New Political Party Ready To Launch

[Tony Clifton]

Here we go! Ohhh the lies

Thaksin has no desire to play politics

Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra does not wish to support or become involved with the People's Power Party.

But he wants to see efforts at national reconciliation "bear some fruit" in a general election, according to Noppadol Pattama, legal adviser to the Shinawatra family.

Mr. Thaksin had resolved not to provide financial or moral support for, or interfere with the affairs of the People's Power Party led by outspoken former Bangkok governor and veteran politician Samak Sundaravej, said Mr. Noppadol, a deputy secretary general of the party which has been alleged by some to have been secretly endorsed by the deposed prime minister.

Mr. Noppadol, who spoke with Mr. Thaksin by telephone Wednesday, quoted the leader of the dissolved, once-ruling Thai Rak Thai party, as saying he had no intention either to strengthen or undermine the stability of a post-election government.

Bangkok Post

and then...

Ex-MPs from PPP 'off to visit Thaksin

About 70 former members of Parliament who recently joined the People Power Party (PPP) are planning to fly to London shortly to visit ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a source said yesterday.

Even though political veteran Samak Sundaravej, who announced he was a nominee of Thaksin, has taken over as PPP leader, it seems the real chief is the deposed premier.

The 70 PPP members, who are former MPs from Thaksin's now disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, have reportedly bought a package tour to England on Sept 10 in order to meet the former premier and seek funds for the general election.

Earlier, Thaksin was reported to have met with former MPs from the Northeast, including Newin Chidchob and anti-coup leader Veera Musigapong. Small groups of five to 10 politicians had earlier called on Thaksin, who has lived in exile since being ousted in the coup just under a year ago.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama insisted yesterday the former premier was neither involved in the PPP administration nor promoting the party's executives.

The Nation

The beginning of the end of the PPP. Déjà vu anyone?

[sriracha john]

Samak tells Abhisit not to shoot his mouth off

People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday reminded his rival Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party to wait for the election outcome before denying himself a chance to join the next coalition government.

"The campaigning hasn't even started and Abhisit should not be so sure about the vote," he said.

Samak was responding to Abhisit's remarks on Wednesday that the Democrats would never form an alliance with Samak because his party was seen as a new home for remnants of the ousted government.

"Abhisit always wants to pick a fight but my party will not be engaged in a conflict," he said.

He said he accepted the PPP leadership because he wanted to help out former Thai Rak Thai MPs who were not convicted in the electoral fraud case.

He dismissed speculation that his party was receiving funds from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and said that his role was limited to looking after about 270 former MPs.

"The main reason I returned to politics is to salvage the country's reputation and uphold the monarchy," he said in reference to the September 19 coup. He said he could not remain on the sideline after foreign critics tried to link the monarchy to the coup.

Commenting on an allegation that he was Thaksin's political nominee, he said he saw no negative connotation in the term, and that it had no legal implications in civil, criminal or electoral laws.

"If my critics want to block my political career, they should push for just one provision and that is to ban Samak," he said. Samak also said his party had no objection to the general election being scheduled on December 23.

"Normally polling has to be scheduled 55 days in advance and this time, however, every party has been informed 120 days before the elections," he said. Samak said he believed the December 23 date was picked to enable a "latecomer" to join the race.

Every party wants the elections to take place as soon as possible and critics should take heart that His Majesty the King made a royal decision to move forward the promulgation of the 2007 Constitution from August 27 to August 24, he said.

- The Nation

================================================================================

Guess that means he disagrees with Thaksin's 37 days from dissolution of Parliament to the elections of 2006.

If Abhisit denouncing PPP as any possible coalition is "shooting his mouth off"... may we be blessed with further "shootings"

Edited August 31, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thai Rak Thai joins Thai Rak Thai....

Kunthon Prachuabmoh, right, leader of the Bangkok 50 group shake hand with Pimon Sriwikorn, co-founder of the Ruam Jai Thai group in a press briefing Thursday to announce his group become to an ally of the Ruam Jai Thai.

