Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin found themselves amidst fans at a Leicester City football match in England. A photo of the two politicians attending the game ignited rumors of a “secret deal” to form a coalition led by the Pheu Thai party. However, Srettha Thavisin took to Twitter to dismiss the speculations and clarify that their encounter at the King Power Stadium was purely coincidental.
Thavisin, a property tycoon, mentioned that he had known the family of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha for years and went to the game to support Leicester City’s efforts to avoid relegation. As for Anutin, Thavisin said they exchanged greetings and talked when they bumped into each other. He made it clear that there were no political talks or deals at the game, and added, “We don’t have to come to England to talk [about politics].”
The meeting of the pair only fueled rumors of a secret deal between various political parties. Former massage parlor tycoon Chuvit Kamolvisit posted on his Facebook page that covert negotiations were held, anticipating the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) possible failure to gather more than half of the House seats required to form a government. Kamolvisit even called the secret deal “come home,” referring to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent announcement about his plan to return to Thailand in July this year.
Thaksin took to Twitter, expressing confusion over Kamolvisit’s post about the “secret deal.” Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn, who is also a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, confirmed the party’s support for the MFP. In a light-hearted response to the rumor, Paetongtarn posted a photo with key party figures during a meeting, captioning it “secret deal or love deal!”
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew also cleared the air, stating on Monday that the party was not involved in any secret negotiations and that Thavisin’s trip to England was solely for personal reasons. Chuvit Kamolvisit doubled down on his claims, posting another message on social media, alleging that the secret meeting had taken place in Malaysia’s Langkawi. He mentioned the alternative alliance might include Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath, the Democrats, and Chartthaipattana.
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