Pheu Thai’s existence ‘threatened by new law’

Surapong Tovichukchaikul, a former Pheu Thai MP who served as foreign minister in the previous government, also expressed concern that the party’s leader could end up being severely punished after the new law comes into effect.
“After reading the bill drafted by the CDC [Constitution Drafting Commission], I have much concern for the Pheu Thai Party leader. The party leader risks being punished under Article 105 or 109 of the law, which set capital punishment or life imprisonment for the offender,” Surapong said.
The new law regulating political parties calls for capital punishment for any party leader found selling ministerial positions or government positions for monetary gain. Following criticism that the provision is too harsh, the law drafters agreed to add the alternative of life imprisonment for the offence.
Surapong said his political party had undergone bad “experiences that other parties have never had to see”. He said his party had a higher risk than other parties of suffering from discrimination or being vilified. He also said that “such a provision in the political parties law will make life difficult for Pheu Thai” and the party “may not survive”. 
Surapong questioned the CDC’s sincerity in adding the harsh punishment against politicians in its new law.
“I wonder what the commission members really had in mind in writing the law this way. Because of the death penalty in the law, foreigners will look down on our country as uncivilised,” he said, calling on the drafters to amend the legislation before it comes into effect.
Pheu Thai’s predecessors, Thai Rak Thai and the People Power, were also disbanded following court orders over charges of electoral fraud. All of them are viewed as proxy parties of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who founded Thai Rak Thai and was ousted in the 2006 military coup.
Pheu Thai caretaker party leader Viroj Pao-in said the drafters seemed to view politicians as criminals, given the new law’s harsh penalties for not-so-severe offences.
Viroj said that his party would be willing to take part in a meeting on Wednesday to exchange views with political parties about the new law.
He also called on the drafters to pay more attention to the views of the public.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party would submit their written suggestions to the drafters instead of taking part in the meeting.
Abhisit, a former prime minister, said that he did not oppose harsh penalties for corrupt politicians but he was more concerned about the enforcement of the law.
“The offenders normally are not concerned about this matter. They commit wrongdoing because they think they will not get caught,” he said.