Anek’s children put his name forward as contender for Labour
Khetrat Laothamatas, party-list MP and spokesperson for Action Coalition for Thailand, called on the party’s administrative committee on Thursday (July 23) to consider his father Anek Laothamatas as a potential candidate for the labour minister’s post.
Khetrat was accompanied by his sister Chuthatat Laothamatas, who is also a party-list MP.
The party’s co-founder, Suthep Thaugsuban, said the party has put Anek’s name forward as a replacement for Chatumongol Sonakul, who quit as party leader in June and resigned as labour minister on Monday (July 20).
Though this vacant ministerial berth still comes under the party’s quota, it is rumoured that Anek may be given the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation portfolio to replace Suvit Maesincee.
“But we leave the final decision up to Prime Minister Prayut [Chan-o-cha],” Suthep said.
Soon after Chatumongol quit, he was replaced as party leader by secretary-general Taweesak Na Takuatung, with the party executive board saying separating party leadership from a ministerial candidate will help streamline the party’s administration.
Anek, meanwhile, served as adviser to the finance minister under Chavalit Yongchaiyudh’s government, and as adviser to the interior minister in Chuan Leekpai’s second term. He also led Mahachon Party before quitting in 2005, and joined the Action Coalition for Thailand Party in 2018 as an executive member.