Suthep in about-turn, joins new political party

Admitting that he is breaking his promise to stay away from politics, former key leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thuagsuban has jumped back into the political arena as a key founder of the Ruampalang Prachachart Thai party which many believe is being set up to support Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power after the general elections.

Suthep insisted that he will not contest in the elections but “will serve public interest”.

Mr. Suthep showed up along with the other founding members at the first meeting of the Ruampalang Prachachart Thai party on Sunday. The other founding members include former Bank of Thailand governor M.R. Chatumongkol Sonakul, former member of the National Reform Council Prasarn Marukapitak, vice dean of the Social Innovations Faculty of Rangsit University Suriyasai Katasila and Anek Laothammatat, former chairman of the political reform committee.

Mr Suthep told party members that he had talked with a wide range of people about joining a “real party of the people” and found several of them never expecting that they would actually enter politics. He cited the case of M.R. Chatumongkol whom he described as “a loud-mouthed official who dislikes politicians.”

He said the former central bank governor approached him to ask whether there were people who seriously wanted to set up a political party with the goal of serving public interest because he didn’t think there would be this kind of people since the mass protests in 2014.

The former Democrat heavyweight said he was very politically cautious after he resigned as an MP in 2013 to launch the mass protests against the Yingluck government. At that time he vowed not to contest an election or to accept any political post.

“But when our brothers who share similar ideology wanted to set up a party which will truly serve public interest , I knew that I must join them although I also

knew that I am a weak point of the party that will be subject to criticism that I swallowed my own words,” he said, adding that, from now on, he will not be in the background “but will stand alongside with the people”.

At one point Suthep was seen fighting back tears as he recalled the sufferings of many people joining the mass protests which he led and were subject to violent attacks by unknown militants.

Once the ban on political activities is lifted by the junta, Suthep said he would embark on a nation-wide campaign for the party. Suthep said that on his campaign trail, he will be wearing the same pair of his trademark sneakers which he used during the protests against the Yingluck administration in 2014.

Suthep’s latest political stunt has drawn criticisms from his critics. Key members of Pheu Thai Party chastised him for going back on his words and having hidden political agenda from the start.