BANGKOK, THAILAND – The People’s Party reaffirmed that it would remain the main opposition force in Thailand’s new parliament and flatly ruled out joining the next government, even as a coalition led by Bhumjaithai continued to take shape.
Opposition confirms it will not join Bhumjaithai-led cabinet
Party spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu said on Saturday that the People’s Party would not enter a government headed by Bhumjaithai. This also dismissed speculation that the party might attempt to form a government itself if Bhumjaithai failed to do so.
Mandate of largest party and emerging coalition
Parit noted that Bhumjaithai had announced a coalition with Pheu Thai and several smaller parties after the 8 February election, giving the bloc more than 250 members in the 500-seat House of Representatives. According to him, the party with the most seats had
“the legitimate mandate to lead the formation of the government,”
said Parit Wacharasindhu, party spokesman. and the People’s Party therefore respected the winner’s right to govern and would remain in opposition.
Denial of Klatham talks and cabinet bargaining
Reports of talks between the People’s Party and Thamanat Prompow, the de facto leader of the Klatham Party, over a possible contest for the Agriculture Ministry were firmly rejected by Parit.
“There have been no talks,”
said Parit Wacharasindhu, party spokesman. He added that it was up to the coalition partners themselves to negotiate the allocation of cabinet posts.
Call for clear government agenda
Parit stressed that bargaining over ministries was an internal matter for the coalition parties, while the public mainly expected clarity on their shared political programme. With regard to the differing election platforms of the parties involved, he said people wanted to know how these gaps would be bridged if each party still intended to implement its own campaign promises.
Unclear priorities and Parit’s potential future role
As of Friday, there had been no clear signals about which projects the new government would prioritise first, according to Parit. The 33-year-old, a nephew of Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and former prime minister, was also seen as a possible future head of the People’s Party if senior figures were forced to step down due to an ongoing court case over reform of the lèse-majesté law.
Bhumjaithai secures backing for 272-seat bloc
On Friday, Pheu Thai formally pledged support to Bhumjaithai so that the party of Anutin Charnvirakul could lead the next government, with Anutin saying both sides were ready to put past differences behind them and move forward together. After three micro-parties with a combined five seats joined, the Bhumjaithai-led bloc would control 272 mandates, based on unofficial results showing Bhumjaithai with 193 seats, the People’s Party 118, Pheu Thai 74, Klatham 58 and the Democrats 22.
Strong opposition as democratic counterweight
The People’s Party was deliberately foregoing participation in government and instead focused on scrutiny and dissenting votes in parliament. While the new coalition still had to clarify its agenda, expectations were rising for a robust opposition to provide firm political oversight.