Former Ruling Thai Rak Thai Party In Disarray; Member Exodus

[george]

Former ruling Thai Rak Thai Party in disarray; member exodus

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy prime minister and acting deputy leader of the former ruling party Suwat Liptapanlop and some 30 former MPs in his faction have resigned as members of an embattled Thai Rak Thai Party, saying they have joined other leading politicians to create a ''national conciliation'' alliance.

In a press conference at his Bangkok residence, Mr. Suwat said he chose to have his faction resign en masse from the TRT because its former leader, deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, declared his intention to stay out of politics.

Mr. Suwat, leader of the so-called Lam Takhong faction, said he had not yet decided to set up a new party, pending the drafting of the Constitution and a ruling of the Constitution Tribunal on the TRT's electoral-rigging charges, which could lead to dissolution of the party.

Mr. Suwat, former leader of Chart Pattana Party, said he had consulted with other former ministers, namely Pinij Charusombat, head of the so-called Wang Phayanak faction, and Suwit Khunkitti and Preecha

Laohaphongchana, about forming a national conciliation alliance.

The former ministers, including Mr. Suwat, are believed to control dozens of veteran MPs from Northeastern constituencies.

He dismissed criticisms that he had been urged by Gen. Winai Phatthiyakul, permanent secretary for defense and Council for National Security secretary general, to resign from the party founded by Thaksin Shinawatra along with a number of his colleagues and proteges.

Mr. Suwat said he had not met Gen. Winai since the September 19 coup d'etat which overthrew the Thaksin government. Neither had his decision to leave the once-ruling party been influenced in any way by the general, the former deputy premier added.

--TNA 2007-02-09

[Jai Dee]

Suwat Liptapanlop, right, talks to Pinij Charusombat at a party for Suwat’s 52nd birthday yesterday. Suwat left the Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday and announced a political alliance with Pinij, who left the party last year

Source: The Nation - 10 February 2007

[John K]

I hope the Thai government will change the law to be people in power at the time of and incident will be banned for 5 years. That should keep the rats from infesting another ship and encourage better behavior.

[PhilHarries]

Politics, from the latin 'Poly' meaning 'many' and 'ticks' blood sucking insects.

The term 'Thai politics' is an oxymoron to end all oxymorons.

There is no political parties, ideals nor policies within the Thai political system. Just a bunch of power hungry leeches who will stop at nothing to get elected into a position of power from where they can siphon off funds to support their's and their family's life style.

What's the difference between a dead rat and a dead politician on the road?

There are skid marks in front of the rat.

[sheepshank]

erm, nearly right Mr PhilHarries, but it goes back much further than the Latin. I'm not a classics scholar but I can read the OED satisfactorily and the origin of the word goes something like this:

"Middle English via Old French politique and Latin politicus from Greek politikos, via polites 'citizen' from polis 'city'.

Notwithstanding that, I know where you're coming from. Rgds

[Pattayaman]

I do believe this is due to a deal with the junta,to make sure TRT does not return.Resign and we leave you to form new party or join existing party.THat way the TRT is finished and no threat to the MIlitary

[Tony Clifton]

I do believe this is due to a deal with the junta,to make sure TRT does not return.Resign and we leave you to form new party or join existing party.THat way the TRT is finished and no threat to the MIlitary

The whole process would be useless if they were allowed to stay in politics and form new parties. That would only create more headaches down the road. They had their chance but stayed with the party all these years even though they were fully aware of many dubious tactics and scams.

A mafia member on trial would not be excused by having left the gang AFTER charges were brought upon them. The dissolution of the party is directly related to electoral fraud, all those who were present until then must be banned, if not, all of this is a waste of time and money now and down the road.

[Siripon]

I believe it's like this. The junta fear the referendum of the new constitution will not pass if TRT are still united so they're promising various factions if they break away and act like good boys telling their constituents to vote for the constitution then they'll survive.

Plus Suwat, who is a classic bend with the wind politician, sees how Thaksin is not helping himself with his mouth.

[Siripon]

I believe it's like this. The junta fear the referendum of the new constitution will not pass if TRT are still united so they're promising various factions if they break away and act like good boys telling their constituents to vote for the constitution then they'll survive.

Plus Suwat, who is a classic bend with the wind politician, sees how Thaksin is not helping himself with his mouth.

[kmart]

They will all drop out of the limelight for a while before re-emerging in some other form or other. No political parties here ever have policies or roadmaps for the future of the country, they just need to get their feudalistic faction's snouts back in the trough of public funds.

Thais seem to have the memory spans of autistic goldfish in allowing these people back into power. It always makes me laugh when they achieve power; then turn around and start talking about the nation's "morals" though.

[Briggsy]

A mafia member on trial would not be excused by having left the gang AFTER charges were brought upon them. The dissolution of the party is directly related to electoral fraud, all those who were present until then must be banned, if not, all of this is a waste of time and money now and down the road.

Absolutely, this is like putting the car in court whilst letting the drunken driver walk away scot free.

They will all drop out of the limelight for a while before re-emerging in some other form or other. No political parties here ever have policies or roadmaps for the future of the country, they just need to get their feudalistic faction's snouts back in the trough of public funds.

Thais seem to have the memory spans of autistic goldfish in allowing these people back into power. It always makes me laugh when they achieve power; then turn around and start talking about the nation's "morals" though.

Bizarre, isn't it. It's a mixture of fatalism, a lack of moral discipline, and putting their collective heads in the sand on the part of the electorate.