Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat [and brother-in-law of Yingluck and Thaksin] addresses red shirt demonstrators at a Phan Fa bridge rally site in March last year. KITJA APICHONROJAREK
Published: 2/07/2011
Bangkok Post
Writer: Kamol Hengkietisak
Let the people decide
At the last stretch of the race for the election, it cannot be denied that it is a two-horse race between the incumbent Democrat Party and challenger Pheu Thai with the Democrats pushing caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as their prime ministerial candidate and Pheu Thai campaigning for its No.1 party list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra who would become the first female prime minister of Thailand, notes Matichon.
As the youngest sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Yingluck is seen as Thaksin's nominee by both Pheu Thai executives and the opposing Democrats. Pheu Thai core leaders, especially Chalerm Yubamrung, often tell the electorate that if they want to see Thaksin back in Thailand they must try hard to get Ms Yingluck into the prime minister's post.
The Democrats, seeing themselves lagging behind in all the polls, point out that if Ms Yingluck is elected Thailand's prime minister, Thaksinocracy (Thaksin-plus-autocracy) will come back to haunt the Thai people again.
Fate was not kind to "nominee" prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, who married Thaksin's sister Yaowapa and so is Yingluck's brother-in-law. During his tenure, the yellow shirts surrounded Government House and finally occupied it, forcing Mr Somchai to become the only prime minister never to work in Government House.
Not long after, he was stripped of office and banned from politics for five years while the People Power Party was dissolved by the Constitution Court.
If Ms Yingluck is to be elected prime minister, will she face the same fate as her brother-in-law? Matichon sought the opinion of former premier Somchai on this and other issues.
Pheu Thai is now facing negatives in its campaign?
It is quite normal as each political party is trying to convince the people that they can be good representatives. According to the polls, Pheu Thai is leading and the opposition is trying every means to fight back.
In a democracy, people are the centre and every party must try to convince the people that they are the best by presenting policies. But in this country, it is quite strange in that sometimes politicians resort to mud-slinging which does not benefit the people, it bores the people.
Any party that can read the electorate's mind and understands them should not care about being discredited by the other party.
Ms Yingluck stands for an election for the first time and yet is a prime ministerial candidate immediately. Will she be able to withstand the heat?
Yes, judging from the enthusiastic reception by the electorate throughout the county. I don't think there will be any problem if we play politics by the rules, presenting oneself for the people to judge.
Politics is played openly and covertly. Can a woman bear the pressure?
Ms Yingluck used to say that if politicians care for the people, politics should be played constructively. It is outdated to employ mud-slinging tactics. People have been waiting for real democracy for so long. If a governing political party does not do well, let the people elect new faces at the next election. Thailand should move forward, not get stuck in a vicious cycle of periodic coups, otherwise the country will not have a chance to develop.
If Pheu Thai party wins, how can the experiences from the previous tenures of Thaksin, the late Samak and Somchai help Ms Yingluck survive the full term?
Previous experiences do help, but I think the most important issue is that people have progressed since that time. Whatever benefits they may lose they should rise up and protect, not causing disturbances but fighting politically. My experience, Samak's experience should not be repeated as it does not help the country. I want the country to move forward peacefully. Competing for votes is normal in politics. Competing to offer the best for the people, bluffing each other is normal. Let the people decide. Don't use underhanded tactics to win power. Then whatever the election result, everyone can accept it. If people choose the Democrat Party in greatest number, the Pheu Thai Party should stay put, don't criticise, let them do the job and let the people be the judge. If Pheu Thai comes first, other parties should not interfere. Let Pheu Thai party work first. If the party cannot, then other political parties can try. Our country used to be like this. It is not graceful to compete to form a government immediately after the general election.
The rise of Ms Yingluck has transformed Pheu Thai and made it completely Shinawatra property?
What about Chartthaipattana? Isn't Mr Chumphol a younger brother of Mr Banharn? Let's look at capability. I think Mr Chumphol is capable and suitable to be the leader of the party even though Mr Banharn is the shadow financial supporter. It's not really strange if you do the right thing. It's also not strange if former prime minister Thaksin supports Ms Yingluck. Suwat [Liptapallop] and Dr Wannarat of Chart Pattana Puea Pandin party are also related through marriage, having wives who are sisters. It depends on the people who can judge which party benefits them the most. If a certainly family has more than one capable person and people accept it, it is normal. Don't discriminate just because they have the same parents. Look at MR Seni and MR Kukrit Pramoj. Both were former prime ministers and brothers, yet people accepted them.
