Chuan touted as Democrat leader to stop Prayut staying as PM

By SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

Democrat Party’s chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, left, is pictured with current leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at a recent charity concert. Credit: Courtesy of Abhisit Vejjajiva’s Line account

 

THE FUTURE of Chuan Leekpai, the Democrat Party’s chief adviser and ex-leader, is the subject of speculation as some muse that he will return as its chief ahead of the next general election.

 

The speculation stems from two separate assumptions – that the Democrats and the Pheu Thai Party may join forces to prevent the junta’s return to power, and that the Democrats need a new leader to boost their chances of winning the election.

 

The first assumption responds to a growing belief that the ruling junta is attempting to extend its stay in power through returning General Prayut Chan-o-cha as a non-elected prime minister, if he could garner sufficient support from the junta-appointed Senate and pro-junta political parties.

 

The second assumption responds to the Democrats’ repeated election losses under the current party leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has been at the party’s helm since March 2005 with strong support from his mentor Chuan. The Democrats last won a general election in 1992 under Chuan’s leadership. And many people, including some party colleagues, believe that only his comeback as the party’s leader could improve their chances of beating Pheu Thai in the election. But Chuan recently said there was only a small likelihood that he would return to the leadership, although he would not completely rule it out.

 

Two-time former prime minister Chuan, who turns 80 in July, served as the Democrat leader for more than 12 years from 1991 to 2003. During that period, he became prime minister twice – 1992 to 1995, and 1997 to 2001.

 

Both Pheu Thai and Democrat parties – the country’s largest political umbrellas – seem to be taking advantage of the speculation of a possible alliance after the next election. Such speculation certainly has undermined a possible alliance between the Democrats and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), while also having boosted the Democrats’ bargaining power and image as a “democracy champion”. It certainly looks better for the Democrats to join hands with elected civilians than military “dictators”.

However, due to their bitter rivalry in recent years, Pheu Thai is unlikely to work with the Democrat Party under Abhisit’s leadership. Chuan is a “more acceptable candidate” as government head if both parties were to form a coalition after the election. If results of the previous elections are any indication, the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties are expected to come first and second in the next national poll. And either of them could end up leading lead a coalition government after the vote, depending on how other parties fare. 

 

But it will be a little different this time. There will be three major factions after the next election – Pheu Thai, Democrat and smaller parties that support General Prayut, the incumbent prime minister and NCPO chief.

 

Political observers believe an alliance between any two groups could form a new coalition government. Pheu Thai is more likely to choose the Democrats over a pro-Prayut faction. But the Democrats are more inclined to favour pro-Prayut parties if they have to choose, according to some party sources.

 

Only a landslide victory can help Pheu Thai form the next government without having to rely on the Democrats. And that is a post-election possibility in the view of many politicians, even those from rival parties.

 

Responding to speculation that Chuan may make a comeback as the Democrat leader, deputy party chief Ong-art Klampaiboon said there have been no signs of possible changes at the top. He said Abhisit still enjoys support from many party members and that the current leader is determined to head the party ticket going into the next election battle. 

 

But the term of Abhisit and other party executives ends this April. And Chuan is not alone as a likely candidate to contest the Democrat leadership. Others include current deputy leaders Jurin Laksanawisit, Korn Chatikavanij and Apirak Kosayodhin.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30337305

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-28

this is becoming quite boring .....   heard it many times ..   lol

No watches or rings, good start.

 

Abhisit's jacket looks like baby poo colour. More outlandish than formal.

 

Not much else!

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40 minutes ago, Chris Lawrence said:

No watches or rings, good start.

 

Abhisit's jacket looks like baby poo colour. More outlandish than formal.

 

Not much else!

Abhisit looks like a waiter from the Marriot hotel.  

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

Abhisit looks like a waiter from the Marriot hotel.  

Yes, he may want to give the impression that he wants serve Thailand and not rule it.  Quite daring these days to pay homage to the working, humble Thai.  Not a look that is style. 

Edited January 28, 20188 yr by yellowboat

Returning another dinosaur to power is not the way forward.

When I first saw the picture, my immediate thought was 'what the hell are laurel and Hardy doing on TV?' And then I saw the light, dull as it was, I have to say. If this is the Democrat's best leadership strategy, my earlier optimism for both the PT and the Dems to rebuild and to rebuild stronger has taken a hefty knock. Sure, Abhisit has to go . . . what a plonker he has been, in every aspect of policy-shaping and public image. Just look at the twerp . . . dressed in a suit that he's had specially made for the concert and that he'll probably throw into the 'clothes for charity' chest.

 

As for Chuan, yes he may still command some respect but, at 80 yrs old, can he still have the dynamism and charisma that a leader will need, going into the twenty-twenties? I very much doubt it. Even in this photo, he looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights . . . either that or he's just enjoyed a spliff during the smoke break.

Can't make any judgment until the wrists are exposed.