Democrat Party to contest Bangkok governor poll, not opt out for Phalang Pracharat
The Democrat Party will not opt out of the Bangkok governor election late this year for the sake of coalition leader Phalang Pracharat Party, Democrat deputy leader Ong-arj Klampaibul said on Tuesday.
Ong-arj said the Democrats are ready to contest the gubernatorial election and have approached some possible candidates to run under the party’s banner.
The Phalang Pracharat has reportedly invited Phayao Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn, who shot to fame during the successful operation to save the young “Wild Boar” footballers from a flooded Chiang Rai cave, to run as its candidate in the election.
Ong-arj said the Democrat Party has not cut any deal with Phalang Pracharat in exchange for joining the coalition, so the Democrats had no reason not to contest the gubernatorial poll.
He said a Democrat candidate would be selected based on quality, knowledge, experience and a service mind to serve Bangkokians. The governor must also be able to coordinate with various government agencies to solve the city’s woes, Ong-arj added.
He neither confirmed nor denied that former Democrat leader and ex-PM Abhisit Vejjajiva would contest the election as the Democrat candidate.
Abhisit stepped down as party leader after it was humiliatingly defeated in the general election. He subsequently left the party after it joined the Phalang Pracharat coalition.