New Political Party Ready To Launch

[hammered]

Doesn't look like TRT VII from the above list is going to come about...

Pracharaj Party Leader Denies Plan to Merge with Other Groups

A key member of the Ruam Jai Thai group reveals his camp will make a decision on whether to merge with other parties or establish its own party this month.

Meanwhile, the Pracharaj Party leader denies a plan to merge with the Matchima group.

Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong insists his party will not merge with Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai groups as Matchima leader Somsak Thepsutin announced to the press on Monday.

Sanoh accepts he earlier discussed with Somsak a proposal to get former Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to lead them, but the plan was abandoned as Somkid is among Thai Rak Thai executives who are banned from politics for 5 years.

He also reveals he has held talks with two key members of the Saman nachan group, Suwat Liptapanlop and Pinij Jarusombat, but they remain undecided whether to merge with Pracharaj.

The veteran politician also denies a plan to approach military officers to join Pracharaj, as this was not the right time for military officers to enter politics.

Sanoh says his Pracharaj party will give new faces the chance to join politics and he will not mind if members demand a new leader.

Meanwhile, Ruam Jai Thai group member Pradit Pattaraprasit confirms his camp agreed to merge with the Matchima group, but it is not yet clear whether they will work with Mahachon and Pracharaj.

Pradit accepts he has talked with Mahachon leader Sanan Kajornprasart about the possible establishment of a new party. He says the group's decision whether to merge with an existing party or join other groups to set up a new party will be reached this month.

He says former members of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai party in the North and Northeast have plans to join Ruam Jai Thai, but the group will select only people who have high potential to win in the election.

- Thailand Outlook

Looks like they are going to fight PPP in the lower north with a fair chance of coming out on top and in selected bits of the Isaan which will be a tad harder as only the ex-Choonhaven stronghold of Khorat looks to be takeable and these guys are not with Matchima. Could be a dirty battle.

[Plus]

"..Sanoh Thienthong insists his party will not merge.."

He'll get over it just in time for elections.

Most of post TRT factions will unite as regional blocks and form a coalition with Democrats. "People Power" will have to try hard to keep its MPs from defecting to the winning side once they smell that there's no future in sticking with Thaksin.

[hammered]

"..Sanoh Thienthong insists his party will not merge.."

He'll get over it just in time for elections.

Most of post TRT factions will unite as regional blocks and form a coalition with Democrats. "People Power" will have to try hard to keep its MPs from defecting to the winning side once they smell that there's no future in sticking with Thaksin.

PPP may do well in the Isaan and Upper North. Dont count them out yet. Nobody really knows until election day but estimates will be eaiser to make when the new party line ups are made and sitting MPs and proxies can be seen. Right now I could see PPP getting around 180 seats from what and who they claim to have and looking at the referendum by province. Howeever, nothing is clear until we know the split between the PPP and the non-PPP ex-TRT groups.

[sriracha john]

another day, another party....

Suchon will head Thai Ruam Thai party

A large number of former senators have joined the Thai Ruam Thai party, former Senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua said Wednesday. Mr Suchon refused to comment on numbers but did say they were former senators back in 2000. He also admitted accepting an invitation to head the Thai Ruam Thai party although stressed that his appointment is not yet official. “We have to await word from the Election Commission on new party registration,” he said. “The party’s former management team, who came from the Paen Din Thai party, voted in favour of changing their party’s name, after which former senators including himself were invited to join.” “We just have to wait for the go-ahead from the EC to ensure that the name-change is legitimate,” he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121037

[Plus]

"..Sanoh Thienthong insists his party will not merge.."

He'll get over it just in time for elections.

Most of post TRT factions will unite as regional blocks and form a coalition with Democrats. "People Power" will have to try hard to keep its MPs from defecting to the winning side once they smell that there's no future in sticking with Thaksin.

PPP may do well in the Isaan and Upper North. Dont count them out yet. Nobody really knows until election day but estimates will be eaiser to make when the new party line ups are made and sitting MPs and proxies can be seen. Right now I could see PPP getting around 180 seats from what and who they claim to have and looking at the referendum by province. Howeever, nothing is clear until we know the split between the PPP and the non-PPP ex-TRT groups.

I doubt they will win that many. The number is really not important if you are not in the government.

There was another count in the Nation today, and if other breakaway TRT groups don't lose, they'll get about a hundred, same as Democrats.

Many of consituences in Isan that have non PPP MPs still voted no.

PPP can't count them on their side unless there's a mass defection.

