New Political Party Ready To Launch

[sriracha john]

NEW PARTIES

Who are you with, Somkid?

Matchima head wants old ally to clarify his status

Matchima Group leader Somsak Thepsuthin yesterday urged Somkid Jatusripitak to make it clear whether he prefers to join a new political party in the making.

"It depends on Somkid whether he steps forward or not. However, I notice Somkid was unhappy with the announcement [to form the party]," Somsak said.

The veteran politician was speaking after the Ruam Jai Thai Group (Thai Unity) held a press conference on Tuesday to announce that it was ready to form a political party of the same name to contest the upcoming election.

"They [Ruam Jai Thai key members] have well-intentioned support for Somkid," said Somsak.

Many Ruam Jai Thai members are from the Thamma Thippatai Group, which is led by Somkid, who was deputy leader of the now disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

Somsak yesterday declined to say whether the Matchima Group would join the Ruam Jai Thai or not.

Anek Laothammatas, co-founder of the Ruam Jai Thai, said the group was not concerned about reports it was involved in a dispute with the Matchima Group.

However, reports suggested that Matchima leader Somsak was also unhappy with the announcement.

Anek said his group did not see Matchima as a rival, adding that Ruam Jai Thai was seeking an alliance with Matchima.

"Don't forget that not every group can form a political party. Some group may think Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai are in conflict, but nothing happened. We have talked together and understand the situation," he said.

When asked about political scientist Chai-anan Samudavanija's denial that he had joined Ruam Jai Thai, Anek said his group was talking to Chai-anan about him joining.

"Anyone can join any group. However, we believe our group can come to an understanding with Chai-anan," Anek said.

Ruam Jai Thai made an official statement explaining the group's launch. Its founders have set up a committee chaired by Pradit Pattaraprasit to prepare for the formation of a political party.

Pradit said the group received a good response following its announcement. "We must continue our plan to form a party in order to provide an alternative for voters," he said.

- The Nation

[thaigene2]

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."

Exactly. The idea is to push all this through back-to-back in blitzkreig fashion, (Constitution, election with exisitng tiny parties), to ensure what emerges is a country that further disenfranchises the poor majority. In other words, make darn sure a populist party can never again threaten the interests of the elite (and in the process make sure no pipsqueak corrupt billionnaires ever again try to stray from the way 'thing are done' i.e.: upset that priviledged apple cart)

[thaigene2]

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."

Exactly. The idea is to push all this through back-to-back in blitzkreig fashion, (Constitution, election with exisitng tiny parties), to ensure what emerges is a country that further disenfranchises the poor majority. In other words, make darn sure a populist party can never again threaten the interests of the elite (and in the process make sure no pipsqueak corrupt billionnaires ever again try to stray from the way 'thing are done' i.e.: upset that priviledged apple cart)

[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."

Exactly. The idea is to push all this through back-to-back in blitzkreig fashion, (Constitution, election with exisitng tiny parties), to ensure what emerges is a country that further disenfranchises the poor majority. In other words, make darn sure a populist party can never again threaten the interests of the elite (and in the process make sure no pipsqueak corrupt billionnaires ever again try to stray from the way 'thing are done' i.e.: upset that priviledged apple cart)

The only problem with that logic is that about 2/3 of the TRT have abandoned it, are playing ball with the government and are the, wheteher TRT or under some name before the TRT, the usual representatives of their poor (or otherwise) constituencies, so in most cases little has changed. Those like Jatuporn running round Sanam Luang threatening the end of the world are privileged Bangkok wannabe MPs.

[bruceboy]

This situation is going to get very interesting.

[sriracha john]

Ruam Jai Thai clears the air

Ruam Jai Thai co-founder Anek Laothammatas yesterday said Matchima Group leader Somsak Thepsuthin had cleared up the confusion relating to the Ruam Jai Thai announcement to form a political party.

"I think Somsak is fine. Political work needs open-minded people and we should look beyond [the misunderstanding]," he said.

Anek praised Somsak and his group as a valuable and meaningful entity, saying that after launching his official group, an alliance with the Matchima Group was still possible.

But it remained to be seen how the relationship between the two groups would develop, said Anek.

Anek was still optimistic that Chai-anan Samudavanij would join the Ruam Jai Thai group but this would become clearer after Chai-anan retired as director of Vajiravudh College today.

Chai-anan previously said he had no information about the group's model and structure.

