The pro-Prayut Palang Pracharat party has worked out a Plan B in case Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declines the party’s invitation to become its prime ministerial candidate, said Mr Sontirat Sontijirawong, the party’s secretary-general, today (Wednesday).
However, he said that the party is confident that the Prime Minister would accept the invitation but would wait until Friday when his answer is expected.
Asked about the possibility of Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak replacing General Prayut as an alternative choice, Mr. Sontirat said that the party had not yet received a response from Dr. Somkid to its invitation to be the party’s candidate for post-election prime minister.
Tomorrow, the Palang Pracharat party will submit a list of 120 party-list candidates to the Election Commission, according to Mr. Sontirat, adding that the candidates are from different occupations and backgrounds, including former ministers, experts and new-generation politicians.
The anti-junta Future Forward party, meanwhile, submitted a list of 124 party-list candidates to the EC today and the name of party leader Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit as the sole prime ministerial candidate of the party.
Party deputy leader Piyabutr Saengkanokkul clarified that the party’s executive committee endorsed Thanathorn as the sole prime ministerial candidate because he is the most qualified.
Thanathorn said the party would give priority to economic issues and he expected the party would be able to capture about 70 parliamentary seats in the March 24th election.
The Chart Pattana party also submitted a list of 56 party-list candidates to the EC today, with Mr. Tewan Lipatapallop, the party leader, as the No 1 candidate.
The party is expected to submit its list of three prime ministerial candidates, party founder Mr. Suwat Lipatapallop, Mr. Wannarat Charnnukul and Mr. Tewan, to the EC tomorrow.
