The election-winning Bhumjaithai Party on Thursday announced three small parties as its initial coalition partners.
The New Democracy Party, Economic Party and New Party have five potential list MPs altogether, Bhumjaithai spokesperson Boonthida Somchai said at a press conference at party headquarters in Bangkok.
Representatives of the three small parties said they would support Bhumjaithai leader and caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister when the new House convenes. Surathin Picharn, leader of the New Democracy Party, said he supported Mr Anutin unconditionally.
Thursday’s event was the first official press conference by Bhumjaithai since the Feb 8 general election in which it placed first by a wide margin over the People’s Party.
The presence of Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob at the press conference confirmed that the agreement had the blessing of senior party figures, said Ms Boonthida.
Representatives of some other small parties were also present at Bhumjaithai headquarters on Thursday when party executives and MPs-elect had a meeting. Among them was Treenuch Thienthong, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, which is expected to have five MPs.
Preliminary talks
Before the meeting, Ms Treenuch did not confirm whether her party would join the next coalition government. Ms Boonthida said the Palang Pracharath leader had held preliminary talks with party figures, while the three parties attending the press conference had confirmed their support.
Four days after the general election, the unofficial vote count remains stalled at 94% of the ballots cast, while the Election Commission is facing demands for recounts in dozens of constituencies amid allegations of irregularities.
For now, Bhumjaithai is projected to have 193 MPs. If the 58-MP Klatham Party were to join as some observers have speculated, the coalition would have a bare majority of 251 votes in the 500-seat House.
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