Suthep says no conflict exist

As "government manager", Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday promised to help the ruling coalition continue to work together until the end of its term without losing ministerial posts.

He said an image of conflict among government parties was being fostered by outsiders.

"Some people try to talk about this [conflict] every day to make it seem a major problem. I don't think such talk is useful, and I don't know why people do it. But I assure you there is no conflict or rift [in the government]. We always talk well," Suthep said, responding to reported differences between the Democrat and Bhum Jai Thai parties.

All parties will work for the interests of the people and their country, he said.

Saksayam Chidchob, brother of de-facto Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Newin, said the coalition parties had to stick together in order to spend the government's budget.

And Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's response was the Democrats would not force anyone to stay.

Regarding the question of whether the government would wait for election rules to be changed before holding a new poll, Suthep said it was not his responsibility. He was responsible for ensuring the government's stability and making sure it worked. Moreover, it is too soon to talk about an election.

Suthep, also Democrat secretary-general, said he was pleased with the number of party MPs in the Northeast - eight out of 18 MPs for the whole region.

"We have to accept that election factors in each area are different - such as the candidates' fame, knowledge and ability - as well as the people's acceptance of parties. Some candidates have the qualifications but don't want to join the Democrats, due to different ideologies - or sometimes they have the same ideology as the party but are not accepted by the people," Suthep said.

Suthep said the government's budget for the Northeast was not for votes. The region lacked water for agriculture and needed Bt200 billion for that. The winning of votes from the people was another story.

Suthep said the Democrats were not discouraged despite poll results showing people were not satisfied with the government's work and believed politicians were negotiating benefits. The less popular the government is, the harder it will work, he said.

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot also denied reported rifts in the government and said coalition parties would join together to solve any problems.

Disagreement inside the government on some issues is normal. But Suthep respected the coalition parties, and any issue is open for discussion, Alongkorn said.

He said it was normal for political parties to visit local residents. The Bhum Jai Thai Party's plan to do so does not mean it is trying to undermine the Democrats' stronghold.

Witoon Nambutr, a Democrat proportionate MP for the Northeast and a former Ubon Ratchathani MP, conceded the party had assigned personnel to be in charge of northeastern provinces, but in preparation for elections, not as a sign of any impending House dissolution.

Witoon denied reports the Democrats had negotiated and lobbied for parties not to compete in the same constituencies.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said the province chosen to be first in the Northeast for Abhisit's visit was not a big deal and not a problem among the coalition.

Chuan denied reports that proportionate MP Sutasn Ngenmune - a many-time former Ubon Ratchathani MP - would resign. Abhisit said it was not possible for the Democrats to leave the elections in the northeastern provinces for another party to take, Chuan said.