Veteran returns to political fray

Veteran returns to political fray

BANGKOK (AFP): Veteran politician Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the pro-democracy movement in May 1992, is to run for election as governor of Bangkok in June, a party official said yesterday.

After keeping the public guessing for weeks, Palang Dharma party leader Thaksin Shinawatra, a deputy prime minister, announced that the party would nominate Chamlong, 60, under the PDP banner.

Bangkok is considered a PDP stronghold, and Chamlong's candidacy was seen as propping up party fortunes in the city after the current Bangkok governor, Krisda Arunwongse Na Ayutthya, switched from the PDP to the Thai Citizen Party.

Chamlong, who retains his trademark crewcut and farmer's garb, had quit as PDP leader before last July's general elections and withdrew from all political posts, handing over to billionaire businessman Thaksin after serious party infighting.