View Full Version : People Power Party:Election '07
I would like to get back to an article about Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej in "The Nation", already mentioned on 2bangkok.com on 26 July under the title "Twilight of the Bangkok governor" (original at http://203.150.224.53/page.arcview.php3?clid=2&id=82704&usrsess=1)
The content of this article is really remarkable and shouldn't go unnoticed (or remain uncommented). The following excerpt sums it up pretty well:
"The governor said he did not want to put further effort into solving the problems. 'I don't have to do anything next year,' he said. 'People are going to criticise me anyway. And I don't have anything to worry about, even my popularity. I don't see any reason to run for re-election.'"
(Well, I guess this city doesn't have any major problems that need to be tackled rather urgently..... Pollution? Noise? Traffic? Insufficient mass transit infrastructure? Wastewater disposal? Poverty? Housing? Not to mention corruption, the poor education system, etc. etc., but that's more on a nationwide scale of course.)
But the problems are not the main sticking point. His REFUSAL to do anything is what is really outrageous here. Where do we live? How could he make such a public declaration without dying of shame?
And it raises many questions:
What intentions do people like him actually have? Why do they actually want to be elected? Just for the money? Or for the fame (well, if he intended to gain face through his governor job, he ultimately managed to reach the opposite, completely destroying his credibility)? Is there not the slightest little bit of decency/honour left in them?
In my opinion, he should be thrown in jail, for what he does (or fails to do) seems to me like a serious offence: I would call it willful neglect of duties - and mocking the people who voted for him, and all citizens of BKK, who have to suffer from his incompetence, or rather inactivity.
Just see how many Bangkokians voted for him in 2000:
http://search.bangkokpost.co.th/bkkpost/2000/bp2000_jul/bp20000725/250700_district.html
or what a high opinion they had of him back then ("His unique personality makes us believe he will work for the benefit of the public.") and how they find themselves to be deceived by him now:
http://search.bangkokpost.co.th/bkkpost/2000/bp2000_jul/bp20000724/240700_news04.html
"...he hoped Mr Samak would seriously attempt to solve traffic and garbage problems." - Bangkokians must have hoped that after EVERY election in history......... dream on!
Another quote from that article, bitterly ironic in retrospect: "Though I'm not a fan of Mr Samak, I voted for him because he knows the city's problems well" - well, yes, he might KNOW them, but he sure doesn't DO anything about them!
So maybe the next election shouldn't wait until June 2004, as pointed out in this rather outspoken Bangkok Post comment entitled "Samak's term won't end soon enough": http://search.bangkokpost.co.th/bkkpost/2003/aug2003/bp20030822/news/22aug2003_news38.html
(But then again, things CAN actually still get worse - if Khun Purachai decides to run.....)
Looking forward to other people's comments on this matter!
It's sad to hear him said that. Many people expect a lot from him. And i kinda like his tough style of management. Hopefully, he will try to do his best to improve Bangkok at least before he leaves the office.
Samak again.... our great governor showing his contempt for the poor:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/170903_News/17Sep2003_news06.html
Comparing human beings to dogs, well...... No comment needed, I guess.
Only on this particular quote:
"There are no excuses for being a vagabond,'' Mr Samak said. "Everybody must have a place to live. If we help them by feeding them and providing shelter more will only leave their homes, come to the city and drift around. In doing so, they take advantage of society. We should send them home.''
What a glorious nonsense. (Sidenote: an elected governor who refuses to work is also taking "advantage of society".) Can't he understand they HAVE NO HOME? If they weren't extremely impoverished or didn't have problems with their families, what would they be doing on the streets? But as usual, nobody attempts to tackle the roots of the problem. Let's just stick to cosmetics and have a happy APEC in a squeaky clean, traffic-jam-less Bangkok next month. (It seems we just have to accept that face, and keeping up appearences, is everything in Thailand.) But don't worry, fellow Bangkokians: everything will return to "normal" after the meeting. You won't have to miss out on the familiar noise, pollution and eyesores for too long.
Guaranteed.
Phewww....
He's not running for re-election (after threatening this possibility had not yet been ruled out during the last few weeks)!
Upbeat Samak bids farewell to city hall
Bangkok Post, 22 July 2004
Governor Samak Sundaravej yesterday bade farewell to city hall, confirming he will not stand for re-election in the Aug 29 poll.
''I am almost 70 years old. I am afraid you will name me 'Ai Gae Samak' (Old Man Samak),'' Mr Samak joked with reporters.
However, he said he will contest the 2006 senate election, and was confident Bangkok voters would elect him. [...]
Well, I wouldn't be too sure about that. :(
Seemingly in a good mood, Mr Samak said his proudest achievement was getting the Irrigation Department to manage water levels in dams, and the help of 400 prison inmates to regularly clear sediment from water pipes.
''Let me tell you that it is no fluke that no serious flooding occurred during my four years,'' he said.
''Every project is a duty ... not an achievement to show the media. I would say my job was done well, as the city seems to run smoothly. There was no work disruption during my term. Don't you call that an achievement?''
I cannot judge that.
But at least you have to agree with him on the following........
Mr Samak said the government repeatedly obstructed the city's attempt to extend the BTS skytrain to suburban areas such as Thon Buri and Bang Na.
''The government did not allow the city to extend the route because it wants to buy BTS shares at a cheap price.''
Pretty outspoken, isn't he, our Ai Gae Samak? ;)
Just wondering what did he do with the Contempoary Arts Center at the corner of MAboonkrong Center krub? What has happened to the project krub?
CHeers
K.
jpatokal
02-02-06, 03:37 PM
Former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej has admitted to ordering 176 fire trucks from Austria for use by City Hall and accused his successor Apirak Kosayodhin of failing to cancel the contract upon detecting irregularities in the deal.
In other words, "Yeah, it was me who did the corrupt deal... but it's your fault for not canceling it faster!" :eek: :confused:
Wisarut
12-02-06, 02:43 AM
If you have Thai friends, please ask them to teanslate the folliowign article abotu Singaporean governemtn's involvement with Thai Elites
http://www.thaiinsider.com/ShowNews.php?Link=News/NaNaJitTang/2006-02-11/16-27.htm
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/19/national/national_30009049.php
Samak fires broadside at Gen Prem
Senator Samak Sundaravej yesterday strongly criticised Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, saying his philosophy about the loyalty of the military to the country and the Monarchy is nonsense.
Speaking on a radio programme "Perd Fam Kwam Kid" on FM 105, the outspoken Senator eagerly jumped into the war of words between the country's elite and the Thaksin government that raised the political temperature over the weekend.
Samak said he had been itching to comment about the speech by an adviser to the King, who said
soldiers are like horses and that horses belong to the country and the Monarchy, not to the jockeys or the governments, which come and go.
"I am very surprised [to learn] that horse experts teach horses to be hostile to [their] jockeys. How come? Horses need jockeys to control them. Have you ever seen horses on a race track, going it alone? I totally disagree with this
philosophy," he said, adding that he wondered why the press admired it.
"When a person who others believe to have clout says anything, the press makes headlines out of his speech," Samak said.
He said some people promote taxi horses to become race horses.
"They have done that," Samak said. "The horses cannot speak. The horses that were supposed
to get promotion did not get it."
He said that if horses could not listen to their jockeys, lawmakers must amend the Constitution to provide for an independent Defence Minister who is not a member of the Cabinet.
Samak also attacked anti-government groups criticising outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for writing letters to US President George W Bush and Asean leaders.
The prime minister was simply trying to explain the situation in the country and if anti-government protestors did not agree with his methods, why did they follow up by writing letters to embassies, he asked.
Prem's lecture, delivered to 950 Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy cadets on Friday, was seen by political pundits as a response to a speech by Thaksin that blamed "extra-Constitutional charismatic figure[s]" for trying to overthrow the government.
The Nation's Suthichai Yoon has a good knack for not treating Thai politics too seriously: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/20/opinion/opinion_30009124.php
THAI TALK
Old soldiers never die; they raise 'career' thoroughbreds
The message was unmistakable. It was delivered in a very subtle, but unusually forceful, way. Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been put on notice: he does not "own" the military.
He could try to command it, but he would have to handle soldiers with care. If Thaksin didn't know that before, he will need to now.
Of course, Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda would never admit publicly that his statement to that effect last Friday was directed at Thaksin in particular. Thaksin, however, can ignore it at his own peril.
It has never been General Prem's style to resort to stirring rhetoric. But this time, it's as close as one could expect the former premier and ex-military officer to come to galvanising the present generation of military men into avoiding falling prey to political power-playing.
Soldiers belong to the country and His Majesty the King, not the government, the Privy Council chairman declared in a lecture delivered to about 950 cadets at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA). And, after quoting General Douglas MacArthur's famous line - "Old soldiers never die; they only fade away" - General Prem, an ex-cavalry officer, went on to offer a vivid analogy: "In horseracing, horse owners hire jockeys to ride the horses. The jockeys do not own the horses. They just ride them. A government is like a jockey. It supervises soldiers but the real owners are the country and the King. The government supervises and employs us in compliance with the policy declared to parliament ... What I mean is that we are the country's soldiers. Governments come and go."
Was this a case of an embittered old horse telling the up-and-coming stable of thoroughbreds not to be afraid to turn recalcitrant if undue political pressure is imposed upon them or their ranks?
Less than two weeks earlier, Thaksin used a similar forum - a gathering of senior bureaucrats from around the country - to "galvanise" his own "stable of horses", telling them to resist any attempts to interfere in their work. The caretaker premier's reference to an "extra-constitutional charismatic figure" who was trying to supersede his executive power was of course still fresh in the minds of the cadets as Prem told them he considered them his "flesh and blood".
