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10/11/09
Bangkok Post

A number of young politicians in the Bangkok 50 Group have decided to join the opposition Puea Thai Party, group leader Pol Lt-Col Kulthon Prachuabmoh announced on Tuesday.

Pol Lt-Col Kulthon said he had consulted with both Yaowapa Wongsawat, a younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Sudarat Keyuraphan, a former deputy leader of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, before applying for Puea Thai membership along with other members of the group.

The group decided to do this despite the ongoing opposition against Thaksin for his interview with The Times because his comments had been distorted, he said.

"We believe Thaksin is loyal to the monarchy, otherwise we would not support him," Pol Lt-Col Kulthon said.

He said after two years with three prime ministers, the country's politics was still going nowhere. The Democrat Party had not only been unable to lead the country through various crises, but had also been plagued with corruption.

Therefore, Bangkok 50 Group, whose members were people of a new generation from good families, with knowledge and ability, decided to join Puea Thai, Pol Lt-Col Kulthon said.

Well-known members of the group included Boon-anant Piampongsant, ML Nathapol Devakula, a nephew of former finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devekula, Virayuth Bodharamik, Trakarn Phanthumlertruji, an actor, and Pornsak Srilamun.

Plodprasop Surasawadi, a deputy Puea Thai leader, said he was confident the party, with support from at least 14 million people throughout the country, would win the next election and return to be government.