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Published on January 28, 2008

In the 2006 Senate election she would have won with more than 100,000 votes and entered the Upper House, had the coup not intervened. She talks to The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk.

Why are you running?

Partly because I think there should be space for the people's movement in the Senate. I have been urged to run by people I know and by friends. Originally some wanted me to apply as an appointed senator, but I decided to run for election, even though it's more bother.

It'll be tough, as only one will be elected for Bangkok, but for one thing, some 118,000 people voted for me [in 2006], and I consider these honest votes from people who wanted me to represent them. So if I want to become a senator, I must run.

Some say appointed senators have no honour. I don't think that's so, though it has been the case in the past, which is why the [junta-appointed constitution-drafters] wanted to do away with an elected Senate. So there's a need to salvage this honour, to prove that people can indeed elect good representatives. If no one from the people's movement runs, the election will be staid, and the people may become disenchanted.

Will the new Senate be different from previous ones?

We'll have to see how it works out. The Senate used to be criticised for representing certain political groups or big money. I think this time around it will yield better people, but that needs to be proved.

If we look at candidates for appointed positions, we see good people with qualities, but they're not necessarily popular. Let us not think about which of the two is the more legitimate. The rules are made, and we must accept them.

Will you get as many votes as last time, especially considering how the people's movement has become split over members' opinions of the coup?

I don't regard other [candidates] as competitors. In elections more choice is all to the good of the democratic system. Those who run are making sacrifices, and if people vote for us it means they feel they can rely on us as their representatives. I won't moan if I don't win.

What are the main responsibilities of a senator, and why didn't you run for the Lower House?

Members of Parliament are constrained by their political parties; senators aren't, and they are the true representatives of the people. Senate work includes reviewing legislation, selecting members of the so-called independent organisations and making sure the state is transparent.

How will you campaign?

I haven't decided. I don't have much money, though some friends have contributed. The budget allowed [by regulation] is Bt1 million, but I definitely don't have that kind of money.

The Nation