on December 10, 2008




Former foe links up with Democrats as coalition moves gather strength


Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has received good advice from former adversary Newin Chidchob: "If you were to dish Bt100 billion into Isaan, pretty soon the Isaan people would forget Thaksin [Shinawatra]."
The irony of Thai politics was played out fully at the Siam City Hotel yesterday when Abhisit presented a bouquet of roses to Newin before hugging and shaking hands.


Newin, who has been banned from politics for five years, still musters serious political clout because a faction of 37 MPs from the defunct People Power Party offer a crucial swing vote to catapult Abhisit into the premiership.


In 1995, Newin launched a fierce no-confidence debate that critically brought down the Democrat-led government. And until just recently he had been considered Thaksin's right-hand man.


Newin told Abhisit that if, after assuming the top office, he were to focus on helping people in the Northeast - such as raising the guaranteed price for maize from Bt1.80 to Bt2 per kilo - he would certainly win their hearts.
"If the Democrats can perform in a way that wins over the Isaan people's hearts, the people there would soon forget Thaksin," he reportedly told Abhisit. "Other programmes at the ground level for the Northeast must be clear and tangible. The Isaan people would give the Democrats a chance. The government should stay on for at least two years."


Abhisit now appears to be just a few steps away from taking over as Thailand's 27th prime minister.


Yesterday key leaders of the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Puea Pandin, Matchima Thipataya and Chart Thai Pattana parties met at the Four Seasons Hotel to reaffirm their support for the Democrats to become the core of a new coalition government.


Along with additional support from the Newin faction and other MPs, Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban claimed he already had commitments from 260 MPs, a comfortable margin over the necessary 215. Parliament currently has 428 MPs.


The emergence of a Democrat-led government would deal a big blow to ex-prime minister Thaksin's comeback ambitions. His Pheu Thai Party, a reincarnation of the defunct People Power, looks more fragile than previously. The prospect of Pheu Thai serving in opposition will undermine Thaksin's influence in Parliament, the police and the bureaucracy, which has helped prop up his power.


Sanan Kachornprasart, a leader of the Chart Thai Pattan
a Party, said the four parties had resolved to stick together and, if they faced problems, would reach a decision together. They had vowed not to steal MPs from each other, he said.


Asked whether Abhisit could not be voted in as PM because he did not pass military conscription, Sanan said if the Democrat had committed any offence he would not have been hired to teach at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy - or given a military rank.


Leading Democrats, including secretary-general Suthep, and core members of the 'Friends of Newin' faction turned out to witness Abhisit and Newin seal their political deal.


Seen smiling at the event was former Thai Rak Thai executive Anuthin Chanweerakul, son of caretaker Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul. This quelled fears Chaovarat might dissolve the House in order to prevent an Abhisit-led government.


Newin said he had based his shift on four things: hope the Democrats can lift the country out of turmoil, the need to urgently address the plight of the poor, rewrite the charter and uphold the law.


"I want to ensure every Democrat that nothing can make me waver in my stand on the vote for prime minister," he said in reference to intense lobbying efforts for the coalition led by the Pheu Thai Party.
It was no time for games that could fuel further political uncertainty, he noted.

 

[Alu862]

yap the lone ranger in his quest for nothing.

 

[silverfox@]

Re: Abhisit advised to throw Ang Pow to rural peasants

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has received good advice from former adversary Newin Chidchob: "If you were to dish Bt100 billion into Isaan, pretty soon the Isaan people would forget Thaksin [Shinawatra]."
The irony of Thai politics was played out fully at the Siam City Hotel yesterday when Abhisit presented a bouquet of roses to Newin before hugging and shaking hands.

If Abhisit is going to dish Bt100 billion into Isaan, the rural folks will support him and the urban folks is going to whack him back.
Moral of the story is you can't have your cake and eat it. :p

 

[silverfox@]

I seriously think the Pueu Thai should not oppose the Democrat. Instead let them have the majority this time and see what kind of magic they can work to steer the country out of their economy blues.

Then the people shall judge whether this is the replacement in the form of Democrats that they want. It's a super uphill task for Democrats to emulate what Thaksin did.

It's either they win the votes over or they are going to lose more votes to Pueu Thai. (Thaksin's proxy) It's a situation hard to win but easy to lose.

 

[zack123]

Wah! Wah! You use your crystal balls to predict issit?

I can predict that it will be still unstable as the fight isn't over yet.

Thug-Sin is going back for some bleeding terrorism, he already bombed every where, just the brave PAD people are not afraid to die for their country.

When the divide / contention is as strong as this, it is not going to be resolved until the fight depletes one of them towards zero. The price is high but the spirit is very respectable.

One thing the rest of the world had learn now about Thailand is their people are non-compliance and their resolve are very strong their courage are very high. They can not be easily conquered and ruled.

They don't need National Service.

Singapore even with NS can be any time conquered and ruled and the people will easily comply.

The world saw that Thais are willing to pay huge economic price to settle political differences. The hundreds of thousands of PAD protesters came from all walks of their society including military and police, including those who make a living from tourism related industries, students etc. When Thug-Sin's bombs hit them, they did not run away, they are braver than our NS men. They served their nation proudly and practically.

The highest price they had paid are not limited to lives and money, but actually the rule of law that may be hard to reinstall.

When Democrats form government now, the Thug-Sin's camp will disrupt in similar or worst ways. I am expecting bombs to blast everywhere. Rule of Law is something more fragile than people really know. Once it is destroyed it is not so easy to restore. This is the highest price. It rendered elections meaningless when people will not just accept it's result and are willing to fight things out until they are satisfied.

I am proud for the Thais, admire them for willing to pay this price.

It is not over yet, keep your eyes opened.

