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Published on August 3, 2007

Samak Sundaravej yesterday gave his side of the story on how he came to abandon retirement and lead Thai Rak Thai remnants at their new home, the People Power Party.

He also denied being Thaksin Shinawatra's proxy.

"I made up my mind after watching the televised court verdict on May 30 to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai Party," he said.

Then Thaksin, the former prime minister and party leader, called him on Tuesday.

"Thaksin asked me to look after his Thai Rak Thai members in a new party so that they could contest the general election."

Samak offered to welcome them under his old Prachakorn Thai Party banner but realised his party might be disbanded if it is convicted for candidacy fraud relating to the last general election.

He said he told Thaksin he would finalise his decision on accepting the leadership of the People Power Party by August 14, as time was needed to hold a convention to activate the new party.

He vigorously denied speculation that he was acting as a proxy for Thaksin.

"I'm no one's nominee by any means and critics should study my record," he said, adding that he had been a party leader for 22 years, won a landslide victory as Bangkok governor and joined eight governments.

He anticipated that his re-entering politics would contribute to bringing about the election.

"The country cannot move forward without the general election and all problems can be sorted out by an elected government," he said, pointing out that extreme political feelings for or against Thaksin should end.

He could help Thai Rak Thai candidates in a race against the Democrat and Chat Thai parties but not against a junta party if it decides to form one.

He could team up with many Thaksin supporters, whom he cracked down on in the October 1976 uprising, as the era of ideological conflict had passed.

He said he was free to form a political alliance, dismissing criticism about his ties to Thaksin.

He conceded he used to be critical of General Prem Tinsulanonda, the chief royal adviser, but stopped attacking him last February.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation