New Political Party Ready To Launch

[sriracha john]

New party ready to launch

Thamma Thippatai unites well-known figures to form Ruam Jai Thai

The Thamma Thippatai group led by Somkid Jatusripitak * on the right in the first photo above with an unknown bystander * will today announce its plan to form a new political party, to be called Ruam Jai Thai (Thai Unity).

Pimol Sriwikorn, co-founder of the group, yesterday told The Nation the Thamma Thippatai would discuss the organisation of the new party and analyse the current political situation.

"It will be just a normal meeting of our group since we formed the Thamma Thippatai. We are not naming the new party yet because of the junta's announcement No. 15, which has banned political party-related activities and the registration of new parties," he said.

Pimol said he, along with Suranan Vejjajiva * as shown in the second photo he was the Former TRT Party Spokesman & Executive Director Thai Rak Thai Party and Former Thaksin Cabinet Minister * and Somkid, would only be "advisers" to the new party because they are both banned from politics.

* for five years for engaging in electoral fraud *

Group member Surachai Danaitangtrakoon said that after Somkid was banned from politics following the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party, the group has continued its activities under the Thamma Thippatai.

The group has brought together "well-known people" from various fields to form a political party, he said.

According to Surachai, former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul, former Mahachon Party leader Anek Laothammatas, former Democrat Party secretary-general Pradit Pattaraprasit, Chaianan Samudavanija, a staunch critic of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and economics lecturer Somjai Phagaphasvivat were the new party executives.

A source said Chaianan had named the party Ruam Jai Thai, but the Matchima group led by Somsak Thepsuthin, and Somkid, had conflicting ideas.

"Somkid wants the party to belong to young politicians and doesn't want the military involved, unlike the Matchima, which seems happy to accept the conditions of the military."

- The Nation

Edited June 25, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

btw, on the list of 111 Banned TRT Party Members List, Somkid is #16 and Suranan is #51.

[Jimjim]

Is this to replace Thai Rak Thai? Will TRT still be forming again under the same name?

[sriracha john]

It certainly seems dominated by banned TRT bigwigs...

Once the banning goes into complete effect... it'll be interesting to see what level of participation in this party's functioning they play.

[sriracha john]

As a founding member of the Thai Rak Thai Party along with Thaksin and others, Somkid does have experience in setting up a new party.

Although they sound similarly slippery, the new political party, Ruam Jai Thai, should not be confused with Thai Ruam Jai... one of the world's largest cooking oil manufacturers:

http://www.thaiedibleoil.com/english/oil_02.php

[chownah]

Pimol Sriwikorn, co-founder of the group, yesterday told The Nation the Thamma Thippatai would discuss the organisation of the new party and analyse the current political situation.

I think that this statement reveals alot about Thai political parties in general. Notice how the focus of their immediate activities is 1)determine how the party will be organised which probably means who will get which posts and really has to do with how the power and (hopefully in the future) money will be divided...and 2) analyse the political situation. Notice that there is no ideology...there is no issue that gives this group of people its reason for existence...there is no cause they are fighting for...no difference of opinion with other political parties which necessitates their coming together to accomplish something. THAI POLITICS IS NOT ABOUT ISSUES...IT IS ABOUT POWER AND MONEY. Corruption is thus just part of the power/money game...there is not ideology getting in the way of pure greed....and vote buying is not frowned upon afterall what is the difference between spreading money around between politicians and spreading the money around between voters?...not much really. Why shouldn't voters benefit from this power/money game? With no idealogical contraints there is no reason why not.

Just my views.

Chownah

[chinthee]

Pimol Sriwikorn, co-founder of the group, yesterday told The Nation the Thamma Thippatai would discuss the organisation of the new party and analyse the current political situation.

I think that this statement reveals alot about Thai political parties in general. Notice how the focus of their immediate activities is 1)determine how the party will be organised which probably means who will get which posts and really has to do with how the power and (hopefully in the future) money will be divided...and 2) analyse the political situation. Notice that there is no ideology...there is no issue that gives this group of people its reason for existence...there is no cause they are fighting for...no difference of opinion with other political parties which necessitates their coming together to accomplish something. THAI POLITICS IS NOT ABOUT ISSUES...IT IS ABOUT POWER AND MONEY. Corruption is thus just part of the power/money game...there is not ideology getting in the way of pure greed....and vote buying is not frowned upon afterall what is the difference between spreading money around between politicians and spreading the money around between voters?...not much really. Why shouldn't voters benefit from this power/money game? With no idealogical contraints there is no reason why not.

