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Published on September 11, 2007

Under normal circumstances a strong leader often plays a vital role in giving birth to a mass movement. But in these trying times, Thailand is about to see a party emerge still in the making.

This morning, former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai is scheduled to reveal details about an emerging party destined to offer a "third option" to pull the country out of vengeful politics fuelled by pro- and anti-Thaksin camps.

The party, which may have a new name or opt to utilise the shell of the Pracharaj Party, is slated to be a new home for several splinter groups from the disbanded Thai Rak Thai.

A sizeable number of ousted politicians have regrouped and want to move on without the legacy of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as part of their excess baggage.

Rallying behind Surakiart are Snoh Thienthong of Pracharaj, Somsak Thepsuthin of Matchima Group, Suranand Vejjajiva of Bangkok 50 and three veteran politicians - Pinij Charusombat, Suwit Khunkitti and Preecha Laohapongchana, from Saman Chan Group.

The Ruam Jai Thai clique, under former economic tsar Somkid Jatusripitak and power broker Pradit Pataraprasit, is closely monitoring the party's emergence before deciding whether to tag along.

Saman Chan leader Suwat Liptapanlop has also preferred to wait a month or two for the dust to settle before deciding on whether to join the alliance.

Somkid and Surakiart have been trying to outwit one another as the flag bearer for the new entity although the two suffer the same shortcoming - a five-year ban from the electoral process.

The two are destined to reconcile their differences if they are to survive to launch and re-enter politics once the ban has expired.

According to political observers, negotiations between the splinter groups have been practically settled for about a week. Somsak said he saw a 97 per cent chance for the emerging party.

The amalgamation of Pracharaj, Ruam Jai Thai, Matchima, Saman Chan, Bangkok 50 and other small groups appears to no longer be mere speculation but a tangible idea about to happen.

The new party has all the infrastructure needed to contest the general election. Its only drawback is it lacks a leader. The party's faction heads are powerful but banned from the electoral process.

The problem is compounded by the fact faction heads want a genuine leader who aspires to be prime minister. The party has the full potential to be part of a next coalition government. Based on loyal constituencies and a credible leadership, the party hopes to emerge as a coalition leader, and pry the premiership from Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej.

The splinter groups realise their potential even though they have yet to install a leader.

All key factions are lobbying for Supachai Panitchpakdi, director general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to quit his job in Geneva and return home to lead the new party.

Supachai is well qualified to become the next prime minister but the question is whether he would leave a comfortable job to lead the country out of its rough patch.

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has shown his willingness to accept the party leadership although Snoh reacted cautiously to this on grounds of Chavalit's grand ideas with few tangible results.

Before taking off, the new party must resolve its leadership dilemma. It has yet to find a capable leader willing to serve. Otherwise it may be stuck with either a dream leader with no ambition or a willing but incapable individual.

Avudh Panananda

 The Nation