December 8, 2008
Bangkok (Manager Online) - The Democrat Party’s secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban believed his party would lead to form a new government and there would be no parliament dissolution.
His belief was supported by the fact that there were more than 260 MPs to set up the Democrat-led government.
Suthep said the Puathai Party would not dissolve parliament due to several legal issues.
The Democrat Party and Puathai Party are competing to gain support from existing MPs to form the government.
Rumor has it that the Puathai Party offered five million baht to an MP who applied for the party’s membership. Besides, a minister post would also be given to a group in which had at least five MPs.
Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasat, former advisory chairman of the Chart Thai Party, admitted the premier post was offered to him by the Puathai Party. However, he refused to take it for the sake of the country.
Suthep was confident Democrat Party’s leader Abhisit Vejjajiva would become the 27th prime minister, and was not worried the red-shirt group would close parliament to obstruct the selection of a new premier.
Somsak Thepsuthin, former leader of the Matchimathipataya Party, said he allowed MPs in his group to move to another party, but they mostly joined the Phumjaithai Party.
Dr. Vannarat Charnnukul, leader of the Ruamjaithai Chatpattana Party, confirmed his party would join the Democrat Party to set up the new government and back Abhisit as the next prime minister.
Chart Thai Party today called a meeting to determine its political direction.
The stock index this morning rose over eight points as investors hoped the new government formed by Democrat Party would end the political turmoil at a certain level.
