New Political Party Ready To Launch

[hammered]

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana to be formed

(BangkokPost.com) – Core leader of the Reconciliation group and former leader of the Chart Pattana party Suwat Liptapallop emerged from a meeting with Somkid Jatusripitak and Pradit Pattaraprasit, key leaders of the Ruam Jai Thai group with good news this afternoon.

Soon after the meeting, which took place at Mr Suwat’s house, key representatives of the groups announced their decision to form the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana group.

snip

another hat in the ring

Suwat (TRT Banned #22) AKA Hansel joins hands with Somkid (TRT Banned #16) AKA Gretel as they skip merrily along the pathway; oblivious of the warnings issued...

This party is a natural for a coalition with the Dems. Suwat has always remained close. Somkid is their kind of technocrat and Pradit their ex-secretary general iirc.

Edited September 14, 2007 by hammered

[somtaamgaiyang]

Can someone give a rough english translation of the various political names.

They all seem to indecat stong nationalisim, and not a idealolgy, as far as i can

susmise

Ideology? That would require a level of political development beyond Thai politics.

[Plus]

In fact, I doubt whether they actually have to give out 200 baht to get the people in Isaan to vote against the anointed PM's party. They are setting up this election with only one winner, but are fiddling around so much because they are so desperate and I mean desperate to make sure of the outcome. The recent referendum gives a very clear statement of how a huge amount of people feel, and over 10mn people didn't vote. A huge amount of people in Isaan and the north are not going to vote the way that the CNS wants them to.

Are you trying to say that CNS pays people money but they vote against because their consciense tells them so?

[Abrak]

This party is a natural for a coalition with the Dems. Suwat has always remained close. Somkid is their kind of technocrat and Pradit their ex-secretary general iirc.

Members of Ruam Jai Thai party are largely Thai intellectuals who are NOT aligned to the Democrats. There is certainly no natural coalition even with Suwat on board.

[somtaamgaiyang]

In fact, I doubt whether they actually have to give out 200 baht to get the people in Isaan to vote against the anointed PM's party. They are setting up this election with only one winner, but are fiddling around so much because they are so desperate and I mean desperate to make sure of the outcome. The recent referendum gives a very clear statement of how a huge amount of people feel, and over 10mn people didn't vote. A huge amount of people in Isaan and the north are not going to vote the way that the CNS wants them to.

Are you trying to say that CNS pays people money but they vote against because their consciense tells them so?

I am saying that even after all the banning of parties and the candidates, the people in Isaan will resoundingly support anything that firstly looks anti-Democrat and secondly anything that looks pro-ex-TRT without having to significantly buy votes.

[Plus]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

[Old Man River]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

THB 30 million +++.

[sriracha john]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

THB 30 million +++.

Does that set menu price include egg rolls?

[somtaamgaiyang]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

THB 30 million +++.

Does that set menu price include egg rolls?

And the 30mn++ is used very liberally to directly or indirectly buy the votes.

[sriracha john]

A party of back-stabbers trusted by no one

The founders have reportedly tried to approach Supachai Panitchpakdi, but the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development must be a very brave man just to read the party's list of who's who, let alone take up the offer.

For the Motherland is a political freak, this much is clear. And it has come into being out of its own karma. Many of the founders didn't show any courage or patriotism when it really counted. They contributed to Thaksin's omnipotence, turned a blind eye when things went seriously wrong, and only after his downfall have they decided to sink their knives into his back.

No matter how many seats this new bloc might win in the election, it will be enough to drag Abhisit through some nasty horse-trading. For the Motherland will be a party to be trusted by no one - and deservedly so.

- Tulsathit Taptim, Stoppage Time, The Nation

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

I tend to agree that I don't think Supachai is going to join this assembly of TRT'ers as its leader.

Chuan says Supachai will not leave Democrat

Democrat Party chief advisor Chuan Leekpai said Friday that he believes Supachai Panitchpakdi would not leave the

Democrats to join another political party.

Chuan was commenting on reports that politicians, who are registering the For Motherland Party, plan to invite Supachai to leave the position of UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) secretary-general to lead their party.

"I have to say that Supachai belongs to the Democrat Party and he has firm political stand," Chuan said.

"And I believe Supachai will not desert his responsibilities as UNCTAD secretary-general because his term has over one year left. In the last election, our party asked Supachai to run but he said he had responsibilities as UNCTAD chief. From what I know, Supachai is a person with firm stand."

