Thai Raksa Party's listing sparks rift fears - Bangkok Post

Red-shirt core leader Nattawut Saikuar has denied there is a rift in the Thai Raksa Chart Party after many red-shirt veterans were placed as election candidates far down the party list.

The unfavourable list positions angered the red-shirt members who threatened to stop campaigning for Thai Raksa Chart or quit the party altogether, according to a party source.

However, Mr Nattawut insisted everyone was staying put and downplayed the reported conflict.

He said a rumour that the red shirts were turning their backs on Thai Raksa Chart was unfounded. He said the red shirts only had one question they wanted to put to the party, which is whether it still stands firmly behind the principle of fighting against dictatorship.

"The answer was 'yes' and that's what made us decide to join [Thai Raksa Chart] in the first place," said Mr Nattawut, who is No.7 on the party list.

There are 150 MP spots up for grabs. Thai Raksa Chart has fielded 108 candidates on its list.

Mr Nattawut, a core leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said the red shirts expected Thai Raksa Chart would win enough MP seats to form a coalition government. The source said most red-shirt heavyweights in the party had no idea where they stood in the list until it was unveiled on Tuesday.

Where they are placed on the list matters a great deal as some political analysts predicted Thai Raksa Chart could bring in between 30 and 40 MPs. Those listed below 40th place are in danger of losing the election.

The source said the red shirts who had actively helped Thai Raksa Chart canvass for votes and made contributions to the party found themselves given places far down the list. Higher on the list were younger candidates who have a higher chance of success.

Most controversial were Khattiya Sawatdiphol, an ex-MP, and Kanapoj Jomrit. Both have ties to a child of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, and to his sister Yingluck, another ex-premier.

Placards announce party manifestos during candidate registration at the Election Commission on Thursday. Thursday was the fourth day of the five-day registration period. More than 8,000 have registered as constituency candidates and over 1,000 have applied for list candidacy.  (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

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February 08, 2019 at 06:40AM