Just my views.

Chownah

Following on these cynical lines, it always cracks me up to see the lofty idealistic names of these parties. Thai love Thai, Thai join together, etc.. I guess the implication is Thais love Thais with money, and I suppose that is no different than anywhere.

[j_cheung]

As a founding member of the Thai Rak Thai Party along with Thaksin and others, Somkid does have experience in setting up a new party.

Although they sound similarly slippery, the new political party, Ruam Jai Thai, should not be confused with Thai Ruam Jai... one of the world's largest cooking oil manufacturers:

http://www.thaiedibleoil.com/english/oil_02.php

Oh, only the style is different but not the substance then ...

[Tony Clifton]

The CNS must be close to slapping some of the 111 banned TRT thinking the old TRT way that they are still above the law and still involved in politics. Surpriiiiiiiiise!

[hammered]

This is a further confirmation of the break up of the TRT. Expect Somsak's Matchima group, Suwat's Korat group and Phinij's northern Isaan group to follow suit either seperately or in some combination. These are the people, even if banned (they will use proxies), that the Junta are looking to as a counterbalance to the Dems and the new freshly named party that the rump TRT will form.

Sonthaya's Eastern group has already rejoined Chart Thai.

[Big A]

Oh good!! Another band of cheats, frauds, swindlers, cronies, wasters, corrupters, rogues, rascals, blaggards, cads, fakes and fly-by-nights coming to an electoral constituency near you SOON.

Have I left anything out!!

[rychrde]

How many Orwell quotes can this country live up to?!

Here's one rarely seen,

"As a magistrate his methods were simple. Even for the vastest

bribe he would never sell the decision of a case, because he knew

that a magistrate who gives wrong judgments is caught sooner or

later. His practice, a much safer one, was to take bribes from

both sides and then decide the case on strictly legal grounds.

This won him a useful reputation for impartiality."

from Burmese Days

[pansted00]

Crooks will be crooks.

[Siripon]

Pimol Sriwikorn, co-founder of the group, yesterday told The Nation the Thamma Thippatai would discuss the organisation of the new party and analyse the current political situation.

I think that this statement reveals alot about Thai political parties in general. Notice how the focus of their immediate activities is 1)determine how the party will be organised which probably means who will get which posts and really has to do with how the power and (hopefully in the future) money will be divided...and 2) analyse the political situation. Notice that there is no ideology...there is no issue that gives this group of people its reason for existence...there is no cause they are fighting for...no difference of opinion with other political parties which necessitates their coming together to accomplish something. THAI POLITICS IS NOT ABOUT ISSUES...IT IS ABOUT POWER AND MONEY. Corruption is thus just part of the power/money game...there is not ideology getting in the way of pure greed....and vote buying is not frowned upon afterall what is the difference between spreading money around between politicians and spreading the money around between voters?...not much really. Why shouldn't voters benefit from this power/money game? With no idealogical contraints there is no reason why not.

Just my views.

Chownah

Have you just noticed?

The Democrats are the only party that have consistently held on to an ideology and a criteria, vetting process that requires executives to reach a certain standard.

[Johpa]

Following on these cynical lines, it always cracks me up to see the lofty idealistic names of these parties. Thai love Thai, Thai join together, etc.. I guess the implication is Thais love Thais with money, and I suppose that is no different than anywhere.

Well they need to do something to distract the masses from noticing that it is really all about the Bangkok Chinese maintaining their power and has nothing to do with Thais or Thailand, so of course they will name their parties using Orwellian style double speak. The old Thai euphemism for politics is kin muang and nobody is going to name their politcial party ciin kin thai. By the way, not all cultures bury their dead with money for the afterlife.

[LaoPo]

Following on these cynical lines, it always cracks me up to see the lofty idealistic names of these parties. Thai love Thai, Thai join together, etc.. I guess the implication is Thais love Thais with money, and I suppose that is no different than anywhere.

Well they need to do something to distract the masses from noticing that it is really all about the Bangkok Chinese maintaining their power and has nothing to do with Thais or Thailand,...........

