Prachachart party remains with government coalition - Tawee

Prachachart Party Leader Tawee Sodsong announced today that they will stay with the government and will continue to support Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, amidst public pressure for all coalition parties to withdraw from the coalition.

He said that the party’s political position is to support the government, in the performance of its duties to protect the country and provide moral support to the military and all parties concerned.

He noted that the only institution that can force the government out of the office is parliament.

Regarding the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai party, the second largest party of the coalition, Tawee, who is also justice minister, said that their departure means a loss of 69 votes in the House and, therefore, it is essential for all government MPs to be present at parliamentary meetings during debates on important issues.

The Prachachart party commands nine seats in the House, seven constituency and two party-list.

He declined to comment, when asked about the leak of the recorded phone conversation between Paetongtarn and former prime minister Hun Sen, which has triggered a public backlash against the prime minister.

Meanwhile, former senator Somchai Sawangkarn and two political activists, Nithithorn Lamlua and Komsan Phothong, filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau today, accusing the prime minister of breaching the Criminal Code in relation to the leaked audio clip.

Somchai said his group wants the prime minister to resign, but does not agree with House dissolution, noting that the second option would be a “waste of time”, because there will be an election, adding that the group also disagrees with a coup.