Who Can Lead The Thai Democrat Party?

[webfact]

BURINING ISSUE

Who can lead the Democrat Party?

By Piyanart Srivalo

After losing to the Pheu Thai Party, Abhisit Vejjajiva resigned as Democrat leader to take responsibility for the loss. The question is: who will replace him?

It's difficult to find an appropriate candidate to take the post. Indeed, Abhisit is still the best choice at present. But it's not certain that the outgoing premier will want to lead the party again.

Although some party members are upset with Abhisit for losing the election, he has received overwhelming support from the party's acting executive board to return as leader.

"We want him to learn a lesson," said one Southern Democrat MP in reference to wavering support for the premier. "He is stubborn and too self-confident. He never listens to others' opinions, even those of his mentor Chuan [Leekpai]. But for the time being it's hard to find a better choice to replace him."

The MP said Chuan, who remains well respected by members, still supported Abhisit so it was unsurprising that the board voiced support for the outgoing leader to return.

Abhisit may well return to the post if there is no better alternative. If he does so, he could be attacked by his rivals for going back on his word, although Abhisit has never accepted or denied that he will return to the post.

Another key figure in the party, who asked not to be named, said he believed the outgoing premier would return as party leader once again.

"If Chuan supported and convinced Abhisit, I think he would accept," he said. "Our party is now fighting a war and we don't have a capable leader to compete with our rival. Abhisit must think about our party's interests, not just his own."

However, a source close to Abhisit said he was not certain whether the acting leader would want to come back.

"It's up to him. But what would his goal be? If he wanted to lead the party in order to become prime minister again, it's not clear when he would achieve the goal, because during his time he tried his best," he said.

If Abhisit does indeed give up, the most suitable choice for leader would either be Chuan or whoever Chuan gives his support to. However, the three-time Democrat leader has always said he does not want to lead the party again. So it's likely that Abhisit will return to the post again.

The next question is who will replace Suthep Thaugsuban as party secretary-general. The position is very important because not only does he or she have to coordinate between party members, they also play an important role if the party wins an election and forms a coalition government.

Former Democrat secretary-general Sanan Kachornprasart and acting secretary-general Suthep did the job well. Sanan helped Chuan become prime minister twice, while Suthep negotiated Abhisit becoming premier.

According to Democrat Party tradition, the party leader nominates the secretary-general. Moreover, they take the region the candidate is from into account in order to balance power inside the party. For example, if the party leader comes from Bangkok, the secretary-general will come from another region.

A party source said that as with the party leader position, the party board had attempted to convince Suthep to return to the role as they had failed to find a suitable alternative. But Suthep affirmed he would not take a post in the new board, so it's possible he will propose his own man to replace himself.

Three candidates reportedly supported by Suthep are Apirak Kosayodhin (party-list MP from Bangkok), Witthaya Kaewparadai (Nakhon Si Thammarat MP) and Chalermchai Sri-on (Prachuap Khiri Khan MP).

Witthaya is seen as the favourite if Abhisit is reelected as party leader because of the regional aspect.

The party has scheduled August 6 for an assembly meeting to pick the new leader and board. There is still time for Abhisit to consider his future. But no matter what he decides, the party will certainly have a tough task ahead of it: how to strengthen the party to overcome Pheu Thai in the next election.

-- The Nation 2011-07-21

[geriatrickid]

Perhaps there is an available member of Mr. Thaksin's family or entourage?

Edited July 21, 2011 by geriatrickid

[ginjag]

Perhaps there is an available member of Mr. Thaksin's family or entourage?

Get Chuvit-and Abhisit back in there, ready to pick up the debris when this mob bankrpt the country.

[Phuket Stan]

BURINING ISSUE

When did burning get the extra "i"

[hammered]

What they need is a leader more acceptable among those who dont vote for them but could. They really need to seek opinion in the Isaan, North and parts of central Thailand where they arent popular. It doesnt have to be someone from those places, but someone more patable to them.

In the short term, if he were more maybe charismatic then Sukhumband would be an intersting choice as he managed to keep good relations with red shirts through last year and even with Thaksin. That makes him a lot harder target for the PTP. Plus having those links is no bad thing. However, although he is also a bit of an outsider among the party, but as a transitional character may work better than reselecting Abhisit or the sickly Chuan. It would also signal change and that is one reason why the party factions with the power probably wouldnt chose him or anyone like him. The biggest problem the democrats have is the powerful factions want their big slices of the cake and those factions hail entirely from areas where there is no real problem electorally for the democrats

[tragickingdom]

An election within the ranks of the DP is a waste of time and money. The DP is traditionally a "one man" show it is either led by a paper pusher that is very good in one thing: Taking care that no decision is ever taken (Chuan) or by Suthep. There is hope though, the management of the DP will soon be led by the prosecutor in the ICC for human rights abuses.

Edited July 21, 2011 by sbk

[random]

General Prayuth, he has already been leading them the past two years.

[animatic]

BURINING ISSUE

When did burning get the extra "i"

When Burin Katabutra inspired the article.

[djlest]

I really don't think Abhisit wanted to be re-elected..

I think after everything he had to endure, he looks like he has had enough.

Its a shame really...

I thought he had a lot of potential - but he entered in the wrong way at the wrong time, he should start his own party now.

[LindsayBKK]

Korn Chatikavanij

But unfortunately Thailand doesn't want leaders who are smart and educated, so that's why they have Pheu Thai Party next.

Abhisit Vejjajiva is enjoying the Pheu Thai/ Red Mafia in-fighting along with the rest of us waiting to see where all this is going next. And who said an election was going to help stabilize things politicialy in this country

Edited July 21, 2011 by LindsayBKK

[udonguy]

if only Abhisit was not Sutheps puppy he would have had at least another 10% vote - they should learn from this

[ib1b4]

if only Abhisit was not Sutheps puppy he would have had at least another 10% vote - they should learn from this

And now it is reported that Suthep is backing Apirak to place him in his current #2 position, Which could mean that Suthep will try for the #1 position in the Democrats?