Pheu Thai party’s prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin said today (Monday) that he has had to renege on promises he made during the election campaign, namely that his party would not partner with either Palang Pracharath or United Thai Nation.

He said that he made the pledge on the expectation that the Pheu Thai party would win a landslide victory, but it didn’t and the political mathematics have changed as a result.

He tried to explain that he had not lied to the people, saying that the party had worked in opposition for the past nine years and the people’s standard of living dropped, “so, it is necessary to forget what we said”.

During his press conference, held after meeting with Pheu Thai MPs this afternoon, the former real estate tycoon said he told them of the need for a government to be set up as quickly as possible, so its policies can be realised.

He said he asked the MPs to try to explain to their constituents why the party is breaking its election promises in order to form a government.

He admitted to feeling humiliated by the criticism on social media over the party’s political machinations, adding “but we are living in reality. Many people are waiting for the government and for the policies of the party, which cannot be implemented without a government led by the Pheu Thai party.”