No 'secret deal' for Thaksin

Pheu Thai Party leader Julapun Amornvivat has firmly denied rumours of a secret political deal exchanging an amnesty for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra for votes of confidence in the upcoming censure debate.

"There is no deal, no secret deal, and no arrangement of any kind, whether behind closed doors or in the open," he said.

The no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government is scheduled for Dec 7–11 in parliament.

Mr Julapun, who doubles as labour minister, said that Pheu Thai and Mr Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party had agreed to govern together and were fully committed to working as coalition partners. With both parties in government, there was neither concern nor any factual basis for further negotiations, he said.

Asked about Thaksin's application for amnesty under the Social Peace Promotion Act, Mr Julapun said anyone affected by political unrest and military coups had the legal right to submit an application.

Whether Thaksin qualified for amnesty under the law was for the relevant committee to determine, he said, adding the government had no involvement in that decision.

On government stability, he said relations between coalition partners remained close, with no discussions held about restructuring the administration.

He was confident the cabinet could address all issues during the no-confidence debate expected in early December.

Regarding reports the Klatham Party is possibly joining the coalition and possible changes at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr Julapun said decisions on coalition membership rested solely with the prime minister and should not be interfered with by other partners.

Ministers, meanwhile, had a responsibility to review their own performance, he said, noting the agriculture ministry was functioning well. Any changes to the coalition structure would require discussions and a signal from the PM, but no such talks had taken place.