FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Somsak’s sons pursue their political future in Bhumjaithai

Somsak’s sons pursue their political future in Bhumjaithai

THE SONS of veteran politician Somsak Prisananatakul yesterday joined Bhumjaithai Party after resigning from Chartthaipattana Party.

Their move comes just a week after Somsak announced that he had quit Chartthaipattana amid fears of party dissolution. Somsak said that as he was serving a ban from politics, he could not have a role in the party or it could be dissolved.
His two sons, Paradon and Korravee, left Chartthaipattana last Friday, a couple of days after Somsak’s decision, and joined Bhumjaithai yesterday.
Paradon will run as a constituency candidate while his brother Korravee will be on the party-list.
Chartthaipattana has lost at least three young politicians to Bhumjaithai in less than three weeks after its former partriarch Banharn Silpa-archa’s daughter Kanchana became the party leader.
Aside from Paradon and Korravee, Chartthaipattana’s former Srisaket MP, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, also left the party two weeks ago and joined Bhumjaithai.

Change in policy
He is said to have been disappointed by the party’s change of direction. 
Chartthaipattana had previously aimed to promote younger politicians and it was believed that Banharn’s son Varawut would take the party reins. But the decision on the new leadership showed otherwise, as Kanchana is said to be connected better with the party’s senior members.
Chartthaipattana and Bhumjaithai are both medium-sized parties. Because of the new election method, they are expected to be a determining factor in forming a government after the election next year.
Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday warmly welcomed the two young politicians to the party, handing them a jacket bearing the party’s name and logo. 
“I’m happy to have these young people with experience and high potential in our party,” he said. 
“I want to leave the running of this party to the people of the new generation. I’m now in my 50s and I can only work for two more political terms.”
Anutin said the party was ready to take up any role – in government or the opposition. He said he had not set any goal on how many seats the party should win but said he would do his best.

RELATED
nationthailand