No-Newin Group stirs murky pot

All these political developments and related decisions are interconnected and influence each other.

This is how the newest political group, called the "No-Newin" faction was formed, adding to the existing main factions: the Democrat Party, Thaksin Shinawatra supporters and Newin Chidchob's troupe.

Members of this No-Newin group are banned politicians or de facto coalition partners namely Pinij Jarusombat, Preecha Laohapongchana, Pairoj Suwanchawee from Puea Pandin, Suwat Liptapanlop from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Banharn Silpa-archa, Somsak Prissanananthakul from Chart Thai Pattana and Somsak Thepsuthin from Newin's Bhum Jai Thai.

In their frequent discussions about politics, they are unanimous about not liking Newin's style of building and expanding his political base by using bargaining power, a source from the new group said.

"We are likely to join forces to found a new party or merge into one of the existing parties for the next elections," the source said.

After the shocking outcome of Sakon Nakhon's by-election, they decided to weigh their options at a dinner on Monday night at Oriental Hotel. However, they were interrupted when Newin's close friend, Anuthin Chanweerakul, showed up. So obviously, they had to change the topic and instead discuss Pheu Thai's by-election victory and charter amendments regarding shares held by MPs.

While the No-Newin group seemed happy to see Newin's defeat in Sakon Nakhon, they were also worried about Thaksin's defacto victory because they had, after all, betrayed the former PM.

Maybe they've decided to stick together for fear of Thaksin's revenge.

Even a veteran politician like Banharn reportedly conceded that his party might lose to Thaksin in next Sunday's Si Sa Ket by-election, for which candidates from Chart Thai Pattana and Pheu Thai are contesting.

However, one can't help but wonder if the Democrats should also feel a bit worried for being left out of the dinner that Suwat hosted. However, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did say he was invited but had to decline because he was going on an official visit to Singapore with deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban and PM's secretary-general Nipon Promphan.

After paying some thought to recent reports that the ruling party was planning to oust some coalition allies, one cannot help but wonder about the real motive behind this dinner. We still need to wait and see if the No-Newin group is thinking about isolating Newin or the Democrats, or maybe both and go it alone.