|
|
 |
|
Are you confident that Chart Thai will again win that House seat in Narathiwat province?
Yes. Our former MP, Kuheng Yawahasan, has worked very hard to develop the quality of life of his constituents over the years. Mr Kuheng was also the one who pushed for the establishment of a hospital in Yi-ngo district, which was the only district in Narathiwat not to have a district hospital at that time.
Moreover, our party leader Banharn Silpa-archa and other executives have visited the people there often.
We think this kind of development is a symbol of our party. That's the reason we are confident that Narathiwat people will vote for our candidates in next month's election.
Apart from establishing the hospital, what else did your party do to help develop the deep South and its people?
While I was a deputy transport minister I was the one who pushed for the construction of bus stations in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Satun. And I think that a lot of people in these provinces remember that. We can say that our party has worked closely with people in the deep South for a very long time. We are not a new political party that has never done anything helpful for southern people before.
How many Chart Thai candidates do you expect to win a seat in the deep South?
We expect to win at least two seats, Mr Kuheng and his elder brother, Mr Watchara, who is running in Narathiwat's constituency 1.
Mr Watchara is very close to local residents, especially youth groups, because he is chairman of the Narathiwat Football Association. He is behind the team's success in reaching the final in the national provincial league this year.
Considering his outstanding role in the constituency and the fact there will be one additional seat available this time in Narathiwat, four versus three at the last election, our party is confident we can win the seats.
Has your party discussed efforts to bring peace and unity to the South?
Yes. Our party is very concerned about the southern problem and has proposed four measures to help deal with it. These are:
- Establishment of a one-stop government office, headed by a deputy prime minister, to help develop and administer the southern border provinces.
- Establishment of an emergency appeal centre to receive complaints from people unfairly treated by the authorities. The complaints will bypass local authorities and be forwarded to the Office of the Prime Minister.
- Implementation of a policy to export labour to member countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to help reduce unemployment among Muslim people in the deep South.
- Integration of education, religious and cultural policies to help deal with the southern problem.
What are your opinions of rival candidates from other parties running in the race in the deep South ?
I don't want to comment on other candidates, I can only say that the political strongholds of existing parties there are very firm. Therefore, those who want to win seats there must work very hard. It isn't easy.
As for the proportional representation system, how many seats in the southern zone does your party expect to win?
We don't know, but we expect to get many votes underthe proportional system. Politics is uncertain.
I know this well because I have been a southern politician for 21 years.
|
||||
