Bhumjaithai remains open to talks with parties wishing to join the coalition

The Bhumjaithai party is still open to talks with potential allies in the formation of a coalition government while the Election Commission has not yet officially announced the outcome of the February 8thgeneral election, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the media during his visit to Phetchaburi on Saturday.

He said that he has been in politics for about three decades and has experience of three general elections and is fully aware that it will take the Election Commission more than a month to announce the official results of the most recent election.

Since the EC has two months from the election to publish the official outcome, he said that there is no need for his party to rush the formation of the new administration.

The coalition, comprising Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai, Palang Pracharath and about ten ‘micro’ parties, which each won a House seat, now commands over 280 votes in the 500-seat Lower House. The Bhumjaithai party is now weighing the pros and cons of inviting the Kla Tham party to join the coalition.

The Democrat party has not yet been approached by Bhumjaithai, but Anutin said his party has not shut the door on them, noting that the election process is not over until the EC announces the official results.

He also said that he is not concerned over the prospect of the election being nullified by the Constitutional Court, over the use of bar and QR codes on the ballot sheets, noting that he has faith in the EC’s honesty.