PUBLISHED : 22 Nov 2025 at 05:47
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has sidestepped questions about whether she is being considered as a prime ministerial candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), stressing that her priority is running the ministry to the best of her ability.
She said she heard about her name being floated as a potential PM candidate for the BJT at the same time the reports were made public. When Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made the remark, she was on a business trip in the United States.
“I would need to speak with the prime minister [about this] first,” she said on Friday, adding that her current focus is performing her duties as commerce minister.
She noted that, as of yesterday, she has been in office for 52 days with 68 days remaining.
Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas also declined to comment on whether he would accept a BJT PM nomination. He said he had not applied for party membership.
Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party unveiled eight constituency candidates for Samut Prakan and three party-list candidates on Friday. The list includes Akkarawat Asavahame, deputy chief of the local provincial administrative organisation (PAO) and a member of a politically influential family in the region that was previously aligned with the BJT.
Mr Akkarawat said he joined Pheu Thai because the party has built up the experience to address Samut Prakan’s longstanding issues.
He will contest Constituency 1, along with Pinyo Kitlertphiroj — son of veteran politician Songkhram Kitlertphiroj — and Pracha Prasopdee, with Torsak Asavahame on the party list.
Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat said all 11 candidates are closely connected to local communities and understand the needs of residents, SMEs, and the province’s workforce.
Mr Julapun said the party’s deputy leader for policy, Paopoom Rojanasakul, will work with the Samut Prakan team to develop policies meeting nationwide expectations.
Mr Anutin acknowledged the Asavahame family’s move to Pheu Thai, expressing his pleasure that they aim to contribute to the country.