By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DE FACTO BHUMJAITHAI boss Newin Chidchob today (Oct. 4) pledged to send Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Public Health Minister-cum-Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul contesting for prime minister in the next general election.
During the 64th birthday celebrations held at Chang Arena in his home province of Buriram, the de facto Bhumjaithai boss told attendees that he has already made up his mind to promote Anutin as sole partisan candidate for premier.
Though the Bhumjaithai Party had endorsed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as head of the Palang Pracharath-led coalition government in the 2019 election, the second largest coalition partner will promote their own party leader next time, according to the former cabinet member and ex-MP of Buriram.
Newin remarked that he had virtually regarded himself as “principal” of the Bhumjaithai Party and Anutin as a “disciple” and that he would definitely quit as “principal” if he finally failed to pit his “disciple” for premier during the party’s electoral campaigns.
Though the de facto Bhumjaithai boss has not assumed a cabinet seat, he has been invariably viewed as de facto boss of the coalition party with his brother, Saksayam Chidchob, being named secretary-general of the party and holding the post of transport minister in concurrent fashion.
Apart from Bhumjaithai MPs, many elected lawmakers of other parties including some currently attached to the opposition Pheu Thai Party showed up at Newin’s birthday event in the northeastern province, which has obviously become the party’s largest constituent stronghold.
A number of MPs are largely expected to defect from their respective parties on both sides of the House chamber aisle to Newin’s camp during a run-up to the nationwide election speculated early next year.
CAPTION:
Top: De facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob talking to reporters while celebrating his birthday in Buriram today (Oct. 4) with Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Public Health Minister-cum-Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul seated next to him. Photo: Thai Rath
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