Kraisak agrees to join Democrat

Suthep said Kraisak's group had agreed to join the Democrats because they had similar platforms.

Initially, Kraisak would be a key person to develop new political leaders in the Northeast, he said, adding that Democrat deputy chief adviser Banyat Bantadtan wanted politicians from the region.

The Democrat Party's vote base is in the South, while its weakest region is the Northeast, which was the former Thai Rak Thai's vote base.

Kraisak's joining the party would make politics in the Northeast "more colourful", Suthep said.

He said Kraisak's group, which includes former Yasothon senator Somboon Thongburan, former Sakon Nakhon senator Maleerat Kaewka, former Nakhon Ratchasima senator Pichet Pattanachote and former Buri Ram senator Karun Saingam, has supporters in many northeastern provinces.

Suthep said other politicians who were non-supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had also agreed to join the Democrats.

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation