Trang: Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has reiterated the timeline for dissolving parliament on January 31st, expressing confidence in the Bhumjaithai Party's ability to gain a strong foothold in Southern Thailand during the upcoming elections.
According to Thai News Agency, Anutin, who is also the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, visited the home of Somchai Losatapornpipit, a former Democrat Party MP for Trang. This visit marked a significant event as Anutin, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and other party executives, introduced the Bhumjaithai Party's prospective MP candidates for the region. The candidates, who donned the Bhumjaithai Party shirts, were presented for the four constituencies in Trang.
The candidates include Mr. Ekkapol Na Phatthalung for District 1, who is the Mayor of Ban Khuan Subdistrict Administrative Organization and has ties to former village headman Kamnan Nong. District 2 will see Mr. Thawee Suraban, current Trang MP from the Palang Pracharath Party, running under the Bhumjaithai banner. Ms. Sunatcha Loesatapornpipit, a Democrat Party MP, will represent District 3, and Mr. Pichai Charoensirisunthon, a Provincial Administrative Organization Member, will contest in District 4.
Mr. Anutin's visit signifies the successful completion of a party switch agreement, particularly after Mr. Somchai indicated he would not remain with the Democrat Party if Deputy Leader Satit Wongnongtoey was involved. Anutin's confidence in the Bhumjaithai Party's prospects in the South is underscored by their previous success in 2019, where the party secured eight seats. With the dissolution of parliament set for January 31, 2026, Anutin has urged all parties to gear up for the elections, optimistic that the Bhumjaithai Party will receive strong support from the southern electorate.