Surin vows to contest for Democrat leadership

[rooster59]

Surin vows to contest for Democrat leadership

BANGKOK: Dr Surin Pitsuwan, former Asean secretary general, vowed Saturday to contest for the post of Democrat Party leader once the National Council for Peace and Order allows political parties’ activities to resume.

Surin said he "is now ready to contest for the post of new Democrat leader".

Surin said several former Democrat MPs see that he is ready for the post so they called on him to run for the party's leadership.

"If I become the next Democrat leader, I'll eye for the post of the prime minister," Surin said, adding that he would reform the Democrat as well.

Surin is now 66 years old. He has been elected as a Nakhon Si Thammarat MP for seven times since 1986. He used to be a foreign minister before he became an Asean secretary general.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Surin-vows-to-contest-for-Democrat-leadership-30276005.html

-- The Nation 2016-01-01

[tomacht8]

I remember many good statements from him.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/surins-reform-proposal/

[hgma]

Best news to start a new year with....mind you Khun Surin's PR and natural leadership had made a significant impact when he was SG of ASEAN to inspire Myanmar to become a full and comitted member of ASEAN, triggering the chain of events leading up to a very promising new Myanmar 2016 it is now!.

Very Good news Indeed!!

[GinBoy2]

I remember many good statements from him.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/surins-reform-proposal/

Indeed he would be a good step forward for this country, since he 'appears' at least to identify and recognize many of the structural failings and acknowledge the absurd simplicity that reform is a fixed term event, accomplished by a few rousing songs.

I've always believed that Abbhisit has been a disaster for not only his party, but for the country in general. For a man with a good education and an upbringing in the west he seemed incapable of grasping the nettle of the task, and actually being a visionary, providing alternatives to the Thaksin juggernaut, and actually doing what a politician is supposed to do, win hearts and minds.

Instead he chose to wring his hands, abdicate, whine and abstain, and play the time tested 'wait for the military to install me' card.

In my mind, he bares as much moral responsibility for this mess as Thaksin

Edited January 1, 2016 by GinBoy2

[halloween]

A spokesman for PTP said "Contest for leadership? Please explain."

[GinBoy2]

A spokesman for PTP said "Contest for leadership? Please explain."

Are you actually commenting on the same thread???

Explain the comment!

[jaywalker]

I remember many good statements from him.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/05/surins-reform-proposal/

WOW! The guy is an intellectual giant compared to Prayut.

Right or wrong, his statements seem quite knowledgeable and articulate as opposed to the buffoon-ish remarks constantly spewed by the General.

At least he seems to have a clue.

[BigBadGeordie]

Check the BP, he has denied he said any of the statements in the OP or those in Thairath.

The report has also acknowledged that the article is not a true record and a reflection of his wish to have Surin as the party leader and PM.

Edited January 2, 2016 by BigBadGeordie

[elviajero]

He would have no chance of winning, and a 66 year old has been is not what the Democrats need to lead the necessary reform.

[JOC]

>>"If I become the next Democrat leader, I'll eye for the post of the prime minister," Surin said, adding that he would reform the Democrat as well.<< Quote

Surin conveniently forgot for him to become a PM, the Democrats need to win an election first......................

Oh silly me, of course he meant appointed PM. Just need the approval of Prem and everything will be okay!!

[Srikcir]

Interesting CV

Compared to Prayut and Abhisit, Surin would be overqualified as PM.

Surin-CV.pdf

[chainarong]

Dr Surin is quite welcome to contest the democratic leadership when ever he is ready to, although with a democratic elected government in power he could do so right now , if he wished...................................

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Pure Dem confusion. In this article he is quoted as saying he will contest the leadership, but in The BKK Post he denies the report. So how can this article have a direct quote in if he didn't say it ? Just another lying politician, same same just a different name.

[thelonius]

Pure Dem confusion. In this article he is quoted as saying he will contest the leadership, but in The BKK Post he denies the report. So how can this article have a direct quote in if he didn't say it ? Just another lying politician, same same just a different name.

