Bangkok: "Teng" criticizes the government for its absolute control over 5 clusters, expressing concern about protecting cronies and lacking the will of the people. "Natthapong" debated the government's policy statement, pointing out that the Bhumjaithai government holds absolute power, controlling all five political clusters, lacking the will of the people. He argued that the government is divided into political factions, choosing to protect its cronies and maintain the country's existing order, leaving the people hopeless.

According to Thai News Agency, during the joint parliamentary session to hear the government's policy statement, Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, discussed the overall policies and the origins of the government. He stated that he wanted to encourage everyone to ask themselves, after listening to the government's policy statement, whether they have hope and see a future for themselves alongside the future of the country. And if not, why?

Mr. Nattapong stated that this government is likely one of the most stable in Thai political history that did not come from a coup, because it holds absolute power over both the upper and lower houses of parliament, as well as various independent organizations. He described its power structure as divided into five clusters - not five clusters representing the administration of the country, but rather five clusters of power groups formed through coalition government formation and a scheming distribution of benefits.

Those 5 clusters consist of various political factions that previously belonged to other political parties and, in the past elections, switched to the Bhumjaithai Party's colors. Evidence clearly shows that Bhumjaithai, as the number one political party-not in terms of the number of MPs, but the number one party whose MPs switched parties and won the election-formed a government by consolidating power from these various factions. This resulted in a cabinet composition that included members from places like Songkhla, Chonburi, or Suphanburi, for example.

The second-largest political party currently in the coalition government can honestly say they've sold their souls because they can't negotiate anything with the Bhumjaithai Party. Suppose that second-largest party threatens to withdraw from the coalition one day, the Bhumjaithai Party wouldn't have any concerns. As the current majority government with over 290 seats, they could immediately bring political parties currently in opposition into the coalition and still maintain a majority in the House of Representatives.

The other coalition parties in the current government represent a crucial balance of power that has completely eroded the bargaining power of the second-largest party in the coalition. These parties hold over 20 votes in the coalition, and without them, Bhumjaithai Party would not be able to consistently pursue its strategy of attracting other parties to join the government.

Unelected members of parliament or other independent organizations that may be appointed by them are joker cards that the government led by the Bhumjaithai Party can use at any time. They can be used to control the drafting of the new constitution to their liking, to attack opponents (as is currently happening with the 44 MPs), or to protect their own allies, such as in the case where the Election Commission recently certified the results of the Suphan Buri Constituency 2 election despite numerous allegations, including irregularities in the recount not being on election day, and the barcode case on the ballot papers currently before the Constitutional Court. This card is a crucial balance of power in creating stability for this government that other political parties lack.

Certain groups in this country who wish to maintain the existing order are tasked with protecting everyone within the government camp, sending signals to other groups to join their side, implying that their actions are not wrong. This person is the one holding the second license and giving the signal to the Bhumjaithai Party the night before the election.

The administration of the country through these five clusters does not include the people in the equation. The formation of this government began with a deal between various power groups whose interests aligned, resulting in a government formed without a shared purpose or agenda to push things forward as a coalition government. This is why everyone feels that even after the Prime Minister announced his 23 policy points, Thailand is not looking towards a future.

Mr. Nattapong further stated that initially, the Prime Minister laid out three core principles: to protect the nation's core institutions-religion and the monarchy; to uphold the democratic system with the King as head of state; and to adhere to the rule of law, applying laws fairly and equally. These three principles, regardless of which political party, including the People's Party, forms the government, must adhere to. However, what the public wants to hear more about is the direction these three principles will take the country under the Prime Minister's leadership. After listening to the Prime Minister's policy statement, he still doesn't see those clear directions, nor the shared mission or intentions of this government-what the national agenda is.

For example, issues such as drafting a new constitution and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens to express their political views are not given any weight or included in this policy statement. We need to ask the coalition parties: where are your political will and your democratic principles? Why are they not reflected in this document?

Mr. Nattapong further stated that the biggest problem facing the country right now may not be an external crisis, but an internal one. Because no matter how many external crises surround the country, if the government stands by the people, there will be something to hold onto. Economic crises like the oil crisis, social crises like the shady capital networks and scammers, security crises like conflicts with neighboring countries, and environmental crises like transboundary air pollution-all of these crises affect people within the country. However, what the government has consistently protected is not prioritizing the people, but rather those close to the government.

For example, during the oil crisis, a stable government with a balanced power structure and political stability did not make the public feel more secure. People could not trust that the government would use domestic oil refineries to regulate refining costs appropriately, reflecting true costs and not exploiting the public. Similarly, with the PM2.5 dust crisis, while we have already lost a second volunteer firefighter, not counting the losses that occur annually, and millions of people are affected, a stable government did not instill a sense of security in the public, assuring them that it would use every mechanism at its disposal to quickly pass a clean air law.

Mr. Nattapong further stated that with the absolute power the Prime Minister holds, the government can do whatever it desires and achieve success. It depends on determination and political courage. This is what the people are looking for from the Prime Minister and all members of the Cabinet. What the people want is a government that will transform wrong into right, and not right into wrong. The current crisis is a situation where those in power are trying every means to maintain the existing order.

The two-day People's Party debate will be a platform to show that what the country needs may not be in this policy statement, but rather a government that doesn't choose to maintain the old order, but chooses to build a new future for the people. Enough with a regime that protects the self-serving interests of its cronies. We can't bear the multifaceted crises that the people are bearing anymore. It's time to start a politics for all the people.