Prawit steals the scene over Prayut’s planned visit to Ratchaburi

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PALANG PRACHARATH PARTY leader Prawit Wongsuwan has stolen the scene over Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s official visit to Ratchaburi scheduled for Thursday by doing so himself today (Jan.17).

Prawit did not visit Ratchaburi as deputy prime minister but as top leader of the largest coalition partner just a few days ahead of Prayut’s planned visit to the same province.

Prawit’s visit to Ratchaburi where he met a few Palang Pracharath MPs and a few Democrat MPs, among others, was apparently designed to assure himself of the likelihood that all Palang Pracharath MPs representing the western province will seek re-election under the same camp and not defect to any others during a run-up to the next general election.

Both Democrat MPs of Ratchaburi, namely Akaradej Wongpithakroj and Chaithip Kamonpanthip, are speculated to hop over to Prawit’s camp.

Prawit’s visit to Ratchaburi has apparently stolen the scene from Prayut’s planned visit to the same province which will almost certainly be welcomed by the same lawmakers representing the western province.

The Palang Pracharath boss who has strongly intended to vie for prime minister in the next general election told his hosts that he had to skip today’s cabinet meeting only to visit them at the home of Ratchaburi Provincial Administration President Wiwat Nitikanchana.

Hours earlier, Prayut who is scheduled for Thursday to visit the same province had reportedly telephoned Prawit supposedly to inquire about his requested absence from the weekly cabinet meeting at Government House.

The Ruam Thai Sang Chart under whose banners Prayut will contest the general election to retain power might probably be trying to talk some of the Ratchaburi MPs into hopping over to the pro-Prayut camp.

Prayut, whose planned official visit to the western province was believed to be part of his MP-wooing efforts, has frequently taken trips to the provinces in bid to raise popularity among resident MPs and constituents.

CAPTION:

Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan in Ratchaburi today, Jan. 17, 2022. Top photo: Thai Rath, Front Page photo: Matichon

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