- The Nation

[somtaamgaiyang]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

Its just an opinion, lets see what happens, if there actually is an election in December.

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin's niece announces candidacy in Chiang Mai

Shinnicha Wongsawat, a niece of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Friday announced her candidacy in Chiang Mai.

Shinnicha, daughter of Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of Thaksin, introduced herself to kamnan, village heads and communities' leaders in Chiang Mai's San Kham Paeng district Friday.

She would contest the election as a candidate of the People Power Party.

The Nation

Kamnan: "Holy $%^! There's a snake at the door!"

Sweeping lady: " Mai bpen lai, it's just a new member of the Thaksin family, an endangered species. Watch what you say to it, it won't bite but may sue your ass!... "

Edited September 14, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[Old Man River]

Has Supachai resigned from Democrat Party yet? He used to be their Deputy Secretary General or something. He quit active politics when he campaigned for WTO post, but I don't think he has ever actually left the party.

I could be wrong, but I thought he had to resign from political affiliations when he headed the WTO.

Plus, based on Chuan's comments, you were right. He hasn't left the Demo's.

[Plus]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

Its just an opinion, lets see what happens, if there actually is an election in December.

What do you mean? It's ok to buy MPs and call it "just an opinion"?

MPs need to decide on the party affiliation long before elections.

And I also don't think we'll see anything that happens. They are not putting pricelists in classifields yet.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's niece announces candidacy in Chiang Mai

Shinnicha Wongsawat, a niece of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Friday announced her candidacy in Chiang Mai.

Shinnicha, daughter of Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of Thaksin, introduced herself to kamnan, village heads and communities' leaders in Chiang Mai's San Kham Paeng district Friday.

She would contest the election as a candidate of the People Power Party.

- The Nation

some interesting background.... funny about the 2nd article's title

Time for some more Thaksin Family testimony in front of the corruption investigators. What will her malingering malady be for a postponement request be?

Thaksin's Niece to Meet Assets Probe Panel Next Week

The deposed premier's niece will meet the Assets Examination Committee's sub-panel considering the petition calling for the revocation of the assets freeze orders, to prove that she gained possession of the frozen funds through honest means.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) sub-panel responsible for the consideration of the petition calling for the revocation of the assets freeze orders will call its first meeting on Thursday, to outline its framework after the legal team of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra lodged a complaint, asking the committee to lift asset freeze orders on some parts of his assets.

Representatives from Teerakupt Law firm reportedly submitted a complaint on Monday, asking the sub-panel to revoke its assets freeze orders on the 120,000 baht the company received from acting as a legal advisor for the Shin Corp deal.

Meanwhile, Chinnicha Wongsawad, daughter of Yaowapa Wongsawad, the deposed premier's sister, is scheduled to meet the sub-panel on August 16 to prove that she gained possession of the frozen funds through honest means.

- Thailand Outlook

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

some background on Thaksin's shield... errrr, I mean, Thakin's niece:

from just before the coup... The Nation / Sep. 4, 2006

PM's niece has no time for politics

Chinnicha Wongsawat, a niece of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has no interest in politics. She has time only for driving her transport and logistics business to the top.

Chinnicha, or "Cheer", 25, was groomed by mother, Yaowapa, a younger sister of the prime minister, since she was a child.

She would accompany her mother on many business trips. "She is a fast learner and has had a good business mind since she was young. We've no gap when talking of business matters. And, she can fly solo now," said Yaowapa.

Chinnicha dreamed of being a businesswoman since she was a girl. She studied at Thammasat University's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy and went on to a post-graduate degree in e-commerce at Birkbeck, University of London.

Mobile handset distributor M Link Asia was the proving ground for her management skills. She helped run its marketing and mobile content development. M Link was co-founded by her mother and aunt, Monthatip Kovitcharoenkul. Chinnicha holds about 12 per cent of M Link stock.

Today, Chinnicha is chief strategy officer at property and construction company Wyncoast Industrial Park, which is entering the logistics arena.

Last year Yaowapa took over LCD-screen maker Capetronic International (Thailand), a listed company in rehabilitation since 2003. It was renamed Wyncoast and changed its focus to property, leased duty-free industrial zones and an integrated logistics business.

The government has a long-term policy to improve the country's logistics. Chinnicha wanted Wyncoast to be a provider of comprehensive logistics services within the next five years.

Her family owns more than 50 per cent of Wyncoast.

