08.12.08 Pheu Thai in desperate bid for power
Source: The Nation
The Thaksin Shinawatra camp is not giving up in its race with the
Democrat Party to form a new government even as the former PM's ex-wife
Pojaman Damapong pours her resources into winning over supporters.
Discussions were conducted in the war room in the Shinawatra Thai Silk
building of the Pheu Thai Party yesterday. The party's strategies, the
political situation and making contacts for MPs to join the party were
all discussed. Pojaman quietly returned from Hong Kong on
Friday in a bid to mobilise supporters for the new government after the
dissolution of the Somchai Wongsawat's cabinet following a court ruling. "Those who have any close associates, please bring them back to the Pheu Thai Party," a source quoted Pojaman as saying. However, another source said the MPs in the camp agreed that the
chance for them to form a government had become slim. But they have not
given up entirely. They tried hard with the help of veteran politicians
like Prawat Uttamote of the Group of 16 to use personal relationships
to urge former coalition MPs to return to the fold. However, the former
coalition MPs said they wanted to protect the country and the monarchy
so Pheu Thai needed to improve its strategy. Former Pheu
Thai spokesman Sakda Noppasit said the party had only a slim chance as
the military had lobbied the others to join the Democrat Party. Pheu
Thai has vowed revenge and said it would challenge the Democrat-led
government's legitimacy in every way. "It would be tit-for-tat and could be more severe," he said. A
party source said plans to destroy the credibility of many institutions
such as the justice system had been laid out. Protests like those
staged by the People's Alliance for Democracy would be planned.
Demonstrators would work closely with the red-shirted pro-PPP
government group. Pheu Thai's key member Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a former PPP deputy leader, would be in charge. However, Newin Chidchob's red-shirted supporters would not join, the source said. On
the other hand, Pheu Thai MP Somchai Petprasert from Nakhon Ratchasima
said the Democrat boast about having the numbers to stitch together a
government was just the first step. The former coalition party had just
said they would consider the Democrat bid. "Pheu Thai is
full of unity. If you cut the heart of the former People Power MPs you
will see 10-20 more MPs wanting to join the Pheu Thai. I believe Pheu
Thai can form a government and the people have shown which party they
want to form the government," Somchai said. Caretaker
prime minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul rejected the idea of dissolving
the House to prevent the Democrats from forming a government. Chaovarat
said there was no necessity for House dissolution at the moment. He
said the former ruling party and the opposition were trying to gather
support for a coalition. It would be unreasonable to dissolve the
House. He denied that his decision not to dissolve the
House was a result of his son Anutin being a close associate of former
Thai Rak Thai executive Newin Chidchob. Pheu Thai MP
Surapong Towijakchaikul from Chiang Mai said it was impossible for the
Democrats to gather 260 MPs on their side. Out of the total of 438 MPs
at the moment, Pheu Thai could count on 220. "I believe we
won't lose any support. Many northeastern MPs in the Friends of Newin
group have joined us. We have to make this clear to the people," he
said. "Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai has
always said his party will let the party with the most seats in the
House to be the first to form a government. If it fails, the second one
then will form the government. The Democrats are going back on their
word," he said. However, Deputy House Speaker Apiwan
Wiriyachai, a Pheu Thai MP from Nonthaburi, said his party had fallen
behind the Democrats after Chart Thai Pattana refused to back it. But Pheu Thai was ready to form a government if the Democrats could not.
| 
