Akara affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives does not belong to the Kla Tham party and believes this will not cause any awkwardness between the two parties. He emphasized that government administration is assigned by the Prime Minister.
At 10:00 a.m. on 17 Feb 2026 at the Government House, Akara Prompao, Minister of Social Development and Human Security and incoming Member of Parliament for Phayao from the Kla Tham party (KTh), said in an interview regarding the Kla Tham party meeting on 19 Feb and what topics would be discussed that he did not yet know. The party secretary-general, Phai Lik, had not informed him. Also, he had not yet talked or met with Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who is the party’s advisory chairman.
When asked to confirm whether he would join the government and support Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai party (BJT), as Prime Minister, Akara said it must follow the party executive committee’s policies. The Kla Tham party secretary-general had already given some statements on this.
Asked if, as coalition parties with Bhumjaithai now ranked first, they should vote accordingly, Akara said it was a matter of political courtesy. When asked if Kla Tham had reached out to Bhumjaithai, Akara said the party secretary-general had not yet informed the incoming MPs but expected to do so at the party meeting on 19 Feb 2026.
When asked if the deal would conclude this week, Akara said he did not know and awaited clarity from the party leader and secretary-general. Asked if Kla Tham would only wait passively, he said it was political courtesy that the leading party should invite discussions. Asked if he was confident about joining the government with Bhumjaithai, Akara said he believed everything must move forward for the benefit of the people, who are waiting, especially considering the current economic conditions.
Regarding rumors that Bhumjaithai would take over the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Akara said it was just a rumor and did not think it would cause any unease. He reiterated that the ministry does not belong to Kla Tham and that government administration depends on the Prime Minister’s assignments. When asked again if Kla Tham and Bhumjaithai would not feel awkward toward each other, Akara said not to speculate but to wait for the party leader and secretary-general to clarify the political direction, which depends on discussions between the parties.
Reporters noted that for the upcoming Kla Tham party’s incoming MPs meeting at 3:00 p.m. on 19 Feb 2026, all incoming MPs had been instructed to attend the meeting promptly.