Main rivals fielding strong slates in hopes of denting ‘orange wall’ of People’s Party

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut waves to supporters at the Keelawes 2 sports building of the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng district of Bangkok on Saturday, the first day of MP candidate registration for the Feb 8 election. (Photo: Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut Facebook account)

Candidate registration for the Feb 8 general election kicked off across Thailand on Saturday, with political party leaders and large groups of supporters turning out to cheer on prospective constituency representatives.

In Bangkok, the Keelawes 2 sports building of the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng district, the venue for registering contenders all 33 constituencies in the capital, was among the busiest.

Candidates and their supporters began gathering at the registration venue well before 5am, waiting for officials to open the stadium gates.

At about 6am, key figures from major political parties started arriving, greeted by cheering supporters bearing marigold and rose garlands.

The Bhumjaithai Party was the first to arrive. Ekanat Promphan, the party’s Bangkok coordinator, joined Supamas Isarabhakdi, the acting PM’s Office minister, in leading a full slate of candidates to register.

The opposition People’s Party pulled off a major surprise by winning 32 of Bangkok’s 33 seats in the 2023 election but it is expecting a tougher challenge this time around.

Asked if Bhumjaithai was confident it could break down the “orange wall” in the capital, Mr Ekanat said, “Confidence alone is not enough. We have policies already announced and government achievements over the past 73 days, including the Khon La Khrueng Plus co-payment scheme and efforts to ease border tensions. We do more than talk — we deliver.”

Shortly later, Yodchanan Wongsawat, the first prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, led 33 Bangkok candidates to the registration venue aboard an electric bus from party headquarters. They were cheered on by supporters chanting “Pheu Thai, fight on!”

Mr Yodchanan, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, pledged transparency and better public services.

“Rest assured there will be no corruption. We will make government services more accessible,” he said. “I ask for your support — vote for Pheu Thai candidates and the party. Our policies are sincere and will be implemented by capable people to deliver real results.”

People’s Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut arrived with his party’s team aboard an orange electric bus emblazoned with the slogan “Vote — Choose the Future.”

He said all People’s Party candidates had undergone a rigorous selection process and were committed to driving political change.

He insisted that none were linked to “grey” business networks or transnational criminal activity, describing the election as a crucial moment for deciding the country’s future and “eliminating grey influence” from national politics.

The People’s Party leader reaffirmed the party’s determination to contest all 33 Bangkok seats vigorously, while stressing the importance of campaigning respectfully and earnestly to earn voters’ trust.

Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva, alongside fellow PM candidate Karndee Leopairote, also attended the registration event on Saturday.

Mr Abhisit said the Democrat Party was fully prepared for the election, adding that the candidates it had introduced were genuinely committed, with most being new faces in politics who had already begun visiting their constituencies.

The registration of constituency MP candidates in other provinces were also marked by a vibrant atmosphere, with parties carrying out symbolic activities ahead of the opening of applications.

The Election Commission said registration for constituency MPs would continue from 8.30am to 4.30pm daily until Dec 31. Candidates must submit applications in person to their respective constituency directors.