After its executive board decided to remove the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from the government coalition, the Pheu Thai Party yesterday (28 August) invited the Democrat Party to join.

Matichon Online reported yesterday (28 August) that, according to Pheu Thai Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Thai has sent the Democrats a formal invitation to join the government coalition.

In a joint press conference between Pheu Thai and the Democrats, Sorawong said that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has the final say on which cabinet seats the Democrats will get. When asked if the two parties will be able to work together, Sorawong said that the past is in the past and that he is sure their MPs have the same goal of improving the country, noting that no Pheu Thai MP objected to the Democrats joining the coalition.

Sorawong said that, although the two parties took different political stances in the past, a younger generation has now stepped into management and the leaders of both parties agree that it is time to move on together and leave conflicts behind for their common goal of improving the people’s quality of life.

When asked if inviting the Democrats to join the coalition would upset Pheu Thai voters, Sorawong said that he is sure the two parties will work well together. The alliance can be seen as the end of a conflict, he said, and it would be better for them to work together.

Meanwhile Democrat Secretary-General Dech-it Khaothong thanked Pheu Thai for the invitation. He said that the Democrat Party will discuss whether to join the government coalition at a meeting of its executive board and MPs, expected to take place today (29 August).

Dech-it said that there is no more conflict, only understanding and forgiveness. The situation several decades ago is different from the situation today, he said, and it is a good thing that the two parties can come together.

Thairath Online reported that four Democrat MPs, including former PM and Party leader Chuan Leekpai, objected to joining the government coalition with Pheu Thai. Chuan said that no one in the Party mentioned to him that they would be invited to join the government and that MPs were never informed about any discussion relating to this matter.

Chuan said that he has previously said he disagrees with joining a coalition with Pheu Thai since he has been saying that he would not vote for Pheu Thai because, in the past, Pheu Thai has said that provinces that vote for its candidates would take priority for development and southern provinces were left behind. Chuan therefore felt he would be betraying his voters if he goes back on his word.

Chuan said that, other than himself, Jurin Laksanawisit, Banyat Bantadtan, and Sanphet Bunyamanee also objected to joining the government. He is not sure how other MPs feel about the invitation, but noted that according to normal procedures, the Party would have to vote on the matter.

On Tuesday (27 August), Pheu Thai MPs and executive board voted to remove the military-backed PPRP from the government coalition, citing “dissatisfaction” with the actions of PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan.