Somkeit Pongpaibul

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Somkeit Pongpaibul (สมเกียรติ พงษ์ไพบูลย์) is a Professor at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, and the co-founder of the Mass Party. Somkeit is an advocate for the poor and a major critic on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Contents 1 Activism and key works 2 The People's Alliance for Democracy 3 The Mass Party 4 References

[edit] Activism and key works

Somkeit claims to have been investigated three times for organizing protests for poor farmers against government officials and politicians.^{[citation needed]} In one interview he mentioned

"In one investigation, they told me that I was supposed to spend my time in school rather than organizing a rally against the government. I spoke right back 'in their faces' that I have never seen any professors who spend their teaching time hanging out with politicians being investigated.

Somkeit claims to have written many academic papers and provided many academic researches regarding social development and strategy to counter poverty.^{[citation needed]} He is also a regular contributor to many newspapers and magazines.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] The People's Alliance for Democracy

In February 2006, Professor Somkeit Pongpaibul was selected to be one of the five leaders of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). Somkeit represented the Thai academic community.

Somkeit Pongpaibul is said to be a charismatic public speaker.

[edit] The Mass Party

In May 2006, Somkeit and other PAD leaders established the Mass Party. Somkeit claimed that "Our objective is to campaign against Thaksinomics." The party unconventionally planned not to field MP candidates for the first 5 years, with Somkiat claiming that "If we field MP candidates, we will be trapped in vicious circles of money politics." Other party co-founders included by former Palang Dharma Party leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong and the Campaign for Popular Democracy's Pipop Thongchai.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ The Nation, "New parties sprouting already", 17 May 2006

v • d • e  2005-2006 Thai political crisis
Main events		Timeline		Key persons and organizations
Prelude 1997 Constitution of Thailand South Thailand insurgency Thaksinocracy Main events Corruption in the Suvarnabhumi Airport project Sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings Finland Plot August 2006 Bangkok car bomb 2006 coup d'état Elections February 2005 April 2006 October 2006 (cancelled) December 2007		April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005		Thaksin Shinawatra Prem Tinsulanonda Military junta Sonthi Boonyaratglin Saprang Kalayanamitr Ruangroj Mahasaranon Interim civilian government 2006 Interim Constitution Next constitution of Thailand People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) Sondhi Limthongkul Chamlong Srimuang Somkeit Pongpaibul Somsak Kosaisuuk Pipob Thongchai