Pheu Thai denies govt deal with PPRP

Pheu Thai Family director Nattawut Saikuar denies claims of a "secret deal" between the Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath (PPRP) parties to form a government after the election, saying the party is focusing on securing a landslide victory yesterday.

Mr Nattawut was speaking at a campaign rally in front of Yang Talat district office in Kalasin.

The party held similar rallies in the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen and Roi-et over the past three days.

Leading the Kalasin rally were party leader Cholnan Srikaew, secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong and Pheu Thai Family head Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has been touted as the party's prime ministerial candidate. Local MPs were also in attendance.

Commenting on rumours that Thamanat Prompow, a PPRP MP for Phayao, had said his party was ready to form an alliance with Pheu Thai, Mr Nattawut said it was normal for popular parties like Pheu Thai to be approached by other parties to form a coalition.

"There are no talks or a secret deal with any party. Only with a landside win will Pheu Thai be able to make changes," Mr Nattawut said.

Dr Cholnan, the party's leader, said if Pheu Thai has 300 MPs in the 500-seat House of Representatives, it would not be necessary for the party to join hands with other parties.

If Pheu Thai wins fewer than 300 seats, it would be possible for other parties seek help from the 250 senators to vote for them to form a government.

But it would be a minority government which would be unable to govern properly, he added.

Dr Cholnan said if Pheu Thai had more than 300 MPs, the senators would certainly not support other parties to form a minority government because doing so would alienate the public.

Capt Thamanat, when asked about the possibility of the PPRP and Pheu Thai joining hands in a government after the poll, said nothing is certain in politics.