13-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Deputy Prime Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has no plans to leave politics and has not ruled out the possibility of a role in the next government, according to deputy PPRP leader Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn.
Chaiwut, who also serves as the Digital Economy and Society Minister, made these statements in response to reports suggesting that the PPRP would join a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party.
According to a source, the Pheu Thai Party has now reached an agreement with the PPRP, with the PPRP agreeing to support Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister in exchange for a share of cabinet positions.
The source mentioned that the Pheu Thai-led coalition would consist of 278 Members of Parliament (MPs), down from the previously reported 315 MPs on Friday, as the United Thai Nation Party has not yet confirmed its support.
When asked about Gen Prawit’s willingness to accept a cabinet position in the Pheu Thai-led coalition government, amid reports that he would let his younger brother, Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the PPRP’s chief adviser, take a cabinet post instead, Chaiwut stated, “[Gen Prawit] never said he would not accept a post.” Chaiwut further asserted that Gen Prawit remains the party’s leader and candidate for prime minister.
Regarding Phai Lik, a PPRP Member of Parliament for Kamphaeng Phet, who previously stated that the PPRP’s 40 MPs would vote for Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, Chaiwut explained that it was the opinion of some MPs. He added that the party would convene to decide whether to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition.
Deputy UTN leader Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana also announced on Saturday that the party would hold a meeting on Tuesday to discuss its potential participation in the coalition.
