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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Seh Daeng's girl : I'll lead dad's political party
By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong
Wannapa Khaopa

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Khattiyah "Dear" Sawasdipol - the 29-year-old daughter of the red-shirt leader and suspended Army specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol - plans to pursue his idea for a political party after his funeral next week at Wat Somanas Rajavaravihara.

She gave an interview with The Nation after her "surprise" appearance last Friday among victims of the recent Bangkok riots, and relatives, who registered for help at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's centre for political violence victims, inside Rajvithi Home. Dear recalled her late father and rarely seen sides of a tough soldier.

Q : When will your father's funeral ceremony be held and what do you plan to do then?

I would like to invite people to join the funeral ceremony on June 22 at 5pm at Wat Somanas Rajavaravihara. I now work as a lawyer at Wissen & Co Ltd. After finishing the ceremony, I'll go to the Khattiyatham Party founded by dad. He devoted himself to the party. I plan to work as a politician together with my lawyer's job, as I don't want this party to die after dad died. Members of the party want me to work as head of the party. However, I'm quite worried about working as a politician. I would make it (the party) transparent, able to be inspected and independent from other parties.

Q : As many red shirts admired your father, are you worried people may think the Khattiyatham Party will compete for votes with Pheu Thai Party that is currently supported by red shirts?

It's up to them. They can choose any party they like. Dad wanted to work at the party after his retirement, but he could not. So, I will do what he wanted for him. I would like Pheu Thai to understand me.

Both your mother and father have gone, leaving you alone. Do you sometimes feel lonely or discouraged?

I need to step forward even if my parents are not with me. Dad made me strong. He let me decide and do many things myself, but when I had problems too big to handle by myself, he came and gave me good advice. But I'm staying at my friend's house now. I'm not sure if I'll feel lonely when I get back home where I lived with my parents - seeing dad's personal belongings still placed at the same areas - after the funeral ceremony is finished.

Q : How is the progress in your father's case?

Police are inspecting the scene (where Khattiya sustained a gunshot to his head) and interrogating many witnesses. They've kept in touch with me to notify about progress.

Q : Do you want to know who killed him?

I would not answer that question. It is the police's duty to find the murderer.

Q : Did you meet him during the red-shirt protests?

Dad was in the protest zones throughout the two-month long protest. He ate and slept there, but we talked on the phone every day. Sometimes, I visited him there. He didn't want me to worry about him no matter how distressed he was or how harmful the situations he risked. Also, I did not tell him to beware of harm or let him know that I was worried about him. I did not want him concerned over what I told him. This also is what he taught me - to be strong so that I will learn to live alone.

Even when dad was arrested he was still humorous and I teased him "Do you want to eat fried rice or fried noodles?" (Both dishes are known to be the popular food relatives bring inmates).

Q : People see you as a yellow-shirt supporter, the group that opposes the red shirts. Many believe you might have been against your father.

Many probably thought we were enemies. But going to the yellow-shirt protest site did not mean I was its supporter. I just wanted to get information from every side.

Q : Well, are you likely to take the red shirt side?

I've seen lots of red shirts going to respect my dad's body. They cheered me up, even the elderly aged over 60 paid respect to me. Though I'm much younger than them, they respect my dad. They looked sincere. I take my dad's side. My blood is getting red.