Pheu Thai MPs Defer Defection Plans

[webfact]

Pheu Thai MPs defer defection plans

By Piyanart Srivalo,

Nerisa Nerykhiew

The Nation

Popularity of party and Thaksin in Northeast makes it difficult for lawmakers to seek other options

Many northeastern MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party are reluctant to defect to a new political party to be formed by Pheu Thai's former chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and veteran politician Snoh Thienthong.

Although they are uneasy about former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's influence over the party and had thoughts of defecting, the Pheu Thai MPs are now unsure whether they can win the upcoming election in the Northeast without relying on the popularity of Pheu Thai and Thaksin in the region, according to sources.

The sources said yesterday that the incumbent MPs, who are close to Chavalit and Snoh, also were afraid they could be viewed as being ungrateful to Thaksin.

The sources revealed that these politicians had urged Thaksin to help tone down the red shirts' improper reference to the monarchy and restructure the party to reduce the Shinawatra family's influence. If Thaksin had agreed to their demands, they would continue with Pheu Thai, the sources said. The northeastern MPs' reluctance to defect has affected the plan to form a new political party.

The new party will be set up by renaming Snoh's Pracharaj Party, which is now part of the opposition, according to the sources. An unnamed well-known figure has been approached to lead the new party to help project a good image, the sources said.

In a related development, Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit joined the Chart Thai Pattana Party yesterday along with 10 other politicians from two smaller coalition parties.

The former Ruam Chart Pattana Party secretary-general said more incumbent MPs from other parties would join Chart Thai Pattana after dissolution of the House of Representatives, expected early next month.

Pradit, his brother Winai Pataraprasit, Krai Dabtham from Ruam Chart Pattana, Thirathat Tiewcharoensopha from Puea Pandin, and others were welcomed by senior Chart Thai Pattana figures in a ceremony at the party's headquarters.

Ruam Chart Pattana on April 7 announced a merger with another small political party, Puea Pandin, in a function also attended by Pradit in his capacity as Ruam Chart Pattana secretary-general. He left the party shortly afterwards.

Yesterday, Chart Thai Pattana leader Chumpol Silapa-archa, secretary-general Sanan Kachornprasart, and the party leader's chief adviser Banharn Silapa-archa helped the newcomers into jackets bearing the party's logo. Chumpol hugged Pradit and praised him as a very capable politician and executive who had been secretary-general of two political parties - the Democrat Party and Ruam Chart Pattana.

Sanan, who had worked with Pradit in the Democrat and Mahachon parties, said yesterday that he had persuaded Pradit to join Chart Thai Pattana.

Pradit told reporters that he had approached a number of incumbent MPs from other parties who had agreed to join Chart Thai Pattana after House dissolution. He declined to identify them, citing political etiquette.

Chumpol yesterday said he expected the party to win between 30 and 40 House seats in the upcoming general elections likely to take place around mid-year. He insisted on a political alliance with the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party, saying they would still work together after the election.

"We will not leave each other. It's a matter for the future whether we will be in government, but we will work together," said Chumpol, who is the tourism and sports minister.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai's non-MP leader Yongyuth Wichaidit yesterday rejected media reports that it was registering a replacement party called Pheu Tham (For Justice) in case it is disbanded by a court order after the election. Pheu Thai deputy leader Ma Pho-ngam also insisted there were no plans for a replacement party.

He also said that no Pheu Thai MP would abandon the party despite false allegations about offending the monarchy and campaign violations. He denied that he was planning to defect to the Democrat Party, saying he was a close friend of Thaksin and that he had nothing in common with the Democrats.

He insisted that some 100 retired military officers with Pheu Thai membership would not leave the party despite the lese majeste concern. News reports said, however, that former deputy Army chief General Jiradej Kotcharat had already resigned as a Pheu Thai member.

-- The Nation 2011-04-22

[virtualtraveller]

Show me the money! Of course they won't defect, they need the election war chest from the guy in Dubai.

[rubl]

Although they are uneasy about former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's influence over the party and had thoughts of defecting, the Pheu Thai MPs are now unsure whether they can win the upcoming election in the Northeast without relying on the popularity of Pheu Thai and Thaksin in the region, according to sources.

A party and it's candidates should listen to their voters. Makes sense!

[SomTumTiger]

My eyes must be getting old, at first I thought this said

Pheu Thai MPs defer defecation plans

Which goes along with my theory that all PTP MP's are full of sh#t lol

[rreddin]

Although they are uneasy about former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's influence over the party and had thoughts of defecting, the Pheu Thai MPs are now unsure whether they can win the upcoming election in the Northeast without relying on the popularity of Pheu Thai and Thaksin in the region, according to sources.

A party and it's candidates should listen to their voters. Makes sense!

The woke up and saw reality. They have no chance of being selected for a constituency in another part of the country where they might be elected so, they are staying put. They know it will be the end of their political careers if they leave PTP.

[givenall]

My eyes must be getting old, at first I thought this said

Pheu Thai MPs defer defecation plans

Which goes along with my theory that all PTP MP's are full of sh#t lol

it is not a theory anymore it is the fact

[animatic]

Basically it is all about their personal political greed.

They don't really care if they stay with someone that scares them and the don't agree with, IF THEY WIN THE ELECTION. So much for standing up and taking a principled stand for the betterment of their local constituency.

Edited April 22, 2011 by animatic

[asiawatcher]

No one other than Thai politicians care about the election. It is all about politicians gaining access to scam money and only the wealthy can play that game to gain more wealth. It's really pathetic.

[yoshiwara]

They are unsure whether to leave the People's Popular Front for the Liberation of Thailand to join the United Liberation Front for the People of Thailand.

Maybe they should phone a friend: (the Thai CP).

[phiphidon]

My eyes must be getting old, at first I thought this said

Pheu Thai MPs defer defecation plans

Which goes along with my theory that all PTP MP's are full of sh#t lol

it is not a theory anymore it is the fact

That "fact" should be difficult to prove, but go on, indulge me, prove that "all PTP MP's are full of sh#t" or try contributing something more meaningful to the debate, instead of one liners appealing to the usual suspects.

[yoshiwara]

My eyes must be getting old, at first I thought this said

Pheu Thai MPs defer defecation plans

Which goes along with my theory that all PTP MP's are full of sh#t lol

it is not a theory anymore it is the fact

That "fact" should be difficult to prove, but go on, indulge me, prove that "all PTP MP's are full of sh#t" or try contributing something more meaningful to the debate, instead of one liners appealing to the usual suspects.

If and when (pigs might fly) the PTP breaks from Thaksin and doesn't lie there supine while waiting for Thaksin to 'reveal' their policies and 'appoint' their leader. When they represent the interests of the Bangkok working class instead of supporting the red thugs burning and smashing down their jobs and livelihoods in 2010. Then and only then do they deserve a sliver of respect. Until then they wallow in it.

Edited April 23, 2011 by yoshiwara