Puea Pandin tosses a spanner

New Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok met with Democrat chief Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday, but instead of extending support for the Democrats as expected, he said his party would remain politically neutral for now.

Sources said a faction of the Puea Pandin party is hampering the Democrat party's coalition-building efforts by fighting for cabinet seats and refusing to commit to the alliance.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and other key party figures yesterday sought to resolve the problem by visiting Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok at his home on Vibhavadi-Rangsit road with a bouquet of red roses.

They were joined at the one-hour talks by key Puea Pandin members Phinij Jarusombat, Preecha Laohapongchana, Mun Patanotai, Pichet Tancharoen and Nimuktar Waba, as well as list-MP M.R. Kittiwatana Chaiyant.

On Saturday and again on Tuesday, members of the Chart Thai Pattana, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and the dissolved Machimathipataya and Puea Pandin parties, and a faction controlled by Newin Chidchob declared their intention to join the Democrats.

However, Puea Pandin was represented by deputy leader Ranongrak Suwanchawee. Pol Gen Pracha did not take part.

Chart Thai Pattana was set up to replace the dissolved Chart Thai party.

Pol Gen Pracha yesterday sidestepped questions about whether his party would support the coalition-building efforts of the Democrats, or its rival Puea Thai, which is also trying to stitch together a new government.

He said the former coalition parties had yet to consult each other.

He denied Puea Pandin remained undecided because he was demanding cabinet seats.

Sources in the proposed new coalition said Puea Pandin had actually decided to back the Democrats but publicly remained uncommitted because key figures in the party were still fighting for cabinet portfolios.

The factions belonging to Mr Phinij, Mr Preecha and Suvit Khunkitti had approached the Democrat secretary-general for cabinet seats, the sources said.

In the meantime, the factions led by Pol Gen Pracha and Mr Mun were bargaining for portfolios through former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, they added.

"The whole Puea Pandin party backs the Democrat party's attempt to form a government and supports Mr Abhisit as prime minister. But we don't want Mr Phinij's group to have sole authority in allocating [cabinet] positions," another source in Puea Pandin said.

"We will take the issue to the party's executive board so a majority can make a decision instead of leaving it with Mr Phinij's group alone. This is all about games within the party," the source said.

Pol Gen Pracha said he would meet Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong if he was invited.

Mr Sanoh is coordinating the coalition efforts of Puea Thai, the party formed to take in eligible MPs from the disbanded People Power party.

Commenting on his courtesy call to Pol Gen Pracha, Mr Abhisit said both sides shared the view it was time for the country to emerge from the political maelstrom that had developed as a result of the People's Alliance for Democracy's efforts to oust the PPP-led administration.

Despite the lack of a decision by Pol Gen Pracha, the Democrat leader was confident his party had enough votes to create a stable government.

Mr Abhisit appeared unconcerned at the prospect of talks between Pol Gen Pracha and Mr Sanoh, saying everything would become clear in the next few days and everyone would have to respect the parliamentary process.

Puea Thai sounded out Puea Pandin recently about joining it in forming a government, in addition to the Friends of Newin group. Pol Gen Pracha was offered the post of prime minister but he declined.

Puea Pandin is divided mainly into three factions.

They include a group led by Mr Phinij, Mr Preecha and Pairoj Suwanchawee, husband of Mrs Ranongrak; a faction under the Tancharoens and the group represented by Pol Gen Pracha and Mr Mun.

Pol Gen Pracha, speaking after a visit by the Democrat party leader on Wednesday, said he would have to discuss with party members whether to ally with Democrat party or its rival Puea Thai party.

But Puea Pandin is just a small party, and it does not have much significance, he added.

Mr Abhisit said after meeting with Pol Gen Pracha that all parties want the country to move forward, but each of them have to proceed following their procedures.

Meanwhile, Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong, has invited core leaders of former coalition parties for dinner at his residence on Wednesday to discuss political moves, according to his wife Uraiwan.

Mr Sanoh, who champions the idea of forming a national government, was seen checking the preparation of the venue. He, however, refused to say he would be attending the dinner.

He also dismissed reports that he would visit former Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa on Wednesday, saying that he has spoken with Mr Banharn on the phone already.

Puea Thai MP Surapong Towichakchaikul said an unexpected situation may happen after Mr Sanoh meets with the party leaders.

Pol Gen Pracha already said that he would join the dinner if Mr Sanoh invites him.