The Nation

Some Bangkok 50 members join Ruam Jai Thai

Although the Bangkok 50 Group insisted two weeks ago when it took its launch that none of its members would run for the next election, its leader Kunthon Prachuabmoh announced Thursday that his group had became an ally of the Ruam Jai Thai group. *two weeks is all it took*

As his group aimed to improve the quality of Bangkok residents, Kunthon said some of his group members would work with Ruam Jai Thai [under Somkid Jatusripitak and Pradit Pataraprasit] in a bid to push forwards national policies that would return to support the Bangkok administration in the future.

Another group leader Suranand Vejjajiva did not show up at the joint press briefing. Kunthon dismissed a speculation that Suranand was not happy with the joint collaboration.

He said Suranand did not want to show up at this moment because he was barred by the Constitution Tribunal from assuming political posts for five years. Hence, Suranand regarded it was not the right time to involve fully in politics these days., Kunthon said.

However, Suranand said in a telephone interview that Kunthon and some other Bangkok 50 members had a right to join Ruam Jai Thai. But the group would focus only serving Bangkok residents, Suranand said.

- The Nation

[hammered]

What everyone is awaiting is the suspected new big reconciliation party and who will lead it, if indeed the event ever happens. Some quite respected and untarnished names are being bandied around. How close it all is to reality though we probably wont get to see until closer to the election. The Dems claim things will only be clear in October and they may well b right. Until then the tension, smoke filed room deals, lack of trust, and general political gamesmanship will probably get out of control.

[sriracha john]

What's the expiration date for this guy? At this rate, I don't see him as PPP Leader come Dec. 23....

Samak: No worries being Thaksin nominee

People's Power party governor Samak Sundaravej said Friday he is not worried he will get in trouble for acting as a nominee for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. His remark came after Election Commission member Sodsri Satayathum said Mr Samak's stance on the nominee issue could land him in legal trouble. "If later he commits offences and people complain, we can investigate," she said. Mr Samak also challenged those in power, saying they can write a law to hinder him and his party from politics. He insisted the People's Power party does not receive funding from Mr Thaksin even though it has been reported that members of the People’s Power party are

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121257

Edited August 31, 2007 by sriracha john

[Plus]

What everyone is awaiting is the suspected new big reconciliation party and who will lead it, if indeed the event ever happens. Some quite respected and untarnished names are being bandied around.

Mother Teresa? Mahatma Gandhi?

It's difficult to find an untarnished name in Thailand willing to go into politics. Or someone who is perceived as neutral.

I don't think anyone can be neutral about TRT anyway, you can be more forgiving but not neutral.

[sriracha john]

Samak tells Abhisit not to shoot his mouth off

Samak was responding to Abhisit's remarks on Wednesday that the Democrats would never form an alliance with Samak because his party was seen as a new home for remnants of the ousted government.

================================

If Abhisit denouncing PPP as any possible coalition is "shooting his mouth off"... may we be blessed with further "shootings"

someone is shooting his mouth off against the PPP again.... a fellow TRT'er this time...

Matchima will not work with PPP

Matchima political group leader Somsak Thepsuthin vowed Friday not to work with People's Power party (PPP), which is a reborn group of the defunct Thai Rak Thai party.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121262

================================

Of course, Matchima is ALSO a group of the "defunct Thai Rak Thai party"

Edited August 31, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The perfect letter of reference on your resume' to join PPP.... a 5 year ban for asset concealments... by all means, join the rest of the worst of the lot...

People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday joins with the Thai Peace Party to celebrate the end of its leader Pichate Satirachaval’s five-year ban from serving in any political post. Samak urged Pichate to join People Power.

The Nation

Samak woos Thai Peace Party

The People Power Party (PPP) could get a new ally after its leader Samak Sundaravej approached the Thai Peace Party yesterday to join them ahead of the next election.

During a gala dinner at Bangkok's Miracle Grand Hotel to celebrate the Thai Peace Party's senior adviser Pichate Satirachaval ending his five-year ban from assuming political posts, Samak told the guests he had come to invite his old friend to join his party.

He hopes Pichate can help him to solve the troubles in the southernmost provinces, he said.

"Whether the Thai Peace Party will merge with the People Power Party will be the next step," he added.

