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Published on August 25, 2007

Kajit Habanananda, president and CEO of One-Two-Go budget airline, and who once served as president of the International Association of Lions Clubs, talks about his Rak Chat group's political plans and politics in general in this exclusive interview with The Nation's Kornchanok Raksaseri.

Kornchanok: When will you register the Rak Chat Party?

Kajit: As soon as I gather the materials I need and the people I want. I'm looking for an auspicious time and date.

Who will join your party?

They are ordinary people, all my friends, of different ages and from different professions. Quite a few are retired. Some are running businesses and some are young. The important thing is they are getting into politics and want to be part of making a difference to their country.

How will the Rak Chat Party make a difference?

We aim to be another choice. We believe this country has never had any choice in the past. Now is an opportunity and the right time to offer a choice.

The idea is that if all [Rak Chat's] politicians get into power they can become real servants of the public. In the past, politicians who secured power exercised their power by ruling the people.

Could you give some examples of how you will encourage such an environment?

First of all, there is political unrest. This unrest leans on the stability of life in general. Everything is in a haze. So without clear transparency on the political front, other things will never be able to move on.

I aim to bring stability to the country as soon as possible.

You strongly believe that such stability can happen soon?

Yes, I'm a strong believer. If the stability doesn't happen the country will be in turmoil, so we must make people understand this issue first and then we can shift them to helping each other to bring about political stability.

What role are you going to take in the Rak Chat Party?

Right at the moment I am the key in the Rak Chat group. When the party is registered, if I can't find anyone who is better than I am, more qualified or more suitable than I am, I'll accept the party leader position.

What will be your support base?

I will look for supporters from all sides, all walks of life. Once they understand the platform, the goal, I hope we'll be able to reach them. I'm sure that I'll get some supporters in the near future.

A lot of my supporters are businessmen, who feel their lives are dependent upon the stability of politics.

Where do you get your financial support?

A lot of it comes through donations from friends. I'll make it known to my friends in my circle, and yes, political parties need funds. The funds can come from anyone who wants to donate for a good cause, activities that are transparent and beyond suspicion.

How much have you got in your pocket?

I have enough to get involved in the next political round in such a way that I will be able to support all my candidates in the media advertising and public relations angles, and so on.

Which areas of the country will you focus on?

I will have to concentrate on everywhere. My hope is to field candidates in as many constituencies as I can, so I can spread the word of the Rak Chat Party that these are our platforms, these are our high hopes.

Without a candidate in a constituency, the public won't have an opportunity to hear stories from our side.

How many seats do you expect?

The maximum, of course. As we are a new political party we have yet to show the public what our party can do.

You joined the Social Action Party and then left politics for a long time. What made you decide to return?

I see an opportunity. I believe we are in the middle of a crisis and it's an opportunity for people like me to come forward and say that I want to volunteer to serve the country in a political way. I hope and pray that people walking behind me who offer themselves will say yes.

This country is strong, you know. Its full of wealth, it's a rich country and belongs to us. So it's up to us to make sure the wealth continues to stay and increases the happiness of the people of this country. Our main aim is to make people happy, be in good health, achieve good wealth and have a good opportunity to live their lives accordingly.

As long as we don't govern the public, and we serve the public, then the difference will be made.

What's your reaction to people saying Rak Chat is a nominee party for the military?

I have explained enough that we are not nominees or an extension of any other group such as the military.

Once any military officer is retired or leaves office, he is not a military officer any more. And he is welcome to enter politics if he wants.