Pheu Thai’s VIPs explore ‘solutions’

Phumtham Wechayachai, an adviser to the leader of Pheu Thai Party, yesterday confirmed he was in talks with key former executives of the nowdefunct Thai Rak Thai Party on what he described as a way out of the country’s problems.

He reportedly has spoken with former Thai Rak Thai executives and cabinet ministers — Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, Prommin Lertsuridej and Surapong Suebwonglee — who are now in a group called Care.

Regarding reports they discussed forming a new political party, Mr Phumtham said he had only held talks on how best to tackle the country’s problems with people he has a close personal relationship with, rather than any group discussion. He said most people had lost any hope that the government could lead the country out of crisis, adding people from various walks of life were involved in an ongoing discussion to deal with that reality.

Watana Muangsook, a key Pheu Thai key member, meanwhile, posted on Facebook it would not be unusual for those formally involved with Pheu Thai to form a group aimed at establishing a new party. He said the reason was the current constitution was designed to bar Pheu Thai from winning enough seats in the general election to lead the government.

But Mr Watana dismissed speculation that talks of forming a new party stemmed from growing rifts within Pheu Thai, adding he will remain with the party even if that means it will never win another election.

Praphon Netrangsi, a Pheu Thai executive, also dismissed media reports about conflicts within the party, reiterating a key factor behind talks of a new party had resulted from provisions within the national charter which make it more difficult for large parties to win enough seats to take power.

Another Pheu Thai source said former Thai Rak Thai figures had initiated the movement.