New Thai Government May Last Years If It Passes First Major Test
- Coalition could use lawsuits and constitution to stay in power
- Next budget to be first real hurdle for Prayuth’s coalition
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha
Photographer: Brent Lewin/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The first real test of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s razor thin majority will be whether his government can pass key legislation such as the January budget.
Although the opposition and some analysts doubt the unwieldy, 19-party coalition will survive, others say the powerful combination of the military-backed constitution, lawsuits against the opposition and so-called "money politics" could keep Prayuth in power longer than many expect.