Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, alongside Julaphan Chulalakorn, has officially announced the finalization of a coalition government deal that includes the Bhumjaithai Party, Pheu Thai Party, and nine smaller parties. The leaders refrained from disclosing the nominees for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Anutin expressed discomfort with former supporters transitioning to the opposition, stating, "I don't like this feeling."
According to Thai News Agency, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed the media following a meeting with Julaphan Amornvivat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, and other party officials. Anutin confirmed that the Pheu Thai Party had presented its list of nominees for the Deputy Speaker position to the Bhumjaithai Party. The House of Representatives is scheduled to convene on Saturday, March 14th, with the session beginning on March 15th, when the nominations for Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be unveiled.
Discussions today also revolved around the timeline for the coalition government, though specifics were withheld pending parliamentary developments, the royal appointment of the Speaker, and the Prime Minister's nomination process. Anutin emphasized that the coalition, consisting of the Bhumjaithai Party, the Pheu Thai Party, and nine smaller parties, is now complete. He expressed confidence in the coalition's ability to govern effectively and serve the public.
When questioned about revealing the Speaker and Deputy Speaker nominees, Anutin insisted on waiting until the formal nominations. He outlined that the nominees should possess experience, respect among MPs, and a strong understanding of parliamentary rules. Anutin also commented on the potential inclusion of younger MPs in leadership roles, suggesting that the parliamentary process should play out first.
The coalition government is expected to command around 291 seats. Anutin dismissed the possibility of including the Kla Tham Party in the coalition despite potential support, citing a sufficient number of MPs for governance. While acknowledging the emotional difficulty of former allies becoming opposition, Anutin maintained that personal relationships remain intact despite differing political roles.
Anutin also addressed potential scrutiny from the opposition, asserting confidence in his adherence to legal and constitutional standards and readiness to address any concerns raised. He assured that the upcoming ministerial list would align with constitutional guidelines, with no changes based on personal preferences.
Julaphan Amornvivat confirmed that a list of names had been submitted to Bhumjaithai, with the final list to be disclosed during the upcoming parliamentary session. Ministerial positions remain undecided until after the Prime Minister's election and royal appointment. The Pheu Thai Party's executive committee will handle political nominations methodically.
Later, Anutin and Bhumjaithai Party leaders accompanied Julaphan and Pheu Thai Party leaders to the airport, capturing moments of camaraderie. Anutin emphasized their longstanding friendship, likening Julaphan to a younger brother, with Julaphan echoing similar sentiments.