‘Chuan, Supachai being considered’ to take over Democrat Party leadership

[rooster59]

‘Chuan, Supachai being considered’ to take over Democrat Party leadership

By THE NATION

 

 

 

DEMOCRAT PARTY partriarch Chuan Leekpai admitted yesterday there is an attempt within the party to replace current leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and that he and Supachai Panichpakdi were being considered.

 

Any change, however, depended on the party’s executive board and the candidates, he said.

 

Chuan, however, said that he would rather leave the opportunity for new leaders, as he had already served two consecutive terms as head of government. Chuan was speaking yesterday at a Songkran religious celebration in his hometown and political stronghold of Trang province.

 

“I have explained to many Democrat members that we need to pave the way for new people. What we’re trying to do now is draw new people into the party,” the former Democrat chief said. “They are not necessarily young people. They can be anyone who is good, knowledgeable and honest.”

Supachai, an adviser to the Democrat Party, was a former secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and director of the World Trade Organisation before that.

 

Chuan said Supachai could be the next leader if he won the vote in the party and agreed to take the reins.

 

Currently, Abhisit remains head of the Democrat Party, he said, adding the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has not yet allowed any meetings of political parties.

 

But once the ban is lifted, Chuan said that the party had to vote for a new leader following the new rules imposed by the new organic laws. Abhisit could keep his position only after winning a new vote, he added.

 

Meanwhile, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was among the first to take to social media to wish Thai people happiness and good health. He also said that he joined Thai people in hoping that for the next Songkran the country would have an elected government.

 

It was his first post since March last year. His sister and former premier Yingluck Shinawatra remains inactive on social media since fleeing the country in August last year. But a photo of Yingluck with her son went viral on the Internet yesterday, showing both getting blessings from Thaksin, reportedly in Thaksin’s home in Dubai.

 

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday accepted a request to review the constitutionality of the MP election bill. The move potentially could delay the election now planned for February next year.

 

Sudarat Keyuraphan, a key member of Pheu Thai Party, also wished the people happiness on her Facebook page and said that they have the strength to get through any obstacles and contribute to the country.

 

Meanwhile, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, celebrated Songkran in Udon Thani province in the Northeast during his trip to meet with local people, listening to their issues in preparation for the upcoming election.

 

A Facebook live broadcast yesterday showed Thanathorn visiting a temple and also hanging out with the local people.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30343127

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-14

 

[Samui Bodoh]

I think that it would be much more remarkable if there wasn't consideration of replacing Abhisit.

 

The Dems and Abhisit resemble a Go-Go bar in the late afternoon before the sun goes down. In your mind, picture Abhisit as an aging, sagging, drooping working girl who needs to shed a few pounds standing in front of a building which needs a coat of paint and to replace a few light bulbs and some signage. Not a pretty sight, is it?

 

Abhisit and the Dems have had their chance(s), but they haven't done anything with them and now their time has passed. Is the Dem brand dead? No, not yet. However, is there anyone out there excited about Abhisit? The Dem party? I don't really think so; they will get support and votes because they have been around for a long time and old habits die hard, but new support? Excited, eager supporters? I don't see it...

 

It would be a good thing to get rid of Abhisit as he is tainted in the eyes of roughly half the population over his actions (or lack thereof) in the slaughter of people on the streets of Bangkok a few years back. I am sure that there will be people who post that it was the 'Reds' fault, but while they certainly do share some blame, the idea that 100 or so people died and thousands were injured and it was 100% their fault is ludicrous. Further, I would point out that the organization that "cleared" Abhisit is the same one that has done such a splendid job regarding Prawit's watches. Finally, even if you do consider Abhisit 100% innocent in that incident (ridiculous!), millions don't and NEVER, EVER will.

 

The Dems should replace Abhisit for one final reason (for today...). The aftermath of an election will likely see a possible government of the PTP and the Dems which could supplant the military and/or Prayut. Is this a sure thing? Certainly not; having those two parties come together would be extraordinarily difficult, but if it ousted the military it would be a GREAT thing. And, it would be impossible to do if Abhisit were still there.

 

So long, Mark. You had your chance and you failed.

 

"Hit the road, Jack! And don't you come back no more no more..." 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2018 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

[Darcula]

11 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

They can be anyone who is good, knowledgeable and honest.

 

Good luck.

[Anak Nakal]

Abhisit, go away!

You lose.

[smutcakes]

So the Democratic Party who desperately need to modernise and win voters confidence, feels that the best way to do this is to potentially replace its leader with an 80 year old man.......

[Expatthailover]

Trump is older than bush and was the oldest of all the front runners in the republican run off.

Age is no real indicator of ability, honesty, integrity etc etc especially for politicians.

[smutcakes]

27 minutes ago, Expatthailover said:

Trump is older than bush and was the oldest of all the front runners in the republican run off.

Age is no real indicator of ability, honesty, integrity etc etc especially for politicians.

We have been there with Chuan before. He was no different to all other politicians. We need change not dragging back to the past. 

[Anak Nakal]

4 hours ago, smutcakes said:

So the Democratic Party who desperately need to modernise and win voters confidence, feels that the best way to do this is to potentially replace its leader with an 80 year old man.......

Age not important.

Abhisit have chance, fail!

Bye!

 

[smutcakes]

1 minute ago, Anak Nakal said:

Age not important.

Abhisit have chance, fail!

Bye!

 

The whole party needs to modernise. It cannot do anything as it is run by old political factions. Even Abhisit could not change much at the party. But they need to move forward and get rid of the old dinosaurs in the party stuck in the past.

[scorecard]

"Is the Dem brand dead? No, not yet."

 

Agree, but it will be dead soon if they don't get many new capable sincere faces, some very different attitudes and policies and rid themselves of their dinosaur 'executive board'.