Bhumjaithai rules out alliance with People’s Party over Section 112

The Bhumjaithai Party will not join the People’s Party in forming the next government after the upcoming general election, due to the latter’s stance on amending the lèse-majesté law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Prime Minister and party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said today.

Responding to People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut’s statement — made during a debate among party leaders on Thai Rath TV on Tuesday — that his party will not vote in support of Bhumjaithai’s prime ministerial candidate after the next election, Anutin said he respects Natthaphong’s right and opinion.

He added that Bhumjaithai’s position is that it will not work with any party that seeks to amend the lèse-majesté law.

Of all the party leaders who took part in the debate, Natthaphong was the only one who raised his hand when the moderator asked whether any of them wanted to amend the lèse-majesté law.

Nonetheless, Anutin made clear that his party could still work with the People’s Party on matters concerning the public interest — but not on issues related to the lèse-majesté law.

Natthaphong said on the TV program that nobody should be imprisoned because of something they have said.

Anutin countered that the remark was misleading, saying Natthaphong should have said that nobody should be in prison if they have not committed an offence.

Earlier, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party would not join hands with the Kla Tham Party, due to the tainted background of an influential figure in that party, whom he declined to name.

Later, Thammanat Prompao, the de facto leader of the Kla Tham Party, hit back at the Democrats and cited previous corruption scandals involving key figures in the party.