People’s party will not join coalition government with Pheu Thai party

People’s Party Leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut today dismissed any possibility of the party joining the Pheu Thai party coalition, if the Bhumjaithai party ends up leaving the government.

He pointed out that the People’s party’s political future still hangs in the balance, because 25 of its key MPs may lose their status and be banished from politics for ten years if they are found guilty of supporting the bid to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code (the lèse majesté law) by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

He said that the party will, however, do its best to defend the MPs in question and the case is still pending with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Natthaphong noted that the party has previously declared, several times, that it would not join the Pheu Thai party in the same government during this parliamentary session.

He maintains that the party is selective in supporting or opposing the government, adding “If any government policy is good for the people or the country, the party will give its support. If not, the party will oppose the government.”

The Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties have been locked in a conflict over the entertainment complex, or casino project, since Bhumjaithai Secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob announced, during a recent House meeting, that the party would never support a casino project.