For the Motherland

For the Motherland ( _th. พรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน, "transl|th|Pua Paendin") is a Thai political party founded on 11 September 2007 by more than 200 veteran Thai politicians. Its political stance is neither pro-Thaksin nor anti-Thaksin and located in the centre of the political system. The party emerged as one of amongst many parties to be considered as the third choice. Its most notable members include Thaksin's former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, Suranand Vejjajiva and Preecha Laohaphongchana; it is composed of both former TRT members and former TRT opponents. Since former TRT members are banned from politics for five years, a non-TRT member will have to lead the party in the 2007 election. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6260255.html People's Daily Online - Veteran Thai politicians form new party, claiming neutral stance ] ] Suwit Khunkitti and Watchara Punnachet have been elected party leader and party's secretary general respectively. The party appointed Vatana Asavahame as the party chairman, and Police General Pracha Promnok as party chief adviser. General Panlop Pinmanee, adviser to the Internal Security Command Operation, accepted to become adviser to the party, overseeing security. [The Nation, [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/18/headlines/headlines_30052942.php] ]

The party's slogan is "Bring happiness and well-being to the people."

The policies are aimed at making people healthy, knowledgeable, prosperous, creating a good family, civil society, pleasant environment, enjoying high-priced produce, and developing the country with sound integrity and solidarity. [The Nation, [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/18/headlines/headlines_30052942.php] ]

2007 election

Pua Paendin (For the Motherland) Party leader Suwit Khunkitti vowed to win more than 60 seats in Parliament and promised to implement nine policies to bring happiness and wellbeing to the people. [The Nation, [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/18/headlines/headlines_30052942.php] ]

On 28 October 2007, the party announced the Finance and Tourism team. The finance team consists in the form of Academic Council, chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister, Surakiart Sathirathai. Members included former Governor of the Bank of Thailand Vijit Supinich, former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Supachai Pisitvanit, former Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Bunpod Hongthong and Finance specialists Vichien Techapaiboon and Nithit Pukkanasud. Although Surakiart Sathirathai was one of 111 TRT executives banned from politics for five years, he said that the Academic Council only provides policy guidelines and is not party of the political party. The tourism team was led by former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Juthamas Siriwan and former senators Suradej Yasawat and Jirayu Vasurut. All three were also deputy party leaders. Their main poliicy was to make Thailand a hub for tourism with expected earnings of 1.33 trillion baht in 2011.

Three days before the December 23, 2007 general election, deputy party leader Juthamas Siriwan resigned from the party amidst a bribery scandal stemming from her tenure as governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and president of the Bangkok International Film Festival. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/20/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Hollywood-Arrest.php Hollywood bribery scandal takes spotlight in Thailand, with prime minister vowing justice] , Associated Press via International Herald Tribune; retrieved 2007-12-25]

Party's Leader

* Suwit Khunkitti

Secretary General

* Watchara Punnachet

Party Spokesperson

* Wachiramon Kunakasemthanawat

References