Former party leader Newin 'sets Bhumjaithai’s vision of 120 House seats' in next election

Bhumjaithai leader and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced his intention while he was visiting Newin Chidchob, president of the Buriram United FC and a former leader of the party, in Buri Ram province on Tuesday on the occasion of Newin’s 64th birthday.

Newin has washed his hands off politics to manage the football club, but he is believed to be the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai.

Anutin led all Bhumjaithai MPs to pay their respects to Newin and wish him a happy birthday.

The public health minister denied skipping the weekly Cabinet meeting, explaining the meeting was postponed to Wednesday as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was making an inspection trip to Ubon Ratchathani on Tuesday to visit flood victims.

Anutin told reporters that Newin wanted his party to win at least 120 House seats.

The Election Commission has set May 7 as the tentative election date if the House completes its four-year term on March 23.

“So far whatever Newin has blessed us, it has come true,” Anutin said.

The public health minister said Bhumjaithai has been working hard for the public with tangibly implementable policies.

“Our works have created confidence in the public that if we form the next government, we will be able to do this or that for them,” Anutin said.

When asked by reporters whether MPs from other parties, who visited Newin on his birthday, would later join the Bhumjaithai ahead of the next election, Anutin replied that the MPs simply came to greet Newin.

“Newin was in politics for 30 to 40 years so a lot of politicians are close to him. They don’t have to be Bhumjaithai members,” Anutin said.

He said his party has not been coercing MPs from other parties to defect to Bhumjaithai.

“But we are looking for capable people to work for the country. If such capable people are with other parties, we may invite them to join us to work together. This is a normal thing in politics,” Anutin said.

The public health minister expressed confidence that the next election would be held on schedule, although the organic law on the election of MPs has not been enacted yet. The MPs election amendment bill is pending enactment with affirmation by the EC and Parliament after a vetted draft failed to clear its third reading earlier.

Anutin added that he had talked to Prayut recently and he believed the prime minister might wait for the right timing before dissolving the House ahead of March 23.