ON THE RECORD

61 YEARS OF POLITICAL HISTORY

Suthep: The party has no doubt it will be cleared of election fraud claims

In an interview with Manop Thip-osod and Pradit Ruangdit, Democrat party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban talks about the ongoing election fraud trial and the coming election as the party today celebrates the 61st anniversary of its founding.

Do you have a contingency plan in case the Constitution Tribunal rules against the party?

There is no back-up plan because we know we are not in the wrong. We did not commit a crime against the democratic system under the monarchy. We found out about election fraud and subsequently filed a complaint. The other party, with its back against the wall, claims that we framed them and has demanded the Democrat party be dissolved. We nabbed a wrong-doer here, so how could they possibly punish us and throw us into jail for doing so? There have been attempts to stir up public sentiment about "true justice" - that is the Democrats must also meet the same fate if Thai Rak Thai is dissolved, and if the Democrat party is not dissolved, then Thai Rak Thai must not be either. This is misleading.

What is your opinion about the public prosecutor's remark that both parties would go down together?

I will not discuss the trial and the court (the Constitution Tribunal) because it is inappropriate. But I need to when it comes to the prosecution. They have been out of their minds right from the start. When an inquiry panel recommended the Thai Rak Thai party be dissolved, the (former) Election Commission (EC) was unnecessarily fuzzy. But when Thai Rak Thai proposed we be dissolved, the EC was surprisingly swift and within a day or two, it filed for the party's dissolution. The prosecution should review itself and recognise its fault. None of their witnesses have testified in their favour, yet they said both parties were likely to be dissolved. The prosecution should have kept silent. The tribunal has not even passed a ruling yet.

Are you disturbed by comments that they should go after Suthep Thaugsuban and Abhisit Vejjajiva?

No I'm not. Because I have confidence in the justice system - and I'm not flattering the judiciary here. [If I did not have confidence] in the system I would not have taken the (former) EC to court. The (former) EC and the Thaksin regime were one. I still remember the feeling I had after the Criminal Court handed down the verdict and I said that the court of justice can always be counted on. The tribunal judges come from the same court.

What does the party plan to do on the occasion of its 61st anniversary?

We have come this far because we have an ideology, not just a leader, (to look up to). The party has implanted the ideology in its members and non-members and become a people's party. It is not a party owned by a particular family or formed to serve the political interests of a certain group. It is a party that was founded to do its political bidding for the public. We adhere to democratic rule under the monarchy, the free market, people's politics and decentralisation of power. These are our strong points which make us different from others.

To mark the 61st anniversary, as the party secretary-general, as soon as a ban on political activities is lifted I will mobilise party members to push the party forward. I will launch the people's council, making the party members and the public at large realise that it is our responsibility to salvage the country. There are so many problems - some are clearly visible and some are not. The next government is poised to have a very hard time. So, we have to be prepared and be focussed. And we need people to be aware of this. At the same time, we will also propose the party's policies to the people to consider and make recommendations. It is called the people's agenda. From now on, the public will be the centre stage of our political activities.

Why do you believe the next government will have a hard time?

My primary concern is economic problems. The Thaksin administration's spending was troublesome, which will be a big burden for the next government. Next is an economic gap. (Over the past years) things seemed fine with money rolling into the hands of grassroots people through the one-million-baht one-village fund. What we have now is debt. Mr Abhisit wants the party's proposed sufficiency economy fund to create jobs, not to stimulate the economy. The political problems are also worrisome. Society is politically divided. We have to work on national reconciliation. What we want to say to the people is that we will uphold the rule of law. If things continue to be like this, it will be a very serious situation.

Could the Democrat party join hands with the former Thai Rak Thai leadership?

We have never said that the Democrats and Thai Rak Thai are enemies. It is just that our working methods do not get along. When the Thai Rak Thai party was at the helm, we recommended what was right. We harboured no ill intent. We are ready to join hands if they have the people's interests at heart, like we do. If their agenda is to serve interest groups, I am afraid we cannot.

What is the party's economic platform?

To solve the economic problems, we must focus on the people's well-being under the guidelines of the sufficiency economy principle. We plan to set up a sufficiency economy fund to help create jobs. It is different from the village fund in that the money must be spent on sewing machines, seeds, or any equipment for making a living, not on mobile phones. People had an impression that the Democrat party did not associate with business people and investors. It is not true. They are among the people we have to look after and secure cooperation from that is based on the country's interest. We will also work on trade and international affairs which is a delicate matter. The Democrat party knows how to do business and we will deal with them in the open.

Can you talk about the party's education and public health policies?

People should have access to education services. The state should provide free education to college level and ensure equal access to education. We will also ensure fair minimum wages for employees and free medical services.

Have you evaluated why the party leader has not yet stepped forward despite TRT's downfall?

How can we promote Mr Abhisit when the ban on political activities remains. As soon as we are free to carry out activities, Mr Abhisit will tell the people about the people's agenda, how the party will tackle the problems and how it will interact with various sectors in society. We are waiting for the right timing.

Bangkok Post

Friday April 06, 2007