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Published on September 12, 2007

 Political veteran Snoh Thienthong is willing to change the name of his Pracharaj Party to the Pua Paendin Party (For the Motherland Party), which is currently a gathering of former Thai Rak Thai Party members trying hard to break away from Thaksin Shinawatra's legacy while continuing to remain politically significant.

Suwit Khunkitti, a key member of the Saman Chan Group, told a press conference yesterday organised by the Pua Paendin umbrella group that "it is possible" the party could be revamped to include a new line-up of executives, as well as a new leader.

The press conference was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai brokered talks between various political groups aiming to be the so-called "third force" on the political landscape.

Suwit said that instead of the registering For the Motherland Party as a brand-new party, which would take considerable time, the For the Motherland Group could just merge with Snoh's Pracharaj Party and then change its name afterwards.

Snoh announced at the press conference that he was willing "for the sake of the country" to sacrifice the party he had created with his own hands.

"I do not want to cling to power forever," said Snoh, to a big round of applause from about 200 politicians looking to join the new group that has yet to finalise its name.

Suwit is expected to continue his high-profile role and might have to take up the post as leader of this new party if a new leader cannot be found in time.

Leading members of this so-called "third force" had tried to lobby United Nations Conference on Trade and Development secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi to become the party leader.

Suwit and Snoh are both former Thai Rak Thai members who had left prior to the five-year ban on the party's executives in May 2007.

Suwit was tight-lipped as to what specific role he would assume. When asked to predict how many seats the new party could expected to gain from the next general election, he replied: "That depends on the decision of the people."

When asked if he had ruled out joining the People Power Party, which is made up of Thaksin loyalists, Suwit also dodged the question, saying it was "still a long way from now".

Matchima Group leader Somsak Thepsuthin echoed Snoh in saying he was willing to make the needed sacrifice.

"It would be selfish of me to quit politics at this point in time," said Somsak, who is also banned for five years.

There was plenty of praise and admiration yesterday for Snoh, Surakiart and the three leaders of the Saman Chan group - Suwit, Pinij Jarusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana.

Surakiart insisted that the For the Motherland umbrella group was a fresh start and was not a continuation of the old power, be it the junta or the Thaksin regime.

Suwit dismissed reports that Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin would become the party chief.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn,

 Somroutai Sapsomboon

 The Nation