ANUTIN ON TRACK TO FORM NEW THAI GOVERNMENT

By Kenny Teng and Wilawan Watcharasakwet

BANGKOK, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Bhumjaithai Party, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is on course to form Thailand’s next government following the preliminary count of parliamentary seats from Sunday’s general election.

Unofficial results released by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) at 8.53 am local time on Monday showed Bhumjaithai had secured 174 seats, followed by the People’s Party with 87 seats and the Pheu Thai Party with 58 seats.

The Kla Tham Party won 56 seats, while the Democrat Party secured 10 seats.

With 94 per cent of the votes from 400 contested seats counted and a clear victor, attention has now turned to Anutin’s next steps in forming a coalition government.

Anutin described the victory as the will of the people who wanted to see Bhumjaithai continue governing and addressing long-standing national challenges.

“We believe the country is now on a stable footing and we look forward to moving forward with an even stronger cabinet and government,” he told reporters at the party’s headquarters.

Anutin said negotiations with other parties to form the government would begin after a meeting of the party’s executive committee, adding that he would wait for the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to certify the results before proceeding.

Meanwhile, People’s Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruenpanyawut reiterated that his party was prepared to sit in opposition if Bhumjaithai formed the government and would not support Bhumjaithai’s prime ministerial candidate.

Pheu Thai leader and prime ministerial candidate Julapun Amornvivat said the party was ready to serve the public to the best of its ability, whether in government or in opposition.

Under Thai law, 400 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives are elected in constituencies nationwide, with the remaining 100 seats allocated to political parties on a proportional basis.

The election results must be certified by the ECT within 60 days, or no later than April 9, while the newly elected parliament is required to convene within 15 days after the results are officially confirmed.

To be elected as prime minister, a candidate must secure the support of at least 251 votes in the 500-member House of Representatives.

-- BERNAMA