As the coronavirus pandemic winds down and the government has begun to ease lockdown measures, a disorganized opposition is failing to capitalize on the government’s mismanagement through infighting and strong egos.
The government has infamously ‘left behind’ numerous Thais in their quest to stop the virus and while the administration deserves commendation for keeping virus infections low, the government has not done its best to ensure that low-income households can weather the outbreak.
Suicide rates are up and numerous Thais have not been able to access the governments subsidies. Even as lockdown measures ease, many Thais left unemployed by the lockdown will struggle to pick up where they left off before the outbreak started.
But instead of capitalizing on the government’s misstep in this regard, the opposition continues to shoot itself in the foot with infighting and big egos taking central stage.
Instead of providing a united front, many opposition leaders are insisting on starting their own party, buoyed perhaps by new electoral rules which rewards pluralism and smaller parties.
This is not to mention the Move Forward Party which was gutted by the Constitutional Court and profiteering former MPs who left the party in search of power and riches.
This past week, several big name Pheu Thai MPs and politicians announced that they were exploring starting their own parties.
Former Pheu Thai mainstay Chaturon Chaisang announced on his Facebook page that he was looking to start a new party that was independent of Pheu Thai and independent of Thaksin.
This new party, he said, would canvass ideas from all sectors of Thai society and present a new path forward.
Those tipped to join him are former Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and Pheu Thai heavyweight Phumtham Wechayachai.
Former Pheu Thai Minister Chadchart Sittipunt has also been tipped to start his own party after declaring that he will not run for Bangkok Governor as a Pheu Thai party member.
These moves and more will likely undermine the united front necessary to confront the ruling Palang Pracharat Party on the key issues surrounding their governance during the coronavirus pandemic.
The ruling party has also seen infighting with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan rumored to be taking over as party chief over Uttama Savanayana.
As parliament begins a new session, one can’t help but feel that the misstep by the opposition represents a missed opportunity to confront this deeply unpopular government.