REPORT: Democrats have sown seeds of own demise

[webfact]

REPORT: Democrats have sown seeds of own demise

By JINTANA PANYAARVUDH 
THE NATION

 

Abhisit Vejjajiva

 

Leading the charter amendment process could give the party a new lease on life
 

THE FUTURE of the country’s oldest political party, the Democrat, is gloomy, say analysts, and it’s sure to be an uphill task if it is to regain popularity after it joined the pro-junta coalition government. 

 

The 73-year-old party suffered a humiliating setback in the March 24 election, winning only 53 seats, and not a single seat in Bangkok, a key stronghold.

 

Traditional Democrat support went instead to the Phalang Pracharat and Future Forward parties, while Phalang Pracharat and Bhumjaithai took command in the other Democrat base, the South. 

 

The Democrats last week resolved to join the Phalang Pracharat-led pro-military bloc in forming a coalition government and supported junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return as prime minister.

 

Abhisit Vejjajiva resigns from a party-list MP last week.

 

Ahead of the March election, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva had declared that his party would not support Prayut’s return to power and would not ally with any “corrupt politicians”. In the wake of the trouncing at the polls, he resigned as party leader and then quit as a party-list MP when the Democrats swung to Prayut’s side. 

 

“There is no bright future for the Democrats – the party is dying,” said Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of political science at Ubon Ratchathani University.

 

Its decision to join the pro-junta bloc proves that they never believed in the principles of democracy and party interest was a priority for them, he said.

Titipol said the Democrats going into the election failed to consider the more liberal outlook of the burgeoning young generation of voters. 

 

Political observers doubt that the party can make a comeback anytime soon, a view shared by Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist at King Prajadhipok’s Institute. 

 

Much depends on how well Phalang Pracharat – with which the Democrats share a support base – fares in government, Stithorn said.

 

“I foresee the Phalang Pracharat government hanging on until the end of their term, and that may strengthen Prayut in power. And the stronger Phalang Pracharat is, the weaker the Democrats.”

 

Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit announces the party will join pro-junta bloc to form a coalition government.

 

Yuthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said it’s likely the Democrats will remain in disarray, but there’s scant chance of the party’s extinction.

 

“The road to a comeback is gloomy. It would be a tough task for them to win more seats in the next election,” he said. At best they might cling to the current 53 MPs. Dropping significantly below that figure, to say 20 seats, it would be time for a major strategy review, Yuthaporn said. 

 

Challenges lie ahead 

 

Stithorn said the Democrats now face two challenges in attempting to restore their supporters’ faith. 

 

First, if they do become a partner in the coalition government, they have to push through their own policies and do a better job of it than Phalang Pracharat. That would |foster support in the South. 

 

And second, they should lead the drive to amend the current Constitution so that it no longer favours the military junta so overtly. 

 

The Democrats could also take advantage of the fact that former leader Chuan Leekpai has been chosen as president of Parliament and can thus play a significant role in facilitating the amendment process, Stithorn said.

 

Most importantly, he added, the Democrats have to be “sincere” about the amendment, conducting the process fairly and transparently, with ample room for citizen input. 

 

Even though the amendment would ultimately fail, lacking the support of the junta-appointed Senate, the Democrats would stand to garner public favour, having led the attempt, Stithorn said. “They need to prove that the public can rely on them.”

 

But Titipol was dubious that Democrats can regain support by being a government coalition partner in the hope of having a chance to make good on campaign pledges. 

 

“This is especially likely if the Prayut government-to-be stands for a full term, because Phalang Pracharat would eventually take all the credit. They would not allow anyone to overshadow them,” he said.  

 

A better strategy would be to withdraw from the coalition, a bold move that might be regarded as noble and enable the Democrats to survive for the long term.

 

Hope for change 

 

The younger generation of politicians have always represented hope that Thai politics can change, but this might not work in long-established parties like the Democrats.

 

Parit Wacharasindhu, the leader of "New Dem" group, quits the party last week.

 

A major concern now is how the party can move on after some members of its “New Dem” faction quit the party in disappointment over the decision to back Prayut as PM. 

 

“I wonder who will inherit the party, because one day all the middle-aged and veteran politicians remaining will wilt away,” said Yuthaporn.

 

The academics agreed that its timeworn structure and conservative ideology make it too difficult to implement serious change, so they suggested that the younger members who have now left form an entirely new party. 

 

“History has proved that new generation is unable to change the party,” Stithorn said. 

 

“It would be easier to have the New Dem found a new party rather than fighting for change in the old one.”

 

Yuthaporn suggested that Abhisit join the younger faction as chief adviser to the new party.

 

“Politics these days is in disruption,” he said. “If old political parties won’t adapt or adjust, it’s likely they’ll face the same fate as the Democrats.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30370790

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-10

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[Thaiwrath]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

Its decision to join the pro-junta bloc proves that they never believed in the principles of democracy and party interest was a priority for them

You reap what you sow, and as the Thai saying goes.................................Som nam nar !

[Chang_paarp]

Never underestimate the ability of the cockroaches to survive.

