One major political theme evident in May was apparent tension between the Democrats and coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party. Though leading figures in both parties repeatedly denied any conflicts, commentators wondered whether the governing coalition was in jeopardy.

               Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, backed by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, halted the Commerce Ministry’s plan to auction 449,000 tonnes of mortgaged corn stock as animal feed on grounds that the sale would result in financial losses; Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu was asked to investigate whether four companies that applied to take part in the auction (reportedly authorized by the Samak Sundaravej government) are under a single umbrella. Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai of Bhumjaithai was apparently angry over the decision; a cabinet source claimed she complained that cabinet is always delaying the work of her ministry and that ministries under junior coalition partner parties are discriminated against. Cabinet then blocked plans to sell 2 million tonnes of rice under contracts already signed with 17 exporters, further angering Bhumjaithai. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban was appointed to head a committee to settle the problems.  He quickly unveiled an agreement under which a working committee supervised by the Foreign Trade Department director-general will manage the sales (as suggested by Korbsak) but Pornthiva will hand-pick members of the committee.
               In another incident, Transport Minister Sophon Zarum of Bhumjaithai Party declared that the cabinet and the prime minister would owe his ministry an explanation if cabinet did not approve the 67.9-billion baht project to lease 4,000 buses for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. The project, initiated by Newin Chidchob’s faction under the previous People Power Party government, had caused controversy due to the cost, which includes a leasing fee of 2,082 baht per bus per day and a maintenance allocation of 2,250 baht per bus per day. Sophon denounced critics for never voicing opposition when the terms were proposed in a series of hearings. BMTA chairman Piyaphan Champasut defended the lease project, saying it was crucial to the indebted, loss-making agency’s financial restructuring. Despite assurances from Bhumjaithai leader Chavarat Charnvirakul and even Newin Chidchob that the future of the bus project would not affect Bhumjaithai’s membership in the governing coalition, it was widely believed that Bhumjaithai would not be pleased if the project were scrapped. A group of about 40 senators threatened to impeach cabinet if it approved the leasing project. Senator Rosana Tositrakul also threatened to block the government’s budget bill and the executive decree seeking 400 billion baht in loans.
               Meanwhile Bhumjaithai party was reported to be demanding that it be given two more cabinet posts—the natural resources and environment minister position occupied by Suwit Khunkitti and the deputy agriculture minister position occupied by Chartchai Pukkayaporn. Suwit was backed by People Power defectors who have since joined Bhumjaithai, and Chartchai is thought to be a proxy of Sora-at Klinpratoom, who is allied with Bhumjaithai informal figure Newin Chidchob, though some party figures complained that Chartchai rarely attended Bhumjaithai meetings. In response to rumors of his impending replacement, Chartchai declared that he refused to quit, but he later resigned, reportedly under pressure from Bhumjaithai. 
               Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has reportedly warned his fellow Democrats in cabinet to stop making critical comments in public that cause conflicts with coalition partners. While Suthep was apparently instrumental in bringing other parties on board to the governing coalition, some Democrat members reportedly question whether he is too close and cooperative with the coalition partners, and not loyal enough to the Democrat Party.
                An Abac Poll conducted in late May determined that 59 percent of respondents were satisfied with the government’s performance. Prime Minister Abhisit’s satisfaction rating was the highest, at 70 percent, while many other cabinet members scored in the range of 45 to 56 percent.
               Puea Thai Party’s energies were focused inwards during May. The party had announced the intention to hold a general assembly on 31 May to select a new leader to replace Yongyuth Vichaidit, who is not an MP. Yongyuth was reported to say that he found it difficult as a non-MP to work with party members who were MPs. As the date approached, however, Yongyuth announced that he had not tendered his resignation. There were all manner of rumors as to who would be named leader, including the assertion that Democrat cabinet member Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu would defect in order to take up the position (Korbsak confirmed to the press that he feels ignored or neglected in the Democrat Party, but stopped short of saying he would defect). Days before the assembly, Yongyuth announced that the meeting was being postponed pending changes to the constitution. Rumors suggested that a suitable new leader could not be found.
