THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Democrat leadership heeds discontent in party, cuts ties with Sukhumbhand

Democrat leadership heeds discontent in party, cuts ties with Sukhumbhand

THE DEMOCRAT Party announced yesterday that it will cut ties with Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra as his policies are different and the party has failed to meet him for more than three months.

“From now on, the administration of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration [BMA] will be solely operated by Sukhumbhand as the party cannot use any of its systems or mechanisms to monitor or support the BMA’s performance,” party secretary-general Juti Krairerk said.
Sukhumbhand, who is also deputy leader of the party, won the gubernatorial election under the Democrat Party’s banner in 2009 and is set to complete his second term next year. He is on a trip to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon from January 17 to 23 to sign a pact boosting ties between the two capitals. 
As per the junta’s orders, no political activities or meetings or even party board meetings are allowed. Hence, Juti described the party board’s decision on distancing itself from the governor was just a “standpoint”.
According to the party’s regulations, a local leader has to adhere to the party’s policies and stance as well as lend full cooperation in order to maintain public confidence. This would allow the public and the party to examine BMA’s performance. However, Juti said Sukhumbhand has, so far, failed to cooperate and discuss his policies with the party.
Juti said the party made this decision because it has to be responsible for all the votes it has obtained. “We have to apologise to Bangkokians for this,” he said.
Some former Democrat MPs have come out to criticise Sukhumbhand and his projects, though the governor has failed to discuss the accusations with the party or the Democrat leader. Describing this decision as not an easy one, Juti said the party had tried really hard to hold discussions with the governor for a while now.
“As of now, Sukhumbhand is still deputy party leader as we cannot convene to discuss the matter due to the junta’s orders. So it is his decision on whether to quit the position,” he said.
The Democrats who are working with Sukhumbhand at the BMA will have to make a decision on their own future themselves, he added. 
Former Democrat MPs working with Sukhumbhand are deputy governor Pussadee Tamthai and Attawit Suwanpakdi as adviser to the governor. Pussadee said she had not heard about the party’s decision. 
Juti said that from now on, the governor would be responsible for his decisions and performance, adding “I wish his achievements go according to his attitude and policies”. 
Meanwhile the governor’s spokesman, Wasant Meewongse, wondered if the decision came from the party’s board or from Juti himself. 
“We all know that the Democrat Party’s board cannot hold a meeting due to the junta’s order. If the party holds a meeting, it will be violating the junta’s order. So how will the party explain its violating of the order to the public?” he asked.
He added that the party was not able to contact the governor because he has been busy with many important events such as Bike for Dad and Bike for Mom. 
A core party member said the decision had already got the nod from senior party members, including Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadthan and Suthep Thaugsuban.
The move followed repeated calls from party members to take action against Sukhumbhand, the source said. The board members held an unofficial meeting on Tuesday and decided to snap ties with the party’s deputy leader.
From now on, the party will give the green light for continuous scrutiny of BMA projects, without fear of being accused of settling internal party conflicts in public. The leaders felt that if the problem were not tackled immediately, it would affect the party’s popularity in the capital.
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