Khon Rak Udon Leader Kwanchai Says No Conflict With Red Shirt Leadership

[Lite Beer]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Khon Rak Udon leader Kwanchai says no conflict with red shirt leadership

BANGKOK:-- Nation News Agency's Praphan Jindalert-udomdee talks to Kwanchai Praipana, radio host and leader of the Khon Rak Udon group, which is a key supporter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, about a reported conflict between the group and the red shirts.

There have been periodic reports of conflicts between you and the red shirts. Can you tell us about that?

We have to trace it back systematically, so we do not get confused and cause conflicts. I started a civic group, Khon Rak Udon [udon Lovers] on April 4, 2006. The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship started its movement in 2008 with a rally at Sanam Luang. My group and I were impressed by the "Sam Kler" [Three Friends, a nickname given to red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan, Natthawut Saikua and Veerakan Musigapong], so we shared buses to join the rally and listen to the speakers every weekend. We started with two buses, then three, until eventually we needed 20 buses, as we had faith in the Sam Kler.

Then we fought side-by-side during Bloody April in 2009 at Government House. We brought the most food to the rally and fed the protesters. We lost the battle. I had to flee to Laos for one week. My radio transmitter was seized. We raised funds until we got a new transmitter and the land, the building and the meeting hall.

My wife took care of everything when I was in jail for over nine months.

When I was released from jail, I announced clearly that I would not run in politics. I took care of things here [at Khun Rak Udon Club] for over a year until our officers and [other personnel] were able to survive without having to raise funds from the people.

I said we would not join in the red-shirt rally as we were far away [in Udon Thani province]. If I was to join the meeting every Wednesday, I would have to pay over Bt6,000 for an air ticket - almost Bt10,000 each time. That was not necessary. It was better to manage my club well, as this is our home. The red shirt is the big picture of the fight. We didn't have a chance to join the meeting. When the meeting elected Thida Thawornseth as chairperson, I said straightforwardly that I disagreed. That was because she is an academic. I am just a speaker from a rural area. I don't have much knowledge and I cannot understand what she says. How can I relay her messages to members of my group when I don't understand. I joined the red shirts as I was impressed by the Sam Kler. That's clear.

There's no row between us today. If the red shirts have a mission for the sake of the country and for justice, my group is happy to join. But otherwise, we won't. That's it. I cannot tell my club members to go or not to go to the red-shirt rally at Bonanza. I don't have that power. But I am scheduled to attend a wedding party on that day. It's a party for a daughter of a red-shirt leader in Nong Bua Lamphu. So I said clearly that I wouldn't be going to Bonanza. That's it.

When I was in jail, Nong Gaem Siriskul Saikua [Natthawut's wife] was very kind to my wife. The Bt50,000 she gave my wife when we desperately needed it was a lifeline for a drowning person. I really appreciated it.

I'm not angry for what my subordinates said [about the conflicts]. They only believed what other people said. My former secretary, I don't want to condemn him, as condemning my ex-subordinate is like condemning myself. I trusted people too easily. I put all the money raised with my ex-secretary. What hurt is that people with whom I shared deadly experiences and did jail time believed my ex-subordinate so easily. They could have called and asked me.

There were reports that [a rift with] Newin Chidchob was the reason you split from the red shirts.

Someone spread rumours. I've never sat and talked with Newin alone in my life. I knew Newin through former agriculture minister Theerachai Saenkaew. I think Newin helped me on two occasions. Once I got Bt100,000 from him, reporters should remember. The then interior minister came to Udon Thani and Newin put the money in my pocket. I told the truth about this when reporters asked me. Theerachai even asked me why I had to tell reporters. I said I just answered their question straightforwardly.

Why do you think the civic group-proposed charter amendment drafts were not considered in Parliament at the same time as the government's and coalition parties' drafts?

Frankly, Isaan [northeastern] people are still far away from the charter issue. They care more about their livelihoods and jobs, poverty and how to live well. What they want most is justice, and equal treatment with people in the Central region. Injustice in the past forced them to show their power and call for democracy. Even though they didn't know what democracy really is, they know it's their right.

Most importantly, I can say that Isaan people won't bow to injustice and destructive power outside the normal system that uses bias to chase the man named Thaksin Shinawatra, who assisted us. He gave us opportunities to have a better life.

-- The Nation 2012-02-26

[Nacho]

Most importantly, I can say that Isaan people won't bow to injustice and destructive power outside the normal system that uses bias to chase the man named Thaksin Shinawatra, who assisted us. He gave us opportunities to have a better life.

If any individual or group feels that the TRT at the time assisted them and gave them opportunities to have a better life, that is a fair statement. However to suggest that Taksin did these things is utter nonsense. There are no one man shows in a democracy.

This is the exact reason that many can not take these groups seriously, and feel they are a threat to this country.

If these groups can forget about Taksin, and let democracy take it's course, those that oppose the PTP may not support but will at least tolerate them. At this point reconciliation can truly start.