Very well said.

Most people seem to forget it's all about the Old Elite; nothing more, nothing less.

All the Thaksin talk, CNS talk and new laws, new constitution, new elections...it' all about 'let's keep OUR POWER'.

The rest [of the Thai population] doesn't interest us one bit...not a single bit

Sometimes I can't believe the whole lot of talking about Thaksin; that's exactly what the CNS wants....

"distract the masses" from WHO is REALLY IN CONTROL....and...want to keep in that way.

'WE' should focus more on that subject, rather than sensationalistic news.

Yes, I know, who am I ?

LaoPo

[thaigene2]

Following on these cynical lines, it always cracks me up to see the lofty idealistic names of these parties. Thai love Thai, Thai join together, etc.. I guess the implication is Thais love Thais with money, and I suppose that is no different than anywhere.

Well they need to do something to distract the masses from noticing that it is really all about the Bangkok Chinese maintaining their power and has nothing to do with Thais or Thailand, so of course they will name their parties using Orwellian style double speak.

Yes Johpa - (I wonder how many posters understand the meaning of your name? But isn't it Jaw-pah?).

I find it very sad that so many TV-ers don't see what is happening here. I absolutely despised Thaksin - for the reasons most above have already mentioned. But 16 million Thais who for the first time saw - not Thaksin - but a political grass-roots party take shape that played to THEIR best interests (rightly or wrongly - and I think probably quite rightly) instead of the type like the Democrats and others who pandered to the middle class Thais (and yes Chinese Thais) who own and run the country lock-stock-and-barrel through their inter-family and inter-civil-service influential business dealings. Again, Thaksin did exactly that too...How do you sell computers to the police force when you are a serving captain? Beggars belief..but TIT.

So even if we agree that TRT was a ruse to get the majority (i.e. one-man-one-vote) to elect them, so what? If the masses felt they got something out of the deal - who are you/we to shout them down? Is it better that there is no debate, a bunch of crap journalism in the papers (even the 'quality' ones sadly) to make everyone forget that the MAJORITY have lost their voice, and that we should all go out and tie yellow ribbons on bus mirrors to end the 'fighting' among society?

Well? Is that ok? Wouldn;t be in my country - or yours I reckon.

[Johpa]

Yes Johpa - (I wonder how many posters understand the meaning of your name? But isn't it Jaw-pah?).

Few, if any, know the meaning (which is rather mundane) and Jaw-pah is even further from a correct transliteration.

[sriracha john]

Disappointing start for Ruam Jai Thai group

The launch of Ruam Jai Thai did not go according to plan yesterday when two well-known academics who were expected to join the new political group turned down the invitation. Anek Laothammatas, the former Mahachon party leader, unveiled the other key members of the group with the backing of former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak. Mr Anek said the group, with links to some former Thai Rak Thai party members, is now being managed by its ''strategic council''. Ruam Jai Thai's strength lies in its freshness and its team of experienced professionals, Mr Anek boasted. ''All the group's founders agree that we have a chance to win [the general election], and avail ourselves to solve national problems,'' said Mr Anek. Since a ban on the setting up of new parties is still in place, Ruam Jai Thai cannot be called a party until the ban is lifted.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Jun2007_news10.php

[artao]

Can a communist party be launched in Thailand?

[sriracha john]

Shaky start for Ruam Jai Thai party

Political scientist Chai-anan Samudavanija remained non-committed yesterday over Ruam Jai Thai, a new political party in the making, and appeared discontent with the way its leaders are launching the new group.

"I haven't committed to anyone that I would be a co-founder of the new Ruam Jai Thai Group," he was quoted as saying on Manager website.

The Ruam Jai Thai Group (Thai Unity), formerly the Thamma Thippatai Group, led by disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Somkid Jatusripitak, yesterday held a press conference announcing its official launch.

However, Somkid failed to appear at the conference, along with Pimol Sriwikorn and Suranand Vejjajiva, former Thai Rak Thai executives who were banned from politics for five years by the Constitution Tribunal.

Chai-anan, who was earlier expected to join Somkid's new group, also failed to appear. He said he was urged to join but he could not since he was still director of Vajiravudh College.

He said he had no information about the group's model, structure, even its name, or whose idea it was to hold the press conference.

