Democrats tap Suthep as saviour
ANALYSIS: The deputy PM, chosen to contest Surat Thani by-election, could be last man left standing if party is banned
27/09/2010
Pradit Ruangdit and Suphapong Chaolan
Bangkok Post
The Democrat Party is looking to its own survival in choosing its secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban to contest a by-election in Surat Thani next month.
A branch meeting in the southern province yesterday voted for the 61-year-old political veteran to stand in the by-election in Constituency 1 set down by the Election Commission for Oct 30.
The seat was vacated when the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ruled on Sept 16 against Democrat incumbent Chumpol Kanchana.
The court found him guilty of falsely declaring 200 million baht in assets and stripped him of his status as an MP. The court also banned him from holding political office for five years.
The choice of Mr Suthep might come as a surprise to outsiders but not to those inside the country's oldest political party.
Sopha Kanchana had been tipped to run in the poll to defend the seat for the ruling party in the absence of her husband.
But party members in Surat Thani turned to the deputy prime minister to be their representative when Ms Sopha told the meeting she did not intend to stand.
The party's branch will forward its decision to executive members in Bangkok for approval.
Mr Chumpol told Democrats in his home province that there was no better choice for the party than Mr Suthep given the time to campaign before the poll was short.
"Given the time constraint, Mr Suthep is the most suitable person to represent the party," he said.
Mr Suthep had said he was reluctant to run.
"I am tired and did not offer myself as a candidate for the party in the beginning," he said yesterday.
"But when the meeting agreed to send me, I had to accept."
Mr Chumpol and Chamni Sakdiset, an MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, mounted a campaign to convince Mr Suthep _ right-hand man of Democrat leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva _ to contest the by-election, a party source said.
"Mrs Sopha deserved a chance to run in the by-election. But most party members want Mr Suthep to be in," the source said.
Concern about the short time left for a campaign was not the main reason for the party choosing Mr Suthep.
Democrats believe their performance in the House will improve if Mr Suthep is there as an MP.
"Mr Suthep can work better with other coalition parties to fight the opposition in parliament," the source said.
The Democrats also need someone to take a lead role in case the party is disbanded by the Constitution Court.
The Election Commission (EC) has filed a case with the court accusing the Democrats of violating the Political Party Act. The party could be disbanded and executive members banned if the case goes against them.
The party has been accused of accepting illicit donations of 258 million baht from TPI Polene, a cement making firm.
The company is alleged to have given money to the party in 2005 through advertising agency Messiah Business and Creation. The money is believed to have been transferred to certain party members, whose leader at the time was Banyat Bantadtan.
Mr Abhisit was a deputy party leader. He and other executive members would be banned from politics if the court rules in favour of the EC.
Mr Suthep was not a party executive at the time. He would be left to lead the party and coalition government if the party was disbanded.
Although the party is confident it will not be found guilty, it has to prepare for a worst case scenario.
"Do not forget that the constitution requires the prime minister to be an MP," the source said.
The Democrats plan to set up a party under a new banner if it is dissolved.
Mr Suthep resigned as MP for Surat Thani's Constituency 1 in July last year after he was accused by the EC of violating the constitution by holding shares in prohibited businesses. He did not give up his ministerial post.
He later won the case when it went to the Constitution Court for a ruling.
27/09/2010
Pradit Ruangdit and Suphapong Chaolan
Bangkok Post
The Democrat Party is looking to its own survival in choosing its secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban to contest a by-election in Surat Thani next month.
A branch meeting in the southern province yesterday voted for the 61-year-old political veteran to stand in the by-election in Constituency 1 set down by the Election Commission for Oct 30.
The seat was vacated when the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ruled on Sept 16 against Democrat incumbent Chumpol Kanchana.
The court found him guilty of falsely declaring 200 million baht in assets and stripped him of his status as an MP. The court also banned him from holding political office for five years.
The choice of Mr Suthep might come as a surprise to outsiders but not to those inside the country's oldest political party.
Sopha Kanchana had been tipped to run in the poll to defend the seat for the ruling party in the absence of her husband.
But party members in Surat Thani turned to the deputy prime minister to be their representative when Ms Sopha told the meeting she did not intend to stand.
The party's branch will forward its decision to executive members in Bangkok for approval.
Mr Chumpol told Democrats in his home province that there was no better choice for the party than Mr Suthep given the time to campaign before the poll was short.
"Given the time constraint, Mr Suthep is the most suitable person to represent the party," he said.
Mr Suthep had said he was reluctant to run.
"I am tired and did not offer myself as a candidate for the party in the beginning," he said yesterday.
"But when the meeting agreed to send me, I had to accept."
Mr Chumpol and Chamni Sakdiset, an MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, mounted a campaign to convince Mr Suthep _ right-hand man of Democrat leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva _ to contest the by-election, a party source said.
"Mrs Sopha deserved a chance to run in the by-election. But most party members want Mr Suthep to be in," the source said.
Concern about the short time left for a campaign was not the main reason for the party choosing Mr Suthep.
Democrats believe their performance in the House will improve if Mr Suthep is there as an MP.
"Mr Suthep can work better with other coalition parties to fight the opposition in parliament," the source said.
The Democrats also need someone to take a lead role in case the party is disbanded by the Constitution Court.
The Election Commission (EC) has filed a case with the court accusing the Democrats of violating the Political Party Act. The party could be disbanded and executive members banned if the case goes against them.
The party has been accused of accepting illicit donations of 258 million baht from TPI Polene, a cement making firm.
The company is alleged to have given money to the party in 2005 through advertising agency Messiah Business and Creation. The money is believed to have been transferred to certain party members, whose leader at the time was Banyat Bantadtan.
Mr Abhisit was a deputy party leader. He and other executive members would be banned from politics if the court rules in favour of the EC.
Mr Suthep was not a party executive at the time. He would be left to lead the party and coalition government if the party was disbanded.
Although the party is confident it will not be found guilty, it has to prepare for a worst case scenario.
"Do not forget that the constitution requires the prime minister to be an MP," the source said.
The Democrats plan to set up a party under a new banner if it is dissolved.
Mr Suthep resigned as MP for Surat Thani's Constituency 1 in July last year after he was accused by the EC of violating the constitution by holding shares in prohibited businesses. He did not give up his ministerial post.
He later won the case when it went to the Constitution Court for a ruling.
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