Only 10 parties will survive new rules: Somchai

ONLY 10 political parties will exist within four years after the new organic law on political parties goes into effect, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn predicted yesterday.
His assessment was based on new rules in the draft law that sets new stipulations on funding and requires a larger number of members for a party’s survival.
The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) introduced the draft to the public for the first time on Wednesday. 
Somchai said the new law would make the setting up of a new party more difficult as it will require members to pay an annual membership fee of at least Bt100.
He said the requirement for parties to have a branch in all four regions of the country within four years after the law goes into effect, would make it difficult for parties to survive. As well, new parties need at least 5,000 members in the first year and 20,000 in the following four years, to comply with the rules.
In addition, it would no longer be easy for a party to be dissolved as the law states that if any executive member commits a wrongdoing without the party’s involvement, the punishment would only be meted to the individual.
Political parties yesterday voiced their opposition to the organic law, especially in terms of the Bt100 membership fees. 
Nattawut Saikua, a key red-shirt figure and former Pheu Thai MP, said that in principle it should be easy for members of the public to join a party, but the fees would force some people to lose their rights or have limited access to becoming party members. 
Former Pheu Thai MP Somkid Chuakong also said that the Bt100 membership fee would be too expensive for poor people. 
They may want to be party members but this annual fee will restrict their access to the party, he said. 
Nikorn Chamnong, a key figure from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, said he agreed with the provision about dissolving a party if it aims to overthrow this democratic regime with the King as head of state. However, he said, he disagreed with the penalty against those who allow outsiders to dominate or interfere in internal affairs because it could pave the way for parties and their executives to be punished unnecessarily.
He said the law would also put small or alternative parties at a disadvantage, as they would have to extend their branches in all regions. 
Meanwhile, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said the law would not restrict people’s right to set up a party or destroy small parties as claimed. In contrast, he said, it would encourage new parties being established. The CDC is set to introduce the law to stakeholders next week.