Bangkok: Tomorrow, Mark will lead the new Democrat Party executive team to pay homage to “Mother Earth,” and will immediately convene an executive committee meeting. Earth, meanwhile, emphasized his experience and vowed to serve as party spokesperson, stating that he would be truthful and not sarcastic. He believes that good words alone cannot restore faith. He believes the party must be grounded in principles, adhere to ideology, and uphold its promises.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, gave an interview after the new party leader and executive committee were appointed on October 18. He stated that at 9:00 a.m. on October 20, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the party leader, and the new executive committee will pay homage to the Goddess of Earth at the party headquarters. This will be Abhisit’s first time joining the party since assuming the position of party leader. Initially, a joint executive committee meeting will be held.
Pol. Lt. Col. Pongsakorn continued, stating that regarding his appointment as party spokesperson, he had to say that he had been with the party since childhood, starting when his father, Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, was Deputy Governor of Bangkok and a subordinate of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as well as Chuan Leekpai, a Democrat Party list MP, during his time as Prime Minister. He had been in and out of the Democrat Party and had always dreamed of becoming a Democrat politician. He had applied for party membership in 2018, but over time, he felt the party might not be the political institution it once was, so he chose to step back. He then returned, as the Democrat Party was the only party he wanted to be a part of.
The Democrat Party spokesperson added that this time will likely be different from the time he grew up, as faith in the Democrat Party has waned. The party’s mission this time is to restore faith. He has always believed that the Democrat Party is an important party in Thailand. A political system without an owner is a political institution, and the Democrat Party has clearly stood the test of democracy for the longest time. Therefore, if the Democrat Party can maintain its political system, it will lead to national development. Therefore, the mission of restoring faith in the party is based on the three pillars we have always worked on: belief in a truly liberal democratic system, honesty and integrity, and politicians’ keeping their word, as embodied in the Democrat Party logo.
“These three things are most important to me, having the opportunity to gain the trust of all party members and the party leader as the party spokesperson. My role is quite important, as the party leader’s role is to set the direction and restore faith in the party. However, the party spokesperson’s crucial role is to communicate the direction and restore faith in the party. Therefore, I must communicate the facts, listen to the people and everyone else with respect, and act responsibly. Most importantly, I know that good words alone cannot restore faith. We must build a political party with principles, adhere to ideology, and uphold the integrity of our politicians. This is what the party must restore today, including our launch of important policies,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Pongsakorn.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Pongsakorn also stated that this time, we are quite confident in the new working group, especially the economic team that will be introduced. Three people have already been identified: Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, Mrs. Kardee Leowpairoj, and Mr. Virapong Prapha, the deputy party leader. The other deputy party leaders are also clearly capable. Therefore, today, we will not only focus on honesty. We uphold the ideology of keeping our word as a politician, which is fundamental. We also need to have policies that will improve the nation. This is an important task that requires communicating these matters to the public.
When asked if he needed to improve his role as party spokesperson, given that he had previously had to keep pace with others in responding, Pol. Lt. Col. Pongsakorn stated that he had experience as a Bangkok spokesperson, and that he rarely responded, but rather communicated with facts, avoiding ridicule or conquest. Ultimately, time will always prove the truth.
“Therefore, my communication will likely be to inform him of the facts. Sometimes he might respond in an inappropriate way, which is not the politics I want to see. So I’ll respond with facts and try to explain things until he opens up. I won’t be so sarcastic, but I’ll try to use facts,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Pongsakorn.
Pol. Lt. Col. Pongsakorn added that regarding the spokesperson team, which will require the appointment of a deputy spokesperson, the party leader will have to consult with the party leader first to determine who will be appointed as deputy spokesperson, and an announcement will be made later.