Newin aims to be third force

The 52-year-old politician took all the credit in forming the Democrat-led government. Newin created a strategy, which was talk of the town at the moment, to group together and not deflect to the rival Phue Thai Party when voting for a prime minister last month.

His MPs were kept in a secret place and not allowed to meet other people. They were barred from making and receiving any phone calls.

Last week Newin closed an important political deal. He brought his 23 MPs to join Bhum Jai Thai Party, which ranked the party second with around 30 seats behind the Democrats in the coalition.

The launch of the joining stunned other politicians and political observers. All eyes were on the Bhum Jai Thai as many veteran and well known banned politicians were at the event. It meant the party was backed by the banned politicians who were once powerful.

Newin rewarded his MPs by sponsoring them on a tour to China to celebrate their success last weekend.

Newin's next step may be to boost Bhum Jai Thai Party to win the most seats in the next election. The group also discussed its political activity from now on to win the election. Newin asked his MPs to push the pedal and boost their popularity.

Bhumipat Patcharapat, an MP from the Newin group, said his key party leaders ordered them to visit voters and find 1,000 party members per MP to push the party to be big and secure. 

A key leader of the party said he wanted the party to win third to secure a coalition party forever, no matter whether the first or the second winner is the core party.

"If you win as the second you are certain to be an opposition party," the leader said.

www.bhumjaithai.com is set up to introduce the party and its MPs. The MPs can promote their performance on the site using VCD or pictures. The party will reward Bt10,000 for any MP, who has the best and most performances, every month. The reward is aimed at pushing MPs to work in their political bases and get close to voters using cyberspace.

As the party starts to get bigger it has to find a new party headquarters. At present its headquarters is at Siripinyo building, but Newin has eyed Jutamas building in the Vibhavadi Rangsit area.

As it is not certain how long the government will last,it is proven that Newin is getting ready to return.