‘New blood’ politician seeks to heal division

By POLITICAL DESK 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

THE SO-CALLED “new blood” political party to be led by “pro-democracy” billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has promised to be an alternative to lead the conflict-plagued country out of the cycle of political division.

 

The 39-year-old auto-parts tycoon admitted that he had been described as “another Thaksin Shinawatra”, but asked for time to prove himself.

 

“There’s no way to prove what I am unless I have the opportunity to get down to it,” he said in a recent interview with The101.world on Facebook Live. 

 

“I want to prove that there are politicians who take the public agenda really seriously.”

 

Because he is a nephew of businessman-turned-politician Suriya Juangroongruangkit, a key figure in the Thaksin-led Thai Rak Thai Party and former transport minister, critics have expressed doubt whether Thanathorn is really just a successor to his uncle. Also, some people view him as having a close connection with the Shinawatra family, which has retained substantial influence in the previously ruling Pheu Thai Party. Thanathorn, however, dismissed such perceptions, saying that he only saw his uncle once or twice a year, adding that Suriya had been ill and was not politically active.

 

“People ask how I’m going to clear this impression. I can only say that if you are narrow-minded, you may look at my family name. But if you are open-minded, then look at my actions,” he said. “I don’t have to clear this impression. This is the best I can do.”

 

The young heir to the giant auto-parts manufacturer Thai Summit announced earlier this month that he would form an “alternative party” to contest the next election as the Election Commission began accepting prospective parties’ pre-registrations. The partial relaxation of the ban on political activities came after almost four years of restrictions imposed since the 2014 military coup. 

 

The group, which is jointly led by “progressive pro-democracy” law professor Piyabutr Saengkanikkul, is seen as a new alternative for progressive young people who have lived in the recent conflict-ridden political climate, which they had done very little to create.

 

Royalists and conservatives, however, perceive the group as “anti-establishment”. One reason is that Thanathorn is the financier of the political publishing house Same Sky Books, which publishes books critical of the monarchy, while Piyabutr is a member of the Nitirat group that advocates the abolishment of the draconian lese majeste law. Thanathorn said both he and Piyabutr shared the same strong political stance. His goal in politics was to create a future that everyone could share in and steer the country out of conflict and divisions, he said. 

 

Also, he said he believed a strong parliamentary system and the rule of law were the two most critical issues he wanted to advocate.

“Our firm political stance and wish is the crucial point to solving problems and fix the so-called patronage system,” he said. “Our decision about the solution has nothing to do with power, economic power or the need to maintain relationships with anyone. It comes from our very stance and I believe it can tackle complex issues.”

 

Thanathorn said it would take time before his party could really accomplish anything as it still had to learn along with society. “People, having gone through the deep conflict in the past decade, have learned something. And that forms a foundation for a strong democracy,” he said. Despite being painted with a “red shirt” image, the tycoon asked for support from various colour-coded political camps, including supporters of the defunct pro-coup movement People’s Democratic Reform Committee as well as the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

 

Thanathorn sought support from the red-shirts to help grow and sustain the country’s democracy.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30340656

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-11

23 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Also, he said he believed a strong parliamentary system and the rule of law were the two most critical issues he wanted to advocate.

“Our firm political stance and wish is the crucial point to solving problems and fix the so-called patronage system,” he said.

If he truly wishes to provide 'rule of law' instead of 'rule by the creation of many laws to control the citizens' then he needs to be listened to. And that patronage system really needs to go. Any good young Thai who has lived through the last 30 years of corruption, power abuse and takeover by gun must be busting to start a fix.

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Thanathorn sought support from the red-shirts to help grow and sustain the country’s democracy.

He will win the election and will probably be arrested by the army for being too powerful too popular a force.  He better start passport shopping now and sort out a second home outside of Thailand.   

3 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

He will win the election and will probably be arrested by the army for being too powerful too popular a force.  He better start passport shopping now and sort out a second home outside of Thailand.   

Well if he is perceived as a threat to their hegemony, then he will be stopped long before a ballot is cast. He/his party will not be allowed to form, or if it does will be banned or dissolved on some trumped up charge.

I like the noises that this 'young Turk' makes. To watch him oust Prayut and his 40 thieves, next year, would make me want to apply for residency . . . yes, it would be so good.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Because he is a nephew of businessman-turned-politician Suriya Juangroongruangkit, a key figure in the Thaksin-led Thai Rak Thai Party and former transport minister, critics have expressed doubt whether Thanathorn is really just a successor to his uncle. Also, some people view him as having a close connection with the Shinawatra family, which has retained substantial influence in the previously ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Oh swell, another proxy for the Shins. I'm sure this will turn out well.

The guy sounds really really promising. Can't say too much, might get banned and/or arrested.....

Interesting... I'll be following their progress or downfall :)

Would be nice if he gets into government. I however doubt it and not because of the army but because of the power the PTP and Democrats still have. People don't start voting different that fast.

 

I would prefer this guy above everyone else, though so far I have yet to see non corrupt politicians. Anyway the old blood has failed let new blood try.

4 hours ago, ramrod711 said:

Oh swell, another proxy for the Shins. I'm sure this will turn out well.

You can't judge a book by its cover . . . I'm hoping.

1 hour ago, robblok said:

People don't start voting different that fast.

Perhaps they might, given the eighty years of crap governance that they've suffered.

I have yet to see any business 'tycoon' - anywhere - put democracy before their family & business interests. If, and only if, he is prepared to set up a party that does not rely on his 'guidance' or dominance, then he would be a first in Thailand and good luck to him.

He certainly looks the part, now all he needs is a miracle.

Seems like a nice chap with a grand plan, I can hear the tanks warming up already.

 

Number 20.

 

 

This fellow has a tough fight ahead of him. The PTB have had a stranglehold on this country for so long they are not going to rollover easily. I already hear the gears of political sabotage starting to grind away. In any case, I wish him the best of luck. Thailand is in desperate need of change, hope and a fresh start. If elected, I hope he stands by his words. 

8 hours ago, ramrod711 said:

Oh swell, another proxy for the Shins. I'm sure this will turn out well.

The Shins were bad and they dug their own grave but nothing could be worse than the Junta and those pulling their strings continuing to hold an iron grip over the country. I initially welcomed the coup when it happened but I was to naïve  - like many - at the time to see it for what it really was. Once expressing an opinion became a criminal offense the illusion was shattered.

7 hours ago, robblok said:

Would be nice if he gets into government. I however doubt it and not because of the army but because of the power the PTP and Democrats still have. People don't start voting different that fast.

 

I would prefer this guy above everyone else, though so far I have yet to see non corrupt politicians. Anyway the old blood has failed let new blood try.

You prefer someone you know nothing about other than they are not Thaksin or a General..... all brains you are.

7 minutes ago, pornprong said:

You prefer someone you know nothing about other than they are not Thaksin or a General..... all brains you are.

Generals have failed.. Thaksin has failed everyone has failed.. time to let someone else try. 

 

You know what Einstein calls doing the Same thing (old politicians and army) over and over again and expecting different results.