And now there are four
September 14, 2007
With yesterday's merger of political
parties, there now appear to be four major political groupings. One the
one side is the People's Power Party which many see as a nominee for the
interests of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra –
a new version of the disbanded
Thai Rak Thai Party. On the other side is the loose alliance of former
opposition parties including the Democrats, Chart Thai and
Mahachon.
In the middle are two new groups, Puea Pandin announced on Monday and, as of yesterday, the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana groups. Both could be in a very good position to join the new government no matter which of the two opposing sides win. I suspect that is the main reason behind the two mergers. What do you think?
As you you read, consider who is involved in the latest grouping. Do you think the new party will be popular with the voters? What areas of the country is it likely to be strongest in?
Also remember that Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has still not made his political ambitions known. If he finally decides to contest the election, could he be involved in a fifth political grouping or would he most likely join one of the current four?
merger – the act of joining two or more organisations into one การรวมพรรคnominee – a person or group which acts for another person or group ผู้ได้รับการเสนอชื่อเข้าสมัครรับเลือกตั้ง
disbanded – no longer operating as a group ยุบพรรค
alliance – a group of people, political parties, etc. who work together in order to achieve something that they all want พันธมิตร
ambitions – things that you want to do or achieve ความปรารถนาอย่างแรงกล้า
contest – to take part in a competition, an election, etc. ลงสมัครแข่งขันสมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร (ลงเลือกตั้ง)
Political heavyweights unite
Ruam Jai Thai, Chart Pattana combine forcesPOST REPORTERS
The Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana groups yesterday announced an agreement to merge, bringing together political heavyweights to contest the coming general election.
The announcement was made at the residence of Suwat Liptapanlop, a key member of the Chart Pattana group, after an hour-long talk.
It followed Monday’s merger of two breakaway factions of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party, the Matchima group and the Pracharaj party, which will contest the election under the Puea Pandin banner.
The latest merger will create the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana group, which could pose a formidable force in politics. It includes political veterans such as former Chart Pattana secretary-general Mr Suwat, former Democrat secretary-general Pradit Phattharaprasit, former Mahachon leader Anek Laothammatat, and former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who played a key role in formulating economic policy for the Thaksin Shinawatra government.
Mr Suwat said the merger of Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana was based on a political need to steer the country out of political crisis and divisiveness.
‘‘We have decided to merge because we share the same views about the country’s problems and solutions,’’ he said.
Mr Suwat said Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana both have talented members and the merger would benefit the people at large.
He added that it would also allay fears about the political stability of a future government.
Many commentators believe the election will produce a multi-party coalition government which would be politically vulnerable.
‘‘The merger means there are now fewer political groups.
‘‘Puea Pandin is a merger of three political groups. Now five political groups are down to two.
‘‘But the decision [to merge] is not for political stability. It is because the merger will help us better tackle the problems,’’ Mr Suwat said.
residence – the place where someone lives บ้านพัก
key – most important; essential สำคัญ
breakaway factions – small groups within a larger group who decide to separate from and leave the main group กลุ่มย่อยๆ ที่เป็นสมาชิกพรรค เช่นกลุ่มวังน้ำยม
dissolved – forced to stop operating as a group ถูกยุบ
formidable – impressive or powerful, and therefore causing fear or respect น่าเกรงขาม มีอำนาจ
veteran – of a person who has a lot of experience in a particular area of activity นักการเมืองอาวุโส (หมายถึง นักการเมืองรุ่นเก่าที่เจนการเมือง)
role – function or position บทบาท
formulating – creating or preparing something carefully
steer – to lead; to take control of a situation and influence how it develops ขับเคลื่อน นำ
divisiveness – causing people to be split into groups that disagree with or oppose each other ความแตกแยก
allay – to make something, especially a feeling, be less strong บรรเทา
coalition government – a government formed by two or more political parties working together รัฐบาลผสม (เกิดจากการรวมพรรคต่างๆ เข้าเป็นพรรครัฐบาลด้วยกัน)
vulnerable – weak and easily hurt or damaged ความไม่มั่นคง
tackle – to make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem or situation แก้ไขปัญหา
The name of the political party to be formed later was still being discussed and would be settled soon.
Mr Pradit denied a report that he pushed for the merger of Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana because he was disappointed that he was not offered the post of secretary-general of Puea Pandin.
‘‘I was assigned to coordinate, not to make demands for a post. What use is the merger if it does not last?’’ he said.
Mr Pradit said he would keep trying to persuade former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join the group.
Mr Somkid, an adviser to Ruam Jai Thai, called on the public to ‘‘open up’’ to enable good and capable people to work for the country.
Mr Somkid said he was there to witness the announcement and give support to Mr Suwat, his former colleague in the Thaksin administration, and his friend Mr Pradit, who were dedicated to working to get the country out of its crisis.
Political problems were taking their toll on the economy and society.
He said Gen Chavalit would serve as an adviser, like veteran politician Uthai Pimchaichon, if he joins the group.
The Puea Pandin group led by Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong and Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin met yesterday to set their political direction.
Mr Sanoh said the Pracharaj party will hold a general assembly on Sept 20, when he will officially resign from the party he founded and admit Pracharaj’s political allies as members of Puea Pandin.
Mr Sanoh declined to say whether Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, would be named Puea Pandin leader.
Puea Pandin has yet to be registered as a political party.
conditions – things that you must agree to เงื่อนไข
settled – decided on or arranged; agreed to จักการ เห็นพ้องกัน
post – position ตำแหน่ง
coordinate – to organise the different parts of an activity and the people involved in it so that it works well ประสานงาน
last – to continue for a period of time ดำเนินต่อไป
capable –having the ability to do things well มีความสามารถ
witness – to be present when something takes place; to see something happen เป็นสักขีพยาน
colleague – a person that you work with เพื่อนร่วมงาน
dedicated – working hard at something because it is important to you อุทิศตน
taking their toll – causing damage or problems ก่อปัญหา
general assembly – a meeting at which at the members of a group can attend การประชุมสามัญ
resign – to officially tell someone that you are leaving your job or organisation ลาออก
founded – started ก่อตั้ง
allies – members of an alliance สมาชิกกลุ่ม
declined – refused politely to do or accept something ปฏิเสธ