People’s party MP Parit Wacharasindhu has warned the Bhumjaithai party not breach its agreement by trying to expand the party, or any coalition, into a parliamentary majority.
The warning came in the light of reports that MPs from several parties, including the United Thai Nation and Pheu Thai, have expressed a wish to join Bhumjaithai.
Parit said that the People’s party is watching this political maneuvering with concern, adding that, if there is any sign that the Bhumjaithai party is attempting to go back on their written agreement, the People’s party, with the most MPs of any single party, may resort to a censure debate, to oust the government.
The new government, which comprises the Bhumjaithai, Kla Tham and Palang Pracharath parties, commands only 146 votes in the House of Representatives, which falls well short of the 247 needed for a majority. The People’s party has 143 votes.
The Bhumjaithai and People’s parties have signed an agreement, under which the former agreed to accept terms in exchange for the latter’s votes in support of Anutin Charnvirakul as the new prime minister.
The gist of the terms are that the new government must dissolve the House in four months, must not try to seek majority control of the House and must hold referenda on the writing of a new charter.
Parit also noted that switching camps by MPs reflects a loophole in the Constitution, which can only fixed through the writing of a new Constitution.
Commenting on the new justice minister, who is a former police commander in Buri Ram province, he said the People’s party had expressed concern that the new minister may interfere with the Khao Kradueng land scandal, in which the Chidchob family is implicated and whose patriarch, Newin, is reputed to be the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai party.
Nevertheless, he said members of the public have the right to raise questions and express concerns about outside interference with the land controversy.
