Coalition parties plan alliance

By The Nation

Bhum Jai Thai, Chart Thai Pattana to cooperate after elections

Coalition parties Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana will soon announce a \"political alliance\" that will see them cooperate after the general elections.

Chart Thai Pattana spokesman Watchara Kannikar said yesterday that leaders and key figures from both parties would gather for a lunch at the Siam City Hotel next Monday, when they are expected to make the announcement.

Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana are the second- and third-largest partners respectively in the current Democrat-led coalition.

The spokesman said the two parties had worked together for a long time. As part of the current government, they cooperated over constitutional amendments and the proposal for an amnesty law to bring about political reconciliation.

\"So it is not surprising for the two parties to announce a political alliance,\" he said. \"The key figures of Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana are from the same origins. I think this is something that should be done - create a clear picture for the people about politics with unity and no division.\"

Watchara said the leaders of both parties had agreed that as the next general elections were approaching, the two parties should hold activities and announce standpoints that indicated their unity.

But a source from Chart Thai Pattana said any alliance with Bhum Jai Thai would put the party at a disadvantage, since its stance enabled it to work with any side - either the Democrat or Pheu Thai parties.

It appeared Chart Thai Pattana wanted to boost its bargaining power ahead of the next election, particularly regarding conditions to join a future coalition, the source said.

A Bhum Jai Thai source said the move was initiated by veteran politician Newin Chidchob, Bhum Jai Thai\'s de-facto leader who was banned from politics for five years.

The source said Bhum Jai Thai had become \"fed up\" with the political games played by the Democrats.

\"What we should do is strengthen our bargaining power,\" the source said.

Meanwhile, coalition and opposition whips agreed yesterday to extend next week\'s censure debate from three to four days.

Coalition chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai and his opposition counterpart Witthaya Buranasiri will forward their decision to House Speaker Chai Chidchob, who earlier decided to cut the debate to three days.

The debate will be rescheduled to take place from Tuesday to Friday with the no-confidence vote on Saturday.

The debate is expected to last 66 hours, with 40 hours allotted to the opposition, 20 for rebuttals from the coalition and six for objections in compliance with House meeting procedures.

-- The Nation 2011-03-10

A Bhum Jai Thai source said the move was initiated by veteran politician Newin Chidchob, Bhum Jai Thai\'s de-facto leader who was banned from politics for five years.

Well both sides have de-facto leaders who have been banned from politics for five years. Great bed-mates really.