Is a Suthep-Sukhumbhand political tango on the cards?

Democrat politicians such as Wilas Chantarapitak have pointed to alleged irregularities in some projects in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). They have not specifically accused the governor. But the fact that they have targeted the deputy governors, one by one, indicates who their real target is. Sukhumbhand has not responded publicly to the allegations. It appears he is resorting to the tactic of staying still in a bid to calm the storm.

Rumour has it that while his Democrat colleagues are seeking to cut the party’s ties with him, Sukhumbhand has become fed up and is considering leaving the country’s oldest political party.

Also, it has been rumoured that a new political party has been planned, with Sukhumbhand joining hands with veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban, formerly the Democrat Party’s secretary-general. Suthep has retained his influence within the party even after he resigned his posts to lead a street protest against the previous government in late 2013. He also announced he was leaving politics for good.

Suthep and Sukhumbhand have retained good mutual ties. Suthep managed to push for Sukhumbhand to become the Democrat candidate in the gubernatorial election in March 2013, despite opposition from many senior party figures. During the election campaigning, Suthep lent his hand fully to help Sukhumbhand win his second term as the Bangkok governor. 

Rumour-mongers also linked this supposed plan to form a new political party to Newin Chidchob, formerly a political heavyweight, who is now running the successful football club Buriram United. Newin has maintained it is more fun for him to get involved in sports than politics. However, he still retains much influence in political circles. 

According to the rumour mills, this planned new party is likely to focus on retaining good ties with the military when political normalcy returns.

Certainly, both Sukhumbhand and Suthep have been negatively impacted by the rumours, although they were denied by Suthep and an adviser to the Bangkok governor. Sukhumbhand has not dismissed the rumours personally, and this could make it seem that he intends to get back at the Democrat Party after being attacked for some time. With the rumoured plan to set up a new party, it seems Sukhumbhand is not hopeless politically.

Suthep’s supporters have reminded him about his promise not to return to politics. His political enemies are scoffing at him for failing to keep his word.

However, if the rumour was intended to “test the water”, the result certainly has not been expected, particularly for Suthep. In fact, the political image of both Suthep and Sukhumbhand is not very good. And this rumour may put their image in a negative light among their supporters.

If the plan was true, the premature disclosure certainly did more harm than good, particularly to the people involved in the plotting. Without a surprise factor, the plan has a high likelihood of failure. 

The people involved in formulating and implementing the plan certainly were not happy after it was disclosed prematurely. They will have to review the plan and start over again.