Democrats urge members to register, pay up

Parties gear up to meet with EC on Wednesday

Democrat Party has called its members to confirm their status and pay membership fees before the end of April as political parties gear up for the meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday to find out the do’s and dont’s during the 30-day period.

The move comes ahead of April 1 — the first day in which existing political parties are allowed to update their membership database. It is also seen as the first step by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to lift its ban on political activities.

According to the NCPO’s order, issued in December last year, political party members are allowed to submit letters to confirm their membership with party leaders and pay fees within 30 days after April 1 or lose their status.

In their letters they must also confirm that they have met the requirements stipulated by the organic law on political parties that include declaration of solvency and no convictions by a court.

Democrat deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon yesterday called on his colleagues to confirm their membership before the April 30 deadline. Thailand’s grand old party claims to have more than 2.5 million people as its members.

He said the party members could go to the Democrat headquarters or any of the branches with their ID cards, photocopies of their ID cards and housing registration documents and 2,000 baht for lifetime membership fees or 100 baht for annual fees and registration.

However, he urged the EC to drop the requirement for party members to submit photocopies of ID cards and housing registration documents since it would burden them.

Mr Ongart also called on the NCPO to consider relaxing the ban by allowing political parties to accept new members and also receive donations from its members.

Political parties should also be allowed to hold meetings to make some preparations, he said, adding that the move would send a signal to the world that the country is on its way to elections.

According to Mr Ongart, political parties expect to get clear-cut answers about “the do’s and don’ts” from the EC when their representatives meet the election officials on Wednesday.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva would lead the party officials to the meeting, he said.

“There are several issues that need to be worked out. The meeting should clear up any lingering questions,” he said.

The Pheu Thai Party, however, is still in the process of ascertaining who among the former MPs will stay with the party or leave. It will contact party members later, according to a source.

Meanwhile, former senator Paiboom Nititawan, founder of Prachachon Patiroob (Reform People Party), said the group plans to hold a meeting of party founders on April 7 to select the party leader and executives.

He said the group has submitted a request to the NCPO seeking permission and expects to get a green light. About 300400 people are likely to attend.

Mr Paiboon, who has clearly announced that he supports Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to return as premier, said the party’s policy remains unchanged which is to nominate Gen Prayut as prime minister.

Suriyasai Katasila, deputy dean of Rangsit University’s Social Innovation College and former coordinator for the People’s Alliance for Democracy, said yesterday the political atmosphere was dull when compared to 2007.

But he attributed the mood to the NCPO’s ban on political activities.

“Some groups may choose to wait because there is still uncertainty regarding the road map. Some of the newcomers aren’t really ‘new’ and people are aware of their views,” he said.

He also urged old and new parties to figure out how to use the general election to bring about reconciliation and national reforms rather than turning it into a new round of conflict.