Sereepisuth to Anutin: ‘Pheu Thai will give you all’

05/13/2019

Seri Ruam Thai leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves on Monday told Bhumjaithai frontman Anutin Charnveerakul that Pheu Thai will offer him cabinet seats — including the premiership — if he joins the anti-junta camp.

“Prime minister? Transport minister?” Pol Gen Sereepisuth asked Mr Anutin at the office of the Election Commission (EC).

“Anything you want — Pheu Thai will give you all,” he claimed.

He said he was not a messenger for Pheu Thai but overheard party members discussing offering to mr. Anutin offering PM post.

The two met at the EC amid speculation the Pheu Thai-led faction would try to lure Bhumjaithai and the Democrats to join them in order to prevent Prayut Chan-o-cha becoming prime minister. The two parties have a combined 103 seats.

Mr Seripisuth said the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties do not have enough votes to counter Gen Prayut and needed outside help to end the regime.

Mr Anutin said Bhumjaithai will not make a decision on the issue until a meeting is held next Monday.

Pheu Thai’s need for an additional coalition partner became more urgent as 11 small parties that unexpectedly gained seats under the Election Commission’s controversial party-list formula declared their loyalty to Gen Prayut  and Palang Pracharath on Monday.

The Democrat Party will convene on Wednesday to elect a new leader and executive members, who will later decide whether it will join the Palang Pracharath-led side to support Gen Prayut.