Chumpol ends rift with PM

Chartthaipattana leader Chumpol Silpa-archa has put an end to his row with and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over the Democrat leader's Facebook message.

Mr Chumpol said on Tuesday that the dispute between him and the Democrat leader was considered ended and he would make no further comment on the issue.
Mr Chumpol earlier accused Mr Abhisit of not treating Chartthaipattana with honour after  a recent Facebook message quoted the prime minister as saying the Democrats had no choice but  to accept Charthaipattana into the coalition government.
 In respond to Mr Abhisit’s post, Mr Chumpol had hit back by saying his party was in fact forced into joining the coalition in 2008.
The two party leaders earlier planned to clear up the rift at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
However, Mr Chumpol said he would not show up at the meeting as he had taken leave. The dispute was ended, he confirmed.
He felt it was normal that he and Mr Abhisit would have different views on the matter. The issue would not be raised during any talks about his party joining a coalition with any other parties to form a government after the polls.
He refused to say which parties Chartthaipattana wanted to work with, saying his party would await the outcome of the July 3 election.
Any party which gains most votes deserves the right to form a government, he said. If the winning party fails, the first runner-up should have the right to do it, he added.
Chartthaipattana’s decision on whether to work with any other parties does not rest with its leader but requires a  party resolution, said Mr Chumpol.