Seh Daeng's Daughter: I Willl Lead Dad's Political Party

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Seh Daeng's girl : I'll lead dad's political party

By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

Wannapa Khaopa

Khattiyah "Dear" Sawasdipol - the 29-year-old daughter of the red-shirt leader and suspended Army specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol - plans to pursue his idea for a political party after his funeral next week at Wat Somanas Rajavaravihara.

She gave an interview with The Nation after her "surprise" appearance last Friday among victims of the recent Bangkok riots, and relatives, who registered for help at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's centre for political violence victims, inside Rajvithi Home. Dear recalled her late father and rarely seen sides of a tough soldier.

Q : When will your father's funeral ceremony be held and what do you plan to do then?

I would like to invite people to join the funeral ceremony on June 22 at 5pm at Wat Somanas Rajavaravihara. I now work as a lawyer at Wissen & Co Ltd. After finishing the ceremony, I'll go to the Khattiyatham Party founded by dad. He devoted himself to the party. I plan to work as a politician together with my lawyer's job, as I don't want this party to die after dad died. Members of the party want me to work as head of the party. However, I'm quite worried about working as a politician. I would make it (the party) transparent, able to be inspected and independent from other parties.

Q : As many red shirts admired your father, are you worried people may think the Khattiyatham Party will compete for votes with Pheu Thai Party that is currently supported by red shirts?

It's up to them. They can choose any party they like. Dad wanted to work at the party after his retirement, but he could not. So, I will do what he wanted for him. I would like Pheu Thai to understand me.

Both your mother and father have gone, leaving you alone. Do you sometimes feel lonely or discouraged?

I need to step forward even if my parents are not with me. Dad made me strong. He let me decide and do many things myself, but when I had problems too big to handle by myself, he came and gave me good advice. But I'm staying at my friend's house now. I'm not sure if I'll feel lonely when I get back home where I lived with my parents - seeing dad's personal belongings still placed at the same areas - after the funeral ceremony is finished.

Q : How is the progress in your father's case?

Police are inspecting the scene (where Khattiya sustained a gunshot to his head) and interrogating many witnesses. They've kept in touch with me to notify about progress.

Q : Do you want to know who killed him?

I would not answer that question. It is the police's duty to find the murderer.

Q : Did you meet him during the red-shirt protests?

Dad was in the protest zones throughout the two-month long protest. He ate and slept there, but we talked on the phone every day. Sometimes, I visited him there. He didn't want me to worry about him no matter how distressed he was or how harmful the situations he risked. Also, I did not tell him to beware of harm or let him know that I was worried about him. I did not want him concerned over what I told him. This also is what he taught me - to be strong so that I will learn to live alone.

Even when dad was arrested he was still humorous and I teased him "Do you want to eat fried rice or fried noodles?" (Both dishes are known to be the popular food relatives bring inmates).

Q : People see you as a yellow-shirt supporter, the group that opposes the red shirts. Many believe you might have been against your father.

Many probably thought we were enemies. But going to the yellow-shirt protest site did not mean I was its supporter. I just wanted to get information from every side.

Q : Well, are you likely to take the red shirt side?

I've seen lots of red shirts going to respect my dad's body. They cheered me up, even the elderly aged over 60 paid respect to me. Though I'm much younger than them, they respect my dad. They looked sincere. I take my dad's side. My blood is getting red.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

[Siam Simon]

Two things stand out for me in this interview: Sae Daeng, for all his flaws, clearly gave the support only a parent can give to his daughter's erstwhile leanings toward a grouping that was anathema to him; Sae Daeng's daughter is currently living on her emotions, and is currently not in any fit state to get involved in politics.

I really hope she is not used/abused by any of the current factions.

Edited June 15, 2010 by Siam Simon

[Arjay]

She should change the party name to M-79 party.

[junglist]

If they find out that the murderers were he fathers counter parts would she still choose this path? As a father I feel sad for her but as a humble man Daeng reaped what he sowed. I pray she choose another path, her life all ready seen too much sadness.

[taurus88]

Less said is better said for previous posters. Don't made ugly conclusions for the poor girl. She has a grief to overcome by herself. Her father has taught her well and I wish her all the very best.

