New senator Jongchai Thiengtham declared his intention to run for speaker of the upper house on Wednesday after his election received the final stamp of approval.
Suphan Buri senator Jongchai Thiengtham reports to parliament on Wednesday and announces his intention to run for senate speaker. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
The Suphan Buri senator was far from shy in announcing his ambition, claiming that he had strong backing from other senators.
The veteran politician was tight-lipped on who was behind him, saying only that there were enough of them to promote him to the position after he officially announces his candidacy.
Mr Jongchai is closely linked to the Chartthaipattana Party of Banharn Silpa-archa, the leading politician in the province. They were in the same party until receiving a five-year political ban, now expired.
Mr Banharn announced his support for caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on April 3 when he said their political relationship remained unchanged.
Mr Jongchai did not give clear answers to questions of possible political influence from his former party, saying only that a member of the parliament needed to be under a political umbrella. Senators cannot officially be members of a political party.
The Suphan Buri politician was one of the new senators from 58 provinces endorsed by the Election Commission after the March 30 polls.
Others reporting to parliament today include Apichart Dumdee of Krabi, Aphorn Sarakham of Udon Thani and Srimuang Charoensiri of Maha Sarakham.
Mrs Aphorn is the wife of Kwanchai, a hardline red-shirt leader in the northeastern province of Udon Thani.
Mr Srimuang is also expected to run for the postition of senate speaker.
He would not comment on Wednesday, He said the timing was not right because the new Senate had not convened.
The Maha Sarakham senator has close ties with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from when he was in the Palang Dharma and People's Power parties. Thaksin supported the setting up of the Pheu Thai Party after the PPP was disbanded.
But Mr Srimuang denied that his work in the upper house would be dictated by the Pheu Thai Party.
Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai is the caretaker speaker since Nikhom Wairatpanich left last month after being involved in attempts to change the composition of the Senate.