Thaksin Moves Into New Headquarters

[george]

Ruling party moves into new headquarters

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai Party celebrated the seventh anniversary of its inception in 1998 by moving into its new headquarters yesterday. Dozens of party executives, ministers and MPs gathered at the IFCT Building on New Phetburi Road to inspect their new offices.

The otherwise smooth celebration of the anniversary was marred by a minor accident when Thaksin’s car bumped into the car of his youngest daughter.

Shortly after Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, left their car, their chauffeur, while backing into a parking space, accidentally hit the car of the couple’s youngest child, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Both cars sustained minor scratches and nobody was hurt in the accident, which happened just before a religious ceremony.

The party’s new headquarters comprises an eight- and a 14-floor building, complete with fully equipped gyms, libraries, gardens and high-speed computer terminals.

At the main entrance, an exhibition room documents the landslide victory of the party at the two most recent elections. It also displays copies of the 109 books Thaksin has recommended for party members.

Thaksin presided over the opening ceremony, but refused to speak to the press. Thaksin is said to remain furious at journalists for allegedly perpetuating skewed reports about his leadership.

Both buildings of the new party headquarters belong to Pojaman Shinawatra, who spent Bt800 million on them. Party officials explained the need for the new headquarters by saying that the party apparatus had outgrown its old home. At its inception in 1998, Thai Rak Thai had 23 members and not a single parliamentarian. Today, the party’s membership exceeds 12 million. The number of party MPs in the 500-seat House jumped from 247 after the 2001 election to 377 in 2005.

With such rapid growth, this is the third time the party has relocated its headquarters. The previous headquarters were in the Shin Tower III Building, which also houses the nerve centres of firms owned by the Shinawatra family. The party’s first headquarters were on Rachavithee Road.

It is believed that beyond the growth in membership, another reason for the relocation has been Thaksin’s desire to disassociate the party from his family’s business empire.

--The Nation 2005-07-15

[mnoorsapl]

Ruling party moves into new headquarters

.., another reason for the relocation has been Thaksin’s desire to disassociate the party from his family’s business empire.

--The Nation 2005-07-15

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

how could it be??, the new party headquarters belong to Pojaman Shinawatra.

[Boatabike]

Did they check him for alcohol content?

[mouse]

The immediate questions that come to mind are:

1) what is the rent on the building?

2) what does that amount come to per square meter?

3) who pays the rent on the building?

4) are public funds used to pay the rent or to maintain the building?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

he'll answer those questions for sure Mouse

[Thetyim]

he'll answer those questions for sure Mouse   

Yeah, just as soon as this third sore throat gets better

[SweGuava]

The immediate questions that come to mind are:

1) what is the rent on the building?

2) what does that amount come to per square meter?

3) who pays the rent on the building?

4) are public funds used to pay the rent or to maintain the building?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to todays Bkk Post it is rent free. Maintenance will be funded by donations.

[Sangsom]

According to todays Bkk Post it is rent free. Maintenance will be funded by donations.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Never knew that there was something like FREE in Thailand and definately not in those circles ...

[carlthailand]

he'll answer those questions for sure Mouse    

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, just as soon as this third sore throat gets better

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah you'll have to wait until venus is rising. Or was it when Uranus is in retrograde.

Edited July 15, 2005 by carlthailand

[kreon]

The immediate questions that come to mind are:

1) what is the rent on the building?

2) what does that amount come to per square meter?

3) who pays the rent on the building?

4) are public funds used to pay the rent or to maintain the building?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thaksin's wife owns new party headquarters

The prime minister's wife Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra has made sure that the building housing the new Thai Rak Thai party headquarters is registered in her name, meaning it will not go to charity should the ruling party be dissolved.

The party celebrated its seventh anniversary yesterday with the unveiling of a new address. It moved from the Shin Building III to its new headquarters in a building which previously belonged to the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand, on Phetchaburi road.

Khunying Potjaman bought the building for 800 million baht and has allowed the party to use it as its headquarters free of charge. The cost of running the headquarters will be met from public donations to the party.

Phumtham Vejjayachai, the party's deputy secretary-general, said the building was not the party's property.

``Having said that, for a party to grow into a political institution, it is not a deciding factor that it must own its headquarters building,'' he insisted.

Khunying Potjaman has permitted in writing the party's full access to the building. MPs from each region will have their own meeting room and there will be personal offices for cabinet ministers and party executives.

A call centre and necessary facilities are up-and-running to connect the party with its 15 million members nationwide.

The party will also organise a think-tank network of professionals from various fields who will contribute to its policy formulation.

Observers have said that maintaining private ownership of the building may be an attempt to sidestep the law requiring that all assets of a political party be handed over to a charitable organisation for public benefit after it is disbanded.

Some critics have called into question the willingness on the part of the prime minister's family to make sacrifices to the party.

But Mr Phumtham said the party had what it took to become a fully-fledged political institution. Its success hinged on its ability to stay in politics, create a desirable political culture and expand party membership, he said.

``Unlike some parties whose existence is rendered meaningless by its failure to serve a political purpose, our party has delivered goals throughout the seven years since it was established,'' he said, ending with a swipe at the rival Democrat party.