How do Thailand’s pro-democracy parties beat the junta? Together, says Pheu Thai’s Watana Muangsook
- Thaksin Shinawatra’s confidante, contesting a Bangkok district in the March 24 polls, says the lack of a formal alliance should not prevent a concerted effort to end coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha’s stint as prime minister
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Watana Muangsook said while his Pheu Thai Party and others such as the Future Forward, Bhumjaithai and Seri Ruam Thai parties did not yet have a formal alliance, that should not hinder them from going all out to end Prayuth’s stint as premier.
“To normalise our politics, we must kick out the dictatorship first. After that, we [pro-democratic parties] can talk about working together,” said Watana, who, like Thaksin, is among the junta’s most reviled opponents.
He is contesting Bangkok’s Bang Khae district and spoke to the Post on Tuesday at his campaign operations centre there.
Watana’s comments come as concern rises over whether the Democrat Party – the country’s second biggest party – will tie-up with Palang Pracharat, which would in effect keep the current military rulers in power.
For now, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva – a former premier himself and another of Thaksin’s nemeses – has insisted he will not back Prayuth.