In a Facebook post on Sunday night (Feb 15), Anutin thanked supporters for what he described as overwhelming backing in the Feb 8 general election and said he would move quickly once the Election Commission officially certifies the results, reports the Bangkok Post.
He said BJT would oversee national security through diplomatic and military channels, with priority given to safeguarding Thailand’s territory, sovereignty and public safety.
The party would maintain and intensify current border-closure policies, including the construction of what he called “security walls” along frontier areas.
He also pledged to revoke the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU44) signed with Cambodia regarding overlapping maritime claims.
Anutin also said he and Caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow would work to restore Thailand’s standing on the global stage and prevent foreign intimidation.
On the economic front, he said BJT would lead efforts to revive the economy and address long-standing structural constraints. Economic management would be handled by what he called a “Thailand team”, comprising himself, Caretaker Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Caretaker Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumphun and Mr Sihasak.
Pheu Thai is likely to assume responsibility for education, higher education, science, research and innovation, and labour - aligning with its campaign pledges.
However, Pheu Thai is also understood to be negotiating for the Public Health Ministry, possibly in exchange for labour, social development, and human security portfolios.
Klatham backing
Meanwhile, the Klatham Party has confirmed it will lend full support to BJT in forming a new government, without attaching any political conditions or demands, reports the Bangkok Post.
Pai Lik, secretary-general of Klatham, said yesterday that he had spoken with BJT’s secretary-general, Chaichanok Chidchob, to clarify the party’s position.
He dismissed reports suggesting that Klatham had set bargaining terms, particularly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, insisting that no such conditions existed.
“Klatham has no political bargaining chips or conditions whatsoever,” Mr Pai said, adding that the party’s guiding principle remained the national interest and the public’s well-being.
He said that further clarity could emerge at today’s Cabinet meeting, when Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow, in his capacity as Klatham’s chief adviser, is expected to meet Anutin.
As for the official talks between BJT and Klatham, he said they have not yet been officially announced.
A party source said that Capt Thamanat has instructed that the first meeting of Klatham’s executive committee since the Feb 8 election will be held on Thursday.
Capt Thamanat’s previously planned overseas trip has reportedly been postponed to allow the party to finalise its position and conclude negotiations on joining the government.
The developments follow reports that BJT had set a deadline for Klatham to confirm its support for government formation within this week.
Should no response be forthcoming, it was suggested that BJT might approach the Democrat Party instead.
Despite signals from BJT seeking Klatham’s 58 votes to bolster a governing majority, reportedly under the understanding that BJT would retain the agriculture portfolio, Capt Thamanat had remained publicly silent until recently, the source said.
Speculation has been rife that Newin Chidchob, a key Bhumjaithai figure, had issued an ultimatum demanding the return of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry quota.
According to sources, failure to comply could see Klatham relegated to the opposition, with overtures instead extended to the Democrat leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, to secure an additional 22 seats.
Sources indicated that Capt Thamanat was believed to be engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations yesterday.
Other Klatham figures were said to be awaiting his signal on whether the party will formally join the coalition.
BJT has made significant headway in coalition-building. It has publicly confirmed backing from 10 parties, commanding a combined total of 281 seats. These include BJT with 193 seats, Pheu Thai with 74, Palang Pracharath with five, and several smaller parties holding between one and three seats each.
An initial allocation formula for Cabinet posts has reportedly been agreed, with one ministerial seat per 10 MPs.
Under this arrangement, BJT would receive 19 Cabinet seats and Pheu Thai seven, with the remaining 10 to be distributed among smaller coalition partners.