Bhumjaithai party will not join the Palang Pracharat party in forming a government if the Democrats decide to part with the pro-Prayut party, said Bhumjaithai party leader Anuthin Charnvirakul today.

He reiterated that his party would only join a coalition government which enjoys a majority in the 500-member House of Representatives.

He also rejected the Palang Pracharat party’s suggestion that its potential coalition partners vote for Prayuth as prime minister before discussing the sharing of cabinet portfolios.

Mr. Anutin said that, after the completion of negotiations, core members of the coalition partners must issue a joint statement, before they elect the prime minister, about the formation of the government, to assure the public that the new government is ready to move the country forward.

Asked what happens if the Pheu Thai party tries again to woo Bhumjaithai into joining the pro-democracy coalition, Mr. Anuthin said the Pheu Thai-led alliance would not be able to reach 376 votes to get its prime ministerial candidate approved in parliament anyway.

He dismissed criticism that a Palang Pracharat-led coalition government, even with the support of the Democrats and Bhumjaithai, would be unstable due to its narrow majority.

The Bhumjaithai party leader also refuted the suggestion that the party would break its campaign promise were it to side with the Palang Pracharat party, insisting that the party has not deviated from its four declared principles.