In Media

Written by changthai11 on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

In Media

THAI RATH COMMENT :The movement for ”new politics” is gaining ground, as the Somchai Wongsawat government and its political adversaries try to find a way out of their prolonged confrontation.

Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana on Monday lodged a petition with the Election Commission, accusing the prime minister of violating the Constitution by holding shares in a private firm. His action coincided with a stepped up campaign by anti-government activists who showed up at several places visited by the prime minister.

Meanwhile, 24 rectors of state and privately-run universities have called on the government to set up an independent committee to recommend measures to reform the Thai political system. According to Thammasat University rector Surapol Nitikraipoj, the proposed committee should allow the government, the People’s Alliance for Democracy and members of society to explore ways out of the current political stalemate. PM Somchai has not responded to the rectors’ suggestion, but a key member of the ruling People Power party said the proposed political reform should first be put before a public referendum.

While the government wants to appoint a committee for political reform by itself, the PAD is not in a favour of the idea. The two sides are playing a waiting game. Each wants to get the upper hand in this new political initiative, said to be the offshoot of a social movement that led to the first political reform of 1997.