Thailand’s pro-army party invites opponents to join new government

 Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attends the coronation procession for Thailand's newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand 5 May - Reuters/File Photo

BANGKOK (Reuters): Two Thai political parties have been invited to join a new government led by military junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha as Prime Minister, a pro-army party said on Monday, more than two months after a disputed election. 

An agreement would likely sink the opposition Democratic Front coalition’s bid to keep members of the junta from retaining dominance over the Government five years after the army seized power in a coup. 

The Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties received the invitation at a meeting on Monday with Palang Pracharat, the pro-military party formed last year by members of the junta’s Cabinet.

“We invited two parties, but did not expect a conclusion today,” Palang Pracharat leader Uttama Savanayana told reporters.

“We understand there are internal processes, but it was a very good starting point,” he added.

The two parties would give the pro-army coalition a slim majority in the House of Representatives.

The Bhumjaithai Party said it accepted the invitation and its executive committee would deliberate on policies with a view to forming a government soon. 

“Leaders will connect and quickly resolve any issues so Palang Pracharat will not have any headaches. It’s time we go to work for the country,” party Leader Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters. 

Democrat Party Secretary-General Chalermchai Sri-on said the party would announce its decision soon. 

Puttipong Punnakanta, a Palang Pracharat Board Member and a Member of Parliament, told Reuters on Sunday the party – which gained the second-largest number of seats in the 24 March election – was confident of making a deal.