|
(October 13,
2007/ Bangkok, Thailand) Khon Kaen - Democrat Party leader
Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed Saturday to put his party's "People
First" platform as the core policy for the next coalition
government, saying he would rather not assume premiership if he
could not deliver his campaign pledge.
"I will not
become the next prime minister unless I can implement 'People
First' agendas," he said to a cheering crowd of supporters on a
second day of campaign rally.
Some 1,500
Democrats from the Northeast turned up to attend the rally
preceding a party's meeting, dubbed the People's Assembly, to
map out key policies geared for the region.
Abhisit said
the December 23 election would be crucial to set the country
back on the course of democratic rule.
"In the
upcoming vote, the Democrat Party sees a golden opportunity to
steering forward the country and its economy as well as seeking
the people's mandate for the party's platforms," he said.
He pledged that
his party will implement its campaign promises and that it seeks
to serve the public instead of grabbing power.
"I am now 43
years old, hence I am bound to be responsible for my commitments
made to gain the public trust," he said.
He said he and
his party had to earn each vote the hard way unlike "someone who
can buy his way into power", alluding former prime minister
Thaksin Shinawatra.
He voiced
optimism that his party would see a successful electoral outcome
in the Northeast, seen as the power base of Thaksin's
supporters.
Party's
Northeast campaign manager Kraisak Choonhavan said his party
might opt to contest part of the 135 House seats from the
Northeastern constituencies in order to better focus on
candidates with a best potential for winning.
In countering
the Democrats, People Power Party member Chaturon Chaisang said
his party would likely win about 260 to 270 House seats to
wrestle the chance to lead the next government.
Chaturon
claimed that the alliance of Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon
parties would trail behind his party.
Former prime
minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said he was assessing the public
sentiment before finalising his campaigning plans.
"If the people
call for my reelection bid, I might run under the banner of a
small party," he said, revealing that he is negotiating with
many parties.
He said he
would choose a party willing to adopt his policies if he decides
to come out of his retirement. His other option was to form a
new party, he added.
Two executives
of Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana Party said their party's
negotiations with Chavalit reached a deadlock.
"If Chavalit
will lead a new party, that is good for him because my party can
move on without him," party executive Pradit Pataraprasith said.
Another
executive Anek Laothamatas said negotiations collapsed because
Chavalit appeared unable to make up his mind about his terms for
joining the party. |
