Thai Democrats to vote on party reform

[webfact]

SPECIAL REPORT
Democrats to vote on party reform
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation

Proponents say opposition party won't regain power unless it embraces restructure; members to vote on changes tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- As long as the Opposition Democrats are divided on party reform, moves to return them to strength through restructuring seem doomed to fail. The Democrat Party will be branded as set for defeat and forever under the shadow of its arch-rival Pheu Thai.

The Democrat Party, which is pushing for national reforms, faces its own internal struggle to reform after repeated defeats in general elections for more than a decade.

Although the Democrats managed to seize an opportunity to form a government in 2008, they were heavily criticised as it was formed with the military pulling the strings to make it happen. Even though the party is credited as being the oldest political entity with established rules and structure, some key men such as deputy leader Alongkorn Polabutr believe the party has lost touch with fast-changing society and that this is the major reason it has never been able to beat its rivals, led by Thaksin.

Alongkorn has been pushing for reforms but has met with opposition from some Democrat heavyweights. The party, however, cannot withstand pressure to change and a plan to restructure it has been mapped out.

Tomorrow, the party will hold a party caucus to call a vote on whether the new party structure is approved.

The move to reform the party has come hot on the heels of calls for national reform, after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the House and called a general election for February 2.

For the Democrats, the ultimate aim of a new party structure is election victory and winning the people's hearts.

Ongart Klampaiboon, Bangkok MP chairman, said the Democrats will elect a new party leader, five new deputy leaders, a secretary-general, and an executive board.

"The new board will decide whether the party will run in the general election,'' he said.

Selection of the new party executives will undoubtedly meet with opposition from some groups that feel they stand to lose power in the process of change. Opponents say the party should not change executive boards now as it has little time to prepare for the general election.

But those who support change said the party should turn crisis into opportunity by bringing about major change, as well as inviting high-calibre outsiders to join to boost the party's image and public support in order to beat Pheu Thai.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has been heavily criticised for being unable to achieve an election victory.

With the wind of change blowing at the top, the name of Surin Pitsuwan, former Asean secretary-general, has emerged as a leading candidate with his international standing, clean image and lack of political foes, although he has yet to accept an invitation to accept the post.

But party sources said bringing outsiders in to lead the party was not the Democrat way and that the party needs a person with strong clout and prestige who can control all undercurrents within the team.

Meanwhile, party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on has been criticised for not playing a leading role as efficiently as his predecessor, Suthep Thaugsuban.

Suthep cannot be overlooked as one of major forces for imminent change in the Democrats because even though he quit the party, he still has influence over some members. It can't be denied that Suthep can dictate the direction of the party at certain levels.


-- The Nation 2013-12-16

[scorecard]

The 'new' dems seems to be taking shape at a snails pace, one of the long-term criticisms of the 'old' dems.

Come on dems, let's see something new and fast. Although there have been good reasons (IMHO) to boycott past elections and the current one being discussed, you can't keep on just boycotting, you need to stand up and be counted and be highly credible and be a clear and good alternative to the get rich club.

Another possibility is that the current anti-government groups may spark the start up some a new / several new parties. I really hope this happens as a means to get a lot of credible and sincere people to be active who are currently fence sitters.

[chooka]

Didn't they all resign so they could take part in demonstrations? Have they reinstated themselves again? I thought they needed to be re elected by the people.

[waza]

The Dem are weighed down with old school politicians that care more about personal and factional influence than the good of the party as a whole. They put their own little fiefdoms above the needs of the people and such character are open to corruption and nepotism. There isn't anyone or any group in the Dem party structure that has the power or political will to cut this dead meat away so they will continue to flounder in the backrooms of politics. Reform is a must to make a dynamic function democratic party machine that is both fair and popular.

Personally I don't think the necessary changes will be achieved so Abihist and Korn should form their own political party and recruit like minded public people to join them. Their goal initially wouldn't be to win the next election nor the one after but to build a growing supporter base to gain the balance of power as a junior member of a coalition government.

Edited December 16, 2013 by waza

[binjalin]

The problem is they are seen as the "amart party" and should lose that elitism to stand a chance of appealing to a wider base

[Spare]

The Dem are weighed down with old school politicians that care more about personal and factional influence than the good of the party as a whole. They put their own little fiefdoms above the needs of the people and such character are open to corruption and nepotism. There isn't anyone or any group in the Dem party structure that has the power or political will to cut this dead meat away so they will continue to flounder in the backrooms of politics. Reform is a must to make a dynamic function democratic party machine that is both fair and popular.

Personally I don't think the necessary changes will be achieved so Abihist and Korn should form their own political party and recruit like minded public people to join them. Their goal initially wouldn't be to win the next election nor the one after but to build a growing supporter base to gain the balance of power as a junior member of a coalition government.

"Abihist and Korn should form their own political party "

Agree. And get Surin to join them too.

[Zolt]

Didn't they all resign so they could take part in demonstrations? Have they reinstated themselves again? I thought they needed to be re elected by the people.

They resigned as member of parliament - a few hours before it got dissolved anyway. They never resigned as party members.

The democrats didn't do bad at all in the 2007 elections. In 2011 Puea Thai managed to keep roughly the same number of voters as TRT, but the democrats lost about 3-4 million. Why could that be? Possibly the way they handled the 2011 protests?

[scorecard]

Didn't they all resign so they could take part in demonstrations? Have they reinstated themselves again? I thought they needed to be re elected by the people.

They resigned as member of parliament - a few hours before it got dissolved anyway. They never resigned as party members.

The democrats didn't do bad at all in the 2007 elections. In 2011 Puea Thai managed to keep roughly the same number of voters as TRT, but the democrats lost about 3-4 million. Why could that be? Possibly the way they handled the 2011 protests?