If a Shinawatra comes to power again, will it displease someone?
What's with the Shinawatras? I don't see any problem.
Someone does not like the Shinawatras.
We cannot compel everyone to love someone 100% or hate someone 100%. A politician has admirers and haters.
It does not matter, nor should one be concerned as long as one does his/her best. If you are a good person, people will eventually like you.
If you do something bad, no matter how high your family name people will not like you.
It is rumoured that the person who does not like the Shinawatras has special power.
I think that today people are the real boss and that one man has one vote. Whoever thinks he has special power must not destroy what is right, must not hurt people's feelings; let the people decide. If a politician does something wrong, something bad, takes bribes, there are laws that can deal with these offences. Let the judicial process run its course. Don't use one's feeling to judge. I don't know who hates the Shinawatras. I see everywhere Ms Yingluck visits, people like her.
The red shirts say the military killed the people. If Pheu Thai wins, will the government meddle in military affairs?
Whoever comes to power, it does not mean that one can do whatever one pleases. There are laws and regulations. If anyone does something against the law, a judicial process takes over. Can the government do something against the military? Nobody can do anything against anyone. Everything must be done according to the proper process. When a government is formed, a defence minister is appointed who will take charge of the military. Whatever the military wants including budget and personnel, must follow the established procedure. It is not possible that a new prime minister or former prime minister Thaksin can dictate this and that.
A democracy has checks and balances mechanisms. We have the opposition in parliament. I say, let the process take place. We don't need to worry.
If a military leader stays put, and does nothing wrong, then why should the government interfere? Reshuffling key personnel must be reasonable, otherwise the opposition can criticise. If the government abuses power, it can be taken to the Administrative Court. There are also other courts that act as a monitoring mechanism. The most important is those who govern must be clean, honest and rule the country transparently.
This, the people accept. If we abuse power, people will not accept it, criticism follows, no-confidence motions are debated in the House of Representatives and the people will not elect the perceived abusive governing party again.
How about political amnesty?
Several people say the Pheu Thai Party will issue an amnesty for former premier Thaksin. I have yet to see an official policy on this. Ms Yingluck says the country must enter a national reconciliation process, which Chartthaipattana and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin parties also advocate.
The reconciliation process needs all sides to participate. Eventually, it may come to issuing an amnesty law, which is not really the same thing as pardoning Thaksin.
If Thaksin is to get a pardon, he will be among many politicians who receive the same pardon. I don't think anyone will raise the issue of citing only one person to reconcile or pardon.
If an amnesty is to happen, it must benefit all the people. I also see Maj Gen Sanan [advisory chairman of Chartthaipattana] advocates national reconciliation. What will he do to achieve this? It may also come down to issuing a law, called an "amnesty" act or whatever.
Unfortunately, former premier Thaksin is a famous person who is the talk of the town. Whenever there is talk about an amnesty, people often think it is only for him, so the issue reverberates, becoming a hot political issue.
The Democrat party and some academics say it is shameful that Pheu Thai fights for only one person?
Is it true? If it is, it should be shameful. But has the party done anything to warrant the claim? So far, the party campaigns only on populist policies, but other parties resort to mud-slinging and negative campaigns.
Thaksin says he wants to come home, but some say prime ministers ousted by coups normally cannot do so?
It is normal to be homesick. When I was overseas for 4-5 days, I already wanted to come back home. Some say Thaksin should be able to come home. Some say he should not. A famous person must accept public opinion.
Do you think he can come home, seeing that an amnesty law must be issued first?
Everyone can come home if there is no problem. As for the amnesty, I have stated my opinion.
Eventually, will it come down to talking with other powers?
I don't know. It depends on who is the government, but I think our country has an established process. If former premier Thaksin is to come home, he must go through the process so that he can clear his name. If he cannot, then let it be. Everything must be done according to the judicial process. If a way is found, he can come home. If not, he cannot. And if he comes back and causes problems to the country, I don't think he will come back. He used to say, "Let Pheu Thai Party work for the people. Don't worry whether I can come home or not. It is not important. What is important is a Pheu Thai government can make people happy."
