Bangkok: “Santhana” returns to Pheu Thai, applying for lifetime membership. He declares his intention to run for MP in Bangkok, but says it depends on the party and that he has no conditions. He officially declares himself a political enemy of “Nu-Ne”.
According to Thai News Agency, at 10:00 AM, Mr. Santhana Prayoonrat, a former police officer, arrived to become a lifetime member of the Pheu Thai Party. He was met with Mr. Prasert Chantharawongthong, the party’s secretary-general, for discussions.
Mr. Santhana revealed that he made his own decision to reapply to the Pheu Thai Party. He was previously a member from 2018 to 2022, but due to changes in the political situation and times, he has decided to reapply and intends to run for a constituency seat in Bangkok. He stated that he has been fully prepared for this.
Regarding whether the party will give him the opportunity to run for Member of Parliament, Mr. Santhana said that he understands the party’s system, and that even if the party deems him unsuitable after he joined, he will still remain a member of the Pheu Thai Party and is ready to help candidates in other constituencies campaign. He stated that he has not been fighting for himself but for society and the people, and he wants the public and society to judge him as well. If the party gives him a chance, it will show him how society and the public have judged him in the past.
“What I see as unacceptable, I remain silent and let society ripple like this. Will we have a black-and-gray or white-and-gray political system?” Mr. Santhana said.
Mr. Santhana reiterated that if the party deems him unsuitable to run for MP, it doesn’t mean he will go around applying to other parties. He has nothing to negotiate, no conditions whatsoever. It’s up to the party. If the party sees his value and society believes he can help, he wants everyone to make their decision.
When asked about his previous claims of being persecuted and facing legal action, and his challenge to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Newin Chidchob to meet him on the political stage, Santhana said that everyone knows that he or Newin is the real Prime Minister. Today, he was speaking in his personal capacity, not on behalf of the party, stating that they are officially political enemies and will confront each other in the future.