Newspapers have reported that the Election Commission has rejected complaints against the government coalition partner the Bhum Jai Thai Party and its boss Newin Chidchob (The Nation, 6 August 2009: “EC rejects complaints against Bhum Jai Thai, Newin”).
While it has been clear to everyone that Newin established the party, negotiated with the Democrat Party and the military leadership to form the current government, and engages in direct discussions with party members and the government leadership, organizes support for the government and so on, the “majority of EC members said that Newin, who is stripped of electoral rights for five years, did not act as a Bhum Jai Thai executive while participating in a party seminar held in Sakon Nakhon province in June…”.
According to the Election Commission, “evidence shows that Newin joined the seminar as one of the speakers and did not exercise any rights as a party executive.” However, if one looks at the press reports of this event, this looks like a decidedly partisan decision.
At the same time, the Election Commission dismissed other complaints against Bhum Jai Thai.
Claims that Thaksin and other banned Thai Rak Thai Party leaders have been behind Peua Thai are equally credible, but Thaksin is overseas and Newin has been especially high-profile and actively engaged on the ground.
