Phumtham claims Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties still getting along

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said today that the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties are still getting along well and continue to work together in the coalition government.

His remark was in response to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s criticism yesterday, without naming names, of two ministers from coalition parties, believed to be Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, leader of the United Thai Nation party, for their failure to attend the cabinet meeting on December 11th to discuss international tax issues.

Thaksin is reported to have said during a seminar that the ministers in question should resign, because they are not ‘with’ the government.

Phumtham said that Thaksin’s criticism was just the opinion of a senior politician about what is appropriate or inappropriate, adding that the former prime minister has no formal role in the current administration.

He also said that he does not know whether Thaksin’s remark was meant as a warning for interior minister Anutin.