ANALYSIS: Seemingly fractured, the government coalition is not yet ready to split up,
28/01/2010
Writer: Manop Thip-osod and Aekarach Sattaburuth
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, looks out over the House yesterday,
A conflict over charter amendments between the Democrat Party and the smaller coalition partners is far from bringing down the coalition alliance.
The constitution review is merely part of wheeling and dealing among coalition parties to maintain political leverage. Even if the coalition partners fail to amend two points in the charter there are other issues to negotiate and reciprocal deals to make.
The most enticing issues are said to be 1.18 trillion baht in the 2010 budget fund and the 400 billion baht Thai Khem Khaeng economic stimulus package. Only fragments of these funds have been spent so far.
It is widely believed these billions of baht are enough to keep the smaller coalition partners from straying from the Democrat fold and joining the opposition Puea Thai Party.
A source in the Bhumjaithai Party said yesterday de facto leader Newin Chidchob is displeased with the Democrats' resolution not to support amendments, but is not yet willing to break away.
"He is adopting a wait-and-see attitude. In fact there are other conditions," the source said.
The junior coalition parties have more than just constitutional amendments with which to keep pressure on the Democrats, especially with the no-confidence debate that is being planned.
The junior coalition parties have more than just constitutional amendments with which to keep pressure on the Democrats, especially with the no-confidence debate that is being planned.
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