Suthep hits market in membership drive

Suthep hits market in membership drive

Suthep: Warned against rallying
Suthep: Warned against rallying

The co-founder of Action Coalition for Thailand Party (ACT), Suthep Thaugsuban, will head out to meet Bangkokians at a market in Bung Kum district in a bid to recruit more party members.

The former protest leader will lead his entourage to Patthawikon market at 12.30pm and spend about three hours greeting city residents.

Mr Suthep will be there, "receiving the applications," ACT member Phetchomphu Kitburana said, adding the party has already opened online applications on its website and social media channels.

She shrugged off a possibility his meet-and-greet will upset the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which still has a partial ban on political activities.

The Election Commission (EC) has not clearly announced what parties can or cannot do, she said.

Ms Phetchomphu said she understand the membership issue is excluded from the prohibitions, following the military regime's move to ease its ban on Sept 14 and order the EC to redraw constituencies.

The regime had warned Mr Suthep against meeting his supporters because it was not the right time.

The military will decide whether Mr Suthep's appearance violates its order, but "if it says nothing, that means he can do it," ACT registrar Chomdet Tri­mek said.

ACT sets a target to have at least 100 members in each province so it can field election candidates in all constituencies.

"In one month," Pol Capt Chomdet said, "we want to register up to 7,700 members."

The election watchdog last Friday allowed political parties to start managing money issues involving annual membership fees, which is set at a minimum of 100 baht a person.

However, party members can pay a minimum of 50 baht in the first three years after their entry.

The ACT wants people to sacrifice one baht a day because the party plans to receive funds from members, not businessmen who are often blamed for influencing parties' affairs.

"People will be the real owner of ACT because the money comes from them," Pol Capt Chomdet said.

As parties gear up for the election, the latest public opinion survey showed that people are still worried about vote-buying, fraud, government interference and the fear of political chaos.

About 41% said they were afraid the election would be plagued by unfair competition, vote-buying, fraud and favouritism on the part of government officials, according to Suan Dusit Poll, an opinion poll prepared by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.

About 33.79% admitted they feared the country returning to political chaos.

Concerns about rumours and fabrications in political campaigning were raised by 16% of respondents.

Meanwhile, 14% were concerned that incidents in the run-up to the election might lead to its further delay.

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