Bangkok Post | Chaikasem Nitisiri, Pheu Thai's chief strategist, has declared his readiness to be the party's third and last prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming poll, set for May 14.
He said he is ready to be nominated again, despite not winning last time.
His name was put forth by the party as one of its three prime ministerial candidates, alongside Chadchart Sittipunt and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, in the 2019 general election. However, parliament elected Prayut Chan-o-cha, the sole candidate of the Palang Pracharath Party, as prime minister.
This time around, Mr Chaikasem is reportedly being eyed by Pheu Thai again as a candidate. If picked, he would be the party's third and final candidate, after Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of the "Pheu Thai Family," and her adviser, Srettha Thavisin.
Yesterday, Mr Chaikasem, 74, said while he stands ready to run for the premiership, he does not hold hope of getting the top job, citing his age.
He said is currently waiting for the party to clarify a nomination issue.
Party executives have not met to decide on its third candidate, although certain names have been floated.
If anyone should be nominated for the prime ministerial candidacy, he or she should be the people's choice, Mr Chaikasem said.
He said he considers himself a suitable candidate, given his experience.
Mr Chaikasem, a former justice minister under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, said he trusted that all three of the party's prime ministerial candidates would be honest and well-rounded.
"If [people have] faith in Pheu Thai, they should have confidence in the people the party chooses," he said.
Comments