SAMUT PRAKAN: Pheu Chart, a political party said to be a back-up for the Pheu Thai Party, held a second general assembly on Sunday with some Pheu Thai members in attendance as observers.
The assembly, held to amend party regulations and change the party's logo, took place on the 6th floor of the Imperial World Samrong department store in Samut Prakan, and was chaired by acting party leader Thalerngyos Butukham.
The meeting was attended by some 500 members of the Pheu Chart Party and a number of core supporters including Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a former parliament president, Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and Aree Krainara, the former chief of UDD guards.
Some Pheu Thai members also attended the meeting as observers. They included Songkram Kitlertpairote, a former Pheu Thai Party-list MP and owner of the Imperial World department store in Samrong, and Vorachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan.
Mr Yongyuth said he attended the assembly to lend moral support for Pheu Chart. He insisted that the party was in the middle, not leaning to the left or right.
On reports that Pheu Chart is one of two "back-up" parties created in case the main Pheu Thai Party is dissolved and also to maximise the number of votes for the bloc under the new system of proportional representation, Mr Yongyuth said time will tell whether this is true. The other party is Pheu Tham. According to the reports, Pheu Thai, Pheu Chart and Pheu Tham are closely linked.
Mr Jatuporn also said he attended the meeting as a supporter. In his view, Pheu Chart is open to all those interested in discussing democratic means to move the country forward.
"If we don't talk, there will be problems, regardless of who is the winner or loser. We would like to extend a friendly hand to all sides. We are ready for talks. The conflict which has reigned over the past ten years is painful and bitter.
"We need to start fresh from the very beginning. The disputes of the past must be resolved through legal means.
"I can assure you that Pheu Chart is not a proxy for the UDD because it has been in existence since 2013," said Mr Jatuporn. He denied it has been set up to absorb surplus votes from the Pheu Thai Party.
Mr Jatuporn said since he is prohibited from running in an election, he can only voice support for the party, which in his opinion is well-intentioned.
On a report that Tanong Bidaya, a former finance minister in a Thaksin administration, would be made leader of the Pheu Chart Party, Mr Jatuporn did not confirm or deny it. He said he would support whoever is made the party leader. A party's general assembly has yet to be held to elect a new party leader, he added.