"As far as I know there was a discussion about Somkid's role after he was banned from politics. But they had yet to reach a conclusion clear enough to announce publicly," he said.

Ruam Jai Thai announced it was ready to form a political party of the same name to contest the upcoming election, but it was not clear who its leader would be.

Somkid was expected to be party leader, but since he was banned from politics for five years it had to change track and seek a new leader.

Chai-anan, who will retire on June 28, was expected to head a new party formed by Somsak Thepsuthin, leader of the Matchima Group. Both were reportedly upset with Ruam Jai Thai's announcement.

Earlier, it was understood that Somkid and Somsak would form a party together, but there was a rumour of conflict, causing Somkid to decide to form his own party, Ruam Jai Thai.

Somsak yesterday sent his right-hand man, former Nakhon Sawan MP Banyin Tangphakorn, to observe Somkid's group's meeting. Banyin said he thought Somsak would not join Ruam Jai Thai.

"Somsak felt he was betrayed. Somsak never knew about the new name or the conference, even though the two groups always discussed their political futures," Banyin said, adding that he thought Chai-anan would likely join Somsak's group as he [Chai-anan] had attended Matchima's political gatherings every Friday.

However, Chai-anan thought that without Matchima, Ruam Jai Thai was unlikely to make its presence felt in the political arena, as it had only academics and administrators as members and no former MPs.

Somsak claimed he had 100 former MPs ready to join.

Ruam Jai Thai co-founder Suwit Mesinsee said the Ruam Jai Thai Party would be registered as soon as the new charter becomes effective.

The group will also set up a strategy assembly, consisting of nine members, and this would be more important than the party leader, he said.

Suwit said the group had learnt that party leaders have many weak points, thus the party assembly would set policies and forward them to the party leader to carry out. He said the party leader must decode strategies and coordinate with all sides.

However, he said the group remained undecided on who would be party leader, saying that perhaps the leader may be chosen from assembly members.

The group would ask the Election Commission about Somkid's status, he said.

The assembly membership includes Suwit, former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul, former Mahachon Party leader Anek Laothammatas, former Democrat Party secretary-general Pradit Pattaraprasit, former senators Surachai Danaitangtrakoon and Suraporn Danaitangtrakoon, and former president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand Kittirat na Ranong. Economics lecturer Somjai Phagaphasvivat was making his decision.

Kittirat said most of the assembly members would contest the next election.

Anek expressed confidence his party could win the election because of its blend of young politicians and veterans who were ready to serve.

"I believe we have a chance to win [the election]. We can solve the country's problems," Anek said, adding that he had acted as a middleman in asking Somsak and others to join Ruam Jai Thai.

Pradit said he returned to politics after quitting the Democrat Party because the Ruam Jai Thai strategy assembly seemed interesting. The group paid attention to working together rather than focusing on a leader.

Meanwhile, Matchima leader Somsak yesterday introduced two of the group's members to 2,000 Khon Kaen residents and delivered a speech on its policies.

"During the past four years, we worked with Thaksin. We were counted as the same family. But now we are split up into three groups. The first group joined those who are expected to be the majority in the [next] Parliament and will form the government," Somsak said in his speech.

"The second group are those who want to continue the same policies [as Thai Rak Thai] and develop policies for people. This is the Matchima Group. The third group is the thugs rallying at Sanam Luang."

The two members, who are expected to be MP candidates, included Thaikorn Polsuwan, a witness against Thai Rak Thai in the electoral fraud case that led to the party's dissolution.

- The Nation

[Moruya]

This is complete lunacy and should be nipped in the bud.

The next step after the constitution would be to seek political parties to be formed and to produce a manifesto detailing what their policies would be on finance, transport, health etc. that would form the basis of them being elected.

What is being suggested here is (in the words of Thailand's other adopted national anthem) "it's the same old team."

[hammered]

This is complete lunacy and should be nipped in the bud.

The next step after the constitution would be to seek political parties to be formed and to produce a manifesto detailing what their policies would be on finance, transport, health etc. that would form the basis of them being elected.

What is being suggested here is (in the words of Thailand's other adopted national anthem) "it's the same old team."

Welcome to Thailand. It has always been the same old team and that probably wont change for quite some time. The same old team are for the most part alo always changing party or setting up a new one.

