Dem brass seek to quell rift talk

Abhisit calls for reform process to stay internal

Democrat heavyweights moved Thursday to quell rumours about an internal rift involving party reforms in anticipation of a snap election.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared at a press conference with party executives, including his deputy Alongkorn Ponlaboot, whose tweets on Monday triggered speculation about internal conflicts.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told the media that there is agreement to revamp the party as a whole. Deputy leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot suffered a setback when the Democrats refused to accept his plans for reform.

The press conference was initially set for Tuesday, but was postponed after Mr Alongkorn failed to show up.

The party called reporters together to announce its course of action after its executive board debated Mr Alongkorn's blueprint for reforms on Monday.

Mr Abhisit told reporters yesterday the party's board had agreed on the need to revamp the party as a whole.

The proposed reforms are not designed to benefit the party, but rather to turn the party into an effective mechanism to drive the country forward, he said.

Mr Abhisit said the reforms would position the Democrats to serve as a strong opposition or as the core of a future government, whatever the political situation and regardless of the current conflicts.

"The reform process will not affect the party's responsibilities as the opposition to monitor the government's performance and to present itself as the people's choice in the future," he said.

He said Mr Alongkorn's blueprint was not adopted as the basis for the party reforms and the party would be open to further suggestions.

"Mr Alongkorn believes his proposals should be a starting point [for the reforms], but the board agrees that it will remain open to suggestions. Mr Alongkorn's blueprint is not final," he said. "And while the working group gets to work, I want all parties concerned to avoid creating confusion.

Mr Abhisit said a working group would be assigned to develop the elements of the reforms, particularly over the structure of the executive board.

The group would compile opinions drawn from all the party's resources, complete its work in 30 days and forward its suggestions for changes to the party board.

The board would then consider the proposals and submit them to a meeting of MPs and the general assembly, if necessary.

The entire process is expected to take three months, Mr Abhisit said.

The reform process is an internal affair to strengthen the party's mechanisms, and should not be seen as an internal conflict, he said.

Mr Alongkorn yesterday thanked Mr Abhisit and the party board for their decision to go ahead with the party reforms.

He defended his tweets, saying he was forced to use social media because a certain party member made comments to the press that distorted his blueprint.

Mr Alongkorn said the party member claimed in the interview that Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai disagreed with his blueprint because it favoured populism.

He insisted his blueprint did not call for the party to adopt populist policies.

Mr Alongkorn's proposals called for the establishment of new political units including a research office and an office to develop strategic policy for national development.

"We don't have these units and that's why we couldn't fight our opponents in the election," he said.

The blueprint also calls for structural changes to the party's regional offices, with more branches to be set up in the provinces.

He said he would submit the blueprint to Mr Chuan and to the meeting of MPs on Monday.

The blueprint remains open to changes, he said.

However, he said that from now on he would discuss the reforms in public only when necessary.

He acknowledged that his tweets could have suggested that he wanted the party to use his blueprint.

Mr Chuan yesterday downplayed reports he was in conflict with Mr Alongkorn.

However, he admitted that he told Mr Alongkorn not to discuss certain issues in public because it could frustrate other members.

Mr Chuan said he was not aware of the details of Mr Alongkorn's blueprint.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/350422/democrats-seek-to-heal-differences

Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/05/19/dem-brass-seek-to-quell-rift-talk/