[Siripon]

The 'split' means nothing. If the Palang Prachachon get the largest majority of seats do you think Matchima will refuse to join to form a government? They could even claim they're joining to 'form a check and balance' on the runaway right wing xenaphobic Samak!

In Thai politics anything is possible except the Democrats joining a bunch of crooks.

But if Sonthi Boonyaratkalin turns out to be the leader of Matchima, then who will join Palang Prachachon?

Or can they wrest enough seats away from Matchima by portraying them as a bunch of turncoats who have scorned Thaksin's legacy?

We live in interesting times.

[sriracha john]

All eyes are on Matchima, new kid on the block

Third force could be powerhouse with more mergers

The election is four months away, but following the referendum hundreds of politicians are busy scheming to be part of the next government. Many former members of the defunct Thai Rak Thai are desperately seeking a new party and a new leader.

If new parties are to be formed, they must do so and register by the end of this month.

The Matchima Group and Ruam Jai Thai have decided to merge, forming a new party. The group could become a new powerhouse and win the election if they can convince groups such as Pracharaj and Saman Chan to join.

But Pracharaj leader Snoh Thienthong and Saman Chan's Suwat Liptapanlop have said they will not consider joining them.

Chat Pattana on Tuesday became the first political party to register with the Election Commission after the ban on political activity was lifted last week.

The party is considered a Suwat vehicle. But he is one of 111 former TRT executives banned from politics for five years.

Baan Rim Nam led by Suchart Tancharoen - with 20 former members of Parliament - will join former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, wherever he goes.

Other former Thai Rak Thai members are likely to join the People Power Party, the most common new home for them. It is due to select a leader tomorrow. Veteran politician Samak Sundaravej is the most likely contender.

A big problem for the self-proclaimed "third choice", Ruam Jai Thai and Matchima, is their lack of an obvious leader.

Veteran politicians will be attractive choices for political groups struggling to find prominent and competent candidates to head their respective groups.

Both Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai and People Power Party have looked at Chavalit. The former PM and Army chief appears to favour Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai. He is reportedly keen on becoming the next prime minister, not just being a party leader. Analysts say he may wish to erase his tarnished image, which was badly dented by the 1997 economic crisis.

Out of Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai and People Power Party, the former has more chance to be a core party in a government coalition.

As everyone knows, the junta will do everything possible to stop People Power - which has strong ties to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - from winning the election.

And, Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai seems to have a "special" power to attract small parties to it to form a bigger organisation. One of its leaders, Anek Laothamatas, has said the new group wants to be a core party in the next government.

The group has 100 former members of Parliament. If it can attract Suwat's faction, which has 60 former MPs, plus another 10 from Snoh's party, and 20 from the Baan Rim Nam it could win the election with about 200 seats.

Although Suwat and Snoh insisted they would not join the "third choice", they may not be able to resist its special power. Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai is also regarded as the party with military backing.

Another group leader Pradit Pataraprasit denied this, saying it would not become another Samakkhi-tham Party, which was formed to give the 1991 junta a political vehicle.

In regard to Chavalit, there are a number of reasons why the 75-year-old politician remains attractive to political groups.

First, he is experienced. Second is his connection with the military. He is respected among politicians and he is popular in the Northeast, the region that could decide the general election.

His former New Aspiration Party won the election in 1996. His party won most votes in the Northeast. Also, Chavalit is widely believed to have manipulated "no" votes in the region during last Sunday's referendum on the new constitution.

Chavalit's Nakhon Phanom stronghold delivered the most votes against the charter.

So if Chavalit does end up taking the helm for Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai his chances of becoming prime minister would receive a major boost.

- The Nation

[hammered]

All eyes are on Matchima, new kid on the block

Third force could be powerhouse with more mergers

The election is four months away, but following the referendum hundreds of politicians are busy scheming to be part of the next government. Many former members of the defunct Thai Rak Thai are desperately seeking a new party and a new leader.

If new parties are to be formed, they must do so and register by the end of this month.

The Matchima Group and Ruam Jai Thai have decided to merge, forming a new party. The group could become a new powerhouse and win the election if they can convince groups such as Pracharaj and Saman Chan to join.

But Pracharaj leader Snoh Thienthong and Saman Chan's Suwat Liptapanlop have said they will not consider joining them.

Chat Pattana on Tuesday became the first political party to register with the Election Commission after the ban on political activity was lifted last week.

The party is considered a Suwat vehicle. But he is one of 111 former TRT executives banned from politics for five years.

Baan Rim Nam led by Suchart Tancharoen - with 20 former members of Parliament - will join former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, wherever he goes.

