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Thai News: Bhumjaithai-Pheu Thai Rumor Quashed, EC Approval Key for Future Talks

Thai News: Bhumjaithai-Pheu Thai Rumor Quashed, EC Approval Key for Future Talks

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Bhumjaithai Party denies rumors of a coalition deal involving five ministries with Pheu Thai, stating discussions are premature and contingent on election certification.

  • •Bhumjaithai Party clarifies that recent meetings with Pheu Thai were for congratulatory purposes, not coalition negotiations concerning ministry allocations.
  • •The party aims to oversee key security and economic ministries to ensure policy unity.
  • •Future coalition talks with Kla Tham and Democrat parties are anticipated only after the Election Commission officially certifies election results.
  • •Internal concerns exist within Bhumjaithai regarding potential legal challenges to appointing individuals from Kla Tham Party.

Overview

  • •On February 16, 2026, reports emerged from Bhumjaithai Party concerning meetings with Pheu Thai.
  • •Pheu Thai's candidate for Prime Minister, Mr. Yotsanan Wongswat, met with Bhumjaithai Party leader and candidate for Prime Minister, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, on February 13, 2026.
  • •Bhumjaithai Party stated that the meeting with Pheu Thai was solely to express congratulations and show support for Mr. Anutin as Prime Minister, not to discuss ministry allocations.
  • •Bhumjaithai Party expressed its desire to oversee security and economic ministries to ensure policy coherence.
  • •Bhumjaithai Party plans to discuss with Kla Tham Party and Democrat Party after the Election Commission officially certifies the election results.
  • •Some Bhumjaithai MPs expressed concern about potential disqualification lawsuits against the Prime Minister if individuals with questionable legal histories from Kla Tham Party are appointed.
  • •Discussions regarding the Speaker of the House of Representatives position are ongoing, with Mr. Sopon Sarum being considered a suitable candidate.
  • •On February 12, 2026, Mr. Anutin informed prospective Bhumjaithai MPs about the plan to invite parties for coalition talks in descending order of votes, excluding the People's Party.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Source (Bhumjaithai Party)
"There have been no discussions about dividing ministries for a coalition government as rumored, with Pheu Thai proposing 5 ministries."
ยังไม่มีการพูดคุยเรื่องการแบ่งกระทรวงร่วมรัฐบาลตามที่มีกระแสข่าวว่า พรรคเพื่อไทยเสนอ 5 กระทรวง
Source (Bhumjaithai Party)
"Bhumjaithai Party wishes to oversee security ministries, including all economic ministries, to ensure unified work according to announced policies."
พรรคภูมิใจไทยมีความประสงค์จะกำกับกระทรวงด้านความมั่นคง รวมถึงกระทรวงด้านเศรษฐกิจทั้งระบบ เพื่อให้การทำงานเป็นเอกภาพตามนโยบายที่ประกาศต่อประชาชน
Source (Bhumjaithai Party)
"There has been no contact with Kla Tham Party and Democrat Party, and discussions are possible after the Election Commission (EC) officially certifies the MP election results."
การพูดคุยกับพรรคกล้าธรรม และพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ ยังไม่มีการติดต่อเข้ามา และมีความเป็นไปได้ว่าจะมีการพูดคุยหลังคณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง (กกต.) ประกาศรับรองผลการเลือกตั้ง สส. อย่างเป็นทางการ

Key Entities

Organization

Bhumjaithai Party(ภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️
A political party in Thailand involved in coalition talks post-election.
Pheu Thai Party(เพื่อไทย)ℹ️
A political party in Thailand, part of coalition discussions with Bhumjaithai.
Kla Tham Party(กล้าธรรม)
A political party involved in potential coalition discussions.
Democrat Party(ประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️
A political party involved in potential coalition discussions.
Election Commission (EC)(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)ℹ️
The body responsible for overseeing and certifying election results in Thailand.
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)
A government ministry potentially allocated in coalition negotiations.
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation(กระทรวงการอุดมศึกษา วิทยาศาสตร์ วิจัยและนวัตกรรม)
A government ministry potentially allocated in coalition negotiations.
Ministry of Labour(กระทรวงแรงงาน)
A government ministry potentially allocated in coalition negotiations.
Ministry of Education(กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ)
A government ministry potentially allocated in coalition negotiations.
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security(กระทรวงการพัฒนาสังคมและความมั่นคงของมนุษย์)
A government ministry potentially allocated in coalition negotiations.
Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️
The court that handles constitutional matters, including potential disqualification cases.
People's Party(ประชาชน)
A political party that has indicated its intention to serve as the opposition.

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️
Leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a candidate for Prime Minister.
Yotsanan Wongswat(ยศชนัน วงศ์สวัสดิ์)
A candidate for Prime Minister representing the Pheu Thai Party.
Sopon Sarum(โสภณ ซารัมย์)
A prospective MP from Bhumjaithai Party considered for the Speaker of the House of Representatives position.
Supajee Suthamphang(นางศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)
A figure whose potential appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce was mentioned as speculation.