Parties must end animosity

General news - Friday December 14, 2007

Parties must end animosity

Matichon Editorial _ With 10 days to go before the Dec 23 general election, there is still a lot of conflict among various political groups in the country. To ensure that the election is free and fair, all political parties and their candidates must strictly follow the rules and regulations laid down by the Election Commission. They must contest the election in the spirit of sportsmanship.

For their part, the electorate must exercise their voting rights with utmost care. They should look at the policies of all parties and consider whether they are practical.

The EC itself must adhere to justice. It must not be afraid to disqualify any candidates found to have violated the Election Act.

The People Power party (PPP), which many pollsters say is likely to win the most parliamentary seats, is campaigning under the same populist policy of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej has declared his readiness to take the prime ministership, but he is obviously loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Given the ongoing political conflict between the PPP and its political opponents, some analysts and astrologers believe the next government will not be stable. It may last just one or two years.

His Majesty the King has appealed for national unity and harmony three times early this month. He warned that disunity may lead the country into disaster. His appeals should be a reminder to all parties that they must end their animosity and contest the election in the spirit of sportsmanship.

Bangkok Post