Sulak denounces Democrats

Party urged to make up for past wrongs

Supawadee Susanpoolthong

12 May 2000

The Democrat Party should use Pridi Banomyong's centenary to atone for wrongs it had done the statesman, Sulak Sivaraksa said yesterday.

The party lacked sincerity and had failed to do enough to honour Mr Pridi, regarded as the father of Thai democracy, the social critic said.

Chuan Leekpai, the prime minister and Democrat leader, did not show up at a ceremony at parliament yesterday to mark the centenary of Thailand's first elected prime minister.

Mr Sulak called on the ruling party to admit it was wrong for having joined the coup that toppled the Pridi government in 1947.

"The coup destroyed our democracy at that time," he said. If the Democrats passed up the opportunity to make good for their past misdeeds, they would pay the political price.

Instead of recognising the contribution and sacrifice of Mr Pridi in his opening speech for the centenary celebrations at Thammasat University, the prime minister lavished praise on the statesman's adversaries.

They included M.R. Seni Pramoj, the second Democrat leader, Mr Sulak said.

State agencies also failed to produce commemorative banknotes and stamps to honour Mr Pridi, he said.

The Foreign Ministry, said Mr Sulak, should dedicate two rooms to Mr Pridi and Direk Chaiyanam, his right-hand man, who had pushed for the abolition of unfair treaties with foreign powers.

Calling on the Democrat Party to attempt to redeem itself, Mr Sulak said its indifference towards Mr Pridi could backfire on its MPs, now that insincere politicians have become increasingly unpopular among the people.

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the opposition leader and a former prime minister, deserved praise for helping push for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recognition of Mr Pridi as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Nor Matha said Mr Pridi was the true founder of democracy and advocate of equality between men and women as well as the people's rights and freedom.

The anti-Japanese Free Thai Movement which Mr Pridi had formed helped save Thailand from being occupied by the allies after the end of World War II, Mr Wan Nor said.

At the ceremony, two Pridi Banomyong awards were presented, to the late Kularb Saipradit and Srisawang Puawongpaet, for their outstanding roles in promoting democracy, and two others for outstanding peace advocates went to Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, the late revered monk, and Phra Paisal Visalo.

Bangkok Post