The main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) has endorsed Pun-Arj Chairatana, former executive director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), to run for chairmanship of the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO).
The decision was reached unanimously by the MFP executive committee over the weekend.
Thassanee Buranupakorn, an MFP member who also put herself forward, said during a television interview yesterday that she respects the decision but may now run for the post with a political group affiliated with Boonlert Buranupakorn, her uncle, and former mayor of Nakhon Chiang Mai.
Ms Thassanee, a former Pheu Thai MP, defected to the MFP after the ruling party switched sides to form a coalition with political parties close to the junta.
The MFP's decision to contest local politics comes amid a legal battle over its stance on the lese majeste law, which could potentially dissolve the main opposition party.
The MFP grabbed seven House seats in Chiang Mai in the general election last year, while the ruling Pheu Thai Party captured only two seats.
The unveiling of Mr Pun-Arj came after convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Chiang Mai, widely seen as an attempt to regain Pheu Thai's foothold in the province.
The Pheu Thai Party won the previous PAO election in Chiang Mai, with Pichai Lertpongadisorn representing the party.
