Democrats oppose proposal for united front against ‘Thaksin regime’
While there is a necessity to fight against the so-called Thaksin regime, it is not necessary for the Democrat Party, the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation (PDRF) and the junta to join hands in tackling the issue, the Democrats said on Monday.
The Democrats were responding to comments made by National Reform Steering Assembly member Wanchai Sornsiri. On Saturday he proposed that the three blocs should join forces to oppose what he called Phue Thai’s politically monopolistic regime.
“The Democrats could take care of the Parliament, the PDRF could oversee people-level politics and the National Council for Peace and Order could take guard on national security,” Wanchai said. “If they don’t cooperate with each other in this transition period, they will likely fail.”
However, Democrat deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon said on Monday that each bloc, while sharing some mutual stances, is independent. They may join hands on “some occasions” but should hold firm on their own points of view, he said.
Ongart was referring to last week’s meeting between the Democrats and the PDRF. The latter’s key figures have been Democrat MPs but have distanced themselves from the party since the PDRF-led uprising during 2013 to 2014, which consequently led to the coup.
While the meeting was speculated to signal a move to settle some disagreements between the two blocs, Ongart insisted that they remained united because the PDRF’s key figures have belonged to the Democrats from the start.
Former Democrat MP Attawit Suwanpakdee added that while he agreed with the idea on joined forces against the Thaksin regime, how the next government would be shaped is another story.
“I would support Democrat leader [Abhisit Vejjajiva] as next prime minister,” Attawit said “But as the [junta-appointed] senate would also be empowered to select a PM, we have to see the political atmosphere by then.”