Matchima MPs set to defect to Pheu Thai

Move may not be in time for Cabinet berths; Democrats look at legal option

MPs in the Matchima faction of the opposition Bhum Jai Thai Party have clearly indicated that they intend to defect to the Pheu Thai Party, but it is uncertain if they will make the move in time to secure a ministerial seat in the next Cabinet reshuffle, said government whip Amnuay Klangpa yesterday.

Meanwhile, Democrat MP for Songkhla Wiratana Kalayasiri said yesterday he suspected that Pheu Thai had a hidden agenda in allowing the move. He said the Democrat Party's legal team would look into the possibility of taking legal action against Pheu Thai.

"This shows the government is not being transparent in terms of its favours to politicians. This is not morally or ethically fair. The opposition has a duty to examine the government's actions. This amounts to buying the vote of the opposition in an attempt to reduce scrutiny of its actions. I will consult the [Democrat] party's legal team and see what we can do," he said.

Amnuay said the Pheu Thai Party had not violated any laws in nominating Nantana Songpracha - an MP of the Matchima faction - as a member of the committee deliberating the 2014 Budget Bill. A political party can nominate anyone to be a committee member, even if they are not an MP, he said.

All MPs in the Matchima faction of the Bhum Jai Thai Party voted in support of the 2014 Budget Bill, therefore, they deserve the support of Pheu Thai, said Amnuay.

MPs in the Matchima faction have avoided joining recent meetings of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, deciding instead to wait for the party resolution to expire. After that, they have 60 days to move to a new party, in accordance with the law.

"It is likely that they [MPs of the Matchima Group] will join Pheu Thai, but I don't know if they will be in time for the next Cabinet reshuffle as the Bhum Jai Thai Party has not yet resolved to expel Matchima MPs from the party," said Amnuay.

The first reading of the 2014 Budget Bill was passed on Friday with 292 to 155 votes against. The eight MPs in the Matchima faction who voted in support of the bill include: Si Sa Ket MP Udomlak Pengnorapat; Ratchaburi MPs Manit Nopamornbodee; Chaworalat Chinthammit and Boonying Nitikanchana; Chai Nat MPs Porntiva Nakasai and Nantana Songpracha; Sukhothai MP Chakkrawan Chaiwirat-nukul and party-list MP Ruangsak Ngamsompak.

Reports of Matchima faction MPs planning to defect to Pheu Thai have tended to coincide with an imminent Cabinet reshuffle.

There have been recent reports of discussions between Somsak Thepsuthin, leader of the Matchima Group, and Yaowapa Wongsawat, sister of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is de facto leader of Pheu Thai Party. Somsak was previously an executive member of the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/06/02/matchima-mps-set-to-defect-to-pheu-thai/