On March 9, 2025, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin provided insights on recent discussions held with notable political figures, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and members of the Bhumjaithai Party, focused on government policies and collaboration strategies.
During the inquiries following his return from the ITB Berlin 2025 event, the Prime Minister revealed details about the meeting held on March 2, 2025, at the residence of Thaksin Shinawatra. Present were prominent politicians such as Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Navin Chidchob, significant figures within the coalition government.
The Prime Minister stated, “We discussed all necessary topics concerning government policy, focusing on opinions and methods for advancing our objectives. We acted as advisors to one another.” This indicates the cooperative effort aimed at refining their collective approach to governing.
He acknowledged some differences in perspectives during these discussions. While he affirmed there were disagreements among the coalition members, he emphasized, “This is not conflict but rather coinciding views on certain issues.” This remark aims to alleviate fears of major disputes within the coalition parties.
On the matter of Bhumjaithai Party’s involvement, Thavisin illustrated the necessity of frequent meetings to keep communication clear and facilitate strategic planning. “If we can schedule meetings more often, it will allow us to stay updated on how our work is progressing.” The Prime Minister also mentioned the importance of collaboration, especially considering Anutin's additional responsibilities as Minister of Interior.
Despite addressing potential friction over policy disagreements, Thavisin pointed out the integral role of coordination between the parties. He noted, “There have been problems related to communication between Bhumjaithai and our party. Issues arose because the coordinators sometimes did not communicate clearly, leading to misunderstandings.” This highlights the need for improved processes to streamline political dialogue.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of rectifying these communication issues, establishing organized channels for collaboration among parties. “We want to rearrange how we coordinate efforts, clarifying the lines of responsibility to prevent communication errors and facilitate smoother cooperation.”
On another note, Wanmuhamad Noor Mata, the Speaker of the House, revealed insights from various meetings surrounding Thaksin’s recent return. He stated, “Thaksin is once again free from detention, and today he will return to his home, where he may contribute positively to resolving issues at hand.” This statement aligns with the broader narrative of reestablishing Thaksin's political presence and participation.
Speaker Wanmuhamad Noor Mata also addressed calls from the opposition to amend discussion motions concerning Thaksin’s inclusion, citing legislative regulations to prevent improper mentions of external figures. He remarked, “If the opposition does not retract the motion addressing Thaksin, it could lead to unnecessary conflict within the House.”
On the legislative front, he explained the timeframe and processes affecting amendments to these motions, indicating the necessity of communicating relevant legislative timelines clearly. “The opposition should have received notifications and ensuing consultations about addressing these matters on timeline clarifications,” he stated.
The Speaker affirmed the opposition's right to debate any issues, legislatively authorizing such discussions, provided it adheres to procedural norms without venturing outside the bounds of established regulations.
Combining insights from both the Prime Minister's and the Speaker’s statements, it’s clear the political environment is pivoting toward fostering cooperative dialogues rather than divisive arguments. The coalition leaders are striving for mutual agreements through informed discussions about governmental strategies and addressing public health initiatives.
The Prime Minister’s commentary on Thaksin's role reflects aspirations of garnering support from former leaders to bolster confidence and collaborative efforts. By asserting the meeting’s cordial nature, it demonstrates the strategic intent behind engaging senior members of the political community.
Summarizing all discussions at the influential gathering, the Prime Minister concluded, “Finding common ground through our differences is key to improving our governance. We need to move forward collectively to provide the best outcomes for the country.” This encapsulates the coalition's main goals as they navigate through governance challenges.
Overall, the evolution of discussions among Thaksin, Anutin, and other influential politicians reflects the political ambitions to unify strategy and solidify working relationships among coalition parties.