Democrat party leader Jurin Laksanavisit explained today that the hiccup in the talks on government formation between the Democrat and the Palang Pracharat parties stems from a Palang Pracharat internal conflict and joining the pro-Prayut coalition depends on Palang Pracharat.

“Originally, we thought everything was settled as had been negotiated, but then it became unsettled,” said Mr. Jurin, adding that talks on government formation should wait until a prime minister has been elected.

Regarding the vote to elect a prime minister on June 5^th, Jurin said the Democrats have not yet decided for whom it will vote and it is waiting for Palang Pracharat to make the first move.

The Palang Pracharat party has nominated an outsider (not an elected MP), General Prayut Chan-o-cha, as its only candidate for the post, while the Democrat party’s candidate, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, has already called it quits.

As a medium-sized party with only 53 votes in the House, Jurin said the party was fully aware of its situation and it would let the Palang Pracharat party decide whether it will go ahead with the election of a prime minister before discussing the issue of government formation and the sharing of cabinet portfolios with its potential allies.

Regarding the party’s demand for constitutional amendments, Jurin said the issue is important and is a pre-condition for the party joining Palang Pracharat’s coalition.

Without a commitment from Palang Pracharat to make the required changes to the constitution, he said there is little chance for democracy to be restored in Thailand.

The Democrats are also maintaining their demand for the agriculture portfolio, so the party could address problems in the grass roots economy to help the farmers with the party’s policy of guaranteeing prices of farm produce.