Pheu Thai names Phuket District 1 candidate

PHUKET: The Pheu Thai Party yesterday announced Wisit Jai-arj as its candidate for the Phuket District 1 constituency seat in Parliament.

The announcement was made by Dr Olarn Chaipravit, a Pheu Thai board member, at the opening of Mr Wisit’s campaign office in Phuket Town.

Pheu Thai Party southern region leader Pichet Sathirachawal and Korkaew Pikulthong, another Pheu Thai leader, were also present to help make the announcement.

Also present at the event:

Saman Kebsap, the Pheu Thai candidate for Phuket District 2;

Jirayus Songyos, the Bhum Jai Thai Party candidate for District 2 and manager of FC Phuket;

Dr Sriyada Shinawatra, a former parliamentary candidate for Phuket and in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Wisit, 45, runs the Numchai Ocean Transport Company Limited.

He was a consultant to Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana until declaring his candidacy and has served as a committee member of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.

The Democrat Party has yet to announce who they will field as a candidate in Constituency 1, which covers all of Phuket Town and some surrounding areas.

Speculation is rife that politician Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr might throw her hat in the ring, now that her husband and former Phuket MP Tossaporn Thepabutr has said he will not stand for re-election.

Mrs Anchalee served as Secretary-General to the Prime Minister until Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolved parliament earlier this month and the date for the general election was set for July 3.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan