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Published on October 30, 2007

Democrat deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha said Sakonthee Phattiyakul, a young businessman and son of CNS secretary-general and Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Winai Phattiyakul, had applied for party membership of his own accord.

Sathit quoted Sakonthee as saying that he had faith in the Democrat Party as a political institution and wanted to start his political career with the party.

"Unlike some other candidates, Sakonthee is a young man who has never asked the party for financial assistance," he said, adding that it was likely that Sakonthee would be a Democrat candidate in the December 23 election.

He said whether Sakonthee's joining the party was a sign of support from

the junta was a matter of personal opinion.

"Time will tell. But the poll body will manage the rules of the election," he said.

Besides Sakhonthee, either Suwong or Pongsak Yodmani, sons of Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani, are likely to run for the Democrats. While one of Suvit's sons will contest either the Bang Khen, Don Muang or Sai Mai constituencies in Bangkok, Sakonthee's constituency is yet to be determined, according to party sources.

The Nation