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Published on November 24, 2007

Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa yesterday backed off from having to stick with the Democrats, saying that his party was ready to play the field.

"After the general election, we all have to talk on who can form the government, that's all. This is politics," he said.

Chart Thai is an ally of every party, and the Democrat Party is just a former opposition coalition partner, he said.

"The Chart Thai-Democrat alliance existed when the two parties were in opposition," he said, adding that his party was willing to negotiate with any party after the election outcome became known.

Chart Thai has had no obligation to that party since the royal degree to hold the general election was published, he said.

No deal has been struck to form a government with the People's Power or Matchima Thipataya parties either, he said.

"I had my deputy deny this report earlier. We have no commitment to any camp. We're as free as a bachelor; we're not married," he said.

The party is not going to get engaged to anyone until the next election, and it may see which parties get the most seats, he said.

"Political ideology is also important. If they say they uphold the monarchy but think otherwise we can't pair up with them," he said.

While campaigning in the northeastern province of Kalasin, he was asked if he vowed to uphold the three institutions plus Privy Council chief Prem Tinsulanonda. Banharn said yes.

When asked about his insistence that he would not hurt a man whom he had respected for over 30 years, he paused for a moment and said he could not remember saying that.

Leaflets attacking the Chart Thai were circulating in Kalasin, where the party expects to win four of the six MP seats.

The leaflets said "Chart Thai Party supports the Democrats (southerner's sweetheart) to destroy Isaan".

Meanwhile, People's Power Party deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat yesterday rejected speculation his party was in an alliance with Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya to form a government following the election.

Yongyuth dismissed a scenario in which People's Power might support Banharn as the next prime minister to avoid creating political tension if its controversial leader Samak Sundaravej were to take the job.

"People's Power has garnered many sympathy votes because it is the victim of a smear campaign," he said.

He conceded that the rumour-mongers might be party insiders making irresponsible comments to please the news media.

"When I can get to my party office I will tell any rumour-mongers to stop this kind of speculation," he said.

He said the party would not do anything that could be construed as fuelling turmoil. His comments came while on the campaign trail in Bang Kapi.

The Nation