Ruam Jai Thai calls Matchima's bluff

"Northeastern constituents plead with us to run under the Ruam Jai Thai banner," former MP Sakhon Phrompakdee said, explaining the defection of the 10 candidates seeking reelection bids in the Northeast.

Sakhon praised his new party for strong leadership and its clear policies to solve grievances of Isaan people.

Ruam Jai Thai leader Chettha Thanajaro welcomed the 10 candidates to his party and pledged to end social divisions.

Chat Pattana faction leader Suwat Liptapanlop said the arrival of the 10 candidates would boost the party's position to better serve constituents.

Matchima faction leader Somsak Thepsuthin said his party was upbeat on the voting projection following the departure of "a few candidates".

"In my 26-year experience, I have never seen such readiness and as comprehensive a policy package as that being offered by my party," he said.

He spoke on the sidelines of a meeting to brief his party's 150 candidates about campaigning rules. The party assigned 150 accountants to work with every candidate to ensure the compliance of campaign finance.

The party is expected to field about 290 candidates and party leader Prachai Leopairatana remains optimistic that his party will win between 120 and 200 House seats.

Key candidates include 74 former MPs, 37 former senators and 70 former local government leaders.

The Nation