Ex-police chief likely one of trio Palang Pracharath PM candidates

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

FORMER POLICE CHIEF Chakthip Chaijinda is known among the rank and file of the Palang Pracharath Party to become one of a trio of the ruling camp’s candidates for prime minister, partisan sources said over the weekend.

Chakthip will likely be named one of the speculated trio of Palang Pracharath partisan contestants for head of a post-election government in addition to party boss-cum-Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, the sources said.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the other partisan contender among the Palang Pracharath trio might probably refer to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as earlier speculated.

The former police chief, viewed as personally close to the Palang Pracharath boss, had been discouraged  from contesting a Bangkok gubernatorial election earlier this year to keep himself available as one of the partisan candidates for prime minister.

In the meantime, Palang Pracharath MP Veerakorn Khamprakop earlier called on both Prayut and Prawit to talk it over between themselves as to which one of them will be finally promoted as No.1 among the trio of partisan candidates for head of a post-election government.

According to the veteran coalition MP, both government leaders would virtually bury the hatchet over the political future of either one, given their “fraternal” relationships.

But, the sources said, Prayut would rather not offer himself to be a No.2 of the Palang Pracharath trio and might probably prefer being named candidate for prime minister after the next general election by the brand-new Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party instead.

Prayut himself has remained tight-lipped when asked by reporters about his political future though he has been allowed by court to prolong his rule until 2025 whilst keeping many coalition MPs on edge over when he may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election.

All elected lawmakers are legally obliged to have been attached to a party for no less than 90 days ahead of an election date in case that the four-year term of the House is fully consumed by March 24, thus denying the possibility of a House dissolution in the meantime.

Given a House dissolution to preclude a completely-consumed term of the legislative branch, the party-hoppers are legally obliged to have stayed with a camp for only 30 days ahead of an election date.

CAPTIONS:

Top: Former police chief Chakthip Chaijinda, right, and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan, left. Photo: Thai Rath

Front Page: Images Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, left, and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan, right, overlaid on Parliament meeting chamber. Photo: Matichon Weekly

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