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Published on September 12, 2007

The latter unveiled itself gleefully yesterday with a bunch of characters that, according to some political pundits, made freedom oppressor-turned-liberation leader Samak look handsome. To turn him into Mahatma Gandhi, all that is needed is for General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to enter politics.

The new political force tentatively calls itself "For the Motherland" Party, as the founders haven't yet come up with an official English name for "Pua Paendin" (For the Land). It boasts members that could bring tears to Thaksin Shinawatra's eyes: Surakiart Sathirathai, Suranand Vejjajiva, Somsak Thepsuthin, Phinij Charusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana. Snoh Thienthong also features, although his association with the ousted leader in the infamous "temple land" scandal seems like ancient history.

The "old wine" tasted very stale from Day One. "Our stance is to be nobody's enemy," former foreign minister Surakiart proclaimed. Again, his post-coup lobbying for international rejection of Thaksin's ouster has been fading in our memories. Indeed, the new political group's motto sounds too pacifying for comfort. Asked if this new bloc was founded to counter the "Thaksin nominees" in the People Power Party, "For the Motherland" leaders murmured that they were not ready to discuss the issue.

Still sitting on the fence are Suwat Liptapanlop and Somkid Jatusripitak. The former is reportedly weighing the options of reviving the Chat Pattana Party or becoming a late arrival in the new camp. The latter has given mixed signals - close friend Suranand's presence at the launching of "For the Motherland" indicated that Somkid was interested, but he was also reported to be ready to register his Ruamjai Thai Party within a day or two.

Maybe Suwat and Somkid share the same scepticism as most political watchers: Who on earth can lead the For the Motherland Party? The founders have reportedly tried to approach Supachai Panitchpakdi, but the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development must be a very brave man just to read the party's list of who's who, let alone take up the offer. The new force will likely end up with Suwit Khunkitti - who escaped the legal clampdown on the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai - as interim leader, which must bring smiles to both Abhisit's and Samak's faces.

Who's really behind For the Motherland? Is it really meant to be the "alternative", or is it conceived with the single purpose of countering the People Power Party? Will its existence really help Abhisit? Or will it transform itself into a Trojan horse and "Brutus" whoever supports it as an anti-Thaksin force?

For the Motherland is a political freak, this much is clear. And it has come into being out of its own karma. Many of the founders didn't show any courage or patriotism when it really counted. They contributed to Thaksin's omnipotence, turned a blind eye when things went seriously wrong, and only after his downfall have they decided to sink their knives into his back.

Judging from yesterday's press conference, cowards have not yet turned into heroes. The "We are nobody's enemy" statement very likely suggested an intention to reap the last remaining profits from Thaksin's popularity. An understandable strategy - given the new party's obvious dependence on rural support - but gutless all the same. With the exception of Snoh, none of the founders has denounced the ills of the previous regime. And when Snoh did, it was all for the wrong reasons.

Having two former Thai Rak Thai camps at each other's throats in the upcoming election isn't entirely good news for the Democrats. Besides the Trojan Horse theory, For the Motherland could be their nightmarish ally at best. No matter how many seats this new bloc might win in the election, it will be enough to drag Abhisit through some nasty horse-trading. For the Motherland will be a party to be trusted by no one - and deservedly so.

Samak is the one with the firmest focus now. His vow to undo the legal crackdown on Thaksin and company if he wins political power is courage bordering on insanity. The emergence of For the Motherland may complicate things in certain former Thai Rak Thai-dominated constituencies, but he will do well if the new camp fails to demonstrate anything more than shallow patriotism. Brave and loyal he may portray himself to be, and he'll point to all the Brutuses who even now still don't have the courage to explain why they had to stab their former leader in the back.

Tulsathit Taptim