Coalition conditions rile Samak

Puea Pandin, Chart Thai backtrack a little

SURASAK GLAHAN

People Power party (PPP) executives yesterday angrily rejected the five conditions to forming a coalition government set by the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties, saying the conditions were an insult to them.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej said yesterday the move by Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa to team up with the Puea Pandin party and issue conditions before forming a coalition government with the PPP showed contempt against him and his party.

Chart Thai and Puea Pandin executives on Thursday night made public five conditions for joining a PPP-led coalition.

The conditions are: the PPP must have reverence for the monarchy, not offend Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, not take revenge against political opponents, not interfere in the judicial process against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and not dissolve the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC).

Mr Samak and the PPP executives regarded these conditions as messages directed at them, and what upset Mr Samak the most was the first condition regarding reverence for the monarchy.

''I want to tell Mr Banharn that him expressing such an opinion was tantamount to insulting me,'' Mr Samak said.

The Chart Thai leader was not entitled to lecture him on the issue since his family had shown their reverence to the monarchy for generations, he said while showing reporters a framed picture of himself wearing royal decorations.

Mr Samak also said neither he himself or any PPP executives had said they would take revenge against any political rivals, especially the military top brass.

''I don't know what is happening. I had expressed my admiration towards the army chief [Gen Anupong Paojinda] since his first days in office,'' he said, referring to a statement by Gen Anupong that the military would not stage a coup even if the PPP was in government.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee said the party's stance is that the monarchy and privy councillors are above politics. The party is determined to protect the monarchy and respect all privy councillors, including Gen Prem, Mr Surapong said.

The PPP's position on the judicial process against Mr Thaksin is that the former PM should not be above the law and any individual or political parties should not intervene in the process, he said. All corruption cases handled by the ASC should be carried forward to the National Counter Corruption Commission once the ASC is terminated.

''The party will not use its stance on the five issues as conditions for negotiating a coalition,'' he said.

Mr Surapong insisted the PPP would announce the formation of a new government on Jan 4 despite having only 254 House seats in a coalition secured with Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Matchimathipataya and Pracharaj.

Mr Surapong admitted the process of dealing with Chart Thai and Puea Pandin was still at an early stage.

The Chart Thai leader was yesterday admitted to Ramathibodi hospital, reportedly due to stress and high blood pressure.

However, Chart Thai executives yesterday toned down the demands, saying they were just guidelines and not a precondition for joining a coalition.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva applauded the five conditions but said the most important thing is that they be put into practice if the PPP accepts them.

Mr Abhisit said he would not be disappointed if his party could not form a government.

''They [Chart Thai and Puea Pandin] don't need to be worried about their earlier alliance with the Democrats. But please do the best for the country.

''The Democrats are ready to work as the only opposition party,'' Mr Abhisit said.

Meanwhile, Mr Thaksin yesterday issued a statement to affirm his loyalty to the monarchy, swearing an oath that if his words were not true he and his family would have an unfortunate future.

In his statement, Mr Thaksin defended himself against allegations that he had been involved in the production and distribution of leaflets and newspapers with lese majeste content.

Mr Thaksin affirmed his loyalty to the monarchy, and insisted he had never thought of taking any action nor supporting any action deemed disloyal to the monarchy.

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