Dissolution off menu at club dinner

Dissolution off menu at club dinner

Coalition leaders discuss economy

House dissolution was not on the agenda during an informal get-together of coalition party leaders on Tuesday, said Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit on Wednesday.

The talk over dinner at the Rajpruek Club in Bangkok with key coalition figures also in attendance touched mainly on impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Mr Jurin said.

Speaking at his party's headquarters, Mr Jurin said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had invited leaders of coalition parties to discuss the Russia-Ukraine situation and its effects on the economy as they dined at the club.

"It was an in-depth talk in an informal atmosphere, complementing discussions in cabinet meetings," said Mr Jurin, who is a deputy prime minister and commerce minister.

At no point during the dinner did participants raise the possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives.

A House dissolution has been widely speculated by some politicians, who see it as a kind of tension release for the government ahead of a planned no-confidence debate likely to be launched by the opposition in May.

"Whether the House will be disbanded is a matter for the future. And the prime minister did not raise the issue," said the Democrat leader.

As a coalition partner, the Democrat Party would do its best to ensure the government's stability, he said.

Key figures at Tuesday's dinner included Gen Prayut, Mr Jurin, ruling Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwon, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana yesterday dismissed opposition leader Cholnan Srikaew's claim that some MPs from the government and small parties would vote against Gen Prayut in the next censure debate.

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