Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to launch an election campaign in the north-eastern province of Udon Thani next week, to help the Pheu Thai party’s candidates in the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) mayoral elections, to be held in 29 provinces on February 1st.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, a core member of the party, said today that he believes Thaksin’s role in assisting the election campaign will be a morale booster for the party and for the electorate, because of the track record of his past administration.
Applications for candidacy in the local elections will take place from December 23rd to 27th.
Suriya said that he believes the former prime minister can help in election campaigning, in the capacity of a campaign assistant, adding that such a role does not constitute ‘dominating’ the party.
As Udon Thani is unofficially regarded as the capital of Thailand’s northeast, the transport minister said Thaksin will be able to boost the confidence in the Pheu Thai party of north-eastern people.
“This will be the first time that Thaksin will take the stage to address the public, on November 13th and 14th, after his return from prolonged self-imposed exile overseas on August 22nd last year.
PAO mayoral election are is to be held in Sa Kaeo, Kanchanaburi, Loei, Nakhon Sawan, Phayao, Ayutthaya, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Ang Thong, Phitsanuloke, Ratchaburi, Pathum Thani, Yasothon, Ranong, Uthai Thani, Chumphon, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen, Surin, Udon Thani, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, Phetchabun and Uttaradit, Kalasin and Roi-et.
