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Published on November 21, 2007

Confronted publicly for the first time in this election campaign with questions about his controversial rightist past, People Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday defended his rise to political prominence in the wake of the October 1976 Thammasat bloodbath by saying "principles can change".

Having attacked key political opponents for their open or tacit support for last year's bloodless coup, Samak adamantly suggested the violent upheaval in 1976, when student activists were framed, discredited and some were massacred, was something not unacceptable.

There were some heated moments between Samak and TV host Thepchai Yong, who posed the questions about the obvious contradiction of the PPP leader's political career.

Samak insisted during the televised interview on "Siam This Morning", broadcast on Channel 5, that he was not a hypocrite for accepting the post as PPP leader on an anti-coup principle when he himself had taken up a post under a military-installed government three decades ago.

"Principles can change with the situation," Samak told Thepchai, who is the Nation Group editor.

Samak was appointed the Interior minister in the government of Tanin Kraivixien, a right-wing administration that came about in the aftermath of the October 6, 1976, bloody crackdown on students at the Thammasat University. The crackdown was followed by a coup staged by the late Admiral Sa-ngad Chaloryoo.

Samak said his decision to take up the Interior post was to "rescue the country".

"That was then, this is now. People have a right to change their view over time," said Samak, defending his current anti-coup stance. He was visibly uncomfortable with the questions and at times shot back at Thepchai, suggesting that his stature as a reporter had also changed with time.

"Yes," said Thepchai. "But my principles have remained the same."

The irony of Samak's past and present roles, however, are unlikely to affect the PPP's popularity upcountry. After all, he has passed the biggest test - winning acceptance from some former "October activists" who are now core members of the PPP.

Thailand's political crisis has blurred the line between the country's right and left. Samak's key election rival, the Demo-crats, have also faced the tough question of why their party with a proclaimed history of always fighting dictatorships turned a blind eye on last year's coup.

In his defence, Samak also referred to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who took a break from being privy councillor.

"In principle, a privy councillor should not be involved in politics. Why did Surayud become the PM?" he challenged.

The interview between Samak and Thepchai followed another heated incident earlier this month, when Samak angrily responded to a question from a group of reporters.

He erupted after being asked whether Newin Chidchob and Sudarat Keyuraphan, two top members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, had helped him in compiling the PPP's party-list candidates, a possible violation of the electoral ban.

Using Pali, the sacred language of Buddhism, to bite back at the question that struck a nerve, Samak asked if one of the Siam Rath reporters had had sinful sex the night before.

Other reporters joined the fray, pressing Samak harder on the issue in an apparent attempt to help out a fellow journalist who was caught off guard.

"I have no duty to answer this question. Who told you to ask me? I will not answer," Samak said.

The veteran politician commented afterwards that he felt the moderator was not carrying out his job in a straightforward manner.

"They invited me to talk about the party's policies so I intended to talk about my party's policies. But when I was on the show, I was not asked about the policies but something else. Is it strange?'' Samak said.

He said a new anti-Thaksin Shinawatra group was taking shape to comprise media people from FM98 radio, Post Today and lecturers from King Prajadhipok Institute and the National Institute of Development Administration.

Samak said the group, during a show on Channel 11, made the prediction that political chaos would hit the country after the general election if the People Power Party wins the most seats and he becomes the next PM.

Meanwhile, former Chai Nat MP, Prasit Donphongam filed a complaint with police yesterday, accusing Samak of lese majeste for condemning the 2007 Constitution, which was endorsed by His Majesty the King.

The Nation