Two key red-shirt figures are defecting to the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party in a move seen by supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) as a betrayal of their democratic principles.
Yoswaris Chuklom, alias Jeng Dokjik, and Somwang Assarasee, former UDD members, yesterday formally applied for UTN membership with the hope of helping the new party win the upcoming election.
Both men were close associates of former UDD chair Jatuporn Prompan and had been imprisoned for their roles in political violence in the past.
Somwang, in particular, was a key UDD financier who once served as assistant secretary to core leader Nattawut Saikuar as he served under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration as deputy commerce minister.
Several years ago, Mr Jatuporn turned against the Pheu Thai Party and fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is still seen as the de facto party leader. Mr Nattawut, however, rejoined the party last year and was named director of the Pheu Thai Family project.
In response to a barrage of criticism regarding the party switch, Yoswaris said he maintains his political ideology but finds it nonsense to “chain” himself to a party for “eternity”. Hence, it’s unfair for critics to accuse him of betraying the political ideology of upholding democratic principles, he said.
“I think I can be anywhere and be with any political party as long as I can work in the best interest of the public and my own,” he said. “No more fighting for [Thaksin] and ending up in jail. What I did got me thrown in prison several times, and that taught me a painful lesson that I actually served no useful purpose.”
He said that after considering several factors, he strongly believes the UTN will win the upcoming election, with enough seats in the House to lead the formation of a new government.