[sriracha john]

Somkid begins his rise from the ashes

Former finance whiz for Thai Rak Thai helps set up new party, but will stay behind the scenes till he has a chance to re-emerge publicly

Again, Dr Somkid Jatusripitak is as elusive as ever. He did not show up at the Inter-Continental Hotel yesterday to announce the launch of a new party, Ruam Jai Thai Group (Thai Unity), under his leadership.

But he did have a convenient excuse to stay behind the smoke-screen. Somkid and the two other co-founders - Pimol Sriwikorn and Suranand Vejjajiva - have been hit by the Constitution Tribunal's ruling, which barred them from politics for five years. They have decided to remain backstage for the moment, until the dark cloud disappears.

Ruam Jai Thai, formerly known as the Thamma Thippatai Group, clearly seeks to paint itself as a new force in Thai politics. It will be dominated by academics and economic and business managers, apparently trying to appeal to urban voters. Some of the big names include Dr Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a Thammasat academic, Kittirat na Ranong, former president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Dr Anek Laothammatas, the former Mahachon Party leader, Dr Suwit Mesinsee, Dr Somkid's top lieutenant, Dr Bhichit Rattakul, the former Bangkok governor, and Pradit Pattaraprasit, former secretary-general of the Democrat Party.

Ruam Jai Thai has not yet determined who would be its leader. But it is clear that Somkid believes he will be able to return to the political stage sooner rather than later, otherwise he would never have attempted to form his own party.

Some politicians in the Thai Rak Thai wing are hoping for an amnesty, so that they can return to politics again. But amnesty during the Surayud government is impossible. The next democratically elected government might not last for long because it looks likely to be a coalition of four or five parties at least. But the sky might become brighter after the collapse of the elected government, leading to another election and new prospects for amnesty. Then former Thai Rak Thai politicians, including the likes of Somkid, Somsak Thepsuthin or Suwat Liptapanlop, may be able to return to politics again. Thais have short memories.

It is difficult to read Somkid's mind because his deeds and his words have never matched. One thing is definitely clear now: he has an ambition to become the prime minister.

At the height of the political crisis last year, he complained that he was fed up with politics and he would like to retire to go back to his family. But somehow he hung on until the last minute, although he got a chance to show his mettle by resigning from the Thaksin Cabinet. He could never escape from the towering shadow of his former boss, Thaksin, and had to pay a dear price for it.

Thaksin handpicked Somkid as finance minister in the first term as a reward for his contribution to the Thai Rak Thai's populist manifesto and a landslide election in 2001. Before entering politics, apart from his teaching post at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), he had support from three important bases - the Manager Group, Phatra Securities and Saha Group. As finance minister, Somkid wasted no time in building up a network of financiers, bankers, industrialists, businessmen, fund managers, stock market brokers, bank and capital market regulators.

Because of his pro-business policy and great ability to strike a compromise, he was well accepted by the Thai business community. He had a positive image, although he committed several policy errors such as the Bangkok Fashion hub, the Elite Card, Kitchen of the World, and tourism policies. Yet it was all blamed on Thaksin, who was also quick to take the credit for any achievements.

Thaksin never wanted to have a successor. When Purachai Piumsombun showed that he had a better or cleaner image than Thaksin, he was kicked out. When Somkid's stature rose with an aura of possible leadership capacity, Thaksin demoted him and limited his political turf.

Somkid was never considered a second man at Thai Rak Thai. When Thaksin faced the political crisis in the first quarter last year after selling Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore, he and his wife Pojaman were thinking of having Bhokin Bhalakula succeed him as prime minister. That would have temporarily reduced the political heat for Thaksin. But Bhokin never experienced that fate.

Eventually, Thaksin trusted his inner-circle cronies such as Dr Prommin Lertsuridej and Sudarat Keyuraphan more. They urged him to fight on by going for an election because they were confident of millions of votes, mostly from rural folk who supported Thai Rak Thai.

After talking it over with other key members of the party, Somkid had a chance to show his stand then by urging Thaksin to resign or by making his own move to resign. But somehow this never happened. The political crisis finally reached a boiling point, and the military was forced to snatch power from Thaksin.

Somkid's political ambition was clear when he sought to become an adviser to the Surayud government to propagate the Sufficiency Economic theory. His arrival led MR Pridiyathorn Devakula to resign as deputy prime minister and finance minister. There were rumours that the military wanted Somkid to become the next prime minister.

