Late Bhumjaithai MP’s Daughter Tipped for Udorn Thani By-election

Liam Thurapol, the daughter of the late Bhumjaithai MP Rung Thurapol from Udorn Thani, is widely anticipated to contest a by-election for her father's former seat, according to a partisan source. The election is expected to be held within 45 days. Currently serving as an Udorn Thani provincial councillor, Liam is expected to run under the Bhumjaithai party banner in Constituency 3 of Udorn Thani, the same district her late father represented in parliament. The Election Commission is projected to schedule the by-election for late next month or early September. Potential challengers for Liam include Samak Boonpok, a former Pheu Thai contestant, and Ariyarit Susuwansiri, a former People’s Party contender, both of whom were defeated by the late Rung Thurapol in the previous general election. Udorn Thani has historically been considered a stronghold for the Red Shirt movement, which largely supports former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Pheu Thai party. However, the current coalition government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party, with de facto leader Newin Chidchob wielding significant influence, may see this by-election as a crucial test of its standing in the region. In the Feb. 8 election, four Bhumjaithai contestants and four Pheu Thai contenders were elected from Udorn Thani’s 10 constituencies. Two other seats were won by the People's Party, with one of their MPs, Suriya Wong-aree, showing personal support for the Bhumjaithai. Information Source: Thai Newsroom