Pheu Thai Party Hesitant in Allowing Red-Shirt Leader to Run in Election

Deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party believes a key leader of the red-shirt movement is not eligible to apply to become an MP candidate.

Pheu Thai Party's Deputy Leader Plodprasop Surasawadee said he believes the application to contest as an MP candidate in the poll of red-shirt leader Arisman Phongruengrong could face an obstacle.

He explained that Arisman failed to show up at a ballot unit for the previous election as he was still at large while accused of terrorism, so Arisman could be disqualified from this upcoming election.

Plodprasop went on to say the list of MP candidates has not been finalized, and the final decision to field a candidate is completely up to the party's leader.

As for the application of another red-shirt leader, Jatuporn Phromphan, the deputy leader of Pheu Thai Party, said Jatuporn does not have to leave the prison to apply, as the party's leader or representative is allowed to do so.

When asked about the party's plan to push for amnesty, Plodprasop stated that the practice is not easy to archive as the process involves agreement from all sides in the form of a referendum.

Plodprasop concluded by saying the party's leader, Yingluck Shinawatra will lead party members to apply to be a candidate tomorrow.

The first mobile campaign of the party will take place soon in Chiang Mai Province.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

Pheu Thai and Red-shirt Group Seen Incorporated

The People's Alliance for Democracy has claimed that the Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt group are identified with each other as many red- shirt leaders are running for MP seats under the main opposition party.

Spokesperson for the People's Alliance for Democracy, Panthep Puapongpan, believes that if elected, the red- shirt leaders who are running for House seats under the Pheu Thai Party's ticket, including Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua, Weng Tochirakarn and Korkaew Pikulthong, will not have to go to jail by invoking the parliamentary immunity.

Among Pheu Thai party-list MP candidates is Arisman Pongruengrong, a wanted criminal suspect believed to be hiding in a neighboring country.

Panthep said this is a undeniable proof that Pheu Thai and the red-shirt group are identified with each other and have been conspiring all along.

Contrary to a claim made by the red-shirt group that it promotes equality, Panthep pointed out that only red-shirt leaders have been released from prison while their supporters remain jailed and not given any assistance.

The PAD spokesperson accused the Pheu Thai Party of supporting violence by fielding Arisman, wanted on terrorism charges over last year's political unrest, in the upcoming election.

Panthep added that Pheu Thai is also still subservient to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The PAD, or commonly known as the yellow-shirt group, also lashed out at the Democrat Party for being incompetent in running the country and thus resulted in the rising cost of living and the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.

Panthep does not believe that Pheu Thai or the Democrat Party will be able to effectively solve the country's problems and that there must be a major political reform starting with the “Vote No” Campaign to call for voters to cast blank ballots at the next general election.

Panthep also commented on the Cabinet's attempt to approve the minute of the tripartite Thai-Cambodian-Indonesian talks, saying that the current Thai political system can no longer protect the country's sovereignty as Phnom Penh has refused to take part in further negotiations or withdraw its troops from the disputed area.

Meanwhile, Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD core leaders, announced that the For Heaven and Earth Party, which is unaffiliated with the group, is also supporting the “Vote No” campaign.

However the party is planning to field a lone candidate to avoid being disbanded.

According to political party laws, parties which do not participate in two consecutive elections within a period of eight years could be dissolved.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

He explained that Arisman failed to show up at a ballot unit for the previous election as he was still at large while accused of terrorism, so Arisman could be disqualified from this upcoming election.

K. Arisman is still at large accused of terrorism, running from the law. In my innocence I would assume that already disqualifies him. No 'could' or 'might', plain, simple 'DOES' disqualify him

How did Arisman turn up for the meetings to get his name on the list? And are they expecting him to govern from jail or prison later on when he returns after getting in?

Most other countries in the world don't allow convicted people to be MPs. Even if you have a criminal proceeding against you, you would be disqualified on the basis you may be a character of not good standing. MPs should be law abiding good citizens!

Edited May 18, 201115 yr by MaiChai

Only in Thailand where a fugitive can turn politician.

Most other countries in the world don't allow convicted people to be MPs. Even if you have a criminal proceeding against you, you would be disqualified on the basis you may be a character of not good standing. MPs should be law abiding good citizens!

It would be nice to have MP's that are law abiding citizens here.

Might just be a case of the Red Shirt cannon fodder now becoming P.T.P jetsam.

Edited May 18, 201115 yr by siampolee

How did Arisman turn up for the meetings to get his name on the list? And are they expecting him to govern from jail or prison later on when he returns after getting in?

What a country, you have to be a criminal to run for a political office, :lol:

Didn't thaihome witness Arisman giving out orders during the red shirt burning of the Thailand SET?

It's looking like this election may turn out to be a very sorry reflection on Thailand indeed...

i heard rumors of his being shot to death in Cambodia

i hope the reports weren't premature............

Only in Thailand where a fugitive can turn politician.

When his party is being governed by a politician-turned-fugitive, there's certainly an irony there.

When Abhisit gives a TV address, they should show in the background the film of Arisman climbing down sheets from the hotel -- voters will be laughing so hard they will hardly have the strength to stagger to the polls to vote for his opponent.

When asked about the party's plan to push for amnesty, Plodprasop stated that the practice is not easy to archive as the process involves agreement from all sides in the form of a referendum.

Sloppy editing here by the news source, 'archive' should be 'achieve'. All the same it's the first realistic statement I've heard from Plodprasod Sawasdee.

Though a referendum might be Puea Thai's way of gaining legitimacy for any moves to create an amnesty, the wording of the referendum would probably be deceptive. In any case, it's up to the parliament, senate and ultimately the courts who would probably find some legal challenge to it.

This idea that 'the masses want to see Thaksin back so let them have him pardoned' is patently flawed in a democracy with standing laws and rules.

Here is the deal. Yingluck wins. All Reds pardoned. All yellows and Dems indicted on trumped up charges.

Thaksin gets his money back and pardoned.

All of this and a free iPad.

And WE get more Thai Drama!

10 red leaders including Arisman's wife are in party list of pheu thai. He is not. /Via@jin_nation /via@veen_NT /via@tulsathit

Here is the deal. Yingluck wins. All Reds pardoned. All yellows and Dems indicted on trumped up charges.

Thaksin gets his money back and pardoned.

All of this and a free iPad.

And WE get more Thai Drama!

_{Not quite? Is Thaksin able to be Prime Minister again or not? If all you say above becomes true.}