“The new government led by the Bhumjaithai Party must serve its four-year term, working honestly and quickly to meet people’s demands, maximise the national interest and be internationally recognised,” Anutin said at Government House yesterday (Feb 10).
Asked about progress in the formation of the next government, Anutin stood firm, saying he had not started the process yet and was waiting for the Election Commission (EC) to finalise the elected MPs of each political party.
While awaiting the final results, his caretaker government would continue to function, reports the Bangkok Post.
The number of list MPs each party would have had also still to be calculated, he said. This included all the small parties.
Anutin confirmed that with the number of Bhumjaithai MPs he was likely have he would be able to control the other coalition parties.
According to unofficial vote results, the Bhumjaithai Party comfortably won the Feb 8 general election, with 193 constituency MPs.
Yesterday, Anutin chaired a meeting of his caretaker Cabinet.
Bhumjaithai key figure and caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that a stable government should have about 300 MPs in the 500-seat House.
However, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow of the Klatham Party said the next coalition might not need as many as 300 MPs.
He had gathered together MPs from 19 small parties to give the past government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha a narrow majority of only 251 MPs. That had proved adequate.
Klatham is likely to win 58 House seats.
Caretaker Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong, leader of Palang Pracharath, was asked whether her party would be in the new coalition.
She said Palang Pracharat was likely to emerge with five MPs, four in constituencies and one from the party list.
The party would listen to the people’s voice, and it was clear that many people trusted the Bhumjaithai Party, Ms Treenuch said. Palang Pracharat and Bhumjaithai had worked well together in the outgoing government, she said.