Pai Lik Confirms Coalition Talks with Bhumjaithai Party as Kla Tham Awaits Decision

Bangkok: "Pai Lik" confirms talks with Bhumjaithai Party regarding joining the government, awaiting final decision from senior party members. According to Thai News Agency, after this week's cabinet meeting, the "Kla Tham Party" will decide whether or not to join the government, following a planned face-to-face meeting between "Thammanat" and "Anutin." Anutin admitted that the secretaries-general of both parties have had preliminary discussions, and they are awaiting a final decision from the senior leaders. Meanwhile, "Thammanat" has instructed the Kla Tham Party to hold a general meeting on February 19th to determine the party's direction. Mr. Pai Lik, Secretary-General of the Kla Tham Party, addressed the political situation regarding discussions between the Bhumjaithai Party and the Kla Tham Party concerning a potential coalition government. He stated that a meeting had already taken place at the party secretary-general level, specifically between himself and Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, Secretary-General of the Bhumjaithai Party, today, but he could not disclose further details. Regarding tomorrow's (February 17th) weekly cabinet meeting, he believes that Captain Thamanat Promphao, the Kla Tham Party's chief advisor, will speak with Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai Party leader, after the meeting to clarify the situation. He affirmed that the Kla Tham Party has no reservations and only wants the country to move forward. Meanwhile, sources from the Kla Tham Party report that Captain Thamanat has ordered the first meeting of the party's executive committee to be held on February 19, 2026, following the election on February 8. Regarding the observation by many parties that Captain Thamanat had previously stated in an interview that he would be traveling abroad on official business, it is possible that this schedule may be postponed in order to determine the party's stance and to reach a clear conclusion on negotiations for joining the government first. While many are focusing on Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, t he Minister of Commerce, who is reportedly set to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister concurrently with the Minister of Commerce and overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ms. Supajee was attending an international academic seminar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. She was originally scheduled to give a press conference, but just minutes before it began, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials informed reporters that she was unavailable. Reporters waited, but Ms. Supajee eventually arrived at the event and shook her head, declining to give an interview before the seminar started. Her entourage stated that the cancellation of the press conference was due to concerns about political implications.