Thai Democrat Party In Election Mode: PM Abhisit

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Party in election mode: PM

By Jeerapong Prasertpolkrang

Naya Jittanon

Abhisit to name Anchalee as his new secretary-general; Pheu Thai MPs going to Dubai to meet Thaksin

Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra is tipped to become the new secretary-general of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who said yesterday that the government is now preparing for the next polls.

"Yes. We're entering the election mode," said the premier, adding that Korbsak Sabhavasu, the outgoing PM's secretary-general, would focus on the next polls after leaving his current post in January.

According to Abhisit, Anchalee, currently the PM's deputy secretary-general, would likely be appointed after the New Year's holidays.

When asked about his latest approval rating as polled by King Prajadhipok Institute, the premier admitted that he is not yet as popular as Thaksin Shinawatra when the latter was at his peak - largely because he had just worked for two years while the ex-premier was most popular in 2004 when he had already worked for three years.

However, Abhisit said he is now ready to contest in the next polls against the opposition Pheu Thai party's candidate for the premiership.

On the "Pracha Wiwat" policy whose details will be announced on January 7, Abhisit said the government's new populist measures are not just short-term solutions to attract votes as criticised by some academics.

Once the details are made public, the people will have a better understanding and see the big picture on how changes would also occur at the structural level.

For examples, workers in the informal economy such as street-side vendors, motorcycle taxis and taxicab drivers will be able to join the social security system by paying just a small contribution while the government will also contribute to the fund on their behalf.

One of the proposals is for these workers to pay Bt50 each per month while the government pays another Bt50 per month so that the workers are entitled to a wage compensation when they are sick and cannot work.

On electricity charges, the government has said those who use 90 units or less per month should be subsidised by higher tariffs paid by bigger households, commercial and industrial users.

This change would be long-term, according to Abhisit.

Meanwhile, Korbsak, the outgoing PM's secretary-general, denied that he had decided to quit the current post because of a conflict with Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij.

Korbsak said it's not unusual to have disagreement on certain issues but that's not serious enough for him to resign.

In a separate development, at least a dozen Pheu Thai Party MPs are heading to Dubai to meet Thaksin.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Suphon Fongngam said yesterday a group of 10 MPs would leave Thailand this evening while other MPs representing each part of the country would go to see Thaksin later.

Suphon denied that the MPs would be discussing with Thaksin on who the new party leader should be. He said it was their tradition to visit Thaksin for the New Year season's greetings.

Suphon said the party MPs were split on whether it is time to choose a new party leader. Some want the party to announce its candidate for the premier's post while others believe there is still more time.

Nong Bua Lam Phu MP Chaiya Promma said the MPs from different factions would discuss with Thaksin about the political situation and the party's preparation for the election as many MPs agreed the party currently lacks a clear direction.

Some MPs still want to promote Thaksin, the party founder, and highlight him as the leader in exile, but others wanted to show that the party is an institution and others can succeed Thaksin as the new leader, he said.

The issue of Pheu Thai's new party leader came hot on the heels of reports that Abhisit would soon dissolve the House and call fresh polls.

Reacting to speculation that Thaksin's sister Yingluck might be the candidate for party leader, Abhisit said his party was ready to compete in the election.

-- The Nation 2010-12-26