Bangkok: Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, leader of the Rak Chart Party and a prime ministerial candidate, alongside fellow candidate Mr. Jetsada Tonawanik, has called on major political parties to cease engaging in "secret deals" to pre-arrange government formation. Chaiwut emphasized the urgent need to address the economic hardships faced by the populace rather than focusing on constitutional amendments.
According to Thai News Agency, during a morning run at Benjakitti Park, Chaiwut, accompanied by Bangkok Constituency 4 candidate Mr. Sorayuth Likitapakorn and other party members, interacted with young voters. These new voters, students from Triam Udom Suksa School, expressed their concerns about mental health and the Thai education system's reliance on rote memorization. They advocated for educational reforms to foster critical thinking and explanatory skills.
In an interview discussing the current political climate, Chaiwut noted an unusual lack of serious debate and scrutiny in the presentations of the three major political parties. He remarked that the discussions felt like formalities, suggesting that pre-arranged agreements regarding government formation and ministerial allocations have already taken place. This, he argued, undermines the election's ability to truly reflect the people's will.
Chaiwut voiced concerns over the consequences of these alleged secret deals, particularly regarding the unanimous desire among parties to draft a new constitution. This shift in stance, he noted, contrasts with some parties' previous cooperation under the current constitution. He warned that drafting a new constitution is a sensitive issue that could incite social conflict and may not address the country's core problems but rather exacerbate political deadlock.
Chaiwut urged major political parties, especially those likely to lead the government, to abandon secretive agreements and focus on resolving the economic difficulties faced by citizens. He stressed that constitutional amendments are not as urgent as addressing the immediate needs of the people and encouraged voters to support parties with clear ideologies that genuinely represent them in parliament.