Democrats set up meeting to decide on Feb 2 polls

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the general assembly, originally to be held on December 23 and 24 to consider new regulations and party structure, had been brought forward due to the political situation.
At the meeting on Tuesday, the party will elect a new 25-member executive team, which will then make a decision on whether the party should run in the next election.
Separately, Banharn Silapa-archa, de facto leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, yesterday expressed confidence that the February 2 election would go ahead, adding that his party will field 200 to 250 MP candidates and 125 for party-list MPs.
Chart Thai Pattana Party held a meeting yesterday at which party leader Teera Wongsamut put four people, namely Prapat Pothasuthon, Anurak Jureemart, Siriwat Kachornprasart and Nikorn Chamnong, in charge of the election in four regions.
Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party headquarters was crowded yesterday when its former MPs from across the country converged to attend a meeting. In addition to this, former MPs from other parties also came to apply for membership. These included several members of the Matchima Group who had resigned from Bhum Jai Thai Party, and Pareena Kraikup who moved from Chart Thai Pattana.
Former appointed Senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana also applied as a Pheu Thai Party member, saying he intended to contest the February 2 general election under the party’s banner.
He said the party executives will decide whether he should run as a party-list or constituency MP.