Thaksin could have wriggled out of the controversy by publicly denying his statement was not a challenge to the Privy Council chairman or any institution higher up. To the contrary, he has been stoking the fire by deliberately dodging reporters' questions on the issue. Without a denial - which would have been seen as a passable "face-saving" gesture - Thaksin has simply confirmed the worst suspicions that he was challenging Prem to a political showdown.
The fact that Thaksin's spokesman went on record to say that the "extra-constitutional charismatic figure" that the acting premier had in mind was a "commoner" only served to make things worse. Now, those faithful to Prem - and they constitute a reasonably large number in the military establishment - have decided that Thaksin has increasingly become a real menace, not only to intellectuals, the middle-class, professionals and academics, but also to career soldiers.
It was probably just a coincidence but Thaksin was obviously flustered by a reporter's question on the very same day about rumours that he was contemplating giving General Sonthi Boonyaratglin a "kick upstairs", in favour of a former classmate of his, in the annual military reshuffle scheduled for October. He did not deny the speculation either. But he did complain the following day in his weekly radio programme that he had been caught off-guard by the question because he had not even thought about the issue. "Not having thought about it …" does not necessarily mean not intending to think about it when the time comes, or so his critics quickly concluded.
It could have been what insiders call a "pre-emptive rumour", but it is no secret that the current Army chief, who assumed the post only last year, has the "professional position" that he is a career soldier serving His Majesty and would not tolerate any undue political pressure from the prime minister.
In other words, he is no Thaksin "yes man" and would resist any attempt to use the military to serve Thaksin's own political ends.
Prem's succinct reminder to cadets last week that soldiers belong to the King and not the government was no ordinary academic exhortation. Having prefaced his statement with the disclaimer that his "comments aren't meant to stir up bad feelings towards the government", the Privy Council president proceeded to, for the first time, put clear distance between himself and Thaksin.
The split, for all practical purposes, now appears irreversible.
Asked by reporters after he had delivered the speech - in which he likened soldiers to horses and governments to jockeys - whether the current jockey was good, Prem simply said: "You in the press can decide for yourselves."
When an old, experienced horse holds back comments on his jockey, you know there is something to watch out for in the race ahead.
As they say in horseracing, "it's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts".
And that, I'm afraid, is what is happening in the current stormy political landscape. The jockey has simply gone nuts.
Suthichai Yoon
Horse**** indeed - or maybe bull****? Please someone tell Ai Samak to shut up. Can't hear this disgusting old guy's rants anymore. :mad:
Just wonder why he feels he has to act as the government's apologist #1? What is he to gain?
It has been said (rather than suggested) that he is paid to get on the case of the govt's critics
Wisarut
20-07-06, 08:56 PM
The very reason for Ai Samak to Attack papa prem are
1) Jealousy ... Papa Prem come from Lower Class than Ai Samak, yet becomign Prime Minister, the head of privy Council and Stateman ... the position he can ONLY dream for ....
Those from the palace have pointed that Samak is too immature to handle such heavy responsibility
Furthermore, Papa Prem know that Ai Samak involved in the scandal on the procrumnent of boats for habour dept. When Ai Sama was Ministry of Trasportation ... So, Papa Prem has removed Ai Samak out of the Cabinate after the cabinate dissolution in July 1986.
2) Ai samak sides with Ai Maew despite of thier enemity in the past ... since Ai Samak want protection from Ai maew on the scandal of firetrucks and fireboat for BMA Fire dept ....
Somsak Jeamteerasakul (Wisarut, I know you don't think much of him), leftist historian from Thammasat has an article (http://www.thaijustice.com/webboard.asp?sub=0&id=316550) on Prem and Samak that's quite interesting. He reminds us that in his time Prem was a controversial figure as well, giving as example the vocal opposition from the student movement and opposition politicians (the Democrats in particular - I think Samak was a member back then) when he decided to stay on as army commander past retirement age while at the same time being concurrently prime minister.
Somsak says that although it was widely known that the palace fully backed Prem, this did not prevent criticism from politicians and civil society groups from being articulated. Samak, supposedly with a longer view of history, doesn't really "feel" the "aura" of Prem, the Senior Stateman (TM), as much as most people do today.
As for the substance of Samak's criticism - it does sound like a bit of horse****. :p
BangkokPundit
21-07-06, 02:07 PM
Somsak Jeamteerasakul (Wisarut, I know you don't think much of him), leftist historian from Thammasat has an article (http://www.thaijustice.com/webboard.asp?sub=0&id=316550) on Prem and Samak that's quite interesting. He reminds us that in his time Prem was a controversial figure as well, giving as example the vocal opposition from the student movement and opposition politicians (the Democrats in particular - I think Samak was a member back then) when he decided to stay on as army commander past retirement age while at the same time being concurrently prime minister.
Perhaps, you should put the above in a letter to the editor to the Bangkok Post or The Nation. I would beat all the money in the world against it being published.
This is the thing with the poll the other day and Prem being the best PM. Well, when most people dare not to publish anything bad about you, how else do you expect people to remember you as? Here, I was thinking I was the only one who understood that that Prem, when he was PM, was not certainly not the revered figure he is today. I would argue that his current popularity/status stems from his position as President of the Privy Council and not from all his good deeds as PM.
Wisarut
03-08-06, 01:06 AM
The late Pol.Lt.Col. Anant Senakhan of "Chanuan Movement" siad
That Samak with Dog Nose is a son of Whore cat .... He did joined Hoodlum gang at Khiaw Khai Kah Pier .. The Phraya of Sunthoravej family had adopted Samak as hsi adoped son ...
Ai Sama is good at curry favotr thsoe power that be ... lickign booths of Military Junta as well as Dictators wiht Democratic disguise ....
No wonder, Ai Samak has such kind of Nature ... always as he is until the last day of his life.
He become BKK Senators through vote buying ... and he got moeny for vote buying from Ai Maew ... so he has to BITE Ai Maew's opponents as an exchange ...
REF: http://www.manager.co.th/Entertainment/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9490000098609
It seems almost inevitable that at some point in the next few years, Thai Ruk Thai is going to have to go it alone without the constant leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra. And note that I'm not necessarily saying before the upcoming election. What are your gut feelings about the possibility of the Thai Ruk Thai kiddies learning to ride their first bike properly, without the Thaksin trainer wheels? I'm going to attach a poll to this thread.
As always, comments are invited in addition to/instead of your vote.
My guess is that the Thaksin money would continue to just about hold things together enough to form a government with a substantially reduced (but still highly workable) majority.
It's worth noting the monumental assumption that only he can choose a successor. Difficult to tell if that would be the midas touch or the kiss of death, when one considers how little the TRT factions have in common. We might even find that even the factions are riven with factions.
"I may take a break." : Thaksin
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/15/headlines/headlines_30013706.php
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hinted on Friday he would decide on his future before the registration of candidates for the new general election.
"Everything will become clear before the new poll," he said, insisting he will keep the name of his successor a secret until the last minute of the campaign launch.
This is the first time Thaksin has made a public statement on whether he will take a political break before election day, tentatively pushed back to late November instead of October 15.
He gave the interview to Thai News Agency on board a flight from London to attend the Non Aligned Meeting in Havana.
On previous occasions, Thaksin had said he would make up his mind after the balloting outcome, and hinted he would contest the race and then decide whether to lead the next government.
In yesterday's aboutturn, Thaksin implied he might not seek reelection at all.
"I am thinking about what I should be doing next and whether I should still be working through the partisan process," he said.
He said he might take a break from politics because the public and the media are getting fed up with him.
"I look at General Prem Tinsulanonda in order to remind myself about political fickleness," he said.
"Today, media professionals are praising the president of the Privy Council as a role model, although every newspaper attacked him when he was the prime minister."
The caretaker prime minister voiced optimism that his Thai Rak Thai Party would still beat rival parties in spite of his plunging popularity.
"Mark my words. The people will continue to vote the way they want to and the Thai Rak Thai Party will definitely win regardless of attacks against me or the installation of the new Election Commission," he said.
He reminded the Democrat Party to concentrate on wooing votes instead of wasting time finding fault with him.
Commenting on potential candidates to succeed him, he said he would not unveil his successor too soon fearing character assassination.
Press reports have floated three names, Somkid Jatusripitak, Chidchai Vanasatidya and Surakiart Sathirathai, which were mere speculation, he said.
"I will not leak the name of my successor because it is unwise to speak hastily in Thai politics," he said.
The Nation
Could it also be that they will be elected without Thaksin, but then gradually disintegrate as the inevitable infighting kicks in!? We shouldn't forget they no longer have Sanoh Tienthong to wield the disciplinarian shoulderbag.
The Prem comments suggest that Thaksin thinks he can endure by allowing the country realize that it can't do without him. Ho Hum!
Scuba22
16-09-06, 09:00 AM
Thaksin's vote-getting strategy, promising endless freebies, is only sustainable in a climate of ever-increasing economic growth. Yet, the Thai domestic economy is paltry and only benefits a few elite; the surplus from exports is what allows all the rural freebies. No Thai government has much impact on that, the best anyone can do is to not screw things up. For upside gains, the country has always been and ill continue to be dependent on the state of the world economy. As US consumer spending slows down on the back of a slowing housing market, and multinationals continue to focus on China and India, Thailand's global position will continue its slide, leaving very little for TRT to dole out. When the coffers run dry and 30 B health care falls apart, the various village funding schemes end, and OTOP products are piled high and deep in warehouses, the rural poor will join the PAD on the street, and that will be the end of TRT - Thaksin or no Thaksin.
It's been 60 years since the end of WWII, plenty of time for a country to develop stable institutions. The best Thailand can do is TRT? Pretty sad.
Scuba22
:confused:
Wang Nam Yom faction of 100 resigns: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015187
Surakiart & two others resign: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015178
Spokesman Suranand leaves: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015185
Chonburi Faction of 20 leaves: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/headlines/headlines_30015190.php
TRT and Thaksin websites down. The latter has a message from buydomains.com saying that it is "not available". One wonders whether Admin &/or Temasek have been attempting to add to their collection of Thaksin memorabilia: -
Two websites of Thaksin inaccessible
The two websites former primer minister Thaksin Shinawatra used to boast as channels to reach out to his supporters have become inaccessible.
The two websites are www.thairakthai.or.th and www.thaksin.com which Thaksin used to receive mails and comments from his supporters as well as promoting himself and party's policies.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015198
The interesting thing is that some folks, even within the party, say that the 5 year ban might be retroactive: -
TRT sinking like Titanic
Mass exodus of executives, factions follows threat of five-year ban over election violations
The Thai Rak Thai Party is on the verge of falling apart. Announcement No 27 by the Council for National Security (CNS) changing conditions in the act governing political parties has caused party executives and former MPs to jump ship en masse.
Wang Nam Yom leader Somsak Thepsuthin was leading members of the party's biggest faction out the door. Commanding over 100 members, his defection could all but spell the end to Thai Rak Thai's phenomenal domination of Thai politics. Putting the nail in Thai Rak Thai's coffin, deputy leader Sontaya Kunplome also said he and his 20-member faction have resigned.
According to party officials, a total of 62 former Thai Rak Thai MPs have submitted their resignations, 25 of whom are party executives.
Among Son-taya's faction members to resign were Sa-nga Thana-sanguanwong, Ittipon Kunplome, Charnyuth Heng-trakul, Kritsada Karun and Pramote Weerapong.
Somsak's secretary brought the Wang Nam Yom resignation forms to the party yesterday. All resignation letters contained Somsak's signature.
Although no reasons were given in the resignation forms, sources said the faction was alarmed by the CNS' announcement, which will ban executive members of any party for five years if the party is dissolved for breaking electoral laws.
Original laws banned executives of a dissolved party from forming a new party or becoming executives in a new party, but they were free to run in a new election.
The Thai Rak Thai Party is facing trial for allegedly hiring smaller parties to serve as its proxies in the April election, which was later nullified by the courts.
Somsak gave a vague explanation to reporters, saying he wanted to help the country achieve harmony, and that his faction wanted to see things "more clearly" after the September 19 coup.
"Under the current situation, if we are still political party members we can't help our constituency residents who now are suffering because of natural disasters. So we want to be free in order to solve the flood problem," he said.
He was referring to his faction's political stronghold, parts of which are being affected by Typhoon Xangsane.
He declined to say if he would form a new party or move to a new party. Such decisions, he said, would be announced later.
Former Nakhon Sawan MP Banyin Tangphakorn, who is Somsak's secretary, admitted the main reason for the faction members resigning from Thai Rak Thai was because of the CNS announcement.
Somsak and other Thai Rak Thai former MPs discussed whether they would be subject to the five-year ban if they resigned from a party that was to be dissolved later, Banyin said.
"The CNS amended the Political Parties Act on Saturday and that was an obvious signal that certain parties now face dissolution," Banyin said.
Choochai Mungcharoenporn, a key Wang Nam Yom member, believed Thai Rak Thai would be dissolved but that it would not affect those executives who had already quit.
But Thai Rak Thai executive Veera Musigapong said at a press conference that if the party was dissolved, the resigned members would be retroactively affected by the CNS' announcement.
Some legal experts agreed with Veera. "The announcement was meant to punish those serving as party executives at the time of the violation," Thammasat University Rector Suraphol Nitikraiphot said.
Thammasat law lecturer Somkid Lertpaitoon said Thai Rak Thai Party executives decided to resign from the party because they felt the court could not ban them from politics for five years. But he did not think the court would agree with them.
"If the court rules the party is guilty, its executives will be punished even though they have quit as party members now," he said.
As of yesterday, high-profile Thai Rak Thai members who have resigned include former PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva, deputy leader Surakiart Sathirathai, deputy leader Sora-at Klinpratoom, Suchart Tancharoen, Sontaya and former social development and human security minister Watana Muangsook. Watana was not on the executive board.
Suranand said the military coup prompted him to reconsider his political plans. "When there's a major political change, it's time for me to take a look at myself," he said.
Although he defended the party's policies, a source said the looming possibility of Thai Rak Thai being dissolved had caused Suranand to desert.
Meanwhile, Chon Buri faction leader Sontaya and about 20 other former MPs are expected to move to the Chat Thai Party where he was once a member.
There have also been reports that certain former Thai Rak Thai members plan to form a new political party called "Seri Thai".
It was reported yesterday that other factions lead by Sudarat Keyuraphan and Suwat Liptapanlop were about to make a decision on their future soon.
Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong said the military council's amendment of the Political Parties Act was a crystal-clear signal that Thai Rak Thai's days were numbered. But he said he remained unsure if the Thai Rak Thai executives could escape punishment by simply fleeing the party.
Thai Rak Thai's website and that of its founder, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, were closed yesterday.
Kesinee Jaikawang,
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/03/headlines/headlines_30015251.php
Meltdown continues in TRT
Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday confirmed the inevitable emasculation and possible demise of his Thai Rak Thai Party after announcing his resignation as leader in a hand-written letter.
Meanwhile, more leading Thai Rak Thai members have been leaving the party in a desperate attempt to keep their political careers alive, resulting in speculation that the "party of reform" would fall apart or shrink into insignificance after eight years in national politics.
In a three-page letter faxed from London to Thai Rak Thai's head office, Thaksin stated he had to quit because his government had failed to implement the law as it was supposed to do to keep the country in order.
Thaksin recalled his reasoning at the time that he had tried every possible means to avoid violence while conflicts with the anti-government groups were growing sharply. As a result, it left room for the military coup on September 19, he said.
Thaksin claimed that as the ruling party's leader, he should be responsible for the outcome.
Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Pongthep Thepkanjana said Thaksin's resignation had instantly invalidated the positions of all 107 party executives, according to the law on political parties.
Until new executives were elected, deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan would become acting Thai Rak Thai leader, he said.
Despite a ban on political party meetings, Thai Rak Thai executive Veera Musikapong said his party should call an executive meeting within 45 days to select a new leader under the election law, he said.
If the new Cabinet refused to allow the meeting, it would violate the basic rights of the people, Veera said. "If party members vote for Thaksin to return as party leader, he will have the legitimacy to return to national politics," he added.
Thaksin's resignation came a day after 62 former Thai Rak Thai MPs submitted their resignations, 25 of whom were party executives. The group included members of Wang Nam Yom, Thai Rak Thai's biggest faction, under Somsak Thepsuthin and deputy leader Sontaya Kunplome's faction.
Despite commanding an overwhelming majority in Parliament when it was in power, Thai Rak Thai was assembled partly through the lure of money and vested interests. The fact that it had to rely too much on Thaksin's clout and financial power may have prompted warnings that it could easily disintegrate if something happened to him.
Former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak quit Thai Rak Thai yesterday. Somkid is the latest senior member to leave the party.
Party executives Varathep Ratanakorn, Pimol Srivikorn and Veerachai Veeramaethikul then followed Somkid.
More than 40 former Thai Rak Thai MPs under the Wang Nam Yom faction were said to have handed in resignation letters yesterday, the second bloc resignation from the faction.
Pongthep insisted the mass resignations would not affect the status of Thai Rak Thai as a political party, as that would only occur if it had less than 15 members. More than 14 million people hold Thai Rak Thai membership, he said.
The exodus from Thai Rak Thai began on Monday when the Council of National Security (CNS) issued an order banning political party executives from House elections for five years if their party is dissolved for breaking electoral laws. Original laws banned executives of a dissolved party from forming a new party or becoming executives in a new party, but they were free to run in a new election.
Thai Rak Thai is facing trial for allegedly hiring smaller parties to serve as its proxies in the April election, which was nullified by the courts.
Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukakanan said Thai Rak Thai's leading members could not avoid punishment by resigning if the court dissolved Thai Rak Thai. The two incidents were not related, he said.
However, a former Constitution Court judge who refused to be named said the CNS could not apply its new regulations validated on Saturday to the Thai Rak Thai case as the actions had occurred several months earlier. The case would comply with the old rules, the source said.
In the meantime, deputy Thai Rak Thai spokesman Jatuporn Phrompan said the exodus of Thai Rak Thai's leading members had worsened the crisis his party was facing. "First the coup and then the mass resignations. It's like we are facing two typhoons at the same time."
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/04/headlines/headlines_30015341.php
Ex-TRT MPs flee to Chat Thai and others
Members of major factions in the Thai Rak Thai Party have flocked to join the Chat Thai Party following ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's announcement that he will step down as the party leader, a source said yesterday.
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa assigned a close aide to lobby the Phya Nak Faction led by Pinij Charusombat and Preecha Laopongchana, which has about 40 members to join the party, the source said.
Chat Thai Party deputy leader Weerasak Khosurat said the party welcomed new members but it also depended on their conditions. Secretary-general Prapat Photasuthon said there have been negotiations with factions from Thai Rak Thai Party but they are not yet clear.
A Chat Thai source said a faction led by Sonthaya Kunplome, comprising 10 people, and another group led by Suchart Tancharoen, contacted Chat Thai in April last year, when the Thai Rak Thai Party was experiencing internal fighting. However, they did not defect because of the 90-day party membership rule. The source said it was certain the two groups would run in the next election under Chat Thai's banner.
The Wadah faction led by Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, also wants to join Chat Thai but Banharn is thinking hard because this group had quarrelled with Chat Thai's Kuheng Yaworhasan.
Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said some former Thai Rak Thai Party MPs wanted to join his party but he refused to name them. "They have to go through the process of our party. Party defection is a normal scenario in politics,'' he said.