Other former Thai Rak Thai members are likely to join the People Power Party, the most common new home for them. It is due to select a leader tomorrow. Veteran politician Samak Sundaravej is the most likely contender.

A big problem for the self-proclaimed "third choice", Ruam Jai Thai and Matchima, is their lack of an obvious leader.

Veteran politicians will be attractive choices for political groups struggling to find prominent and competent candidates to head their respective groups.

Both Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai and People Power Party have looked at Chavalit. The former PM and Army chief appears to favour Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai. He is reportedly keen on becoming the next prime minister, not just being a party leader. Analysts say he may wish to erase his tarnished image, which was badly dented by the 1997 economic crisis.

Out of Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai and People Power Party, the former has more chance to be a core party in a government coalition.

As everyone knows, the junta will do everything possible to stop People Power - which has strong ties to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - from winning the election.

And, Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai seems to have a "special" power to attract small parties to it to form a bigger organisation. One of its leaders, Anek Laothamatas, has said the new group wants to be a core party in the next government.

The group has 100 former members of Parliament. If it can attract Suwat's faction, which has 60 former MPs, plus another 10 from Snoh's party, and 20 from the Baan Rim Nam it could win the election with about 200 seats.

Although Suwat and Snoh insisted they would not join the "third choice", they may not be able to resist its special power. Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai is also regarded as the party with military backing.

Another group leader Pradit Pataraprasit denied this, saying it would not become another Samakkhi-tham Party, which was formed to give the 1991 junta a political vehicle.

In regard to Chavalit, there are a number of reasons why the 75-year-old politician remains attractive to political groups.

First, he is experienced. Second is his connection with the military. He is respected among politicians and he is popular in the Northeast, the region that could decide the general election.

His former New Aspiration Party won the election in 1996. His party won most votes in the Northeast. Also, Chavalit is widely believed to have manipulated "no" votes in the region during last Sunday's referendum on the new constitution.

Chavalit's Nakhon Phanom stronghold delivered the most votes against the charter.

So if Chavalit does end up taking the helm for Matchima-Ruam Jai Thai his chances of becoming prime minister would receive a major boost.

- The Nation

Chavalits ability to deliver a number of Isaan seats to whoever he jumps in bed with is the ctitical thing here. Chavalit lacks money and power these days but he is playing his main card very very well. After the Referendum result his position has strengthened. In the coming days there will probably be a lot of talk about third forces and what doesnt really exist right now will be assembled very quickly.

If, and it must remain an if right now, Chavalit lines up with Matchima it will effectively move more Isaan ex-TRT MPs to Matchima rather than PPP. This lining up of ex-MP likely winners is a bit of a battleground right now.

The line up for the next election looks to be PPP, Dem, Matchima alliance, Chart Thai, Suwats boys, the generals party and Snohs boys. It is starting to look a lot like the politcal landscape before TRT came along. PPP, Dem and Matchima could all be quite large in terms of MPs, which one will be the biggest could well be set by how the ex-TRT MPs line up between PPP and Matchima before the election.

[Plus]

I doubt Matchima will join PPP, they most certainly made a deal with junta to stay away from Thaksin.

It would be better if Chavalit took PPP leadership instead of Matchima's, but apparently PPP understand that he is not the man to bring Thaksin back. Samak is.

What will they do with Samak's court battles? Will they choose to ignore the law, as usual, and blame his troubles on Prem, elites, middle classes, social divisions etc. etc.

I doubt that even leftist intellectuals will buy this crap like they bought into TRT propaganda.

The fact is relying on Isan and North is not going to be enough. There's enough anti-Thaksin votes in the country to openly challenge them.

[hammered]

The 'split' means nothing. If the Palang Prachachon get the largest majority of seats do you think Matchima will refuse to join to form a government? They could even claim they're joining to 'form a check and balance' on the runaway right wing xenaphobic Samak!

In Thai politics anything is possible except the Democrats joining a bunch of crooks.

But if Sonthi Boonyaratkalin turns out to be the leader of Matchima, then who will join Palang Prachachon?

Or can they wrest enough seats away from Matchima by portraying them as a bunch of turncoats who have scorned Thaksin's legacy?

We live in interesting times.

Agree that any Somsak party will want to be in governemtn and will swing with the wind. However interesting times do not preclude the largest party not being in government. I tend to think the struggle for sitting MPs and their proxies that is going on now will decide the way the election goes.

I always think back to Samaks last little time in parlaiament when his cobras deserted him to support a Democrat government he hated. Weird things happen in Thai coalition politics. Of course assuming no party wins an overall majority.

