United Thai Nation party (UTN) secretary-general Akanat Promphan said today (Saturday) that it was not an easy decision for the party to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition, because of their bitter past rivalry, “but when the country comes to a turning point, it is necessary for them to join hands.”

In his Facebook post today, Akanat explained that the “turning point” for Thailand is that a major party (without naming it) is attempting to amend the lèse majesté law which, he said, is an “unusual” thing for Thai politics and must be stopped, before it intensifies into a new round of conflict in Thai society.

The Move Forward party, which won the most seats in the House, has made clear that one of its main policies is to amend the lèse majesté law.

Since the Pheu Thai party has made clear that it will not touch that law, Akanat said he sees the party as an important ally in the fight against the attempt to amend it.

Regarding constitutional amendments, he said the UTN will leave chapter 1 and 2 of the charter intact, adding that there is no obligation for UTN and Pheu Thai to cooperate to amend them.

As far as he is concerned, Akanat said he will not accept any cabinet portfolio, because there is a criminal case pending against him, which may disqualify him from holding a ministerial post.

As for the past political conflict between the two parties, he said he cannot erase the past or forget the history, but he has the right to choose and he has chosen to end the “colour” conflict between the yellow and red political camps, so the country can move forward in reconciliation.