Chalerm Yoobamrung, leader of the New Alternative Party, gestures during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters yesterday. Chalerm called on the government to have certain constitutional clauses suspended as part of a bid to find a way out of the on

Chalerm, leader of the New Alternative Party, who recently obtained a doctorate degree from Ramkhamhaeng University, held a press conference to air his views.

He urged all political parties to honour His Majesty the King's speech and turn [the King's] words into action.

He told feuding politicians to stop whining and instead, work to untangle the impasse.

He suggested the government suspend the enforcement of some Articles in the Constitution by issuing a Royal decree. He said it would be legal to do so because the government of Phya Manopakorn Nitithada, the first prime minister of Thailand, did the same thing in 1933.

He said Phya Manopakorn issued a Royal decree to shut the House and appoint a new Cabinet. He also suspended the enforcement of some Articles.

"It was a historic decree because the government ended a crisis in a timely way without having to go through Parliament,'' he said.

Chalerm said he believed his proposal would not disturb the King as it sought His Majesty's permission to apply a solution that could end the deadlock.

He said he supported the election but if the government was adamant about organising it under the management of the current three Election Commission commissioners, the problems would persist.

Chalerm said he was thinking about running in Bangkok. But if he felt that his new party would be well received by people countrywide, he would apply the party-list system.

He wanted his son, Wan Yoobamrung to run in the constituency system in Sakon Nakhon, "so that he may stop his habit of going to pubs", he said.

Chalerm admitted he was having problems persuading people to join his party. Some feared it could have a negative impact on their careers, businesses and families. "Some people have asked how much I could pay them to join my party? It is wrong to think you can defeat Thaksin with money. You have to use your brains [too],'' he said.

Wan said his father wanted him to run in the province because he knows the locals well.

His brother Duang and Arthan are, however, not sure whether they want to enter politics.

Thammasart University lecturer Parinya Thewanaruemitkul opposed Chalerm's proposal, saying that it would be a violation of the Constitution.

He dismissed Chalerm's citing of the government of Phya Manopakorn using a Royal decree to bypass the Constitution.

It was not democratic and could not be used under current circumstances at a time when democracy was still at the fledgling stage.

"It cannot be carried out especially if the government has to ask the King to endorse the law. If we look to the King's speech, we can see His Majesty will not do anything that violates the Constitution,'' he said.