The original report was on the Thai rath website. If you read the BP article carefully you can see that Surin is subtly laying out his stall for contesting the leadership.

You may recall a certain general declaring he would never wanted to be PM...................

[tuanku]

Way too honest and well qualified to appeal to the power brokers.

[KhaoNiaw]

He would have no chance of winning, and a 66 year old has been is not what the Democrats need to lead the necessary reform.

He would be a fantastic breath of fresh air if he were to come in. I doubt that he has a real interest in taking the plunge back into politics though.

[Eric Loh]

I believed he did spoke truthfully about his intention to the reporter but was told to take back off by party incumbents. Dem Party is at its lowest ebb from the Suthep's fallout and Sukhamband's poor performance. Any more party leadership fighting will further weaken the party and split their supporters. Party really has no choice but to stick with Ahbisit who has close ties with the Amart and the military like they did when the party was first founded.

There are other reformist leaders in the party who want to bring back the 90s spirit of the party slogan of "power vested in the people". They were called the people party and were against the military. Don't think the Amart can trust any new reformist leaders like Surin.

[oneday]

Sorry Dr Surin Pitsuwan, no one in Thailand is any longer allowed to contest for any position that has the word "Democrat" in it as no one has successfully proven to understand Democracy. We are in the stages of developing a Democratic test to prove politicians actually understand this fairly simple concept.

[Baerboxer]

Interesting CV

Compared to Prayut and Abhisit, Surin would be overqualified as PM.

Surin-CV.pdf

Compared to Prayut, Yingluck, Abhisit, he would be over qualified to be PM.

Did you forget the PM who was in between Prayut and Abhisit? Or perhaps you consider her the most qualified?

[JOC]

Surin Abdul Halim bin Ismail Pitsuwan

A muslim in charge of Buddhist Thailand ?? In your dreams.....................

[KhaoNiaw]

Surin Abdul Halim bin Ismail Pitsuwan

A muslim in charge of Buddhist Thailand ?? In your dreams.....................

Try Sonthi Boonyaratglin ...

[jaywalker]

Interesting CV

Compared to Prayut and Abhisit, Surin would be overqualified as PM.

Surin-CV.pdf

Compared to Prayut, Yingluck, Abhisit, he would be over qualified to be PM.

Did you forget the PM who was in between Prayut and Abhisit? Or perhaps you consider her the most qualified?

Pretty sure Srikcir mentioned Yingluck.

[JOC]

Surin Abdul Halim bin Ismail Pitsuwan

A muslim in charge of Buddhist Thailand ?? In your dreams.....................

Try Sonthi Boonyaratglin ...

Khun Sonthi was handpicked by Thaksin, because he was a muslim, and Mr T hoped, he would be the right man to solve the problems in the deep south.

Sonthi thanked for the confidence by staging the 2006 coup !!

Sometimes life is a bitch.....................................

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Interesting CV

Compared to Prayut and Abhisit, Surin would be overqualified as PM.

Surin-CV.pdf

Compared to Prayut, Yingluck, Abhisit, he would be over qualified to be PM.

Did you forget the PM who was in between Prayut and Abhisit? Or perhaps you consider her the most qualified?

At least she was elected by the people, the other two you mentioned have never been and will never be elected PM of this country in a free and fair election.

[jesimps]

Seems pointless to me seeing that the real power will be elsewhere.

[elviajero]

Interesting CV

Compared to Prayut and Abhisit, Surin would be overqualified as PM.

Surin-CV.pdf

Compared to Prayut, Yingluck, Abhisit, he would be over qualified to be PM.

Did you forget the PM who was in between Prayut and Abhisit? Or perhaps you consider her the most qualified?

At least she was elected by the people, the other two you mentioned have never been and will never be elected PM of this country in a free and fair election.

YS never stood for election once in her short political career. Not one Thai voted for her to be PM or MP.