Prawit drops PM race citing health, Trinuch steps in

The Palang Pracharath party announced a reshuffle of its leadership and prime ministerial candidates today, with Treenuch Thienthong replacing Prawit Wongsuwan as the party’s first PM candidate.

Prawit will remain the party leader, but will not run for prime minister over health concerns, Deputy Party Leader Paiboon Nititawan said after a meeting of the party’s executive committee.

Prawit will contest the top spot on the party-list MP lineup and will continue to certify all MP candidates for the election.

Treenuch, the party’s secretary-general, will serve as their first prime ministerial candidate, while Thirachai Puvanatnaranubala, deputy leader, will be the second. The party will only field these two, Paiboon said.

Election rules state that a party contesting a general election is required to nominate no more than three prime ministerial candidates.

Paiboon said the meeting approved the party’s plan to field candidates in over 200 constituencies nationwide.

Gen. Prawit has been authorised to determine the final ranking of party-list MPs, which will be announced once completed.