Thai coalition partners forming transition team towards new government

By Esra Tekin

ANKARA (AA) - In the wake of Thailand’s May 14 elections, the country’s possible future premier said on Tuesday that a transition team has been formed to maintain active involvement with government agencies while taking caution not to exceed the bounds of the caretaker government's jurisdiction, said the local media.

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, stressed the urgency of addressing critical matters, including drought concerns and ongoing negotiations for the potential acquisition of Chinese submarines, Bangkok-based news website Khaosod reported.

He said that these issues would be promptly handled by the transition team, according to the local media.

The MFP is the leading member of an eight-party coalition – with 313 seats – in Thailand which signed an agreement laying out a common agenda in an effort to form the next government after winning a majority of seats in the country’s May 14 general elections.

The transition team, which Pita heads, has representatives from other parties and will address various crucial issues including energy prices, drought, the deep south region, drafting a new charter, environmental concerns, living costs, and combating drug-related challenges.

A comprehensive memorandum of understanding among the eight parties spearheaded by the MFP outlines crucial objectives including constitutional reform, recognition of same-sex marriages, forging a sustainable peace in the southern border provinces, and the overhaul of the justice system to ensure fairness and transparency.

The other parties in the coalition are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachat, Seri Ruam Thai, Pheu Thai Ruam Palang, the FAIR Party and Plung Sungkom Mai.

If the coalition manages to win a majority of 376 seats in both houses of Thailand’s parliament in a process that will take at least 60 days to begin, Pita will become Thailand’s 30th prime minister in July at a joint session of parliament.​​​​​​​