The opposition plans to hold a no-confidence debate against the government “as quickly as possible” after Parliament reconvenes on May 22. The first is a majority vote against him in the upcoming House censure debate. Two potential pitfalls could cut short Prayut’s term as PM. Prawit’s former subordinates, who are now in the Thai Economic Party, recently proposed the deputy PM as “the best candidate” for the prime minister’s post in case of a “political mishap”. However, PM Prayut said he had never heard of a stand-in for his post, while his supporters stressed he is the ruling party’s only PM candidate. Prawit said last Tuesday that “there may be a substitute prime minister” if Prayut is unable to remain in his position.
Talk of an acting PM was triggered this past week after a slip of the tongue by Deputy Premier Prawit Wongsuwan, who also heads the ruling Palang Pracharath Party. Politicians and observers are seeking a potential “substitute prime minister” in case PM Prayut Chan-o-cha runs into a “political accident”.
