Bangkok: Mr. Decha Isara Khaothong, Deputy Minister of Public Health and Secretary-General of the Democrat Party, has announced that the qualifications of potential ministerial candidates have been approved without any issues, and three names have been submitted with no reserves.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Decha Isara revealed the details prior to a meeting of the party's executive committee. The meeting was focused on both considering the members of the subcommittee for the 2026 annual expenditure and addressing internal matters related to the unity of the Democrat Party. He emphasized the importance of complying with party resolutions, stating that failure to do so could mean there would be no "Decha Isara Khaothong" in future party terms. He highlighted that the Democrat Party's longevity has been due to adherence to its rules and regulations.
When questioned about the party's stance as a coalition party, having 25 votes with 21 supporting the government and four abstaining, Mr. Decha-Isara reiterated that party resolutions must align. Any deviation, such as abstaining when the resolution is to support, is considered a violation of party rules.
Mr. Decha Issara also discussed the party's executive committee meeting held on June 19, which did not include a joint meeting with MPs. He explained that decisions about joining or withdrawing from the government require joint meetings between the executive committee and MPs. Currently, as the party remains in government, no joint meeting is necessary unless a decision to withdraw is made.
He further acknowledged that Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, the leader of the Democrat Party, has already submitted the list of potential ministers to the Cabinet Secretariat (CSC) and expressed confidence in their qualifications. The list was scrutinized and found free of issues, although Mr. Decha Isara noted that final confirmation is pending. The party has conducted thorough checks, including consultations with relevant agencies, similar to his own experience with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and confirmed the submission of three potential ministerial candidates without reserve names.