Former prime minister and Democrat party leader Chuan Leekpai says that the party’s decision, under the leadership of Chalermchai Sri-on, will affect the party’s support base in southern provinces, even though it will not lead the party into “extinction”.
Chuan said that he has always opposed the idea of Democrats joining the Pheu Thai party in a coalition, not because of any personal conflict with the Pheu Thai party, but because he cannot accept a “heavyweight” in the Pheu Thai party, apparently referring to Thaksin Shinawatra, who said, about two decades ago, that his government would not help develop provinces in which the majority of the electorate did not vote for his party.
While admitting that he and some veteran Democrats are in the minority in the party today, Chuan said he will accept the decision of the executive committee, but his position vis-à-vis the Pheu Thai party will remain unchanged.
Chuan also claimed that Chalermchai Sri-on has not done anything to boost the party’s credibility or reputation.
Former leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), or the red-shirt movement, Thida Thavornseth, voiced her strong disagreement with the inclusion of the Democrats in the coalition, reminding the Pheu Thai party of the Democrat-led government which cracked down on red-shirt protesters.
Since the return to Thailand about a year ago, from his prolonged self-imposed exile overseas, Thida said that Thaksin has been obsessed with the Pheu Thai party being in government, without any consideration for the future.
With the inclusion of the Democrats in the coalition, the former red-shirt leader said the party will pay a hefty price for this miscalculation and will shed a lot of votes from among its supporters.
She said that she has been indifferent to Thaksin Shinawatra for a long time, after learning his true colours. “I will, though, have a lot of pity if something happens to the prime minister, who is his daughter,” said Thida.
Meanwhile, Thai Liberal party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves announced today that he has decided to pull out of the coalition, because “Khun Srettha (former prime minister Srettha Thavisin) appointed a convict as a minister. Now, however, a convict (Thaksin Shinawatra) has appointed the prime minster. How can I remain in (the coalition)?” he said.
He said that he has already notified Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra of his party’s departure from the coalition.
