The Nation:

Fears of renewed anti-government protests and rumblings from the influential Newin Chidchob faction are delaying the ruling politicians' decision on who should be the next prime minister.

Key leaders of the now defunct People Power Party (PPP) are pushing for the dissolution of the House as the best solution for ending the political crisis as some groups want to topple the current government, a source from the party said.

"If we hasten to vote for a new PM who comes from the Puea Thai Party, the People's Alliance for Democracy will rally and protest again. The caretaker PM should dissolve the House to return the power to the people," the source said.

"What is worse is that the military would likely stage a coup to end the political conflict between anti- and pro-Thaksin Shinawatra groups. This time it could last two to five years."

BP: Where do they get their sources? Is there really any broad support for a coup? The last coup only strengthened the PPP. I think even the Democrats would oppose the coup properly this time as the coup didn't do wonders for them.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to amend Article 237 and Article 237 alone to make the banning of political parties and more importantly all executives more difficult. If an executive commits electoral fraud and it is severe enough, why not ban and then prosecute them. Does anyone seriously believe that not a single Democrat executive or Peau Paendin executive was involved in vote buying? If the EC was looking at everyone equally they can dissolve all parties every election. We've had two party dissolutions. It won't end unless the law is changed. The current law was first introduced by the military and then they included it in the constitution. 

I have no objection to a dissolution then although I am not sure it will change anything. If Peau Thai wins, will PAD accept it?

The article continues:

However, caretaker Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul has ruled out dissolving the House unless there is a good political reason for doing so.

...

Moreover, Newin Chidchob's group is seen as an internal factor adding to the turmoil among the ruling politicians as it has not yet decided whether to join the Puea Thai Party - the reincarnation of the defunct PPP.

The group opposes Chalerm Yoobamrung, the acting public health minister, as the next PM and has proposed that the next PM be chosen from other coalition party leaders, another source said, adding that the group fears a premier from Puea Thai might not be acceptable to the public.

BP: Sondhi L has said that no one from the 6 coalition parties would be acceptable. 

Doesn't this mean Isan Pattana and the Newin faction both oppose Chalerm? 

Last time, the Newin Group were making simliar noises, but it amounted to nothing. A switch is not impossible, but if Newin props up the Democrats, isn't he the type of politician who the PAD have been complaining about? What chance the PAD would stay quiet then?

The article continues:

Some observers said Newin's group could defect from the government and join the Democrat-led coalition government, along with other coalition partners. In this case, the Democrats would have enough MPs to form a new government.

BP: Didn't this meme start in May? Nothing yet to support it. 

The article continues:

However, in this scenario Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva might not take the post premier, in order to avoid criticism. With his long experience and as a veteran politician, former prime minister and chief Democrat adviser Chuan Leekpai might be a better choice.

BP: Really? Chuan? So when does Abhisit get a chance?

The article continues:

Prasong Boonpong and Thanusak Lek-uthai, MPs from the PPP, said they had discussed with other parties' MPs and agreed that neutral people from the PPP or the Democrats should discuss the formation of a two-party government to solve the political crisis.

"The two parties should join forces to end the fighting between yellow- and red-shirted protesters. We have to do it for our children," he said, adding that other small and medium-sized parties could form the opposition.

Kudeb Saikrachang, former PPP spokesman, said the caretaker government would not be an obligated authority like a normal government, but it has an urgent mission to reconcile and narrow the wide political divide before handing over power to the people.

The only possible way to form a national government was for the Democrat Party to join the current coalition, he said. It is impossible for the Democrats to form their own coalition as the current coalition partners have maintained their loyalty to the caretaker government. The Democrats have insufficient MPs to do so, he added.

Meanwhile, key Democrat members yesterday discussed for 90 minutes the party's chances of forming a government.

They agreed the chances were slim and did not expect to head the next administration.

BP: Actually, a grand coalition to amend a limited number of provisions in the constitution is not implausible, but would the Democrats risk it and incur the wrath of PAD by joining with the "devil" party? You can see a few on the record statements there of Peau Thai floating the idea of a grand coalition.

The question remains, who to become PM?

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