Sukarno revealed that the Pracha Chart Party has unanimously decided to send 5 prospective MPs to join the Bhumjaithai-led government tomorrow, supporting Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister. Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong will not join due to prior commitments. The party believes the government will have over 300 votes, increasing the likelihood it will complete its term. Discussions on government positions have not yet occurred.
On 19 Feb 2026 GMT+7, at the Pracha Chart Party office, the party's executive committee and members held a meeting to discuss responding to Bhumjaithai Party's invitation to form a coalition government. Sukarno Mata, secretary-general of Pracha Chart Party, said after the meeting that senior figures had approached the party to negotiate with Bhumjaithai. The party then deliberated internally and reached a unanimous decision that its 5 MPs are ready to join the coalition government and support Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai Party, as prime minister.
When asked about rumors that Bhumjaithai Party does not want Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, leader of Pracha Chart Party, due to various conflicts, Sukarno said the agreement is made on behalf of the entire party, not just individual MPs. The issue of excluding Pol. Col. Tawee has been discussed, and the party confirmed its unanimous decision that all five MPs will join if accepted. On 20 Feb, Sukarno will represent the party to inform Bhumjaithai of this unanimous decision. Pol. Col. Tawee is unable to travel with the party due to commitments in another province.
Sukarno added that past legal cases involving Pol. Col. Tawee were part of the justice process and his role as former Minister of Justice. That role has ended, and the matter should be left to the justice system. Joining the government is a separate political issue.
When asked how the party assessed joining the government before accepting, Sukarno said Pracha Chart Party emphasized that any laws conflicting with religious principles would not be supported. The party's urgent policy priorities from the campaign are to tackle drug problems, which directly affect citizens and society. Regarding cannabis, the party wants to discuss clearly with Bhumjaithai to ensure cannabis is only used for medical purposes, not fully legalized, and if so, action should be taken promptly.
"Joining the government allows us to better serve the people's interests than being in opposition. It is easier to discuss public needs as part of the coalition government than as opposition. Meanwhile, our supporters back the party joining the government," Sukarno said.
Asked if it is now clear that the Bhumjaithai government may have over 300 supporting votes, Sukarno said this would provide the strength to complete the full term, benefiting the country and addressing citizens' problems, especially livelihoods. So far, there have been no talks about government positions or proposing the party's election policies to be included in the new government's agenda.
