Two key members of Palang Pracharath, the core government party, have voiced disagreement with the suggested nomination of Mingkwan Saengsuwan as one of the party’s three candidates for the prime minister’s post in the next general election.
Nakhon Sawan MP Veerakorn Kamprakob and Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Rong Boonsuaykhwane separately said yesterday (Wednesday) that the party leader, General Prawit Wongsuwan, is not authorised to nominate Mingkwan, a former deputy prime minister and commerce minister, without the approval of the party and its executive committee.
Both insist that their party leader’s decision is not binding.
Mingkwan was formally presented to the media on Tuesday by General Prawit as a new party member, reportedly to head their economic team. He told the media that, as he will represent the party in pre-election debates betweenpremiership candidates, he should also be nominated as one.
Later, General Prawit said that he is still not sure whetherMingkwan would be one of the party’s candidates, adding that the matter has to be decided by the executive committee.
Mingkwan quit the New Economics Party in June and set up his own party, Okart Thai (Thai Opportunity).