Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said today that, if the opposition bloc wins the by-election in Constituency 5 of Nakhon Pathom on October 23^rd, it will be the first domino to fall and set the stage for a change of government.

The party is fielding Mr. Pairatchote Chantharakachorn to contest the by-election, while other opposition parties, including Pheu Thai, have agreed not to field candidates to avoid splitting the vote.

Thanathorn and the other key party members have been in the constituency to campaign for Mr. Pairatchote. Thanathorn’s team of campaigners visited Samphran fresh market, Rai Khing Uah Arthorn housing estate, Sompob market and Punlarn market, and the Future Forward party leader told supporters that there will be more by-elections in Samut Prakan, Kamphaeng Phet and, probably, two constituencies in Nakhon Ratchasima.

He urged the people to vote for the Future Forward candidate if they don’t like the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

He said that, if the party wins the by-election in Nakhon Pathom, it will improve the chances for the opposition to triumph in by-elections in other provinces because the Nakhon Pathom’s victory will be just the first domino to fall, toppling others until there is a change of government.

The core government party, Palang Pracharat, has decided to skip the by-election to pave way for the Democrats to compete against Future Forward.

Palang Pracharat party’s registrar said that the Democrat candidate came second in the March 24^th general election. He said that the Chart Thai Pattana, another coalition party, might contest it as well adding, however, that the Democrat and Chart Thai Pattana parties should decide which of them should stand down so they will not compete against each other, which could benefit the Future Forward candidate.

Chart Thai Pattana strategy chief, Warawut Silpa-archa, confirmed today that the party will field Mr. Padermchai Sasomsap in the October 23^rd poll. Party leader Ms. Kanchana Silpa-archa will lead party members to Nakhon Pathom province on Monday to provide morale support to Mr. Padermchai.

Mr Warawut, also natural resources and environment minister, said he had not yet been approached by the Democrats about skipping the poll, but he noted that Nakhon Pathom has been the political base of the Sasomsap family for several generations.

Mrs. Jumpita Chandarakachorn of Future Forward party won the March 24^th election, followed by Democrat candidate Surachai Anutto, Palang Pracharat Rawang Netphokaew and Padermchai respectively. Mrs. Jumpita, however, never attended a parliamentary meeting because of her medical condition following an accident.  She eventually resigned on September 10^th.