Opposition hopes to cash in on huge support base of the mass movement; Upheaval in party as former MPs protest against being demoted to accommodate red-shirt leaders
At least 10 red-shirt leaders will stand as party-list candidates for the Pheu Thai Party in the July election in a bid to draw massive numbers of votes from the red-shirt movement.
At a party meeting late last night, a number of former MPs, who were expecting to be at the top of the party list, protested the decision to put the names of red-shirt leaders ahead of them. Some of them, mostly from the Northeast, have even threatened to resign from the party and refused to submit their registration forms.
Many well-known figures, including Mingkwan Sangsuwan who had earlier proposed himself as a prime ministerial candidate, were not in the top 20 of the list to be submitted to the Election Commission (EC) today. He has yet to submit his registration form.
The positions in the so-called "safe zone" area in the 125-seat list are between 1 and 60, with 1-20 reserved traditionally for party executives and financiers. But the positions from 21 to 60 are reportedly filled with red-shirt leaders instead of former MPs.
Among those targeted by the protests is Khattiyah Sawasdiphol, the daughter of late Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya who was killed mysteriously during the red-shirt protests last May. A source said that the objection to her candidature was because her father did not take part in last year's protests right from the beginning like other red-shirt leaders, and also because she was a new Pheu Thai member.
Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Mingkwan's name was not included in the "upper list" as his documents were not ready. The order of the official list will be announced only after the approval of the EC, he said.
Among well-known red-shirt leaders in the upper party list are Jatuporn Promphan, Natthawut Saikua and Dr weng Tojirakarn, who led the protests against Abhisit Vejjajiva's government.
Outspoken politician Jatuporn remained under detention as the Criminal Court yesterday rejected a petition for him to leave prison temporarily to attend the EC to submit his name as a candidate. However, the EC allowed the party to do it for him.
Analysts believe Jatuporn will stay in prison until the election.
Jatuporn is not new to electoral politics as he was elected as MP for the Pheu Thai Party in the previous election. Natthawut was deputy spokesman for Samak Sundaravej's administration in 2008.
The election commission will be open for submission of party lists until May 23 and open for applications of constituency candidates on May 24.
Today is the anniversary of the bloody crackdown against the red-shirt protesters, who will once again gather at Ratchaprasong Intersection to commemorate the incident.
Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said the reds had a quota of 10 in the Pheu Thai Party's list of candidates. Leaders who will be on the list include Kokaew Pikulthong, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Shinawat Haboonpad and Payap Panket, he said.
Arisman not to run
One of the most watched red leaders, Arisman Pongruangrong, will not run in the contest for unknown reasons, though his wife will take the position, Kwanchai said.
The top 20 candidates in the Pheu Thai Party list, who have the most chance of being elected as MPs, include: Yingluck Shinawatra, Yongyuth Wichaidit, Chalerm Yoo-bamrung, Snoh Thienthong, Pracha Promnok, Plodprasop Suraswadi, Suchart Thadathamrongvej, Chat Kuldilok, Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Apiwan Wiriyachai, Santi Promphat, Wiroon Fuensaeng, Wiroj Pao-in, weng Tojirakarn, Surapong Towijakchaikul, Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, Wattana Muangsuk and Yutthasak Sasiprapha.
Meanwhile the ruling Democrat Party finished its list of candidates yesterday. Within the top 20 are: Prime Minister Abhisit, former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, Banyad Banthadthan, Therdpong Chaiya-nan, Jurin Laksanawisit, Korn Chatikavanij, Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, Apirak Kosayodhin, Trairong Suwankhiri, Chamni Sakdiset, Paithoon Kaewthong, Issara Somchai, Charoen Kantha-wong, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Akom Engchuan, Niphon Visityuthasart and Suthas Ngern-muen.