The family sold its shares in publisher Traffic Corner Holdings and construction company Ascon Construction. She said these were short-term investments only. "It was just ordinary stock investment. But we have stopped doing that to focus solely on our core business, Wyncoast," Chinnicha said, insisting the family had no plan to sell Wyncoast, which it saw as a long-term deal.

The budding businesswoman is also a keen stock-market player and the first company she invested in was Thailand's largest cellular operator, Advanced Info Service (AIS) - founded by the Shinawatra family.

As if she weren't busy enough, Chinnicha and friends have invested in a Chinese restaurant set to open at Suvarnabhumi Airport. She has also sunk her own cash into exporting spa products, but declined to reveal the brand.

Among her investment advisers were Monthatip and Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck, formerly AIS president.

Because of the Shinawatra link, her business activities are closely watched. Many have accused her of capitalising on Thaksin's clout.

Chinnicha isn't worried and says the claims are untrue. "Everything I do is transparent and can be scrutinised. If what you do is right, at the end of the day those who want to taint your reputation will give up and retreat," she said.

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

Perhaps she can utilize that last line during her testimony to the investigators, who clearly have not given up and retreated.

[sriracha john]

oops... that one's already taken, try another... how Thai Rak Thai Mak Mak?

Buddhist Sect opposes party's Puea Pandin name

The Santi Asoke Buddhist sect has asked the Election Commission (EC) not to register the Puea Pandin party as it says the party's name is the same as its television channel's. Samdin Lertbut, secretary to the board of the channel, and channel director Thienput Putthipong-asoke, went to the EC yesterday and filed a complaint with Krit Uawong, deputy director of the EC's political party and referendum office. They strongly opposed Puea Pandin being picked as the name of a political party as the sect was already using that name for its television channel. Puea Pandin was chosen as the name for the new political party resulting from the merger of the Pracharaj party of veteran politician Sanoh Thienthong, the Matchima group of Somsak Thepsuthin and other political entities. On Wednesday, the alliance formally requested the EC to register the name. The commission, however, has not decided whether to allow the registration.

Mr Samdin said if the party was permitted to register under the name of Puea Pandin, then people could misunderstand that the sect's television channel was lending support to it.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Sep2007_news02.php

Edited September 15, 2007 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Thaksin's niece announces candidacy in Chiang Mai

Shinnicha Wongsawat, a niece of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Friday announced her candidacy in Chiang Mai.

Shinnicha, daughter of Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of Thaksin, introduced herself to kamnan, village heads and communities' leaders in Chiang Mai's San Kham Paeng district Friday.

She would contest the election as a candidate of the People Power Party.

- The Nation

some interesting background.... funny about the 2nd article's title

Time for some more Thaksin Family testimony in front of the corruption investigators. What will her malingering malady be for a postponement request be?

Thaksin's Niece to Meet Assets Probe Panel Next Week

The deposed premier's niece will meet the Assets Examination Committee's sub-panel considering the petition calling for the revocation of the assets freeze orders, to prove that she gained possession of the frozen funds through honest means.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) sub-panel responsible for the consideration of the petition calling for the revocation of the assets freeze orders will call its first meeting on Thursday, to outline its framework after the legal team of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra lodged a complaint, asking the committee to lift asset freeze orders on some parts of his assets.

Representatives from Teerakupt Law firm reportedly submitted a complaint on Monday, asking the sub-panel to revoke its assets freeze orders on the 120,000 baht the company received from acting as a legal advisor for the Shin Corp deal.

Meanwhile, Chinnicha Wongsawad, daughter of Yaowapa Wongsawad, the deposed premier's sister, is scheduled to meet the sub-panel on August 16 to prove that she gained possession of the frozen funds through honest means.

- Thailand Outlook

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

some background on Thaksin's shield... errrr, I mean, Thakin's niece:

from just before the coup... The Nation / Sep. 4, 2006

PM's niece has no time for politics

Chinnicha Wongsawat, a niece of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has no interest in politics. She has time only for driving her transport and logistics business to the top.

Chinnicha, or "Cheer", 25, was groomed by mother, Yaowapa, a younger sister of the prime minister, since she was a child.

She would accompany her mother on many business trips. "She is a fast learner and has had a good business mind since she was young. We've no gap when talking of business matters. And, she can fly solo now," said Yaowapa.

Chinnicha dreamed of being a businesswoman since she was a girl. She studied at Thammasat University's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy and went on to a post-graduate degree in e-commerce at Birkbeck, University of London.

