Bangkok: "Chettha" believes he's on the right track after Bhumjaithai Party announced it would oversee security and economic affairs, address cross-party coordination issues, push forward urgent policies, and upgrade structural development. He believes the public will give them one year to judge their performance.
According to Thai News Agency, Assistant Professor Chetha Sapyean, a lecturer at the College of Metropolitan Development, Navamintrathirat Open University, analyzed the Facebook communication of the Bhumjaithai Party leader regarding the direction of policies after the election. He stated that the Bhumjaithai Party's rise to become the leading party in forming the government, with 193 out of 500 seats in parliament, represents a significant shift in the political power balance.
The decision to consolidate key government functions, particularly in economics and security, comes at a time when the country faces two simultaneous challenges: economic recovery and the fragility of the border situation. This led to the announcement of the merger to maintain unity in operations, aiming for quick and tangible results. This is considered appropriate given the urgency of the situation.
Associate Professor Chetha stated that having a large number of MPs puts the leading party in a different position than many previous coalition governments because it has a strong enough power base in parliament to determine its own main policy direction, rather than merely coordinating the interests of coalition partners. This could reduce friction from bargaining over positions and policies, which often delays Thai governments, and allow for the framework of policies to be set first, after which coalition partners can negotiate the details.
Furthermore, a single party controlling both the economy and security facilitates integrated policy-making, something Thailand has historically found difficult due to economic, trade, and security mechanisms being controlled by different parties, ministries, and ideologies. This is especially true in border contexts where security is not limited to military matters but also involves migrant labor, transnational crime, and local economies. If a truly comprehensive policy can be designed under a single party's administration, it may address structural problems more effectively than short-term measures.
From an economic perspective, the government's opportunity lies in using short-term stimulus measures coupled with structural investment. The party's image, emphasizing regional policies and infrastructure, could help boost regional economies, reduce inequality, and diversify the growth base, after the Thai economy has historically relied heavily on urban consumption and tourism.
Associate Professor Chetha believes that Bhumjaithai's new status is not merely a political victory, but a test of their ability to manage the entire government system. The key priorities going forward are the economy and security, and the fact that the leading party is overseeing key ministries will help ensure unified policy implementation.
Associate Professor Chetha stated that the government's success could be measured by three aspects: whether the government makes decisions more quickly, whether the bureaucracy adapts to the policies, and whether the public truly feels the results. The first year of the government will determine whether Bhumjaithai will be remembered only as the party that won the election, or as the party that truly shaped the country's direction.