TRT could be opposition

At least 440 former MPs and ex-members from Thai Rak Thai applied to become People Power Party members, 205 of them ex-MPs, according to Samphan Lertnuwat, a key TRT figure, yesterday.

The former TRT MPS move to join the People Power Party was to meet a ruling that states that election candidates must be members of a political party for 90 days before a general election.

Peeraphan also said that the People Power Party may include factions that quit Thai Rak Thai to join opposition parties.

"It will be difficult for the government to run the country and solve problems in this situation. We believe the next government will stay in office for only two years," he said.

The next government would not have stability because it must negotiate and compromise on its composition. Meanwhile, the military will still be key in controlling the state, he said.

Noppadon Pattama, legal advisor to former prime minis¬ter Thaksin Shinawatra, yesterday said he had already applied for membership of the People Power Party. He said that he had informed Thaksin of his application.

"The former premier thinks the party will lead the country to peace. Former TRT members will drive the policies for the people," he said.

Thaksin will help the party as an advisor, not as a capitalist, Noppadon said.

He revealed that Thaksin said Surapong Suebwonglee was a candidate to be party leader, and that Thaksin also admired the veteran politician Samak Sundaravej.

The Matchima Group agreed Monday to form a political party known as the Matchima Thippatai Party to contest the election. Matchima leader Somsak Thepsuthin spoke to reporters after a group meeting that decided to register the new party.

"If the national referendum on the draft constitution is not passed, there is no guarantee that the 90day rule will be used or not," he said.

If the 1997 constitution is reintroduced, the 90day rule that says election candidates must be party members for that period of time will be valid, he said.

"Matchima Thippatai is ready to register as a political party after the junta cancels the Announcements 15 and 27," Somsak said.

He also discussed reports that Samak and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh might become candidates for the People Power Party.

"Both are 70 years old and have much experience in poli¬tics. They could resolve the country's problems better than younger people. Yet, younger politicians could solve the country's problems quicker. I assure you that our leader is younger than 70," he said.

The Nation