Suthep’s vehicle has yet to draw Dems

Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat yesterday says the party being formed with the support of former street protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has yet to draw any supporters among former Democrat MPs.

Most former Democrat MPs had come and confirmed their membership of the Democrat Party, all except for Mr Suthep’s brothers Thani and Shane.

Mr Suthep on Saturday admitted he will back a party in the upcoming election, expected in February. He has previously stated he would back Gen Prayut Chano-cha to resume his premiership after the election.

Mr Suthep said he would not contest the election or take up any political office but nevertheless felt obliged to pursue the ideology of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which has now become the Muan Maha Prachachon Foundation.

This is an about-face, for while leading the PDRC, Mr Suthep — a former Democrat secretary-general — said he would turn his back on politics. Many PDRC members who were former Democrat MPs have quit the party in the past.

Mr Thani has announced previously he would establish a new party, to be named the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reform Party, though he has yet to register any political entity with the Election Commission (EC).

Mr Nipit said if a party run by the former PDRC group runs in the election, it could take on the Democrats in their traditional stronghold of the South.

Former Pheu Thai MP Somkid Chuakong said Mr Suthep should make it clear if he intends re-entering politics. He believed Mr Suthep’s party might serve as an alternative for those who do not vote for the Democrats this time. However, it is unlikely to challenge the Democrats in size.

In a separate development, New Palang Dharma leader Rawee Maschamadol yesterday said the party is preparing for an assembly of members at Thammasat University’s main auditorium in Tha Prachan campus on May 12, so an election for the party’s executive can take place.

The former secretary-general of the now-defunct Palang Dharma Party said he believed Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha is unlikely to be an outsider prime minister after the next election as drawing the required 501 votes from parliament is not easy.

However, he could always get a party to nominate and support him.