P-Net encourages Abhisit-Samak debate

Today's BREAKING NEWS - Wednesday December 12, 2007

P-Net encourages Abhisit-Samak debate

(BangkokPost.com) - The People's Network for Elections (P-Net) are keen on setting up a debate between Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and People Power party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej.

P-Net head, Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, underlined the debate’s importance, saying “most people don’t know enough about the elections and the political parties running in the race.”

He added: “It is vital that the two election front-runners - namely, Mr Abhisit and Mr Samak - meet face to face to clarify their policies,” said Mr Somchai.

P-Net, an independent poll monitoring agency, has scheduled the debate for Dec 20 if both leaders agree to take part.

Mr Abhisit is certain to welcome the invitation with opening arms. After all, it was he who challenged Mr Samak to a debate, insisting the political showdown would be of benefit to no one else but the public.

Mr Samak snubbed the offer, claiming to have no time for someone he regarded as “politically inferior” to him.

But Mr Somchai has urged Mr Samak’s critics to refrain from jumping the gun and assume that Mr Samak will turn down P-Net’s offer.

“Let’s not assume that he will not take part in the debate. If he does turn down the offer, we will have to convince him to join in the debate for the voters’ sake. By the same token, any political party that condemns Mr Samak’s decision not to take part in the debate should be accused of lacking political spirit,” said Mr Somchai.

15:22 Dec 12, 2007

Bangkok Post