Poor support could spell death knell for the PAD

[Flashermac]

 

Bangkok Post

28 Mar 2011

 

 

 

Core leaders of the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, disheartened by a poor response to their latest demonstration, could be on the verge of disbanding the movement.

 

The PAD has been protesting on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue for the past two months, calling for the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration to step down over what the group claims is mishandling of Thailand's border dispute with Cambodia.

 

But this time, the once-powerful alliance credited with playing a major part in the ousting of three past governments has failed to capture the attention of the larger public or powerful political figures.

 

[color:red]A PAD source said the movement's core leaders have decided to disband for good.[/color]

 

This could be officially announced as early as April 6 by Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, the source said.

 

The two first-generation PAD leaders are said to be planning to inform supporters of their decision in front of their current rally stage at Government House.

 

As well as announcing an end to the current protest, Mr Sondhi and Maj Gen Chamlong will possibly encourage other leaders to join them in ceasing their political activities, and it is believed no efforts will be made to appoint successors.

 

The source said this announcement would be followed by a march to file a petition with His Majesty the King detailing the PAD's concerns over the possible loss of Thai territory in Si Sa Ket province next to Preah Vihear temple.

 

"Many [PAD] leaders are disappointed that their actions, resulting from their concerns about the possible loss of national territory, have not received enough attention from senior figures or the government," the source said.

 

"From now on, even if there is any serious violence perpetrated by the red shirts, we will not bother to come out."

 

The PAD leaders' decision, if carried out, will see one of Thailand's most memorable political sagas end on an underwhelming note, having previously been instrumental in toppling Thaksin Shinawatra, Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat from office.

 

The source said Maj Gen Chamlong will tell PAD supporters that they have done their best, but they should end their protest.

 

However, PAD spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan said yesterday he had not heard of the core leaders' plan to disband.

 

"We will continue our political movements until the government bows to our demands," Mr Parnthep said.

 

Somchai Preechasilapakul, a law lecturer at Chiang Mai University, was surprised to hear of the PAD leaders' reported plan and did not believe they would disband the movement.

 

"If they really did this, how could they then use the group to negotiate with the government about their cases?" Mr Somchai said. He was referring to the legal cases the PAD leaders are facing as a result of the group's occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports during the rally to overthrow the Somchai government in 2008.

 

 

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[Nervous God]

Or maybe a reason not to pay?

[LizardKing]

Well, they should disband (or find better leaders). The current PAD leaders have lost the plot and are picking fights the middle class voters don't much care about.

 

When it was all about graft & corruption, it was good. Now it is about silly shit. Not to mention the middle class Thai voters *like* Abhisit and the Dems, so will not go along for that reason too.