How come you didn't mention the vote buying and the populist policies which certainly won votes but which are about to bankrupt the country and no mention that the get very rich very quickly party didn't before the elections (many past elections) and even to this day never announced any policies to reduce the gap and get many many Thais into a much better quality of live through their own productivity?

[EricBerg]

Surin's good. He is one of the very few that are competent and really clean and only interested in doing good for Thailand. If the dems can persuade him to lead them and give him power, he may energise and mobilise the voters.Hope he won't be a bit too much of a bureaucrat then. Surin's good.

[MobileContent]

Selection of the new party executives will undoubtedly meet with opposition from some groups that feel they stand to lose power in the process of change.

That's why I always say they are all the same parties in Thailand.

BTW: I think Abhisit has to much against him and he will sure no longer be the leader of the Democrat Party. Both Surin and even Supachai could lead the Democrat Party and even Chuan Lekpai should return to get active involved in the DP. Suthep should be out and removed completely from the Democrat Party as he is the main point why the Democrats need to reinvent them-self but if Suthep is completely left out he might setup his own party and the Democrats will loose many seats in the South.

Korbsak also should no longer hold a portfolio in the cabinet or be in the executive board.

[JRSoul]

They resigned as member of parliament - a few hours before it got dissolved anyway. They never resigned as party members.

The democrats didn't do bad at all in the 2007 elections. In 2011 Puea Thai managed to keep roughly the same number of voters as TRT, but the democrats lost about 3-4 million. Why could that be? Possibly the way they handled the 2011 protests?

So how many voters voted No! If they vote Dem this election, how close will it be?

[bigbamboo]

The Democrats badly need a makeover if they want to regain power, like the Labour Party managed in Britain in the nineties.

Perhaps Abhisit should have a word with fellow Toon supporter Tony Blair about it.

[Spare]

Selection of the new party executives will undoubtedly meet with opposition from some groups that feel they stand to lose power in the process of change.

That's why I always say they are all the same parties in Thailand.

BTW: I think Abhisit has to much against him and he will sure no longer be the leader of the Democrat Party. Both Surin and even Supachai could lead the Democrat Party and even Chuan Lekpai should return to get active involved in the DP. Suthep should be out and removed completely from the Democrat Party as he is the main point why the Democrats need to reinvent them-self but if Suthep is completely left out he might setup his own party and the Democrats will loose many seats in the South.

Korbsak also should no longer hold a portfolio in the cabinet or be in the executive board.

Agree that if Suthep is left out, he many take this voters with him.

It is best to have Suthep as the new DEM party leaders, as he is able to win millions more votes, especially from Bangkok.

[SouthernMan3]

Didn't they all resign so they could take part in demonstrations? Have they reinstated themselves again? I thought they needed to be re elected by the people.

They resigned their posts.

I don't believe that they resigned from the party but I could be wrong.

[SouthernMan3]

Didn't they all resign so they could take part in demonstrations? Have they reinstated themselves again? I thought they needed to be re elected by the people.

They resigned as member of parliament - a few hours before it got dissolved anyway. They never resigned as party members.

The democrats didn't do bad at all in the 2007 elections. In 2011 Puea Thai managed to keep roughly the same number of voters as TRT, but the democrats lost about 3-4 million. Why could that be? Possibly the way they handled the 2011 protests?

Could be true.

Vote buying could be another reason.

[SouthernMan3]

Selection of the new party executives will undoubtedly meet with opposition from some groups that feel they stand to lose power in the process of change.

That's why I always say they are all the same parties in Thailand.

BTW: I think Abhisit has to much against him and he will sure no longer be the leader of the Democrat Party. Both Surin and even Supachai could lead the Democrat Party and even Chuan Lekpai should return to get active involved in the DP. Suthep should be out and removed completely from the Democrat Party as he is the main point why the Democrats need to reinvent them-self but if Suthep is completely left out he might setup his own party and the Democrats will loose many seats in the South.

Korbsak also should no longer hold a portfolio in the cabinet or be in the executive board.

Agree that if Suthep is left out, he many take this voters with him.

It is best to have Suthep as the new DEM party leaders, as he is able to win millions more votes, especially from Bangkok.

Suthep, along with the other 8 protest leaders, have declared repeatedly to the press and public that they will not assume any political office resulting from this movement. If Suthep breaks his vow, the people will protest his actions and demand his resignation, like they did when Suchinda Kraprayoon broke his promise and assumed the premiership back in 1992.

[Gonsalviz]

Now that's funny. Just as funny as PTP reforming.

[tx22cb]

Selection of the new party executives will undoubtedly meet with opposition from some groups that feel they stand to lose power in the process of change.

That's why I always say they are all the same parties in Thailand.

BTW: I think Abhisit has to much against him and he will sure no longer be the leader of the Democrat Party. Both Surin and even Supachai could lead the Democrat Party and even Chuan Lekpai should return to get active involved in the DP. Suthep should be out and removed completely from the Democrat Party as he is the main point why the Democrats need to reinvent them-self but if Suthep is completely left out he might setup his own party and the Democrats will loose many seats in the South.

Korbsak also should no longer hold a portfolio in the cabinet or be in the executive board.

Agree that if Suthep is left out, he many take this voters with him.

It is best to have Suthep as the new DEM party leaders, as he is able to win millions more votes, especially from Bangkok.

Neither Suthep nor the Democrats need to win more votes in BKK - they already have most of BKK sewn up (Governor, most BKK MPs). Ditto for the South.

The Democrats need to win more votes in the N, NE and central Thailand.