Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that he does not rule out the possibility of the Kla Tham Party joining the coalition government, stressing that there are no “undercurrents” within the current coalition.
Speaking on his “Talk with Anutin’s Cabinet” TV programme, the prime minister said anything could happen in politics, but any move must serve the national interest rather than reflect one side’s desire to “subdue the other”.
He said the government must not only work for the people but also remain strong and stable to ensure it can deliver on its policies.
Asked about reports of a possible merger between the Kla Tham Party and the Bhumjaithai Party, Anutin said he did not rule out the possibility.
However, he said any merger would have to take into account the circumstances, necessity, level of cooperation and mutual understanding, as well as the likely outcomes.
These included whether the move would benefit the public, strengthen the government and bring competent people into its ranks.
The prime minister declined to give a direct answer when asked whether the government would open the door to Kla Tham if its MPs voted in support of all 18 ministers, including the prime minister, who are expected to face a censure debate.
He noted that the debate had yet to take place, adding that a censure debate was part of the parliamentary process and that the opposition had a constitutional right to scrutinise and criticise the government.
Asked about reports of “undercurrents” within the coalition, Anutin denied any conflicts among coalition parties, pointing to the 165-billion-baht Pasak-Chao Phraya-Gulf infrastructure project as an example of cooperation.
He said the project had been proposed by the Agriculture Ministry, which is under the control of the Pheu Thai Party, but the government had endorsed it as a long-term solution to flooding in the Central Plains.
“Today, I am the prime minister. I cannot think of politics first. I must think of the country first,” he said.
Asked about the performance of Cabinet members who are not affiliated with Bhumjaithai, including Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, Anutin said they were all experts in their respective fields and had considerable experience.
He reiterated that there were no conflicts within the Cabinet or the coalition government.
