PHEU THAI NAMES THREE CANDIDATES FOR PM AHEAD OF FEBRUARY ELECTION

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Pheu Thai Party on Tuesday named three candidates for the prime minister’s post ahead of Thailand’s general election scheduled for February next year.

In a statement, the party named party chief and former deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat, former transport minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, and Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its nominees.

The announcement was made during the party's event titled “Reboot Thailand: Pheu Thai Can Deliver”, held here on Tuesday.

Pheu Thai leader Julapun said that the party is carrying out a comprehensive overhaul as part of its mission to address the public’s core economic issues and restore public confidence.

He said his appointment as party leader on Oct 31 reflected public expectations for Pheu Thai to regain strength and once again become a source of hope for the country.

“Over the past month, the party has demonstrated tangible changes, including more proactive engagement with the public, stronger parliamentary work, the establishment of a strategic committee representing all age groups and regions, and policy development that incorporates views from academics and the public,” he said on Tuesday.

Another nominee, Suriya, said national development must begin with addressing structural challenges, particularly in transport and infrastructure, to expand economic opportunities across all sectors.

Meanwhile, Yodchanan pledged to steer Thailand out of its current crises and elevate the country to high-income status by leveraging science, technology, and artificial intelligence as key growth drivers.

On Monday, Thailand’s Election Commission announced it had approved a plan to hold the general election for members of the House of Representatives on Feb 8, 2026, following the issuance of a royal decree dissolving the lower house of parliament.

According to the commission, the registration period for constituency and party-list candidates, as well as the submission of political parties’ prime ministerial nominees, will conclude in December.

Under Thailand’s two-ballot electoral system, voters will elect 500 members of the House of Representatives for a four-year term, with all seats to be contested.

-- BERNAMA