MORE THAN A GODFATHER'S SON

General News - Tuesday December 11, 2007

MORE THAN A GODFATHER'S SON

The disappearance of Somchai Khunpluem, better known as Kamnan Poh, and the five-year ban from politics for his son Sonthaya may lead to a changing political landscape in Chon Buri after the general election. Mr Sonthaya talked about politics in the eastern province with ANUCHA CHAROENPO.

What will politics in Chon Buri be like without your father's influence?

It depends on teamwork. Many people think that politics here is only run by my family. We have never thought about that. Politics belongs to everyone. We have never blocked anyone from entering politics. It can be seen from past records which show that those who applied to be political candidates under our team must have high profiles and be popular in their local communities. This is the system that we are using now.

Also, we focus on networking and image building for our team and let the public know. For example, my younger brother and former MP Witthaya has now dedicated himself to promote football among youngsters in the province, while I am in charge of tourism and promoting industry to attract both local and foreign travellers to the province.

For this national election, why didn't your family field your two younger brothers Witthaya and Itthiphon?

We did not field Witthaya and Itthiphon in this election as we want Mr Witthaya to contest the PAO [Provincial Administration Organisation] election and Mr Itthiphon will run in the Pattaya Municipality poll, which will be held simultaneously around mid-March. The two used to be MPs and have held several political positions. They have experience in national politics, helping develop local areas. We entered local politics because we are looking at building networks and solving problems.

How confident are you that your faction will be able to make a sweep of the eight parliamentary seats in the province, while your arch-rivals the Democrat Party want to snatch at least four of them?

First of all, I have to say that I have no duties overseeing the campaigns of the Chart Thai candidates as I am one of the 111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party banned from politics for five years. Mr Witthaya is the responsible person.

As everyone knows, our faction has attained achievements in developing the province for a long time. We have worked closely with the people all the time. We have never verbally attacked our arch-rival parties. Finally, the people will be the ones to make the decision on who to vote for. How do you feel about criticism that when it comes to elections in Chon Buri there must be a mention of the words ''the godfather's town''? Are you comfortable with that?

It's a natural thing. Those who think that I am a son of the godfather only look at me from the outside. For myself, I think that we should stick to the facts and work. I have never believed that Chon Buri is an influential province. It seems that words like ''influence'' and ''godfather'' appeared at every election. They don't talk about development or anything else. Over the past years myself and my brothers have never done anything bad. I took up several ministerial posts and we have been trusted by people.

What are you doing now after being given a five-year political ban and have resigned from the Chart Thai party?

After the Constitution Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai party and banned me from politics for five years, I have never engaged in politics in the parliamentary system. Now as a politician I still work with people in the area. I often visit them to hear and receive first-hand information on their problems so that I can pass them on to the related state agencies to deal with.

By : Bangkok Post