Pichate was banned from assuming political posts for five years after the Constitution Court ruled in August 2002 that he had failed to declare his real assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Pichate said most Thai Peace Party candidates were Muslim leaders or teachers in the troubled South. They know the root of the problems, which would lead to effective solutions.

Known to be close to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Pichate reportedly plans to merge his party with People Power soon.

Meanwhile, the Prachamati Party yesterday announced an ambitious plan to reform the educational system if it came to power after the election.

Party leader Pramuan Ruchana-seree said the party, which was registered on Monday, would also push for free utilities like electricity and tap water for people with low incomes. He also said it would join a coalition government that would agree to implement its policy platforms, or the party would prefer to be in the opposition camp.

- The Nation

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Nation / Published on Aug 10, 2003

Deputy Transport Minister Pichate Satirachaval went down in political history as the first Cabinet member to lose his job through a Constitution Court verdict after being found guilty of giving false asset reports.

But by finding Pichate guilty of failure to report certain debt obligations and thus banning him from politics for five years, the charter court raised questions about its standard of justice.

It was this same court that let Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra off the hook in 2001 by in essence ruling that he had nothing to do with tens of billions of baht of telecom shares hidden in his servants’ accounts.

In a majority decision of eight to five, the court found Pichate guilty of intentionally concealing assets by failing to report loan obligations in nine asset declarations. Some legal observers agree that failing to report debts is normally a lesser offence than neglecting to report increased wealth or parts of one’s assets.

Describing himself as a victim of technicality of the asset-reporting requirement, Pichate said: “This kind of verdict prevents good people from working for the country.”

Edited August 31, 2007 by sriracha john

[marshbags]

The Nation Sunday 02-09-2007

Ref. url:-

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/02...on_30047395.php

Quote:-

Sidelines: Nominees for hire in our big-money politics

Self-styled political firebrand and Thaksin loyalist Jakrapob Penkair told an audience at the Foreign Correspon-dents' Club of Thailand the other day that his boss had contemplated a government in exile in London but been talked out of it by a mysterious call from Bangkok. Published on September 2, 2007

But actions speak louder than words, and Thaksin has been unable to resist the temptation of making political comments while insisting he has given up politics, at least for now, for the sake of national reconciliation and harmony. What he has been doing has been for political purposes, at times in a guileful manner.

Thaksin has decided to use London as his base, under the camouflage of his chairmanship of the Manchester City Football Club. Never mind the ongoing investigations of his family members and arrest warrants out for him and his wife over alleged corruption and other misdeeds.

Thaksin does not need to set up a provisional government or a government in exile. To do so would make relations difficult between Thailand and Britain, though London is a favoured place for political and other kinds of asylum.

At least two ex-premiers of Pakistan and an ex-president of Zambia have chosen to seek asylum in London. Thaksin wants London as his political command post with his wealth stashed in European banks and safe havens.

A large group of 70 ex-Thai Rak Thai MPs and members have decided to take a trip to London to meet him, to ensure that he will provide continuing support for the grand plan to reclaim government power through his self-confessed nominee, Samak Sundaravej, leader of the People Power Party.

That announcement over Samak's nominee status may soon lead to political troubles for the People Power Party, because Thaksin is banned from all political activity for five years. An appointment of a political nominee is no exception. There have also been other pieces of evidence and verbal statements made by ex-Thai Rak Thai members, who are bankrolling the stability of the new party in big-money politics.

Samak has become strangely quiet these days after realising that his loose lips could threaten to sink the People Power Party even before its maiden political voyage. If he is not plotting how to dodge reporters' pressing questions, he should at least explore ways to be evasive without being too combative.

That 70 ex-Thai Rak Thai members plan to go to London should tell us that they are not there to watch a Manchester City match. There is also the question over who is looking after their travel expenses while they're there.

They are not expected back in Bangkok with empty hands or empty promises.

What does the gathering imply? Well, they must have talked politics and planned how to regain government power so that Thaksin, his family members and other cronies could be saved from criminal trials and possible jail terms.

In that case Thaksin is using London as his base to come up with a nasty, if not sinister game plan for his gradual return to power. The Surayud government might make a discreet enquiry to the Home Office, through the British Embassy here, as to whether it is permissible for somebody to use the city to plot political harm to another country.

