Kla Tham waiting to join Bhumjaithai-led coalition

Speculation has been rife that, by November this year, Capt. Thammanat Prompao, leader of the Kla Tham party, which is now in opposition in parliament, will lead the party's 58 MPs to join the current coalition government led by the Bhumjaithai party of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

This, if substantiated, would further consolidate the power of the Anutin led government. The move would also block any attempts to merge the Pheu Thai party, which is now a government party, with Kla Tham in the future. It would also cut feeding pipelines being channelled to some political groups now being formed.

The sign of dissension in the opposition became obvious when Kla Tham party MPs voted in support of the 2027 Budget Bill in the third reading against the Opposition whip. As a result, Parit Wacharasindhu, as chief Opposition whip, proposed that Kla Tham have the whip removed and be replaced by the Thai Ruam Palang party. If this happens, the new Opposition whip would be on five parties - People's, Democrat, Thai Pakdee, Seri Ruam Thai and Thai Ruam Palang.

"Since Kla Tham has as many as 58 MPs, it could continue to play a coordinating role to protect the legitimate rights of MPs in Parliament, such as allotting time slots for them in general debates and giving them advice on solving local problems through mechanisms unrelated to the duties of the Opposition," Parit said.

Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn, the Kla Tham spokesman, said Kla Tham MPs have joined meetings of the Opposition whips and worked with other Opposition MPs on various matters. Although they may have some different opinions from others, Kla Tham MPs remain cooperative. In making a resolution regarding voting on a crucial matter, however, the party would adhere mainly to the benefits for the country and the people, he said.

"The Kla Tham party will continue to work as representatives of the people and push for Parliament to solve the country's problems, no matter which side we are on," Atthakorn said.

Whether or not Kla Tham will join the Bhumjaithai-led government "depends on talks between senior people", he added.

Since the conflict between People's and Kla Tham parties appeared to be over a difference of opinion, Parit, as chief Opposition whip, questioned the suitability of Kla Tham in performing the duties of the Opposition and said Kla Tham should be left out of the Opposition whip committee.

The Kla Tham and Bhumjaithai parties have never shut political doors on one another. Kla Tham appears to have been on good terms with the government. Even though it is in Opposition, Kla Tham has never truly taken an opposing role. The party did not join the government in the first place only to avoid certain embarrassments, particularly when Chanonphat Naksua, a Kla Tham MP for Songkhla's Constituency 4, was accused of involvement in illegal online gambling websites and money-laundering. The prosecution indicted him on four charges in August 2026. Chanonphat denied the charges and vowed to fight in the courts.

It is not known whether the "senior people" have spoken over Kla Tham joining the government. The party has, though, long been on the "waiting list."

Atthakorn, the Kla Tham MP for Chachoengsao, has long been a close associate of Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul and Prime Minister's Office Minister Paradorn Prisnananthakul of Bhumjaithai.

Transport minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, a core member of Bhumjaithai, when asked about the possibility of Kla Tham joining the government, said the question should be raised with Anutin, the prime minister, saying he is the only one who can give the answer.

Pipat said that, so far, he has not heard a word concerning this matter from Anutin.

Amid rumours of Kla Tham joining the government, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat, of the Pheu Thai party, said his party, which has 74 MPs, is still in charge of five ministries.

On government stability, Yodchanan said: "We are getting along quite well."

According to reports in circulation, it is believed that Kla Tham's entry into the government would not affect Pheu Thai's ministerial quotas because this has been talked about since 2025, when the alleged Senate election rigging case emerged. It now rests with Bhumjaithai's top man in Buri Ram province to decide when to bring Kla Tham into the government - before or after the expected no-confidence debate in Parliament. The time for Kla Tham's entry is likely to be in November, the reports said.

Kla Tham, with 58 seats in the House of Representatives, is reportedly likely to get three to four ministerial posts if it joins the coalition. Bhumjaithai itself has one cabinet seat for a deputy minister to be filled under its quota. The position was initially earmarked for Treenuch Thienthong of the Palang Pracharath party, but the party did not have enough MPs to meet the requirement. So, the position has been left vacant and it could finally go to the Kla Tham party.

The reports also said Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat or Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul of Bhumjaithai may have to be left out of the Cabinet to make way for Kla Tham. Kla Tham may also get two other deputy ministerial posts at the Industry and Natural Resources and Environment ministries.

According to reports, other reasons for Kla Tham to be brought into the government are to cut support being channelled to some political groups and to prevent Kla Tham from merging with the Pheu Thai party, because this could cause problems in the long run.

On Sept 21, Anutin posted on his Facebook page in English saying: "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere". Anutin is interpreted to be voicing his confidence in achieving political successes.