Democrat admits Suthep might inspire party defections in South

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Democrat admits Suthep might inspire party defections in South

By The Nation

 

 

THE DEMOCRAT Party’s support base in the South may be affected by a new political party that will be set up by Suthep Thaugsuban, who was previously a key Democrat politician, according to a deputy party leader.
 

Nipit Intarasombat, the Democrat deputy leader in charge of the South, said yesterday the party obviously had the same support base as Suthep and his People’s Democratic Reform Foundation.

 

“We share the same support base, so the party will be partially affected,” Nipit said.

 

He also said a number of Democrat politicians had worked with Suthep when his group was known as the People’s Democratic Reform (PDRC), adding that many of those Democrats would probably join Suthep’s new party.

 

The PDRC, in which Suthep served as secretary-general, held street rallies against the former government of Yingluck Shinawatra, drawing support from thousands of people. The protests continued for many months, with the subsequent political confrontations leading to the military coup in May 2014. After the coup, the PDRC ostensibly became a charity foundation led by Suthep.

 

Suthep recently said his group would set up a new political party primarily to support Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to return as premier after the next election.

 

Nipit said yesterday that unlike the PDRC, the Democrat Party backed its current leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to become prime minister after the election. The Democrat Party has traditionally dominated constituencies in the southern provinces and often won most contested MP seats in the region. The PDRC also has many supporters in the South.

 

Abhisit yesterday said he was not concerned that a number of Democrat politicians might defect to join Suthep’s new party.

 

“They have the right to decide if they want to stay with the Democrat Party or not. But so far, no party members have resigned,” Abhisit said, adding that the party has been firm with its long-held principles and ideology.

 

The Democrat leader yesterday also called on the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to relax its rules on political gatherings, which were perceived as obstacles for politicians’ activities. Suspending the ban on political activities would also prevent political conflicts, he added.

 

Abhisit, a former prime minister, also asked the ruling junta to heed the opinions of different groups of people. He added that he did not think doing so would result in the government’s stability being undermined. “It’s just the opinions of some groups of people,” he said.

 

“Also, the government needs to maintain the credibility of the road map,” Abhisit said, referring to the government’s timetable for the next election.

 

There have been frequent changes to the scheduling of the original post-coup road map to an election, with critics pointing out that the delays enabled the NCPO to remain in power for a longer duration.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30339651

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-26

 

 

[Samui Bodoh]

Two thoughts come to mind in reading this story;

 

Suthep may well win several seats in the South; he is popular in some circles and he has loads of money (from where is a good question, but that is another matter). However, he is such a reviled figure that for every vote he gains, I suspect that he will inspire counter-votes of a roughly equal number.

 

The second thought is that if the military manages to stay in power based on largely the south/Suthep led votes, the North will go up in flames.

 

As noted before, interesting times...

[smutcakes]

The fact that any party would need a coiltion to be able to select the PM makes this fairly irrelevant. Sutheps heading a party just gives him more bargainning power when the Dems or military come knocking needing to get a coilition together. Expect to see Suthep in charge of a big ministry with deep pockets and lots of procurement projects. Having his party, Bhumjum and military all in a coilition could bring corruption to unprecedented levels 

[Srikcir]

In previous elections Suthep has always swept the southern provinces for critical Democrat support. Since the 2014 coup Muslims overwhelmingly opposed the 2016 draft constitution and the junta has continued its suppression of Muslim culture and tradition, failing to get insurgents to peace talks. Suthep forming a pro-military party might be the spark that rallies Muslims to vote for military opposition parties.

[realenglish1]

This is a loony politician People forget he lies through his teeth while smiling and saying he likes democracy He is not for democracy He wants to be dictator 

[Eric Loh]

PTP must be enjoying all this self destruction of the oldest political in Thailand. They may even grab some seats in the far south. Disillusion faithful may even abandon supporting Dem. Incumbent Chuan may have to be re-called to lead and save the party. 

 

[seajae]

suthep and his family are all corrupt, everyone in the south knows it, while he may have his supporters, those that know the truth will not follow him, he will be relying on the uneducated ones.  Still waiting for him to be locked up for all his previous corrupt practices

 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

PTP must be enjoying all this self destruction of the oldest political in Thailand. They may even grab some seats in the far south. Disillusion faithful may even abandon supporting Dem. Incumbent Chuan may have to be re-called to lead and save the party. 

 

 

The Democrats are wll past their best by date, and IMHO, couldn't win an election if they were the only party standing for it. The entire Democrat leadership needs replacing by younger people who know and understand that Thailand and the world have changed in the last 30 or so years.

 

They will never win anything while Abhisit is the party leader and in line for the PM slot should they win. Abhisit is probably a very nice guy personally but both he and the Democrats carry a very heavy load from 2010 and it is not one that is easily forgotten.

 

That will also apply to Suthep and his party.

[thaiguzzi]

On 2/26/2018 at 11:39 AM, Srikcir said:

In previous elections Suthep has always swept the southern provinces for critical Democrat support. Since the 2014 coup Muslims overwhelmingly opposed the 2016 draft constitution and the junta has continued its suppression of Muslim culture and tradition, failing to get insurgents to peace talks. Suthep forming a pro-military party might be the spark that rallies Muslims to vote for military opposition parties.

Lets hope so, hey?

 

On 2/26/2018 at 5:09 AM, Samui Bodoh said:

Two thoughts come to mind in reading this story;

 

Suthep may well win several seats in the South; he is popular in some circles and he has loads of money (from where is a good question, but that is another matter). However, he is such a reviled figure that for every vote he gains, I suspect that he will inspire counter-votes of a roughly equal number.

 

The second thought is that if the military manages to stay in power based on largely the south/Suthep led votes, the North will go up in flames.

 

As noted before, interesting times...

Correctomondo. Whatever party he stands for, the North and NE will guarantee vote for the polar opposite.

Every time.

Forever more.

Until he is dead.