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TRT to undo government policies if elected
Bangkok Post – 11 May 2007
PARISTA YUTHAMANOP
The Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) has pledged to reverse the economic policies initiated by the military-installed government to restore economic confidence if it wins in the upcoming election, according to acting party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng. Such policies include the Bank of Thailand's 30% reserve requirement on capital inflows and changes to the Foreign Business Act (FBA).
''The government has sent signals that it will turn against globalisation. Such nationalist measures have weakened economic achievements,'' Mr Chaturon said in a speech yesterday to the British Chamber of Commerce of Thailand.
Mr Chaturon said the rifts between the Council for National Security and the government further eroded investor confidence, while the September coup reflected weaknesses in the foundation of Thailand's democracy. TRT would amend the FBA to make it more open to foreign investment, he added.
''We feel that the present government is leading the country in the wrong direction, with its anti-globalisation policies. We'll change that [and bring the country] back on the right course,'' he said.
The party's future, however, will depend on the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling on whether a number of political parties, including TRT and the Democrats, would be dissolved on grounds of breaking the election law during the annulled election last year, he acknowledged.
TRT plans to register as a new party under the same name if it's dissolved. ''As a political party, we are confident that we will survive,'' Mr Chaturon said.
''We will form a new party and maintain the same policies. And if it's not against the law, we'll also keep the same name. That's for our own survival and to lessen pressure of confrontation that could lead to another crisis.''
In addition to party dissolution, the court will also rule whether the executives of the guilty parties would face a five-year ban from politics, another wildcard for Thai politics, he said.
Commenting on the draft constitution , Mr Chaturon said it was expected to be amended because it contained many undemocratic provisions.
''The first draft is unacceptable. There's an attempt to revive oligarchy. The so-called national crisis panel consists of non-elected people who are given more power than the National Legislative Assembly and the cabinet put together.
''And the definition of a crisis and the roles of the panel are still unclear.''
Mr Chaturon said the draft charter's call for appointed, rather than elected, senators and amnesty to the CNS would undo progress toward full democracy.
''The political system that will result from this draft will be a coalition government that is much weaker than five years ago,'' he said.
''If the draft is rejected in the referendum, it shows that the people don't accept the military-backed government. And amendments might take years. If it is not approved by the people, the government might pick any charter used in the past and promulgate it.''
Mr Chaturon said TRT would win a majority in the election, given the popularity of its grassroots policies and people's better understanding of globalisation.
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