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Published on December 22, 2007

Samak Sundaravej and Abhisit Vejjajiva rolled out the big guns at their last-ditch rallies in Bangkok yesterday, both leaders exuding high hopes that they will march to Government House after tomorrow's election.

The scene at Sanam Luang was more spectacular for Samak of the People Power Party (PPP), who managed to draw a crowd of more than 20,000 supporters. Several wore a mask resembling the face of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Raising the campaign call for all parties to stop quarrelling, Samak asserted he would be prime minister if the PPP formed the next government.

He ruled out an allegation that the country would fall into chaos if he and his party assumed power. He said he would not take revenge on the coup leaders, because he wanted to lead the country forward in response to a call by His Majesty the King for national unity.

Samak asked voters to choose the PPP if they rejected the coup, but if they supported the coup that ousted the government of Thaksin, he said they should just vote for the "old political party" - the Democrats.

He said the "rival party" only blamed the PPP for being involving in scandals. Although that party had launched a campaign to praise its leader as a man of "honesty", it had a record of corruption during its previous terms in government, Samak said.

Concerning charges against Thaksin, Samak insisted he would not interfere, as the former premier would return to the country to defend himself as he believed in his innocence.

Chalerm Yoobamrung, a party-list candidate, said Thaksin would return to the country on February 14 - Valentine's Day - by which time the next government would be formed. He said Thaksin did not want to be a target of criticism for causing trouble in the period during which the government would be formed.

He vowed that the PPP would not take revenge anyone involved with the September coup if it assumed power.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee said the general election would be the first step to restoring democracy. If the party won more than half of the 480 House seats, it would form the government with Samak as prime minister, he said.

Only the PPP and the Democrats were still in the race, as other parties had no chance of winning the poll, Surapong added.

PPP party-list candidate Noppadon Pattama, a former Democrat MP, said Abhisit had failed to show leadership in his time at the Democrats' helm. He is good at criticising other people but has failed to initiate ideas, he said.

PPP candidate Jatuporn Promphan called on all parties to accept the election result no matter which party wins. Otherwise, it could lead to unrest and, in the worst case, bloodshed.

Chakrapob Penkair, a PPP adviser, condemned the junta for staging the coup and said the country had fallen into a crisis because of the illegitimate seizure of power.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party wound up its campaign at a 5pm rally in Benjasiri Park on Sukhumvit Road. About 2,000 supporters attended.

Party leader Abhisit greeted supporters before taking the stage, where he told the faithful he would be a "real" prime minister and would clean up corrupt government.

"I cannot guarantee corruption will disappear but if I find corruption in my government, I will take strong action against it. I'll take all responsibility for what happens in my government," he said. "Don't worry about how long I will be PM but know that every day I am, I will work hard."

Abhisit said he was asking for votes for the good of the country and its people, not for him or his party.

"The Democrats are ready now. If you are ready, vote for all of our candidates in your constituency. If my party wins I will pay respect to all of you because your hands can end the crisis," he said.

He defended criticism that he is too young, saying he has much experience, "except in corruption".

The Democrat rally was broadcast on ASTV.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn,

 Kornchanok Raksaseri

 The Nation