At the last stretch of the race for the election, it cannot be denied that it is a two-horse race between the incumbent Democrat Party and challenger Pheu Thai with the Democrats pushing caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as their prime ministerial candidate and Pheu Thai campaigning for its No.1 party list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra who would become the first female prime minister of Thailand, notes Matichon.
As the youngest sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Yingluck is seen as Thaksin's nominee by both Pheu Thai executives and the opposing Democrats. Pheu Thai core leaders, especially Chalerm Yubamrung, often tell the electorate that if they want to see Thaksin back in Thailand they must try hard to get Ms Yingluck into the prime minister's post.
The Democrats, seeing themselves lagging behind in all the polls, point out that if Ms Yingluck is elected Thailand's prime minister, Thaksinocracy (Thaksin-plus-autocracy) will come back to haunt the Thai people again.
Fate was not kind to "nominee" prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, who married Thaksin's sister Yaowapa and so is Yingluck's brother-in-law. During his tenure, the yellow shirts surrounded Government House and finally occupied it, forcing Mr Somchai to become the only prime minister never to work in Government House.
Not long after, he was stripped of office and banned from politics for five years while the People Power Party was dissolved by the Constitution Court.
If Ms Yingluck is to be elected prime minister, will she face the same fate as her brother-in-law? Matichon sought the opinion of former premier Somchai on this and other issues.
Pheu Thai is now facing negatives in its campaign?
It is quite normal as each political party is trying to convince the people that they can be good representatives. According to the polls, Pheu Thai is leading and the opposition is trying every means to fight back.
In a democracy, people are the centre and every party must try to convince the people that they are the best by presenting policies. But in this country, it is quite strange in that sometimes politicians resort to mud-slinging which does not benefit the people, it bores the people.
Any party that can read the electorate's mind and understands them should not care about being discredited by the other party.
Ms Yingluck stands for an election for the first time and yet is a prime ministerial candidate immediately. Will she be able to withstand the heat?
Yes, judging from the enthusiastic reception by the electorate throughout the county. I don't think there will be any problem if we play politics by the rules, presenting oneself for the people to judge.
Politics is played openly and covertly. Can a woman bear the pressure?
Ms Yingluck used to say that if politicians care for the people, politics should be played constructively. It is outdated to employ mud-slinging tactics. People have been waiting for real democracy for so long. If a governing political party does not do well, let the people elect new faces at the next election. Thailand should move forward, not get stuck in a vicious cycle of periodic coups, otherwise the country will not have a chance to develop.
If Pheu Thai party wins, how can the experiences from the previous tenures of Thaksin, the late Samak and Somchai help Ms Yingluck survive the full term?
Previous experiences do help, but I think the most important issue is that people have progressed since that time. Whatever benefits they may lose they should rise up and protect, not causing disturbances but fighting politically. My experience, Samak's experience should not be repeated as it does not help the country. I want the country to move forward peacefully. Competing for votes is normal in politics. Competing to offer the best for the people, bluffing each other is normal. Let the people decide. Don't use underhanded tactics to win power. Then whatever the election result, everyone can accept it. If people choose the Democrat Party in greatest number, the Pheu Thai Party should stay put, don't criticise, let them do the job and let the people be the judge. If Pheu Thai comes first, other parties should not interfere. Let Pheu Thai party work first. If the party cannot, then other political parties can try. Our country used to be like this. It is not graceful to compete to form a government immediately after the general election.
The rise of Ms Yingluck has transformed Pheu Thai and made it completely Shinawatra property?
What about Chartthaipattana? Isn't Mr Chumphol a younger brother of Mr Banharn? Let's look at capability. I think Mr Chumphol is capable and suitable to be the leader of the party even though Mr Banharn is the shadow financial supporter. It's not really strange if you do the right thing. It's also not strange if former prime minister Thaksin supports Ms Yingluck. Suwat [Liptapallop] and Dr Wannarat of Chart Pattana Puea Pandin party are also related through marriage, having wives who are sisters. It depends on the people who can judge which party benefits them the most. If a certainly family has more than one capable person and people accept it, it is normal. Don't discriminate just because they have the same parents. Look at MR Seni and MR Kukrit Pramoj. Both were former prime ministers and brothers, yet people accepted them.
