Kraisak Offers Isaan Land Reform, Justice

[Mid]

Kraisak Choonhavan

Kraisak offers Isaan land reform, justice

Published on September 14, 2007

Kraisak Choonhavan and 10 other former senators recently joined the Democrat Party to contest MP seats in the general election. Kraisak was appointed to lead the party's campaign in all 17 provinces in the Northeast.

In an interview with The Nation's Yossawadee Hongthong, he speaks about his hopes and goals with the Democrats.

Yossawadee: Why did you decide to join the Democrat Party?

Kraisak: My group members and I made the decision because key Democrat members accepted our proposals that could become part of the party's policies. For instance, we believe in sustainable development, which gives priority to land reform, environmental protection and promoting justice.

Although [Democrat secretary-general] Suthep Thaugsuban had his reputation ruined by the land reform scandal [in 1995 when he was the agriculture minister], he agrees with my group to implement land reform, particularly in the Northeast.

If the Democrats focus land reform as part of their election campaign, other rival parties will surely pick this issue to attack the party. The scandal forced the Democrats to dissolve the Lower House [in 1995]. Are you prepared for that?

We can explain the reforms to the people. In cases that cause trouble to them, we have to solve it. But we have to ensure that we won't make a second mistake. We should tell them we have volunteered to help them honestly.

You don't have an image of being a northeastern man. You don't speak the local dialect. But local voters always vote for "real" local representatives in the election. Will these facts affect your campaign?

(After some thought) I've visited some northeastern cities. I can speak the local northeastern dialect a bit. But I can sing a local song. It will be a hard job for me.

I decided to lead the northeastern campaign because I want to see the region change for a better future.

The Democrat Party has announced it won't form a government if it comes second in the election.

I am willing to work in Parliament. I will be excited if I can return to Parliament with a new status. It's unbelievable that the Democrats accepted all of my proposals. So, when they responded positively, I couldn't reject the opportunity. I have to compete in the Northeast. Whether we will achieve our goals is another story. I want to help bring the most benefit to the people.

Even if you will be part of the Opposition?

It should be exciting to be the opposition. We could become more popular than the government.

Why didn't you return by joining with the group of former Chat Pattana Party members?

We are going in different directions, particularly on environmental issues. They don't see it as significant to the national development. My attitude fits well with the Democrat Party.

I won't be upset if I fail in the election, and if voters in Nakhon Ratchasima (his constituency) pick candidates of the People Power Party under Samak Sundaravej. They will finally know who is really telling the truth.

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[citizen33]

It seems that the former opposition parties now see the need to court north-eastern voters (the TRT heartland support). The issue will be: will the northeastern voters forgive the Democrat Party - and others - for subverting the democratic process?

[roietjimmy]

It seems that the former opposition parties now see the need to court north-eastern voters (the TRT heartland support). The issue will be: will the northeastern voters forgive the Democrat Party - and others - for subverting the democratic process?

Well said! I would also add the Northern voters to Northeastern voters. The combination of the two represent a huge voting block. The Democratic Party is miles behind the former TRT Party, now the People Power Party (PPP), in capturing the "hearts and minds" of these voters. The PPP platform and message which was appealing in previous elections remains the same as the TRTs. At the grassroots level, the people within the party machine remain the same and are actively involved in drumming up support. These local organizers are the ones that have and will convince voters in the North and Northeast to cast their vote for the PPP. Couple this powerful platform with the additional issue of "forgiving the Democratic Party for subverting the democratic process", it is pretty clear the PPP will again get an overwhelming majority in the North and Northeast. In turn, they will as before either end up with a clear majority in parliment or at the very least the largest percentage of in the next election.

The question is, when they win again will we have to suffer through another "subversion of the democratic process"?