'Headless' PPP losing ability to run coalition

It's natural that a nominee leader like Samak Sundaravej would have no real power to control the party. Most of the party's members would be prepared to listen to Thaksin Shinawatra, but not Samak.

Being essentially "headless" can only cause the party to become more and more disorganised.

Disunity is already apparent, especially over amending the Constitution.

A group of MPs close to Newin Chidchob, one of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executive members, fervently believed the party had agreed to resubmit a motion to amend the Constitution after it was dropped because of a lack of support last week.

But another swiftly forced them to backtrack, saying adamantly that the party had not resolved to resubmit the motion.

The confusion that followed this situation only allowed more pressure to be applied by anti-government protesters. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) decided to switch its initial goal of opposing charter change to that of ousting the ruling government. It seems to be settling in for a protracted campaign.

The lack of solidarity in the party has led to yet one more political problem. Despite having operated from the Parliament for an entire session - that is, for three months - the House has not set up even one of the expected 35 parliamentary committees that oversee affairs of state. Mainly, this is because the PPP parliamentarians cannot agree on how to allocate their quotas.

It is the first time ever in Thai politics that a parliament's introductory session has ended without so much as a single committee set up.

The main reason why PPP is running around like the proverbial headless chicken is entirely the fault of the leader, one member complains.

"Samak tries to steer clear of any problems. He realises that he has no absolute power to have the final say," he said.

Samak rarely attends party meetings. If he does go, he is always busy with his own matters so that MPs cannot get access to him. Even many ministers complain about that, the source said.

"The premier one day gave his secretary's phone number to the Cabinet members and said 'you guys can see me at any time. This is my secretary's phone number'," the source said. None of the Cabinet members has yet been able to get through to the secretary.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee is also not keen on political matters, which need someone who is capable of coordinating with the other parties. As finance minister, Surapong already has a tough job to handle.

Given these factors, it's not surprising that Newin would seize the chance to play a more prominent role and increase his influence in the party.

Newin reportedly pays his faction's members monthly.

The PPP is divided into six factions (see box). The most influential is Newin's group as he can get his members to sit in four ministerial posts, as well as arranging for his father Chai to be the House Speaker.

Justice Minister and deputy PPP leader Sompong Amornwiwat admits the disunity in the party is leading to confusion.

Sompong has spoken to Samak about his concerns. The PM agrees with Sompong that at next Monday's party meeting they will talk about party unity and set a clear line of command and order. It's no good seeing so many people giving instructions, he said.

"The party needs unity otherwise we could break up. Samak says nothing, but is happy to let me do what I tell him," Sompong says.

He said he wanted every decision to come from party resolutions. Any MPs who go against resolutions should be punished, he said, adding he was willing to help Samak and Surapong to coordinate with the MPs.

Nakhon Phanom MP Suphachai Phosu said the MPs were close and discussed matters with one another in groups.

However, the PPP does not

have such a serious problem with unity that it will hurt its stability and the country, he added.

Party unity might not be as good as when Thaksin Shinawatra led Thai Rak Thai, and it must be remember Samak Sundaravej joined them during a national crisis.

He and Surapong have to dedicate more of their time to solving the country's problems and leave party affairs to the deputy leaders.

PPP spokesman Kudeb Saikrachang said it was a positive that a deputy party leader of the calibre of Sompong was well aware of the problems. It must be left to the executives to solve the problems.