Ramate Rattanachaweng, the former spokesman for the Democrat Party, issued a fiery retort on Saturday to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recent comments. She had remarked that she could never accept the wrongful actions of some former Democrat executives against her party. “Has there ever been a former Democrat Party leader who was jailed for corruption?” Ramate questioned. “Have any of them fled the country to dodge a corruption sentence?”
The Prime Minister’s comments came in response to discontent among political allies of the Pheu Thai Party, particularly the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), over Pheu Thai’s decision to form an alliance with the Democrat Party. Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized that while the parties might be political bedfellows now, Pheu Thai could never truly forgive what the Democrats had done in the past.
She was referring to the notorious dispersal of political protesters, mostly UDD supporters, by a Democrat-led regime following the ousting of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration in a military coup on May 22, 2014. The use of force by the then-regime remains a sore point among Pheu Thai supporters.
Ramate retaliated, arguing that the Pheu Thai Party often spread false narratives about Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former Democrat leader and prime minister, implying his role in the dispersal was exaggerated. “In reality, those protest gatherings were far from peaceful and legal as they claim,” he stated.
Ms. Paetongtarn pointed out that the executive lineup of the Democrat Party has significantly evolved over the past decade. She signaled that the current Pheu Thai-led government needs stability and the Democrat Party could contribute positively with its MP support.
To illustrate her point, she compared the alliance to a country that resumes trading with another after it shifts from a dictatorship to a democracy. “That’s a way of looking forward to a new future,” she added energetically.
However, Ramate didn’t pull any punches. He remarked that although most Democrat executives had backed the decision to partner with Pheu Thai, there was a faction—including many former MPs and cabinet ministers—who were staunchly opposed. “These supporters remain loyal to the party because they have faith in the integrity and the virtues that the party has upheld throughout its history,” he passionately declared.
Ramate has a point. Can we really forget how Pheu Thai treated the Democrats?
True, but politics is about moving forward. Holding grudges doesn’t build a country.
But ignoring the past can be equally dangerous. The UDD dispersal was a serious issue.
Agreed, both sides have blood on their hands. But that doesn’t excuse current hypocrisy.
Ms. Paetongtarn is right. Trust in the Democrat Party is crucial now more than ever.
Trust? They flip-flop for power. How is that trustworthy?
Not all Democrat leaders are the same, some have genuinely good intentions.
Exactly, it’s the people who change, not just the party label.
Pheu Thai and Democrats together? Ridiculous! They’re like oil and water.
But isn’t pragmatism necessary in politics? Sometimes you have to partner with old enemies.
Pragmatic perhaps, but at what cost? What principles are being sacrificed here?
Exactly. You can’t just gloss over years of conflict and betrayal!
Is it just me or does Ramate sound like he’s living in the past?
Living in the past or not, history has a way of repeating itself if ignored.
Sure, history matters, but so does the present need for collaboration.
Ramate’s right! The dispersal of UDD was justified.
Paetongtarn talking about forgiveness while holding a grudge is so ironic.
I think Pheu Thai supporters have every right to be skeptical about this alliance.
Skepticism is natural, but let’s give this a chance to work first.
Fair enough. Time will tell if this alliance is genuine or just for convenience.
Ramate asking about Democrat leaders fleeing the country is a low blow.
Low blow or not, it’s a valid question. Accountability matters.
It does, but airing dirty laundry in public doesn’t help.
Are we all forgetting why Democrat leaders had to disperse the protestors in the first place?
If Pheu Thai wants stability, they need strong partners. Democrat Party might be it.
Strong partners? More like opportunists looking for power.
Looks like Ramate and Paetongtarn are just two sides of the same coin.
Agreed. Both are just playing to their respective audiences.
But we need leaders who can rise above petty politics.
Are we surprised Pheu Thai and Democrats are fighting? Old habits die hard.
Democrat Party has evolved? Please, it’s the same club with different faces.
Maybe, but fresh perspectives can still emerge even within old organizations.
The past is prologue. We can’t just ignore the history between these parties.
Ignoring the past is impossible, but using it to justify endless conflict is pointless.
Political alliances are all about survival, not ideology.
I feel like both parties are just putting on a show for their voters.
Ramate just doesn’t want to admit that the Democrats are no saints either.
Can we really believe anything either side says in this political circus?
Skepticism is healthy, but so is hope for a change.