This is the same as the case of money arriving from a casino in Burma, a pariah in the international community, to finance campaigns against the referendum on the new constitution last month.

Given the current status of the government and its lukewarm interest in pursuing real action against Thaksin and his family members currently being probed by the Assets Examination Committee, it is difficult to imagine that anybody in the Cabinet would venture that far. That certainly includes the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the head of which has been regarded as "pretty soft" on Thaksin all along.

If they have been showing reluctance at home, we cannot expect any Cabinet member to mess with a foreign government in the wake of the EU's not-to-subtle pressure to allow it to monitor the upcoming general elections.

What the government wants now is to make a quick exit and leave behind all unfinished business and unresolved problems, old and new, amidst potential threats of economic crises arising from the strong baht, business bankruptcies and rising unemployment.

Cabinet members, and even the junta, are no longer shy these days of talking about their failure to fulfil their mission. They are not even abashed when they hear gossip about several people in power who have been in a hurry to amass wealth for a comfortable life after retirement, or building up war chests for adventures in politics.

Nobody in the government even wants to show a keen interest in whether Samak's declaration that he is acting as Thaksin's nominee breaks the law. What the people have heard so far is that it is an issue for the Election Commission. Political courage and accountability are rare qualities these days.

So we are in an era of nominees for hire in politics. A fair fight on a level playing field is out of style. We have either nominees or proxies with different prices on their heads, split into various groups, all with the same objective, to fulfil the wish of the political broken-hearted roving around in England soccer stadiums.

It may be an exaggeration to say that the past year has been wasted and the public's expectations were too high that those in charge would have the competence and the nerve to carry out the tough mission of restoring a national structure in decay.

There were some achievements, such as the investigations into massive corruption and the historic verdict delivered over 10 hours by the Constitution Tribunal, telling the country, if not the entire world, what the man in London and his crowd did not want to hear.

The government cannot claim full credit for these events. Its scores of failures and the degree of public disappointment with its sloppy performance are overwhelming.

Sopon Onkgara

Unquote.

No matter what happens the present government are and always have been on a hiding to nothing.

All that it does is undermine the courageous actions into the unknown that were taken in the interests of Thailand and it,s citizens.

What they have achieved in the short time they have been overseeing the return to a fairer society is well worth a few kudos instead of the repeated knocks from certain quarters.

IMHO of course.

marshbags

Edited September 2, 2007 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

The absurdity of all this jockeying and old names is personified by the Godfather's son who seems to be a shoe-in to become the next mayor of Pattaya.....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1515325

[John K]

I was giving some thought yesterday to some posts a few weeks back about saying the new charter provides too much control by the military. While I was thinking about that what would be the pros and cons. I concluded that from the time I have been in Thailand the politicians were given a very long leash and managed to get in trouble as a result of greed. Having them on a shorter leash makes sense to me until they have been properly trained to behave.

The TRT or whatever they are calling themselves this week would be the poster boys for having the shorter leash. If they put as much energy into positive projects and not how to put money in their own pocket they would be rater influential.

[sriracha john]

I believe we up to TRT version XI now... and it's already got serious in-fighting....

TRT splinter group may form

A Thai Rak Thai splinter group called "Taen Khun Pandin Isaan" yesterday elected a new leader ahead of its registration tomorrow as a new political party.

"The new party will be called For Our Homeland Party and will be under the leadership of Mana Mahasuweerachai," group member Chatwit Mongkolsaen said.

Chatwit, designated to become the party secretary-general, said 20 group members reached the decision to rally behind Mana and replace Wiwantanachai na Kalasin.

Mana said many former MPs from the Northeast were dissatisfied with the leadership of Wiwantanachai.

"Wiwantanachai made remarks that sent conflicting signals about the group to constituents ranging from being a nominee of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to being a proxy of the junta," he said.

Reacting to Mana's comments, Wiwantanachai said he was still the group leader because the meeting took place without proper authorisation.

- The Nation

[John K]

That brings up the question why be a proxy to anyone, unless Thaksin is footing the bill.

