Pheu Thai Role For Newin?

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Pheu Thai Role For Newin?

BANGKOK: -- A key government figure yesterday refused to rule out the possibility of banned politicians linked to the opposition joining the ruling Pheu Thai Party once their five-year political ban ends on May 30.

"We are all fellow compatriots. Although we are dissatisfied with each other, there is some agreement. We may also be angry at each other, but friendship still remains," said Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, responding to the possibility of the banned politicians joining Pheu Thai. He also neither denied nor confirmed a rumour that banned veteran politician Newin Chidchob, who is now linked to the opposition Bhum Jai Thai Party, has been approached to join the ruling party.

"He is now with Bhum Jai Thai, but I don't know about his political future. Nobody can tell what will happen. Please don't make me speak. I don't think my prediction will be precise," Yongyuth said.

Yongyuth, also deputy prime minister and interior minister, said that so far none of the 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party had sent any signals about joining the ruling party on their political return.

Regarding the possibility of any of those politicians joining the Cabinet after their ban ends, Yongyuth said it would depend on their capability.

Thai Rak Thai, founded and led by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was dissolved for electoral fraud by an order of the post-coup Constitution Tribunal on May 30, 2007. Its 111 executive members at the time were banned from election for five years.

In related news, opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday welcomed the end of the ban on opposition members. He said they had the right to make a political return and offer themselves as choices for voters.

The Nation 2012-05-02