Thai Democrats Unveil Fresh MP Hopefuls At Thammasat

[webfact]

NEW FACES

Democrats unveil fresh MP hopefuls at Thammasat

By Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

Emphasising the value of education, the Democrat Party yesterday unveiled new faces among its MP candidates.

In an event at Thammasat University's auditorium, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva joined in the introduction of 23 new MP candidates, stressing the part education had played in their development.

For the first time, the event was broadcast live through social medium Facebook.

"Without the opportunities for education, these 23 people would never be standing here," he said.

He went on to refer to 15 years of free education as well as education reform, listing policies for special loans for education and for business starters the party will propose.

The new MP candidates include those with well-known names such as Chitpas Bhirombhakdi and Tamkhun Jitt-itsara, or young people linked with Democrat MPs such as Nutt Bantadtan, son of party adviser Banyat, and Boonthida Somchai, daughter of former social development and human resources minister Issara. The party is also promoting new MP candidates from grassroots families.

They were recruited through the "Future Thai Leader Project", which required them to submit applications through social media and join in the party's training courses and activities.

Catraphet Kankaew, a 31-year-old intense social-media user and critic of Thai politics, will be fielded as an MP candidate in Phetchabun. He is the youngest son of a teacher and housewife in the province. After the death of his father, he worked and sponsored himself until he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University.

"I want to solve the problems of poverty and disparity. I know of problems in local areas that come from the blunders of current politicians. The poor who rent apartments still have to pay Bt15 or Bt20 [to the landlord] for a unit of electricity. The 'free electricity' programme for light-users does not benefit them. I will push policies and ideas to eradicate these problems," he said.

Maythika Kongpinitborvorn, 33, will contest from Buri Ram constituency 6.

"The community is so quiet and deserted as people leave to work in the city. I want to make them realise that our home can be an abundant source of income as we have many good things of our own," she said.

She quit her job as a marketing officer to run in the election although she realises Buri Ram has been dubbed the vote base of Newin Chidchob's Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Akanat Promphan, son of Srisakul, wife of party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, said he has a fresh way of thinking as a member of the new generation. "These days, we have to think in more constructive ways, not focus on conflict," he said.

Earlier in the day, Suthep unveiled 10 new MP candidates who come from police ranks, including Pol Lt-General Pitak Charusombat, brother of veteran politician Pinij, and Pol Colonel Wanchai Piumsombun, cousin of Rak Santi Party's key member Purachai.

Pol Lieutenant Pramet Mahasiratanaroj, a 44-year-old officer, who will run in Samut Prakan, said being a newcomer means he has no previous flaws on his record to make people unhappy. Being a local, he was inspired by the victory of people with low education who had fought and exposed corruption in the Klong Dan dam project.

-- The Nation 2011-05-13

[CNXpuuyaibaan]

am i the only one who finds it bizarre that a serving Police officer can stand for election?

[givenall]

am i the only one who finds it bizarre that a serving Police officer can stand for election?

One big happy family (gangs)

[sungod]

am i the only one who finds it bizarre that a serving Police officer can stand for election?

No, they will have to resign first.

[phiphidon]

"Without the opportunities for education, these 23 people would never be standing here,"he said.

He went on to refer to 15 years of free education as well as education reform, listing policies for special loans for education and for business starters the party willpropose.

At least one of the 23, one Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, aka the Singha Beer Heiress, was hardly likely to be denied any opportunities for education, was she Mr.Abhisit?

But she probably is hopeful having been turned down last year as a By Election candidate. Maybe her background as a secretary to the ICT Minister does provide her with insider knowledge of the problems of children spending too much time playing video games but one feels there are more important matters at stake. Indeed she says;

the reason she was standing in the election was to be the voice of the people and to stand up for their rights.

http://www.nationmul...s-30155158.html

Again, having worked in the ICT she was ideally placed to know all about the infringement of the peoples' rights.

Mind you she is just one of the

30 electoral candidates who are celebrities and heirs of political families

to be unveiled as Democrat Party electoral candidates.

http://www.nationmul...n-30155162.html

[bangkokeddy]

Pol Lieutenant Pramet Mahasiratanaroj, a 44-year-old officer, who will run in Samut Prakan, said being a newcomer means he has no previous flaws on his record to make people unhappy.

