Attack on PM is part of power game

On Monday, the PPP MPs circulated an open letter demanding to know why the police were distributing arrest warrants for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Pojaman. The letter said Samak should explain why the police had been encouraged to treat Thaksin and Pojaman like ordinary criminals.

"We acknowledge concerns of the 'big boss' and have to do something. More import-antly, we want to show every-one that we are still together and not moving over to Newin [Chidchob] or the 'Gang of Four'," a PPP source said.

"Us joining together is like a 'lesson' to them. They are ungrateful. They always depend on funding from the boss and his reputation, but when the boss gets into trou-ble they treat him this way," the source said.

Although the party is split into many groups, they still have the same base - the IFCT building, which belongs to Pojaman.

However, the building is a hive of activity at present.

For instance, the fourth floor is occupied by MPs closely connected to the 'big boss' who are gathering MP signatures and preparing to found the new party, Puea Thai.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Newin, on the seventh floor, are holding regular meetings to show their support.

"This [the signature gath-ering] is just the first step in testing the power between us and them [Gang of Four]. There will be more to come. The 'big boss' won't let it end easily," another PPP source said.

There's another 20 years in Banharn

On his 76th birthday yes-terday, Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa vowed to live for another 20 years, adding that he would continue leading the party because could not find a suc-cessor.

He also used the occasion to plead with the Constitution Court not dissolve his party. He said Chart Thai was treated unfairly, because the Election Commission took only one week to issue his party a red card, while it took about two or three months for other parties, he said.

"I will remember this until I die and will continue to fight even though I have nothing left. I don't care about any-thing. I have given all my assets to my children. Now health is the most important thing. I will live until I am 96," he declared.

Piyanart@nationgroup.com