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Published on December 29, 2007

Speaking after his 30-minute visit to Ramathibodi Hospital, where Banharn was seeking treatment, PPP deputy leader Somchai Wongsawas, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, said yesterday his offer was meant to create a an even more stable coalition government.

He said Banharn would officially announce his decision today.

A PPP source had earlier said Chart Thai and Puea Pandin Parties had already agreed to join the PPP-led government, making a six-party coalition, commanding a 315-seat majority, thus leaving the Democrat Party as the sole opposition party.

Meanwhile, PPP leader Samak Sundaravej described the conditions imposed by Chart Thai and Puea Pandin to form a coalition government as an insult to him and his party.

Banharn on Thursday outlined five conditions under which he would accept a position in a People Power coalition government.

They were reverence for the monarchy, respect for Privy Council President and elder statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda, no reprisals, Thaksin Shinawatra's return to face due process of law and no meddling with the work of the Assets Examination Committee.

Samak was especially offended by the condition demanding that a government coalition revere the monarchy.

"Banharn has known me for a long time but obviously does not know my family. It has served the monarchy since King Rama VI. Banharn should not lecture me about this," he said.

Samak said there were no plans to dissolve the Assets Examination Committee and there would be no revenge against coup leaders.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee said the conditions were not intrinsic to the formation of a government.

He added that the existing coalition parties, which hold 254 seats, had enough of a majority to form a government but the PPP wanted a more stable government.

At a news conference yesterday, Surapong said the monarchy should not be used as a political bargaining tool and that the PPP respected the Privy Council.

He said his party already embraced the five conditions, adding the main condition for a coalition was for policies all parties could work together with.

He said the PPP could not force the two smaller parties to join a coalition.

When asked about inviting just the Puea Pandin to join a coalition, he said the aim was for a stable government and he believed at least four parties were needed.

"We announce that if we have more than 280 seats, the next government will be strong," he said.

Speaking alongside Samak, Surapong said Thaksin was not a People Power member and would have to defend himself against charges in court if he returned. There are no plans to dissolve the Assets Examination Committee, he said, and would be no benefit to Thaksin in doing so.

People Power spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang believed the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin would understand its position, and it would not refuse them entry.

"We will wait. After they have heard our leader's declaration they will understand our position," he said. However, he believed Puea Pandin would join. He refused to comment on Chart Thai.

Two top executives of that party yesterday toned down the five-point demand, saying it was meant as a working guideline and not a precondition to joining a coalition led by People Power.

Deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul and chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart said Chart Thai and Puea Pandin had put forward the guidelines in the hope of overcoming turmoil.

"Chart Thai is ready to join the coalition if People Power agrees to the guidelines," Somsak said, which he said were easy to follow as reverence for the monarchy was prescribed in every charter and every government was obliged to uphold the monarchy, which was the most revered institution.

He said that in referring to the monarchy the two parties did not question the royalist stand of People Power but merely wanted the next government to rally behind the monarchy.

Sanan said the ball was now in People Power's court to decide whether to invite Chart Thai and Puea Pandin to join a coalition.

He said the guidelines were designed to create a climate of cooperation in which to kick off the coalition and that there was no need for a ratification process.

Yesterday evening key members of the potential coalition members dined together at the home of a Puea Pandin deputy leader, Suchart Tancharoen. It was the fifth such meeting between the two since the election.

The Nation