The chairman of the Sang Anakhot Thai Party (SATP), Somkid Jatusripitak, remains non-committal about a possible merger with the Thai Sang Thai Party, saying they can only work together if they have compatible ideas.
The former deputy prime minister said the party has no plan to merge with any party as of now.
"The first thing to see would be whether we share similar political ideals, and if our policies are compatible," he said, referring to deals with any party. "But let it be a matter for the future."
Asked if he could work with Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, chairwoman of Thai Sang Thai, Mr Somkid deferred to his party leader.
"You must ask Uttama Savanayana, who speaks the same language as Khunying Sudarat.
"It is up to the party to decide on any merger," he said.
"However, we have to stick to our policies. If we can thrash out our differences, we can meet for talks."
When quizzed on whether the parties had discussed any form of political cooperation, Mr Somkid remained somewhat evasive.
"If they have different ideas, there is no point in forging such a merger," he said.
Mr Somkid said he opposed the idea of parties merging to combine their MP numbers as a lever to bargain for cabinet seats.
"In constructive politics, parties should compete by presenting their policies to win people's votes.
"Merging with other parties to get more bargaining power is not [a policy of] Sang Anakhot Thai," he said.
Grilled on which political bloc the party would likely ally itself with after the next general election, he dodged the question, saying political and social polarisation have been damaging the country for over a decade.
"We must usher in a new era of reconciliation. We must put conflict behind us, otherwise it will be too late for everyone."
He was named party chairman on Sept 7, in what was seen as a step preceding his nomination as its prime ministerial candidate next year. However, he has taken pains to downplay such speculation.
