ppp At odds with itself on charter amendments

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

While key PPP members have different ideas on what the constitutional amendment should be, the plan was attacked for being an attempt to benefit the

PPP itself, while it might have to face another party dissolution, which was the fate of Thai Rak Thai and from where many of its MPs came from.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej used his weekly programme to tell people it was not true, but he failed to make any changes to solve the problems related to the issue. Arguments outside the radio programme continued.

While Samak said the charter amendment was an issue for Parliament, not interest groups outside, the PPP would need support from the coalition parties.

However, they have not shown any support. They opposed the plan to change

Article 309 of the 2007 Constitution, which supported the charges the PPP was making for its own sake.

The vagueness shown by coalition parties demonstrated that Samak could not draw support and acceptance from the coalition partners.

Some of the parties' leaders even called on the government to stop the political infighting and turn the efforts to solving the country's economic problems.

Outside Parliament, the PPP has also had other battles to fight.

Besides Samak, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung regularly counterattacks the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair - who was former leader of the anti-Surayud Chulanont government group - has also been criticised over many issues. They included one of the most sensitive in Thailand: les majeste and his attack against Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. He was recently questioned over irregularities in revamping state media NBT, formerly Channel 11, of which he is in charge.

Coincidence or not, an attack was over a Thai flag with the name of former Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra's name on it, which was flown at the venue of a football match of his Manchester City Football Club.

Although Jakrapob and his Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship relinquished its role when the group's leaders joined Samak's govermment, PPP member Pracha Prasopdee stepped in to form another group, Maha Prachachon to attack the PAD. A rally held by the PAD to criticise the government over the charter issue last Friday ended with a clash between anti-government and pro-government groups, which held counter-rallies across the street. Pracha said his group was not involved.

Samak said he tried to convince Pracha, who refused to listen to the party leader, to stop quarrelling with the PAD.

Samak himself has on a number of occasions acted in a way that added the oil to the fire. He harshly criticised the media

recently and poll institutions after

they ran reports against the

constitution amendment campaign.

Chalerm said the group should have established a political party to compete in the political arena. He later reportedly said he hated the PAD leadership and did not want to reconcile with the group leaders.

"Some people feel annoyed with those causing chaos in the country. They told me they wanted to attack the PAD and what should they do? I told them not to come to Bangkok, in order to prevent any confrontation. I have not yet worked out what they should do. I also want some people to attack the PAD so that they realise that five people do not own the country," he said.

It is normal for a government to face protesters and problems. But it is the government's duty to solve the problems and restore peace and wellbeing to people.

It is up to Samak and his government, whether to continue the way they have been going, or to change their stance.It is time to prove their will and ability to solve the knots they have tightened.