Anutin leaves door open to third coalition partner

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has not ruled out bringing a third major party into the coalition government, saying anything is possible in politics if it serves the national interest and strengthens government stability.

Speaking on the weekly NBT programme Talk with Anutin’s Cabinet on Saturday, the prime minister was asked about relations with the Klatham Party and the possibility of expanding the coalition.

Mr Anutin, also the interior minister, said a government must not only serve the public and the country but also maintain strength and stability to ensure its policies can be carried out effectively.

“In politics, anything is possible, but it must not be done to appease any particular side,” he said. “We must strengthen the government and ensure maximum stability so that we can turn our policies into concrete results.”

Asked about the possibility of a merger between his Bhumjaithai Party and Klatham, which has 58 seats, Mr Anutin said it was too early to comment because the proposal had not materialised.

He said any decision would depend on the political situation, necessity, cooperation and mutual understanding, as well as the benefits for the country and the public.

The government would also need to consider whether such a move would strengthen its administration and whether prospective partners had the capabilities to contribute effectively.

If the move served the national interest, benefited the public and strengthened the government, it could be possible, said Mr Anutin.

However, he cautioned against making assumptions before circumstances justified a decision, adding that any political move must be based on clear reasons and the prevailing situation.

No comment on Klatham

Asked whether Klatham’s support for the government in an upcoming no-confidence debate could open the door to joining the coalition, Mr Anutin declined to give a direct answer, saying the government should wait for events to unfold before considering their implications.

He described a no-confidence motion as a normal parliamentary process and a constitutional right of the opposition, saying he did not wish to criticise the opposition and would rather let the government’s performance and ongoing work speak for themselves.

Responding to reports of undercurrents and tensions within the coalition, Mr Anutin insisted there were no problems between its two main partner parties, led by the 193-seat Bhumjaithai and 74-seat Pheu Thai Party.

He said that although the government was built around two main parties, all projects approved by the cabinet were collective government achievements, not the work of any single party. The ultimate goal was to benefit the public and the country, rather than compete for political credit.

As an example, he cited the 165-billion-baht Pasak-Chao Phraya-Gulf of Thailand project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which aims to address flooding over the long term.

He said the project might not have progressed if the government had focused on which party deserved credit, rather than on solving the problem. The Pheu Thai Party oversees the agriculture ministry.

“Today, I am the prime minister. I cannot put politics first. I must put the country first,” he said.

Mr Anutin also expressed satisfaction with the performance of cabinet members recruited from outside politics, citing Sihasak Phuangketkeow, with his diplomatic experience; Pakorn Nilprapunt, former secretary-general of the Council of State; Ekniti Nitithanprapas, with his expertise in finance; Suphajee Suthumpun, a professional executive from the private sector; and Defence Minister Lt Gen Adul Boonthamcharoen, who has a military background.

Ministers respect each other

Mr Anutin insisted that cabinet meetings had never been marred by disputes serious enough to disrupt government work, adding that coalition partners treated one another with respect.

Political stability is essential for the government to formulate medium- and long-term policies and implement measures more quickly, he said.

The possibility of Klatham joining the Bhumjaithai-led coalition after the upcoming no-confidence debate has fuelled speculation about a cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Anutin was recently pictured dining with Klatham leader Thamanat Prompow, but he said earlier that the occasion was strictly social and no political deals were discussed.

Klatham is currently sitting on the opposition benches but has not shown any real interest in scrutinising or opposing the government.

Klatham was not invited to join the coalition after the February election, partly because of Thamanat’s chequered legal history.

As well, many politicians have been wary of Thamanat ever since he tried unsuccessfully to engineer the downfall of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha while serving in the Palang Pracharath Party.