Jockeying for positions
Last week, the ruling Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPRP) Sam Mitr faction grabbed the chance to stage a show of force ahead of the upcoming censure debate. This week, the group has been given a run for its money.
The Sam Mitr’s luncheon was attended by 50 MPs loyal to the group, prompting talk it was sending a warning against any move to snatch away its ministerial seats in a reshuffle
following the censure debate.
Political insiders said almost half of the PPRP’s MPs turned up for the lunch. The founders of Sam Mitr denied it was being resurrected, contending that the faction was merely a provisional entity set up to help the PPRP win the general election and had since been disbanded.
However, last week’s luncheon demonstrated the faction is still very much alive, said observers.
Sam Mitr’s founders, including Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin, are apparently wary of the faction’s real and present influence, according to insiders.
Sam Mitr helped the PPRP win election victories in many constituencies and its power within the party is the envy of other PPRP factions. Critics, meanwhile, brand it an exclusive club with “divisive” tendencies.
But Sam Mitr is not the only faction capable of throwing “power lunches”.
On Tuesday, another major faction in the PPRP got together over a meal in Bangkok. It was hosted by leading members of a group led by chief government whip Virat Ratanasate and Suchart Chomklin, chief of the party’s MPs.
PPRP heavyweights spotted at the lunch included Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat and party deputy leader Paiboon Nititawan.
The venue was the PPRP’s new headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, giving the 80 MPs present an opportunity to look around the party’s latest nerve centre.
Mr Suchart insisted the ruling party was not divided, saying it always operated as a single and united entity — a tag line which Sam Mitr also echoed, according to observers.
He also echoed Sam Mitr in denying that the group was warning key party decision-makers it would to go to any lengths to defend its ministerial quota from being “squeezed” should there be a post-censure debate reshuffle.
Mr Suchart said it was natural for MPs and members to form groups with the people they feel close to in the party.
“The groups are like subsidiaries whereas the party is like the mother firm. Everyone moves in the same direction and reports to Gen Prawit,” he said, referring to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the PPRP’s chief strategist.
Mr Suchart also dismissed speculation that he was waiting in the wings to clinch a ministerial post. “This is something way beyond my imagination,” he said.