If a Shinawatra comes to power again, will it displease someone?
What's with the Shinawatras? I don't see any problem.
Someone does not like the Shinawatras.
We cannot compel everyone to love someone 100% or hate someone 100%. A politician has admirers and haters.
It does not matter, nor should one be concerned as long as one does his/her best. If you are a good person, people will eventually like you.
If you do something bad, no matter how high your family name people will not like you.
It is rumoured that the person who does not like the Shinawatras has special power.
I think that today people are the real boss and that one man has one vote. Whoever thinks he has special power must not destroy what is right, must not hurt people's feelings; let the people decide. If a politician does something wrong, something bad, takes bribes, there are laws that can deal with these offences. Let the judicial process run its course. Don't use one's feeling to judge. I don't know who hates the Shinawatras. I see everywhere Ms Yingluck visits, people like her.
The red shirts say the military killed the people. If Pheu Thai wins, will the government meddle in military affairs?
Whoever comes to power, it does not mean that one can do whatever one pleases. There are laws and regulations. If anyone does something against the law, a judicial process takes over. Can the government do something against the military? Nobody can do anything against anyone. Everything must be done according to the proper process. When a government is formed, a defence minister is appointed who will take charge of the military. Whatever the military wants including budget and personnel, must follow the established procedure. It is not possible that a new prime minister or former prime minister Thaksin can dictate this and that.
A democracy has checks and balances mechanisms. We have the opposition in parliament. I say, let the process take place. We don't need to worry.
If a military leader stays put, and does nothing wrong, then why should the government interfere? Reshuffling key personnel must be reasonable, otherwise the opposition can criticise. If the government abuses power, it can be taken to the Administrative Court. There are also other courts that act as a monitoring mechanism. The most important is those who govern must be clean, honest and rule the country transparently.
This, the people accept. If we abuse power, people will not accept it, criticism follows, no-confidence motions are debated in the House of Representatives and the people will not elect the perceived abusive governing party again.
How about political amnesty?
Several people say the Pheu Thai Party will issue an amnesty for former premier Thaksin. I have yet to see an official policy on this. Ms Yingluck says the country must enter a national reconciliation process, which Chartthaipattana and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin parties also advocate.
The reconciliation process needs all sides to participate. Eventually, it may come to issuing an amnesty law, which is not really the same thing as pardoning Thaksin.
If Thaksin is to get a pardon, he will be among many politicians who receive the same pardon. I don't think anyone will raise the issue of citing only one person to reconcile or pardon.
If an amnesty is to happen, it must benefit all the people. I also see Maj Gen Sanan [advisory chairman of Chartthaipattana] advocates national reconciliation. What will he do to achieve this? It may also come down to issuing a law, called an "amnesty" act or whatever.
Unfortunately, former premier Thaksin is a famous person who is the talk of the town. Whenever there is talk about an amnesty, people often think it is only for him, so the issue reverberates, becoming a hot political issue.
The Democrat party and some academics say it is shameful that Pheu Thai fights for only one person?
Is it true? If it is, it should be shameful. But has the party done anything to warrant the claim? So far, the party campaigns only on populist policies, but other parties resort to mud-slinging and negative campaigns.
Thaksin says he wants to come home, but some say prime ministers ousted by coups normally cannot do so?
It is normal to be homesick. When I was overseas for 4-5 days, I already wanted to come back home. Some say Thaksin should be able to come home. Some say he should not. A famous person must accept public opinion.
Do you think he can come home, seeing that an amnesty law must be issued first?
Everyone can come home if there is no problem. As for the amnesty, I have stated my opinion.
Eventually, will it come down to talking with other powers?
I don't know. It depends on who is the government, but I think our country has an established process. If former premier Thaksin is to come home, he must go through the process so that he can clear his name. If he cannot, then let it be. Everything must be done according to the judicial process. If a way is found, he can come home. If not, he cannot. And if he comes back and causes problems to the country, I don't think he will come back. He used to say, "Let Pheu Thai Party work for the people. Don't worry whether I can come home or not. It is not important. What is important is a Pheu Thai government can make people happy."
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