FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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MP Pareena refuses to budge from her pro-govt stance in televised debate with pro-democracy activist

MP Pareena refuses to budge from her pro-govt stance in televised debate with pro-democracy activist

Pro-democracy activist Pasarawalee Thanakitwibulpol said the government should listen closely to the voice of the people, while Palang Pracharat MP Pareena Kraikupt responded by saying the government has listened, but can’t meet any demands apart from the one on charter amendment.

The two were arguing with each other on Wednesday in a TV show called “Thaam Trong Trong” (“I Ask You Directly”) broadcast by ThairathTV.
The 25-year-old protester said everybody have the democratic right to express their political views, just like the yellow-shirt royalists, and the government should listen to the pro-democracy protesters’ demands.
She also said she agrees with the idea of holding a public referendum, which was suggested by moderator Jomquan Laopetch during the show. Pasarawalee said government representatives should talk to people publicly, especially since the pro-democracy group does not represent the entire population. She said the only way out is for both sides to talk to each other.
However, the Ratchaburi MP continued insisting that the demands put forward by the pro-democracy groups were impossible to meet. She also said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will not step down just because a small group of people want him to. She said the premier’s presence is necessary, especially during this time of economic crisis and the Covid-19 outbreak.
Pareena also insisted that Prayut had been elected democratically and that Pasarawalee should respect that if she supports democracy.
The MP also said the pro-democracy groups should leave the traditions of Thailand untouched, alluding to the 10-point manifesto the activists have produced for reforming the monarchy.
She also slammed the protesters for using coarse language in their speeches and accused them of planning a revolution as well as violating other people’s rights.
An interesting topic raised during the conversation was equality. Pasarawalee accused Prayut of being inefficient as a prime minister, saying he has not been able to close the gap between the rich and poor since he began running the country six years ago.
Pareena responded by saying inequality existed even before the protesters were born, even when Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra were prime ministers.
“Why didn’t you stand up for inequality then?” she asked.
The debate, which was broadcast both on cable TV and online, won a widespread response from the public. Many praised Pasarawalee for her smart responses, while Pareena was panned for constantly interrupting the protester and the moderator. At the same time, government supporters claimed the MP put forward a strong argument and was the real winner.

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