[Jai Dee]

Relative of Maj. Gen. Manunkrit founded the Love Thai Citizens Party

A relative of former Senate Speaker Manoonkrit Roopkachorn (มนูญกฤต รูปขจร), Mrs. Pimponmas Roopkachorn (พิมพ์พรมาศ รูปขจร), registered a new party at the Office of the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand yesterday (September 4th). The name of the party is the Love Thai Citizens (รักราษฎรไทย) Party.

Mrs. Pimponmas said she had a discussion on her party's name and symbol with the EC's political party division chief. She said Maj. Gen. Manunkrit is not included in the Love Thai Citizens Party.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 September 2007

[Plus]

From today's BP:

"Many members of the Matchima political group look set to switch their allegiance to the People's Power party (PPP) in the hope of running as election candidates in the Northeast."

Same story is in the Nation.

I think this is the most important piece of news, if proven true.

The only way the junta/Democrats can win the election is if exTRT is splintered and people like Somsak can keep his MPs. The fact that MPs are running off to PPP means things are changing and the junta is losing control.

I can't imagine what will happen to the country if Samak wins the elections.

[Tony Clifton]

It's my opinion that rules have been broken already within the PPP, only a matter of time until individuals, even parties are shoved aside, again. Openly saying that Thaksin is the real leader and setting up the party with the help of others also previously banned from politics sure wont help. What else have they done, or, will they do, that we don't know about yet? The temptation is always too great and greed gets them in trouble, won't be any different this time around. Just wait.

[cclub75]

The fact that MPs are running off to PPP means things are changing and the junta is losing control.

I can't imagine what will happen to the country if Samak wins the elections.

Indeed, it's a good "barometer".

Junta loosing control ? It's obvious since ... last september. Those guys are small league, old fashioned, totally disconnected from the reality, living in a royal bubble, with wai, white uniforms and "khrap attitude"... We are in 21 century. It can work anymore like that.

They wanted to play it smart with the new constitution, and some magical words ("good governance", "democracy", ah ah ah Surayud is the best).

We see the result : they are going to be caught at their own game.

What will happen ? Chaos. And probably more with the taboo-event that will happen. Again everybody should know... And anticipate.

I mean it's written. No escape.

Edited September 5, 2007 by cclub75

[Plus]

Those guys are small league, old fashioned, totally

They command support of roughly half the country (and a better half, at that).

The rest are about to be bought by PPP. The only hope is that not the whole of Thailand is for sale.

If the junta/Democrats manage to win, it will be the biggest success in Thai history - defeat to the feudal political system. Never happened before, wouldn't have happened without the coup.

And before you cry that Democrats/junta are not "progressive" - they are miles ahead of PPP.

[cclub75]

If the junta/Democrats manage to win, it will be the biggest success in Thai history - defeat to the feudal political system. Never happened before, wouldn't have happened without the coup.

I don't know what to reply... Biggest success ? Defeat to the feudal system ? On the contratry, it would its archetypal victory !

Never happened before ? It's working like that since dozen of years.

From that point of view, Thaksin time was clearly a parenthesis. So ?

Difficult to argue -and disagree- more. Now, I guess we just need to wait and see.

[Siripon]

Lots of time yet before the election, just today stories in the Thai media about evidence of large money transfers to TRT canvassers just before the referendum and revelations from a Swiss bank about Thaksin's deposits.

[Plus]

I think it's bloody obvious that PPP relies on the old, well trained, feudal system of obtaining votes, and it has nothing to do with ideology or policies or any national agenda.

So far it has never been defeated.

Last time Democrats were in power was when Chavalit's NAP government collapsed after the crisis, not after winning elections. TRT consolidated all those Isan MPs and won the power back to the same politicians.

[John K]

It's my opinion that rules have been broken already within the PPP, only a matter of time until individuals, even parties are shoved aside, again. Openly saying that Thaksin is the real leader and setting up the party with the help of others also previously banned from politics sure wont help. What else have they done, or, will they do, that we don't know about yet? The temptation is always too great and greed gets them in trouble, won't be any different this time around. Just wait.