[Plus]

The race is on, all major decisions will be taken now, before the elections. After the numbers are in we will see some movement but nothing surpsising.

[jumnien]

The GDJ party looks clearly in the lead to win the next election. GDJ is well organized and funded and powerful. It's almost certain that the next prime minister and next after that and the next after that will be from the GDJ (General Du Jour) party.

[Siripon]

The GDJ party looks clearly in the lead to win the next election. GDJ is well organized and funded and powerful. It's almost certain that the next prime minister and next after that and the next after that will be from the GDJ (General Du Jour) party.

What are you consuming?

[Jai Dee]

Ruam Jai Thai Group plans to register its group as a new party on Aug 28th

The Ruam Jai (รวมใจ) Thai Group plans to register its group as a new party on August 28th. Meanwhile, former President of the Parliament Mr.Uthai Pimchaichon (อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน) has agreeed to take the position of advisor of the party.

Ruam Jai Thai core member Pradit Phattharaprasit (ประดิษฐ์ ภัทรประสิทธิ์) reveals that The Matchima (มัชฌิมา) Group and the Ruam Jai (รวมใจ) Thai Group are preparing to form a new political party by seeking suitable people to join in. However, the name of the new party and the leader have yet been concluded.

Mr. Pradit says that after registering as a new party, it still can recruit more members or will join with other political group. He says the Ruam Jai Thai Group and Matchima Group are ready to run in the election.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Mahachon Party not likely to form alliance with Thai Ruam Jai and Matchima Group

The Mahachon (มหาชน) Party leader, Maj. Gen. Sanan Kachornprasart (สนั่น ขจรประศาสตน์), affirms that his party will not form an alliance with the Thai Ruam Jai Group (กลุ่มรวมใจไท) and the Matchima Group (กลุ่มมัชฌิมา).

Maj. Gen. Sanan reveals that he has never planned to form an alliance with the Thai Ruam Jai Group (กลุ่มรวมใจไท) and the Matchima Group (กลุ่มมัชฌิมา ). Mr. Sanan believse that his party will have some difficulty in gathering support from other parties due to its limited funding although a number of political groups have expressed interest in joining the party.

The Mahachon leader is confident that no violence will occur during the election period, and that the nation's political crisis will be resolved once a new government has been appointed. Maj. Gen. Sanan also expressed his belief that the Council for National Security Chairman, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin will not participate in politics after his retirement.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Maj Gen Khattiya warned not to set up a political party or violate the law

Royal Thai Police Commissioner General Seripisut Temiyavet (เสรพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส) has warned Army Senior Advisor Maj.Gen.Khattiya Sawasdipol (ขัตติยะ สวัสดิผล) not to set up a political party or he will be sentenced.

In response to Maj.Gen. Khattiya’s plan to set up a political party to scrutinize the Royal Thai Police, Gen Seripisut says that it is upon Maj.Gen Khattiya’s right. However, his case has not be finalized yet. Therefore, he is banned from launching any form of movement or political party.

Maj. Gen. Khattiya earlier launched a website criticizing the Royal Thai Army.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

[Plus]

The GDJ party looks clearly in the lead to win the next election. GDJ is well organized and funded and powerful. It's almost certain that the next prime minister and next after that and the next after that will be from the GDJ (General Du Jour) party.

What are you consuming?

He is just trying to be innovative with his "take a piss out of ..." skills. This week's topic - the junta. His one-sentence, one-dimensional attempts at sarcasm are all over the forum.

Luckily no one responded so far. Glad to see forum regulars mature enough to to bite the bait.

[Jai Dee]

People Power Party to propose names of party leader candidates

Pol. Lt. Col. Karn Tiankaew (กานต์ เทียนแก้ว), the chairman of the advisory board of the People Power Party, says the People Power Party will hold a meeting today (August 24th) to propose the names of candidates for the party leader’s post. Two of the candidates

Pol. Lt. Col. Karn says two of the candidates include himself and former Bangkok Governor Samak Sundaravej (สมัคร สุนทรเวช). However, Pol. Lt. Col. Karn says he is not concerned over this issue. He says if he has been chosen to be the People Power Party leader, he will have to appoint the board members of the party.

Pol. Lt. Col. Karn says he will discuss his vision at the meeting, saying he will focus on developing the public, improving the economy and working on national security. He insists that he is not worried of the competition with Mr. Samak. He also affirms that the meeting will also select the party secretary-general and deputy leaders.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Is Abhisit Vejjajiva Thailand's Next Leader?