The only way to be flawless.

Will be different in the next election after this election, if he should get elected this time of course. Otherwise he can still keep his record clean and doesn't make the people unhappy.

Edited May 13, 2011 by bangkokeddy

[bangkokeddy]

Akanat Promphan, son of Srisakul, wife of party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, said he has a fresh way of thinking as a member of the new generation. "These days, we have to think in more constructive ways, not focus on conflict," he said.

Son of the wife of the party secretary-general?

What are the family ties here?

Buchholz?

[Buchholz]

Akanat Promphan, son of Srisakul, wife of party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, said he has a fresh way of thinking as a member of the new generation. "These days, we have to think in more constructive ways, not focus on conflict," he said.

Son of the wife of the party secretary-general?

What are the family ties here?

Buchholz?

In the topsy-turvy world of Thai politics, the surname is most intriguing...

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan had a sleepless night due to stress caused by his first experience inside remand cell, Bangkok Remand Prison chief Sophon Thitithampruek said on Friday.

Jatuporn's son is now Suthep's son?????

==============================================================================================================

ok, ok... the non-joshing reality is much more mundane.

Akanat Promphan is the child of Srisakul Promphan and Porntep Techapaibul. After they divorced, his mother became Suthep's wife.

He should a nice addition to the Democrat Party. A Masters degree holder from Oxford.

[bangkokeddy]

Catraphet Kankaew, a 31-year-old intense social-media user and critic of Thai politics, will be fielded as an MP candidate in Phetchabun.

^^ I like this qualification the most. It means that Catraphet is a twitter user. Nice.

[bangkokeddy]

Akanat Promphan is the child of Srisakul Promphan and Porntep Techapaibul. After they divorced, his mother became Suthep's wife.

He should a nice addition to the Democrat Party. A Masters degree holder from Oxford.

Thank you for that information. I assumed something like that, still odd that they don't call him a stepson. but maybe in Thai language such relations are described that way.

Btw. Did you notice how much attention and replies this thread attracts? And that compared with the Yingluck or Jatuporn topics?

This what i meant when i said that nobody really wants to watch Abhisit on television and something like a debate with someone from the Thaksin team Abhisit would just use to increase his viewing rate.

[phiphidon]

Jatuporn's son is now Suthep's son?????

==============================================================================================================

ok, ok... the non-joshing reality is much more mundane.

Akanat Promphan is the child of Srisakul Promphan and Porntep Techapaibul. After they divorced, his mother became Suthep's wife.

He should a nice addition to the Democrat Party. A Masters degree holder from Oxford.

Well actually she's his common-law wife, an important distinction when it comes to money and assets and all that kind of thing. But yes, The Oxford Master himself, here's more;

Fast-tracked to fame

By BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN

THE NATION

Published on March 15, 2009

"As secretary to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep, I look after his schedule," Akanat says. "He teaches young people like me, showing us how 'real' the work is. I attend the meetings and see how the decisions are put into practice.

"Suthep is very serious about his work. He's a good example for the younger generation."

Asked whether he got the job because of his connections, Akanat insists that everyone has the same opportunity, although some are better positioned...............................

It's not a difficult job, Akanat says, but he struggles with Thai grammar, his years of overseas study leaving him unfamiliar with writing in Thai.

Asked what he's learned from politics, Akanat says history teaches politicians to work in the country's interest and give priority to people's needs, rather than their own.

"I haven't decided about my future yet - whether I'll be a politician or a businessman. It depends on timing and opportunity."

http://www.nationmul...on_30097933.php

Yes, a nice addition to the Democrat Party, I'm sure he'll get on famously.

[bangkokeddy]

At least one of the 23, one Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, aka the Singha Beer Heiress, was hardly likely to be denied any opportunities for education, was she Mr.Abhisit?

But she probably is hopeful having been turned down last year as a By Election candidate. Maybe her background as a secretary to the ICT Minister does provide her with insider knowledge of the problems of children spending too much time playing video games but one feels there are more important matters at stake. Indeed she says;

the reason she was standing in the election was to be the voice of the people and to stand up for their rights.

http://www.nationmul...s-30155158.html

Again, having worked in the ICT she was ideally placed to know all about the infringement of the peoples' rights.

