US Senate · Bangkok Post
Blue regime debate ignites
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The political landscape has proceeded to a new phase of debate following accusations by opposition leaders that the country is now operating under what they describe as the "blue regime".
Key facts
- The political landscape has proceeded to a new phase of debate following accusations by opposition leaders that the country is now operating under what they describe as the "blue regime".
- The term gained prominence after Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition and head of the People's Party (PP), accused entrenched political forces of "capturing the country"
- Instead of replacing the 2017 constitution, he warned Thailand could end up with what critics call a "2017 constitution plus"
- Instead, he sees it as a continuation of the power structure established after the 2014 coup.
- former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and former deputy prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon backed by the 2017 constitution, the Senate and networks embedded in state institutions.
- However, after the 2023 election weakened that model electorally, the system adapted.
Summary
The term gained prominence after Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition and head of the People's Party (PP), accused entrenched political forces of "capturing the country" through what he described as coordinated influence over both elected and unelected bodies.
He said key institutions, including independent agencies and the Senate, were no longer acting solely as democratic safeguards but instead reinforcing a centralised power structure.