Anutin Dismisses Rumors of Bhattham Party Joining Government

At 13:05 on October 20, 2069 at Government House, Prime Minister Anutin Chanawikroo, who also serves as Minister of Interior, spoke about the impending no‑confidence debate. He said that as Prime Minister he too is subject to interpellation, so every ministry must prepare to clarify its position, adding that he believes the current government works as a team because it comprises only two parties, making coordination straightforward. When asked whether any particular ministry worries him, he said the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Interior require him to do a lot of homework. Regarding the future of the Bhattham Party after the debate, given rumors of it joining the government or merging with Bhumjaithai, Anutin said the situation has not yet materialised, so speaking about it now is meaningless and no one has actually spoken of it. Pressed on whether the debate will decide if Bhattham joins the government, he replied that it is better to ask about work, noting that he had just approved several measures beneficial to the public. When journalists repeated the rumor that Bhattham might merge with Bhumjaithai, he simply smiled and did not answer. Asked if society sees the government as already strong and whether it will be strengthened further, Anutin said the government is working at full capacity; the debate is a parliamentary scrutiny process, and ministers are ready to clarify and rebut any allegations. On confidence in the 18 ministers’ ability to answer in parliament, he said this is a no‑confidence debate under constitutional article 151; while he feels personally confident, he cannot claim to be very confident. Asked if he is confident of securing more votes than the current government majority, he noted that historically a government needs a majority; his first term had a minority but no debate took place before dissolution, whereas in his second term he now commands nearly 300 votes in the House of Representatives. On whether obtaining over 300 votes would affect efforts to bring Bhattham into the government, he said every vote is a parliamentary privilege. If Bhattham were to vote in favor, would that influence the decision to bring them in? Anutin answered to wait for it to happen, adding that Deputy Secretary‑General to the Prime Minister Pharadorn Prisananantakul will meet with the Senate whip to arrange a time when ministers are free to listen to the debate, proposing October 27‑29 for discussions and October 30 for the vote, subject to further negotiation; last week the House speaker criticised the proposal as not being the government’s role.