These candidates are funny. One more than the other.

My favorite line from The Nation article about Chitpas Bhirombhakdi is this one:

The Democrat Party is highly democratic and has a good political ideology because it is not "led by a capitalist", she said.

She is also into Social networking:

As a new contender, District 5 Bangkok candidate Chitpas Bhirombhakdi admitted that people still did not know her much; therefore, she would resort to communicating with voters through social networks and visiting people every day to make sure that more people would get to know her.

As for claims that she is a member of high society entering politics for personal gains, Ms Chitpas, who happened to be the former secretary to the Information Communication Technology minister, said she could neither help it nor prevent people from thinking so, but assured that she would do her best to carry out her duty if elected.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255405120011

[bangkokeddy]

Earlier in the day, Suthep unveiled 10 new MP candidates who come from police ranks, including Pol Lt-General Pitak Charusombat, brother of veteran politician Pinij, and Pol Colonel Wanchai Piumsombun, cousin of Rak Santi Party's key member Purachai.

This two guys have the most interesting family names, because their relatives played for an entire different team. That makes them definitely not to proxies or puppets, but independent minds.

Pinij Charusombat/ Jarusombat former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader and Deputy Prime Minister during the Thaksin days. later Puea Pandin Party.

His elder brother, Pol Lt-General Pitak, a MP candidate for the Democrats.

Purachai Piumsombun, not only know as Pracha Santi Party key party, but also a former TRT member and a minister during the Thaksin days. Some will remember him.

His cousin, Pol Colonel Wanchai, a MP candidate for the Democrats.

[CNXpuuyaibaan]

am i the only one who finds it bizarre that a serving Police officer can stand for election?

No, they will have to resign first.

ah ok that makes more sense - so if he doesn't get elected he has lost his job? or is there some 'fiddle' that he can go back to his job if he loses?

[animatic]

Earlier in the day, Suthep unveiled 10 new MP candidates who come from police ranks, including Pol Lt-General Pitak Charusombat, brother of veteran politician Pinij, and Pol Colonel Wanchai Piumsombun, cousin of Rak Santi Party's key member Purachai.

This two guys have the most interesting family names, because their relatives played for an entire different team. That makes them definitely not to proxies or puppets, but independent minds.

Pinij Charusombat/ Jarusombat former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader and Deputy Prime Minister during the Thaksin days. later Puea Pandin Party.

His elder brother, Pol Lt-General Pitak, a MP candidate for the Democrats.

Purachai Piumsombun, not only know as Pracha Santi Party key party, but also a former TRT member and a minister during the Thaksin days. Some will remember him.

His cousin, Pol Colonel Wanchai, a MP candidate for the Democrats.

Much like Abhisits cousin from Team Thaksin, who writes periodically for the other paper.

Obviously blood is not thicker than politics, and some cousins are more 'thick' than others.

[phiphidon]

Earlier in the day, Suthep unveiled 10 new MP candidates who come from police ranks, including Pol Lt-General Pitak Charusombat, brother of veteran politician Pinij, and Pol Colonel Wanchai Piumsombun, cousin of Rak Santi Party's key member Purachai.

This two guys have the most interesting family names, because their relatives played for an entire different team. That makes them definitely not to proxies or puppets, but independent minds.

Pinij Charusombat/ Jarusombat former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader and Deputy Prime Minister during the Thaksin days. later Puea Pandin Party.

His elder brother, Pol Lt-General Pitak, a MP candidate for the Democrats.

Purachai Piumsombun, not only know as Pracha Santi Party key party, but also a former TRT member and a minister during the Thaksin days. Some will remember him.

His cousin, Pol Colonel Wanchai, a MP candidate for the Democrats.

Much like Abhisits cousin from Team Thaksin, who writes periodically for the other paper.

Obviously blood is not thicker than politics, and some cousins are more 'thick' than others.

So which cousin is the "more thick" , the Democrat MP candidate or the "black sheep" of the Abhisit Clan?