But the controversy caused by Somkid's appointment was so acute that Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont had to ask him to resign within a week of his appointment. With Somkid seen as the architect of Thai Rak Thai's populist policies, it was rather bizarre that he would embrace the Sufficiency Economic philosophy outright.

Somkid, and Somsak Thepsuthin - another key Thai Rak Thai member - have never ceased efforts to form an alliance under new brand names to become the core of a new government. When the Constitution Tribunal disbanded the Thai Rak Thai and barred its executive members from politics for five years, Somsak bitter complained that he was betrayed by the military.

But, make no mistake, Somkid and Somsak will find their way to overcome any barrier. Old politicians die hard.

- Political Desk

The Nation

[hammered]

The second group are those who want to continue the same policies [as Thai Rak Thai] and develop policies for people. This is the Matchima Group. The third group is the thugs rallying at Sanam Luang

Oh what fun watching the PTV boot boys who claim to be the pure TRT getting beaten up on by the leader of the biggest ex-TRT faction. The gloves are off now as the original concept of TRT starts to implode. Wonder if Mr. Chatchuron will be able to stop it.

Totally predictable that the factions that deserted and did the deals would lay claim to the legacy of the populist policies. After all they are the very MPs the people elected last time under the TRT umbrella, and before that under some other party name and before that.....

[Plus]

Well they need to do something to distract the masses from noticing that it is really all about the Bangkok Chinese maintaining their power and has nothing to do with Thais or Thailand, so of course they will name their parties using Orwellian style double speak.

I find it very sad that so many TV-ers don't see what is happening here. I absolutely despised Thaksin - for the reasons most above have already mentioned. But 16 million Thais who for the first time saw - not Thaksin - but a political grass-roots party take shape that played to THEIR best interests (rightly or wrongly - and I think probably quite rightly) instead of the type like the Democrats and others who pandered to the middle class Thais (and yes Chinese Thais) who own and run the country lock-stock-and-barrel through their inter-family and inter-civil-service influential business dealings. Again, Thaksin did exactly that too...How do you sell computers to the police force when you are a serving captain? Beggars belief..but TIT.

Did you guys notice that it's not Democrats that are establishing these "political" parties and that these parties won't even campaign in Bangkok or appeal to middle class?

These dummies are set up to serve your beloved grassroots, so that their local MPs have legitimate places to steal more money from their constituents.

There are hundreds of MPs all around the country who don't have a party to ride back into power and who are keenly waiting who'll let them steal more - Matchima or Ruam Jai Thai, or whoever else.

Elite and Democrat bashing is genuinly misplaced here.

[jbowman1993]

Can a communist party be launched in Thailand?

Anyone who understands the sad history related to Thailand and the CPT in the 60s and 70s wouldn't think to joke about this. To many people died for it to be funny....

[artao]

Anyone who understands the sad history related to Thailand and the CPT in the 60s and 70s wouldn't think to joke about this. To many people died for it to be funny....

history has gone!

and do Thailand laws permit launch a new communist party now ? I am severe, not for funny....

[Big A]

Oh good!! Another band of cheats, frauds, swindlers, cronies, wasters, corrupters, rogues, rascals, blaggards, cads, fakes and fly-by-nights coming to an electoral constituency near you SOON.

Have I left anything out!!

Yes, I have.............mountebanks, ne'er-do-wells, tricksters, impostors, con artists, phonies, pretenders, quacks, shysters, hoaxers and charlatans.

That's enough dictionary hopping for one day!!

[thedude]

Anyone who understands the sad history related to Thailand and the CPT in the 60s and 70s wouldn't think to joke about this. To many people died for it to be funny....

history has gone!

and do Thailand laws permit launch a new communist party now ? I am severe, not for funny....

veering off tangent a bit, but the CPT only numbered some 5000 members at its peak and its threat was far exagerated by the likes of Thanom so that he could get his hands on more US govt funds. thousands of hill tribe folks and villagers were summarily executed in the confusing campaign against imagined CPT forces. which reminds me, forumers who think thaksin will be punished for the alleged drug killings should really read thai history to see how many mass killings have been swept under the carpet with nothing made of the perpetrators.