PAD opens party headquarter with little fanfare

The Nation 20/01/2010

A bright sea of yellow did not dominate the opening of the New Politics Party's headquarters yesterday - instead it was light green, the party's new symbolic colour.

However, transforming the yellow-shirt movement into a formal political figure started off rather sluggishly. Even the celebrations were subdued.

Sondhi Limthongkul, clad in a light green jacket, did not wear the confident look of a fearless political warrior. Instead he was seen pacing around a small room in the building on Phra Sumeru Road - headquarters of the New Politics Party, hoping to become a reactionary force in politics.

He accepted flowers and a palm-sized Buddha statue from well-wishers, as monks had their breakfast in another room.

It was not 9.06am yet - the time deemed auspicious for opening the headquarters. Yet the low-key opening looked all but auspicious and the first evidence was that Sondhi's charm had lost its shininess. Instead, he looked worried about the tough game of politics and the rough road ahead, especially with his yellow-shirted supporters having such high expectations.

NPP tempers stance on charter changes

Bangkok Post 20/01/2010

The New Politics Party has softened its stand on amendments to the constitution, saying it could be altered but the changes must not be made to serve certain politicians.

Amonkanoints the logo of theNew Politics Party during the openingyesterday of the party’s headquarters.NPP leader Sondhi Limthongkul, right, presided over the opening. APICHART JINAKUL

Sondhi Limthongkul, the leader of the NPP, the political arm of the People's Alliance for Democracy, backed constitutional amendments but warned there could not be any hidden agenda that would let corrupt politicians off the hook.

Mr Sondhi was speaking yesterday after the opening of the NPP's headquarters on Phra Sumen Road in Phra Nakhon district.

The ceremony was joined by hundreds of NPP supporters and political figures, including PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang and Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the 2006 coup leader and leader of the new Matubhum Party.

The PAD had earlier vigorously opposed amending the constitution for fear it would pave the way for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to power.