The Pheu Thai Party will not change the lese-majeste law if it leads a government, says prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin, adding that the shape of a Pheu Thai-led coalition has not been finalised.
If Pheu Thai nominates its prime ministerial candidate in the next joint sitting of the House and Senate on July 27, it will exclude the possibility of amending or revoking Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Mr Srettha said on Thursday.
“Otherwise it will not receive support from political parties and senators. … If we take the lead, this matter must stop,” he said.
Mr Srettha is believed to be the most likely nominee for prime minister after Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party, failed to win a majority vote from the House and Senate on July 13. Opponents spoke out against Move Forward’s plan to change the lese-majeste law during the debate before the vote.
Mr Pita’s second attempt to win the job on Wednesday was stopped after lawmakers decided that parliamentary regulations prohibit a nomination from being repeated.
Many senators have made it clear that they will not support a candidate from any coalition that includes Move Forward unless the latter takes Section 112 off the table.
However, Mr Srettha said he believes that if issues are discussed positively, senators should give firm support to a Pheu Thai-led administration.
Asked if that coalition would still include Move Forward, he said that would depend on negotiators.
For the time being, the former real estate tycoon said, Move Forward and Pheu Thai are two key components in the eight-party coalition alliance of 312 MPs.
Mr Srettha said he expected the eight parties would discuss coalition formation efforts again on Thursday evening or Friday.
Asked if Mr Pita’s effort to become prime minister had come to an end, Mr Srettha said it had, based on the relevant legal aspects.
