Briton with Thai heart refuses to play politics

Today's General News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

Briton with Thai heart refuses to play politics

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Khon Kaen _ An Englishman with a Thai heart has turned down one political party's relentless efforts to get him to act as a canvasser in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen. Martin Wheeler, 46, has felt the heat of the electoral race.

One candidate has set his eyes on the Briton, who has for the past 14 years established himself as a key man in promoting rural development in Ubon Ratana district.

''He [the candidate] told me to talk the villagers into voting for this and that person. I refused because I myself am not eligible to vote,'' Mr Wheeler said in Thai, with an Isan accent.

''I am only a guest, not the owner of the house,'' he said. ''I have no right to meddle in or expect anything from politics.''

The improper proposal had caught him by surprise, he said, adding he had yet to attain Thai nationality.

He was not keen on politics even when he lived in England.

Mr Wheeler currently lives in Ban Kam Pla Lai in tambon Ban Dong with his Thai wife Rojana and their three children Eric, Anne and Derek.

The London University graduate with a distinction in Latin has been tending rice and other crops on the 27-rai farm owned by his wife.

He has earned the villagers' trust as their mentor and lends a hand to farmers in trouble.

''I want the villagers to lead a good life. But I believe politics will not make them any better off,'' he said, adding the locals could take care of their troubles by themselves.

He said many locals did not expect the general election to bring an end to the political turmoil. Thais had mistaken democracy for freedom, but they were totally different issues, he said. The old-face politicians were said to dominate his area, but they had brought little change to local peoples' livelihood.

''Politics is about sacrifice for the sake of the public, not for a particular group of people,'' he said.

Mr Wheeler said he planned to stay in Thailand, citing his love and care for rural communities.

Bangkok Post