Four ministers of the Thai military government launch new party before the election

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Four ministers of the Thai military government on Saturday launched a new political party, believing that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha will remain in power after the general election in May.

The month of May next year is the latest deadline set by the Prayuth junta for a vote. Its detractors are hoping that Thailand will regain civilian rule after more than four years of military rule, although it has extended the calendar several times.

The Palang Pracharat Party, whose name evokes the economic and social development policy of the military government, will be led by the Minister of Industry, Uttama Savanayana, who is committed to helping Thailand overcome its gap. policy.

"We have wasted enough time and opportunity to develop our country," Uttama told reporters and party members at the launch, referring to ten-year political conflicts between Thaksin's deposed prime ministers and Yingluck Shinawatra.

The announcement was made a few days after Prayuth said he was "interested in politics." The four ministers are the first members of Prayuth's cabinet to form a political party, perhaps to support his role in the upcoming elections. Like Prayuth, the ministers said they would not resign from their current positions.

Trade Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, secretary general of the party, said that Palang Pracharat was not intended to extend the military regime because he was "not affiliated with the army" and "no". had no member of the army ".

When asked if the party would support Prayuth to stay as prime minister, Sontirat said: "We still do not know how he will decide and which party he will join … We will have to wait to find out more . "

"We will choose the best person for the country," he added.

Other founders of the party include Minister of Science and Technology Suvit Maesincee and Minister Kobsak Pootrakool, attached to the Prime Minister's Office.