People’s Party to finalise PM candidate as executive board meets tomorrow

The People party’s executive board will meet tomorrow, in the expectation of finalising which candidate its 143 MPs will support as Thailand’s next prime minister.

Speaking at the end of the second day of their meeting, Deputy Party Leader Pakornwut Udompipatskul said they have still not decided who it will support, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul or Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri,

Over the past two days, the party has been gathering opinions from all sectors and networks nationwide. Yesterday, messages were sent to over 100,000 party members across the country to seek their views. So far, more than 20,000 responses have been received.

Pakornwut added that nearly all party MPs attended the meeting today and provided additional feedback. The party will continue to gather its members’ opinions and the executive board will finalise its decision tomorrow.

Regarding rumors that the People party supports Anutin as Thailand’s 32nd prime minister, party spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu confirmed that no decision has been made and no vote has taken place.

Parit emphasised that the feedback collected from MPs and local constituents is not intended to select the “best” prime minister, but to guide the process toward potential parliamentary dissolution and constitutional amendments, with opinions still varied.

He added that the decision will not be based solely on the MPs’ meeting, but on all collected opinions, which the executive board will consider before making a final choice.

If the caretaker prime minister decides to seek to dissolve parliament, it can be done immediately. According to the party, the best solution for the country is to dissolve parliament and promptly return power to the people by holding a general election.

If the caretaker prime minister refuses to seek the dissolution of parliament, though, the People party will proceed with supporting the selection of a new prime minister as a step towards dissolution.