The Democrat Party yesterday introduced three pilots who will represent the party in three Bangkok constituencies, while the Pheu Thai Party attacked the Bhumjaithai Party over its pro-cannabis policy in an attempt to woo voters in the northeastern province of Amnat Charoen.
Introduced by Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday were Phubejhr Abhaiwongs, Watthikon Runsiri and Phanphisut Nurat, who will stand in Bang Sue, Sai Mai and Bung Kum districts respectively.
The three are among the party’s young candidates expected to be popular among supporters of the country’s oldest political party, Mr Jurin said.
The party will next introduce candidates for 30 other Bangkok constituencies by early next month, he said, adding he expects the election date to be set for around May 7.
“Bangkok residents and other Thai voters nationwide, please choose a political party that will be a strong political institution for the country,” he said.
Considering feedback received in Bangkok recently, Mr Jurin said he believes the party’s popularity in the capital has improved, and the party will have a better chance to win more seats in Bangkok.
The party didn’t win a single seat in Bangkok in 2019, which was seen by some observers as a factor in former party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s resignation.
Meanwhile, in Amnat Charoen, Phue Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, led the party’s pre-election campaign for a second day yesterday at a public park in Muang district.
“Do you miss the former prime minister who lives very far away abroad?” he asked, referring to Thaksin, the de facto leader of the main opposition party.
“Don’t worry, he will literally come to see you soon today [through] Ms Paetongtarn.”
He called on voters at the park to vote for Pheu Thai, or else they may end up having to deal with the negative consequences of Bhumjaithai’s pro-cannabis policy.
Asked whether the real reason behind Pheu Thai’s attack on Bhumjaithai was because Bhumjaithai is shaping up as an arch-rival in the campaign, Nattawut Saikuar, a key party figure, doubled down on his anti-cannabis stance, saying it is a narcotic harmful to all people.