PHAYAO: Two prospective MP candidates of the Puea Chat Party are banking on the popularity of the fugitive former prime minister to win the election in the province by changing their first names to "Thaksin".
Jiraroj Kiratisakvorakul and Chaipraphan Singhachai of Puea Chat, perceived as a Pheu Thai Party spinoff, decided to change their first names ahead of the nationwide MP applications starting on Monday.
"Campaigning for the election this time is very difficult due to restrictions imposed by the Election Commission," Mr Thaksin, known until recently as Mr Jiraroj, said on Sunday. "The name change would make it easier for voters to remember me."
Election rules get rid of party numbers and require that each candidate be assigned a number instead. For voters focusing on parties, they will have to remember the candidate numbers of their favourite parties in their constituencies instead of just memorising the numbers of the parties they want to vote for like in the past. Moreover, the EC doesn't allow putting photos of people other than the candidates, their party leaders and PM prime ministerial candidates on campaign posters.
It remains unknown when Mr Jiraroj and his fellow MP candidate registered their new names with the Interior Ministry.
Thaksin Kiratisakvorakul will contest in Constituency 1 of Phayao, while another Thaksin with the last name of Singhachai will represent the party in Constituency 3.
Thaksin Singhachai is not available for comment on his decision. His Facebook page still carries his old first name of Chaipraphan.
Phayao has three constituencies. Puea Chat will field candidates in all three, with Pichet Chainet vying in Constituency 2.
Mr Pichet said he respected the former fugitive prime minister but deemed it unnecessary to follow the example of his political friends. "Voters already know me. Changing the first name might confuse them," he added.
A key Puea Chat member plans to woo supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra by promising another try to bring the former PM back home. "We have tried, and failed, three times to bring Dr Thaksin Shinawatra home. Give us the fourth opportunity if you trust us," Yongyuth Tiyapairath addressed supporters during a campaign in Phitsanulok on Jan 6.
The party tried to control the damage from his controversial remark the next day. "The party has the policy of helping anyone who has been treated unfairly. Thaksin is only one of them," Puea Chat spokeswoman Ketpreeya Kaewsaenmuang explained.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has repeatedly said Thaksin should return to defend himself in accordance with the judicial process if he thinks he has been treated unfairly.
Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail in 2008 for having a conflict of interest in connection with the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case. He is also facing other accusations.