Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has welcomed politicians from Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen, including current and former Pheu Thai MPs, who have declared their intention to join his Bhumjaithai Party ahead of the next general election.
The Bhumjaithai leader was at party headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday to greet the newcomers, who included Kosol Pattama, a Pheu Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima; and Phongsakorn Anannopphorn, a former Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen. Also on hand were Thawirat and Tattirat Rattanaset, sons of veteran Nakhon Ratchasima politician Wirat Rattanaset, a former deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party.
Mr Anutin said the prospective new Bhumjaithai members were making the move because of the government’s readiness to dissolve the House within four months from Oct 1, adding that all political parties must begin preparing for an election expected early next year.
Early dissolution of the House is a key element in the agreement Bhumjaithai made with the opposition People’s Party in return for the latter’s support of Mr Anutin as prime minister.
The arrival of the Rattanaset family members is expected to strengthen the party’s political base in Nakhon Ratchasima, but Mr Anutin declined to comment directly, saying only that the party was committed to serving the public interest.
‘We are a party that embraces diversity – from young generation people using technology to seasoned MPs familiar with local communities,’ he said. ‘Our strength lies in accessibility and responsiveness to public needs.’
Asked about the possibility of more defectors joining, Mr Anutin said Bhumjaithai was open to anyone who was genuinely committed to serving the nation and the people regardless of political background.
‘We do not impose rigid qualifications. If someone is ethical, not self-serving, and works for the public, we are happy to welcome them,’ he said.
Bhumjaithai currently has 69 MPs in the House, compared with 140 for Pheu Thai and 142 for the People’s Party. When asked if Bhumjaithai aimed to secure at least 100 seats, or even become the largest in the House after the next election, Mr Anutin deflected again.
The priority, he said, was to support candidates and ensure voters understood the party’s policies. ‘Our door is always open to people trusted by the public and willing to work for them,’ he said.
‘We must choose candidates who understand public service. Our doors are always open to those who believe they can contribute to the country.’
Mr Kosol, younger brother of former Pheu Thai list MP Noppadon Pattama, told reporters that he was uncertain whether other Pheu Thai members would also switch camps.
He added that Mr Noppadon had been approached but was preoccupied with family matters.
The Pheu Thai MP said his decision to align with Bhumjaithai was based on personal comfort and mutual respect.
Mr Noppadon, a former foreign minister and legal adviser to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, announced his resignation as a Pheu Thai list MP last month, citing his commitment to legal and development work.
Mr Anutin also confirmed that more members of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) had expressed interest in joining Bhumjaithai.
Under the terms of its agreement with the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai is supposed to refrain from any attempts to form a majority in the House over the next four months. Some critics say Bhumjaithai risks breaking the agreement by sucking in more MPs.
Mr Anutin shrugged off the criticism, saying, ‘If we can suck in good MPs to serve the people, we are proud of that kind of party.’