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Michael H. Nelson's avatar

From the beginning, Natthapol was considered a poor choice. Pita's public presence was just overwhelming. This begs the question of who else the PP have to fill the gap Pita left, and how much time the PP will have to create public recognition for an alternative candidate. Changing Natthapol would look bad enough, though.

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Jeff Sparks's avatar

The party spokesman, Parit, could be an alternative though he is very young.

I agree, PP need another Pita, Thanathorn, Piyabutr, Chor, someone who can galvanize the crowd.

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Ken Lohatepanont's avatar

Parit is likely to be considered as too young — he isn't eligible to be prime minister yet (the minimum age is 35)

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Stephen Yuan's avatar

Can you elaborate a bit more of what would happen to the status of major bills if the parliament is indeed dissolved?

ie: Cannabis, would we be at at standstill because we would get a new health minister? Thank you!

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Jeff Sparks's avatar

Sorry to jump in, Ken should reply to this but perhaps he's busy. I believe if Parliament is dissolved, all the bills currently being deliberated will be dropped.

Thaksin wants the budget bill to pass in August, plus the coalition parties don't want an election,so I can't see a dissolution on the cards soon whatever happens to Paetongtan.

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Ken Lohatepanont's avatar

Yes, that's correct — my understanding is that bills cannot be carried over from parliament to parliament, so if a bill hasn't fully passed then they would have to start over after the election

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Stephen Yuan's avatar

Hey Ken, just wanted to say awesome job from one writer to another. You're helping me understand Thailand a lot better as an outsider

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Stephen Yuan's avatar

Appreciate both of you a lot, we have a bit of a unique cannabis business in thonglor across from samitvej.

So much going on, but I assume with the changes this means that the Cannabis stuff over the last week or two isn't gonna have a ton of legs to stand on without a new Health minister right?

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