Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has swung into defensive mode after being attacked on social media for remarks in which he allegedly promised to "bring Thaksin home".
Clarifying remarks in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Thanathorn said he was calling for justice for everyone, despite their political affiliations, who had been affected by political conflicts, and that leaders should be held accountable.
He proposed reopening criminal cases against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is living abroad in self-exile. "I didn't propose to bring him home. I proposed that if we wanted reconciliation, the only way is to hold the protest leaders of all colours and those who violated the people's rights responsible. They must enter a fair and independent justice process," he said.
He also denied he or party executives had contacted the dissolved Thai Raksa Chart (TRC) Party to ask for votes from its supporters for the March 24 election as some media had reported.
Mr Thanathorn said neither he nor FFP executives had contacted the TRC to seek a vote windfall. He said everyone is entitled to their own votes and is free to vote for any candidate. "No one can tell anyone else what party they should cast their ballot for," Mr Thanathorn said.
A Facebook page, "SaveThanathorn", representing a breakaway group of supporters, yesterday announced it would end support for the FFP, saying the leader did not live up to their expectations to turn a new leaf on politics. The admin team said the FFP leader not only failed to live up to his words, but also thrust the party into a cycle of political conflict.
To illustrate their point, the team cited reports that FFP had approached the disbanded TRC party for its support. The team also cited Mr Thanathorn's remarks about his alleged wish to see Thaksin return.
FFP spokeswoman Pannika Wanich yesterday shrugged off the move, saying with fewer than 700 followers "SaveThanathorn" page could not represent the party's supporters. The page has 890 followers as of 8.30pm yesterday.
