• 
• 

Published on October 15, 2007

Chalerm made the threat following reports the party would not pick the sons to run for seats in Bangkok.

He said he joined the party after being approached by a leading member. But he insisted his two sons run on its ticket in the capital.

"If People Power does not select me and my two sons - Wan and Duang - as Bangkok candidates, I'll be ready to leave the party," Chalerm told a news conference at his home.

He said he sought no financial support from the party but would be willing to run its election campaigns in Bangkok and the provinces if it entered his sons in the Bangkok race.

Chalerm will not seek help from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over the matter.

"The bottom line is that it must accept me and my sons as a package," Chalerm said.

Chalerm said if he left People Power he might join Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who has suggested he may establish a party. He will talk with Chavalit today.

People Power secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee said Chalerm's conditions were unacceptable. Surapong said selection of candidates would be done systematically through provincial and regional-level committees, with the party's executive having the final say.

"If Chalerm sets it as a condition that he will work with the party only after his sons are given the opportunity to contest the election as its candidates, I'll say we won't be able to accept that," he said.

"We have committees to consider candidate selection. We can't make any promises. And it will be unfortunate if that is so unacceptable he cannot work with People Power."