PM's planned visit to Buri Ram upsets Suthas
- Published: 3/07/2009 at 03:41 PM
- Online news: Politics
The Democrat Party has never even thought about conceding the Northeast region to Bhumjaithai in the next general election, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday.
The Democrat leader was responding to a warning by deputy party leader Suthas Ngernmuen that he would resign from the party if the prime minister hands over the Northeast electorates to Bhumjaithai, as some reports have suggested. Mr Suthas usually supervises the Democrat election campaign in the region.
Mr Abhisit said it was a misunderstanding on the part of Mr Suthas.
"Who would do that? In fact, he should be able to differentiate between the work of government and the party's affairs.
"The Democrat Party will never concede any area to another party," he said.
The prime minister tried to make it clear that his plan to visit Buri Ram province in the Northeast was aimed at getting to know the people and getting their support.
Many people said the Democrats would never win the hearts of the northeastern people but his party still had high hopes of winning more House seats in the region. It would not be easy, he said.
He would not comment directly on speculation there would soon be a general election.
Mr Abhisit said it was normal for political parties to look well in advance for likely candidates to field in various constituencies. But he admitted the Democrat Party was too slow in picking candiates for some constituencies in the last elections.
Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and party adviser Banyat Bantadtan on Thursday called a meeting of party members to discuss the selection of candidates for a general election.
Buri Ram governor Mongkol Surasajja said on Friday that everything was ready for the prime minister's visit to the northeastern province, including security measures.
Mr Mongkol said he had coordinated with the military and police to ensure the prime minister's.
The governor admitted that red-shirt people were active at a low level in his province, but sai dhe did not expect any violence.
Interior Minister Chavarat Charnveerakul and the leader of Friends of Newin, Newin Chidchob, had not given any special instructions for the prime minister’s visit, he said.
Buri Ram is the political stronghold of Mr Newin. Observers said Mr Abhisit’s visit to the region, and particularly Buri Ram, is meant to show support for Mr Newin, strengthen th coalition government's unity and woo voters.
Mr Suthas said he disagreed with Mr Abhisit's choice of Buri Ram as the first stop of his tour to the Northeast.
The veteran politician said Mr Abhisit could go to any province in the region, and he did not need any one person’s special influence.
The premier had never sought advice on the trip from him or other northern MPs of the Democrat Party, he said.
About the author
- Writer: Bangkok Post.com
