The Chart Pattana party was officially renamed Chart Pattana Kla party at its extraordinary general meeting in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima today (Monday).
Former Kla party leader Korn Chatikavanij and about 40 members of the Kla party, including Atavit Suwannapakdee and Korbsak Sabhavasu, also attended the meeting.
Korn, who was earlier tipped to become leader of the new party to replace Tewan Liptapanlop, was appointed a member of the executive committee of Chart Pattana Kla party instead.
Korn told the meeting that, since he began talking some time ago with the party’s chairman, Suwat Liptapanlop, about working together and that their moves had been watched by the public, hoping to see some changes to the Thai political landscape.
He said he has worked with members of the Chart Pattana party before, such as party advisor Dr. Wanarat Charnnukul, while he served as finance minister in the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and has worked with party leader Tewan in parliament without conflict.
He said that the Chart Pattana and Kla parties share a similar working style, which is to strive to work to fulfil the objective of solving the pressing problems of the people.
Suwat later told the media that Korn will help to push for the party’s economic policies.
Known as a man of compromise, Suwat said that the party is ready to talk with all parties to work out an acceptable compromise to resolve political conflict and economic problems for the good of the people.
Regarding the issue of party leader, he said that, for the time being, the party leader remains unchanged, but there may be changes in the future.