Coalition in disarray

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva might be forced to run a minority government if the bad blood between his Democrat Party and coalition partners keeps intensifying.

A political source said yesterday that fissures within the coalition government have widened to the point where Abhisit might have to make a hard choice in how to carry on with his administration.

Abhisit might have to sever ties with the coalition partners and form a Democrat-dominated Cabinet.

Such a move would entail the coalition partners striking back by voting down any bills sent to Parliament, where the Democrats lack majority representation, the source added.

However, a high-ranking Democrat source said the House would probably be dissolved after New Year's once the 2010 Budget Bill has been passed.

The Democrat government would also like to push through the Bt800-billion loan package to stimulate the economy before calling a snap election.

The government has been uncomfortable with the work of Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, and worried about transparency in the leasing of 4,000 NGV buses as proposed by Transport Minister Sophon Saram, a key member of the Newin Chidchob faction, the Democrat source said.

Political sources said Abhisit is well aware of all the corruption scandals plaguing the rice and other commodity pledging schemes but can do little to stop them.

The spoils for the controversial loan package of Bt400 billion would largely go to the Newin group, which controls the mega-projects, the sources said.

If Abhisit goes ahead with breaking away from his coalition partners, he will have to dissolve Parliament soon after that, expected some time in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

But he still holds the advantage by serving as the caretaker government because the Democrats will be holding key Cabinet portfolios, such as the interior, in the run-up to the snap election.

Complicating the political gamesmanship is a new party to be called Thien Haeng Dharma (Candle of Light), which the People's Alliance for Democracy's key figures are close to forming.

Sondhi Limthongkul would step up to serve as the leader of the new party.

Suriyasai Katasila said the PAD would seek the opinion of its members on three key issues.

These revolve around dissent towards constitutional amendments, a decision to form a political party and continuation of political rallies, and finally an assignment for the five PAD leaders to assemble the political platform for the PAD, he said.

The aim would be to create "new politics" and to rid corruption in the old politics, he said.

The PAD party would win about 10 party-list seats and other constituency MP seats in Bangkok, the Central region and upper Northeast, he said.

The PAD held a political convention at Rangsit University where it distributed 3,000 questionnaires to its members.

Besides Sondhi, Chamlong Srimuang, Somkiat Pongphaiboon, Somsak Kosaisuk and Pipop Thongchai sat on the podium as the PAD core leaders.