Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied negotiating a deal with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and opposition Pheu Thai leaders to return to Thai politics through a coalition government after the upcoming election battle.
Speaking during the CareTalk X program for the audio-based social media app Clubhouse, the exiled former Thai politician denied ever considering a deal with PPRP leader and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon.
Moreover, it is well known that Mr. Thaksin has close links with the main Pheu Thai opposition party. However, he insisted that the rumors of a secret agreement were false, saying that he had nothing to gain from reaching such an agreement with the PPRP.
“I don’t know how that would benefit me… I haven’t talked to Pom (General Prawit’s nickname) for god knows how long. I have no idea if Pom still remembers me. The good old days between us are long gone,” he stated.
According to Mr. Thaksin, the rumor of the secret deal was spread by a certain “doctor politician” who reported that it was entirely possible if Pheu Thai won the next election.
According to speculative reports, the Pheu Thai party would team up with the PPRP to form a government with enough parliamentarians to secure a parliamentary majority if it is victorious in the next contest.
The rumors were fueled by changes to the list-MP calculation method, as it was reverted to use 100 as the divisor. The move was supported by both Pheu Thai and the PPRP, Thailand’s largest parties.
Representatives from PPRP and Pheu Tai explained that they preferred the 100 divisor because it made it easier to win constituency and party list seats.
However, the exiled former prime minister claimed that it was pure coincidence that the Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath parties agreed on divisor 100.
In response to Mr. Thaksin’s comments, New Palang Dharma Party leader Dr. Rawee Matchamadol said everyone knew the former prime minister was referring to him when he blamed the “doctor politician” for spreading the rumors.
However, Dr. Rawee said he was still questioning why many PPRP deputies were absent from Monday’s joint session.
