Head of the newly formed New Palangdharma Party, Rawee Machamadon, has floated his party's possible manifesto for upcoming elections, vowing to tackle the issues that are rendering the Thais "dumb, sick and poor".
Dr Rawee, a former secretary-general of the now-defunct Palang Dharma Party, told a seminar attended by around 20 founding party members, supporters and media yesterday that his party aims to kickstart public health, education and anti-corruption reforms.
However, he said party policies have yet to be finalised.
Rawee Machamadon, who applied to register the 'New Palangdharma Party'. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
"If we announce any policies at this time, we will get bashed before anything else," he said. "Thus, these [points] shall be considered as our direction, which will likely turn into our official policies when the elections come round."
According to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, elections will take place next February.
Dr Rawee said an announcement by the party's policy-drafting committee will be made "in the coming days", while its first party meeting will be held in May.
New Palangdharma applied for registration as a political party to the Election Committee (EC) on March 2. "We have already outlined our course of action for our 'dumb, sick and poor' goal," he said. "Efforts to eliminate corruption will also be bolstered.
"Past proposed solutions were far too ineffective and unrealistic, so we have focused on making our direction more tangible."
He said his party is set to propose a continuation of the 30-baht healthcare programme, requiring each Thai to have a "designated doctor", who will oversee 1,250 patients in all.
Dr Rawee said earlier this month his party would not reject Gen Prayut's nomination to continue as prime minister, if the premier were to be re-nominated for the job after the poll.