Mobile handset distributor M Link Asia was the proving ground for her management skills. She helped run its marketing and mobile content development. M Link was co-founded by her mother and aunt, Monthatip Kovitcharoenkul. Chinnicha holds about 12 per cent of M Link stock.

Today, Chinnicha is chief strategy officer at property and construction company Wyncoast Industrial Park, which is entering the logistics arena.

Last year Yaowapa took over LCD-screen maker Capetronic International (Thailand), a listed company in rehabilitation since 2003. It was renamed Wyncoast and changed its focus to property, leased duty-free industrial zones and an integrated logistics business.

The government has a long-term policy to improve the country's logistics. Chinnicha wanted Wyncoast to be a provider of comprehensive logistics services within the next five years.

Her family owns more than 50 per cent of Wyncoast.

The family sold its shares in publisher Traffic Corner Holdings and construction company Ascon Construction. She said these were short-term investments only. "It was just ordinary stock investment. But we have stopped doing that to focus solely on our core business, Wyncoast," Chinnicha said, insisting the family had no plan to sell Wyncoast, which it saw as a long-term deal.

The budding businesswoman is also a keen stock-market player and the first company she invested in was Thailand's largest cellular operator, Advanced Info Service (AIS) - founded by the Shinawatra family.

As if she weren't busy enough, Chinnicha and friends have invested in a Chinese restaurant set to open at Suvarnabhumi Airport. She has also sunk her own cash into exporting spa products, but declined to reveal the brand.

Among her investment advisers were Monthatip and Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck, formerly AIS president.

Because of the Shinawatra link, her business activities are closely watched. Many have accused her of capitalising on Thaksin's clout.

Chinnicha isn't worried and says the claims are untrue. "Everything I do is transparent and can be scrutinised. If what you do is right, at the end of the day those who want to taint your reputation will give up and retreat," she said.

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

Perhaps she can utilize that last line during her testimony to the investigators, who clearly have not given up and retreated.

The saddest thing in this article is just how a child is groomed for business from a very young age.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The only chance for fairer visa rules is a Democrat Government. I repeat....the ONLY chance.

[somtaamgaiyang]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

Its just an opinion, lets see what happens, if there actually is an election in December.

What do you mean? It's ok to buy MPs and call it "just an opinion"?

MPs need to decide on the party affiliation long before elections.

And I also don't think we'll see anything that happens. They are not putting pricelists in classifields yet.

It was in answer to the statement - Not true. Lets see at the election which way the rural poor vote. I reckon it will not be pro democrat and will be pro whoever seems most similar to TRT.

[John K]

The only chance for fairer visa rules is a Democrat Government. I repeat....the ONLY chance.

Interesting comment, and certainly food for thought.

Edited September 15, 2007 by John K

[somtaamgaiyang]

The only chance for fairer visa rules is a Democrat Government. I repeat....the ONLY chance.

Interesting comment, and certainly food for thought.

I would have to agree, but in a coalition the odds that the rules will get fairer are slim. There is no answer to "Selling the country", without being accused of not being loyal to Thailand.

[hammered]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

Its just an opinion, lets see what happens, if there actually is an election in December.

What do you mean? It's ok to buy MPs and call it "just an opinion"?

MPs need to decide on the party affiliation long before elections.

And I also don't think we'll see anything that happens. They are not putting pricelists in classifields yet.

It was in answer to the statement - Not true. Lets see at the election which way the rural poor vote. I reckon it will not be pro democrat and will be pro whoever seems most similar to TRT.

The rural poor will as always vote for the same MP they always do. It will just be a matter of what party that MP decides to run in. Just as for example the Isaan poor voted for the exactly the same MPs when they were in the pre-TRT parties that they did when they joined the TRT so they will now vote for the same MPs in the PPP or Motherland or whatever other faction they joined. This is not like a western election. Very few if any of the long time Isaan MPs that have been through many parties including recently TRT will join the Dems. Actually the Dems probably wouldnt want them anyway. Similar thing up in the upper North where the TRT built its majority by sucking up the Democrat MPs who are very unlikely to want to go back or even more unlikely be accepted back. So in the upper north and Isaan it is very unlikely the rural poor will vote Dem. It is also very unlikely the poor fishermen and rural poor of the south will vote PPP or any other ex-TRT faction.