[carnac]

She gives good answers like you'd expect from a lawyer. She should be a spokesperson for the gov't. This Sala Daeng party seems like a waste of time. The founder was sort of a rabid lunatic so what can it accomplish?

[JLester]

Additional information with an apparently more up-to-date photo:

The Reds also have an alternative to the Chalerm PTP or Giles/Weng Communists in the political party Sae Daeng formed, the Khattiyatham Party.

Following his death, his only daughter, 29 year-old Khattiyaa Sawasdipol, will soon be potentially taking over Party leadership.

I'm sure that since Sae Daeng founded it, it must have a wise and reasonable platform to resolve the myriad of issues facing Thailand.

For example, the Khattiyatham Party's current Party Leader, 2nd LT Surapat Chantima, has an arrest warrant on terrorism charges.

[carnac]

Additional information with an apparently more up-to-date photo:

The Reds also have an alternative to the Chalerm PTP or Giles/Weng Communists in the political party Sae Daeng formed, the Khattiyatham Party.

Following his death, his only daughter, 29 year-old Khattiyaa Sawasdipol, will soon be potentially taking over Party leadership.

I'm sure that since Sae Daeng founded it, it must have a wise and reasonable platform to resolve the myriad of issues facing Thailand.

For example, the Khattiyatham Party's current Party Leader, 2nd LT Surapat Chantima, has an arrest warrant on terrorism charges.

Well put JLester. What this country needs is more weird military guys.

[Pib]

Sure hope she don't harbor the "rogue, you can't touch me" traits of her father. To be an active duty general officer and completely ignore the orders of superiors. In the west if any active duty rank did that they would be arrested and court marshaled triple ASAP! Hopefully, her mom's DNA balanced out the her dad's rogue, self destructive traits. I wish her the best.

[ianf]

Sure hope she don't harbor the "rogue, you can't touch me" traits of her father. To be an active duty general officer and completely ignore the orders of superiors. In the west if any active duty rank did that they would be arrested and court marshaled triple ASAP! Hopefully, her mom's DNA balanced out the her dad's rogue, self destructive traits. I wish her the best.

Weird looking lady - in fact splitting image of her father. I just hope she doesn't cause as much trouble as he did, not a nice man at all. Strange.

[atyclb]

It is a well known fact that his daughter is/was a yellow shirt supporter. Google it. Could it be the scent of money from Montenegro that is motivating her?

[landofthefree]

It is a well known fact that his daughter is/was a yellow shirt supporter. Google it. Could it be the scent of money from Montenegro that is motivating her?

Probably not, more likely she and others now view him as a Martyr as he 'died for the cause.' Always a problem when people get killed and are part of a political party. There was a similar case in the Uk in the 70s with Bobby Sands, an activist with the IRA ,who was allowed to starve himself to death, he also became a martyr and acts of terrorism were subsequently carried out in his name.

I think that this lady is showing missplaced loyalty but the fact is when people get shot and the army are firing live rounds into groups of people, when they are killed it is bound to create martyrs.

[kissdani]

She can be proud of her father. He was a hero for many, not only red shirts. loyal to the king, Seh Daeng served the people. I have a deep respect for him.

When Dear want to become a politician, to stay independent from other parties is a good start. Her father was greater than politics, more decent than any politician. I hope she can keep Seh Daeng's spirit alive with the party.

[MHM]

What policies, if any, does this party have?

[basinboy]

Just a matter of interest, how many political parties are there in Thailand??

[JLester]

Her father was greater than politics, more decent than any politician.

Apparently he himself would have disagreed with that:

The Reds also have an alternative to the Chalerm PTP or Giles/Weng Communists in the political party Sae Daeng formed, the Khattiyatham Party.

[Pib]

Good question. You want the morning number or evening number; seems to be a new party being announced daily. I wanted to go to the Thai Govt Office of Election Commission website to see if they might have a number, but my Norton 360 anti-virus software flagged the site with a big red X and said there were 123 threats at the site...so, I didn't enter the site. Hey, maybe the answer is 123 parties since political parties seem to be more of a threat than help now days.

.

