Thaksin tells Pheu Thai to be ready for election

“Get ready for a general election to be held soon,” Thaksin said on Sunday via a video call made to a group of former Pheu Thai MPs who joined a Chinese New Year celebration organised by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan at her residence in the Lat Pla Khao area.

The former prime minister also said Pheu Thai members in Bangkok have a team leader in Sudarat, who is a “competent lady”.

He also has branded the draft constitution as “shoddy” and claimed it would cause the country to become “backward – like Myanmar and North Korea”.

“The draft constitution is shoddy, giving too much power to the Constitutional Court. This will lead the country to be backward like Myanmar and North Korea,” he said. 

“I left home 10 years ago but our country has stepped back 20 years,’’ Thaksin said. He also harshly criticised the junta.

The fugitive ex-PM said Pheu Thai had a good chance of returning to power.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam responded to Thaksin’s comment about the charter draft’s shortfalls, saying he acknowledged the criticism.

Wissanu also insisted that an election would be held next year.

Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) member Thitipan Chuabunchai said Thaksin had the right to criticise the charter but he should give constructive comments. “He was the country’s leader, so he should have said what the charter draft should include,” he said.

CDC member Chartchai Na Chiangmai, who serves as chairman of the commission’s public relations and survey departments, said Thaksin is influential and can make people believe what he says. He should use his potential to develop the country rather than make destructive criticisms or only comment with the intention to protect his party or self-interest, he said.

Meanwhile, Army commander-in-chief General Teerachai Nakwanich said United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leaders Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikua should stop criticising the Thai Reserve Officers and Training Corps Students about their campaign to educate the public about the charter draft.

Teerachai said the students had volunteered to spread information about the charter, which aims to combat graft. “Please do not shake their morale. They are not trying to lead the public to vote for or against the draft,” he said.