Edited September 15, 2007 by hammered

[John K]

Hammered, would you say that comes from lack of understanding from lack of a quality education, simply being too much for them to comprehend? With the ease of vote buying implied in Isaan, one could come in and tell them to vote for Osama Binlauden and it may just happen.

[hammered]

Hammered, would you say that comes from lack of understanding from lack of a quality education, simply being too much for them to comprehend? With the ease of vote buying implied in Isaan, one could come in and tell them to vote for Osama Binlauden and it may just happen.

I think it is more about the way Thai traditional society is. Rememeber the country was feudal only a few decades ago and there are those alive who remember that. Patronage systems and your place still work. Increased education is the key, but in that there is a conundrum. The people who represent them know that increased education would quite likely lead to a lessening of the power of their own position and so do not want education to be too good. Or in other words because of the syatem and the traditional role each player enjoys the same old feudal overlords get elected and these are the last people who will want you to be educated enough to see that the system actaully holds you as an ordinary person back.

It is unlikely that your bin laden example would ever come true but if the local MP decided to join an extrem buddhist party something similar could happen not just through vote buying but because the local powerful person and person "to look up to who takes care of us" decided to join a party. The same old names can be traced through NAP, Chart Pattana, Solidarity to TRT and onto PPP, Motherland and nearly all of them wil be reelcted under any party banner. No doubt in afew years they or their kid successors will be found in yet another new party formed by another group to advance their own business interests. Only Democrat and Chart Thai have a longetivity of over a decade and have succesfully changed party leadership to those outside of a family or clan member, and I am not sure you could really even say Chart Thai is not a traditional clan based party. Thai politcs is very much in its infancy with little about policies and even less about ideology and much about family, clan and business group alliances.

[sriracha john]

The only chance for fairer visa rules is a Democrat Government. I repeat....the ONLY chance.

Interesting comment, and certainly food for thought.

It's the same statement or answer as most Thais I've asked this very question to.

[sriracha john]

Not true - "no vote" lost in many constituences where former TRT MPs switched to pro-junta factions, notably Somsak's and Suwat's areas.

These days parties don't buy votes, it's out of fashion. These days they buy winning MPs. Have you heard of going price of 30 million for defecting? Do you think it's just a rumor?

Its just an opinion, lets see what happens, if there actually is an election in December.

What do you mean? It's ok to buy MPs and call it "just an opinion"?

MPs need to decide on the party affiliation long before elections.

And I also don't think we'll see anything that happens. They are not putting pricelists in classifields yet.

It was in answer to the statement - Not true. Lets see at the election which way the rural poor vote. I reckon it will not be pro democrat and will be pro whoever seems most similar to TRT.

The rural poor will as always vote for the same MP they always do. It will just be a matter of what party that MP decides to run in. Just as for example the Isaan poor voted for the exactly the same MPs when they were in the pre-TRT parties that they did when they joined the TRT so they will now vote for the same MPs in the PPP or Motherland or whatever other faction they joined. This is not like a western election. Very few if any of the long time Isaan MPs that have been through many parties including recently TRT will join the Dems. Actually the Dems probably wouldnt want them anyway. Similar thing up in the upper North where the TRT built its majority by sucking up the Democrat MPs who are very unlikely to want to go back or even more unlikely be accepted back. So in the upper north and Isaan it is very unlikely the rural poor will vote Dem. It is also very unlikely the poor fishermen and rural poor of the south will vote PPP or any other ex-TRT faction.

Not sure about the North.... there's been developments there lately that have been surprising which may end up with some Democrats getting in from that area.

A couple of things are the Chiang Mai mayor race... and the referendum passing in the Northern areas by 52% (albeit a small margin, but nevertheless, surprising that its approval was in the majority at all)...and the ever-growing urbanization of several areas with its concurrent influx of Democrat-minded voters.

There just might be some surprises come Dec. 23rd.

[sriracha john]

I think it is more about the way Thai traditional society is. Rememeber the country was feudal only a few decades ago and there are those alive who remember that. Patronage systems and your place still work. Increased education is the key, but in that there is a conundrum. The people who represent them know that increased education would quite likely lead to a lessening of the power of their own position and so do not want education to be too good.

Which really makes Thaksin's SIX years of rule, where education stagnated and backslid in many instances... occuring at a time when he was touting his country's wonderful advancement and abundance and prosperity... really sickening.

His mishandling of practically every educational issue, his monthly replacements of the Education Minister, and even assuming the role himself in some self-aggrandizing manner has set-back Thailand's educational system and it all occurred during a time when it should have been advancing rapidly.

