Abhisit reaffirms alliance with Chart Thai

General News - Thursday December 20, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

Abhisit reaffirms alliance with Chart Thai

MANOP THIP-OSOD

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva reaffirmed his political alliance with Banharn Silpa-archa yesterday by announcing his party's intention to team up with Chart Thai to form the next government after the election.

He made the announcement during a debate among key politicians from five political parties three days before voters go to the polls amid speculation that Chart Thai is being courted again by the People Power party (PPP).

The debate was organised by the Bangkok Post and its partners, including Post Today, Channel 11, the National Institute of Development Administration, Business Radio, and King Prajadhipok's Institute and TITV.

The speakers were posed various questions, one of them focusing on the make-up of the next government.

''I won't beat around the bush. The first party I'll phone will be Chart Thai because we have stuck together through thick and thin,'' Mr Abhisit said, drawing a cheer from Chart Thai supporters in the conference room of the Centara Grand hotel in the CentralWorld shopping complex.

Mr Abhisit's announcement drew a smile from Suchart Jaovisidha, Chart Thai's economic guru. The Chart Thai and Democrat parties could get along with each other in terms of their political and economic policies, said the former deputy finance minister under the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

However, his party leader, Mr Banharn, would be the best person to answer the question, he said.

Mr Abhisit also confirmed that the Democrats could not join the PPP because of their different stances. Joining the PPP would make voters confused and they would think his party had no ideology.

Mingkwan Sangsuwan, the PPP economic chief who was asked the question before Mr Abhisit, had also declined to give a direct answer to it.

He said that it was the business of PPP leader Samak Sundaravej and the end-result would also depend on the election outcome.

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana deputy leader Kasemsant Weerakun said his party would team up with any party that would not give it problems. He challenged the earlier remark of Mr Samak who has vowed to dissolve the Assets Scrutiny Committee and pardon the 111 former Thai Rak Thai party executives whose political rights have been suspended.

Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti said his party had not committed itself and the coalition make-up would be discussed after the election.

Asked to explain why people should vote for his party, Mr Suvit said Puea Pandin would act as a mediator between conflicting parties.

''National problems do not rest with the economy because the Thai economy has good foundations. It's politics that is still unstable. With continuing conflicts and fights, good policies will be useless,'' he said.

Mr Kasemsant said Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana would promote reconciliation and the economy. His party would base its actions on national unity and it would spur the economy with immediate measures that would not have a long-term adverse impact.

''Reconciliation and peace will be our basis to find a way out ... We will be both the gas and brake pedals. If the government is slow, we will be the economic accelerator. And we are ready to be the brake, if the government is obsessed with revenge,'' he said.

Mr Abhisit said the Democrats would promote honest government. He reaffirmed that his party would try to stimulate the economy and honour its other promises within 99 days if it leads the new administration.

''Conflicts in society resulted from outdated politics, politics that see only the interest of oneself and associates in a way that led to a loss of democracy. So I want to see honest politics that prioritise the public interest,'' he said.

Mr Mingkwan said the PPP would emphasise good governance and boosting the income of the majority of the country's population.

''Income must be increased while expenses must be reduced. Eighty-five percent of the population must be taken care of,'' he said.

Mr Suchart said Chart Thai would focus on measures to cope with an upcoming recession that would be a big problem for the next government.

Bangkok Post