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Published on November 17, 2007

Why did you return to politics to form the Puea Pandin Party?

In the past few months, Saman Chan faction leaders like Pinij Charusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana came to seek my advice. We stayed up late talking. I suggested involving Surakiart Sathirathai [a banned Thai Rak Thai Party executive] to help form a new party.

I took the initiative to talk to veterans such as Somsak Thepsuthin, Snoh Thienthong and Pradit Pataraprasith. I saw a good opportunity for everyone to work together. But there was a small disagreement about naming the new party. Each faction wanted to retain its name. The deal collapsed and everyone parted ways in order to set up different parties.

I worked hard till I got a viral infection in my heart. I have recovered, however.

In setting up Puea Pandin, I suggested to Surakiart, Pinij and Preecha that the party would not be an enemy to anyone. Our party is neutral under the slogan "For the Land, Nation Building, Upholding Religion and Supporting the Throne". This is an auspicious year to honour His Majesty the King. The party will grow solid under the yellow flag.

Many people have helped with the party's finances. I sold some of my land to make my contribution. The party is being run in a brotherly manner without any infighting. All decisions are made by a majority vote. Democracy starts from within the party. We relied on three opinion polls before selecting election candidates, and we hope our newcomers will have a chance because some 30 per cent of former MPs were defeated in past elections.

What is your projection for the party in the election?

I have been appointed to the post of party chairman. I consider this my highest honour. I will strive to live up to everyone's expectations. I won 10 re-elections and joined the Cabinet six times. I am confident in my candidates, but the people will decide.

I hope voters will give the party a chance; it is not a proxy and has no link to either the military nor former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as has been speculated in the press.

Pinij, Preecha and Surakiart severed their ties with Thai Rak Thai a long time ago and it is impossible for me to talk to Thaksin because I always stand in opposition to him.

Why do many see your party as a proxy?

Rumours spread because so many former MPs from Thai Rak Thai have joined Puea Pandin. I have been in politics for more than 30 years, so I am not surprised. But I want to say this - the three [Pinij, Preecha and Surakiart] are very persuasive in wooing support.

Are you definitely in opposition to Thaksin?

We have no personal conflicts. I respect Thaksin's father Lert Shinawatra as my elder brother. Lert and I used to work together as MPs.

In 2001, Thaksin sent an envoy to approach me for a merger between the Thai Rak Thai and my Rassadorn Party. The majority of my party executives rejected the offer.

From then on, many problems happened to me and my associates. For example, I was accused of being involved in the Salween logs scandal. As soon as I cleared my name, other cases came up. My legal wranglings include the Klong Dan waste treatment plant and the plot overlapping the forest reserve in Phang Nga. I find it odd that I am being prosecuted for buying the Phang Nga plot when the broker, who is Thaksin's friend, eludes the law for a wrongful sale.

Do you anticipate a victory for the old power clique similar to what happened in the 2001 general election? If so, will this lead to an intensified power struggle?

I don't see a repeat of the political situation between 2001 and 2005. That party had a lot of money as well as state mechanisms under its control. It was then at 100-per-cent strength; now it has half the strength it used to.

I would like to plead to voters to vote for reconciliation. The country will plunge into deeper turmoil if votes are cast for revenge, which will exacerbate social divisions.

What do you plan to do if elected to join the government?

I used to hold the labour portfolio. I pushed for the formation of the Labour Ministry and the establishment of the Social Security Fund, which now has Bt400 billion to look after 35 million members. If I am responsible for labour once again, I will cancel the Fund's investment in the stock market in order to divert money to set up a bank for workers, and boost their medical and education benefits.

Excerpts from an interview with Puea Pandin Party chairman Vatana Asavahame by Samatcha Hunsara for The Nation.