Democrats united now, Suthep says
Democrat party chief Abhisit Vejjajiva and party members are all smiles at their party headquarters yesterday.
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The Democrat Party offered to lead the next elected government yesterday in the wake of Wednesday's historic Constitu-tion Tribunal verdicts that spared the party from being dissolved, while disbanding the rival Thai Rak Thai Party.
Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the party was well prepared to lead a coalition government. "If the Democrat Party earns the House majority, Abhisit [Vejjajiva] will become prime minister," he said, referring to the party leader. Suthep said the party was well united and had no factions, unlike in the past. Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said yesterday it would "urgently seek cooperation" with other elements in society to ensure peace and a quick return to full democracy. "The Democrat Party would like to thank our supporters for their encouragement," he said. Party leader Abhisit said that Thai Rak Thai supporters should receive a chance to form a new party as soon as possible. The Constitution Tribunal gave its verdict on Wednesday, dissolving Thai Rak Thai and banning 111 of its executives from politics for five years in the electoral fraud case related to the controversial April 2 election. Meanwhile, the tribunal cleared the Democrats of all charges of electoral fraud. Abhisit said former MPs and supporters of Thai Rak Thai deserved a chance because the conduct that led to the party's dissolution was the responsibility of former executives, while many former MPs and supporters were unaware of their behaviour. This would encourage democracy and give alternatives to voters. Meanwhile, chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said he could only show empathy to Thai Rak Thai. However, he wanted to warn the Democrats and other political parties that they should consider matters very carefully before taking any action. They should not do something "just for short-term results", because if it failed they would have to accept bad consequences later. The Democrats "should not be too arrogant", he said, but should remember there was never a time when the party did not have competitors. Chuan said he did not think the situation would descend into public chaos, but security officers should not underestimate the dangers, because after every important political incident there were always some people who could not accept what had happened and could well try to cause trouble. Meanwhile, police and security officers will guard the party headquarters for a few more days. The Democrats have beefed up security measures and checked bouquets sent by well-wishers to congratulate the party on winning their case.
Kornchanok Raksaseri, Bancha Khaengkhan The Nation
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