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Published on July 30, 2007

The Thai Rak Thai breakaway group Saman Chan, or Reconciliation, yesterday decided to join the Social Action Party and ask United Nations Conference on Trade and Development secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi to lead it.

Suwat Liptapanlop, Pinij Charusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana head the group.

The decision was reached after the Thai Rak Thai group on Saturday announced it was joining the little-known People Power Party, Saman Chan member Ekkaparp Polsue said yesterday.

He said his group discussed its political future and agreed it would not follow the Thai Rak Thai group.

Saman Chan, formerly known as the Lam Takong faction, has around 60 members.

They criticised the Thai Rak Thai move.

"It is inappropriate. The key members are no experts in politics; especially their decision to approach former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej to be party leader," Surachart Chamnansin said.

He revealed some Thai Rak Thai members were unhappy with the move, and the offer to Samak, who they consider unpopular.

Veteran politician Samak has not yet accepted the position, according to People Power Party chief adviser Karn Thienkaew.

"We don't know of reports that Samak will be the party leader. All decisions have to be approved by the party executive. We do not fear criticism that the party is a nominee of the Thai Rak Thai," he said.

There are reports Sudarat Keyuraphan ordered former Bangkok members of Parliament of the Thai Rak Thai to join the People Power Party.

Thai Rak Thai group executive Theeraphan Palusuk said it decided to join the People Power Party because a merger was easy.

"Compared with Prachakorn Thai, the party's character is rather unique in both ideas and leaders," he said.

Samak founded Prachakorn Thai, or Thai Citizen. He is expected to become leader after Surapong Suebwonglee admitted he was in talks with the political veteran.

"Samak is known. He is a man who we want to be leader because his image accords with us. He is clearly opposed to dictatorship, like us. So we believe he can lead the party," he said.

Surapong said yesterday it would be clear within a week who the new leader would be.

He admitted some members had asked former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to be the leader. The former Army chief has emerged as another leading candidate.

Since it announced the People Power association, 421 Thai Rak Thai members have applied to join, Surapong said.

The People Power Party headquarters will move from Don Muang to a building at Lat Phrao owned by former member of Parliament Samphan Lertnuwat.

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation