ACT Party founder expects PDRC voters' support

ACT Party founder expects PDRC voters' support

Anek Laothamatas speaks during the launch of Ruamphalang Prachachartthai Party, or the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT), on June 3, 2018. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
Anek Laothamatas speaks during the launch of Ruamphalang Prachachartthai Party, or the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT), on June 3, 2018. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

Academic-turned-politician Anek Laothamatas has made it no secret that the party he founded, the Ruamphalang Prachachartthai Party, or the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT), plans to gain political support from voters of the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

The ACT debuted early this month with former PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban deciding to join the camp, explaining the party would be a "people's party" in which the public are the real decision-makers who can choose the party's executive and set the policies.

The PDRC played a major role in street protests against the Pheu Thai Party-led government that resulted in its downfall in the May 22, 2014 military coup staged by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Mr Anek, who is being touted as a candidate to lead the ACT, told the Bangkok Post his party would possibly gain more party-list MPs than constituency MPs in the general election, expected in February next year.

He said he is hopeful that the 3.5 million people who support the PDRC would vote for the ACT.

Based on the election's mixed member apportionment system (MMA) used in the poll, political observers said about 70,000 votes would account for one MP for a party. By this figure, with the support of 3.5 million votes, the ACT could potentially gain 50 seats out of the total number of 500 MPs.

Mr Anek said if his party succeeds in running the country, he would invite opposition parties to participate in the administration's activities as much as possible. This would be in line with his ideal of a "grand coalition", which would mark a breakaway from the old political order.

The concept would help stop opposition parties from trying to purge the government in vain or standing only as the government's foe, he said, adding this way would help prevent street demonstrations followed by a coup as has long been the case.

The former dean of the Faculty of Political Science at Thammasat University said the party's stance on dissolving political polarisation and supporting amnesty for political offenders has come through discussions among the party's founders, including Mr Suthep.

Mr Anek said Mr Suthep had told him that he would serve as a thinker or coach for the party and would phase out his involvement once the camp gets strong.

"I have talked to Mr Suthep several times," said Mr Anek. "He may no longer want to hold any political positions. He wants to live a calm and peaceful life. The formation of this party is likely to be the very last big mission of his life. He has been thinking about this kind of party since partaking in the demonstrations."

Asked whether Mr Suthep would one day return to the street for political demonstrations again, Mr Anek said he did not think so, adding that now is an appropriate time for the country to be in peace.

"I think it has now come to the stage where we have to set up a party by ourselves. Whatever we have criticised others for, we will not do. We will do what we have earlier demanded," said Mr Anek.

He stressed the ACT would not become another political polar, instead striving to work with other parties. However, he appealed to the people to not quickly conclude that the party is being geared towards the "National Government".

"I want all political parties to relax their stance," said Mr Anek. "Do not bring the past to direct today and the future."

According to Mr Anek, Mr Suthep also concurred with the idea of using the former PDRC leader as he would not counter-strike or lash out at others as he wants to see change in politics.

Mr Anek expressed no concerns about reports that some parties are vigorously drawing former politicians into their fold, saying his party would try to find new faces in politics to stand in the poll. Efforts will be made to gear the party towards reform.

The ACT makes it clear that the party's leader and secretary-general must change every two years, he said. A disciplinary and ethics committee will be formed to vet the party's executives, MPs and cabinet members.

According to Mr Anek, the ACT will also form a political school, which founders and members are required to attend. Those who become the cabinet members or MPs must also pass the school's tests, said Mr Anek, who said he would direct the school.

The party would raise seed funds of 25 million baht from 500 founders required to contribute 50,000 bath each, while ordinary members would be required to pay 365 baht per year.

The ACT would develop a mobile application where members can share views in the party's decision-making process, Mr Anek added.

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