Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa has refused to confirm a possible merger with the Pheu Thai Party, insisting that any decision rests with the party executives and its 10 MPs.
In a message posted on the Facebook of Chartthaipattana Party, Mr Varawut said that he remains leader and remains committed to working together as one team.
“I insist we haven’t agreed to anything. We are the Chartthaipattana. If any decision is made, it will be a collective decision by all 10 MPs and the party’s executive board,” he said.
Mr Varawut said that reports about the merger are unsurprising amid heightened political competition, as he noted that it is normal for smaller parties to be approached by major ones seeking to strengthen their position.
He said such speculation could have stemmed from rivalry between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party.
His message is in response to speculation that he had been approached to be one of Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidates as the Shinawatra family looks to salvage Pheu Thai’s image.
Former Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senpong wrote on his Facebook that there was a possibility that Mr Varawut could be in the frame due to his long-standing personal and political ties between the two families.
He noted that the political bases of Pheu Thai and Chartthaipattana do not overlap, making the potential merger a mutual benefit. Mr Thepthai also pointed out that Mr Varawut nearly missed out on a party-list seat in the last election, suggesting that a merger with Pheu Thai could secure his political future.