EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Pheu Thai wants to avoid grounds for another dissolution

Somroutai Sapsomboon,

SatienViriyapanpongsa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party director Phumtham Wechayachai, who calls himself the backup of the Yingluck government and the frontline of the Thaksin government, says the party has adopted an attitude of playing safe after having been disbanded twice. He spoke to The Nation before Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister YongyuthWichaidit resigned from Cabinet.

Is your role to strengthen the party?

The thing is how we can strengthen the party under the current Constitution and organic laws, which have yet to be amended. How can we expand the party base, which is not easy under the current law? The Thai Rak Thai Party had earlier welcomed in 14 million members in a short time because we could accept new party members by just issuing temporary member cards to them. But we are not allowed to expand the base that easily and if we are not careful, we might be dissolved again. In a short span, we have been disbanded twice on grounds that are unacceptable to us.

It seems you still feel disillusioned by the party dissolution.

True. So, we are not going to do anything against the law. And in the case of activities that are not clear and open to legal interpretation, we will avoid it because we are already exhausted with the party dissolution issues. Though we can set up a new party, if we are disbanded again, it will be exhausting. In the Yongyuth case, it was a good idea that he did not attend the Cabinet meeting.

The party supporters may not be happy because they feel the party has taken a step back.

Do not think that we have stepped back, but think that we follow the law. What is not clear, we have to be sure of first. We should not do any activities that are legally ambiguous. Democracy does not mean that you can do whatever you want. Even though we believe we can do, if there is criticism, we should revise the decision. We must listen more to those with different opinions. With sound judgement, our move would be more acceptable.

Do you think Thakin Shinawatra's role and influence over the party pose any problem?

Not at all. He is knowledgeable and has made great contribution to Thai society. Even the Pheu Thai Party accepts him and that's why we had the slogan "Thaksin Thinks, Pheu Thai acts". We believe in his potential and he has proven himself by solving many problems for our country.

What are the differences between Thaksin and Yingluck?

Thaksin is a straightforward and hot-headed person. He does whatever he thinks is right and may not take into account the readiness and public acceptance. PM Yingluck is more prudent and determined. Many people see her silence about her critics as her weakness but I believe it is her strength. She uses reason and not emotion. She is humble and easily accessible.

How do you see your rival the Democrat Party?

We do not look at our competition as much as we look at ourselves. We compete with ourselves and we look at our target groups, what they think of us. We have proved that we are the party that delivers and not just a lip-service one. We translate the people's wishes into concrete policies. Though we are a relatively new party, we have won the heart of the people.

What could cause the collapse of the government?

Corruption. The PM is very strict about this. For instance, she said if any politician is found to be corrupt in the rice-pledging scheme, they must be removed. She will survive.

Do you think the Constitution amendment and reconciliation bills may cause the government to stumble?

No, the PM wants us to wait so that we have public understanding first. At one point, we will have to make a decision because we have to move on.

-- The Nation 2012-10-01

"True. So, we are not going to do anything against the law. And in the case of activities that are not clear and open to legal interpretation, we will avoid it"

Another white lie?

The whole way through the interview he is trying to paint the picture they will act within the law, but then he makes the faux pas ...

" ... Democracy does not mean that you can do whatever you want. Even though we believe we can do,..."

At least he admits the root of the issue is corruption. So if he really wants to have his party #1, start by getting rid of politicians within his own ranks and lead by example. Never going to happen.

It seems you still feel disillusioned by the party dissolution.

True. So, we are not going to do anything against the law.

What a novel idea!

Now, if the previous Thaksin proxy governments had thought of that, Thailand probably wouldn't be in the state that it's in.

What could cause the collapse of the government?

Corruption. The PM is very strict about this. For instance, she said if any politician is found to be corrupt in the rice-pledging scheme, they must be removed. She will survive.

Absolutely laughable statement from the masters of corruption.

The whole way through the interview he is trying to paint the picture they will act within the law, but then he makes the faux pas ...

" ... Democracy does not mean that you can do whatever you want. Even though we believe we can do,..."

At least he admits the root of the issue is corruption. So if he really wants to have his party #1, start by getting rid of politicians within his own ranks and lead by example. Never going to happen.

He also said

"True. So, we are not going to do anything against the law."

Kind of like admitting that has not always been the case.

If Yingluck is s tough on corruption why has no one been fired They just step down no fines no jail time.

Look at that clown Jutuporn showing off all his wealth and claiming it just came to him in mysterious ways.

Pheu Thai Party director Phumtham Wechayachai, who calls himself the backup of the Yingluck government and the frontline of the Thaksin government

And what a brain trust he and his boss were at the Thai Rak Thai ....

July 6, 2005

The Nation

Thai Rak Thai Deputy Secretary-General Phumtham Wechayachai disclosed yesterday that the Party would distribute high-tech cards to its 15 million Party members to allow them to get discounts for products and services, such as merchandise and handicrafts under the government's One Tambon, One Product (Otop) project.

He did not explain how high-tech the card would be, but said it would cover the political and daily-life aspects of cardholders.

Phumtham said the party was selecting businesses that offer to take part in the programme. The card would be officially launched next week, when the ruling party marked its seventh anniversary, Phumtham said.

He said the card was the brainchild of the Prime Minister Thaksin.

http://www.thaiworld...question_id=179

Not very hard questions.

How about: what will the government do to return the Alpine land to its rightful owners?

Why did the government remove the corruption investigator Dussadee?

and so on.....

Lucky for him most of his supporters can't make inferences or he'd become very unpopular very quickly.

"The Thai Rak Thai Party had earlier welcomed in 14 million members in a short time because we could accept new party members by just issuing temporary member cards to them."

​It's this line that intrigues me... so the 14 million members on temporary member cards with Thai Rak Thai didn't become full members of Phua Thai????

Do you have to PAY membership dues if your a FULL member of Phua Thai ?? nonsense sound bites from a no sense party.

Of course they want to avoid another dissolution. In another election they would more than likely win but they would need to form a coalition to get the votes and they don't want the public to know just how bad they have done.

They depend on the red shirts for there support. Even though the red shirts are starting to catch on to them. What was it a few months back Thaksin tried to distance himself and they caught on and he came back kissing ass big time.

More evidence that the Thaksin/ redshirt faction has lost control of the TPT government to the Khunying Pojaman/ elites faction. Not only has Thaksin has lost his long term supporter, Yongyuth Wichaidit, who has just left the Cabinet due to corruption but Mr Phumtham, and the other members of the so-called House No.111 club, cant get active posts within the government. As Mr Phumtham "who calls himself the backup of the Yingluck government and the frontline of the Thaksin government." positions himself to fill the vacancy left by Yongyuth Wichaidit in any reshuffle. Or ."Pol Gen Preowpan might be given either the post of deputy prime minister in charge of national anti-narcotics and social affairs or that of interior minister with emphasis on the same duties," one Parliament Member aligned with the Puea Thai Party said.

Expect a radical change in the Thai political landscape or a continuation of the status quo, depending on who gains the upper-hand. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung yesterday maintained the prime minister would not reshuffle the cabinet for the time being.

Edited October 1, 201213 yr by waza

It seems you still feel disillusioned by the party dissolution.

True. So, we are not going to do anything against the law.

What a novel idea!

Now, if the previous Thaksin proxy governments had thought of that, Thailand probably wouldn't be in the state that it's in.

As far as I can tell this is as much a Thaksin proxy government as the previous ones. In fact this one seems more proxy than the previous ones.