Meet the idealist who may well become Thailand's next Prime Minister. As head of Thailand's oldest political party, the Democrats, Abhisit has emerged as an early front-runner in elections slated for December. Yet history has taken an ironic twist for the now 43-year-old politician. The upcoming polls are the handiwork of the very military whose overthrow spurred Abhisit's political passions more than three decades ago.

After deposing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless army coup last September, Thailand's ruling junta promised to restore democracy by the end of this year. Now that the new constitution overseen by the generals has won a 58% approval rating in a referendum on Aug. 19, the junta appears committed to carrying out its pledge to hold elections by year's end.

But Thaksin, who has been charged with corruption, is in exile, living mostly in London, while top members of his Thai Rak Thai Party have been banned from politics after a junta-appointed tribunal convicted them of electoral fraud in May. That leaves the Democrats in their strongest position since losing power to Thaksin back in 2001.

Hardly a cocky politician, Abhisit is predicting success in December. "I believe that democracy will reward the Democrats," he says with a bashful grin. "Of course, you could say the same about the Democrats in America, too. Maybe we'll have both dreams come true."

Read the full article from TIME here

[sriracha john]

Former TRT members meet to select People Power leader

Many former Thai Rak Thai MPs attended a general assembly of the People Power Party to select its new party leader Friday.

The assembly began at the Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza at 9:30 am.

Former Thai Rak Thai leading members who attended the meeting included Surapong Suebwonglee, Newin Chidchob and Sora-at Klinprathoom.

The mother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Pojanee na Pomphet, also attended the meeting.

Noppadol Patama, a legal adviser of Thaksin, also came to the assembly.

- The Nation

[hammered]

Former TRT members meet to select People Power leader

Many former Thai Rak Thai MPs attended a general assembly of the People Power Party to select its new party leader Friday.

The assembly began at the Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza at 9:30 am.

Former Thai Rak Thai leading members who attended the meeting included Surapong Suebwonglee, Newin Chidchob and Sora-at Klinprathoom.

The mother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Pojanee na Pomphet, also attended the meeting.

Noppadol Patama, a legal adviser of Thaksin, also came to the assembly.

- The Nation

It now looks like Samak is a shoe in. Interesting to see where Chavalit ends up now he has arisen from his grave.

[Tony Clifton]

I watched an interview with Samak (he's 72 now? ) around his home yesterday. He now walks like an old man, unsteady, has watery eyes, I'd even say there's a bit of senility settling in. The perfect candidate for a very short-term leadership.

I'm left wondering which one will take him out of the picture first, natural death or the criminal cases against him.

And, if he makes it through the election and wins, is one allowed to be PM while serving a two year suspended jail sentence for defamation?

[cclub75]

I watched an interview with Samak (he's 72 now? ) around his home yesterday. He now walks like an old man, unsteady, has watery eyes, I'd even say there's a bit of senility settling in. The perfect candidate for a very short-term leadership.

I'm left wondering which one will take him out of the picture first, natural death or the criminal cases against him.

Done. He has been elected.

Let's the game begin now !

A bit of senility is perfect for thai politics. It's a proof of great wisdom, knowledge, and of course djai dee attitude.

[hammered]

I watched an interview with Samak (he's 72 now? ) around his home yesterday. He now walks like an old man, unsteady, has watery eyes, I'd even say there's a bit of senility settling in. The perfect candidate for a very short-term leadership.

I'm left wondering which one will take him out of the picture first, natural death or the criminal cases against him.

And, if he makes it through the election and wins, is one allowed to be PM while serving a two year suspended jail sentence for defamation?

The way Thai politics is going a politician dropping dead would be like making some kind of ironic or tragic statement on the state of Thai democracy. If one does go that way, it is difficult to find someone as odious as Samak as a candidate to wish it upon.

[Mid]

The way Thai politics is going a politician dropping dead would be like making some kind of ironic or tragic statement on the state of Thai democracy. If one does go that way, it is difficult to find someone as odious as Samak as a candidate to wish it upon.

are you a surgeon ?

you make incisions that don't need sutures ........................

[John K]

[Mid]

not green JK

[John K]

not green JK

Sorry, it was the first one I found. Your preferred color?

[nothingleftbutfaith]

What a lousy choice for Thai people : crooks, crooks and crooks.

Nice outcome for a coup, supposedly staged to rid Thailand of corruption.

[Jai Dee]

People Power elects Samak as leader

The People Power Party Friday elected Samak Sundaravey as its new leader.

Samak was elected with 80 to 33 votes during the assembly of the party held at Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza.

Source: The Nation - 24 August 2007