http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...epose-mingkwan


Rebel MP launches bid to depose Mingkwan

Economic head 'has yet to call a meeting'

  • Published: 2/07/2010 at 12:00 AM
  • Newspaper section: News

An outspoken opposition MP is demanding the ouster of Mingkwan Sangsuwan as head of Puea Thai Party's economic team.


Mingkwan: Facing disunity


Chiang Mai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul, himself a member of the economic team, said Mr Mingkwan has yet to convene a meeting of the group and this was putting the party's economic standing at risk.

He will push for Mr Mingkwan's ouster at a two-day party seminar in Pattaya starting today.

Mr Mingkwan, a Puea Thai list MP, has failed to convene the party's economic team even though economic direction is needed.

Mr Surapong said he will put himself forward to head the team in place of Mr Mingkwan.

He will ask senior party members to help him examine the government's economic performance and propose economic policies which serve the nation's interest.

Puea Thai's economic team also includes former deputy prime minister Olarn Chaipravat and Suchart Thada-thamrongvech, a former finance minister.
Mr Surapong said the economic team used to be the strongest point of the party and the team has worked out policies which have drawn substantial support from the public.

But its recently inactive performance meant the economic team is unable to match the government, Mr Surapong said.


Surapong: Offers himself for job


Mr Mingkwan could not be reached for comment.

He was brought into politics by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser in his government then led by the Thai Rak Thai Party.
Later he moved to lead MCOT Plc.

Mr Mingkwan ran in the 2007 election and served as the deputy prime minister in charge of economic policy, commerce minister and industry minister in the Samak Sundaravej administration.

He was tipped as a potential candidate for prime minister when Puea Thai launched a no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and some of his ministers about a month ago.

Puea Thai's economic team earlier lost another member, Panpree Pahitthanukorn, when he tendered his resignation as a party member and deputy leader in May.

Mr Panpree said the recent political turmoil prevented him from presenting the economic policies which Puea Thai had assigned to him.

Puea Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi said the party seminar will discuss the aftermath of the censure debate and preparations for the next general election.

The party will start its campaign in the provinces.

Asked if Puea Thai is suffering from disunity after the resignation of Mr Panpree and now the move to oust Mr Mingkwan, Mr Plodprasop said party members separately monitor the government's work.

The party did not set up a shadow government, so efforts to monitor the government's performance often fell to the individual.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ends his term in December next year but he has indicated he could call an early election if the security environment improves enough for candidates to canvass for support during the campaign without fear of intimidation.