Are Thaksin or Thanathorn interfering in formation of the new government?

Well-known political activist Sonthiya Sawasdee submitted a petition to the Election Commission (EC) today, seeking an investigation into the ruling Pheu Thai and opposition People parties for allegedly allowing two outsiders, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, to dominate them as Pheu Thai attempts to form a new coalition government.

On Saturday, Thaksin met with Thanathorn, leader of the Progressive Movement and reputed to be the de facto leader of the People’s party, reportedly to seek support from the People party for Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri.

Sonthiya said that, if the People's party agrees today to support Pheu Thai’s candidate, he would demand that the EC ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve both parties for allegedly allowing themselves to be dominated by Thaksin and Thanakorn, both being outsiders without membership of either party, violating sections 28 and 29 of the Political Parties Act.

Regarding the People party’s three conditions for its support of the prime ministerial candidates of Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties, Sonthiya claims that they are not beneficial in any way to the country or the Thai people in dealing with the current economic problems and ongoing border tensions with Cambodia.

He also said that the three conditions, including the writing of a new charter by a charter drafting assembly, are just a political game to benefit the party.