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Published on September 20, 2007

From the perspective of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, Chaturon Chaisang said the coup had caused the country to plunge into deeper trouble than the leadership crisis that triggered the military intervention.

"The situation has not improved but is mired by new problems and democratic rule has regressed from the pre-coup level," he said.

The interim government had no achievements to its credit and the junta had completely failed to bring about political reforms as promised, he said.

As the junta appeared bent on weakening political parties, particularly those linked to ousted politicians and banned party executives, the general election would probably be plagued by cheating. Based on new political rules, it could be projected that the next coalition government would be weak and ineffective, said Chaturon.

He called on the junta to stop meddling in politics in order to allow the political process to get back on course.

Chaturon also urged that following the election, politicians of all stripes should push for a charter rewrite designed to weed out undemocratic provisions imposed by the junta.

In regards to the fate of banned party executives, Chaturon said the People Power Party might push for amnesty, although it would not elevate the issue to a campaign platform.

He said he and other banned executives would not get involved directly with the issue, but stay on the sidelines for elected lawmakers to form a decision.

"In my opinion, I will accept the amnesty if lawmakers write out provisions to cancel injustice relating to the ban from the electoral process," he said, ruling out the legislation designed to pardon the guilty conviction.

Reflecting the view of the former opposition alliance, Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said on a scale of one to 10, the junta received a mark of seven.

"The government may appear slow but it has not been tainted by corruption," he said, although adding that many ministers should have acted decisively instead of working like bureaucrats.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the junta and its interim government had passed the performance test with flying colours.

"The people have now realised the damage inflicted by the Thaksin Shinawatra regime and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has scored a full 100 marks in his performance as an honest leader."

The Nation