Bangkok: General Thammarak Isarangkun Na Ayudhya has announced his re-entry into the political arena, taking on the role of chief advisor to the Palang Pracharath Party. His return comes amid what he describes as a chaotic political climate, where the practice of buying political players, akin to trading football players, is rampant. At 87 years old, General Thammarak emphasized his vitality, boasting of his continued ability to play golf, and expressed his intent to first assess the potential of each candidate.
According to Thai News Agency, General Thammarak addressed his long absence from politics and the reasons behind his return. He cited the current turbulent political environment as the catalyst for his comeback, highlighting the need for his expertise to guide the party, particularly in security and election strategy. He is stepping in not to represent but to advise, stressing the importance of ideology over transactional politics.
When questioned about his strategy for securing Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Northeast, General Thammarak drew on his past success with the Pheu Thai Party, where he led the party to win 126 out of 136 MPs in the region. He noted that the current situation has left the party with only one representative. He plans to evaluate the candidates' capabilities before formulating a strategy, leveraging his extensive network from past political engagements.
On the topic of prime ministerial candidates, General Thammarak mentioned that discussions have not progressed beyond General Prawit Wongsuwan. His current focus remains on providing advisory support, particularly in election and security matters, areas where he holds significant experience.
In analyzing the election landscape, General Thammarak remarked on the intense competition among parties, stressing the importance of communicating policies and strategies to the public effectively, rather than engaging in transactional practices.
When asked about his personal well-being, General Thammarak humorously noted that despite his age, he remains active and invigorated, continuing to enjoy playing golf.