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Ex-PDRC chief saddened by poaching of former MPs, and feels he may be getting the cold shoulder himself Deputy premier Prawit plays down suggestions mobile cabinet sideline meet was held to coax politicians into abandoning Pheu Thai
Suthep’s reform vision fades
F ormermass protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is beginning to feel he is being left out in the cold by the old-school politics being played out that relies on the heavy poaching of former MPs to win an election, according to a source close to him.
The former leader of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) does not approve of former MPs being siphoned from various political factions, allegedly by a pro-regime party in preparation for the next poll which is likely to take place early next year.
Mr Suthep insisted the PDRC street protests, which led to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) coup that unseated the Pheu Thai Party-led government in May 2014, would be a lost cause if the country were to revert to a political system characterised by underhanded, wheeling-dealing practices.
The source said Mr Suthep argued the PDRC amassed so many protesters at the height of its rally because people identified with its core demands, one being a push for unconditional political reform.
The protest movement made it plain and clear that only a radically reformed political system would weed out corrupt politicians who thrived on the money-driven patronage system.
But the poaching of former MPs — reportedly by the Sam Mitr group of veteran politicians aligned to the government for a proregime party, understood to be the newly registered Phalang Pracharat Party — does not strike a chord with Mr Suthep.
He has been an avid supporter of the NCPO and has expressed his faith in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. However, the reported poaching looks to have disappointed him and lowered his morale, even though prominent government figures have consistently dismissed any link with the Sam Mitr, the source said.
Observers said Mr Suthep could not be blamed if he were to suddenly find the regime a “stranger”.
Mr Suthep is said to have had an active role in the founding of the Ruamphalang Prachachartthai Party, or the Action Coalition
for Thailand (ACT), although he has denied this. But Mr Suthep has also pledged to assist the ACT if and when he is needed.
The party is thought to be serving as the political platform for some former PDRC members aspiring to capture seats in parliament.
Academic-turned-politician Anek Laothamatas has made it no secret that the ACT, which he co-founded, is going after the support of the PDRC faithful.
The party has also shunted political poaching and declared its determination to realise the meaningful reform of politics. But it has not attracted professional politicians with much chance of being elected, according to some observers.
A lot of the members come from civic groups or are former communist fighters with scant political support.
To rub salt into the wound for the ACT, the former PDRC leaders have decided to return to the Democrat Party instead of subscribing to the new one.
Some had temporarily stepped out of the party’s fold, while others quit altogether, to take part in the PDRC protest.
Four years on and these politicians have chosen to head back to the Democrats as the
election grows imminent, rather than pick up the cue from Mr Suthep who has made gestures showing he favours the ACT.
The source said some of the “returnees” would rather contest the poll under the banner of the Democrat Party because it is easier to win votes representing an established party.
Mr Suthep, the party’s former secretarygeneral, has met with village leaders in many constituencies in the Northeast. That region has always been a tough nut to crack, politically speaking, for the Democrat Party and most probably will be for the ACT as well.
Mr Suthep is trying to connect with people in the Northeast who can influence the election, and who he came into contact with through a former PDRC ally. But doubts have been raised as to whether the influencers have sufficient prowess to get the ACT’s poll candidates elected.
Strongman ‘miffed’
D eputyPrime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon appears miffed every time reporters mention his name and the Phalang Pracharat Party in the same sentence.
But political observers say if there is substance to suggestions of links between the government figures and the new party, the regime may soon see its luck in politics shine through, thanks to this week’s mobile cabinet meetings in Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.
Gen Prawit has vehemently denied any association, covertly or overtly, with Phalang Pracharat, which critics believe will be the instrument that brings National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha back as prime minister after the general election slated for early next year.
The observers say the NCPO, in which Gen Prawit is a strongman, is working overtime at trying to position itself as a “neutral party” in the country’s politics. Gen Prayut has insisted the regime seized power to prevent social and political conflicts from getting out of hand and that it is not siding with or giving anyone preferential treatment.
Given the repeated claims by the premier, Gen Prawit is left with no choice but to be seen not to endorse any political party in order to maintain the image of upholding impartiality.
The deputy prime minister was also bombarded with questions from reporters over a planned side meeting between cabinet ministers and former MPs during the mobile meeting in Ubon Ratchathani.
Gen Prawit poured cold water on suggestions the side meeting was to coax politicians into abandoning the Pheu Thai Party and defecting to a pro-regime party, understood to be a reference to Phalang Pracharat. The deputy premier claimed that any talks the government was having with local politicians had no ulterior motive and served no vested interest for the government.
A political source said 15 “A-list” former Pheu Thai MPs from the lower northeastern provinces of Ubon Rathathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket and Yasothon met Gen Prayut after the cabinet meeting was over in Ubon Ratchathani at the invitation of the provincial office. It was not known what was discussed between them and the prime minister.
The source said that after the Ubon Ratchathani cabinet meeting, Pheu Thai may be in danger of losing the 15 politicians, who may be drafting a letter announcing their intention to quit the party. The letter would be mailed to the party, rather than handed over in person as the politicians would try to avert any confrontation with Pheu Thai core leaders.
The source said Pheu Thai may also shrink further with the prospect looming large of some of its former MPs in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya and Nakhon Pathom moving to greener pastures.
Chiang Mai was once dubbed Pheu Thai’s stronghold while the other three provinces are also bastions of the former ruling party. The next poll, however, could mark a reversal of fortune for Pheu Thai.
The source said Phalang Pracharat may be the first of the new parties to hold its inauguration bash in Bangkok next month.
The event could be studded with political “stars” hailing from many constituencies in various provinces who call the party their new home.
Gen Prawit countered what government supporters said was a malicious rumour of economic ministers helping to raise funds for the pro-regime party. He said the economic ministers executed policies to generate revenue for the country and not funnel cash into the pockets of anyone or any party.