Chuan defends govt in censure debate

Chuan defends govt in censure debate

BANGKOK (AP): Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai defended his government in a censure debate yesterday against allegations that his efforts to lift Thailand out of the worst economic crisis in decades showed heartlessness to the poor.

Chuan was seen as certain of defeating the censure vote, scheduled for Saturday. But Thai media speculated that he might replace his industry minister, accused by the parliamentary opposition of corruption.

Overcoming the censure motion would ensure Chuan's government can stick to his program of rebuilding confidence in the battered Thai economy by following reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund.

The opposition accused Chuan during the debate of lacking sympathy with the plight of Thailand's poor, who face price hikes and layoffs as factories and companies fold. The economy is expected to shrink 3 percent this year.

Chuan, widely seen as Thailand's most honest political leader, said that his accusers cared only about the poor at election time.

"As a son of villagers, I know that feeling sympathy for the poor doesn't depend on words," Chuan said. "It depends on deeds. Some people use the poor at election time by paying for their votes. These people deserve to be condemned. They're like political vampires."

Chuan is enjoying high public confidence after a successful visit to the United States, where President Bill Clinton rewarded his handling of Thailand's economic crisis with a $1.7 billion aid package. A poll taken after the debate opened Wednesday gave Chuan a 66 percent approval rating.

The debate has been led by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the premier Chuan replaced in November, and leaders from his former government using the forum to rewrite the record of their role in presiding over last year's economic meltdown.

They have blamed the government Chuan headed from 1992 to 1995 for fueling the real estate and financial speculation that weakened what was one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

The bubble burst last year when Chavalit floated the baht after Thailand's reserves were drained in defending against attacks by currency speculators. The resulting financial turmoil spread across Asia and rocked world markets.

Chuan, chief of the Democrat Party, is widely perceived as the most honest leader in Thailand's corruption-ridden politics. Attacks have zeroed in on less well-regarded members of the eight-party coalition forming his narrow 207-185 majority.

One was Industry Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, accused by the opposition of misusing his authority in granting a marble mining concession and of taking a 200 million baht ($5 million) kickback from sugar millers to raise retail prices.

In a meeting between Chuan and party leaders assessing damage during the debate, Somsak, a member of the Social Action Party, was judged to have inadequately defended himself, The Nation newspaper reported. Any decision on replacing him would be left to the Social Action Party.

A minor reshuffle would have little impact on Chuan's government as long as no party bolted. Under provisions of a new reform constitution, he is unlikely to face another censure motion this year.

Crucially, Chuan appeared to have kept the loyalty of 12 members of the small Prachakorn Thai Party who disobeyed leader Samak Sundaravej, an avowed Chuan enemy, and joined the government last year.

Samak, who was the official opposition strategist in the censure debate, is seeking to expel them from both the party and their seats in the House of Representatives.