• 
• 

Published on November 22, 2007

 He has revived the political style that has kept him in the limelight for more than three decades: engaging in a heated war of words with the press while countering his political opponents with an eye to eye.

Some of the party's candidates are reported to have become concerned with Samak's swift change from staying cool under criticism to furiously responding to opponents' at-tacks. The party's public image, they believe, could be badly damaged while its popularity could fall sharply.

It also raises doubts about whether deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra was right in picking Samak as his "agent" to lead the PPP in the December 23 election - a major strategic step to pave the way for his "smooth return" to power.

The PPP candidates in constituencies of the Bangkok metropolitan area and other major cities are believed to have been affected the most from Samak's aggression.

As they have struggled to revive popularity among middle-class voters that was ruined by the anti-Thaksin movement and the coup of September 19, 2006, the PPP's negative public image will benefit their fierce rival, the Democrat Party.

As a recent survey by Ramkhamhaeng University showed, the Democrat Party is more popular among Bangkok voters than the PPP just one month before the general election with 48 per cent to 20.

A key PPP key member, who refused to be named, said the party had changed its campaign strategy since Samak adopted a "furious" mode. It has now assigned key party members to join public forums or debates.

The party wanted voters to focus on its policy platform and strategies to restore democracy rather than on Samak's negative image, the PPP member said, adding it should be an effective means to fix Samak's flaws.

When Samak became the PPP leader in late August, however, it should be noted that he was not picked as a candidate for prime minister because Thaksin had other choices in mind. They included members of his inner circle, his brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat and close aide Surapong Suebwonglee.

Thaksin only wanted to stop the efflux of former Thai Rak Thai (TRT) MPs to other parties. As the coup leaders were reported to have offered "a deal" in exchange for their departure from Thaksin's power base, the deposed premier believed Samak, as an old friend, and a veteran, charismatic politician would enable to halt the "mass migration". And he did.

Samak is an easygoing person, who is open for talks among the party members. He does not have a record of stabbing people in the back as other politicians do. What he says is what's in his mind - and that has rapidly won him the hearts of the PPP members.

Samak's entrance has also benefited Thaksin and his PPP in that allegations about Thaksin's attempt to challenge the monarchy have been ruled out.

Samak is known as a staunch royalist who has protected the monarchy since the heyday of Communism in the 1960s-80s, particularly the bloody tragedy of October 6, 1976.

He has not only shown he is worth Thaksin's trust in him but has also become a new strongman for Thaksin's supporters to follow while regaining the political momentum for the ex-PM's power base to challenge its opponents.

Although the PPP is expected to win the poll, it has played down the key issue of post-election politics: will Samak lead the next government?

As the rise of Samak could revive a new round of anti-Thaksin campaigns, the PPP will deal with the issue only when the election results come out.

The PPP candidates are mainly campaigning on a plan to amend the law to give amnesty to 111 executives of the disbanded TRT, who are banned from assuming political posts for five years, while asserting the renewal of TRT's populist schemes.

Thailand's political landscape is currently split into three camps - Thaksin supporters, his opponents and non-aligned voters.

As a result, Samak's aggressive image has apparently had little impact on the PPP's strongholds, which mostly cover the suburbs and rural areas of northern, north-eastern and central provinces.

The constituencies are known to be controlled by canvassers, whose influence dominates the electorates' decision to cast ballots.

In fact, Thaksin's supporters and PPP candidates are reportedly pleased to see their new strongman attacking their opponents - including the coup leaders, the Democrats and the press - as they believe this alliance had forced Thaksin into a corner before being ousted by the coup.

Political Desk

 The Nation