 

They might have to hide in the shadows for a term or three, but they will be back in one form of another.

[jaltsc]

"...it’s sure to be an uphill task if it is to regain popularity after it joined the pro-junta coalition government."

 

Who thought selling out could be so exhausting? 

[Ozman52]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Ahead of the March election, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva had declared that his party would not support Prayut’s return to power and would not ally with any “corrupt politicians”.

After the March election, that was exactly the choice they were faced with, to support Prayuth or PTP. After spending most of this century pointing out the Shinawatras corruption, would the their voters want them to put the puppet party back into government? 

[newatthis]

1 hour ago, Ozman52 said:

After the March election, that was exactly the choice they were faced with, to support Prayuth or PTP. After spending most of this century pointing out the Shinawatras corruption, would the their voters want them to put the puppet party back into government? 

No. There were 3 choices not 2. They could have stayed as an opposition without joining any party but no, they had to have some glory. They weren't interested in serving the people with their policies; they wanted to say they were "in government" again.

[grumpy 4680]

DEMOCRATIC party ??????????????  hey are NOT democratic.

[Srikcir]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The Democrats last week resolved to join the Phalang Pracharat-led pro-military bloc in forming a coalition government and supported junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return as prime minister.

This could be more accurately written as:

• The Democrats last week dissolved to join the Phalang Pracharat-led pro-military bloc in forming a coalition government and supported junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return as prime minister.

The Democrat Party is no more than an annoying label.

[sammieuk1]

Could try a name change to say the "embezzling snake party" and start with honesty ????

[billd766]

4 hours ago, Ozman52 said:

After the March election, that was exactly the choice they were faced with, to support Prayuth or PTP. After spending most of this century pointing out the Shinawatras corruption, would the their voters want them to put the puppet party back into government? 

IMHO, yes their voters WOULD want them to either be an opposition party or join the anti regime coalition group.

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Could try a name change to say the "embezzling snake party" and start with honesty ????

What about ACT Bangkok branch since the party is infested with mostly Suthep’s PDRC people. 

[Fex Bluse]

The most important thing about the parties is NOT their stated (but never demonstrated) principles.

 

The most important thing about them is the nationality and thus common character of their members. 

 

Who cares what they are called. 

[Artisi]

5 hours ago, Ozman52 said:

After the March election, that was exactly the choice they were faced with, to support Prayuth or PTP. After spending most of this century pointing out the Shinawatras corruption, would the their voters want them to put the puppet party back into government? 

It was a very simple decision, one that would have given them lots of brownie points, don't join either - let the two major players sort it out between themselves and just be a thorn in the side of whoever came out on top - but no, just shows the world how weak they really are by the cur dog act on their members. 

[scorecard]

Agree but perhaps it's a little more complex; given the overall demise of the Dems (their own doing) seems to me they would have no credibility and be totally ineffective as an opposition voice. If they see it like this then not surprising (but still not a positive) they joined the junta mob, perhaps just to keep their party active and not collapse. 

 

Whatever, I'm convinced all of this will very soon unravel, especially when the 'government' is in working mode and the PM doesn't get obeyed. Stand by for an explosion, all adding to the total unravelling. And how long before one of the scaly PT mob gets bored and vocal (Chalerm where are you?).

 

 

[Darkside Gray]

This place is getting to be like the Philippines under Marcos, very democratic.

 

[MaxLee]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

REPORT: Democrats have sown seeds of own demise

Yep that's what you get, when you kiss up to the regime not-to-be-named, only to get dropped like piece of dog meat in the end.

[sjaak327]

6 hours ago, Ozman52 said:

After the March election, that was exactly the choice they were faced with, to support Prayuth or PTP. After spending most of this century pointing out the Shinawatras corruption, would the their voters want them to put the puppet party back into government? 

It beats putting a dictator back into government. Of course as usual, you miss the point, there actually was a third choice. I let you reflect on this revelation. 

[sjaak327]

59 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Agree but perhaps it's a little more complex; given the overall demise of the Dems (their own doing) seems to me they would have no credibility and be totally ineffective as an opposition voice. If they see it like this then not surprising (but still not a positive) they joined the junta mob, perhaps just to keep their party active and not collapse. 

 

Whatever, I'm convinced all of this will very soon unravel, especially when the 'government' is in working mode and the PM doesn't get obeyed. Stand by for an explosion, all adding to the total unravelling. And how long before one of the scaly PT mob gets bored and vocal (Chalerm where are you?).

 

 

I disagree, they could be a formidable force in opposition. Their 53 seats could give either side a majority for individual proposals. I wonder if the democrats have any political savy people, I guess they have none. 

[Artisi]

41 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

It beats putting a dictator back into government. Of course as usual, you miss the point, there actually was a third choice. I let you reflect on this revelation. 

seem the 3rd option is a little difficult to grab by some people, a loose consortium of 3 or more parties / players keeping the bastards honest. 

[chama]

These guys seem to survive by recreating their image whenever needed. Their demise may be a good thing but they just never seem to go away.