Democrats appear to be one step ahead of govt

When veteran Democrat Suthep Thaugsuban took his fight against the “Thaksin regime” to the streets, he had every intention to quit as an MP so he could fight alongside those who are against the Yingluck Shinawatra government. 

He was only waiting for the right time to make this announcement. 

He first waited for the blanket amnesty bill to pass all three readings in the House, before launching the “blowing whistle” mass rally on October 31. Then, he and his fellow protest leaders waited to see if the government killed the amnesty bill within the Democrats’ Monday 6pm deadline before they could set up a “people’s court” to try the Yingluck government. 

Since the rallies kicked off 13 days ago, the Democrats appear to be one step ahead of the government. Their battle strategy has been to increase the intensity of the protest gradually – a move that has helped them avoid making major errors, a Democrat protest leader said. 

“We know that if we set up a long-term protest, demonstrators will get angrier with the government. But if we fail to achieve the perfect balance, we can become a part of what the protesters hate,” the source said. 

Nine Democrat MPs – Suthep, Thaworn Senneam, Satit Wongnongtaey, Witthaya Kaewparadai, Issara Somchai, Chumphon Junsai, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Akanat Promphan and Nataphol Theepsuwan – decided to tender their resignations so they could focus on leading anti-government protests. 

The protest leaders’ strategy has been to set conditions and intensify the protests if these demands are ignored by the government or not responded to within the deadline. 

What started out as a move to kill the amnesty bill has now become an attempt to overthrow the “evil government”.

On Monday, Suthep called on people to take part in civil disobedience by going on a three-day strike, stop paying taxes, hanging the national flag everywhere and blowing a whistle at every passing government official. 

“The key measure that Suthep announced on stage was a three-day national strike from [today]. We want people who are pro-Democrat, but do not wish to reveal their identity, to be able to take a stance. If a lot of new faces join the Democrat-led rally on Rajdamnoen Road, then we will hold a people’s court to try the government next week,” the source said. 

The source added that Suthep was also planning to ask protesters what independent agencies would do to end the ongoing political turmoil. He was perhaps referring to the impending Constitutional Court verdict on November 20 in relation to the charter amendment based on the qualification of senatorial candidates. Another Democrat Party source, who asked not to be named, said it was time for Democrat leaders to set up a proper strategy in Parliament, especially now that nine MPs have quit to protect the party. 

“Suthep initially tried setting up some strict conditions, like not allowing all Democrat leaders to deliver rally speeches. Despite this, many members tried to come on as guest speakers. Maybe the best way out would be for them to take this to the Parliament floor and file for a censure debate,” the source said.

He went on to say that Democrat leaders had different opinions, with some saying that filing a censure motion would create a political deadlock if the PM doesn’t dissolve the House, while others saying that this may not be the best way to end the political turmoil. 

Meanwhile, all signs point to the fact that the Democrat Party wants to win the game before by-elections are held to replace the MPs who have quit. Plus, more MPs, including Suthep’s younger brother Shane, are getting ready to step down.