Dems deny coalition rumours

No talks on setting up rival bloc

The Democrat Party on Saturday denied rumours that it was in talks with another party to form a rival coalition that excludes the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the United Thai Nation Party (UTN).

Ramet Rattanachaweng, acting Democrat spokesman, said no Democrats have taken part in any plan to set up a rival coalition and such rumours tarnished the party’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Mr Ramet said the party would not get involved in a dispute over the role of the House Speaker following tensions between the MFP and the Pheu Thai Party over who should get the post. It is the prospective coalition’s business to thrash out the issue, he said.

He said the House Speaker, who is the Parliament President by default, is required by the charter and parliament regulations to be impartial when carrying out his duty.

He…