Representatives of the Thai Sang Thai Party and the New Alternative Party visited the Bhumjaithai head office in Bangkok yesterday (Feb 19) to promise their support for Anutin. Thai Sang Thai is likely to have two MPs and New Alternative will have one, reports the Bangkok Post.
Bhumjaithai spokesperson Boonthida Somchai told a press conference that the invitations to the two parties had come from Songsak Thongsri, a senior Bhumjaithai figure and caretaker deputy interior minister.
Sources said Bhumjaithai can now count on 286 MPs-elect to vote for Anutin, now the caretaker prime minister, to lead the new government. The bloc consists of 193 members from Bhumjaithai, 74 from the Pheu Thai Party, five from Palang Pracharath, three from the Economic Party and one to two votes each from nine microparties.
Ms Boonthida said Bhumjaithai planned to hold another press conference today. Other sources said four MPs-elect from the Prachachat Party would visit Bhumjaithai headquarters on that day.
The big question, though, remains whether Bhumjaithai and the 58-MP Klatham Party can work out an agreement or whether the latter will move into opposition.
Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob said yesterday that Anutin had talked with Klatham leader Narumon Pinyosinwat but there was no conclusion yet.
Both parties have denied reports about disagreement over who should get control of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, though Klatham chief adviser Thamanat Prompow has said the party is ready to serve in opposition if necessary.
Anutin declined yesterday to answer when reporters asked if his next coalition government would include Klatham. He said only that he would have to wait for the Election Commission to announce the official results of the poll.