Ex-PDRC member set to challenge Abhisit as Democrat Party leader

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Ex-PDRC member set to challenge Abhisit as Democrat Party leader

By THE NATION

 

file photo

 

FORMER PHITSANULOK Democrat MP Warong Dechgitvigrom will on Thursday announce his decision to run as party leader.

 

The challenge against incumbent party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has held the post for 13 years, is backed by members of the former People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), including figures such as Thavorn Seneam.

 

While the nomination suggests conflicts in the Democrat Party – the country’s oldest political party and recognised for being a strong institution – Warong said in a Facebook post that his supporters aimed to strengthen the party, make it great again and win the election.

 

“There’s no hidden agenda or any outside influence at work here,” he said, apparently in reference of allegations that the PDRC was seeking control to secure parliamentary seats in the next election.

 

Before Warong’s name came up as a challenger to Abhisit, news circulated that Suthep Thaugsuban’s Pacific City Club and Akanat Phromphan’s home were being used as war rooms as a decision was being made about challenging Abhisit.

 

Warong, however, rejected this, saying that the plan was mostly made at Thavorn’s home, which is not far from the Democrat headquarters.

 

Both Warong and Thavorn had been active members of the now-defunct PDRC, which ousted former PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s government in 2014. Warong also led the exposing of irregularities in the Yingluck government’s rice-pledging scheme.

 

The Democrat Party is expected to choose a new leader by November following the promulgation of new organic laws, which require parties to set out regulations and choose new executives before launching their election campaigns.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30355138

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-25

[Bob12345]

One crook or the other, who cares?

Can't they create a computer generated face like in the movie Simone (S1Mone with Al Pacino), then at least we don't have to look at the crooks ugly mug.

[Eric Loh]

Really sad to see Thailand's oldest party keep imploding and torn by members unscrupulous pursuit of self-interest and agenda. The party has organizational frailty, lack of discipline and poor leadership and now failed to be a party for popular representation. I think the problem started with Chuan's weakness to sacked his deputy Suthep for his Phuket land scam and allowed him to continue to weld enormous power in the party's politics. Followed by Ahbisit undemocratic moves to boycott elections and sided with the military. Now all these failures to maintain party discipline has come home to roost with the leadership crisis. Ahbisit can still re-write his own personal failures by sticking to his previous anti-junta position, fend off the leadership challenge and purge those members who were with the PDRC or worked with the junta. Probably the last chance for him to redeem himself. 

[thairookie]

What is Abhisit's full time job, may I ask ?

 

 

[geriatrickid]

Not imploding. On the contrary, I see this as a sign of vitality and health. 13 years of poor leadership, of one failed strategy after another and of electoral loss. Abhisit's position should have been reviewed  after his first defeat at the polls and then at a regular interval as is done elsewhwere. 

 

Is Abhisit any different than the military rulers? He is unchallenged and not accountable to anyone in the party. He is weak and pliable, which is probably what the generals prefer.

[newatthis]

1 hour ago, geriatrickid said:

Not imploding. On the contrary, I see this as a sign of vitality and health. 13 years of poor leadership, of one failed strategy after another and of electoral loss. Abhisit's position should have been reviewed  after his first defeat at the polls and then at a regular interval as is done elsewhwere. 

 

Is Abhisit any different than the military rulers? He is unchallenged and not accountable to anyone in the party. He is weak and pliable, which is probably what the generals prefer.

Nah! This is all about revenge. Abhisit never really supported Suthep during the 2013/14 demonstrations and the lattter has a memory like an elephant. If this bloke wins, he'll take the Democrats to team up with Suthep and his ACT party to support the junta leader as future PM.  Not being a junta supporter, Abhisit will be thrown to the wolves while the wicked warlock of Surat Thani will once again rise up in power.

[zzaa09]

9 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Really sad to see Thailand's oldest party keep imploding and torn by members unscrupulous pursuit of self-interest and agenda. The party has organizational frailty, lack of discipline and poor leadership and now failed to be a party for popular representation. I think the problem started with Chuan's weakness to sacked his deputy Suthep for his Phuket land scam and allowed him to continue to weld enormous power in the party's politics. Followed by Ahbisit undemocratic moves to boycott elections and sided with the military. Now all these failures to maintain party discipline has come home to roost with the leadership crisis. Ahbisit can still re-write his own personal failures by sticking to his previous anti-junta position, fend off the leadership challenge and purge those members who were with the PDRC or worked with the junta. Probably the last chance for him to redeem himself. 

Almost a reflective metaphor is describing the workings of worldwide politics, in general. 

Scallawags and charlatans club.

[GinBoy2]

Abhisit is one of those great what if's.

When he was summoned back to Thailand, I had great hopes.

Western educated, understood and lived in a real democracy, might actually have the chops to make a real difference.

Sadly he just slipped back into his class and performed his expected role.

Basically worthless, and no different to any of the others....except he speaks better English!