BANGKOK, May 27 (TNA) – Pro-military Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) formally invites two potential kingmakers – Democrat and
Bhumjaithai parties – to join its coalition and nominate Prayut Chan-o-cha to
return as a prime minister.
PPRP leader Uttama Savayanaya and party’s core figures made
the move dubbed “marriage proposal” during their visit to the Democrat Party’s
headquarters in Bangkok.
Democrat Party Secretary Chalermchai Sri-on welcomed the
visitors but many of Democrat key members including current leader Jurin
Laksanawisit and his predecessor Abhisit Vejjajiva were notably not present in
the meeting.
Prior to the March 24 election, Abhisit had announced the
Democrat’s stance against Prayut nomination.
He resigned from the party leadership right after the polls to take
responsibility for the shocking results for the country’s oldest political
party. 
However, Uttama said that PPRP still waited for Democrat’s
stance under the new leadership, referring to a meeting of Democrat’s
executives and MPs scheduled for Tuesday.
Chalermchai said he would inform the meeting about PPRP’s
message and proposal, stressing “all factors and scenarios will be
considered.”
It has been reported that the Democrat is offered seven Cabinet
portfolios in the PPRP-led government but both sides refused to confirm. 
Later in the afternoon, PPRP members met with Bhumjaithai
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul to make a formal invitation.
PPRP, which is the second largest party in the election,
could muster well over 250 seats in the 500-member lower house with the
supports of Democrat and Bhumjaithai. It
is poised to lead the coalition and pave way for Prayut to retain his post five
years after he led the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in the 2014
coup.
A House of
Representative’s vote for prime minister is expected within this month.(TNA)