               Meanwhile, Puea Thai MP Jumpot Boonyai reportedly wanted to move to Bhumjaithai Party on grounds that an influential person from outside his party forbid him from addressing Parliament during debate. EC member Sodsri Satayathum said that it is against the law for MPs to switch parties, so Jumpot would have to wait until the next general election. Jumpot said he wants to be expelled from Puea Thai, apparently so he could then take his seat to Bhumjaithai rather than having the seat opened for a by election as it would be if he were to resign.
               Police reportedly intend to charge Thaksin Shinawatra with lese majeste for his statements to foreign media on 12 and 13 April, when he called for the King to intervene in the country’s political unrest lest people be killed, and that the King was the only person who could solve the country’s problem.
               People’s Alliance for Democracy members voted on 25 May to form a political party named New Politics Party (Gan Muang Mai).  Leading figures spoke of a new political order that will give people more say in formulating government policies. Sondhi Limthongkul announced that the group is changing its color scheme from royal yellow to yellow and green, with the green representing a pollution-free environment and clean politics. Observers questioned whether the party would be electorally viable, but predicted that it could bleed off support from the Democrat Party.
               National reconciliation again became a focus of attention. In early May, Parliament formed a committee on national reconciliation and constitution reform, chaired by Direk Thuengfang. At its first meeting, the committee gave itself a 45-day deadline to produce recommendations. Almost immediately figures including House Speaker Chai Chidchob started to suggest the time would be insufficient. Direk said that the committee would hold a public hearing to solicit opinions on constitution amendments. Reports suggested that there was little consensus among committee members on how to proceed towards national reconciliation or constitution change.
               There were several election scrutiny developments. The Election Commission (EC) absolved Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat of accusations of abuse of power. In January, Boonjong handed out money, blankets and his name cards to people at an event held at his home in Nakhon Ratchiasim. Boonjong was accused of vote-buying, and defended himself by saying that the handouts were allocated by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry; the EC, focusing on the constitution’s Article 266 prohibition on MPs intervening in the operations of state agencies, said that there was no evidence that Boonjong interfered in the operations of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry as the handouts had been approved by the provincial governor before Boonjong took office, and were made from Boonjong’s home only because the local district office was not available.
               The EC also announced it would pursue election fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban (who is also the Democrat party secretary-general) on grounds that he handed out towels with the Democrat Party name to people at a Songkran celebration in Koh Samui, during the run-up to local elections in which Suthep’s brother was a candidate; the brother’s election victory was rescinded. EC member Prapun Naigowit said that even though Suthep is an executive of the Democrat Party, a conviction would not lead to dissolution of the party because that measure is only relevant to wrongdoing in House of Representatives elections.
               The Supreme Court’s Election Case Division upheld the EC’s decision to red-card disqualify Puea Thai MP for Sakon Nakhon Pongsak Boonson on grounds that he made defamatory remarks about Puea Paendin Party during the election campaign, and to hold a by election in the constituency. Later in the month, The Supreme Court overturned the EC’s decision to disqualify (yellow-card) two Puea Thai MPs for suspected vote-buying on grounds that the EC’s evidence was unreliable.
               The Supreme Court’s Election Case Division dropped charges against Democrat MP for Yasothon, Niratthakarn Srilarp. The EC had yellow-carded Niratthakarn, accusing her of giving money to voters through canvassers, but the court decided that witnesses gave conflicting testimony and there was insufficient evidence; the court rejected the EC’s request to re-run the election in the constituency.
               In international and security affairs, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple are continued. Cambodia accused Thai soldiers of encroaching on Cambodian soil at Hill 600, about 7 km east of Preah Vihear temple. Thailand’s Second Army chief Lt-Gen Bibulsak Neepal denied that Thai soldiers had occupied the hill, but said that soldiers are station around the hill to conduct border patrols; he said this was routine and that Thailand would not withdraw its soldiers. Cambodia has apparently built up troop numbers in the area.
               There appeared to be a surge in violence in the South, with several waves of intensified bombings, arson and shootings. An intelligence source claimed the attacks were the work of a fresh group of Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate recruits.