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Published on December 24, 2007

PAD leaders Pipop Thongchai and Suriyasai Katasila earlier threatened mass demonstrations if People Power won the government benches, and grant amnesty to 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives as well as dismiss corruption allegations against Thaksin.

"We will first have to see the situation. The PAD shouldn't start holding protests," said Rosana Tositrakul, an alliance member vocal in her past denunciations of Thaksin.

"We don't need to protest all the time. It might be good Thaksin returns so he can appear in court," said Rosana.

People Power leader Samak Sundaravej insists Thaksin will return home and former Thai Rak Thai

executives will have their electoral

bans lifted.

Rosana said if the People Power Party formed the next administration, it should be mindful the legislative and judicial branches of the government trump the executive.

PAD member and consumer-rights campaigner Salee Ongsomwang - who has lately opposed the junta - said she would not attend alliance protests, at least not to start with.

"Politics is not just about [Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai]. If it's just about that, then there won't be political progress," she said. She will wait to see how People Power does in government.

"If People Power wins, we must accept it's the people's decision and that they still like Thai Rak Thai," she said.

People Power is recognised as the new Thai Rak Thai which was dissolved.

"But, no matter who wins, we will have to scrutinise it. At least more scrutiny will be possible with People Power than with the military-appointed regime."

Nevertheless, she said protests were a democratic right of any citizen.

But an alliance member and businesswoman who asked not to be identified was ready to oppose a People Power government.

"If People Power form a government and engage in illegitimate policy, not

to mention whether the votes it got were won legitimately, then I believe those who love justice will rise up and oppose it. And it doesn't even need

to be the PAD."

She said if the banned Thai Rak Thai executives received amnesty and the Thaksin corruption cases were swept under the carpet, political "unrest" was a real possibility.

"It could spark violence. The People Power regime itself isn't much of a problem compared with the possibility of it clearing the 111 executives and whitewashing Thaksin. I will be sad if People Power forms the next government. It suggests Thailand isn't ready to become a democracy," she insisted.

Meanwhile, Sirichai Mai-ngam, a labour union leader who is also a key figure in the PAD, voiced disapproval that threats were made against about a PPP government without consulation with other PAD leaders.

"They shouldn't have spoken for other PAD leaders," he said.

Sirichai said, however, he disagreed to giving amnesty to the 111 banned former Thai Rak Thai executives or showing leniency to Thaksin in his corruption cases. He would join a protest against such moves.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation