ID :
63871
Tue, 06/02/2009 - 17:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/63871
The shortlink copeid
PAD READY TO SET UP NEW PARTY
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, June 2 (Bernama) -- The yellow-shirted People's Alliance for
Democracy (PAD), which forced out three Thai prime ministers within three years,
is expected to set up a new political party named "Karn Muang Mai" or New
Politics Party.
State enterprise union leader Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the key movers of PAD,
has been appointed leader of the party while PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila
was appointed secretary general.
Somsak told a press conference Tuesday that the name of the party was picked
during a meeting attended by 20 representatives from throughout the country.
The new party was named after PAD's slogan in the past three years that
called for new politics in the country, as well embracing the yellow and green
colours.
"The yellow colour demonstrates monarchy and democracy while green for clean
politics and unpolluted environment," he said.
PAD came to the forefront after its massive street demonstrations in the
capital led to the military ouster of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in
September, 2006 and in 2008, it seized the Prime Minister's Office for six
months and briefly closed Bangkok's two major airports.
Thanksin's allies, however, won the military-organised election in December,
2007 but Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was disqualified in the cooking-show
controversy and his successor Somchai Wongsawat was forced to step down due to
the dissolution of the PPP party.
The PAD, alleged by Thaksin's red-shirted supporters as being backed by the
powerful military, wants to establish new politics in the Kingdom, which among
others, calls for 30 percent of members of parliament to be elected directly by
the voters and the rest comprising nominated representatives.
Somsak said they would submit their application to form the party, to the
Election Commission on Thursday.
While PAD received massive support during the street protests, the new party
is likely to clash head-on with its ally, the ruling Democrat and Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva since both are backed by the elite and middle class in the
capital and provinces in the south.
The Pheu Thai Party, dominated by Thaksin's allies, still command strong
followings in the north and northeast, and are likely to emerge as strong
contenders if an election was called this year.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, June 2 (Bernama) -- The yellow-shirted People's Alliance for
Democracy (PAD), which forced out three Thai prime ministers within three years,
is expected to set up a new political party named "Karn Muang Mai" or New
Politics Party.
State enterprise union leader Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the key movers of PAD,
has been appointed leader of the party while PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila
was appointed secretary general.
Somsak told a press conference Tuesday that the name of the party was picked
during a meeting attended by 20 representatives from throughout the country.
The new party was named after PAD's slogan in the past three years that
called for new politics in the country, as well embracing the yellow and green
colours.
"The yellow colour demonstrates monarchy and democracy while green for clean
politics and unpolluted environment," he said.
PAD came to the forefront after its massive street demonstrations in the
capital led to the military ouster of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in
September, 2006 and in 2008, it seized the Prime Minister's Office for six
months and briefly closed Bangkok's two major airports.
Thanksin's allies, however, won the military-organised election in December,
2007 but Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was disqualified in the cooking-show
controversy and his successor Somchai Wongsawat was forced to step down due to
the dissolution of the PPP party.
The PAD, alleged by Thaksin's red-shirted supporters as being backed by the
powerful military, wants to establish new politics in the Kingdom, which among
others, calls for 30 percent of members of parliament to be elected directly by
the voters and the rest comprising nominated representatives.
Somsak said they would submit their application to form the party, to the
Election Commission on Thursday.
While PAD received massive support during the street protests, the new party
is likely to clash head-on with its ally, the ruling Democrat and Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva since both are backed by the elite and middle class in the
capital and provinces in the south.
The Pheu Thai Party, dominated by Thaksin's allies, still command strong
followings in the north and northeast, and are likely to emerge as strong
contenders if an election was called this year.
-- BERNAMA
