Palang Pracharath Party Denies Coalition Talks With Bhumjaithai
Palang Pracharath Party spokesman denies reports of coalition talks with Bhumjaithai Party or plans to join the government, though the party's opposition status remains under review.
On September 24 at parliament, Atthakorn Sirilutthayakorn, a list MP and spokesman for Palang Pracharath Party, addressed reports that the party would join a coalition government with Bhumjaithai Party and receive the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives portfolio. He said no such talks have taken place.
Party leader Thammanas Prompao, a list MP, returned from Japan on September 23 and met with Atthakorn at parliament to discuss his trip and matters involving Priset Vatchrasing, a list MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party. When asked whether Thammanas mentioned plans to enter government, Atthakorn said he did not, and confirmed that no discussions about joining the government have occurred.
Atthakorn said he spoke with Thammanas about the party leaving the opposition following a restructuring of the opposition whip structure. When asked whether the party would hold a meeting to brief members, Atthakorn said the party has scheduled a regular weekly meeting for Tuesday, September 29, but it is unclear whether the party's status will be addressed then.
Asked whether he had spoken with senior Bhumjaithai figures, Atthakorn said that if any talks were happening, only Thammanas would be conducting them, but there are currently no signals of such negotiations. When pressed on whether there was a possibility of joining the government after the no-confidence debate, Atthakorn said he did not know, and was also unaware of the process for entering government, as Thammanas is the one who speaks with the prime minister.