Chaianan was due to attend a Matchima seminar today.

- The Nation

[hammered]

Ruam Jai Thai clears the air

Ruam Jai Thai co-founder Anek Laothammatas yesterday said Matchima Group leader Somsak Thepsuthin had cleared up the confusion relating to the Ruam Jai Thai announcement to form a political party.

"I think Somsak is fine. Political work needs open-minded people and we should look beyond [the misunderstanding]," he said.

Anek praised Somsak and his group as a valuable and meaningful entity, saying that after launching his official group, an alliance with the Matchima Group was still possible.

But it remained to be seen how the relationship between the two groups would develop, said Anek.

Anek was still optimistic that Chai-anan Samudavanij would join the Ruam Jai Thai group but this would become clearer after Chai-anan retired as director of Vajiravudh College today.

Chai-anan previously said he had no information about the group's model and structure.

Chaianan was due to attend a Matchima seminar today.

- The Nation

The battle for the ex-TRT vote begins with the rump TRT left in the wake of Matchima and to a much lesser degree Ruam Jai Thai, and the significance of the Dem supported candidate easily winning Chiang Mai this week shows it is not only the defectors who can grab the support.

[thaigene2]

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."

Exactly. The idea is to push all this through back-to-back in blitzkreig fashion, (Constitution, election with exisitng tiny parties), to ensure what emerges is a country that further disenfranchises the poor majority. In other words, make darn sure a populist party can never again threaten the interests of the elite (and in the process make sure no pipsqueak corrupt billionnaires ever again try to stray from the way 'thing are done' i.e.: upset that priviledged apple cart)

The only problem with that logic is that about 2/3 of the TRT have abandoned it, are playing ball with the government and are the, wheteher TRT or under some name before the TRT, the usual representatives of their poor (or otherwise) constituencies, so in most cases little has changed. Those like Jatuporn running round Sanam Luang threatening the end of the world are privileged Bangkok wannabe MPs.

Look, few are going to argue about 'personal' agendas. Sure these guys are all about promoting themselves - Demon-crats too right? This country has a rather rich history of "prominent" people running things (anyone want to buy some 'Saudi jewels'?)

So what? The point is only one party has EVER pandered to the poor disenfranchised. For their own reasons - yep! So what's your point?

Yes, Yes, Yes...We all know that TRT politicians were looking after their own intersts just like the other major-general this and that who ran for the other parties before and now. And of course the people sitting at Sanam Luang are being paid (500 baht per day I hear). Better than working in the field for 150 baht per day in a place where no one give a f++kin g S+it about them! -- n'est pas?

[TAWP]

As long as you bribe the poor you should be able to get away with anything, is your motto?

[deminister]

Yes, but at least these people are elected and not helped in power by the happy few. As long as one constitution after another is discriminatory against common folks who did not had the money (but certainly had the brains) to study in University or buy a degree, and thus are banned from being elected, money MUST be paid to compensate.

The worst democratically elected government is still better than a dictatorship. For anyone claiming that the Thai courts are independent, I can only say: Dream on!

[Plus]

Bribing people to steal from them, and Thaigene2 thinks they should feel grateful. I heard pimps use the same line of reasoning.

Deminister - "Money MUST be paid". I knew one day these supportes of democracy would want to legalize vote buying.

"...at least these people are elected and not helped in power by the happy few" - elected here means "helped in power by the happy rich".

One group comes to power because of money, another because of guns. "Gun power" told everyone that "money power" will be stopped and that they themselves would fade away and let PEOPLE decide for a change.

It's the only deal on the table unless there's an equally attractive proposition from "money power".

[Happy Jack]

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!!

The best we can hope for is that they will be a democratically elected 'band of cheats, frauds, swindlers, cronies, wasters, corrupters, rogues, rascals, blaggards, cads, fakes and fly-by-nights'.

[sriracha john]

Breath of fresh air for Thai politics

After having played politics from the sidelines for decades, as a one-time adviser to late prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan, as a critic or as a political guru to certain parties, Chai-Anan Samudvanija made it clear last week that it was time for him to enter politics, not as a spectator but as a key player. It was no coincidence that the commandant of Vajiravudh College made his statement about his readiness to play realpolitik to a gathering of members of Somsak Thepsuthin's Matchima group. He explained he had not yet joined the Matchima group because he had not yet been invited by the group's leader. But he made no attempt to hide the fact he favoured the Matchima group and expected the group would one day merge with the Ruam Jai Thai group of Somkid Jatusripitak.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/02Jul2007_news17.php

[sriracha john]

Kittiratt backed to lead new party

Ex-SET president and national football chief tipped for Ruam Jai Thai

Former stock exchange president Kittiratt Na Ranong is the top candidate to lead the Ruam Jai Thai (Thai Unity) Group, of which he is a co-founder, according to sources in the group.

