Former red-shirt activist and close aide to Thaksin Shinawatra, Jakrapob Penkair, was sworn in as a Pheu Thai Party list-MP yesterday, pledging to use parliament to promote political reconciliation and national development.
Mr Jakrapob formally reported to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives after the Royal Gazette announced his appointment to replace Prasert Jantararuangtong, who resigned as a party-list MP.
He was accompanied by his wife, Supraipol Penkair, whom he married last year after the same-sex marriage law took effect.
Speaking after registering, Mr Jakrapob said that although he had served as a cabinet minister, becoming an MP was an even greater honour.
The position was both significant and sacred, he said, because it required him to represent all people, regardless of status, and seek common ground among competing interests and differing views.
He said he intended to learn from experienced politicians and party colleagues to better understand public expectations.
Mr Jakrapob also said years of political conflict had weakened Thailand's global competitiveness by slowing national development.
Commenting on the proposed amnesty legislation, formally known as the Peaceful Society Enhancement Bill, he said the parliamentary debate should explain the cost of Thailand's prolonged political conflicts, including deaths, injuries, family separation and psychological trauma. He described the bill as a starting point for national reconciliation.
Mr Jakrapob said ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra had urged him to work for the common good.
He said Thaksin was concerned about widening inequality between rich and poor, arguing socioeconomic disparities had made communication across society more difficult.
