Be positive, creative and friendly to all people, including those with different political opinions.
That was the advice of Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban, who is secretary-general of the ruling Democrats, when he addressed members at a party seminar in Phuket yesterday.
The meeting, entitled "Join Forces and Solve the Country's Crisis", attracted many party MPs from the South. They included chief adviser and Trang MP Chuan Leekpai, Krabi MP Arkom Engchuan, Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Apichart Sakdiset and Phuket MP Tossaporn Theppabutr.
Suthep said earlier the party would hold similar meetings in other provinces nationwide.
He urged Democrats not to become separated from the people. They should not just hope that a few MPs in the province would be leaders, they should show initiative by uniting people together. They should do public relations work and relay information that boosts reconciliation in the country, he said.
"Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced he wants to achieve reconciliation, not because he is good at speaking or handsome. But we don't want our country to be like others that have killing and wars," he said.
"Thailand is on the edge today. We have to follow what the PM said because we received his trust. All parts of the country must work together. We must not make more enemies today. We must not be enemies with government officials or people who have opposite political opinions. We must draw them to support us although blaming others is easier.
"Party members must explain to others but not blame them. As Chuan said, the party must be strong before it can make the country strong."
He said party members must be qualified. People must be screened to elevate the quality of members, within 12 months. Each MP was assigned to get 3,000 new members.
Key members must act like the party leader and the secretary-general - they must mingle with people and clarify information so they understand various issues. They must be generous leaders.
Suthep also reminded members to pay their annual fees to support the party and help it develop.
He played and distributed VCDs with a review of the political turmoil from March to May and asked party members to help clarify details with others.
People who attended the seminar shared ideas on how to solve problems in Phuket. They were asked what problems they wanted solved in the next five to 10 years, what needed to be done to meet those goals and what ways the party could help.
Academic Chaiwat Thirapantu helped with that activity.