Former Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Somkid Jatusripitak, whose Thamma Thippatai group forms the core of Ruam Jai Thai, is out of the running following the court-ordered dissolution of the party for electoral fraud and a five-year ban from politics on its 111 executives.

The ban means Somkid will not be eligible to lead Ruam Jai Thai once it registers as a political party as planned.

"Kittiratt is an interesting choice. We let him run the show at the group's launch last week and he did very well," fellow Ruam Jai Thai co-founder Pradit Pattaraprasit told The Nation.

Pradit said the group was still undecided on the choice of leader, but one of the main qualifications would be an excellent grounding in economics.

Pradit said Somkid would be appointed the party's chief adviser once it was registered, which is expected to take place around September, after which the party structure, including the leadership, would be announced.

Kittiratt, who is considered to be one of Somkid's trusted inner circle, first entered the public spotlight when Somkid, as finance minister in the first Thaksin Shinawatra government, endorsed him as president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

Like Somkid, Kittiratt is soft-spoken, diplomatic and politically retiring. His stewardship of the SET is generally regarded as a success - he broadened and deepened the exchange but also gave it wider public appeal through social and education programmes.

Additional background information:

SET President Kittiratt Na Ranong tendered his resignation yesterday, attributing his decision to leave 16 months early to his failure to bring the Thai Beverage offering to the SET.

- ThaiDay / May 25, 2006

On the other hand, an investment in Family Knowhow, the SET's media production company, raised questions about the role of the exchange. Kittiratt also failed to convince the government to endorse the listing of Thai Beverage Co, which went on to list in Singapore due to local protests by Buddhist groups.

After leaving the SET, he joined the faculty of Sasin Graduate School of Business Administration, where he earlier earned his master's degree.

A source said Ruam Jai Thai, under Kittiratt's leadership, could tap the Bangkok voter base of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai and of former city governor Bhichit Rattakul, another of the group's founders.

The source said they were targeting votes from Bangkok's middle class and businessmen who recognised Kittiratt's performance as stock exchange president.

Moreover, as manager of the national football team, Kittiratt would also find support in the sports sector.

Another source said it was possible that Kittiratt would also get the voter base of former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan, with whom he was a classmate at Sasin. Kittiratt's introduction to politics was helping Sudarat's campaign for the Bangkok governor election in 2000.

Additional background information:

Sudarat's own political pulling power is in serious doubt - running under the TRT banner, she was soundly thumped in Bangkok's gubernatorial election in 2000.

- AsiaTimes / June 29, 2007

The close relationship between Kittiratt and Sudarat might again lead to the question raised when Somkid first made plans to form a new party - would it be a mutation of Thaksin's disbanded party?

Suwit Mesinsee, another Ruam Jai Thai founder, insisted there was no love lost between Somkid and Thaksin. The relationship during Thaksin's second term was not good.

"The sour relationship was more due to Thaksin's inner circle than differences between the two of them," Suwit said.

It will be interesting to see how Sudarat, one of Thaksin's inner circle, connects with the "new power" figures.

- Political Desk, The Nation

Edited July 2, 2007 by sriracha john

[Plus]

Additional background information:

Sudarat's own political pulling power is in serious doubt - running under the TRT banner, she was soundly thumped in Bangkok's gubernatorial election in 2000.

- AsiaTimes / June 29, 2007

A rare slip up by Shawn Grispin - that was in 2000, TRT was an unknown entity then. Later on she came to control all Bangkok MPs and they soundly thumped Democrats in national elections, especially in 2005. I'm sure Grispin is aware of that but decided to spin her and show from a different angle.

Edited July 2, 2007 by Plus

[Tony Clifton]

Yes, but at least these people are elected and not helped in power by the happy few. As long as one constitution after another is discriminatory against common folks who did not had the money (but certainly had the brains) to study in University or buy a degree, and thus are banned from being elected, money MUST be paid to compensate.

The worst democratically elected government is still better than a dictatorship. For anyone claiming that the Thai courts are independent, I can only say: Dream on!

