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Published on November 22, 2007

What is your opposition strategy for the 111?

Among the 111, some have agreed to band together to oppose the EC's ruling. I did not make an exact head count but everyone in our group has a common goal to uphold the freedom of political expression. In my view, I see nothing illegal about banned executives working as a party adviser.

I am not a party adviser and have no aspiration for such a position. None of us have any positions within the People Power Party. Of course, we are backing the PPP. Our ties with it began with the crusade against the September 19 coup.

The EC has warned that certain activities of the 111 may trigger a party dissolution if those actions can be construed as swaying votes on the party's behalf.

I would like to ask: if my actions favour the Democrats, will this lead to the disbanding of the Democrat Party? I think the EC has issued its ruling without any understanding of democratic rules. This is a case of runaway power. In a democracy, freedom of expression should be encouraged and the people must have access to information. No civilised country has the inclination to dismantle political parties like Thailand.

Do you see a double standard?

It is clearly a double standard. I have every right to air my views, just like other Thai citizens. Under the law I have been punished by having my voting right revoked. But there is no law to forbid me from making campaign speeches. The EC penalised me arbitrarily. I see it as discrimination.

The EC states that it will not issue the regulations to be enforced as a follow-up to its ruling.

We demand that EC write out the regulations. But it has chosen to enforce its ruling on whims rather than under written guidelines. One day it could say such and such is wrong and the next it could say otherwise. If the PPP wins the majority of votes, I fear that the EC will issue red and yellow cards against its candidates on grounds that they were supported by the 111.

If this happens, then the EC is virtually the king-maker to determine the next government. The situation can be avoided only if the EC has the written regulations, which can be the basis for the 111 to seek a judicial review for an overturn.

As things stand, I have no choice but to continue attacking the EC.

But might not your comments lead to the disbanding of the PPP?

I see no justification for gagging me or for disbanding the PPP. What will happen if one day the EC kicks me out of the country by threatening to disband the PPP should I fail to comply? I have no involvement with the PPP, therefore it is unfair to punish it for my remarks.

What do you plan to say at the rally on Friday?

My main point is that a fair election is the way for Thailand to end the turmoil. I will air my views about the political situation and the general election. I want to point out the interference with the electoral process by the junta, the government-appointed committee against vote-buying and the EC.

I will review the outcome of the rally at Lumpini Park before deciding my next move. Speakers to join me on the stage include Adisorn Piengket and Sutham Saengpratoom.