Thailand: Key parties still coy on coalition

• The Bhumjaithai Party has decided to hold talks with other parties that are undecided over which camp to back in forming a coalition government, while insisting that they are not attempting to set up a third alliance.
• The decision follows a two-day seminar for its 51 MPs in Buri Ram that ended on 21 May 19, amid speculation that the party would announce whether or not to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) alliance.
• There are three other parties that have yet to announce their stance: the Democrat Party with 52 House seats, the Chartthaipattana Party with 10 seats, and the Chartpattana Party with three seats.
• Mr Anutin also added that the Bhumjaithai Party would not be part of a minority government, and any coalition partner must accept the party’s policy on cannabis.
• As for Mr. Jurin, he noted that he could not say if the Democrat Party’s decision as to whether to join a coalition government would be known before 26 May 19, when the House speaker will be selected.
• Meanwhile, according to its leader Kanchana Silpa-archa, who refused to comment on where the party stands on the coalition front, the Chartthaipattana Party will hold a meeting between its leader and MPs on 24 May 19, after the official opening of parliament.

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