Our ultimate goal is to bring down the 'Thaksin regime'

Why was it that you, Kasit, Nipit and Chalermchai met the PAD leaders?

The Democrat Party knows what it’s doing. But there is no specific person who should meet the PAD. I’m the head of the Democrat MPs, Nipit is a legal expert and Chalermchai is party secretary-general so it is better if he joins us. We have been friends for a long time and always talk together. If we have the same ideas and same purpose to overthrow “Thaksin’s regime”, we should fight together seriously.

However, the PAD leaders announced last Friday that they would give up their role in leading political rallies. I would like to say thank you [to them] for showing PAD’s stance clearly. Meanwhile, they gave PAD supporters the freedom to join campaigns of other groups to push for political reforms. And they also said if a national crisis occurs, they will review their own role. 

So their “final statement” is not so bad.

 

But the PAD leaders said the Democrat Party is insincere about joining a mass protest after Democrat MPs refused to resign.

I don’t think so and I don’t feel humiliated. I understand the PAD’s conditions and I believe they understand our conditions as well. We will not quarrel because of this issue. 

We could meet and discuss the political situation next time. It is not the end of our relationship. The Democrats can join with anybody who loves Thailand.

Our ultimate goal is to bring down the “Thaksin regime” and restore the rule of law. Now the government is not respecting the rule of law. 

They are pushing an amnesty bill and amending the Constitution. They are becoming more aggressive. So the Democrats will come up with many strategies, campaigning both outside and inside Parliament.

The Democrat Party has the support of 12 million voters, BlueSky TV and eloquent members of parliament. What do you expect from anti-government groups?

We can stretch out and reach other groups of people. Every group has its limits. If we work together, we will be able to do more.

 

Do you think the ongoing street protests will finally lead to a “coup by the people”?

Yes, it should be so. But we [the Democrat Party] have no intention of creating violence. If any group resorts to violence, it’s not our responsibility. 

 

What is the worst-case scenario for the Democrats in this fight?

This government is not afraid of doing anything. They accuse us of wrongdoing even though we don’t do anything wrong. So when you fight the government and lose, they will put you in jail for sure.

 

Do you have any financial sponsors to support your campaign?

We have no money right now. At present, nobody has more money than they [politicians in power] do. They have been in power for 10 years.