Rumours yes, but what about facts?
November 22, 2007
I
don't know if there is any truth to the rumour that coup leader and now Deputy Prime
Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has been involved in talks with Puea
Pandin about the formation of a three-party government including the
Democrats and Chart Thai after the election. You have to admit,
however, that if happens, those who led the coup would
certainly sigh a
breath of relief.
It would be a great way of sidelining the People Power Party that
is closely aligned
with ousted
prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.To have any chance of working, however, Puea Pandin is going to have to win a lot of seats in parliament. Read the story to see how many seats party leaders expect to garner in the election. Do you think this is a realistic estimate? Also, has anyone actually confirmed that the rumoured talks with Gen Sonthi have really taken place? Similarly, has anyone confirmed that negotiations between the three parties have begun?
rumour – a piece of information or a story that people talk about but that may not be true ข่าวลือ
coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power by a small group of people, usually members of the armed forces การทำรัฐประหาร
sigh a breath of relief – to let out of a deep breath after something unpleasant has not happened
sidelining – prevent from having an important part in what people are doing, in this case, forming a government
aligned with – publicly supporting
ousted – forced out of a position of power ขับออกจากตำแหน่ง
garner – to obtain or collect
Puea Pandin working its way up
Political skills placing party in a central roleNATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS PRADIT RUANGDIT
The
Puea Pandin party's apparent knack
for political wheeling
and dealing has placed it in a strong position to help dictate the shape of
the next coalition
government, political observers say. The party reportedly sent
Surakiart Sathirathai, former chairman of its policy council, to meet
with Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin to discuss the
formation of a three-party coalition government comprising Puea
Pandin, the Democrats and Chart Thai. Gen Sonthi, the former chairman of the Council for National Security, and Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti (picture), however, have strongly denied the meeting.
''It would lead to further complications,'' said Mr Suvit. ''But if we have a chance to join a coalition government, we will heal rifts and restore unity.''
A source in the Puea Pandin party said Mr Surakiart still maintains his role as the party's coordinator in forging a three-party alliance.
The party has to deny any links with Chart Thai and the Democrats to retain its support in the Northeast, where it expects to win 50 of the 138 seats in the region, said the source.
The Chart Thai and the Democrat parties were not accepted by northeasterners who considered them to be allies of the coupmakers.
knack – a special skill or ability
wheeling and dealing – doing a lot of complicated deals in politics or business
dictate – to control or influence how something happens
coalition – a government formed by two or more political parties working together พรรคร่วมรัฐบาล
comprising – having as members ประกอบด้วย
denied – said that something is not true
complications – things that make a situation more difficult
rift – a conflict; dispute; a serious disagreement between people, organisations, etc. about something ความไม่ลงรอย
restore – to bring back a situation or feeling that existed before
source – a person who gives information แหล่งข่าว
maintain – to keep or continue
role – function or position
coordinator – a person who organises the different parts of an activity or process, making sure everything works well together ผู้ประสานงาน
forge – putting a lot of effort into making or creating something
alliance – a group of people, political parties, etc. who work together in order to achieve something that they all want พันธมิตร
retain – to keep; to continue to have
allies – members of an alliance
The source said Mr Surakiart relayed concerns to Gen Sonthi that the EC's new restrictions would boost the popularity of the People Power party and tip the election scale in its favour.
The PPP is likely to capitalise on the restrictions by using them to gain sympathy from voters, said the source.
If PPP wins more than 200 seats in the election, it will turn the political situation around, said the source.
The latest internal poll showed that Puea Pandin would win about 70 seats from the constituency system and another 10 from the proportional representation vote.
A PPP source said the party's own internal poll suggested it would win about 165 constituency seats – 45 in the North, 80 in the Northeast, 25 in the central region and 15 in Bangkok.
Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa also denied reports that his party had already held talks with Puea Pandin and the Democrats about the formation of the next government.
''I've never heard this before. The formation of the new government will only come after the election,'' he said.
Mr Banharn also refused to anticipate the total number of MPs his party expected to win, saying it was too early to tell the public because politics changed all the time.
strategy – a plan that is intended to achieve a particular purpose
woo – to try to get the support of someone
relayed – received and sent on information
concerns – worries
restrictions – rules or laws that limit someone from doing something
boost – to increase or strengthen
tip the election scale in its favour – to allow it to win the election
capitalise on – to take advantage of
sympathy – the feeling of being sorry for someone
internal – inside, in this case, within the party
constituency – a district that elects its own member to parliament เขตเลือกตั้ง
proportional representation (or party list) – a system that gives each party in an election a number of seats in relation to the number of votes its candidates receive การเลือกตั้งระบบสัดส่วน
anticipate – to think or talk about what might happen in the future