Coalition parties confirm support to PM Abhisit

Coalition parties have affirmed their support to the Abhisit administration, saying there is no need for a national government as proposed by some MPs.

Leader of Chartthai Pattana Party Chumpol Silpa-archa made the comment after House Speaker Chai Chidchob insisted a joint parliamentary session be held on Tuesday at 9.00 am.

Bhumjaithai Party executive members also voiced disagreement to Parliament dissolution. They said they had listened to UDD leaders’ speeches, as well as the address of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who phoned in to talk to his supporters last night, and found their statements did not contain enough reasons for a House dissolution. Puea Pandin Party on Sunday also reaffirmed their support for the Democrat-led government.

In the meantime, Government chief whip Withaya Kaewparadai said this afternoon that he had held a discussion with other government and senate whips. All sides agreed that the planned joint sitting of parliament tomorrow would constitute a repetition of the October 7, 2008 incident which ended in violent suppression of yellow-shirt protesters. He said there was no need to bring the Parliament to risk and add fuel to the situation. After considering the parliamentary agenda, Mr Withaya said there were no issues more urgent than the current situation.

Mr Withaya said he had informed all government MPs in writing of the whips’ decision to cancel the joint sitting.