SEVEN DAYS TO GO
TRT braces itself for May 30
A week before the "judgement day", the Thai Rak Thai Party has stepped up preparations and campaign before the Constitution Tribunal delivers its verdicts on the 2006 election fraud cases, with tens of thousands of taxi drivers being asked to turn on headlights and mounting red flags to support the party.
About 100 former Thai Rak Thai MPs from the Northeast also attended an urgent party meeting yesterday and were brieved about the latest situation as well as a worstcase scenario. They left the party's headquarters carrying files and video CDs they were supposed to use when explaning the party's fate and plans to their constituents. "We have been talking to former MPs over the past few days to give them the correct understanding of the situation before the verdicts come on May 30," said Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisaeng. "We all agree that our strongest point is the election, so we will do the best we can to make sure nothing goes wrong before the promised election at the end of the year." He said the party was "prepared" for the worstcase scenario _ a dissolution verdict which could ban party executives from politics in the next election. But Chaturon declined to reveal the plans, saying all details would be given on the judgement day. But over the next few days the party would step up a campaign "for justice", according to former Udon Thai MP Wichai Chaijitvanichkul. "Taxi clubs will be asked to have their members turn on headlights and mount red flags to express public love for justice," said Wichai, who was apparently careful not to portray it as a campaign to pressure the Constitution Tribunal. "The red colour represents the Thai nation, and we chose the taxi drivers because they have had strong connections with our party," he said. "This is not meant to defy the interim leadership. It will just give people who love our party a chance to express their clamouring for justice." The party will set up a stage in front of its headquarters on May 30 for its members and followers to onitor the tribunal's rulings. Party senior members insisted that the plan was not meant to create trouble in the event of a dissolution order. If dissolved, unaffected party members will seek to register a new party, but under the old "Thai Rak Thai" name. Opinions have been divided as to whether registering a new party under the old name is legally possible.
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