Thai govt majority under threat as party pulls out

Bloomberg

Thailand’s ruling coalition has moved closer to losing its razor-thin majority after one party pulled its support less than a month after the Cabinet was sworn in.
The Thai Civilized Party, with one seat in parliament, is leaving the coalition because it’s unsatisfied with government policies, its leader Mongkolkit Suksintharanon said at a briefing in Bangkok. The party will become an independent opposition, he said.
“Anybody that feels uncomfortable in their position or unrepresented in the parliament can join me,” Mongkolkit said, anticipating there could be more coalition members who may decide to leave.
“We have no vested interest and won’t take any sides. We’ll be independent in our thinking and our decision.”
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, a former coup leader who won the premiership with the support of the coalition, is now left with a parliament that’s almost equally divided between his supporters and the opposition, which sees Prayuth’s government as a continuation of military rule.
Passing key legislation, including the annual budget bill, could become a more difficult task for the government.