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Published on September 11, 2007

Some committee members opposed the decision, claiming it was tantamount to allowing big corporations and rich individuals to have unfair influence over political parties and may even legalise favouritism through awarding these contributors with state concessions.

"With Bt50 million, they will definitely reap the benefits later," said committee member Narong Chokewattana. "It's tantamount to legalising money politics."

Narong said he favoured limiting contributions to Bt10 million at the most.

Panellist Wuthipong Priebjariawat said even in the US, the ceiling was a mere Bt3.4 million or US$100,000 and South Korea had a similar sum.

Advocates of the Bt50-million ceiling said it would help to create transparency and enable the public to know who the influential supporters are in each party so that the public can keep a close eye on them.

"They call it transparency of political finance," said Borwornsak Uwanno, another committee member supportive of the Bt50-million limit. The committee then voted and those supporting a maximum of Bt50 million won overwhelmingly.

"This will put honest parties in a disadvantaged position," Narong told reporters after. "If some parties award contracts or concessions to donors, they won't receive a fat contribution. This is like money laundering."

Fellow committee member Praphan Koonmee disagreed and argued that the decision was essentially good. "If I'm guilty, would I be putting Bt50 million into the party coffers? They will surely be subject to debate. Only clean contributors are willing to reveal themselves."

But Praphan had no answer to what could be done with under-the-table contributions.

Several moves were also introduced to prevent possible abuses by political parties during yesterday's meeting to consider organic laws for parties.

Any political party found offering money or other forms of bribes to bring any individual into its party could face a maximum of two years' imprisonment or more than Bt40,000 in fines. Any person involved will also have their electoral rights revoked for five years.

The same penalty holds true for those eliciting money or other benefits that can be calculated into monetary sums in exchange for joining a political party.

The Election Commission, or anyone else, observing such irregularities could file charges against alleged wrongdoers.

People will also be forbidden from eliciting donations from a political party, subject to a fine of double the donation.

One committee member, feeling insecure about the new measures proposed for adoption, was Kanchana Silapa-archa, Chat Thai Party executive and daughter of party leader Banharn, who is known for his philanthropic work in his home province of Suphan Buri.

"Article 72 of the draft organic law on political parties makes it impossible for politicians to donate money to temples. For example, if I meet some poor people I can't give them money. I have to speak out and tell the committee that they are making politicians inhumane. We can't do any good at all," she said.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Pattaya