No Corners to Fight – Palang Pracharath Asserts Confidence, Unfazed by Thaksin's Release
Palang Pracharath leaders assert the government faces no threat from Thaksin Shinawatra's prison release, citing solid coalition stability with 300 parliamentary votes and a functioning partnership with Pheu Thai despite the former premier'
In Thai politics, it's well understood that the current Anutin Charnvirakul government commands strong political stability as the representative of genuine political conservatism, enjoying solid backing that encompasses the military and independent institutions. Parliamentary support is overwhelming, with Palang Pracharath holding 192 seats, Pheu Thai contributing 74 seats, plus additional smaller parties—totaling nearly 300 votes combined. When former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra recently walked free from prison to resume life at home, observers questioned whether any political upheaval might follow. Multiple Palang Pracharath leaders have stepped forward to emphasize that nothing will shake the government, which maintains strong stability. Crucially, Pheu Thai remains a coalition partner functioning effectively. When forming the government, Palang Pracharath honorably invited Pheu Thai to join first among all. Looking back at negotiations between the two parties during coalition formation, influential figures from Pheu Thai worked behind the scenes with Palang Pracharath's spiritual leadership. Although Thaksin was imprisoned at that time and had no direct involvement, those negotiating on Pheu Thai's behalf certainly reported to him. The government's composition with only two major parties demonstrates their solid cooperation. Therefore, Thaksin's prison release should pose no concern for the Palang Pracharath-led government. While the previous Pheu Thai government did collapse in September 2568 due to rifts between the two parties—with Palang Pracharath shifting to a minority government via support from the People's Party while Pheu Thai moved to opposition and Thaksin entered prison—recent early 2569 elections brought the two parties back together as a two-party government. Prime Minister Anutin stated when inviting Pheu Thai for negotiations: 'Let us forget the painful past.' When Thaksin was released, Anutin warmly welcomed him, reiterating respect for his former superior as before. Regarding Thaksin's situation, he remains on probation for four more months with 112 court cases pending appeal, leaving him no choice but to remain quiet. Thaksin's own statement upon release was that after eight months in prison, he remembers nothing—apparently signaling he won't revisit painful history and will make no controversial statements.
