Suthep confident in coalition despite charter revision conflict

BANGKOK, 28 January 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban has voiced his confidence to continue working with all coalition partners despite a disagreement with the ruling Democrat Party on the charter revision issue.

The deputy prime minister stated that he was determined to do anything to make all coalition partners comfortable. He explained that the government must stand united and work for the people as well as the nation despite some opinion differences among coalition parties.

Mr Suthep believed that the refusal of the ruling Democrat Party and the stance voiced by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in this issue would not lead to conflicts within the coalition government. He stressed that his party and the prime minister did not break any promise given to the coalition parties and reasoned that the prime minister only performed his duties.

Mr Suthep confirmed that he was not pressured to perform as the secretary-general of the Democrat Party and the coordinator with all coalition parties. He added that a discussion with all coalition parties would be made in the near future.

Coalition Chart Thai Pattana core leader Somsak Prissananantakul on Wednesday filed an open letter to the prime minister, voicing dissatisfaction with the stance of the ruling Democrat Party in not supporting the charter revision attempt of coalition partners.