The Democrat Party has brushed aside reports that the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will take back key ministries from its allies and offer them other cabinet seats instead, insisting the deal for the Democrats to join the PPRP-led coalition has already been finalised.
Democrat secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on on Saturday dismissed as unfounded a report the PPRP wanted to reclaim the commerce ministry portfolio which it had earlier promised to hand to the Democrat Party as part of the deal for it to join the PPRP-led alliance, and that the PPRP would offer the education ministerial post as a replacement instead.
Mr Chalermchai, who has been assigned by the party to coordinate with other coalition allies, insisted the deal over the coalition formation was finalised before the prime ministerial vote in parliament last Wednesday.
He said the dispute over the allocation of cabinet seats came from the PPRP, not the Democrats. "The PPRP must sort out this problem," he said.
Mr Chalermchai added that the Democrat Party's strategists will meet tomorrow to discuss people in the party who are suited to take ministerial posts in the next government.
PPRP deputy spokesman, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said party leader Uttama Savanaya and secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong were discussing the government formation with coalition partners and a conclusion was expected to be reached shortly.
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the new prime minister, will then have a final say on the cabinet line-up, Mr Thanakorn said.
Mongkolkit Suksintharanont, a Thai Civilised Party MP, said the 10 small parties which are aligned with the PPRP demanded that at least two cabinet seats be handed to them.
Earlier, the PPRP reportedly agreed to let coalition partners take some key ministries they asked for as conditions for joining the government.
The Democrat Party had been promised the agriculture, commerce and social development portfolios while the Bhumjaithai looked set to secure a Transport Ministry post.
PPRP list MP Somsak Thepsuthin, who is a key figure of the Sam Mitr (Three Allies) group in the PPRP, said earlier the party needs control of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to make good on its election pledges.
