Thai politics: Nobody has Plan B

File photo : former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat

January 1, 2024: Being optimistic is how everyone should start the New Year, but there is a clear line between that and being blindly hopeful bordering on suicidal.

Let’s start with the conservatives. Their only plan is prevention of Move Forward becoming the government, even that meant a marriage to Pheu Thai, the “lesser” enemy. How they deal with issues like digital wallet and Thaksin Shinawatra will be awkward and potentially explosive throughout the year. Much will have to do with the fact that they have no Plan B.

Now, Pheu Thai. Their only plan is being where they are now _ leading a government controlling key ministries like finance, something that was impossible if it had to form a government with Move Forward. No Plan B is in store to deal with times when key policies evoke its reluctant allies’…