 

[The_Latest_H]

I don't admire the Thais for putting themselves into the m&d for this. I don't admire the price ordinary Thais have to pay for this.

I know for a fact that in difficult times, it calls for sacrifice: but sacrifice that will enhance the future of the country in the short and long run. But this is not sacrifice; its purely political selfishness by the Thai politicians, armed services, partisans and by the officials in the Thai monarchy.

And in the end, it wouldn't be these groups suffering from an economical fallout; instead its the ordinary citizens who will pay for seeing such sausages being wrangled out in public.

As for the new PM, well, I wish him all the best and all the luck. He darn well needs it for the first year at least. If he can survive the first year, he might last the whole term. He might even perform better than the last Democrat Prime Minister if he last his first year intact. And in the jungle that is Thai politics, its not gonna be easy.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

CHALLENGE: DEALING WITH NEWIN

Tulsathit Taptim
.
A PHOTO of Newin Chidchob, the new kingmaker, hugging Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva marks the end of an era. Strangely, it also reminds us that Thailand’s politics remain unchanged.
.
For some, hope may be rising; for others, the ironies of the past few days hardly inspire optimism.
.
Assuming the road ahead is clear for the 45-year-old Democrat, Mr Abhisit’s rise will be remembered not for what it gave Thailand, but for what its people had to give up.
.
So many principles have been compromised and so much of Thailand’s reputation has been stained.
.
How can we embrace “new politics” when Mr Abhisit is winning on the back of what is believed to be a fierce bidding war?
.
We hailed the 1997 Constitution for its safeguards against factional politics holding the leader hostage, but look at what is happening. We deplored the use of political nominees, but the new government will still be crawling with them.
.
Mr Newin said it hurts him to have to back Mr Abhisit. The feeling is probably mutual. And since it also hurts Thais to see both men making a pact, it begs the ultimate question of why it had to be this way.
.
If you perceive Mr Abhisit as a new hope, then Mr Newin must be a necessary transition. It will depend on how well the new leader rises to the numerous challenges. There is the persistent trouble in the South, the widening red-yellow national divide, international mistrust — if not disdain — of our current political system, and the looming economic slowdown.
.
If you don’t have faith in Mr Abhisit, then Mr Newin’s rebellion against his “boss” must epitomise the chronic political ills of Thailand. The politician, who to many of us embodies all that is wrong about our system, must have jumped from a sinking ship to the nearest vessel afloat.
.
How did Mr Abhisit go from fighting against Mr Newin’s “boss” to becoming his new “boss”?
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Mr Abhisit’s supporters can take heart from the fact that, there is no better way. It’s either that, or remain stuck in the PAD-versus-nominees showdown.
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Or this can be considered a new form of coup d’etat. First, Mr Newin’s old boss was neutralised, then his party was disbanded and more legal rat-traps were laid, leaving all the rats with one option.
.
The military, it was alleged, also played a role, telling their former Democrat rivals including Mr Newin: “Join us, or else.”
.
Like Mr Samak Sundaravej and Mr Somchai Wongsawat before him, Mr Abhisit will lead a country in which half of the population does not trust in his government.
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Mr Thaksin Shinawatra’s shadow, which has loomed over Thailand since 2006, will fade. So, unlike Mr Samak and Mr Somchai, Mr Abhisit will be free from the pressure to serve a master.
.
Mr Samak made the biggest mistake by mooting constitutional amendments widely seen as intended to whitewash one man, giving the PAD the excuse to take to the streets — and everything went downhill from there.
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Mr Abhisit’s job is simpler. His challenge is how to act as the chief executive of a deeply divided nation that is still in turmoil.
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His first priority: Reinventing himself as a neutral leader, after having been dragged too far to one side of the conflict.
.
It may look like an uphill task, but at least Mr Abhisit will be the first leader in ages who will be able to concentrate on national matters. He does not have a business empire to run. Neither does he need to twist tax or stock market laws.
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But with Mr Newin back with a bang, Mr Abhisit will have to learn how to deal with the Newin factor. THE NATION
.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

$2.4m to lure back each defecting MP
Puea Thai offering cash ahead of Monday’s election of new PM, say sources

.
BANGKOK — The Puea Thai (For Thais) Party has gone on the offensive to lure back defecting MPs in a desperate battle to form the next government ahead of the Democrats, reported The Nation newspaper.
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Party sources said several MPs in the Friends of Newin faction, who switched sides to join the Democrat-led coalition, were being offered a total of 55 million baht each ($2.4 million) to change their mind. The faction in the dissolved People Power Party (PPP) are supporters of Buri Ram politician Newin Chidchob.
.
“We heard that the financial incentives are very generous with an immediate 5 million baht downpayment as soon as each of the MPs signs applications to join the new party. Another 25 million baht will be paid if the applications are approved and they become party members. Finally, each will get a last instalment of another 25 million baht after the vote for the PM,” a source said.
.
Parliament is set to meet on Monday to elect a new Prime Minister. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Chai Chidchob, told reporters that King Bhumibol Adulyadej had endorsed a request from the Democrat Party to hold the session.
.
Puea Thai, backed by ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is the reincarnation of the PPP. It currently has around 193 MPs plus another five from the Pracharaj Party headed by Snoh Thienthong.
.
The Democrat Party claimed to have a majority — about 240 MPs — and has sought to convene a special House session to elect Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat leader, as the new Prime Minister.
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An MP from the former government said Puea Thai may seek to dissolve the House if it cannot muster enough votes.
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Meanwhile, Puea Thai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul filed a petition to the Election Commission yesterday, citing pictures of Mr Newin hugging Mr Abhisit as proof of the banned politician’s unlawful involvement in forming a government.
Puea Thai offering cash ahead of Monday’s election of new PM, say sources

.