CALD Resolution No. 1 S. 2007

CALD resolution expressing its confidence that, with the ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal, the Democrat Party’s legacy of democratic tradition will continue to flourish and contribute to the development of Thailand and its people;  reiterating its belief that political parties are indispensable in  any democratic country; and hoping for the immediate restoration of civilian rule in Thailand.

Aware that electoral fraud cases have been filed with the Thai Constitutional Courts against five political parties, namely: the Democrat Party, the Thai Rak Thai Party, the Pattana Chart Thai Party, the Thai Ground Parties and the Progressive Democratic Party;

Noting that the Democrat Party (DP) was accused of, among others, cooperating with the People’s Alliance for Democracy to topple the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) government;

Confident that DP’s criticisms of TRT were based on solid evidence regarding the conduct of the TRT-government and its leader, ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose leadership and governance have proven to be disadvantageous to the country and its people;

Remembering that former Prime Minister and DP Leader Chuan Leekpai had before remarked that “We believe nothing is better than the truth to defend ourselves”;

Elated that the landmark ruling of the Constitution Tribunal has cleared the Democrat Party of all charges of election fraud and thus sparing it from dissolution;

Convinced that political parties are absolutely essential and indispensable in any democratic country and that they represent social interests and provide a structure for political participation among the citizenry;

Believing that since political parties form a link between the voters and those elected, representative democracy cannot function without such parties and the choices of platforms and candidates they provide;    

Clarifying that while CALD recognizes the importance of political parties, a political party must remain dynamic and reformist, truly representative of the electorate and accountable to the people;

Considering that restoring democracy in Thailand—as aspired by the majority of the people of Thailand, its neighbors in Southeast Asia and the rest of the international community, and Thailand’s Council for National Security—would not be possible without strong and dynamic political parties;

Citing that the Democrat Party is not only the oldest political party in Thailand but has also been regarded both in and outside Thailand  for playing a key role in building democratic consciousness amongst the Thai people, and in building and rebuilding democratic institutions throughout Thailand’s turbulent history from the 1940’s to the present millennium;

Confident that the verdict will pave the way for the restoration of democracy in Thailand and the installation of an elected civilian government;

Now therefore, the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) express its confidence that, with the ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal, the Democrat Party’s legacy of democratic tradition will continue to flourish and contribute to the development of Thailand and its people; reiterate its belief that political parties are indispensable in any democratic country; and hope for the immediate restoration of civilian rule in Thailand.        

For the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats:  

(sgd)
Senator Franklin M. Drilon
Senator, Philippine Senate
Chairman, Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats  

June 1, 2007