From: fyta@chulkn.chula.ac.th ("Dr. Yunyong Teng-amnuay")
Subject: NATION Saturday Morning Sept 12, 1992
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 07:17:43 +0700 (THA)
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CHAMLONG MAKES DO-OR-DIE PLEDGE

'Smear campaign' may force PDP chief to quit.

Premiership hopeful Chamlong Srimuang yesterday pulled a
last-minute campaign gimmick by making a conditional vow to
"leave politics" if his Palang Dharma Party lost to what he
described as foul play in tomorrow's election.

The surprise move, announced at a news conference, is seen as
Chamlong's attempt to gain "sympathy votes" to put his
three-year-old party in a position to form the post-election
government, even at the expense of the other former opposition
parties.

It is reminiscent of his "fast unto death" vow which brought
hundreds of thousands of people to the streets to oppose Gen
Suchinda Kraprayoon as prime minister in May.

CHUAN OFFERS THE ONLY CLEAR CHOICE AS PM

The election tomorrow presents the Thai people with a clear
choice.  They can either vote for another era of corrupt
politics, which has dominated this country for too long, or
grasp the opportunity of change.

The election is being held against the backdrop fo a country
hungry for a real democracy, but which has seen experiments with
the system fail systematically since the 1932 Revolution which
transformed the absolute monarchy into a constitutional
monarchy.

Like most Thais, we believe tomorrow's election will be
different.  It comes at one of Thailand's most crucial political
junctures ever.  just slightly over three months ago, hundreds
of thousands of people took to the streets - with many laying
down their lives - to put an end to  a government that would
have perpetuated the military's domination of politics.

The May incident has raised the people's political awareness to
a level unprecedented in modern Thai history.  It gives reason,
therefore, for us to be confident it will be translated into a
new "people's power" through the ballot box.  The downfall of
Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon and his influential military friends,
and the return of Anand Panyarachun as interim premier, has made
this election a new turning point.  For the first time in many
elections neither the incumbent administration nor the military
are actively manipulating th voters in favour of any parties.

Also in this election the voters can see quite clearly who the
few viable contenders for the next premiership are.  We believe
the following criteria should be considered when backing a
particular contender:

- The next premier's record and behaviour must be impeccable,
his leadership acceptable to all and whose rise to power will
threaten no one. In other words, he must be able to play the
role of a great reconciler.

- He must also have solid experience in national politics,
having held important posts in both the legislative and
executive branches, so that the legal limitations of the
premiership are well understood while the political influence of
the top government office can be fully utilized.  The job does
not require a shrewd old pro or a popular saviour; it merely
calls for a down-to-earth politician whose adherence to
democratic principles is firm and whose understanding of the
parliamentary system is clear.

- Most importantly, the next premier should come from a
full-fledged party with a functional organization, a long
democratic tradition and pro-democracy record.

Based on this criteria, Democrat Party leader Chuan Leekpai is
the most suitable person to be the next premier.

Chuan has spent the past 24 years in national politics, winning
eight consecutive elections in his southern province of Trang
and holding numerous political offices, including House Speaker,
deputy premier, agriculture minister, commerce minister and
justice minister.  His party has been in operation for 46 years
and is the oldest one in action.

Of course, neither Chuan nor his party are perfect.  Chuan lacks
business experience and exposure to international affairs.  But
he should be able to compensate by delegating power and relying
on professionals, just as Gen Prem Tinsulanonda did successfully
during his eight years in power during the 1980s.

The Democrat Party's presence outside the South and Bangkok is
weak and he may not win the most House seats.  But a mediocre
showing shouldn't lessen his standing as the most deserving
premiership contender.

This is not the time for political mavericks, "heroes of
democracy" or one-man ad hoc parties.  Thailand needs political
reconciliation and economic reconstruction, and a democratic
government led by professional politicians with long-term
vision.  It doesn't need power seekers.

This conclusion, however, does not imply that all the other
premiership hopefuls are unqualified, or that the Palang Dharma
Party (founded in 1988) and the New Aspiration Party (founded in
1990) are ad hoc parties.  They are just not as suitable as
Chuan and his party under the existing circumstances.

Nor should this conclusion be construed as our unconditional
endorsement for Chuan and his party.

If indeed Chuan becomes premier, he will continue to face our
rigorous scrutiny.  And if the premiership goes to someone else,
the objectivity of our reporting and commentary will not be
affected either.

Our choice of Chuan and his party is based on principle not
personality.

This is not an endorsement for his personal quest for power, but
an endorsement for the democratic parliamentary path Chuan has
followed for 24 years.

To build a stable and strong parliamentary democracy, there must
be well-organized parties of professional politicians.

With Chuan as prime minister, Thailand can regain confidence in
the parliamentary system and face the democratic world with
pride.

The Nation