Former Channel 7 television news presenter Suparat Nakbunnam says her familiarity with politics led her to change her career.

She is the People Power Party’s candidate in Bangkok’s constituency 8, which includes Bang Na, Prawet, Suan Luang and Phra Kanong.

She said politics was one way to help people. She became interested in it as a career after spending years reporting it as a journalist.

Former Thai Rak Thai Bang Na member of Parliament Sansanee Nakpong was the first person to ask Suparat to stand for parliament.

“Initially I thought it was not my time. But when Sansanee was banned from politics, she asked me again, and I agreed,” she said.

Suparat said other parties, including the Democrats had approached her about running in the December poll. She chose People Power because of Sansanee.

“In Bangkok, in my view, there are only two parties competing – the Democrats and People Power,” she said. Her support base, she added, would come from Sansanee voters.

She praised running mates Wattana Sengpairoh and Wichienchote Sukchoterat.

“They have potential. We will present teamwork to the people,” she said.

Suparat said people would recognise her from her days on television. She believed she would be able to solve the problems of her constituents.

Biodata

Suparat Nakbunnam
Age: 39
Education: Masters degree in Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration. Bachelor degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn, The Nation