Parties shy away from activists

Fears regime will suspect affiliations

Political parties have brushed aside calls by pro-election activists to join them to press for an early election, warning the activists could be seen to be a political tool and their pro-election campaign could lose legitimacy with politicians taking part.

On Saturday, the leaders of various pro-election groups gathered at Thammasat University to ratchet up pressure on the regime to hold an election in November, and set a clear timetable for rallies to continue until at least May.

They also challenged politicians to choose between the people and the military.

The prospects of a November election, which had been promised by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, appear increasingly remote due to the enforcement of an organic bill governing the election of MPs being extended by 90 days, which effectively puts the poll off until February 2019 at the earliest.

On Saturday, the activists appealed to all groups to join the campaign, including politicians such as Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij, and former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

However, former Pheu Thai Party MP Somkid Chueakhong said yesterday politicians have not come out to join the activists’ pro-election campaign because they do not want those in power to see them as financial backers of the activists, which in turn could spoil the activists’ campaign.

It should be left to the activists to express opinions on behalf of the new generation, Mr Somkid said.

Samart Kaewmeechai, another from Pheu Thai MP, said that while the party and the civil sector share a common aim of supporting an election, Pheu Thai, as a political party, has its hands tied by the law, so has to tread carefully.

Otherwise, it could face dissolution if it breaks the law, Mr Samart said.

Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat echoed the view, saying the pro-election activists’ campaign could lose legitimacy if it is joined by political parties.

With the presence of politicians, the activists could also be seen as having affiliations with parties, which could dissuade others from joining them, Mr Nipit said.

He added the pro-election rallies should be natural and spontaneous without politicians or parties being called upon to join.

Mr Abhisit could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Nikorn Chamnong, director of the Chartthaipattana Party, said he had acknowledged the activists are well-intentioned in their calls for an early election.

Mr Nikorn warned that if parties join their campaign, this could backfire on the activists themselves as their well-meaning attempts could be misunderstood and they could be seen to be a political tool.

The pro-election activists yesterday took their campaign to Lan Ya Mo, in front of Thao Suranaree Monument in Nakhon Ratchasima, which was part of the schedule for their rallies.

Some 10 activists led by Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat, of the New Democracy Group, called on people in the northeastern province to come out to pressure the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to return the power to the people by holding an election.

The gathering attracted about 50 local people with more than 150 security officers were deployed to maintain order.

Their next rally will take place at the Tha Phra Chan campus of Thammasat University at 3pm on Saturday.

“Big events” are also planned for March 10 and 14, he said.There will be no activities in April but in May the groups plan to gather every Saturday, and will hold a non-stop rally from May 19-22.

Lt Gen Tharakorn Thamwinthorn, commander of the 2nd Region Army, said soldiers have met people in the Northeast to reassure them that the government adheres to the roadmap and its timetable for a return to democracy.

Meanwhile, an opinion poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll, revealed yesterday the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration receives a score of only 5.35 points out of 10 for its overall performance.

The poll was carried out on Feb 12-17 on 1,016 people throughout the country to compile their opinions on the performance of the government.

In individual categories, the government scored 5.39 for its work in social affairs; 4.94 for its management of the economy, 5.83 for national security and just 4.64 for its handling of political affairs.

Asked to mention the areas where the government’s performance was most satisfactory, 47.5% of respondents cited its handling of law and order.

Asked to name the areas in which they were least satisfied, 53% of respondents cited its poor management of economic problems.