Mahachon Party deputy leader Akapol Sorasuchart said the party had not contacted any former MPs to join it because it has a policy of bringing in new generation candidates. But if any former MPs wanted to join, it would consider them on a case-by-case basis.
Thai Ground Party deputy leader Sarit Santimethanidol said many former Thai Rai Thai Party MPs wanted to join the party but he refused to elaborate.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/04/national/national_30015333.php
Are key members like Pinij Charusombat and Suwat Lipthapanlop going to join Barnharn Silapa-Archa for a rerun of the 1996 'Walking ATM' administration? Or are they looking to hang around for a sneak opportunity to become party leader of a once big name party? Nang Sao Sudarat is holidaying on Koh Samui to get away from the turmoil - Hardly the conduct of a future captain.
Another report on the sinking TRT ship: -
TRT rudderless as no one wants to lead
The Thai Rak Thai Party was in complete disarray yesterday with neither Sudarat Keyuraphan nor Chaturon Chaisang, the second and third leading figures, apparently prepared to step into Thaksin Shinawatra's shoes.
Meanwhile, as resignations from the party continued unabated, a deputy spokesman denied that Thaksin, who stepped down as leader on Tuesday, would also quit.
Former party executive Ekaporn Rakkwamsuk said Sudarat had refused to take over as leader, giving rise to rumours that Chaturon would accept the post. The news came as another rumour spread that Sudarat planned to quit the party completely.
But an unnamed party source said later Chaturon also was not prepared to take the helm.
Next in line in the party's pecking order is another deputy leader Chaiyot Sasomsub, a deputy Finance minister in the deposed government.
Although executives and MPs were continuing to abandon the party, some former officials still retained their confidence. They said the party would be popular again after the Surayud government's tenure ends.
Former party executive Ekaporn Rakkwamsuk said many former MPs in the North, Isaan and Bangkok had told him they would stand as party candidates again. However, they would await the new Constitution before making any move in order to be fully aware of the rules.
"If the prohibition on political assembly is lifted, the party's supporters will certainly support it as before," Ekaporn said.
"Thai Rak Thai has all kinds of people. Some were admired but condemned as followers of a tyrant. I want Thai Rak Thai members to understand and be confident. A political party is not completely bad. It must have something good," he said.
Former Thai Rak Thai executive Weerakorn Khamprakob said MPs were resigning from the party because they wanted to ease people's worries about mobs being incited to protest against the junta government. They would rejoin the party once the political system returned to normal.
The party issued a press release listing yesterday's resignations, which included former deputy Interior minister Sermsak Pongpanit and former MP Wuttichai Sanitwongchai.
Thai Rak Thai registrar Saman Lertwongrat said he had received the resignations of expartylist MP Chetta Thanajaro and former Sukhothai MP Somjate Limpabandhu. General Yuthasak Sasiprapha had also resigned.
Yuthasak, a former deputy Defence minister in the Thaksin government, said he would dedicate his time to sports activities, Saman said. Yuthasak is president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand
Samatcha Hoonsara
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/04/headlines/headlines_30015380.php
Just occasionally Chuwit really gets to the heart of the matter!?: -
Chuwit against accepting factions from Thai Rak Thai into Chat Thai
Chat Thai Party deputy leader Chuwit Kamolwisit Thursday warned party leader Banharn Silapaarcha not to repeat the mistake it made in the past by accepting any and every faction which had defected from the Thai Rak Thai Party.
"I call on Banharn to screen people and pay attention to quality not quantity or it will be the same old problem facing Chat Thai. Banharn had earlier said Chat Thai was a small party rather than a large one with many factions," he said.
Chuwit said Banharn had to admit that if he accepted factions from Thai Rak Thai, they would become factions within Chat Thai. As such, if Chat Thai was able to form a government, the factions would then use their collective strength to demand ministerial posts.
Chuwit's call came as Banharn was having lunch with leaders of factions which had already defected - or were about to defect - from Thai Rak Thai, including Pinij Charusombat, leader of Wang Phaya Nak, Suchart Tancharoen and Sonthaya Kunplome and a representative of Somsak Thepsuthin.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015464
Bye Thai Rak Thai. :) Best news in a very long time.:D
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, former Thai Rak Thai Party secretary-general, has resigned as a party member, the party's registration director said Wednesday.
Samarn Lertdamrong, the director, said Suriya submitted his resignation to him Wednesday but the letter was dated Tuesday.
Samarn said the resignation stated only that Suriya wanted to resign now that Thaksin had stepped down as party leader.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015929
Pinij Charusombat, leader of Wang Phya Nak faction, has confirmed his resignation from the Thai Rak Thai Party, a senior party members said Wednesday.
Saman Lertdamrongrat, the registration director of the party, said Pinij had confirmed his resignation after retracting it last week.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015934
And doubtless this is why: -
The executive board of the Thai Rak Thai Party voted Wednesday to have deputy leader Chaturon Chaisang serve as the party's acting leader.
Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Pongthep Thepkanchana said he would inform Chaturon of the board's decision.
When learning about the decision from reporters, Chaturon said he would accept the post if he had power to make decisions.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015927
And even one more: -
Another key Thai Rak Thai member to quit yesterday was former MP Kasem Pan-udomlak.
Some people might say 'morally bankrupt', if nothing else.
Where is he of late? While looking for a few leads, I dug up this 'Nation' article from just before the coup. The bit at the end about him going to a Dharma debate with Phra Phayom sounds hilarious. I remember seeing Samak on a TV program with Phra Phayom before. A monastic presence definitely helped to tone down the Samak rant. But, if anything, it made him look even more of a hypocrite as he went through the motions of demonstrating his piety in a particularly obsequious manner: -
Samak can't bear to see Thaksin slighted
MV1, the online and cable television channel that supports caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and has been branded "pseudo-media" by professional media organisations, launched officially yesterday with a strong attack on media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the anti-Thaksin alliance's leaders.
At Muang Thong Thani's Grand Hall, Samak Sundaravej, a sharp-tongued anchor for MV1's "Sonthana Panha Banmuang" ("Talks on the Nation's Problems") live talk programme, said he had decided to set up MV1 because he could not tolerate what Sondhi had done to Thaksin with his Asia Satellite TV (ASTV) channel.
"He claims his channel is real media, but in fact he plays dirty tricks, mobilises mobs, is bankrupt, has refused to pay his bank debts and does not even pay for the house he rents from the former United States ambassador," Samak said of Sondhi.
Samak also condemned a Chulalongkorn University academic who commented on the real- and pseudo-media issue. "They are all biased against PM Thaksin," he said of the Thai media, academics and the People's Alliance for Democracy.
He also denied being paid by the government to express support for Thaksin.
"Woe betide me if I was paid Bt100 million-Bt200 million, as they have said," he declared.
Today Samak will be a key speaker at a special dharma session held by well-known preacher Phra Phayom Kalayano of Wat Suankaew in Nonthaburi. The sessions are called "Kwamjring Robdaan" ("The Rounded Truth"), and begin today and continue every Sunday from 1pm to 3pm.
"They are an open forum for people with different points of view to discuss issues without emotion," Phra Phayom explained.
"Anyone can bring friends along, but protest banners, loud noise and alcohol are not allowed," the preacher said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/17/politics/politics_30013839.php
Wadah group leaves Thai Rak Thai
Former Muslim MPs from southern border provinces Wednesday resigned as Thai Rak Thai Party members, the acting party leader said.
Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang said members of the Wadah group submitted their resignation to the party Wednesday.
Chaturon said the resignations of Wadah members were expected and he expected that many more members would resign.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30016503
So the meeting of party leaders was far from being 'all sweetness and light'.
:o Chaturon red-faced as accusations fly:mad:
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva dropped a bombshell about subversive elements at yesterday's meeting between party leaders and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.
The young politician said during the lunch discussion that his party had found that there existed "undercurrents" in many parts of the country - particularly in the North and Northeast. Possible threats from these groups, purportedly sympathetic to the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have been cited by the government and the Council for National Security (CNS) as the main reason why martial law should be retained.
Abhisit told Surayud yesterday the undercurrents were threatening national security and he called for the government and the CNS to take stern measures to deal with it.
For the time being, the leader of a minor political party said, there was only one party stirring the waters and its leader was sitting opposite to Surayud, according to a source who was among the participants.
Thai Rak Thai Party's acting leader Chaturon Chaisang faced Surayud across the table.
Leaders of other minor parties then spoke up in support of the statement. The uproar continued for about 10 minutes.
Chaturon, with a grim face, looked down without responding to the comments. Surayud then intervened by changing the topic.
Meanwhile the PM and Third Army Area commander Lt General Jiradech Kacharat dismissed a report that troops were being sent to Bangkok amid fears of Thaksin's possible return.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/26/national/national_30017175.php
A source in the Thai Rak Thai Party has told reporters that the acting party leader Chaturon Chaisang will soon be flying to Beijing to meet former party leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Hardly a move designed to convince people that he is his own boss! :rolleyes:
Chaturon postpones trip to China
Chaturon Chaisang, the acting Thai Rak Thai Party leader, Friday said he had postponed his trip to China for one week in the wake of speculation that he would meet ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra there.
Chaturon had earlier planned to visit China next Tuesday at the invitation of a Chinese educational agency. He said he had already informed the Council for National Security.
However, after he learned that Thaksin was staying in China, Chaturon decided to put off his trip because he was afraid that it would become politicised.
"I assume that Thaksin will have left China by the time I arrive there," he said yesterday.
The acting leader said he did not need to meet Thaksin in China because he could contact him any time by phone, adding he had not spoken to the ex-premier since he assumed the new post.
"I think I will meet him again when he returns to Thailand. But that will be quite a long time yet," said Chaturon.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017976
Baton Rouge
04-11-06, 08:23 PM
Some faceless TRT party executive left yesterday. I forget the name. Romance is a hard-road for the innocent.
