PM hopefuls go head to head

General News - Saturday December 22, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

PM hopefuls go head to head

PPP and Democrats pledge alternative visions for the nation as thousands attend final rallies in the capital last night

SURASAK GLAHAN & MANOP THIP-OSOD

The People Power party (PPP) and its arch rival the Democrat party sent alternative messages during their final campaign rallies last night as voters prepared for the polls tomorrow.

Key PPP member Pol Capt Chalerm Yubamrung promised supporters at a rally at Sanam Luang that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would return to the country on Valentine's Day, Feb 14, if the pro-Thaksin party was elected to government.

But Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva closed his campaign at Benchasiri park by comparing himself with PPP leader Samak Sundaravej as a good and a bad choice as the next leader of the country.

Pol Capt Chalerm said he talked to Mr Thaksin on the phone on Thursday. The ousted prime minister told him he would not return to Thailand if the PPP did not win more than half of the 480 House seats tomorrow and could not form the government.

However, if the PPP won a majority and led the new government, he would return on Feb 14, Pol Capt Chalerm told more than 10,000 party supporters.

Mr Samak again spent most of his time on stage defending Mr Thaksin against the Sept 19, 2006 coup makers' lese majeste and corruption allegations.

Mr Samak said that had most people believed Mr Thaksin and the PPP were not loyal to the monarchy, the PPP would not have become such a popular political party among eligible voters.

He criticised those involved in the Sept 19 coup, saying they had polarised people in the country.

The former Bangkok governor defended Mr Thaksin and his cabinet against corruption allegations, saying most of the cases have not yet reached the courts.

After all, corruption was a common phenomenon in every government, even in the coalition governments led by the Democrat party in the past, said Mr Samak.

''It's like influenza, but the coup makers have tried to make it seem like bird flu,'' said Mr Samak.

Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit used his final appearance before Sunday to attack his rival, who will compete with him after the polls to form a new government.

''This election will pick either me or Mr Samak to take charge of national problems. If it is me, I will be the real prime minister who will take full responsibility,'' he said.

He warned voters about casting their ballots for a prime minister who would damage the country.

''If people choose a prime minister who has already announced he is representing someone else, what will happen?

''A prime minister who is not real [a nominee] can damage the nation and will never take responsibility,'' he told an audience of about 3,000, apparently referring to Mr Samak who assumed the leadership of PPP and announced he was representing Mr Thaksin.

''So the choices are now clear for 60 million people _ tick for a person for more income and less expenses or for the one who will protect the person who cheated the nation,'' said Mr Abhisit.

The Democrat leader said he entered politics after Mr Samak, but had never been tarnished by corruption allegations.

His remarks apparently were a reference to Mr Samak, who was implicated in controversies about garbage landfill contracts and the procurement of fire trucks when he was Bangkok governor.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai stressed the Thai Rak Thai party were responsible for national disunity and the deaths of 2,700 Thais under the past government's harsh anti-drugs campaigns. He also said separatist movements had intensified during the Thaksin regime, jeopardising the far South.

Bangkok Post