Getting lots of attention
December 22, 2007
Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa (photo) is
getting a lot of attention these days. You might wonder why
since his party is likely to come in fourth in Sunday's general
election behind the PPP, the Democrats and Puea Pandin, garnering only about
30 or so seats in the process. According to an election analysis I
watched today on Post Today television (taluey
luek tang),
that is just enough to give Mr Banharn the power to make or break the
next government. Puea Pandin, the analysis went, is likely to side with the Democrats because the party's big man behind the scenes, Surakiet Satienthai, is in conflict with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana also seems to be leaning towards the Democrats. However, this three party alliance would still fall short of the 241 needed for a parliamentary majority, thereby making the inclusion of Chart Thai a necessity if Mr Abhisit is to become the next prime minister. That explains why Mr Abhisit talked so highly of Chart Thai during Wednesday's debate.
What does Mr Banharn think of all this? Well, as the story below explains, he is not saying very much. It also looks like he will have options besides a Democrat-led government.
garner – to collect or obtain something after much work เก็บเกี่ยว
alliance – a group of countries, political parties or people who have agreed to work together because of shared interests or aims พันธมิตร แนวร่วม
inclusion – bringing in as a member or a part of something ผนวก รวมเข้าด้วยกัน
options – choices ตัวเลือก ทางเลือก
I'll be back shortly with the rest of the vocabulary.
Banharn cautious about joining Abhisit
Samak offers to be the negotiatorANUCHA CHAROENPO
Suphan Buri – Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa has responded cautiously to an invitation by Democrat chief Abhisit Vejjajiva to join him in a coalition government, saying the time was not right to talk about the offer with an election pending. The Suphan Buri politician thanked Mr Abhisit for the opportunity, but said he would leave any comments until after Sunday.
''We will talk [about forming a government] after the election,'' he said while campaigning at the Suphan Buri municipal market.
Mr Abhisit announced his intention during a debate organised by the Bangkok Post and its alliance on Wednesday.
The mid-sized Chart Thai, which expects to win around 30 seats, will be a key player in the formation of the next government. It is likely to be courted by both the Democrats and the People Power party (PPP), a nominee of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party, after the election.
Mr Banharn denied reports that his party had held talks with the PPP and the Puea Pandin party on a possible coalition.
His eldest daughter, Kanchana, (see photo above) who is standing as a party-list candidate in zone 7, accompanied her father yesterday. She is hopeful that at least two party-list MPs from Chart Thai will be elected. Her prediction was based on the 300,000 party-list votes which the party won in the 2005 election.
The same vote would be enough to get two seats in this election, she said.
''Thais need this poll so they can get an elected government to solve long-standing problems, especially with the economy,'' she said.
cautious – being very careful; avoiding risks ระวังอันตราย
negotiator – someone who tries to help two groups who disagree to reach an agreement with each other ผู้ไกล่เกลี่ย ต่อรอง
coalition government – a government consisting of two or more political parties working together (พรรค) ร่วมรัฐบาล รัฐบาลที่จัดตั้งจากการรวมพรรคการเมืองหลายพรรคเข้าด้วยกัน
pending – about to happen; waiting to happen ที่กำลังจะเกิดขึ้น
alliance – a group of political parties, countries, or people who have agreed to work together because of shared interest or aims พันธมิตรทางการเมือง
formation – the development of something into a particular thing การรวมตัว การจัดตั้ง
court – to try to please someone because you want them to join you เกี้ยว จีบ ชวน
nominee – a person, group or organisation that acts as a representative for another person, group or organisation ตัวแทน เช่น พรรคพลังประชาชนที่ประกาศว่าเป็นตัวแทนของอดีตนายกทักษิณ
dissolved – (of a group or organisation) officially ended ยุบ ยุติ
party list (proportional representation) system – a system that gives each party in an election a number of seats in relation to the number of votes its candidates receive ระบบสัดส่วน, ระบบปาร์ตี้ลิสต์
candidate – a person who is trying to be elected ผู้สมัครรับเลือกตั้ง
prediction – a statement about what will happen in the future ทำนาย คาดการณ์
poll – an election การเลือกตั้ง
The Democrat leader moved too quickly in making the offer to Chart Thai, he said.
''I am not worried that the PPP will be isolated because we will win a lot of seats,'' Mr Samak said. ''I cannot say if we will win the most seats because others might be jealous.''
Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong said any talks about the government's formation must be done behind closed doors to avoid conflicts and confrontations.
''We are currently witnessing a face-off between two heavyweight parties. One party will take the lead in forming the government, and will block the other,'' he said.
The party which wins the most seats may give up the premiership to parties which come in third, fourth or fifth.
''But right now, it is still not clear who will be the next prime minister,'' he said
brushed aside - บอกปัด ปฏิืเสธ
isolated – separated from others แยกตัว
jealous – unhappy or angry because someone has something you want ความริษยา
conflicts – active or strong disagreements ความขัดแย้ง
confrontations - arguments การโต้แย้ง การเผชิญหน้า
witnessing – seeing something happen ได้เห็น เป็นประจักษ์พยาน
face-off – a disagreement or fight between two opposing people or groups การโต้แย้ง ทะเลาะเบาะแว้งกัน