Democrat Party ends long feud, joins ruling coalition

It had previously accused PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra's father of cronyism, corruption

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Thailand's oldest political party will join the ruling coalition led by former rival Pheu Thai Party, as new Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finalises her Cabinet line-up.

The Democrat Party will nominate its leader Chalermchai Sri-on and secretary-general Dej-Is Khaothong as ministers in Ms Paetongtarn's yet-to-be announced Cabinet, Mr Chalermchai told reporters late on Aug 29.

Twenty-five Democrat lawmakers in the House of Representatives will help Pheu Thai cushion the loss of the support of 40 members of the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party that was excluded earlier this week from the ruling bloc.

With the addition of the Democrat Party, the coalition will command the support of about 300 lawmakers in the 500-member elected chamber.

An alliance between the Shinawatra clan, which controls Pheu Thai, and the Democrat Party brings an end to a bitter political rivalry dating back at least two decades.