Chart Pattana lists 343 possible candidates

The Chart Pattana Party introduced 343 potential candidates to contest the March 24 poll Thursday, and unveiled its policy platform on issues focused on boosting the grassroots economy, to cater to its core political bastions in the provinces.

Of that number, 279 will run under the constituency system while the others will contend as party-list MP candidates, with party leader Thewan Liptapanlop ranked first in the line-up of candidates entering the party's list.

Suwat Liptapanlop, the party's chief adviser, urged members to carry switched-on flashlights to symbolise the need for light to be shone on some of the social and economic problems in the country.

Mr Suwat also revealed the party's policies on nine issues in the lead-up to the poll.

They include policies to introduce bilingual education in schools, address teachers' debts, extend the retirement age of civil servants from 60 to 65, because many people that age want to carry on working.

Another policy increases living allowances for elderly people to a flat rate of 2,000 baht.

One highlight is the party's interest in promoting the grassroots economy by setting up an agricultural welfare fund of 20 billion baht to help farmers to stand on their own feet, Mr Suwat said.

The party also pledged to build infrastructure to accommodate economic expansion and connect with infrastructure in neighbouring countries, as well as construct more motorways and dual-track railways across the country.

Mr Suwat said the party would promote the use of renewable energy like solar and wind power.

It plans to establish a solar rooftop fund to offer loans to producers.

On the tourism front, the party wants to make this a national priority as it represents nearly 20% of GDP and is a major source of foreign exchange.

The party will also push for the Thailand Riviera tourism development plan approved by the cabinet early last year.

This calls for expanded tourism infrastructure in four provinces that make up the so-called Thai Riviera.

They are Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong.

Other policies include developing the digital economy, 5G wireless broadband adoption, power decentralisation, promoting sports by hosting major events and building mini sports complexes, among others, Mr Suwat said.

The party wants the Election Commission to come up with ways to educate voters about the new electoral system, which critics say could prove to be overly complicated.