Mingkwan And Supol Face An Uncertain Future

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BURNING ISSUE

Mingkwan and Supol face an uncertain future

By Piyanart Srivalo

Hope and reality sometimes contrast greatly. Take the case of Mingkwan Sangsuwan and Supol Fong-ngam as examples.

Mingkwan is upset with Thaksin Shinawatra, de-facto leader of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, for thwarting his aspiration to be the party's PM candidate. He reportedly was planning to leave the party to form a new one, or join an existing party affiliated with General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Snoh Thienthong.

However, Mingkwan did not make the move by himself but instead Supol, who is close to Mingkwan, acted as his representative.

Political observers were surprised when Supol was appointed party secretary-general last year although people knew that unlike secretaries-general of other parties, Supol had no real authority because all decisions would be made by the real party owner.

Supol was deputy interior minister in the cabinet of Samak Sundaravej, and PM's Office Minister in the Somchai Wongsawat government, but he was seen as a low-profile minister.

Supol came into the spotlight when he leaked the news of Mingkwan's attempt to defect from Thaksin and Pheu Thai. Supol finally paid the price for starting this game. Thaksin punished the defectors by banning him and MP Chavalit Vichayasut, a close aide to Pheu Thai's former chairman General Chavalit, from running in the upcoming general election. Chavalit had recently left the party amid speculation he was upset with certain party members who allegedly made remarks offensive to the monarchy.

Dubbed a betrayer, Supol has reached a point of no return.

"He definitely cannot stay at Pheu Thai," a source close to Supol said. "If Thaksin can reconcile with Mingkwan and Snoh, Supol might give up politics for a while as he would find it difficult to join another party. But he would join Mingkwan if the latter successfully forms a new party," the source said.

Although Mingkwan has not made a decision yet, some of Pheu Thai's MPs from the Northeast believe Mingkwan may finally have to move from the party.

"It's difficult for him to stay at Pheu Thai. He feels hurt about what they have done to him. He cannot stand being in the party without dignity," a party MP, who asked not to be named, said.

If Mingkwan did really have to go, the likely way out is for him to join Snoh at Pracharaj Party whose name might be changed in accordance with its economic theme, such as Setthakit Mai (New Economy) Party, a source from Mingkwan's camp said.

However, the path is not paved with roses. The big issue is how many Pheu Thai MPs will follow Mingkwan. At first, they expected around 40-50 MPs to join them at the new party but now only 10 MPs close to Chavalit would follow Mingkwan, the source said.

"The MPs are hesitant as they are afraid of losing the election. Especially those who have no strong political bases but instead depend on Thaksin's popularity. Moreover, they are afraid of being accused of betraying Thaksin," the source said.

Mingkwan's close party colleague Rai Surasit Jiamvichak, Pheu Thai MP from Chiang Mai, said earlier that Mingkwan had told him last week he would not move to another political party. Surasit said he did not think other party MPs would follow Mingkwan if he did defect.

MP Sakda Kongpetch from Roi Et said although he was with Snoh at New Aspration Party, he won't leave Pheu Thai.

"I will lose the election if I run the election under other parties. I think no MP from the Northeast will defect from the party. If we leave, we will lose for sure. We will then turn from MPs into a street dog," he said.

Thaksin reportedly tried to reconcile with Mingkwan because Mingkwan, in fact, took part in creating several of the party's policies. Most importantly, Mingkwan has a "generous" financial supporter, who could help relieve Thaksin, although he had no idea who the financier was.

In the end, if Thaksin and Mingkwan can kiss and make up, Supol may have to walk away alone.

-- The Nation 2011-04-28

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