Today it seems to be the turn of Sonthaya Khunphleum (ex-tourism minister & son of the infamous fugitive-from-justice Kamnan Phor) and his gang of ten Chonburi Bloc politicians. They want to leave Thai Ruk Thai (no money, no honey!) and rejoin Chat Thai, the party they left six years ago. Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapa-Archa wants to welcome these prodigal sons back to the fold at his party's November 19 anniversary party. It seems that Sontaya and another Thai Rak Thai fraction led by Suchart Tancharoen contacted CT in April, saying that they wouldn't mind an invite to CT's luxurious annual bash. At that time there was an unusual lack of luv in TRT, as it faced the horrible prospect of Thaksin Shinawatra and his famous wallet taking a long break from politics.
As has been noted earlier in this string, CT deputy Chuwit Kamolvisit (King of the Bubbles) has opposed the unconditional re-entry of these two factions, saying that they would cause the same old problems of power struggles in the party (that he himself joined only a few months ago).
Khun Barnharn has long & oft been dubbed the 'Walking ATM' for his affable and generous party host manner. Nice geezer! Shame he dabbles in politics!
:D :( :mad:
What a freaking insane mess called "Thai politics".
And - irrespective of the coup(s), a related, but separate story - people still dare to associate all this with the concept of "democracy"?
Baton Rouge
06-11-06, 09:38 PM
A unreformed TRT was telling me - at Thermae last Saturday night - that Chaturon Chaisaeng has decided that the party should move out of its present head office in the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand Building on Petchaburi Road. It seems that that prime piece of real estate has become too expensive for the new lean and mean luv machine that Chaturon means to run.
It wasn't much of a surprise to be told that the building is owned by the ever-enterprizing Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, but I was a bit shocked to hear that the few remaining TRT party execs were accusing the KY of becoming a rack-renting rachmanite. Or was it just that the Feng Jui was found to be all wrong, or that there were too many 'hungry ghosts' haunting the dark (and now rather silent) corridors of power politics.
Baton Rouge
14-01-07, 10:22 PM
Politicians of the ilk of Chaturon Chaisang leave a lot to be desired. Whilst one can applaud his criticism of the sad sack way in which the CNS and interim government are shaping up, one should also note that he completely failed to criticise any aspect of Thaksin Shinawatra's cynical handling of the media over 2.5 terrible terms.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30024105
Chaturon: CNS is becoming a dictator
Thai Rak Thai Party caretaker party leader Chaturon Chaisang Sunday said Council for National Security was moving close to full dictatorship for threatening the media over its coverage about deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Chaturon called a press conference saying that although CNS softened its stance saying it only sought co-operation from the media, it threatened to seek a meeting with each media that does not give cooperation.
"This is the violation of press freedom and transgress the interim constitution including Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's address on national policy. The CNS is controlling the media,'' he said.
This is almost certainly an indication that many people are expecting the Thai Ruk Thai Party to be formally wound up by the courts over electoral fraud. There is, of course, good reason to believe that the Democrat Party may also be wound up by the same court for similar reasons: -
Suwat to leave Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Suwat Liptapanlop and his faction will resign from the party this week, Suwat's younger brother, former MP Tewan Liptapanlop, said Thursday.
Tewan said members of the faction had discussed their future and agreed to leave the former ruling party, which faces possible dissolution over electoral fraud charges. About 20 faction members had already signed a resignation letter, he said.
Tewan cited the unclear political situation and the fact that the new constitution had yet to be completed as factors behind the faction's move. He said it also wanted to show the junta it was distinct from Thai Rak Thai.
Tewan denied the faction had agreed to form a new party with Pinij Charusombat's group.
However, another faction member said Suwat and Pinij would form a party this week. Their new party would share seats in the Northeast with Somsak Thepsuthin, who led his Wang Nam Yom faction out of the Thai Rak Thai Party on Monday, he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30025710
TRT will probably be dissolved: Sonthi
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday pointed to the likelihood of the Thai Rak Thai Party being dissolved, saying it was in disarray from its former MPs looking for new parties.
He said politicians under the Thai Rak Thai banner were demoralised in light of the possible party dissolution and that political normalcy should resume once they could adopt a new party's banner.
"Many things are going to happen, including political-party dissolution. I believe people in the Thai Rak Thai Party are in disarray because support for it is waning. Also importantly, politicians who don't stick to individuals are finding new places to go," Sonthi said.
The general, who heads the Council for National Security, was speaking at a student forum at the Hat Yai campus of Prince of Songkhla University.
The Constitution Tribunal is hearing electoral-fraud cases against Thai Rak Thai, the Democrats and three smaller parties. The hearings are expected to end in April.
.....
General Sonthi yesterday said soldiers had fanned out across the country to help villagers wean themselves off their dependency on government hand-outs instead of holding onto the legacy of the previous administration.
"Soldiers and villagers are working together to build a new life, one in which they can stand on their own with their professional skills rather than depend on welfare," said the coup leader.
Sonthi criticised ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra for the negative impact of his populist policies, such as future generations of Thais still having to sort out the debt-ridden economy.
Turning to the political situation, he said volatility should dissipate in the next three or four months after the uprooting of Thaksin's tentacles of power.
"Existing frictions are due to the fact that ousted politicians and certain vested interests are trying to fight for survival and even hoping to regain power as authorities make progress in wiping out Thaksin's legacy," he said.
He voiced optimism the new constitution could usher a better political system, including a practical solution to the problem of vote-buying.
Commenting on the southern violence, he said rising public sentiment for patriotism as stirred up by the film "The Legend of King Naresuan" was an encouraging sign for a unified nation.
In addressing remnants of the ousted government, he said the political situation would be normalised in less than one month if everyone put the nation before an individual leader.
"Even I was labelled as ungrateful [by Thaksin], even though I am obliged to serve the country and not a regime," he said.
Sonthi was appointed Army commander-in-chief while Thaksin was prime minister. The ex-PM mentioned the fact after he was overthrown in the September 19 coup.
Sonthi yesterday said certain police officers remained loyal to the ousted premier, alluding to Thaksin's strong ties with the police.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/02/headlines/headlines_30025761.php
I don't know why they have to say again what they've already said. But I suspect the mention of his birthday gives the game away. Today was probably cited (by some voodoo man) as auspicious for some new political departure. Today's article is the second of the two below: -
GWR 01-02-07, 11:54 PM
Suwat to leave Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Suwat Liptapanlop and his faction will resign from the party this week, Suwat's younger brother, former MP Tewan Liptapanlop, said Thursday.
Tewan said members of the faction had discussed their future and agreed to leave the former ruling party, which faces possible dissolution over electoral fraud charges. About 20 faction members had already signed a resignation letter, he said.
Tewan cited the unclear political situation and the fact that the new constitution had yet to be completed as factors behind the faction's move. He said it also wanted to show the junta it was distinct from Thai Rak Thai.
Tewan denied the faction had agreed to form a new party with Pinij Charusombat's group.
However, another faction member said Suwat and Pinij would form a party this week. Their new party would share seats in the Northeast with Somsak Thepsuthin, who led his Wang Nam Yom faction out of the Thai Rak Thai Party on Monday, he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30025710
Suvat and other 30 former MPs announce their decision to resign from TRT
Suvat Liptapanlop, deputy leader of Thai Rak Thai, declares on Monday that he and 30 other former Mps will resign from the party today.
The group will submit resignation letter at the party headquarters this afternoon.
He announced his decision on his birthday as he turns 52 Monday.
Thirty other TRT MPs who would resign with him were former members of Chat Pattana party.
He claimed that the decision came after TRT leader Thaksin Shinawatra pledged to retire from the politic.
"When we join TRT, we merge with it. Now leader of TRT has said he would step down, so we decide to resign," Suvat announced the decision before dozens of well-wishers.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30026405
What a strange fantasy world politicians live in:-
Suvat resigns from TRT to form "Path of Alliance"
Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Suwat Liptapallop and members of his faction announced their resignation from TRT during Suwat's 52nd birthday at his residence on Friday.
Suwat said he would set up "Path of Reconciliation" Group with his political alliances.
Suwat - former leader of the defunct Chat Pattana Party - joined TRT by merging his Chat Pattana with TRT of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party almost three years ago.
Suwat announced the resignation a few days after Chief of the military junta Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin.
Unconfirmed reports said Suwat would form a new party which would be a nominee for senior military officers who wanted to join politics.
Suwat also admitted Friday he has personal connection with Gen Winai Phattiyakul, Council for National Security secretary general.
"I have known Gen Winai when he was in Puangchon ChaoThai (Thai people party) which had Gen Arthit Kamlang-ek as leader. Gen Winai is also my school senior yet Gen Winai never talked about the political situation or form a party," Suwat said in his press conference at his home.
Suwat used his birthday as the auspicious time to announce a resignation with 30 other TRT MPs who were former members of Chat Pattana party.
He said his group and faction of Pinit Jarusombhat who already resigned from TRT last year have a total of 70 members.
He claimed that the decision to resign came after TRT leader Thaksin Shinawatra pledged to retire from politics.
Suwat said it was suitable time for him and his faction after discussed with his members and other faction leader, including Pinij Charusombat, Suwit Khunkitti and Preecha Laohapongchana adding that many former MPs support their decision.
Suwat yesterday repeated "the reconciliation" many times and concluded that his group was "Path of Reconciliation." Nonetheless, he has no plan to form the party until the new constitution completed.
He denied the resignation was come from the fear the party could eventually be dissolved.
Suwat said that before deciding to resign from the party, he tried to contact Thaksin but he doesn't know where Thaksin staying. Therefore, he turned to contact Thaksin's wife; Khunying Pojaman but failed again. Therefore, he has informed Chaturon Chaisang, caretaker leader of the party on Thursday about the resignation.