Worse than the courts working rather well for Thaksin while under and for Thaksin?

[hammered]

We may have a few more parties soon judging by reports on Thailand Outlook Channel. It seems the rump TRT is about to split into two. Sudarat and Yaowapa seem to be trying to set up their group as loyal or close Mr. Thaksin while Mr. Chatchuron seems to be trying to distance the TRT rump from Mr. Thaksin. The Sudarat side apparently sent oput a loasd of secretive SMS to former MPs while Mr. Chatchuron was in the USA about a meeting today. Mr. Chatchuron returns today oblivious of th meeting we hear. It sounds like the disintegration of TRT is getting a bit chaotic as they each try to stab one another in the back in a bunch of poweer plays.

So that leaves us with factions or parties of ex-TRT led by Somsak, Somkid, Suwat, Phinij, Sudarat, Chatchuron. Where exactly "the thugs at Sanam Luang" to use Mr. Somsaks words spoken in the Isaan, fit into this who knows. I must pull out me old book of previous parties that were absorbed into TRT complete with virtually all their MPs and see how it fits with this new break up.

[JR Texas]

We may have a few more parties soon judging by reports on Thailand Outlook Channel. It seems the rump TRT is about to split into two. Sudarat and Yaowapa seem to be trying to set up their group as loyal or close Mr. Thaksin while Mr. Chatchuron seems to be trying to distance the TRT rump from Mr. Thaksin. The Sudarat side apparently sent oput a loasd of secretive SMS to former MPs while Mr. Chatchuron was in the USA about a meeting today. Mr. Chatchuron returns today oblivious of th meeting we hear. It sounds like the disintegration of TRT is getting a bit chaotic as they each try to stab one another in the back in a bunch of poweer plays.

So that leaves us with factions or parties of ex-TRT led by Somsak, Somkid, Suwat, Phinij, Sudarat, Chatchuron. Where exactly "the thugs at Sanam Luang" to use Mr. Somsaks words spoken in the Isaan, fit into this who knows. I must pull out me old book of previous parties that were absorbed into TRT complete with virtually all their MPs and see how it fits with this new break up.

JR Texas: New political party? Any such party will be anything but new. It will simply be the same members of the corporate-political-military triangle of power in new t-shirts (same bad haircuts).

This is the same problem Americans are having........the power structure presents the public with the illusion that they are being presented with a choice........the game goes on........no real change occurs.....masses get screwed, learn how to become and work like slaves for the ruling elite (and convince themselves that they love it)......and the 1& at the top live lives that 99.9% of the human race can only dream about. One can only wonder how long this game will be allowed to continue. It truly amazes me. I have to give the ruling elite credit......they have done a masterful job at creating a global pool of submissive, slave laborers (used the mainstream mass media to do it).

[sriracha john]

The in-fighting within TRT is going literal...

Attempted assassination of former TRT MP from Nakhon Ratchasima

A former Thai Rak Thai Member of Parliament from Nakhon Ratchasima province was shot and injured today (July 2).

Earlier today, Pol Lt Col Pisanu Kongthongnok, investigative officer to the Khon Buri district precinct reported that a shooting occurred on the Khon Buri-Soeng Sang Road in Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima province. A response unit was immediately dispatched to the scene. Officers reported that an overturned vehicle riddled with bullet holes was found with 5 bullet casings nearby.

The victim of the shooting was identified as former Thai Rak Thai Member of Parliament for Nakhon Ratchasima province, Mr. Supol Athawong, nicknamed as, "Rambo of the Northeast."

Mr. Supol was transported to a nearby medical facility by local citizens shortly after the shooting, and is reported to be recovering well.

The Superintendent of the Khon Buri district precinct revealed that as Mr. Supol reached the Khon Buri-Soeng Sang Road, he was pursued by an unknown number of gunmen who overtook his vehicle and fired into his windshield.

Unbeknownst to the gunmen, Mr. Supol's vehicle was armored, and therefore served to reduce the severity of the victim's injuries.

The motive for the assassination of the former Member of Parliament remains unknown, but authorities suspect political or personal disputes.

- ThaiNews

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

TRT'ers travel around their home provinces in armor-protected vehicles???? :D

"unbeknownst" ???? wow.... the guys in the newsroom are taking it up a level....

shootouts in Issan

[Plus]

JR Texas: New political party? Any such party will be anything but new. It will simply be the same members of the corporate-political-military triangle of power in new t-shirts (same bad haircuts).

