The Prime Ministership
Never before had Thais been guaranteed that their vote would so directly affect the outcome of the battle for the prime ministership, and the leadership debate became one of the major foci of interest in the period leading up to the election. It is not regarded as seemly in Thai culture to appear overly ambitious. For that reason, aspirants to the prime ministership usually mask their true feelings behind qualifications such as: "If the people chose me, then l will serve", just as had occurred before the March election. he exception was Chaovalit. He was the one leader that came out and claimed that he wanted to be the next prime minister. It was what he had left the army for, what he had formed his own political party for, and what he had campaigned so hard for in March, despite the obstacles put in his way by the military. He was open and honest about his ambitions and the New Aspiration Party campaigned on the strength of its leader becoming premier Initially, Chatichai claimed that he was not suitable for the premiership but would not rule out accepting the post if his party won the most seats. The CPP party slogan featured on billboards and in pamphlets however, said it differently, urging people to vote Chart Pattana, because its leader would be come prime minister. Chatichai also made great play of wishing to bring about "reconciliation" and "national consensus", and to harmonise the diverse inte August however, he had ceased to be coy, admit ests of Thai society. By early ting that he was "ready" to become prime minister again. However, he was aware of the tenuous position that he was in and, in an attempt to bolster sup port for his party, offered to nominate either Chuan or Chamlong for the pre miership should his party fail to achieve a plurality. This was seen as a ploy to split the solidarity of the pro-democracy group, and was dismissed as such b the four "angel" parties. At that time Chart Pattana was leading in the polls, so Chatichai's offer was not quite as generous as it seemed. As the possibility of a CPP-led coalition became more likely, the Confed eration for Democracy stepped up its campaign against Chatichai, and former NPKC chairman Sunthorn also weighed in with the opinion that it was "inappropriate" for him to take up the post. Chatichai was forced yet again to deny