Phumtham confident coalition will stay united to form new government

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai claimed on Friday that the coalition parties, led by Pheu Thai, will stay together to form a new government, after the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, resulting in the automatic ouster of the entire Cabinet.

Phumtham called a meeting of the coalition parties after the court delivered its decision on the former prime minister over the controversial telephone conversation between her and Cambodian strongman Hun Sen.

All except the Kla Tham party were present at the meeting, which was called by Phumtham to seek confirmation from the coalition partners that they will stay with the Pheu Thai party.

Phumtham also said that their candidate for the next prime minister is still Chaikasem Nitisiri adding, however, that he will discuss the issue with the coalition partners before formally nominating the candidate to the House for approval.

Commenting on the opposition Bhumjaithai party’s attempt to form an alternative government, Phumtham insisted that, for the time being, the coalition parties will form the new administration.

The Cabinet will meet on Saturday for a special meeting to select the caretaker prime minister.

Meanwhile, Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul told the media that he is confident that he will be able to form a government, with his party at its core.

The party has already sought support from the People party, the opposition party which commands the most votes of all parties in the House.

The People party has proposed three conditions in exchange for its support for Bhumjaithai in the formation of a government.

They are that the new prime minister must dissolve the House within 4 months of delivering the policy statement in the House, the government must hold a referendum on issues to be amended in the Constitution and that the People party will not join the new government.

Anutin said he agrees with the People’s party’s proposal for a House dissolution, so that there can be a general election.

Referring to the Kla Tham party, he said they have held discussions with its party leader, Narumon Pinyosinwat, about the possibility of the party joining Bhumjaithai in forming a government.

Anutin led a group of key party members, including Secretary-General Chaichanok Chidchob, Chada Thaised and Paradorn Prissananantakul to meet with Narumon of the Kla Tham party for the discussion, reportedly to invite the party to partner with Bhumjaithai.

In the meantime, a group of rebel MPs from the United Thai Nation party, led by Suchart Chomklin, showed up at the head office of the Bhumjaithai party on Friday.

Suchart claimed, however, that his group only came to “sip coffee” with Bhumjaithai party heavyweights.