Thaksin's friend-turned-foe ready to enter politics

Chai-anan Samudavanija

Speaking on news talk programme "People in the News" on ASTV Thursday, Chai-anan said he had held several talks with the Matchima group led by Somsak Thepsuthin.

"They have not invited me. If they do, they may not invite me as party leader but as party adviser," he said.

Chai-anan said he wanted to enter politics because he had completed his academic work. At 63, he has enough seniority and wants to play a role.

"I want to be a decision-maker. If I have a chance, I will execute the plan I have thought out to develop the country," he said.

If he were given the chance to be PM, he would devise an efficient development plan for the provinces and push for community banks.

Asked if he was not afraid that politics would disappoint him as it had many academics, Chai-anan said he had never looked down on politicians. "I know their good and bad points as I have been giving them advice. I have enough patience to deal with them. There are good and bad people in every field," he said.

He predicted that the Chat Thai Party and Democrat Party would have a strong chance to form a coalition government after the general election.

He said Council for National Security chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin should avoid going into politics by establishing a military party, saying he would not be successful in a political career.

Chai-anan also ruled out the prospect of the old power group taking revenge against Sonthi. After the general election, courts will issue rulings on all the cases concerning events that happened during Thaksin's regime.