Thailand’s pro-army party seeks allies to cement power
Two Thai political parties have been invited to join a new government led by military junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister, a pro-army party said yesterday, more than two months after a disputed election.
A deal with the unaligned Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties would likely sink the opposition Democratic Front coalition’s bid to keep junta members from retaining dominance over the government five years after the army seized power in a coup.
“We invited two parties, but did not expect a conclusion today,” Uttama Savanayana, leader of Palang Pracharat, the pro-militaryparty formed last year by members of the junta’s Cabinet, said after yesterday’s meeting.
“We understand there are internal processes, but it was a very good starting point,” he told reporters.
The two parties would give the pro-army coalition a slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Bhumjaithai said it accepted the invitation and its executive committee would deliberate on policies with a view to forming a government soon.
“Leaders will connect and quickly resolve any issues...so Palang Pracharat will not have any headaches. It’s time we go to work for the country,” party leader Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters.
Democrat Party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on said the party would announce its decision soon. Party leaders were meeting yesterday evening.
Puttipong Punnakanta, a Palang Pracharat board member and a member of parliament, told Reuters on Sunday the party - which gained the second-largest number of seats in the March 24 election - said he was confident of making a deal.
“It’s certain that we will be forming a coalition government, with at least 251 seats and more,” he said.
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