Seeking Sontirat
With the Phalang Pracharat Party shaping up as the perceived vehicle for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reclaim the same exalted position after the general election expected next year, a cabinet minister is tipped to serve as one of the party’s executives.
A government source said the party’s secretary-general is expected to be Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong rather than veteran politician and former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkij, a co-leader of the Sam Mitr Group or “Three Allies”.
The group is viewed as the regime’s recruiting arm, established to court former MPs, particularly from the Pheu Thai Party, to Phalang Pracharat to support Gen Prayut’s potential return as premier.
Political observers predict a two-pronged strategy: First, for Sam Mitr to round up defectors from other parties; second, for Phalang Pracharat to reassure them the new party will be a “refreshing” change from past political conflicts.
In light of this, Mr Sontirat would need to keep the Three Allies at a distance and shake off any links to the allegations of poaching, the government source said.
At the same time, his main task would be to promote a positive image of Phalang Pracharat as a party that brings together academics and businessmen with outstanding track records, as well as high-calibre politicians who formerly served as MPs with strong support bases, the source said.
As for Sam Mitr, the other co-leaders of the Three Allies group are former industry minister Somsak Thepsuthin and Pirom Polwiset, a former MP for Nakhon Ratchasima for the now-dissolved People Power Party, which has since been reincarnated as Pheu Thai.
Mr Suriya, f ormer secretary-general of another party that has since been dissolved, the Thai Rak Thai Party, is known as a financier while Mr Somsak, leader of the Wang Nam Yom faction, is known to have control of many constituencies in the lower part of the northern region.
Both have reportedly thrown their support behind Gen Prayut to return as prime minister.
The duo are believed to have secured the defections of more than 50 former MPs, mostly from the Northeast, an important political stronghold of Pheu Thai.
Some prominent officials are also rumoured to be pulling strings behind the Three Allies, which has been accused of siphoning former MPs for Phalang Pracharat.
But Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who is also believed to be involved, has dismissed allegations that he is another Sam Mitr “ally”.
The name “Phalang Pracharat” drew wide public attention because it echoes that of the Prayut government’s “Pracharat” peoplestate partnership campaign.
Mr Pirom, secretary of the Three Allies, previously said the group would make its debut with a bang.
He said the group has not decided when it will make a formal entrance on the political scene although he insisted that would happen soon. “And it will be a grand affair,” the former MP said. The group has denied poaching former MPs.