Politicians and businessmen joined the birthday celebration on Ratvidhi Road. Guests were prominent politicians including those from Democrat party led by Suthep Thuegsuban, Chat Thai party led by Somsak Prisanananthakul and Mahachon party leader Sanan Kachonprasart.
But there were not Thai Rak Thai party key members.
Somroutai Sapsomboon
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/09/headlines/headlines_30026426.php
Suwat Lipthapalop was actually shown on TV making a speech at some special function in Nakon Rachasima this evening. Probably his big annual birthday bash. The fact that it was televised so prominently - and that they showed so much of his speech - probably reinforces the idea in the following article that the CNS is preparing to use Suwat as a buffer against some of Thaksin's activities in the NE. Not surprising really! Suwat is almost certainly aspiring PM material. I often think he is the Thai politician who most enjoys the media spotlight: -
ANALYSIS
CNS going flat out to finish off Thaksin
The Council for National Security is doing everything it can to finish off Thaksin Shinawatra before steering Thailand back to democracy, reports Somroutai Sapsomboon.
The Council for National Security (CNS) is racing to finish off ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra once and for all. Only with the threat of Thaksin's political comeback completely removed will it steer Thailand back onto the democratic path.
Led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the CNS is adopting a four-pronged strategy to destroy Thaksin and his regime. The coup was just the beginning.
First, the CNS will hammer away at Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party until it becomes a coffin.
The latest blow to it is the exit of one of its key players, Suwat Liptapanlop. Suwat, who controls Nakhon Ratchasima, the gateway to the Northeast, Thaksin's stronghold, reportedly held talks with key CNS members before leading his faction out of Thai Rak Thai.
Yesterday he used his birthday party to announce he was leaving Thai Rak Thai and taking 29 former MPs, mostly from the Northeast, with him. He will ally himself with Pinij Charusombat and Preecha Laohaphongchana, creating a group with about 70 former MPs.
Suwat will have all 16 former MPs for Nakhon Ratchasima under his umbrella. Even die-hard Thaksin loyalist Suporn Atthawong is joining him.
With the exit of Suwat and the group surrounding Pinij and Preecha, Thai Rak Thai will be left with only 150 former MPs, 40 from the North, 80 from the Northeast and 30 from other regions.
Dismantling the Thai Rak Thai will also help ensure that the new constitution passes a national referendum, as the party's members could have rallied their former constituents to vote against it.
Thai Rak Thai is also facing a lawsuit over allegations that it committed electoral fraud in the botched election of April 2 last year. The Constitution Court is to hold the last hearing into this case on April 17, and the decision could come two months afterwards. If found guilty, the party will be dissolved.
It is possible, however, that even if the party is dissolved its former executives may be spared from being banned from political office for five years.
Suwat, formerly a Thai Rak Thai executive, may have received a signal that he would be spared, prompting him to leave the party.
Suwat is close to CNS secretary-general General Winai Phatiyakul. They both attended St Gabriel's College and are linked to General Arthit Kamlang-ek. Winai was once an aide to Arthit, while Suwat was secretary-general of the Puangchonchaothai Party, which Arthit led after he left the army.
It is possible that the court will not order the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai. The damage inflicted on the party has been so massive that it would be impossible for it to become the core of a new government. What's more, dissolving the party might provoke a backlash from its 14 million grass-roots members.
The second prong of the CNS's strategy is the permanent elimination of Thaksin from politics. To do this it is going after him with corruption scandals.
Progress is being made in the investigation into Thaksin and his family's assets. The purchase by Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra of land from the Financial Institution Development Fund may provide a convenient way of implicating Thaksin as he signed a document allowing his wife to make the transaction. It is illegal for public-office holders and their spouses to bid for state assets.
But the CNS also believes Thaksin is shooting himself in the foot with media interviews. In particular, his recent interview with Time magazine in which he tried to link the coup with the palace has damaged him.
Third, the new constitution may contain provisions that would effectively block Thaksin from returning to power. For example, it could bring an end to party-list MPs, a system that benefited Thai Rak Thai. It could also enshrine a new voting system to weaken the power of political parties by allowing constituencies to elect more than one MP.
Charan Pakdithanakul, head of the constitution-drafting sub-committee responsible for the clauses on political institutions, is also proposing that anyone convicted of a criminal offence, regardless of its severity, be banned from taking a ministerial post. As Thaksin will face several criminal charges, this could block him from returning to politics.
Fourth, if they run in the next election Thai Rak Thai candidates may face the kind of hurdles candidates from rival parties faced in previous elections: plenty of yellow and red cards.
Will this four-part strategy work? One way or another, the CNS must finish off Thaksin. If it does not, its members could face his wrath if he regains power.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/headlines/headlines_30026483.php
This seems to indicate that the interim government is moving towards rehabilitating the less radical elements of the previous Thaksin government: -
Somkid appointed as foreign economic relations committee
Former finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak was Thursday appointed chairman of a foreign economic relations committee, Deputy PM's Secretary-General Weerachai Weeramethikul announced.
Weerachai said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont signed an order to appoint the foreign economic cooperation and relations committee.
Somkid was appointed as the chairman of the nine-member committee.
Weerachai said the committee would be in charge of explaining to foreign governments, media and education institutions about Thailand's key economic policies.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30026936
Scuba22
15-02-07, 11:30 AM
Well, at least they put the marketing guy in a marketing role, instead of economic policy making.
Now if they could only find a decent economist...
Baton Rouge
15-02-07, 01:21 PM
So this is poor Somkid's punishment for belonging to the pagan Thaksin Government. I almost feel sorry for him. He now has to spend the rest of born days pretending that he agrees with the 'Sufficiency Economy'. Not the easier of tasks. Still, if he's lucky, he'll still be getting a greater share of sufficiency than the rest of us.;)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/15/headlines/headlines_30026941.php
Somkid appointed as economic envoy
Newly-appointed economic envoy Somkid Jatusripitak vowed Thursday to explain sufficiency economy principle to foreign countries.
Somkid, a former finance minister and deputy prime minister for the Thaksin government was Thursday appointed chairman of a foreign economic relations committee, Deputy PM's Secretary-General Weerachai Weeramethikul announced.
Weerachai said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont signed an order to appoint the foreign economic cooperation and relations committee.
Somkid said after his appointment that he would work to supplement the works of government agencies to get foreign countries understand the principle of sufficiency economy.
Somkid said he still had connections with foreign countries so he would use the connections for his works. He would have to make some foreign visits.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Somkid's appointment had nothing to do with politics.
He said Somkid had offered to help explain the idea of sufficiency economy to foreign countries so he appointed him as the economic envoy.
The Nation
Scuba22
15-02-07, 03:55 PM
Oh, I wouldn't shed too many tears for Somkid. He's a marketing guy who's changed employers. Marketing folks are modern masters of doublethink - they're perfectly happy to sing the praises of Fords when they're working for Ford, and then immediately tell you how Fords are crap when they get hired by Toyota.
Promoting sufficiency will be a snap. It's the Zelig of economic policies since no one really understands what it means. Of course that's because it doesn't really mean anything, and therefore it means whatever you want it to mean.
You like globalization & free trade? yeah, that's sufficiency
You like subsistence farming? Sufficiency, sure
You like giving rice to monks? Sounds like sufficiency to me
You don't like exploitation and protectionism? No no, sufficiency isn't about that!
Somkid's going to have a great time.
Scuba
Indeed, it looks like Khun Somsak is already back and hard at work selling us all the product we had never previously realised we needed: -
Somkid embraces sufficiency economy
Somkid Jatusripitak, the former architect of Thaksinomics, yesterday appeared to have fully embraced the Surayud government's sufficiency-economy policy.
Named chairman of the government's international economic policy coordination body, Somkid - who spent six years as the economic chieftain of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's government - said he would help defend the current government's policy aboard. The policy has been criticised as anti-globalisation and anti-free trade.
"We'll not be at war with the international media. That's their misunderstanding," he said.
"We'll work with them to remove any discrepancies over the meaning of sufficiency economy," Somkid said at a seminar held by the Sasin Institute of Business Administration.
Somkid, who will shortly go overseas to explain the policy on sufficiency economy, said the country was now at a crossroads and Thais should stop their infighting and start working together to resolve important national issues.
"We're now completing the first-decade anniversary of the painful 1997 financial crisis. Then we ran into the political crisis last year and there was the September coup. That's another major turning point.
"I think the whole world is watching what kind of new constitution we usher in," said Somkid, a former deputy premier and finance minister.
On His Majesty the King's initiatives on sufficiency economy, he said they were essential survival tips for individuals, households, businesses and industries as well as the national economy.
For Somkid, awareness, wisdom, caution and sound risk management are the key words as far as sufficiency economy is concerned. As the foundation for nation-building, he said the royal initiatives were neither backwards nor polarised.
"My understanding is that the quality of our economic growth is now more important than before. Let's say we used to achieve a GDP [gross domestic product] growth rate of 5 per cent. Now, we want to ensure that the economic benefits are better distributed among the entire population, so that we have fewer weaknesses among the grassroots people."
"This will help ensure that our national development path is more sustainable. Sufficiency economy also means that we want to develop the country step-by-step and we want to open up our economy in a wise manner. It doesn't mean that we're going to reject globalisation or free trade. This has been misunderstood," Somkid said.
He added that there was also the management dimension of sufficiency economy, such as good governance and ethics.
Somkid also suggested that the government come up with specific measures based on the royal initiatives to correct existing imbalances in the national economy and society.
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/business/business_30026971.php
The more I read about SE, the more it takes me back to those Home Economics classes with which they used to pad out school curricula decades back: -
Somkid an unlikely ally for Surayud in bid to discredit ex-PM
Thaksin Shinawatra has been kicked out of office. His Thai Rak Thai Party is about to be dissolved.
