Pheu Thai move aimed at a coalition govt, sources say
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The warning issued by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Thursday to the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was an attempt by the ruling Pheu Thai Party to push for the creation of a coaliti
Sources said caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri was instrumental in drafting the statement, which he introduced in a television broadcast. He suggested that if the court removes Yingluck and the Cabinet, the government should invoke Article 7 of the Constitution and ask His Majesty the King whether or not they should step down as caretaker administrators if a court ruling orders that.
The drafters of the statement, which included CAPO director Chalerm Yoobamrung and CAPO secretary Tarit Pengdith, believe that the Constitutional Court has no authority to remove the Cabinet, as it is endorsed by HM the King and thus only the King has such authority.
While waiting for a royal judgement, the Cabinet would continue to function under Article 181 of the charter.
Meanwhile, government sources said the move was aimed at forcing the formation of a coalition government, with the Pheu Thai Party nominating the next prime minister and ensuring that no sides achieve a decisive victory. The sources claimed that if the move “failed”, violence might be inevitable.
