Posted on 02/06/2005 12:40:57 AM PST by HAL9000
Thailand Premier Thaksin Shinwatra has vowed to "go it alone" in forming the next government if he wins the 6 February general election. Thaksin dashed the Chart Thai party's hopes of joining a coalition with his Thai Rak Thai party, saying his former ally can no longer be trusted. Thailand has never before had a single party government. Text of report in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post web site on 5 February -Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra has vowed to "go it alone" in forming the next government, abandoning his most loyal ally, the Chart Thai party, whose leader Banharn Silpa-archa he said is no longer trustworthy.
Mr Banharn lamely accepted his fate and insisted he would back Mr Thaksin for prime minister even though he is no longer wanted. The Democrats, however, charged Thai Rak Thai was after 350 seats in an effort to prevent them from amending the charter so that they could censure the prime minister easier. They also charged the prime minister may use his overwhelming majority to amend the constitution and increase his own powers.
Leading the party's last major rally before tomorrow's polls, Mr Thaksin spoke before hundreds of thousands of supporters at Sanam Luang. He appealed to voters to shun the Democrats, and severed Thai Rak Thai's ties with Chart Thai.
"We want to be a single-party government. Don't vote for the Democrat party to annoy us as we won't be able to work smoothly. Chart Thai can't be trusted now. Mr Banharn has changed and I don't think we can work together again," Mr Thaksin said.
Party sources said Mr Thaksin had become emboldened with the belief that his Thai Rak Thai would win 370 constituency and party list seats.
Mr Banharn, however, told a rally in Nakhon Pathom: "I promised Khun Thaksin and I'll keep my word, I will support him as prime minister. Khun Thaksin needs not worry about the Chart Thai party even if we should end up on the other side (of the government)."
Without elaborating he warned the prime minister to be careful of those close to him because they could prove to be "trouble-makers".
Mr Thaksin said the Democrats had nothing to offer to voters that would justify asking for as many as 201 seats. He said people should not give the party that many seats because it would only annoy him and obstruct the government's work.
However, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat deputy leader, charged at another rally that Mr Thaksin really wanted absolute control of the House for fear of a Democrat plan to seek help from the Senate to amend the charter, and allow for more checks and balances - including an easier censure of the prime minister. "TRT has set a target of winning 350 House seats not for the sake of government stability, but to block any move to amend the constitution. This is not a single-party government, but single-party politics. Let us be your guardian." Mahachon leader Anek Laothamatas agreed Thai Rak Thai's target was suspect.
"Thai Rak Thai's target for 350 votes is dangerous. It's not a parliamentary dictatorship, but business dictatorship plus the use of state power to control bureaucrats and the media," he said.
Banyat Bantadtan, the Democrat leader, also said Mr Thaksin's ambition to gain more than 350 seats raised the risk of constitutional amendments to increase his own power.
That was why the Democrats needed more than 201 votes in parliament to keep the government in check and "stop it from going overboard".
Mr Thaksin said re-electing him and his party to office would be a victory for poor people. Unlike other parties, he was serious with implementing campaign promises.
If re-elected, the government would provide gifts on 21 July [the Crown Prince's birthday] to every baby born on that day. The gifts including a recording of a lullaby, books, toys and comics would nourish growth of children's intelligence.
Mr Thaksin said that under his leadership, Thailand would be a prominent player in the world. The country would not go begging for foreign aid. "We will be a small country on the centre stage bringing together 26 other countries in Asia," he said.
Mr Thaksin attacked Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin who is also a Democrat member. He wondered where Mr Apirak found the time to leave his city hall work to help the Democrats canvass upcountry.
Poverty would be history, and landmark policies dubbed populist by critics would continue. "We'll carry on killing the drug traders, and don't moan about human rights," he said.
The Democrats lashed out at Thai Rak Thai, accusing it of engineering "a huge vote-buying spree". Before 10,000 people, Mr Banyat addressed the party's final campaign rally at the Royal Plaza, saying society was in danger under Thai Rak Thai.
Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats held simultaneous rallies only a few kilometres from each other. Mahachon also wrapped up their campaign before a turn-out of 10,000 people, promising to abolish the village fund, one of Thai Rak Thai's flagship policies.
Mr Banyat said power abuse and cash dumping was at its "most rife" in the last lap of the election. Democrat insiders had caught many poll cheats in the act.
"I dare remind the Thai Rak Thai party of its own words. It used to say that with many MPs in hand, it didn't need to buy buffalos. So why is it still spending money?" he said.
Source: Bangkok Post web site, Bangkok, in English 5 Feb 05
SE Asia is one shaken Islamic hornet nest!
" Mr Banharn lamely accepted his fate"
very appropo for such a lamer as Barnharn
He was & is one of the slickest weasals to ever
befoul the Thai political scene.
A big fan of Bill Clinton too , if I recall correctly.
Looks like Khun Toxin has got it in the bag
I just heard the election results saying that Kun Taksin
received at least 330 seats which is a commanding lead. It
may go higher than that as they are still counting other
areas. The polls have only been closed five hours.
can you remember the days of Chatchai ? or Barnharn?
or the worst of all Suchinda ? Taken in such perspective
Mr. ShinCorp is not all that bad ;^)
if only he'd stand up to the Burmese !
Siamese history demand it!
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