Future Forward leader calls out regime defectors

>> Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is challenging former MPs who have defected to a pro-regime political party to spell out whether they support democracy or dictatorship.

His remark was made during his visit to the northern province of Uttaradit on a trip to gauge opinions and hear complaints about problems and grievances from local leaders and voters.

Responding to the reported defections by former MPs of some parties, Mr Thanathorn said the practice was unremarkable as long as it was guided by a sound political ideology.

“Those parties which support Prime Minister and National Council for Peace and Order leader Prayut Chan-o-cha’s attempt to cling on to power should come clean and speak their minds,” he said.

“This [speaking out] really matters because the profession of politicians only exists in democracy … Without democracy, there are no professional politicians,” he said.

“Those who have betrayed democracy and are turning to support dictatorship are betraying their own profession.”

The parties should voice a clear stance on whether they support the NCPO or not.

Voters have the right to know so they can make an informed decision at the poll about what party they will vote for.

He reiterated the need to rewrite the charter, explaining this will be one of the key agenda points he pushes for if he is elected to parliament.

Korkaew Pikulthong, a former Pheu Thai Party list MP and a key figure in the redshirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said he personally believed money may be a reason behind some former Pheu Thai MPs’ defection to another party.

Some party insiders reportedly said that several former MPs were leaving the Pheu Thai because the party has been left without a real leader for a long time.

Ever since former party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan fled the country after the military coup in 2014, his deputy, Wirote Pao-in, has been appointed to serve as acting party leader, he said.

As soon as the NCPO lifts its ban on political activities, Pheu Thai will call a formal meeting to select a new leader and there are several qualified candidates to choose from, including Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, he said.

Krumanit Sangphum, a former Pheu Thai MP for Surin, said he did not believe all former Pheu Thai MPs in Surin would defect from the party.

Most other former Pheu Thai MPs in the northeastern provinces he spoke with insisted they would have no problem working with Khunying Sudarat if she is eventually picked as the new party leader, he said.

Former Democrat list MP Ratchadaporn Kaewsanit also said she was against the use of money, rewards or benefits to lure former MPs to new parties.

Dhirawit Pinyonatthagarn, an independent academic in Nakhon Ratchasima, meanwhile, pointed out that most former Pheu Thai MPs in the Northeast were still loyal to the party.

Some former MPs of various parties may choose to play along with the NCPO to avoid becoming target of any political persecution, which would make it difficult to win the next election.