Quote:The People Power Party unveiled on Tuesday 16 candidates for House seats from Nakhon Ratchasima in a bid to hoist the party flag above its weakest link in the Northeast.

"We have chosen to introduce our candidates early in order to demonstrate our determination to serve our constituents," party secฌretarygeneral Surapong Suebwonglee said.

Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram are two northeastern provinces to approve the 2007 Constitution in the August 19 referendum.

The region, seen as the party's backyard, voted to reject the charฌter.

According to the party's projections, the 16 aspiring candidates have a good chance to secure at least 10 House seats.

The candidates include former senators and MPs and newcomers who are local politicians and scions of political families.

They are Sawai Phramanee, Ubon Uasri, Linda Cherdchai, Somsak Wangsupakitkosol, Wirat Rattanaset, Somchai Phaetprasert, Prasert Chanruangthong, Pongpit Rungpao, Somsssak Somklang, Boonjong Wongtrirat and Thasaneeya Rattanaset, Papee Suwanachawee, Worakan Khamsingnok, Boonlert Krudkhuntode, Asanee Cherdchai and Anuwat Tinnarat.

The party plans to name more than 200 candidates around the country later this week. It will also hold a campaign exhibition on October 7 at Muang Thong Thani.

In a related development, a group of 20 aspiring candidates from Bangkok dismissed speculaฌtion that they might hop from People Power to another party.

"None of us plan to switch our allegiance," group leader Suwat Wannasirikul said.

Suwat said his group actually was recruiting other aspiring candidates to fill 36 House seats from Bangkok under the party's banner.

He voiced optimism that his party would complete the recruitment by Tuesday.

He said more than 70 per cent of voters would vote for his party because they wanted the continuation of the populist policies introduced by the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

TheNation