The Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties, seen as pivotal factors in the formation of a coalition government, yesterday confirmed their political pact, saying they are eyeing to get cabinet seats for six key ministries including the Interior Ministry for the Democrats and the Transport Ministry for Bhumjaithai.
Montri Panoinont, a Democrat MP for Prachuap Khiri Khan, said the partnership which has a combined number of 103 MPs would negotiate for the cabinet posts as an alliance regardless of which camp they would join.
According to Mr Montri, his party is seeking the Interior Ministry, the Commerce Ministry, and the Energy Ministry while its ally is targeting the Transport Ministry, the Public Health Ministry, and the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
The move came after the Bhumjaithai Party agreed early this week to hold talks with three parties which remained undecided over which camp they would join and find out what they wanted.
On Tuesday a photo was shared on social media of Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Democrat secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on meeting at a restaurant in Bangkok. Mr Montri also joined the talks.
According to Mr Montri, the meeting was to find out in which area each party wanted to work.
"If our proposal is not accepted, we will stay together. But I don't know if we'll turn into a third alliance," he said.
News of the partnership being confirmed also came ahead of a key meeting at the Democrat Party HQ today in which the party executives and MPs will decide if it will join the pro-regime Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP)-led alliance.
The Bhumjaithai Party recently agreed to let Mr Anutin have a final say on the issue.
A source said the PPRP representatives have offered seven cabinet seats to the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties.
PPRP spokesman Kobsak Pootrakool on Tuesday admitted the party executive board has assigned PPRP leader Uttama Savanayana and party secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong to negotiate with other parties that are potential PPRP allies in joining a coalition government.
The Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties are seen as most pivotal in the PPRP-led alliance's chances of forming the government.
The combined number of 103 MPs -- 52 from the Democrat Party and 51 from the Bhumjaithai Party -- can tip the scales of power in favour of the PPRP-led alliance.
According to the source, under the PPRP's proposal, three seats are for "A-list" ministries and the four others are for one deputy prime minister post and three deputy minister posts.
However, the source said it is possible the Democrat-Bhumjaithai alliance will form a third group with the Chartthaipattana Party with 10 seats and the Chartpattana Party with three seats if their proposal is not accepted.
The Pheu Thai Party, meanwhile, is calling a meeting with its allies today to discuss any role it might play in the formation of a coalition government.
The Pheu Thai-led alliance has 245 MPs from seven parties while the pro-regime PPRP has gathered 137 MPs to date.
"If our proposal is not accepted, we will stay together. But I don't know if we'll turn into a third alliance." — Montri Panoinont, Democrat MP
Phumtham Wechayachai, Pheu Thai's secretary-general, said the seven-party coalition remains strong and insisted the party which has the largest number of seats has the mandate to form a government.
In a campaign ahead of the poll rerun in Chiang Mai's Constituency 8 on Sunday, PPRP spokesman Kobsak expressed confidence the PPRP would succeed in forming the government.
He said PPRP leader Mr Uttama and party secretary-general Mr Sontirat could not attend the rally and asked him to help with the campaign in Chiang Mai because they were "closing the deal".
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak yesterday distanced himself from parties's talks on forming a coalition government, saying he had nothing to do with the issue and it was up to them.
However, he said he hoped things would quickly become clearer because investors are delaying their decisions, noting that the sooner a government is in place, the better.
Mr Somkid dismissed as speculation reports that he would be part of a new cabinet, saying the House has yet to vote to select the prime minister.
Asked if he would join or support the government in the case of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha returning as prime minister, the deputy prime minister said it would be decided later.
He pointed out that while certain individuals might help boost investors' confidence, it all comes down to government policy.