A support group for relatives of victims of the 1992 Black May political protest on Sunday said it supported the so-called "Third Force" -- a coalition formed by medium- and small-sized parties -- to form the next government, saying this model can prevent the regime from returning to power.
"If this group can muster 320 votes from the House, it has all the justification it needs to form a majority government," said Adul Khiewboriboon, chairman of the support group.
Recently, news emerged that medium-sized parties -- such as the Democrat Party, Bhumjaithai Party and Future Forward Party -- could join hands to form a government, instead of leaving the bigger parties, Pheu Thai Party and Palang Pracharath Party, to call the shots.
He expressed confidence the public would give them support and prompt senators to pay heed. The group hopes the "Third Force" will reform the new charter, written under the influence of the military government.
Mr Adul voiced concerns about a new round of political divisions ahead of the joint House and Senate meeting on Wednesday to vote for the prime minister. He said the prime ministerial vote could trigger fresh conflicts because the regime-appointed Senate would join the House of Representatives in choosing the premier.
The constitutional clause requiring 250 senators handpicked by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to join the vote was designed to help the regime prolong its stay in power and enable Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's return as post-election premier, he said.
Mr Adul also criticised the pro-regime Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) for pushing ahead with efforts in forming a coalition government despite finishing second in the March 24 polls. The PPPR won the most popular votes of more than 8.44 million votes but was allocated 116 House seats, after the Pheu Thai Party which captured 136 House seats, all from the constituency system, with 7.88 million votes.
The group was urging the senators to vote independently and take into consideration the public interest. "The upper House should take responsibility if its decision leads to conflicts," he said.
The group also called on parties invited by the PPRP to join its coalition to look at other options. "The PPRP would form a coalition with a razor-thin majority, resulting in a government that lacks stability,"he said.
The candidate for prime minister should also receive support from more than half of the MPs too, even though the new charter stipulates the winner must receive more than half of the votes in a joint sitting. Critics pointed out that with 250 senators in the bag, the PPRP would need only 126 votes from the lower House.
