Bangkok: "Natthapong" explains that the Pheu Thai Party submitted a party-list of 99 candidates because he requested to withdraw.
According to Thai News Agency, the People's Party submitted a party-list of 99 candidates because some individuals requested to withdraw for personal reasons. "Natthapong" believes that even though they didn't submit a full 100-candidate list, all candidates are of high quality. He is not worried about the ranking of "Isariya" at number 5, but is concerned about the low number of people registering for advance voting. He requested the Election Commission to expedite public awareness campaigns.
Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyavuth, Prime Minister candidate and leader of the People's Party, addressed the issue of the People's Party not fielding 100 candidates for the party-list system, stating that it was a normal process after the primary vote. One candidate had to withdraw after realizing their ranking and weighing the options, due to personal reasons. He added that it was alright for the People's Party to not field 100 candidates. Regarding the identity of the withdrawn candidate, he declined to reveal it.
Regarding the potential impact on popularity of Mr. Isariya Pairipaiyarit, a former executive of a platform company, who is ranked 5th on the party-list, due to being perceived as belonging to a capitalist group, Mr. Natthapong emphasized that the People's Party's selection of the list was based on various reasons, including labor issues, equality, diversity, ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and former private company executives. Therefore, he urged everyone to have confidence in the list, as it considered all other factors comprehensively. He also stressed that all party-list candidates are genuine representatives of the people, and that if the People's Party forms a government, each candidate will have a position lined up for them.
Regarding Mr. Viroj Lakkhanaadisorn being ranked 99th, this was his own wish. He originally wanted to be ranked 100th because he wanted to step down and make way for new candidates to work in parliament. However, when one candidate withdrew, he ended up at number 99, which he considers a desirable number.
Mr. Nattapong also mentioned the overall positive atmosphere of his campaign rally yesterday, from Wesn 2 Stadium to the Democracy Monument. He stated that after his own campaign, along with Mr. Veerayuth Jailak's in Phuket and Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul's in Buriram, received a positive response with people lining the streets waving and cheering. This is a good sign that the public is becoming more aware of the election. However, he expressed concern about the low number of people registered for advance voting and overseas voting. He mentioned that during his campaign in Bang Khun Thian yesterday, many people working in Bangkok said they wouldn't be able to vote in their hometowns on February 8th. When asked if they had registered for advance voting, he found they hadn't. Therefore, he urged the media and the Election Commission to help communicate to the public the importance of registering for advance voting as much as possible to ensure they have the right to vote.