Bangkok: "Pongkavin" has announced that the Pheu Thai Party is set to reveal its candidates for all 400 constituencies in the upcoming elections next week.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pongkavin Chulrungruangkit, Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party, who oversees the Bangkok area, discussed the party's readiness for the election in the capital. He acknowledged that the Democrat Party, the People's Party, and the Pheu Thai Party each have promising young candidates, making the competition stiff. He emphasized that the outcome will largely depend on the candidates' abilities to communicate their party's policies to the electorate.
Mr. Pongkavin addressed concerns about the People's Party's popularity, noting that they secured 32 out of 33 seats in Bangkok in the last election. This history makes them a strong contender, but he assured that the Pheu Thai Party is prepared to challenge their dominance. He reiterated that the ultimate decision lies with the voters.
Regarding the potential impact of the Democrat Party under the leadership of Abhisit Vejjajiva, Mr. Pongkavin remarked on the party's strengthened position due to Abhisit's leadership. He noted the difficulty in predicting how the vote will split and suggested waiting until closer to the election for a clearer picture.
Mr. Pongkavin refrained from setting a specific target for seats in Bangkok but promised to put forth his best effort. He also mentioned that no campaign schedule for Mr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate, has been finalized due to his recent introduction. Currently, Mr. Yotsanun is focused on participating in debates and media engagements to articulate the party's policies. Plans for his involvement in Bangkok will be discussed subsequently.
In terms of strategy, Mr. Pongkavin stated that the Pheu Thai Party would likely continue with its traditional approach, emphasizing grassroots engagement. He highlighted the party's strong track record of connecting with the public and their commitment to maintaining this approach.
He confirmed that all candidates are ready and are submitting their applications for parliamentary membership today. With qualifications being thoroughly checked, Mr. Pongkavin expressed confidence that there would be no issues, as initial screenings have been completed. The official unveiling of candidates for all 400 constituencies is set for next week.