'People Care About Future, Want Results' Says Former Thai Rak Thai Exec.

[Lite Beer]

'People care about future, want results'

By Thanitaya Tanapisutkul,

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation on Sunday

Former Thai Rak Thai exec Phumtham hopes for a clearcut victory in election

As a former executive of the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, Phumtham Wechayachai has been serving a five-year political ban. Yet, he still talks about politics and has always been keen to comment

This political observer has a key message for Bangkok voters too.

He wants to see them hand a landslide victory to their most favoured party.

"Only with a landslide win, is there a clear political statement," Phumtham said.

In an interview with The Nation on Sunday, Phumtham analysed the two biggest political parties' chances in the upcoming election. The following are excerpts:

What are their (Democrat and Pheu Thai parties') selling points? Which one has an advantage?

The Democrat Party will have a good chance if people think the current government has worked hard enough. To me, people care more about which party can deliver concrete results. Policies come later. In fact, both parties have some similar policies too.

You have had experience conducting polls. What do you think about current polls, which find Pheu Thai as the most popular choice?

Most pollsters have come up with similar findings. They are quite reliable. Political parties should use these findings to improve themselves. Election campaigns have just begun.

Judging by the poll results, how high is the possibility of a Pheu Thai landslide victory?

It's too early to comment now. Let's wait and see first. But the current poll results suggest that people want to give Pheu Thai an opportunity to run the government. It seems people are unhappy with the Democrat-led government in one aspect or another.

All political parties think Bangkok voters will finally determine which party wins the election. Poll results now show Pheu Thai Party is the most popular, though. Does it mean Bangkok people have already forgotten about the red riots and its links to Pheu Thai?

Of course, Bangkok people know about the red riots and 91 deaths during the dispersal operations. Such knowledge has of course shaped their decision on which party they should vote for. But to me, Bangkok voters care most about the future. They want to know how the country's economy will move ahead and who will be able to stop commodity prices from soaring. They want to see a better change.

It seems Bangkok voters are set to hand a landslide victory to a certain party.

Bangkok people must have thought that if election results confirm a close race, current problems will persist. So perhaps, Bangkok voters will treat the upcoming election like a public referendum. Perhaps, they will cast a ballot in a way that shows the society what they want. They will say it out loud which direction the country should move towards. A clear-cut victory will clear any doubt about where the country should head to. That should be a good solution in itself.

Does this mean Bangkok people have forgotten that they are the ones who demanded that Thaksin Shinawatra should step down?

Today, the political fight is not between Thaksin and Abhisit Vejjajiva. It's between Abhisit and Yingluck Shinawatra. It's a fight between his Democrat [Party] and her Pheu Thai [Party]. Thaksin is just an important man, someone so many people in the society respect. Thaksin's ideas are not monopolised by the Pheu Thai. If the Democrat Party wins the election and finds Thaksin's ideas good, the Democrats can implement them too.

Do you suggest that Bangkok voters should consciously think about how to end ongoing conflicts when they cast ballots this time?

I think Bangkok voters want to see an end to conflicts. When the conflicts stop, their lives will change for the better.

By the way, the voters who are now undecided seem set to become the decisive factor.

Both the Democrats and Pheu Thai have their solid supporters. But there are so many people out there who have no clear political affiliation. These people are the majority. These people will likely vote for the party that brings about reconciliation. In this aspect, Pheu Thai Party enjoys the advantage because it's the bullied. When the bullied vows not to seek revenge, that's a good beginning for reconciliation.

How would you compare Abhisit and Yingluck?

If Abhisit is not the prime minister who has run the country over the past few years, he's almost invincible when compared with Yingluck, who has just stepped into politics. Abhisit is a seasoned, experienced politician. But Yingluck's bid to be premier comes at the right time. At the moment people feel Abhisit's government is unable to tackle people's problems well enough, Yingluck steps in. Today, people know Abhisit is good at talking and debating alone. Yingluck, meanwhile, has an image of a working woman who can get things done. People of course prefer the one who can deliver real results.

Yingluck seems to represent Thaksin. Is this her weak point?

Yingluck said from the very beginning that she wanted to solve problems, not to seek revenge. People in society want to see reconciliation. Because she has spoken clearly, she has received a warm welcome from society. Yingluck has informed society that everything will go in line with the rule of law. Indeed, the government should assign neutral people or organisations to ensure justice.

In your opinion, what should be done?

First of all, truths must be told to the public. Secondly, everyone should embrace reconciliation. Last but not least, those responsible for deaths during the crackdown on red-shirt demonstrators must show responsibility.

Should an amnesty be initiated now?

It is just a part of efforts toward reconciliation. And importantly, society must be engaged in the process.

What do you think about the suggestion that Pheu Thai Party won't be able to form a government even if it wins the election?

I urge all sides to respect election results. The people's voice should be respected.

You have made political comments via twitter.

It's a channel to air my opinion and give cautions. I am not bent on destroying anyone. I think everyone in society has the right to comment on the government's work.

-- The Nation 2011-06-05