Nakhon phanom: Ms. Manoporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport and Pheu Thai Party MP for Nakhon Phanom District 2, recently criticized the state of Thai politics during a visit to her constituency. She highlighted her experience as an MP over the past two years, during which she has cast her vote for the Prime Minister five times, as indicative of the political system’s flaws.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Manoporn met with villagers in her district to affirm her political stance and dedication to her constituents. Despite her tenure as Deputy Minister of Transport being cut short, she expressed her commitment to the Pheu Thai Party and her role as an MP, emphasizing her dedication to the lower-class community. During her visit, she gifted white sarongs to elderly residents to boost their morale and encouraged them to engage in community activities like visiting temples and listening to sermons.
Ms. Manoporn called on the people to maintain their trust in the Pheu Thai Party, assuring them that the party stands ready to support and serve the populace of Nakhon Phanom District 2. She firmly stated that her primary responsibility is to represent the interests of the lower-class community, despite changes in her ministerial role. She praised the Pheu Thai Party’s policies, asserting that they have consistently benefited the people across different eras and that many of these initiatives remain in effect.
Ms. Manoporn expressed concerns about the current political climate in Thailand, describing it as distorted. She pointed out that despite the electoral process, the true power rests with a select few, rendering the voices of the electorate ineffective. She recounted her experience of voting for the Prime Minister on five separate occasions, with the process often hampered by issues such as Senate interventions and Constitutional Court rulings.
The Deputy Minister criticized the 2017 constitutional law enacted by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), arguing that it allows decisions to be made by a minority rather than reflecting the people’s will as expressed through elections. She noted that the Pheu Thai Party, despite receiving over 11 million votes, was sidelined in favor of parties that did not win the election.
Further illustrating her point, she highlighted the formation of a minority government led by the Bhumjaithai Party, despite its lack of majority support. This outcome, she believes, undermines Thailand’s democratic system, especially since the Prachachon Party, which had vowed not to support Bhumjaithai, eventually did so, contributing to a government with limited longevity and potential instability.
Ms. Manoporn also addressed external criticisms from figures like Hun Sen, attributing dissatisfaction with the Pheu Thai government to its policies targeting call center gangs and the development of entertainment complexes. These initiatives, she argued, disrupted financial channels that facilitated the extraction of funds from Thailand, ultimately contributing to the government’s downfall. Nevertheless, she maintained confidence in the Pheu Thai Party’s historic policies, citing successful initiatives such as universal healthcare, elderly allowances, and debt relief as examples of their enduring impact.
In conclusion, Ms. Manoporn reiterated her belief that the Pheu Thai Party continues to represent the people’s hope and remains prepared to govern effectively should another election be called.