Prime Minister Anutin assigned Deputy Prime Minister Sopon to chair the Cabinet meeting, indicating he may not meet Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat to discuss government formation as previously predicted by Pai Lik.
On 16 February 2026, reporters reported that the Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 February. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul delegated Deputy Prime Minister Sopon Sarum to preside over the Cabinet meeting. The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room 501, Government House Building 1.
Reporters added that this delegation may mean that Anutin, as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, will not meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thammanat Prompao, who is also chairman of the Kla Tham Party's advisory board. This follows Kla Tham Party Secretary-General Pai Lik’s statement today that he has already coordinated by phone with Bhumjaithai Party Secretary-General Chaichanok Chidchob. Kla Tham Party has no political demands or conditions, such as for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and prioritizes national and public interests.
Furthermore, Pai predicted that at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, Thammanat will have the opportunity to discuss government coalition formation with Anutin. However, any official talks between Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham parties remain pending further clarification.