The Pheu Thai party is ready to form a coalition government with its six allies once the Election Commission has announced the official results of the March-24 general election, said party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai today

Speaking after a meeting of core party members and prospective MPs, Phumtham insisted that the party which won the most seats in the House of Representatives should have the first priority to form a government.

He also warned the Election Commission to be honest and play by the rule in announcing the poll results.

He claimed that six other political parties which are against the military junta have reaffirmed their support for Pheu Thai in forming a coalition.

The EC is legally required to officially announce the poll results within May 9 – three days after the end of the Coronation Ceremony.  However, it will have to wait for a ruling from the Constitutional Court regarding the calculation of the party-list seats to be allocated among the contesting parties.

“If the EC announces the results reasonably before May 9, everything will be settled.  But it (EC) wants to please somebody, then it will not be settled easily.  If that is the case, the EC must have a lot of guts and must face the consequences,” said Phumtham.

He further said that the new government whether it will be formed by either the Pheu Thai or the Palang Pracharat parties will not have stability, adding that he had told party members to be with their constituents and to be on standby to face any political changes.

But if the party is in the opposition, Phumtham reaffirmed that the Pheu Thai party would fulfil the promises that it gave to the people during the election campaign.

Phumtham dismissed press reports of a possible change of the party leader if the party is in the opposition as premature.

According to the reports, the incumbent party leader, Pol Maj-Gen Viroj Pao-in, has failed to get elected and, hence, he is not qualified to be named the opposition leader.