Democrats and Pheu Thai ‘could work together’

The traditional arch-rivals held their first meetings since the junta eased its political ban that had been in place for almost five years.
Pheu Thai stays firm in its pro-democracy stance and opposition to an outsider prime minister, acting secretary-general Phumtham Wetchayachai said. 
The former coalition leader also revealed that he did not, in principle, oppose the idea of joining forces with the Democrats, provided they shared the same democratic values and rejected authoritarianism.
“If [they] stand by democracy and reject General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return or any PM from the authoritarian side, we can talk about where we will be,” Phumtham said. 
However, he said the party fundamentally supported its own candidates to become the next PM, and rejected speculation that Pheu Thai’s Pakhin Polakul had already struck a deal with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva over who should become premier after the election.
“Our stance is that we have our men who are knowledgeable and capable. We are ready to propose them for the voters to decide,” he said. 
There has been talk that Thaksin Shinawatra’s brother-in-law and former PM Somchai Wongsawat will lead Pheu Thai into the upcoming election, but he was nowhere to be seen yesterday.
Phumtham would only say that Somchai remained with the party, but declined to confirm the speculation. 
Another potential Pheu Thai leader, former health minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, yesterday applied to regain her party membership. Her membership had been cancelled after she was banned from politics for five years in 2008.
Scores of members joined Pheu Thai yesterday as it held its first public meeting since the 2014 coup. The meeting was led by acting leader Viroj Pao-in, Phumtham and its chief lawyer, Chusak Sirinil.
The Democrat Party’s assembly yesterday, meanwhile, was marked by some internal conflict: new leadership challenger Warong Dechgitvigrom showed up as an observer even though he had not yet reapplied for membership that was cancelled when he entered monkhood in 2015.
Although the meeting was presided over by its 13-year leader Abhisit, former MPs who support Warong, including key player Thavorn Seneam, flocked around him throughout the gathering. 
Warong is expected to announce his determination to stand in the Democrat leadership |contest today, in his home province of Phitsanulok.
Suraboth Leekpai, the only son of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai was also present yesterday and applied for membership for the first time.
He said he could not be sure whether he would run for an MP’s post, since it was up to the party to decide. 
However, he said, he was determined to work for the party in his area of expertise, especially in relating to children and education.