Patcharakorn steps into dad's shoes

Patcharakorn steps into dad's shoes

Young Pheu Thai MP candidate preaches unity ahead of quest to win Khon Kaen seat

Patcharakorn Unnopporn, Pheu Thai MP candidate: 'Because of who my dad is, I have some advantages, but I also need to develop myself to prove I deserve them.' (Photo courtesy Pheu Thai Party)
Patcharakorn Unnopporn, Pheu Thai MP candidate: 'Because of who my dad is, I have some advantages, but I also need to develop myself to prove I deserve them.' (Photo courtesy Pheu Thai Party)

Becoming a successful new face in politics, in the view of Patcharakorn Unnopporn, depends a lot on the "old bloods", or veteran, experienced politicians.

The 25-year-old, who is poised to become a candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, was referring to his father, Pongsakorn, a former Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen.

Besides wanting to represent the people of Khon Kaen and helping improve their living standards, Mr Patcharakorn admits he decided to enter the political arena because he also wants to "represent" his father by carrying on his work in the local communities they both love.

Mr Pongsakorn has joined the Pheu Tham (For Dharma) Party, which is believed to be a fall-back party should Pheu Thai, an anti-military party with a strong contingent of pro-Thaksin red-shirt supporters, be dissolved.

This is the sixth of a series of interviews with seven new, outspoken young politicians seeking to be agents of change for the betterment of the country.

In this event, it is believed Pheu Tham will step in to replace Pheu Thai in most constituencies ahead of the election.

Pheu Tham, established in 2010, is said to be run behind the scenes by Yaowapha Wongsawat, a younger sister of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Pongsakorn was appointed in September as the secretary-general of Pheu Tham, with former deputy prime minister Sompong Amornvivat made party leader.

Former Prime Minister's Office minister during the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, Nalinee Thavisin, was handed the deputy party leader role.

Bound by a need to work full-time with Pheu Tham, Mr Pongsakorn asked his son to replace him in Pheu Thai's ranks.

"But I was not forced to be fielded [as election candidate]," Mr Patcharakorn insists.

"I was given an opportunity, and I want to give it a try and put my abilities to the test."

Mr Patcharakorn, a master's degree holder in international business management from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, believes he can use his experience and ties with the Khon Kaen people to pave a path for himself in politics.

Though viewed as new to the scene, Mr Patcharakorn argues he has been familiar with this calling since childhood.

Mr Patcharakorn often accompanied his father when he visited Khon Kaen residents to listen to their problems and find ways to help. At that time, Mr Patcharakorn recalls, travelling between Bangkok and Khon Kaen was a regular part of his young life.

Now Mr Patcharakorn is learning how to do it all himself. He has begun by meeting local people and asking them about their lives.

He denies this is a form of canvassing as election campaigns are still banned by the military regime. The young politician says he is just "listening to people's problems".

"That is a core part of being a politician," Mr Patcharakorn says, referring to his father's advice on the role of being a representative of local people.

People elect MPs in the hope they will make their lives better. In return, Mr Patcharakorn says, politicians should keep their promises and must not break the trust upon which their votes are garnered.

However, Mr Patcharakorn is aware that Pheu Thai alone cannot solve all the problems people are facing.

"I want to see all [political] camps sit and talk together," he said, adding that he is weary of the history of long-running conflicts among politicians in Thailand.

"It seems they are fighting for their own reasons rather than thinking of the public good."

It is true that, in this power game, politicians and activists are divided into different sides -- the government, the opposition and rival factions, he says.

However, Mr Patcharakorn believes this does not always mean they cannot join hands.

One factor that will lead to cooperation rather than competition is if they can act collectively to prioritise the people and the nation in their thinking, he said.

Thailand has had enough setbacks due to its cycle of quarrels. The country really needs to break free of this unpleasant paradigm if it wants to gain momentum in national development, Mr Patcharakorn believes.

This need for a new type of domestic politics goes hand in hand with steps to improve living standards, he says.

However, before setting out on the path towards achieving these two goals Mr Patcharakorn must take the first step -- securing a constituency win to represent the people of Khon Kaen.

Though he is reluctant to predict victory, Mr Patcharakorn admits he has a good chance because his father has been a good teacher.

"Honestly speaking, because of who my dad is, I have some advantages, but I also need to develop myself to prove I deserve them," he said.

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