Opposition Party Plans a New Government

Thailand's Ruling Coalition Resists

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Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban, standing, along with other Thai memebers of Parliament gather for a meeting Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's opposition Democrat Party announced late this afternoon it has enough support to form a new government following a six-month political crisis that has paralyzed the country. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) (David Longstreath - AP)

A Thai celebrates revered Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday outside the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Friday, Dec. 5, 2008. Thailand's ailing king, a pillar of stability during his six decades on the throne, failed to attend celebrations marking his 81st birthday Friday as many Thais feared his fading from the scene could deepen the turmoil that has plagued the country for three years (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (Vincent Thian - AP)

In this March 26, 2007 file photo, Pojaman Shinawatra, former wife of deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, arrives at criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand. The ex-wife of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned home Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, four months after she left the country following a conviction for tax evasion. Pojaman Shinawatra arrived at Bangkok's international airport on a Thai Airways flight out of Hong Kong, said Immigration police chief Lt. Gen. Chatchawal Suksomjit. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File) (Sakchai Lalit - AP)

Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban and Sanan Kachornprasart of the Chart Thai Pattana Party offer respect to one another as they gather for a meeting Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's opposition Democrat Party announced late this afternoon it has enough support to form a new government following a six-month political crisis that has paralyzed the country. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) (David Longstreath - AP)

Democratic Party's Abhisit Vejjajiva (Apichart Weerawong - AP)

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By Denis D. Gray

Associated Press
Sunday, December 7, 2008; Page A23

BANGKOK, Dec. 6 -- Thailand's chief opposition party said Saturday that it plans to form a new government with the help of defectors from the ruling coalition, a move certain to appease an anti-government group that recently paralyzed the capital, shutting down its main international airport for a week.

The opposition Democrat Party announced it had mustered the backing of 260 lawmakers in the 400-seat lower house, allowing it to form a government with Oxford-educated party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the new prime minister.

But the party's apparent triumph, managed during a still-chaotic situation the day after Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport reopened, will not be sealed until Parliament meets within 30 days to endorse Abhisit and the five-party coalition behind him. The former ruling party said it would not give up the fight.

The Democrat Party is supported by the People's Alliance for Democracy, an activist group that headed mass demonstrations against several recent governments led by exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies. The protests culminated in a weeklong siege of the capital's two airports.

The Democrats cobbled their coalition together against a somber backdrop: Thailand's revered 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, regarded as a cornerstone of stability, is ill. It was feared that if the ruling coalition had selected a new prime minister close to Thaksin, mass protests could reignite.

For now, it appears the opposition has the upper hand. Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said at a news conference that the negotiations with other parties had been "the smoothest discussion" he has ever had because everyone realized the country's stability was at stake.

"This was the hardest decision we have made, but the country needs to move forward. We have to think of the country's survival, and so we apologize to our MP friends and the people who support us, but we can't work with them anymore," said Boonjong Wongtrairat, a representative of a faction of 37 members of Parliament who defected from the government camp and its leading Phuea Thai Party.

The Democrats were expected to face problems if they form a new government amid Thailand's polarized political arena.

British-born Abhisit, 44, is an articulate, sophisticated politician, but critics say he is out of touch with ordinary people, particularly the rural majority, and lacks charisma. His party's supporters include Bangkok's middle class, influential military figures and foreign investors who see him as a stabilizing force.

Thaksin is still popular among the rural masses, reflecting the deep divide between the urban elite and the country's poor.

The political developments occurred as the country's main international airport was being restored, although an airport public relations official said Saturday that it could be at least a month before traffic was back to normal. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media.

Suvarnabhumi airport officially reopened Friday after a siege that left more than 300,000 travelers stranded. The occupation of Bangkok's airports dealt a heavy blow to Thailand's tourism-dependent economy.