Thai opposition backs Bhumjaithai party

3/9/2025 17:45

The biggest party in

Thailand's parliament said on Wednesday it would back the

Bhumjaithai party to form the next government, boosting the

prospect of an end to days of political deadlock following the

prime minister's sacking.



The opposition People's Party's decision to back Bhumjaithai

over the ruling Pheu Thai party could be a game-changer, as it

controls nearly a third of lower house seats.



People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the

party had decided to back Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul

for prime minister, to prevent the return of a coalition

government that was not fit to rule again.



"There is a risk that there would be a return of the old

coalition which has failed to run the country in the last two

years, and a risk of the return of the coup maker as prime

minister," he said, referring to Prayuth Chan-ocha, a general

who seized power in 2014 and remains eligible to become premier,

despite retiring.



The ruling Pheu Thai party, which last week suffered the

loss of its prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to a court

ruling, had sent out mixed messages late on Tuesday, saying it

was ready to face off with the rival Bhumjaithai party on a vote

on a new premier, but could also call a new election.



Paetongtarn's dismissal on Friday for an ethics violation

triggered a scramble for power, with her once-dominant Pheu Thai

party racing to shore up a fragile coalition with a slender

majority as its former alliance partner Bhumjaithai mounted a

bold challenge to form its own government.