Eyes focused on the Thai Parliament on the 26th and 27th … Will there be a breakthrough in the protests?

In relation to the mounting tensions in the anti-government protests, eyes both inside and outside Thailand are focused on the parliament that will hold a special session on the 26-27.

Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha withdrew the emergency decree on the 22nd, a week after the ‘ban on gathering of more than 5 people’, which had been issued in connection with the incident, urged Congress to solve the problem.

The anti-government protesters are in the position that Prime Minister Prayut’s resignation should be preceded, but they are not opposed to discussions to resolve the issue in Congress.

The two-day parliamentary discussions starting on the 26th will include cabinet ministers, parties participating in the coalition government, opposition parties and senators.

It is a place to hear the views of the Senate and House of Representatives on this situation without a separate vote.

With protesters and the government on a parallel line, and concerns about violence have grown, it is not very significant that a parliament discussion forum has been prepared.

However, considerable pain is expected as it is difficult to resolve any of the protesters’ key demands: resignation of Prime Minister Prayut, reform of the monarchy and revision of the military constitution.

Professor Uttapon Isarachai, a political scientist at Thammarathirat Open University in Sukhothai, told the Hong Kong Media South China Morning Post (SCMP) that “it may not produce any practical results other than initiating a dialogue on possible anti-government protests that may continue for some time. weather”. “There is.”

It is interpreted as a statement taking into account that the difference between the two sides is so great.

Above all, it seems unlikely that the volatile issue of the resignation of the prime minister and the reform of the monarchy will be resolved immediately through two days of parliamentary discussion.

Prime Minister Prayut has already drawn a line that said: “There is no resignation.” It is a position where there is nothing wrong with it.

The military, which has been highly influential in the Thai government, has also not expressed its public stance, but there are reports in local media that it is supporting Prime Minister Prayut.

Prime Minister Prayut, who came to power in a coup in 2014, was re-elected as “legal” in last year’s general elections.

However, the anti-government side argues that general elections are not transparent and have no legitimacy because the constitution contains a toxin clause that requires 250 senators nominated by the military to participate in the election of the prime minister.

The oppression of anti-government personnel and the economic deterioration during the period are also cited as reasons for resignation.

The issue of the reform of the monarchy is even more difficult.

Anti-government protesters have been debating the issue, which has been taboo for decades, since the beginning of August.

The strengthening of public control of royal property, the abolition of contempt for the royal family, support for the king’s coup and the prohibition of political intervention are the main points of the monarchical reform.

However, unlike the 1020 generation, which is the main pillar of the protesters, it is difficult to find a solution in the sense that many of the older generations still regard the king as a sacred and inviolable being.

The king also mentioned at an event on the 15th that “Thailand needs people who love the country and love the monarchy.”

Although the current government has not been mentioned, there is the opinion that it is a response to the demand of the protesters.

Unfortunately, following this comment, supporters of the royal family have been marching through the streets across the country, lighting a “match fire” in protests against the government.

However, there are opinions that the issue of constitutional reform will achieve the desired result.

Economist Decharut Sugumnott cautiously predicted to the SCMP that lawmakers could at least reach an agreement to amend the constitution.

First, Congress was scheduled to vote on six amendments, including a government bill and five opposition parties on the 25th of last month.

However, at the last minute, the Senate opposition, all pro-government figures, only voted on the composition of a special committee to discuss the amendment, resulting in opposition and opposition to the opposition.

It is difficult to predict how the situation will turn out if there is not even an agreement that will be evaluated as the ‘first button to solve the problem’ in the two-day parliamentary discussion.

It is also likely that the worst situation of violence between the government and protesters or between actual supporters and protesters cannot be ruled out.

The Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industry, Kriangkrai Tiannuquan, told the SCMP: “I look forward to a quick and peaceful agreement and compromise between the government and the protesters.”

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