House on brink of dissolution
PPP factions split over picking Somchai as PMPOST REPORTERS
Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong, right, greets the three contenders for the prime minister’s job from the People Power party, from left, Sompong Amornwiwat, Surapong Suebwonglee and Somchai Wongsawat. The prospect of an early House dissolution loomed yesterday as 12 hours of talks failed to settle a split between the two major factions in the People Power party (PPP) over who to nominate as prime minister.
The dispute between the group loyal to Newin Chidchob and other key party members erupted afresh as about 30 of the 73 northeastern MPs loyal to Mr Newin walked out of the party meeting in the afternoon.
They were upset over the decision to nominate deputy leader Somchai Wongsawat to succeed Samak Sundaravej when the House meets tomorrow.
Deputy leader Karn Thiankaew said the party executives had agreed unanimously during the morning session to nominate Mr Somchai. The two other prospective contenders for the post, deputy leader Sompong Amornwiwat and secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee, told the meeting they did not want to contest the position.
But certain groups of PPP MPs continued to reject Mr Somchai’s nomination for the premiership, Pol Lt-Col Karn said. The failure to reach a consensus forced the party to schedule another meeting today — with the future of the House at stake.
‘‘If differences can’t be settled, and opinions are still split into two sides, it’s very likely the party could announce a House dissolution by noon tomorrow [today],’’ Pol Lt- Col Karn said.
There was further clear evidence the rift in the PPP had deepened almost beyond saving. A party source said Yaowapa Wongsawat, wife of Mr Somchai and a younger sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, had asked PPP legal expert Chusak Sirinin to draft a royal decree in preparation for the House dissolution.
Mrs Yaowapa called in Mr Chusak after her attempt to negotiate with the Newin faction failed and none of 73 MPs in the faction, including Mr Newin, responded positively to phone calls from Mr Thaksin in London asking them to support Mr Somchai, the source said.
Mr Surapong also announced at the party MPs meeting that he would not accept any cabinet post in the new coalition government and would resign as secretary-general of the party. He cited family affairs as the reason.
Nakhon Ratchasima MP Bunjong Wongtrairat led the group of 30 MPs who walked out of the meeting.
He later told a press conference his group did not want Mr Somchai to be prime minister as it would only worsen the political discord in the country.
A source in the Newin faction said it demanded the party executive review its resolution and nominate Mr Sompong instead. The faction would not vote for Mr Somchai in the House.
The source added his faction viewed Mr Somchai as a proxy of Mr Thaksin. since he is his brother-in-law. The group believed that if Mr Somchai was prime minister, there would be more protests from the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy.
Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpaarcha warned that his party will not participate in the new coalition government if the PPP could not settle internal differences over the nomination.
‘‘They must first reach an agreement on the nomination and tell us the name. We won’t set a deadline though,’’ said Mr Banharn.
on the brink of – nearly to the point of; almost ready to happen สถานการณ์จวนเจียน
split – divided แยกออก
contender – someone who competes with others คู่แข่ง
prospect – the possibility that something will happen โอกาส
loom – (of something unpleasant or difficult) seeming likely to happen
erupt – to start suddenly ปรากฎขึ้นลางๆ
afresh – in a new and different way ใหม่
unanimously – agreed by everyone in a group อย่างเป็นเอกฉันท์
session – a formal meet สมัยประชุม
prospective – likely to be or become a particular thing ที่หวังไว้ ที่คาดหวัง
post – a position ตำแหน่ง
contest – to compete for a job or for success in a competition การแข่งขัน
consensus – agreement among all the people involved ความเห็นของคนส่วนใหญ่
at stake – likely to be lost or damaged if something fails เสี่ยงเป็นเสี่ยงตาย
settle – to end an argument by making an agreement แก้ปัญหา
rift – a disagreement between two people or groups ความแตกแยก
source – a person who gives information แหล่งข่าว
draft – to write something such as a legal document, speech, or letter that may have changes made to it before it is finished ร่าง
decree – an official order made by a leader or government พระราชกฤษฎีกา
negotiate – to try to settle a disagreement by holding formal talks การเจรจาต่อรอง
cabinet post – the position of minister in government, thereby being a member of the group of government ministers which makes and approves government policy ตำแหน่งรัฐมนตรี
cite – to mention something as an example or reason อ้าง แจงเหตุผล
family affairs – matters involving the family เรื่องภายในครอบครัว
discord – a disagreement between people ความแตกแยก ไม่ลงรอยกัน
resolution – a formal proposal that is considered by an organisation and is usually voted on at a meeting ทางแก้ปัญหา
brother-in-law – the brother of your husband or wife พี่เขย
People’s Alliance for Democracy – the union of several groups protesting against the current government and which staged large protests against the Thaksin government as well พันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย
deadline – a specific time or date by which you have to do something กำหนดเวลาสุดท้ายที่ต้องทำให้เสร็จ เส้นตาย
