The chairman of the Sang Anakhot Thai Party (SATP), Somkid Jatusripitak, must be a prime minister candidate if the party is to merge with the Thai Sang Thai Party (TST), according to SATP spokesman Naris Cheyklin.
Mr Naris was responding to media reports about a possible merger between the newly formed political parties ahead of the general election. The new election rules are said to be forcing small and new parties to forge alliances similar to the recent formation of the Chartpattanakla Party.
SATP leader Uttama Savanayana said on Monday that forming alliances during volatile periods is normal and senior officials have been in talks with other parties, not just the TST.
He said the principle behind pursuing political alliances, whether as mergers or otherwise, is to create a political force that will enable the party to work more efficiently.
Party chiefs would also take into consideration the policies and ideologies of any potential allies, he said, adding the party is making arrangements for the upcoming election including unveiling candidates and gathering input with which to formulate policies.
“We uphold our ideology of working for the people. Holding talks with other parties is part of that routine and all the talks are held on the basis of the principles I’ve discussed,” he said.
The SATP was formed after Mr Uttama and his faction were purged from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party in 2020 to make way for Gen Prawit Wongsuwon to take the helm as the leader.
The TST Party is headed by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan who severed ties with the main opposition Pheu Thai Party in December 2020.
Meanwhile, Mr Somkid responded to the media speculation about a possible merger between the SATP and the TST ahead of the general election.
He said Ms Sudarat and he have known each other for a long time.
“She is like a sister [of mine],” he said.
He said if a merger of the two parties benefits the people, it will be better than creating disunity. He said it was too early to say who would be the leader and who would be a prime minister candidate if a merger occurs.
That’s because the Constitutional Court is looking at the controversial organic bill on the election of MPs as to whether to use 100 instead of 500 to calculate the number of list MPs in the next general election, he said.