Allow new parties to register: Chat Thai
Chat Thai Party has opposed the government's idea to hold the next election on November 25 - instead of late December - saying it would be unfair for any new political groups.
Chat Thai Party deputy Somsak Prissanananthakul said after an urgent meeting called by party leader Banharn Silapa-archa yesterday his party had concerns about the earlier election date. "It's worrying if the government only wants to hold the election as early as possible without readiness," Somsak said. At present, he said, there were only three political parties eligible to contest the next poll, because a law to allow new parties to register had yet to be passed by the parliament. "We want to see more choices for voters," he said. Another Chat Thai deputy Nikorn Chamnong said the earlier date may be regarded as unfair for any new parties and could lead to more political chaos. Somsak said the most important thing was the country was going to celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday on December 5. "If the election is held on November 25, who would take the responsibility for the celebration? There would be a [political] vacuum," he said, adding that the perfect date would be the original choice - December 16. Prasong Soonsiri, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, warned the government to carefully consider things before bringing the poll date forward. "Some old problems [factors lead to the coup] have yet to be cleaned up. If the government is in a hurry and hasn't cleaned up the old problems, old politicians, there will be networks of the old regime who will be back to Thai politics," he said. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party and the Thai Rak Thai Group welcomed the new date but they urged the government to allow new parties to register as soon as possible. A member of Thai Rak Thai Group, Kuthep Saikrachang said the new date may benefit only particular parties, seen as allies of the junta - if new groups could not form new parties in time to run in the election. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party was ready to campaign. He denied the new election date would benefit his party as some have said, because no-one knew how the organic laws - or new constitution - would turn out.
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