Former PM’s son tipped to lead Chartthaipattana

The son of late prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa is tipped to become the next leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, party chief adviser Somsak Prisananathakul said yesterday.

Mr Somsak, a former education minister, said Mr Warawut was introduced as a prospective party leader during the recently ended Songkran festival, but downplayed talk of the scion’s bloodline helping catapult him to the coveted post.

Though Mr Warawut’s father once led the now-defunct Chart Thai Party to success, the party leadership is not “a heritage” that can be passed on from generation to generation, Mr Somsak said.

If he gains the trust of the party, Mr Warawut would succeed former agriculture and cooperatives minister Theera Wongsamut.

He has reportedly already won over Praphat Phothasuthon, secretary-general of the Chart Thai Party.

Chartthaipattana is the reincarnation of the Chart Thai Party, a political giant that was dissolved in 2008 after it was found guilty of committing election fraud.

Mr Somsak’s two sons — Korawi and Pharadon Prisananathaku — are also members of Chartthaipattana.

He said he had “no idea” what positions they would assume within the party after the National Council for Peace and Order allows political parties to convene once more.

In another development, the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) submitted two pre-poll bills yesterday governing political parties and election commissions to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for a final hearing, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said.

The NLA has 60 days to consider the bills, which are two of several major organic laws under the new constitution promulgated by the King on April 6.

Mr Meechai said the CDC is satisfied with the content of the two bills.

One calls for tougher qualifications for the seven election commission members, while the political party bill imposes strict measures against politicians who buy ministerial posts. They risk capital punishment or life in prison, depending on the court ruling.

The bill on political parties also requires members to pay membership fees as part of a broader move to prevent parties from being influenced by businessmen.

The two bills have already gone through public hearings. Their findings, which were analysed by the CDC, will also be considered by the NLA, Mr Meechai said.