Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected a claim that he had something to gain from his efforts to find a solution to the protracted political crisis.
At the Bangkok Post conference room last week, Mr Abhisit faced a barrage of questions about his plan from reporters and editors. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The Democrat leader, better known to many as Mark, found himself on Sunday under a harsh spotlight after kicking off a campaign last week to break the political stalemate by proposing elections as an integral part of the reform process.
Admitting he received all kinds of reactions ranging from criticism to ridicule, he denies he has made a secret deal or acted for personal gain.
“I accept all differing views. I understand and sympathise with those who devote themselves to protecting the country. But a claim that I have made a secret deal and have something to gain from this is entirely not true,” Mr Abhist wrote on his Facebook page.
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He said he would continue with his efforts and would share his proposal Monday with the supreme commander and on Tuesday with the Election Commission.
“I will have a chance to discuss with them about the conditions which will make an election proceed smoothly amid a political conflict. I can’t stay still or make demands without engaging myself,” he said.
“Let me be clear. I’m not neutral, not a middleman, and not above conflict. I’m trying to break the stalemate through reforms carried out constitutionally with elections an integral part of the process.”
Mr Abhisit said he had been criticised by the group which want reform before an election.
“I just realised the reality that reform before election faces several legal restrictions. My stance is also clear that with an election before reform the crisis will resume,” he said.
The barrage of criticism and allegations of a “secret deal” came largely from those affiliated with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Speaking in a television programme on ASTV, PAD core member Vice Adm Pratheep Chuenarom said Mr Abhisit made an “Oxford deal” before launching his initiative.
He suggested that a Democrat member and key government figure had met in England to make the deal.
He gave descriptions suggesting the pair were Democrat member Korn Chatikavanij and Khunying Potjaman na Pombetjra, ex-wife of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Phaisal Phuetmongkhol, former member of now-defunct National Legislative Assembly, also said on ASTV that under the deal, Mr Abhisit would become prime minister for one year before a new election is called.
Appointed senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said he had yet to see Mr Abhisit’s reform model, but suggested it was likely to be similar to Pheu Thai adviser Noppadon Pattama’s proposal.
Mr Noppadon’s “five keys” proposal calls for an early election to establish a government that would implement political reforms before a new election is called.
The senator also said there was speculation Mr Abhisit was acting upon a signal to avoid a coup or “unconstitutional methods”.
Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of Green Politics and core People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) member, suggested Mr Abhisit’s initiative might have come too late.
He said any premature election was likely to deepen the conflict. “We are in a special situation. If those in power see it as a political conflict between politicians and parties, negotiations will always fail,” he said.
Pheu Thai member Udomdej Rattansathien reacted with scepticism, saying the Democrat leader had vested interest in his campaign.
He said the move could be a face-saving tactic since the PDRC’s campaign for reforms before elections was unlikely to work.
The Democrat Party had so far supported the PDRC’s stance.
Mr Korn yesterday said he had nothing to do with the alleged deal. “What Vice Adm Pratheep said suggests it is me and Khunying Potjaman. I think he should take responsibility for his words,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Pitsanu Phuttawong, a close aide to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, said Gen Prem is aware that the Rattha Bukkhon group has claimed he is willing to act as intermediary in defusing the crisis.
He said Gen Prem has not agreed to do anything, but met the group to find out about their aims.