The Democrat party has set constitutional amendments as conditions for joining the Palang Pracharat-led coalition, party spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng said today.
Prime Minister Prayut has indicated his acceptance of the conditions.
While insisting that the party has not yet decided whether to join the pro-Prayut alliance, Ramet Rattanachaweng said that the party had made clear the Democrat party’s principles, which it expected the coalition to accept.
One of the key principles, said Mr. Ramet, is that several sections of the current Constitution should be amended, such as the provisions on the basic rights of the people, which the party found to be restrictive, and on corruption suppression, and area that is riddled with loopholes.
He added that the party also want to make sure that the policies that were presented to the people, regarding farm and poverty issues, are implemented.
The spokesman said the party’s principles were relayed to the Pheu Thai party’s core members as well, including party leader Mr. Uttama Savanayana, during an informal discussion at the Democrat party’s head office on Monday.
He said he expected a response from the Palang Pracharat party by this evening.
Regarded as the “kingmaker” in the formation of a coalition government, by either the Palang Pracharat-led alliance or the Pheu Thai’s seven-party group, the Democrat party has been courted intently by the two rival camps.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward party, which is allied with Pheu Thai, was quoted to have said that the Democrats could “shop” any cabinet portfolios they wish if they join their pro-democracy camp.
The other “kingmaker” party, Bhumjaithai, has not yet formally decided to join the Palang Pracharat-led coalition.