There are no alternatives. Corporations and politicians rule every country in the world. Thailand just adds military in the mix.

[Tony Clifton]

Possible split in former TRT?

A split seemed to appear among ex-members of the Thai Rak Thai Party Monday as they held talks about forming a new political party.

Chaturon Chaisang, leader of the Thai Rak Thai Group, had called former MPs to meet at the defunct party's headquarters at Navasorn Building on Rama III Road, while Sudarat Keyuraphan and Yaowapha Wongsawat also summoned ex-MPs to meet at the IFCT Building, the party's former headquarters on New Phetchaburi Road.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/02...cs_30038979.php

Sure looks like being banned from politics is being ignored by quite a few ex TRT members. Like the election commissioners under Thaksin, they' ll also get to complain of being stressed after spending a few days in jail.

Edited July 2, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

Any reports of gunfire at either of the two TRT meetings?

[sriracha john]

Disbanded parties may be prohibited to use same names

The National Legislative Assembly is to ban political parties disbanded by the courts from registering under old names or ones similar to them, member Prapan Khoonmee said Monday

"The assembly is vetting a draft bill to pave the way for the registration of new parties and has agreed to insert a clause forbidding the recycling of names of dissolved parties," he said.

The planned ban covers names and logos or insignias.

Prapan said the ban, if approved, would last five years following court orders of dissolution.

In a separate bill, the assembly will rewrite a clause for the courts to prohibit the reuse of party names where parties have been convicted of electoral fraud, he said.

Political commentators see the legislative moves as attempts to prevent the revival of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

- The Nation

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

well, I suppose it's better than having Thai Rak Thai I

well, I suppose it's better than having Thai Rak Thai II

well, I suppose it's better than having Thai Rak Thai III

well, I suppose it's better than having Thai Rak Thai IV

well, I suppose it's better than having Thai Rak Thai V

etc.

etc.

etc.

[sriracha john]

Not sure if this Thai Rak Thai II or Thai Rak Thai III....

Thai Rak Thai Group leader Chaturon Chaisang (#2 on the List of Banned Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from political activity for 5 years), center, attends a meeting held by Sudarat Keyuraphan (#3 on the List of Banned Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from political activity for 5 years), right, and Yaowapa Wongsawat (Thaksin's sister and #13 on the List of Banned Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from political activity for 5 years), left, at the IFCT Building yesterday.

The Nation

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

The only one higher up on the List than two of these guys is #1, Thaksin Shinawatra.

His sister, Wongsawat, is lucky number 13.

[sriracha john]

TRT grouping averts meltdown

The disbanded Thai Rak Thai party yesterday narrowly avoided meltdown after former acting leader Chaturon Chaisaeng decided to join hands with factions led by Yaowapa Wongsawat, Sudarat Keyuraphan and Newin Chidchob, vowing to reject the draft constitution. Mrs Yaowapa, a younger sister of Thai Rak Thai founder Thaksin Shinawatra and leader of a northern faction, along with Sudarat, who leads a Bangkok faction, called a meeting of their respective groups at the former party headquarters at IFCT Building on Phetchaburi road yesterday. Initially, Mr Chaturon and his group, including former acting deputy leader Chamlong Krudkhunthod and former acting secretary-general Vichet Kasemthongsri, refused to join, saying they would stay at Nawasorn Building, the new Thai Rak Thai headquarters. They wanted to protest against the meeting at IFCT Building because Mr Chaturon's group was upset with the return of some key figures who departed Thai Rak Thai after the Sept 19 coup and left him to handle the party on his own, according to Thai Rak Thai sources.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Jul2007_news02.php

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

I understand with their over-inflated egos and big heads that there wasn't enough room to include Newin (#6 on the List of Banned Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from political activity for 5 years) in the above photo. So, in order for him not to feel left out:

[sriracha john]

Additional information on the in-fighting amongst the Thai Rak Thai Party...

