Parties form alliance, stop short of merging

Thai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan joins Sang Anakhot Thai Party chairman Somkid Jatusripitak and key figures from both parties at a restaurant in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Two parties led by veteran political heavyweights Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and Somkid Jatusripitak have announced an alliance but have stopped short of saying if the move will lead to a merger ahead of next year’s election.

Neither party has dropped any hint as to who will become their top prime ministerial candidate: Mr Somkid of the Sang Anakhot Thai Party (SATP) or Kunying Sudarat of the Thai Sang Thai Party (TSTP).