Bangkok, May 27: Thailand’s two main political parties are on Monday heading to hold a meeting with the leader of the pro-army party in order to discuss the potential agreement to keep General Prayuth Chan-ocha, army junta head, as nation’s prime minister after more than two months of a disputed election.
According to Reuters news reports, a deal would be expected to drop the opposition Democratic Front alliance’s bid to keep the junta members retaining dominance on the government after five years of the military seizing power in a coup.
The Bhumjaithai and Democratic parties would be provided formal alliance invitations by the pro-army Palang Pracharat which was formed last year by junta’s cabinet members.
Thailand’s veteran party, the Democrat Party, was expected to meet pro-army Palang Pracharat leaders on late Monday morning, and that would be followed by Bhumjaithai party in the afternoon. However, it was unclear if any deal would be announced.
Ahead of the meeting with the Democrat Party, Palang Pracharat’s leader, Uttama Savanayana, said, “We are confident, but we need all the commitment from coalition partners.”
On Sunday, Puttipong Punnakanta, a member of parliament and one of Palang Pracharat’s board members, has told Reuters, ““It’s certain that we will be forming a coalition government, with at least 251 seats and more,” adding, “We will see Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister next month.”