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Photo’s of Former Thai Pretty Now Running for MP in Thailand Go Viral

MAHA SARAKHAM – A relatively unknown 2019 MP candidate in Northeastern Thailand has suddenly found herself at the center of attention on social media this week – probably not for the reason she wanted.

According to Khaosod News a Thai Local Power Party spokesman urged the public not to be distracted by photos that have gone viral of retired pretty Ploypilin Rattanasatian posing partially undressed that he said were taken when she worked as a pretty model.

“Everyone can volunteer to work for their country. Ms. Ploypilin used to be a pretty, which is not against the law,” spokesman Chuenchob Kong-udom told reporters, using a Thai term for promotional models. “Her photos are her private issue, and we cannot stop her from doing that, as long it’s outside work time.”

Chuenchob said Ploypilin’s candidacy was recently approved by the Election Commission, so the party had no reason to withdraw its support.

“I’d like to ask [everyone] to give her the opportunity to work for her country,” he said. “Don’t judge her by her appearance.”

The photos appeared to be taken and posted on several Facebook pages in 2018. Some netizens on Wednesday re-shared them – often with sexually crude comments.

“Is this an election or a motor show?” wrote user Vattikorn Sophonrat, referring to annual automobile expos that in the past were associated with hordes of scantily clad pretties.

Domestic Thai-language media – where sensational coverage of anything remotely sexual is a tabloid tradition – also reported the news with equal relish. “Oh wow, that’s a pair of watermelons!” read a headline on the Naewna news website.

In an interview with online portal Sanook, Ploypilin said she had never run for office but decided to join the fray this year because she agrees with Thai Local Power policies. Ploypilin’s campaign posters promise free education, crackdowns on drugs and promotion of local goods.

“In the eyes of the puu yai, I might be a kid, but believe me, a lot of kids these days have ideas and energy to do something good for society,” Ploypilin said.

Thai Local Power is headed by tycoon Chatchawal Kong-udom. Chatchawal is best known for his status as a godfather-type figure in Bangkok’s Tao Poon neighborhood. It was launched with a LGBT-lit party on Bangkok’s Silom Road and counts a drag queen as its spokesman.

Ploypilin Rattanasatian in running in Northeastern Thailand as an MP candidate for the Thai Local Power Party

Though it would come as little surprise to anyone in Thailand, the topic of “hotties in politics” has also been trending online in recent weeks.

Former actress Suchada ‘Idea’ Thaensap made similar waves after she joined the Democrat Party, while Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has gained a sort of celebrity among young social media users for his looks.

Even politicians’ offspring aren’t off the radar. Yossuda “Jinnie” Leelapanyalert, a daughter of Pheu Thai premier candidate Sudarat Keyuraphan, has sparked a largely male cult following for her appearances on the campaign trail with her mother.

By Teeranai Charuvastra
Khaosod English News

Thailand Politics

Thai Prime Minister’s Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

Thai Prime Minister's Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.

According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.

The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.

According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.

This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.

Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.

The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.

Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.

About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.

Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.

The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.

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Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.

The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.

The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.

Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.

In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.

Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.

The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.

A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.

Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.

The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.

 

 

 

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Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.

Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.

Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.

Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond

Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.

Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.

Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.

“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.

The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.

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