Thai PM Prayuth to run for re-election in May
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[March 25, 2023]
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha
was officially nominated for re-election on Saturday as his party's
first candidate for the country's next leader in polls set for May 14.
Prayuth, 69, is running with the new United Thai Nation Party, and will
likely face Pheu Thai party's Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter and niece
of two former premiers from the billionaire family. |
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha,
as the PM candidate from the United Thai Nation Party (Ruam Thai Sang
Chart Party), gestures with party's members during an event to unveil
the party's candidates list and campaing for the upcoming election, in
Bangkok, Thailand, March 25, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha |
The
incumbent, in power since 2014 when the military toppled a
civilian government, was elected as a civilian leader in 2019.
The military veteran has lagged rivals in opinion polls, but
hopes to win over supporters with promises of looking after the
wellbeing of the people and the country's stability, and
protecting the monarchy.
"We volunteer to make everyone as happy as possible," Prayuth
said at a party event to introduce its candidates for all 400
constituencies.
He said his next government would continue the work of his
current administration with a steady hand and the slogan: "Have
done, doing and will continue".
"The most important thing is to defend the country and protect
the nation's main institution. Please trust me as you've always
done," Prayuth said.
Party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was nominated as the
party's No. 2 candidate for prime minister.
Thailand's election is set to be a showdown between elite
establishment and pro-democracy forces that have dominated
politics in the Southeast Asian country for decades.
(Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Kitiphong Thaichareon; Editing
by Bernadette Baum)
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