The pro-Prayut Palang Pracharat party’s invitation to the Democrats was extended by party leader Uttama Savanayana and core party members, namely Somsak Thepsuthin, Suriya Juangroongruangkit and party secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong, who visited the Democrat party’s head office today.
They were warmly received by Democrat secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on, party deputy leaders Aswin Wiphusiri and Niphon Booyamanee and deputy secretary-general Thana Chiravinit.
Mr. Uttama later told the media that the Democrat party was invited to join in the formation of a coalition government in order to move the country forward for the benefit of the people, as promised.
He said that the issue of sharing cabinet portfolios among coalition partners had yet to be discussed in detail adding, however, that he would like all its allies to support General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s candidacy for the premiership.
Referring to former Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s pre-election assurance that the party will not support General Prayut as the next prime minister, Mr. Uttama said he thought that was a pre-election statement which was already a matter in the past and he hoped that the Democrats would not raise the issue as a condition for joining its alliance.
Democrat secretary-general Chalermchai, meanwhile, said the party’s executive committee and MPs will meet tomorrow evening to discuss Palang Pracharat’s invitation.
He said the meeting was expected to raise Abhisit’s previous announcement for consideration, as well as the need for the country to move forward.
He said that the Democrat party’s decision, to join or not to join the Palang Pracharat-led coalition, would be based on valid reasoning, which the party can explain to its supporters. He also hinted that the party should be given economic portfolios so the party could implement its economic policies to help resolve farmers’ problems and other bread and butter issues.
In the meantime, Chart Thai Pattana party director Nikorn Chamnong complained today that the party had yet to receive a formal invitation from the Palang Pracharat party to join the coalition government.
Since there is nothing clear from the Palang Pracharat party, he said the party’s executive committee had not met to discuss joining the next government.