Tony I think you are on to something here but as Siripon says it is a bit early. If all the comments pan out to be true about Thaksin actually being behind the PPP and others, I wonder if the EC can just Red card them for not following the ruling on the TRT and involvement with club 111. Let them run for a bit and let the clock run out not allowing them to re-posture and then suddenly.

[Plus]

They don't need to scream to the media that their party is bankrolled by Thaksin or controlled by banned executives. They need to impress this point on their supporters, and their network is far stronger than junta's ISOC or whatever.

Coming elections will be the dirties ever, without even pretence of decency. And I'm not talking only about the usual suspects, I'm talking about junta doing everything it can to help its allies win. Whatever complains people had about referendum, it's going to be much much worse.

Even if Democrats win, opposition will always have reasons not to recognise their win as legitimate. Democrats themselves will look clean though, as they don't control anything, they don't have any "dark" power to exercise.

[Tony Clifton]

They don't need to scream to the media that their party is bankrolled by Thaksin or controlled by banned executives. They need to impress this point on their supporters, and their network is far stronger than junta's ISOC or whatever.

Coming elections will be the dirties ever, without even pretence of decency. And I'm not talking only about the usual suspects, I'm talking about junta doing everything it can to help its allies win. Whatever complains people had about referendum, it's going to be much much worse.

Even if Democrats win, opposition will always have reasons not to recognise their win as legitimate. Democrats themselves will look clean though, as they don't control anything, they don't have any "dark" power to exercise.

These words in red are exactly what Thaksin supporters will use when caught red handed, again.

Bet on it.

The junta knows it doesn't have to interfere, the tradition of being "above the law" within the PPP hasn't died with the dissolution of TRT.

[Old Man River]

They don't need to scream to the media that their party is bankrolled by Thaksin or controlled by banned executives. They need to impress this point on their supporters, and their network is far stronger than junta's ISOC or whatever.

Coming elections will be the dirties ever, without even pretence of decency. And I'm not talking only about the usual suspects, I'm talking about junta doing everything it can to help its allies win. Whatever complains people had about referendum, it's going to be much much worse.

Even if Democrats win, opposition will always have reasons not to recognise their win as legitimate. Democrats themselves will look clean though, as they don't control anything, they don't have any "dark" power to exercise.

Good analysis. These elections will be very dirty, which is a good reason not to have the EU looking too closely.

[John K]

Are you saying there may be excessive bloodshed in this one or just dirt?

[Plus]

Today Samak is on the front page again, saying he'll grant amnesty to banned TRT execs if elected.

Can politicians overrule courts decision against them if they have the majority?

TRT at least pretended to respect the justice system, under Samak we'll have complete breakdown of law and order.

On the positive side it makes it easier for Thais to choose.

Samak appears to be PPP's greatest liability - he can't possibly reach to his opponents and offer peace. I think (hope) that without at least some "middle class" support PPP can't win, not anymore.

[John K]

Yes I dropped that in the TRT dissolved thread, but it fits well here too. That is actually one of the more chilling and Thaksin type arrogant statements I have heard in a long time. If anything has the potential to set off another coup, that certainly qualifies as one of them. No doubt that comment is from his master as it does not change his standings either way.

[Old Man River]

Today Samak is on the front page again, saying he'll grant amnesty to banned TRT execs if elected.

Can politicians overrule courts decision against them if they have the majority?

TRT at least pretended to respect the justice system, under Samak we'll have complete breakdown of law and order.

On the positive side it makes it easier for Thais to choose.

Samak appears to be PPP's greatest liability - he can't possibly reach to his opponents and offer peace. I think (hope) that without at least some "middle class" support PPP can't win, not anymore.

The court decisions may well occur sometime after the elections and we have already seen one of the most unbelievable court decisions ever in 2001's asset concealment case. Also, on the day there is no telling how people will vote given the amount of money that will be made available.

John K, on the amnesty, it would not necessarily lead to another coup since this idea was originally brought up by Gen. Sonthi himself. Not for a Thaksin return of course, but if the PPP wins, then that would be the case.

[pointofview]

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.

There is no right , left or centre in Thai politics - only populism. The next party to form government will be the party with the right mix of populist policies and negative nationalist slogans.

Could be the new - "Same Party As Before Only With A Different Name Party"