Doves battle hawks
A tussle between the doves and hawks of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's close aides is going on in the face of heightening political tension, a source from the Thai Rak Thai Party said yesterday.
Both groups are former student activists of the 1973 uprising. The doves have suggested Thaksin steps down from the top position in the event of a Thai Rak Thai victory on April 2. They advised him to allow another senior party figure to serve as prime minister and reduce the pressure on him.They expect the next premier to initiate constitutional amendments and satisfy reform proponents before calling another election when the job is done. According to the source, Thaksin could make a comeback by contesting the second election. The doves include Phumtham Wechayachai, Chaturon Chaisang and Adisorn Piengket. The hawks, on the other hand, have advised Thaksin to continue his election campaigning. They believe neither he nor the party has done anything wrong, said the source. They also expect the anti-Thaksin protesters to extend their demands, even to the seizure of his family's assets. The hawks include Prommin Lertsuridej, Surapong Suebwonglee and Sutham Sangprathum. - The Nation
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