Relatives fighting for barred MPs' seats

Disqualified lawmakers have endorsed relatives and allies to run in the 29 by-elections that seek to fill House seats made vacant when 13 People Power MPs and 16 Chart Thai MPs were banned from holding office.

Yesterday was the first day of candidacy registration for the January 11 by-elections. The Pheu Thai Party will try to defend People Power strongholds while Chart Thai Pattana Party will seek to retain seats previously held by Chart Thai.

With the Democrat-led coalition commanding a narrow majority of 235 seats to the opposition's 198 seats, it is widely expected the by-elections will be a key battle for the political numbers.

The government's trump card is the Friends of Newin faction, which is expected to counter some of the popularity of Pheu Thai. The faction has been credited for People Power's electoral victory in the Northeast but now wants to turn the table on its former allies.

In Suphan Buri, political patriarch Banharn Silapa-Archa of disbanded Chart Thai Party gave his blessing to three Chart Thai Pattana candidates.

The three are Chanchai Prasertsuwan, who is the younger brother of disqualified MP Nattawut, Patcharee Pothasuthon, who is the older sister of banned MP Yuthana, and Jeraja Thiangtham, who is the younger brother of banned MP Jongchai.

In Si Sa Ket, Sakulthip Angkhasakulkiart will contest under the Chart Thai Pattana banner to fill the House seat vacated by her son Siriphong. Her campaign slogan is "Fight for my son".

For the House seat from Lop Buri, disqualified MP Kamol Jiraphanphanit has endorsed his daughter Mallika to replace him under the Chart Thai Pattana banner.

In Angthong, Chart Thai veteran Somsak Prissananan-thakul has given the blessing to his son Pakin to fill the House seat under the Chart Thai Pattana banner.

In Ubon Ratchathani, two banned MPs, Rathakit Phaliphat and Sakchai Chintawej, want their loved ones to inherit their House seats under the Chart Thai Pattana banner.

Rathakit has endorsed his brother-in-law Pinij Chaithani and Sakchai has supported his wife Udon as a new candidate.