Abhisit is the real deal

Chuan Leekpai

Interview with Chuan Leekpai

Q : Why does Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva remain unpopular even though Thaksin Shinawatra is no longer on the scene?

Chuan : I don't want his [Abhisit's] popularity to increase dramatically. He is the real deal, and should be allowed to ripen on the tree, rather than be aged artificially. It's better if he is recognised for his real qualifications.

Abhisit's unpopularity doesn't surprise me because people have been given one-sided information for a long time.

They have been told that only Thaksin's government is good and that they should not vote for the Democrats because it is a party just for the South. But I think if we try to explain, people will understand and may change their minds. But it'll be difficult.

It is also a pity that the Council for National Security (CNS) did not grab the opportunity to correct the misinformation disseminated by the Thaksin government, especially the truth about the reasons for the coup.

Q : Does a call for Supachai Panichpakdi (Unctad secretarygeneral and former Democrat executive) mean that people are not quite confident with Abhisit's leadership?

Chuan : Once Supachai enters politics, people will stop calling upon him. People outside politics are always treated better, but when they come into politics the story is different. But I don't think Supachai will leave the Democrats.

Q : If the Democrats win the next election, but Abhisit cannot gather other parties to create a coalition government, is it possible that you will come to the rescue by accepting the post premier instead of Abhisit?

Chuan : It's impossible. I think Abhisit has the chance [to win]. We are likely to win more seats. However, it can't be helped if we win the largest number of seats in the House but can't form a government. Nothing is guaranteed.

Q : Are you confident that your party will win the largest number of House seats?

Chuan : I don't know. But I do know that we are getting more and more popular in many areas.

Q : What will you do with the Northeast where you are the least popular? Chuan : This is because we've been painted as a party for just Southern people. We've told people taking care of the region to circulate the correct information and change people's beliefs. Maybe we have neglected this issue for too long and have to work hard on fixing it.

Q : Are there any problems about your party's stance toward the military coup?

Chuan : No. People have tried to portray us as the blueeyed boys of the coup makers. But actually, we raised all the issues - which later became the reasons for the coup - in parliament long before the coup makers did.

Q : What would you say about the party's financial status?

Chuan : We've been getting a considerable amount of funding. Many companies who've donated to our party don't expect anything from us other than righteousness.