[sriracha john]

Being a proxy has consequences....

Samak urged to tone it down

Dissension in the ranks of People's Power

People's Power party (PPP) boss Samak Sundaravej has fired his first salvo at the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), but insiders warn it's his own party that could suffer the casualties. Samak was grandstanding once again when he vowed to exonerate the 111 former TRT executive members who were banned for five years and abolish the ASC if he became prime minister after the general election. Samak also said shortly after taking the PPP's helm that he did not mind working as the nominee of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra. He was showered with praise by his own supporters for taking such a clear stand to undo "injustices" but within the PPP, core leaders are feeling the pinch as a result of Samak's remarks. They reckon his closed-fist approach will only chisel away at the party's competitiveness. Leading PPP figures recently met party secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee and Yaowapa Wongsawat, a younger sister of the former PM, for a talk about the party's policy platform. They disagreed with Samak's intention to absolve the former TRT leadership and felt his hostile attitude towards the ASC, which is investigating corruption scandals involving Thaksin and some of his former cabinet members, could blow up in the party's face.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Sep2007_news99.php

Samak urged to tone it down

Dissension in the ranks of People's Power

The loose cannon strikes again.

Another untethered cannon rolling unattended to on the decks of the TRT Ship

Surapong Suebwonglee

PPP: Amnesty will be given to banned TRT executives

People's Power party (PPP) secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee insisted Saturday the party will seek amnesty for 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives who were banned from politics for five years from electoral fraud charges if the party wins upcoming election. Surapong claimed many people agree with the idea but no one dares to say it out loud. His stance echoed that of the party leader Samak Sundaravej who said earlier this month that an amnesty will be granted to all 111 TRT executives if he becomes PM.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121678

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

or... have those moderate voices amongst the PPP mentioned in the article been turned a deaf hear to by Thaksin's other proxy, Yaowapa, in the aforementioned meeting.

Is it a case of...Thakky has spoken... his guiding words have indicated that it's ok to put out these sound bites?

[John K]

It is a tad different from the democrats saying, no nukes, and the 30% rule is history.

It certainly is in contrast from the PPP saying ‘what we will do for us’ vs democrats saying 'what we will do for the country.'

[sriracha john]

Guess I hadn't realized previously that "Mr. TPI Bankruptcy" Prachai was the Motherland's financier....

Prachai Leophairatana

Prachai won't have Supachai at helm

Party financier Prachai Leophairatana yesterday dampened hopes of installing Supachai Panitchpakdi as leader of a new party billed as a political "third force".

"Supachai was responsible for the enactment of 11 economic laws which are completely incompatible with policies adopted by the Pua Paendin Group," Prachai said in reference to the rehabilitation programme in the wake of the 1997 financial crisis.

Prachai lost control of his petrochemical empire as a consequence.

He made it clear that he would not support a party led by Supachai, who is currently director-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva.

He was also critical about the transformation of Pua Paendin ("For the Motherland") into a party by using his Pracharaj Party as shell. "For a start, I don't agree with the new name 'Pua Paendin' because the party should retain its old name, 'Pracharaj', following the amalgamation of various groups," he said.

He said his party already had many qualified members, such as Korn Dabbaransi and Arthit Urairat, in the race to become the next prime minister. Any newcomers, including those from Matchima and other factions, can seek their new home elsewhere if they disagree with his terms, he said.

"Pracharaj is ready to move on without [Pua Paendin] and form an alliance with the Democrats and Chat Thai to block the People Power Party," he said. Prachai also opposed a proposal by newcomers to install Suwit Khunkitti as interim party leader.

He went on to reveal that he was responsible for the financial upkeep of Pracharaj core members but would not look after newcomers.

"As for campaign financing, I can match any amount of money supplied by former prime minister Thaksin [shinawatra]," he said, voicing optimism about defeating the People Power Party.

*That's just wishful thinking. I don't think that anyone in Thailand can match the money of former prime minister Thaksin.*

If the new party is going to work, former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Bangkok 50 leader Suranand Vejjajiva must step back after concluding the deal with Pracharaj, he said.

Surakiart and Suranand still face a five-year ban from the electoral process and cannot be active in politics, he noted.

Prachai said he was ready for a showdown with newcomers at a meeting on Thursday.

- The Nation

Edited September 15, 2007 by sriracha john