111 Executives Return To Action With Reaffirmed Allegiance To Pheu Thai

[webfact]

Unchanged loyalty

Tossaporn Wongwaikolayoot

The Nation

111 executives return to action with reaffirmed allegiance to Pheu Thai

BANGKOK: -- The ruling party yesterday re-embraced its banned political big guns, gladly receiving them to its fold and welcomed their encouraging show of unwavering loyalty, which is a boost to its ambition to remain Thailand's most dominant political force.

Yesterday was the first official day of reunion for the 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives, who gathered at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters make preparations for the lifting of their five-year political ban at the end of this month.

The meeting, held by the 111 TRT Foundation and led by former party leader Chaturon Chaisang, was attended by 50 former executives such as Sutham Saengprathum, Veera Musigapong, Phongthep Thepkanjana, Preecha Laohapong-chana, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Bhokin Bhalakula and Varathep Ratanakorn, to name a few.

The former TRT executives were warmly welcomed with a large sign saying "Welcome Home, 111 Members of Thai Rak Thai Party", which was in stark contrast to the "visitor" tags they had to wear on their chests.

Besides, some big names such as Sudarat Keyuraphan, Suranand Vejjajiva and Yaowapa Wongsawat were conspicuous in their absence, though many said that they would show up on May 31 to apply for Pheu Thai Party membership. Apparently, Sudarat and Suranand are both overseas and had informed the foundation about their absence.

After three hours behind closed doors, Chaturon said the discussion was all about preparing for May 31, when the TRT Foundation would hold a seminar to explain how the party had been unjustly dissolved five years ago, which resulted in the executives' ban.

"The ban has had an important implication in Thai politics. It did not just affect the 111 former party executives, but also the 10 million TRT members. It also changed the country's political party system, creating a new standard of dictatorship, which led to a political crisis that is difficult to resolve," Chaturon said.

He explained that May 31 would mark their rebirth - when all the 111 former executives once again be able to participate in politics. "We will have the right to vote like others after being second-class citizens for so long," Chaturon said.

Yet, he refused to confirm if any of the banned politicians were eyeing a seat in the Cabinet, saying this subject would be discussed later.

"What we are going to do is communicate and explain to people about the injustice behind the party's dissolution and the possibility of amending electoral laws and bringing justice back to the Thai political system," he said.

Jatuporn also denied he was trying to talk some Pheu Thai Party members into letting TRT defectors back into the party, saying the final decision was in the party's hands.

He also added the foundation might not invite all 111 former TRT executives to join the post-ban activities, but only those who shared the same political views. However, he said he could not reveal the invitation list yet.

As for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra not joining the meeting via a phone-in this time, Chaturon said the former party leader had every right to join the celebrations because his name was always at the top of the list.

Meanwhile, Wichit Plangsrisa-kul, secretary-general of the 111 TRT Foundation, said Pheu Thai needed good people behind it and the former TRT executives were experienced enough to help the government run the country.

On May 31, apart from queuing up to apply for Pheu Thai Party membership, many of the former TRT executives are expected to head to Chiang Mai to campaign for the ruling party's by-election campaign.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

[Yunla]

"We're going to need a bigger trough."

[MILT]

Let the unjust party begin!

[whybother]

Wichit Plangsrisa-kul, secretary-general of the 111 TRT Foundation, said Pheu Thai needed good people behind it

Because it doesn't at the moment, and the 111 will be searching the country far and wide to find some good people. They have already been ruled out.

[trainman34014]

All eager to get their noses back in the trough....that's if they were ever out of it.

[belg]

ahah, thai fallen policits talking about 2nd class citizen, welcome to the real daily world of the species called : farang

[animatic]

More like

Reaffirmed Allegiance To ThaksinInc

As the movie said

Follow The Money.

[Robby nz]

Wondering when they get back "on board" how many will that make in the PT Govt with criminal records or charges still to be heard against them?

That list would start with the PM.

[garrya]

Welcome home???

It's time to stir up the stale water again.

What an honourable bunch of people, real role models

Edited May 17, 2012 by garrya