Mega-merger could give Thai Rak Thai more than 300 MPs

Chart Pattana, New Aspiration could go

Claims by the prime minister that Thai Rak Thai could hold a bigger House majority is fuelling speculation about a merger with New Aspiration and Chart Pattana.

"Chances are that Thai Rak Thai may have more than 300 votes when the House reopens in July. But I don't know if the figure will reach 320," Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday.

Mr Thaksin admitted discussing a merger with New Aspiration leader Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and secretary-general Wan Muhamad Nor Matha.

There were also reports Thai Rak Thai discussed consolidation with Chart Pattana, an opposition party headed by Korn Dabbaransi.

Key figures would have to decide whether to dissolve their parties and become part of Thai Rak Thai.

He conceded that the move could cause dissent among Thai Rak Thai members but believed differences could eventually be ironed out.

The merger should not reduce Thai political parties to only two-one being the government and the other the opposition, he said.

Discussions about the merger had coincided with reports that Gen Chavalit wanted to quit politics.

Thai Rak Thai spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva said his party now had 246 MPs and expected to have five more from the June 30 by-elections in seven constituencies, bringing the total number to 251.

Seritham, headed by Prachuab Chaiyasarn, should disband this month and its 14 MPs would join Thai Rak Thai before parliament reconvened in July, Mr Suranand said.

Social Action, which has one MP, shared many ideas with Thai Rak Thai and was another likely ally.

"That would give us 266 votes," he said.

New Aspiration has 36 MPs and Chart Pattana 29. Political reform aimed to lower the number of political parties, Mr Suranand said.

He declined to say which party would most likely join Thai Rak Thai.

"We are a big party. It is common that medium- and small-sized parties have an interest in us.

"They know they can serve the people better if they merge with big parties," Mr Suranand said.

A Thai Rak Thai source said it was highly possible that New Aspiration would be the first to join his party after Seritham, as Gen Chavalit wanted to quit.

The Wang Nam Yen faction, headed by the prime minister's chief adviser Sanoh Thienthong, welcomed the arrival of New Aspiration, the source said. Mr Sanoh used to be New Aspiration secretary-general.

The source said there was also talk of a split within Chart Pattana. Mr Korn wanted to continue strengthening the party, but some members wanted to work with Thai Rak Thai.