Anger as MP defections set to harm Pheu Thai

By POLITICAL DESK 
THE NATION

 

FILE photo

 

election hopes NEW PRO-JUNTA POLITICAL PARTY ATTEMPTING TO CONVINCE POLITIC

 

THE PHEU THAI Party yesterday reacted angrily to alleged moves by a pro-junta political party to steal some of its former MPs, an effort that could weaken the former ruling party ahead of the next general election.

 

Veteran politicians linked to the new party, called Palang Pracharat, are touring the Northeast reportedly to persuade former Pheu Thai MPs to defect and join the pro-junta party.

 

The new party, named after the post-coup government’s populist development project, is linked to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and is believed to be backing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return as government head after the next election, which is tentatively set for next February.

 

The veteran politicians include Somsak Thepsuthin and Suriya Juengrungruangkit, who were both key figures in the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. It was founded by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is now Pheu Thai’s patriarch and is often referred to as “Big Boss” by its politicians.

 

Somsak and Suriya have set up a group called “Sam Mit” (Three Friends), with the third “friend” reportedly being Somkid. They have managed to persuade all of Pheu Thai’s three former MPs in the northeastern Loei province to join the new party and they are eyeing more defections.

 

Prayut yesterday denied any involvement with moves by Somsak and Suriya. He said many political parties are making moves and it was their business that he had nothing to do with.

 

However, Pheu Thai says the people in power are linked to the ongoing moves. Pheu Thai secretary general Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday denounced former party MPs who have defected. He described them as “politicians who lack ideology” and can be bought easily. Phumtham said the moves to poach Pheu Thai’s former MPs were pushing the country back to “the same old rotten politics”.

 

He said the attempts were part of the junta’s bid to “prolong their stay in power”, although he did not mention anyone by name.

 

“People will make decisions and give lessons to the politicians who lack ideology,” Phumtham said. He implied that it was the party’s popularity, and not an individual politician’s popularity, that is the deciding factor in winning an election.

 

In order to win the next election, the junta needs to weaken Pheu Thai, which under different titles – Thai Rak Thai and People Power – has won all general elections since 2001.

 

Pheu Thai’s stronghold is in the North and Northeast, where the party won most of its MP seats. Mass defections could weaken Pheu Thai, although the party believes that new candidates could win back seats from defectors.

 

Defections by incumbent and former MPs are nothing new in Thai politics. Pheu Thai itself has used the same tactic to help boost its chance of winning elections. Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said that MP defections were a common phenomenon.

 

Most of the time, they shifted when they saw an opportunity to win seats and be part of a post-election coalition, he said. This time, former MPs migrating to a new or smaller party were a result of the current rules and regulations, he said.

 

The Constitution, the organic laws, and the NCPO Order No 53/2560 have given parties an upper hand in forming a new government after the election, he added.

 

However, this tactic did not necessarily guarantee success, he said. Voter behaviour changed significantly after the 1997 Constitution, he said. Rather than choosing local leaders they were familiar with, voters learned to give importance to the affiliation parties as well.

 

“So, they may still lose, especially when they are in a party that is not recognised by the voters,” Yutthaporn said. “Pheu Thai, on the other hand, may not be that badly affected because some of these emigrating former MPs didn’t win all the elections in the past anyway.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30348168

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-20

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

THE PHEU THAI Party yesterday reacted angrily to alleged moves by a pro-junta political party to steal some of its former MPs, an effort that could weaken the former ruling party ahead of the next general election.

That´s what would be seen as normal competition in a democratic order. If they are willing to go to another party, then they are considered as lost.
Wonder how they are going to do went prople wote? Are they going to stand telling people at the door: "I get angry at you if you not vote like you did last time!" ?

It is hard to have sympathy for the PTP as this is a tactic that they themselves have used in the past. If they want to fight against it, there are many ways to do so; publicize the hell out of the fact that a former member is shifting and subtly (or not subtly) ask what they are getting in return. Ask rhetorical questions about what they might have been offered. If any of them are seen sporting a new watch, make a BIG BIG deal out of it.

 

Overall, as long as it is legal, it is fair game.

 

However, I think that the PTP would be wise to come clean about their past practices and proclaim that they have 'seen the light' and now are trying to modernize their politics to suit a post-coup polity. I strongly suspect that the Thai people are tired of the 'old' ways and would sign up with a party to made a serious effort to be 'clean'. Given its history, it is a bit difficult for the PTP, but as no one would expect perfection, they have a reasonably good chance to pull it off.

 

And, it would be good for Thai politics in general.

