ID :
131149
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 16:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/131149
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New Politics Party elects Somsak Kosaisuk new leader
BANGKOK, July 3 -- Somsak Kosaisuk, a top leader of the so-called ‘Yellow Shirt’ People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which spearheaded moves to drive out three former governments in Thailand, was elected Saturday as new leader of the New Politics Party (NPSP) in time to contest the general election scheduled to be held next year.
Mr Somsak was elected leader of the party, formed last October, succeeding Sondhi Limthongkul who resigned on May 14 citing that he wishes to devote his time entirely to his Thai-language daily newspaper, The Manager, as well as to PAD activities.
He collected 929 votes during an extraordinary meeting of NPSP as five other contestants in the race withdrew their candidacies. Seventy-one abstained from voting while 44 ballots were invalid.
Suriyasai Katasila remained NPSP secretary-general, while Samran Rodphet became deputy party leader and acting party spokesman. Both were also previously core leaders of the PAD.
Twenty-five executive committee members were also elected.
The PAD activists captured international headlines when they seized the country's two main airports and Government House in late 2008.
Mr Sondhi, a ‘core group’ leader of Yellow Shirts and a staunch opponent of fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, played a key role in the marathon protest ushering in the downfall of the Thaksin administration and two successive governments – those of Somchai Wongsawat and Samak Sundaravej.
Media mogul-turned-politician Sondhi survived an attempted assassination April 17 last year. He also must fight a series of libel cases in court.
After being elected as leader of the party, Mr Somsak said he would continue the party’s policy in addressing and resolving the country’s poverty, working for the people and that he would work tirelessly for the party. (MCOT online news)
Mr Somsak was elected leader of the party, formed last October, succeeding Sondhi Limthongkul who resigned on May 14 citing that he wishes to devote his time entirely to his Thai-language daily newspaper, The Manager, as well as to PAD activities.
He collected 929 votes during an extraordinary meeting of NPSP as five other contestants in the race withdrew their candidacies. Seventy-one abstained from voting while 44 ballots were invalid.
Suriyasai Katasila remained NPSP secretary-general, while Samran Rodphet became deputy party leader and acting party spokesman. Both were also previously core leaders of the PAD.
Twenty-five executive committee members were also elected.
The PAD activists captured international headlines when they seized the country's two main airports and Government House in late 2008.
Mr Sondhi, a ‘core group’ leader of Yellow Shirts and a staunch opponent of fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, played a key role in the marathon protest ushering in the downfall of the Thaksin administration and two successive governments – those of Somchai Wongsawat and Samak Sundaravej.
Media mogul-turned-politician Sondhi survived an attempted assassination April 17 last year. He also must fight a series of libel cases in court.
After being elected as leader of the party, Mr Somsak said he would continue the party’s policy in addressing and resolving the country’s poverty, working for the people and that he would work tirelessly for the party. (MCOT online news)
