Row over Udon Thani PAO poll
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The ruling Pheu Thai Party appears to be divided over who exactly will be running as its candidate in the July 17 Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) election in Udon Thani, its stronghold.
Pheu Thai MP for Udon Thani, Surathin Pimanmekin, who wants his daughter to run for the PAO chief’s post, is angry that she would have to compete with former party-list MP Vichien Khaokham.
“I would like to know whether the party still considers me a member. Justice Minister Pracha Promnok called to say that Vichien was not a Pheu Thai candidate and could not use the party’s logo. Even Thaksin has said that he is not backing Vichien, so I have the right to have my daughter nominated as a party candidate,” Surathin said.
He went on to say that he did not mind if other key Pheu Thai members took part in Vichien’s election campaign this weekend, but said the party should first clarify that Vichien is running as an independent candidate in order to avoid confusion.
“I want the party to be truthful, because otherwise nothing can stop me from blocking the Tung Sri Muang Park,” Surathin said, referring to the venue of Vichien’s campaign.
The MP also said that he had taken this complaint to the party leader.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Promphong Nopparit said supporting a candidate was a personal choice, though he would not confirm Surathin’s claim that key party members would go to Udon Thani to help him.
“Surathin might be worrying too much. The party loves all its members equally,” the spokesman said.
Vichien was previously a party-list MP for Pheu Thai, but he resigned last month so he could run in the Udon Thani PAO election. Also, early last month, Pracha held a press conference to announce that Vichien would be running as a party candidate.
