Today (Friday) is the last day the candidates vying for parliamentary seats in Sunday’s general election are allowed to campaign. Many major political parties have, therefore, organised major rallies around Bangkok.
The ThaiPBS World website has published list of rally venues, and commuters should note that traffic is expected to be heavy in those areas.
Pheu Thai Party
The rally will be held at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of the Pheu Thai “Family”, and one of the party’s prime ministerial candidates, will be back on stage after giving birth to her second child about two weeks ago.
The theme of the Friday rally will be “Vote for a Pheu Thai landslide, Thailand changes now”. Other speakers at the event include another Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew and Surapong Suebwonglee.
The gates open at 4pm and the rally starts at 6pm.
FILE / Image courtesy: Pheu Thai Party
Palang Pracharath Party
The Palang Pracharath Party of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan picked the Kilaveth 2 Building at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng as the venue for their last rally, which runs from 2pm to 6pm and will be led by Prawit and party executive member Sakoltee Phattiyakul. Their slogan is “Move beyond the conflicts”.
Move Forward Party
The Move Forward Party, with Pita Limjaroenrat at the helm, chose the Kilaveth 1 Building and a football field near a swimming pool in the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng as the venue for its grand rally.
The theme will be “Move Forward Party – Sweeping the Country”. Pita will lead the rally, along with other senior party executives. The gates open at 4pm and the rally starts at 6pm.
United Thai Nation Party
The United Thai Nation Party, with incumbent prime minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha as prime ministerial candidate, will hold their rally at Exhibition Hall, G floor, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Prayuth and party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga will lead the rally. The theme of the event will be “Don’t let Lung Tu fight alone. Come out to protect the country. Let’s unite with United Thai Nation Party.” (“Lung Tu” is Prayuth’s nickname)
The rally will run from 4pm to 7.30pm.
Bhumjaithai Party
The Bhumjaithai Party is scheduled to hold a rally from 4pm to 9pm in Show DC in the Rama IX area.
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, also a prime ministerial candidate, will lead the rally along with other party executives.
Democrat Party
Democrat party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, also a prime ministerial candidate, chose Larn Kon Muang, in front of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, as the venue. Jurin will lead the rally and former party leader and ex-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva will give a speech. The rally starts at 5pm.
Thai Sang Thai Party
The Thai Sang Thai Party of Sudarat Keyuraphan selected Parc Paragon at the Paragon Shopping Complex as its rally site. The event will be led by the party’s three prime ministerial candidates, Sudarat, Supant Mongkolsuthree and Sita Tiwari. The rally will run from 6pm until 9pm.
Chart Pattana Kla Party
The Chart Pattana Kla Party will hold their rally at the Rama Gardens Hotel on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road from 6pm to 8pm.
Korn Chatikavanij, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, will lead the gathering and address the attendees. Their theme is “Let’s join to build a country of opportunities, fight monopoly capital. We are economic leaders.”
