Pro-regime PPP looks for youth input

Alongkorn to contest Democrat leader race

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPP) will hold a workshop tomorrow, Oct 7, to pick the brains of young people as it seeks to formulate policy platforms on various issues for the general election.

More than 60 people under 30 years old are expected to give their views about economic and social issues at the forum.

Their opinions and suggestions will be incorporated into the party’s policies.

A source said the session is intended to involve those who are rarely engaged in political activities. The participants are from various professions and backgrounds with no political affiliations.

According to the source, they were approached by the party’s core figures and may be asked to join the party as members and potential election candidates.

Four government figures, who were last Saturday selected to assume the party’s key posts, are expected to attend the meeting, said the source.

Known as a pro-regime party and seen as a political vehicle to support Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power, the PPP last Saturday organised its first general assembly to elect a party leader and executives.

As expected, I ndustry Minister Uttama Savanayana was chosen as the party leader and Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong was appointed secretary-general.

Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee was named deputy leader and PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool was given the role of spokesman.

Meanwhile, former Democrat deputy leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot yesterday returned to his old party and applied as a member to get a ticket to contest in the party leadership race.

Mr Alongkorn quit as the party member to serve on the National Reform Council (NRC) and the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), both of which were dissolved.

He said he would announce his candidacy for the party leadership next week and insisted he had sufficient support from party members to back him as a candidate.

Mr Alongkorn will face former Democrat Phitsanulok MP Warong Dechgitvigrom and incumbent leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in the race.

The Democrat politician yesterday also echoed calls for the four cabinet ministers who joined the PPP step down to avoid a conflict of interest.

“The four ministers have dedicated themselves to reforms and now that they have decided to enter politics, they should stick to the principles of reforms.” Mr Alongkorn said. “This is a piece of advice from a friend,”

The Chart Pattana Party is expected to hold a general meeting to choose a leader and party executives late this month or in early November.

Suwat Liptapanlop, a core member who is speculated to take the party’s helm, said the party’s political stance is likely to be known after the general meeting when asked about political alliances.

He said the party’s directions and platforms will be discussed by the party executives.

The Chart Pattana Party, which is based in Nakhon Ratchasima and led by Wannarat Charnnukul, yesterday organised a meeting to review party regulations in line with the new laws.