(Due to the unavailability of a photo of Suporn Atthawong, have opted for one of his namesake)

Former TRT Party's 'Rambo' shot and wounded in ambush

Nakhon Ratchasima - A former Thai Rak Thai MP was slightly injured when shot on Sunday night and he says he believes the motive was political. Suporn Atthawong, also known as 'Rambo,' was attacked while driving home on Khon Buri-Soeng Sang road in Khon Buri district about 11.25 pm, after dinner with a senior local police officer in Soeng Sang district. He said a group of armed men in a pick-up truck without a registration plate number opened fire at his car. He briefly returned fire, got out of the car and hid in a cassava field for about half an hour. Mr Suporn, a three-time MP for Nakhon Ratchasima's constituency 12, believed the attack was political. He said a rival he refused to name wanted to be elected in the general election. Mr Suporn is one of the 111 former executive members of TRT banned from politics for five years by the Constitution Tribunal on May 30. Mr Suporn said although he was not allowed to hold office for the time being, he was not opting out of politics and was looking for a capable person to run in his constituency. (Incidentally, he's #48 on the List of Banned Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from political activity for 5 years).

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Jul2007_news07.php

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

In typical Rambo fashion, it's great that he decided to open fire (perhaps with a M-60 machine gun as pictured above and that Rambo seemed to prefer), but what on Earth is this nonsense about hiding in a cassava field for half an hour like a sissy??!!? Rambo would never do that. He would have stormed the attackers with nothing more than a Bowie knife, if need be.

btw, any real photos of Suporn 'Rambo' Atthawong would be appreciated.

Edited July 3, 2007 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Mr Chaturon also told the meeting to accept the draft charter so the next election could take place. He believed that the Thai Rak Thai group could win more than 200 House seats due to the popularity of its former MPs.

Khunying Sudarat's group shares the same stance.

However, the faction of Newin Chidchob urged that the draft charter be rejected and vowed to persuade people upcountry to vote it down.

The meeting finally agreed to a compromise and announced the Thai Rak Thai group would reject the draft charter and demand the revival of the 1997 charter and new elections.

A classic definition of compromise from the above mentioned Post piece. Mind you neither Chatchuron or Sudarat match Mr. Newin on the scary front so it is probably in their best interests.

[hammered]

TRT grouping averts meltdown

The disbanded Thai Rak Thai party yesterday narrowly avoided meltdown after former acting leader Chaturon Chaisaeng decided to join hands with factions led by Yaowapa Wongsawat, Sudarat Keyuraphan and Newin Chidchob, vowing to reject the draft constitution. Mrs Yaowapa, a younger sister of Thai Rak Thai founder Thaksin Shinawatra and leader of a northern faction, along with Sudarat, who leads a Bangkok faction, called a meeting of their respective groups at the former party headquarters at IFCT Building on Phetchaburi road yesterday. Initially, Mr Chaturon and his group, including former acting deputy leader Chamlong Krudkhunthod and former acting secretary-general Vichet Kasemthongsri, refused to join, saying they would stay at Nawasorn Building, the new Thai Rak Thai headquarters. They wanted to protest against the meeting at IFCT Building because Mr Chaturon's group was upset with the return of some key figures who departed Thai Rak Thai after the Sept 19 coup and left him to handle the party on his own, according to Thai Rak Thai sources.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Jul2007_news02.php

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

I understand with their over-inflated egos and big heads that there wasn't enough room to include Newin (#6 on the List of Banned Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from political activity for 5 years) in the above photo. So, in order for him not to feel left out:

Reading through the reports on this event it is weird to read the names of so many scary, dodgy and even evil politicians that have spanned many administrations. Strange how they all came to be in the rump-TRT. Mind you I didnt see any reports of Yuth "dooyen" maybe he couldnt make it.

I wonder if the meeting discussed the main thing on most of their minds: who was stumping up the money? I guess there are enough people in their midst with a bit of spare illcitally gained cash who think the investment might be worth it to either curry favor with dear leader or to try an audacious power grab so all the charges against the lot of em could be made to go away. Looks like Chatchuron aint the man though. How can he compete with the dear leaders sister and (now what was that rumour about) Sudarat as a trusty front person who would put dear leaders interests before anything.

[Tony Clifton]

It's quite funny to watch the banned TRT members going on as if nothing had ever happened to their political status. Me thinks they are allowed to do so only to incriminate themselves even more and face lifetime bans from politics down the road.

[hammered]

It's quite funny to watch the banned TRT members going on as if nothing had ever happened to their political status. Me thinks they are allowed to do so only to incriminate themselves even more and face lifetime bans from politics down the road.

I wouldnt underestimate the Junta wanting to have a rump renamed TRT(s) in the opposition bloc next time too. It would look good to the outside world that those not guilty of anything could still participate in electoral politics.