His political allies, from Somsak Thepsuthin, Pinij Charusombat to Suwat Liptapanlop, are breaking away to form new alliances. The next goal of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is to dismantle the legacy of Thaksinomics once and for all.
And nobody is in a better position to poison Thaksinomics than Somkid Jatusripitak, once one of Thaksin's most trusted aides and his heir apparent.
Surayud's naming of Somkid as the chairman of the International Economic Coordination Committee came as a big surprise. In this fresh role, Somkid will become an official spokesman of the Surayud government in charge of propagating the sufficiency theory to the international community. He is also expected to mount road shows to explain the merits of the sufficiency theory to foreign governments, agencies and investors.
His Majesty the King has prescribed the sufficiency theory along the lines of a philosophical concept, which, similar to Buddhist doctrine, advocates a middle path. The sufficiency theory calls for Thais to adopt moderation and self-immunity from external forces as a way of life. It does not reject globalisation or the modern economy, but in a way it reflects risk management. To be sufficient is to have enough - not to have less, or not to have more than is within one's reach.
His Majesty also advocates Dharma virtue, which emphasises a higher standard than that set by western-style good governance. According to the principles of good governance, you must simply adopt transparency and the best practices in your dealings, while others must be able to check your actions. Still, you may get away with misdeeds even if you operate according to the strict guidelines of good governance. However, practising according to Dharma virtue means that you act according to your conscience to do things well, without prejudice or greed. As such, your actions can withstand any test, moral or related to good governance.
Somkid suggested in his speech delivered at the Sasin School of Business yesterday that sufficiency economics should become an integral part of Thailand's economic development.
Is he making a U-turn? Indeed, he is making a sharp U-turn for his own future.
Somkid was one of the architects of Thai Rak Thai's political marketing and populist policies, which led to the party's landslide election victories in 2001 and 2005. He served as finance minister and deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs during the six-year reign of Thaksin. The village fund, the Bt30 healthcare programme, the debt moratorium programme for farmers comprised the policy bedrock and accounted for the political successes of the Thai Rak Thai Party.
Later on Thai Rak Thai added housing for the poor, cheaper loans such as those offered through the SML (Small, Medium, Large) programmes and other populist initiatives that grabbed votes. Somkid was also responsible for most of the tourism marketing programmes, which met with little success, such as the Bangkok Fashion City, Elite Card and Kitchen of the World projects.
Somkid was also a hardcore capitalist, advocating free-trade agreements, stock market promotion, unheeded privatisation, and targeting top-level export and GDP growth. Somkid and the Thai Rak Thai Party held to a two-pronged strategy: populist policies for the poor and full-fledged liberalisation and privatisation for the rich.
Relations between Somkid and Thaksin were far from smooth. As finance minister, he made several policy decisions and appointments of key people to the capital market, state enterprises and financial institutions that irked the CEO. As a result, he was sidelined as deputy prime minister. Still, at one point, people saw him as a candidate to succeed Thaksin if something went wrong with the CEO. But it was clear that Thaksin would not tolerate any heir apparent. Purachai Piumsombun was the first to be snubbed.
During the political crisis, Somkid kept a low profile. You never knew what was on his mind. On several occasions he wanted to break away from the dark shadow of the CEO, yet every time he could not bring himself to do so. Without Thaksin, he never could have had all of his political power and would have still been an ordinary academic.
For all the corruption scandals of the Thaksin regime, Somkid kept his mouth shut about the Shin Corp deal although he did come out to support Pojaman Shinawatra in her bid for the Financial Institution Development Fund's plot of land.
Since the coup he has rarely been in the news. Somsak Thepsuthin is trying to form a new party, the Machima Party (the Party that Walks the Middle Path), and he would like to have Somkid as its head. Somkid's image somehow is still good. Recent political talks have centred around whether Somkid really wants to become his own political master or whether he will ever escape from the shadow of Thaksin. By agreeing to join Surayud, Somkid has sent a signal that it is time for him to stand on his own two feet.In the eyes of the local and international communities, the Surayud government's image has been rather poor.
After a series of policy mishaps that hurt its credibility, from the introduction of capital controls to the draft amendment of the Foreign Business Act, Surayud has found it necessary to try to boost confidence in his leadership.
Most important of all, the propaganda war between his government and Thaksin, who is now living in exile, is not over. Thaksin has been giving interviews to the foreign media as well as hiring foreign lobbyists and Edelman, the international public relations firm, to attack the military leadership and the Surayud government, depicting them as causing both political and economic harm to Thailand.
Thaksin's implicit message is that the sufficiency theory, unlike his free-for-all Thaksinomics, is the root of the current fatigue engulfing the country. The foreign media have taken a big bite by supporting his claim that Thaksinomics embraces globalisation and economic liberalisation, while the sufficiency theory, which advocates moderation and self-immunity, is trying to turn the clock back on Thailand.
It will be interesting to watch how Somkid will fight the propaganda war with his former political master. Thaksin must be damn mad by now.
Thanong Khanthong
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/opinion/opinion_30026997.php
It looks like the 'middle way' has been, at least temporarily, coopted as part of the CNS's anti-Thaksin strategy: -
Matchima backs surprise appointment
The Matchima group admitted yesterday that they were surprised by the appointment of Somkid Jatusripitak as head of a foreign economic relations committee.
Senior member Sophon Phetsawang said he and other members never knew Somkid would join the interim regime. However, he was delighted the government appreciated the former finance minister and deputy premier's talents.
The Matchima - which was the Wang Nam Yom faction in the previous government - said they wanted Somkid to lead their new party, but he has yet to decide on their offer.
Somkid said yesterday that he had been contacted by many political groups to join with them since he quit the Thai Rak Thai Party.
He told reporters after giving a speech at Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University yesterday that he would join a group considered to be useful for the country.
He would make a final decision on his political future after the new constitution was drawn up.
Sophon said members of the Matchima group had quality and never made trouble with Thai Rak Thai or the new government. He said Somkid's appointment was not a problem for the group.
And if Somkid wanted to form a new party, the Matchima group was ready to join him.
Former TRT senior member Somchai Sunthornvut, a close ally of Somkid, said the former finance minister had no hidden agenda in working for the new government.
"The government acknowledges Somkid's ability. Somkid did some outstanding work in the last government, which caused this government to decide to appoint him to look after sufficiency economy," he said.
Somchai said Somkid might form a new party if Thai Rak Thai was not dissolved. But if the Constitution Tribunal ruled that Thai Rak Thai must be dissolved, party executives would be banned for five years.
"He has done this for the benefit of the country even though he may be blamed for changing his colours," his colleague said.
Somchai said Somkid and his supporters never surrendered to the junta, they only wanted to assist the government to explain the sufficiency economy philosophy to foreign countries.
Thai Rak Thai officials, meanwhile, said the move showed the new regime appreciated people from the former government.
"Somkid's ability proved that he can work for the country and his name has been acknowledged by foreign countries," said Pongthep Thepkanchana.
However, he refused to comment on suggestions the military wants to work with the Matchima Group - and Somkid - in a bid to retain some power in a future government.
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/national/national_30027009.php
Banharn criticises Surayud for appointing Somkid as economic envoy
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa Friday strongly criticised Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont for appointing former finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak as special envoy to preach sufficiency theory.
Banharn said Somkid's appointment could lead to rifts in the Surayud's Cabinet.
He said Somkid's appointment would also prompt former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to laugh at the Surayud government.
"I think Thaksin is laughing out loud now that the government has to enlist one of his men to work," Banharn said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027069
Last night's report: -
Somkid embraces sufficiency economy
Somkid Jatusripitak, the former architect of Thaksinomics, yesterday appeared to have fully embraced the Surayud government's sufficiency-economy policy.
Named chairman of the government's international economic policy coordination body, Somkid - who spent six years as the economic chieftain of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's government - said he would help defend the current government's policy aboard. The policy has been criticised as anti-globalisation and anti-free trade.
"We'll not be at war with the international media. That's their misunderstanding," he said.
"We'll work with them to remove any discrepancies over the meaning of sufficiency economy," Somkid said at a seminar held by the Sasin Institute of Business Administration.
Somkid, who will shortly go overseas to explain the policy on sufficiency economy, said the country was now at a crossroads and Thais should stop their infighting and start working together to resolve important national issues.
"We're now completing the first-decade anniversary of the painful 1997 financial crisis. Then we ran into the political crisis last year and there was the September coup. That's another major turning point.
"I think the whole world is watching what kind of new constitution we usher in," said Somkid, a former deputy premier and finance minister.
On His Majesty the King's initiatives on sufficiency economy, he said they were essential survival tips for individuals, households, businesses and industries as well as the national economy.
For Somkid, awareness, wisdom, caution and sound risk management are the key words as far as sufficiency economy is concerned. As the foundation for nation-building, he said the royal initiatives were neither backwards nor polarised.
"My understanding is that the quality of our economic growth is now more important than before. Let's say we used to achieve a GDP [gross domestic product] growth rate of 5 per cent. Now, we want to ensure that the economic benefits are better distributed among the entire population, so that we have fewer weaknesses among the grassroots people."
"This will help ensure that our national development path is more sustainable. Sufficiency economy also means that we want to develop the country step-by-step and we want to open up our economy in a wise manner. It doesn't mean that we're going to reject globalisation or free trade. This has been misunderstood," Somkid said.
He added that there was also the management dimension of sufficiency economy, such as good governance and ethics.
Somkid also suggested that the government come up with specific measures based on the royal initiatives to correct existing imbalances in the national economy and society.