 

"...Prayut yesterday denied any involvement with moves by Somsak and Suriya. He said many political parties are making moves and it was their business that he had nothing to do with..."

 

What a load of BS! I know that to a certain extent, this is the "Thai way" to deny things that are patently true, but as above I suspect that the Thai voters are tiring of this kind of nonsense. Yes, there is an element in Thai culture which says that the rich and powerful can't be questioned, but I think the endless lying that might have been acceptable in past times is losing its grip in politics; simply put, after so many lies, I think the Thai people are ready for a party or politicians who 'tell it like it is'. Prayut's game of trying to be 'above politics' can be destroyed quite easily; every time a Pol meets people, get them to ask "Do you think Prayut is a politician"? At rallies, have the crowd chant "Prayut is a politician". At news conferences, state "Prayut is a politician" again and again. And, ALWAYS point out that he wants to go back to "Old Style Politics" of bribery, pay-offs, double-dealing etc etc etc.

 

I think it would be quite successful.

 

The Junta are allowing themselves to be seen as "old style" politicians. And the most powerful political slogan of all time is "it is time for a change"...

 

Edited June 19, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

12 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

but I think the endless lying that might have been acceptable in past times is losing its grip in politics

Sorry, but I see no signs of this. Thai voters are like crime investigators, they follow the money trail, and always will. The indications I'm getting from two separate villages is that the influence of the old money is still prominent, and therefore voters will once again sell their vote to the highest bidder. 

But it's interesting to see the political prostitutes in action again. Pheu Thai in all its manifestations knows them only too well. 

 

"Lady, if I gave you a million dollars, would you sleep with me?"

"I'd have to think about it."

"If I gave you one dollar would you sleep with me?"

"What do you THINK I AM?"

"We've already established that, now we're only haggling over the price."

Maybe they know who is going to win the election and want to ensure themselves a place at the money pot !

Well, leaving a party that presents a high risk of being dissolved by the Junta for any reason may be a rational decision.....

So, what is the price of loyalty these days??? PTP obviously not bidding high enough!

what a joke, the ptp have paid off others for years to join them, all of their members put financial returns first and now they are bitching because they are losing members to another party, pretty hypocritical really, good enough for them but not others. I am sure thaksin will start offering bigger dollars to them all soon though to stem the flow, he definitely doesnt like losing as it will ruin his cash cow

Politician change party for money, people angry.

Time for new politic! 

It is true that if you are pro-junta you can politic as much as you like, attend rallies etc. it's all being nicely set-up for 'show'. 

31 minutes ago, Anak Nakal said:

Politician change party for money, people angry.

Time for new politic! 

A decade of civil unrest, 2 coups, social media, new parties and first time young voters will change politics. There are lots for the electorate to unpack after 4 years of living under a junta government. 

It's hilarious Pheua Thai complaining about defections. They are the true masters of 'persuading' politicians to jump ship. Chavalit's New Aspiration Party of over 70 MPs was swallowed up whole bar one MP by Thaksin years ago.

 There is often the carrot and stick approach employed in defections, especially if it is the party in power trying to persuade the MP.

Financial incentives of large monthly payments.

Secondly, threats of prosecution for some crime (corruption) in the past if the MP does not respond. This can be very effective!

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

It is hard to have sympathy for the PTP as this is a tactic that they themselves have used in the past. If they want to fight against it, there are many ways to do so; publicize the hell out of the fact that a former member is shifting and subtly (or not subtly) ask what they are getting in return. Ask rhetorical questions about what they might have been offered. If any of them are seen sporting a new watch, make a BIG BIG deal out of it.

 

Overall, as long as it is legal, it is fair game.

 

However, I think that the PTP would be wise to come clean about their past practices and proclaim that they have 'seen the light' and now are trying to modernize their politics to suit a post-coup polity. I strongly suspect that the Thai people are tired of the 'old' ways and would sign up with a party to made a serious effort to be 'clean'. Given its history, it is a bit difficult for the PTP, but as no one would expect perfection, they have a reasonably good chance to pull it off.

 

And, it would be good for Thai politics in general.

 

"...Prayut yesterday denied any involvement with moves by Somsak and Suriya. He said many political parties are making moves and it was their business that he had nothing to do with..."

 

What a load of BS! I know that to a certain extent, this is the "Thai way" to deny things that are patently true, but as above I suspect that the Thai voters are tiring of this kind of nonsense. Yes, there is an element in Thai culture which says that the rich and powerful can't be questioned, but I think the endless lying that might have been acceptable in past times is losing its grip in politics; simply put, after so many lies, I think the Thai people are ready for a party or politicians who 'tell it like it is'. Prayut's game of trying to be 'above politics' can be destroyed quite easily; every time a Pol meets people, get them to ask "Do you think Prayut is a politician"? At rallies, have the crowd chant "Prayut is a politician". At news conferences, state "Prayut is a politician" again and again. And, ALWAYS point out that he wants to go back to "Old Style Politics" of bribery, pay-offs, double-dealing etc etc etc.

