Actor Rattapoom "Film" Tokongsup has entered the political fray, signing up as a member of the Palang Thong Thin Thai party (PTTT).
The singer-turned-actor was among key figures who on Wednesday applied to join the PTTT at a hotel in Bangkok, now that the junta has relaxed the political ban and allowed parties to recruit new members.
The others included Chuenchop Khong-udom, a former Bangkok MP of the Democrat party, and Kriangkrai Phumlaojaeng, a former member of the now-dissolved National Reform Council.
PTTT is affiliated with former Bangkok senator Chatchawal Khong-udom, widely known as “Chat Taopoon”.
Mr Rattapoom told reporters he had a keen interest in politics. He had heard the policy announcements of several parties, and PTTT's goals and purposes struck a chord with him.
He said it was too early to say if he would run for a House seat in the election tentatively set for February next year. That decision would be made by the party.
He rejected as untrue criticism that as a celebrity he had an edge over his political rivals, and urged the new generation to become engaged in politics and bring about development.
Mr Chatchawal said the party, which was formed in 2013, had a focus on local development and aimed to win at least 10 House seats.
The former senator's son, Chuenchop, said the party would hold a general assembly to select the leader and executive members on Nov 3.
Mr Rattapoom had a strong chance of standing for a seat in Bangkok, but in which constituency was not clear, according to Mr Chuenchop.
