Anutin won't budge on PP due to S112

BJT says no alliance till LM rule left alone

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday reiterated the Bhumjaithai Party's (BJT) firm position that it will not join a government featuring the People's Party (PP) if it continues to pursue amendments to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Thailand's lèse-majesté law, citing fundamental ideological differences.

Mr Anutin, who is also the leader of the BJT, was responding to remarks by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the PP's leader, made during a TV debate on Tuesday. Mr Natthaphong said he would no longer support Mr Anutin as prime minister, raising questions about future political cooperation.

Mr Anutin said it was Mr Natthaphong's right to take such a position and stressed that he respected differing opinions. However, he underscored that Bhumjaithai's stance had always been clear: it would not form a coalition with any party advocating amendments to Section 112.

He said he had watched the debate and noted the PP leader was the only participant who continued to insist on changing the law. As long as that position remained unchanged, Mr Anutin said, cooperation would not be possible.