Edited June 15, 2010 by Pib

[JLester]

Good question. You want the morning number or evening number; seems to be a new party being announced daily. I wanted to go to the Thai Govt Office of Election Commission website to see if they might have a number, but my Norton 360 anti-virus software flagged the site with a big red X and said there were 123 threats at the site...so, I didn't enter the site. Hey, maybe the answer is 123 parties since political parties seem to be more of a threat than help now days.

The most recent listing by the responsible government entity, the Election Commission, lists 66 political parties in Thailand, including my personal-sounding favorites, the Utopia Party and the Moral Party:

http://www.ect.go.th/english/files/List%20of%20Political%20Parties%20in%20Thailand%20%2812%20Nov.%2007%29.pdf

[junglist]

Less said is better said for previous posters. Don't made ugly conclusions for the poor girl. She has a grief to overcome by herself. Her father has taught her well and I wish her all the very best.

My wife’s good friend is a personal friend of Dear and she also feels this would be a bad move. She is naive and the Thai political system will corrupt or exploit her.

[Rucharee]

She should change the party name to M-79 party.

Stop making fun here. Loosing a father is not a laughing matter.

I admire her courage, especially for a little Thai girl like her. How many Thai women have you seen that manage to pull together in times like this.

[JLester]

How many Thai women have you seen that manage to pull together in times like this.

A quick couple of more admirable examples:

1. Angkhana Neelapaijit, wife of Thai human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit missing since March 2004.

2. 71 year-old Grandma Udom, who survived a hail of bullets from Thaksin Drug War commandos in the infamous "Refrigerator" debacle.

[chuang]

[Weird looking lady - in fact splitting image of her father. I just hope she doesn't cause as much trouble as he did, not a nice man at all. Strange.

What a stupid remark...i wonder what you look like...

[asiawatcher]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and as she says - she is becoming red. Hopefully she will see the wisdom of that fallacy and perhaps put her political ambitions to a more moderate solution in the interests of Thailand.

She certainly has courage. June 22nd will be a tough day. I may not agree with her politics, I certainly abhorred her fathers, but she is an individual and has her own rights and is due respect accordingly.

[nikster]

It is a well known fact that his daughter is/was a yellow shirt supporter. Google it. Could it be the scent of money from Montenegro that is motivating her?

Either that... or perhaps the fact that her father was murdered??? Jeez!

What she says in the interview is very composed IMO. I see great potential.

[Rama]

What in her background qualifies her to head a political party?????? She's 29 years old, she's barely out of school. Get some real experience first before setting yourself up as the head of a political party.............................

[kuifje]

Stupid women, now she switch sides and opinions, I wonder how much this has cost Thaksin and his cronnies.

[rubl]

Good question. You want the morning number or evening number; seems to be a new party being announced daily. I wanted to go to the Thai Govt Office of Election Commission website to see if they might have a number, but my Norton 360 anti-virus software flagged the site with a big red X and said there were 123 threats at the site...so, I didn't enter the site. Hey, maybe the answer is 123 parties since political parties seem to be more of a threat than help now days.

My ESET NOD32 V4 doesn't have a problem with the ect.go.th site. Probably because it scans for virus and malware rather than nonsense in the text

[philw]

What in her background qualifies her to head a political party?????? She's 29 years old, she's barely out of school. Get some real experience first before setting yourself up as the head of a political party.............................

Sure..........

When did the current PM enter politics and how old was he ???

Am I correct in thinking 27 ?

ph

[ianf]

[Weird looking lady - in fact splitting image of her father. I just hope she doesn't cause as much trouble as he did, not a nice man at all. Strange.

What a stupid remark...i wonder what you look like...

Not that stupid. To me she looks weird. Perhaps to you she does not. I may look weird to you, but my wife doesn't think so. So not a stupid remark.

[rubl]

What in her background qualifies her to head a political party?????? She's 29 years old, she's barely out of school. Get some real experience first before setting yourself up as the head of a political party.............................

Sure..........

When did the current PM enter politics and how old was he ???

Am I correct in thinking 27 ?

ph

Entering politics at an early age is no problem. Setting yourself up as head of a political party at that age seems less wise.