 

I think it would be quite successful.

 

The Junta are allowing themselves to be seen as "old style" politicians. And the most powerful political slogan of all time is "it is time for a change"...

 

 

You still seem to think Pheu Thai are a real political party rather than a wholly owned subsidiary of one family.

 

Who do you think decides who runs the party, who gets chosen has MP's and Ministers? Might it be the person who pays them a salary over and above their official one?

 

PT can never go "clean" because their big boss would never allow that. Nor we he allow any policies or decisions he didn't agree with.

 

As for defections. When you buy someones loyalty you always run the risk a better offer will be accepted. Mercenary but that's how it is.

 

 

1 hour ago, seajae said:

what a joke, the ptp have paid off others for years to join them, all of their members put financial returns first and now they are bitching because they are losing members to another party, pretty hypocritical really, good enough for them but not others. I am sure thaksin will start offering bigger dollars to them all soon though to stem the flow, he definitely doesnt like losing as it will ruin his cash cow

 

Of course. But he's always used the public's treasury funds rather than his own money. Access to the trough has been denied for several years now. So he's probably being meaner and not splashing so much about now. That's making them easier targets for defections and prompting the bitching.

2 hours ago, candide said:

Well, leaving a party that presents a high risk of being dissolved by the Junta for any reason may be a rational decision.....

But surely the ideology of the party to which they are defecting should be similar to the party they are leaving? Oops, idiot me. There is one tenet that seems to be common to most parties, one that MPs take to heart, getting rich at the trough of plenty.  

Nice to see the the ruling junta is allowing political parties to prepare for the next election at last.

Obviously PT are being allowed to do the same thing right?

7 hours ago, Get Real said:

That´s what would be seen as normal competition in a democratic order.

A 'normal' democratic order is not constrained by laws like Thailand's Political Act and a military junta that allows exceptions to pro-military parties to campaign.

Thailand is not yet a place for normal competition in a democratic order.

Please Be Real.

Just now, Srikcir said:

A 'normal' democratic order is not constrained by laws like Thailand's Political Act and a military junta that allows exceptions to pro-military parties to campaign.

Thailand is not yet a place for normal competition in a democratic order.

Please Be Real.

Yeah, and back to you. Please understand the meaning in what you read. What do you think I meant with my comment? That Thailand is a place for a normal democratic order or not?
Sometimes I get amazed over the capabilities and the level of understanding.

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

But surely the ideology of the party to which they are defecting should be similar to the party they are leaving? Oops, idiot me. There is one tenet that seems to be common to most parties, one that MPs take to heart, getting rich at the trough of plenty.  

Yea, that is the problem they are not loyal to a party, they are loyal to their wallet. Given that often voters have allegiance to their MP this could hurt the PTP. No wonder they are angry, but they did the same thing. All the bad tricks they did in the past are now used against them. Fitting justice IMHO, were it not for the fact Prayut proclaimed to not do such things and commented on it before (hypocrite)

The current regime took the bait long ago.  The neighbors to the north are setting (have set) the hook and have been supporting authoritarian regimes globally.   Thailand is another strategic (and easy) windfall.  Look at a map of SE Asia, look at the Chinese influence and authoritarian/communist rule/ideology spreading.   This is China's goal.  Easier to eventually absorb/prop an authoritarian regime, than take over a feisty democracy.  It’s the textbook “long game” strategy, and now the “mark” has love in his eyes and is proposing.

This coup scenario is not new to Thailand obviously, but this one is a different animal.  This one has shaped up to have permanent effects.  More interests (government(s), business, sangha and laymen) are in line to benefit from an authoritarian regime, a majority of the country depends on graft/gifts/donations/schemes as part of their survival, extreme wealth and “position”.  
4 years of “smiling and waving” by the Thai general population, and hordes of leaches waiting patiently for their next opportune feeding frenzy, has provided enough time to perhaps cement the neighbor to the north's 20 year plan, not Thailand’s.
 

13 hours ago, GarryP said:

But surely the ideology of the party to which they are defecting should be similar to the party they are leaving? Oops, idiot me. There is one tenet that seems to be common to most parties, one that MPs take to heart, getting rich at the trough of plenty.  

On top of it, similar parties may be dissolved too. ?