Quiet opening for new HQ
Most Thai Rak Thai executives were absent yesterday when acting party leader Chaturon Chaisang inaugurated the new party headquarters on Rama III Road.
In front of just 100 party members, Chaturon marked the relocation of his party at the auspicious time of 9.09am by paying respects to a Brahma statue, the guardian spirit of the party's building.Chaturon led the low-key ceremony as party bigwigs like Sudarat Keyuraphan, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Yaowapha Wongsawat and Prommin Lersuridej, were nowhere to be seen. "We are designating the new headquarters to fight the next general election," he said after unveiling the party's name atop the building. He said the relocation from New Phetchaburi Road was prompted by financial consideration after ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra had decided to quit the party leadership. He voiced optimism that he could build the party into a political institution - in spite of Thaksin's retirement. Under his leadership, the party has adopted the slogan "Reconciliation, Democracy and Economic Revitalisation" to guide it through the electoral campaign, he said. The party would strive for reconciliation even though it was a target for dismantling, he said, voicing confidence that his party would still retain its flag at the upcoming elections.
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