Anutin says he's ready for top job

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday said he is ready to be the next prime minister if given the chance.

"I'm ready to serve as prime minister if people vote for the Bhumjaithai Party," Mr Anutin told reporters on Monday.

Asked about the possibility of defeating Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, Mr Anutin said he'd rather compete against himself.

"The Bhumjaithai Party will give people confidence that the party will work tirelessly for them which will lead to the resolution of various issues," he said.

"We have our own duty to perform and the party has always talked about its own policies to solve problems rather than talking about other parties." His party is widely seen as a likely vital part of any coalition which takes shape.

Mr Anutin also declared the party will field candidates in all 400 constituencies and that it expects to be allotted many seats from the 100 party-list seats up for grabs.

He referred to the return of former deputy interior minister Boonjong Wongtrairat to the party, saying Mr Boonjong will be nominated as a candidate for Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 9 to replace Apicha Lertpatcharakamol, who resigned from the party.

Mr Anutin said Mr Boonjong was the co-founder of the party a decade ago and served as deputy interior minister while former party leader, Chavarat Charnvirakul -- Mr Anutin's father -- was interior minister.

When asked about the party's readiness for the next election, Mr Anutin said all candidates were more than ready. They were hoping to win as many votes as possible when polling day finally arrives, he said.