Desperation makes for strange bed fellows. In a truly Thai twist, former Chart Thai/STP minister, Santi Chaivirattana, and his group of five MPs had their candidate registration for the ChartThai Party rejected, on the basis that the registration of other candidates had already been accepted. Whilst Dr. Arthit agreed to accept the group into his party, he acknowledged that the party's image might be affected by Santi's past association with corruption scandals. He felt that this could be overcome if Santi seriously wished to re-build his political career. At the same time it was announced that former hunger striker, Chalad, and the wife of missing labour leaderThanong would also stand for the Seritham Party. Eventually, neither ofthese two popular potential candidates stood, and Arthit was left with little hope of reaching his minimum 20 seat target.