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/business/business_30026971.php
Baton Rouge
18-02-07, 06:43 PM
So much for the comeback kid! When I remember what a pompous prick he was in the Thaksin administrations, I have no sorrow at all. That said, I'm not entirely against his strategic alliance with the interim government.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/17/headlines/headlines_30027115.php
Doubts about the Somkid comeback
Political veterans yesterday expressed concern over the surprise appointment of Somkid Jatusripitak as economic envoy, warning the move could send confusing signals to the public in addition to triggering infighting in the Cabinet.
Somkid, who headed the economic team in Thaksin Shinawatra's administration, called the first meeting of his team at Baan Phitsanulok yesterday afternoon.
At the press conference called after the meeting, Somkid thanked Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont for placing trust in him.
He said his job would focus on strengthening economic ties with Thailand's leading trading partners but would not overlap with what state agencies were doing. His team will only take up matters missed by other agencies, Somkid said.
"Our country today needs assistance from all sides. Some countries have inaccurate facts about Thailand, and many of them have long been our allies. I believe that if we meet with them they will better understand and our trading partners won't leave us," Somkid said.
In a related development, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula, who has long been at odds with Somkid, yesterday dismissed speculation that he would leave the Cabinet in response to Somkid's appointment.
Pridiyathorn reiterated yesterday that he would continue working in the government even after Somkid was appointed as chairman of an international economic coordination committee.
Asked if he would resign, Pridiyathorn retorted: "I will not quit. Where did you get this news? The appointment of Somkid as chairman of the committee responsible for promoting the Sufficiency Theory to the international community is nothing to do with me."
Somkid's committee will report directly to the prime minister, said Pridiyathorn, who is also Finance Minister.
"I would never resign because of this. I will work as usual and do not feel uncomfortable because of the appointment. I am still standing here. I rise above all that," he said.
Many veteran politicians questioned the appointment of Somkid.
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said it did not bode well for the present economic team.
"Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has dismissed political implications arising from Somkid's appointment, but he misses the point that he may have brought politics into his Cabinet," he said.
Banharn said he failed to see any justification for recruiting Somkid when Surayud already had two capable deputies in Pridiyathorn and Kosit Panpiemras.
"Just imagine what would happen if at a future Cabinet meeting Pridiyathorn reported on his overseas trip to explain the 30-per-cent capital-control measure and Somkid submitted a possibly different view for his trip on sufficiency-economy theory," he said.
He expressed strong aversion to taking on Somkid, a top ally of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. "It is as if the coup happened in vain. We might as well put Thaksin back in power," he said.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Surayud should quickly dispel three lingering doubts about Somkid's comeback.
First, as Somkid is the target of a graft investigation on the rubber-sapling scandal, the government must ensure its unwavering commitment to fighting corruption, he said.
Second, Somkid was an architect of "Thaksinomics" and the government has yet to explain how he will fulfil his duty as spokesman for the sufficiency-economy theory, he said.
Third, it remains unclear how Somkid can be an economic envoy without being involved in policy formulation, he said.
Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai voiced scepticism that Somkid could make a U-turn from being an advocate of populist policies to a proponent of the sufficiency economy.
Chuan also said he doubted whether the military-backed government was serious about uprooting the legacy of the ousted government.
"Even though this government came to power after the coup, many Cabinet members had ties with the Thaksin regime," he said.
Thai Rak Thai acting party leader Chaturon Chaisang said the appointment would confuse Thais as well as foreigners. He said the government would be wasting its time explaining why it had picked Somkid and it would be difficult for Somkid to explain this government's economic policies.
"I think it's weird that this government, which appointed a committee led by a PM's Office minister to explain the last government's policies, today appoints Somkid, who was a minister in the last government, to explain this government's own policies. It's most confusing," he said.
Democrat Party deputy chief adviser Banyat Bantadtan said the government would lose more than it gained in appointing Somkid, a leading strategist for the Thaksin government's capitalist policies that were the opposite of the sufficiency economy. Somkid's credibility would be adversely affected too, he said.
More to the point, he said, Somkid would not dare to attack Thaksin.
"With Somkid's appointment, government officials loyal to the last government may return, making other officials even more reluctant to work against the last government," he said.
Member of the National Legislative Assembly Akapol Sorasuchart, former deputy leader of the Mahachon Party, said he was confused by the government's decision and sorry that Surayud seemed to have lost his neutrality.
Using Somkid would be like laundering Somkid, he said, and guaranteeing his innocence so that the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) might have problems investigating or accusing him, as Surayud was known to be an honest man and this would redound to the credit of anyone appointed by him.
AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem said the appointment of the former deputy prime minister to chair a committee to promote the sufficiency economy would not affect the AEC's work, although Somkid was also accused of wrongdoing relating to the last government's rubber-seedling project.
The committee will do its job, he said.
Baton Rouge
18-02-07, 06:48 PM
Outtake from article only.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/18/headlines/headlines_30027185.php
The People's Alliance for Democracy announced Sunday that will hold a meeting Tues to decide on measures for protesting the appointment of Somkid Jatusripitak, economic tsar of the Thaksin government, as sufficiency economy envoy.
Suriyasai Katasila, a spokesman of the PAD, said the appointment of Somkid was the last straw for the PAD so it had hold the meeting at the Manager Group's head office at 10 am to review its tie with the government.
......
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027176
Somkid's appointment will divide Cabient in three months: Democrat
The Democrat Party on Sunday expressed confidence that the appointment of former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak will lead to rifts in the Cabinet in three months.
Democrat deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont made a wrong decision to appoint Somkid as sufficiency economy envoy.
He said foreign countries would not believe Somkid because he used to preach Thaksinomics.
"No country in the world will believe a person who believes in two completely different theories," Sathit said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/18/national/national_30027159.php
ECONOMIC POLICY
More flak over role for Somkid
'Too much of a popular capitalist for sufficiency'
The appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra's erstwhile right-hand man as an economic envoy has sparked criticism from observers who claim the former regime's populist brand of capitalism is incompatible with the junta's belief in sustainability.
National Legislative Assembly member Akapol Sorasuchart will tomorrow file a motion demanding an explanation of last week's appointment of former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak as economic envoy.
"Somkid was the architect of populist policies and political marketing, and I doubt whether he is qualified to become a spokesman for sufficiency-economy theory," Akapol said.
He voiced concern about Somkid's planned trips to Japan and China as ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is in exile in Beijing.
"I fear that dispatching a top Thaksin aide could cause even greater confusion for Chinese investors," he said, adding that Somkid's trip might benefit Thaksin rather than boost investor confidence.
If the House debates his motion, Akapol said, he will urge Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to review the appointment.
Baton Rouge
18-02-07, 09:52 PM
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=13588&postcount=7
:eek: Somkid Jatusripitak has quit as the government's 'Sufficiency Economy' envoy. More to follow!
This was anticipated last night: -
APPOINTMENT ROW
Somkid may resign from his govt post
Former finance minister upset at attack over his new role; will make statement today in response to demands he quit
Somkid Jatusripitak, who was appointed as an economic envoy for the government late last week, looks likely to resign from the post today amid growing political pressure, sources said last night.
A source close to him said yesterday that Somkid had become unhappy at the growing criticism about his new assignment by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.
Pimol Srivikorn, a former Thai Rak Thai Party MP for Bangkok, said Somkid would hold a press conference late this morning at the Intercontinental Hotel to talk about the matter.
Somkid was the economic architect for the former government.
Earlier yesterday, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) called for Somkid's resignation.
The PAD also warned of rising tensions if the new government continued to welcome individuals associated with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The group called on Surayud to heed the lesson of Somkid's appointment and avoid making further controversial decisions involving the Thaksin regime before consulting the public.
"By a unanimous decision of its five members, the PAD is opposed to Somkid's appointment, which it views as cause for social division," PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said.
Suriyasai said Somkid's track record would trigger confusion over the government's policy direction.
Somkid was the key proponent of "Thaksinomics", which he said was the opposite of the sufficiency economy theory. Somkid was also linked to a graft inquiry relating to the rubber sapling scandal, he said.
"Somkid has never shown any remorse for his involvement in the Thaksin regime nor his role in the free-trade negotiations with China and Australia, which triggered many negative impacts for the country," Suriyasai said.
PAD member Sondhi Lim-thongkul said he did not approve of Somkid's comeback, as suggested in the press.
"I haven't met with Somkid for more than two years, yet some newspapers skewed their reports to depict my blessing for him," Sondhi said.
Sondhi said Somkid exploited him in order to return to the political limelight.
PAD member Somkiart Pong-paiboon said Somkid was a two-faced politician, who pretended to advocate sufficiency economy while supporting instead populist policies, as advocated by the previous regime.
In its statement, the PAD vowed to continue exerting pressure until its demand for Somkid's resignation was met.
However, Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the clash of views over Somkid's appointment would dissipate.
"I don't anticipate street protests against Somkid to happen like the anti-Thaksin rallies last year," he said.
Sonthi dismissed speculation that events leading to the September 19 coup would happen again. "I don't think I am ready for another power seizure," he said.
Lawmaker Prapan Koonmee said yesterday Surayud was duped by a scam hatched by big business to appoint Somkid, who is seen as a successor of the Thaksin Shinawatra regime.
"Unknown to the prime minister, a group of big capitalists planned to secure a comeback for Somkid in the past two months," Prapan said.
Prapan said he quit his two responsibilities last week as a government whip and a publicity campaigner to highlight the government's performance, although he retains his position in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
He blamed Surayud for making a hasty decision without consulting concerned parties.
"By bringing back Somkid, the prime minister has demonstrated a lack of understanding for public sentiment," he said.
Prapan claimed that market leaders for alcoholic beverages, consumer products and agro-food industry and a capitalist who developed the land where the prime minister's residence is located had conspired for the return of Somkid.
These capitalists wanted to pave the way for Somkid to protect their vested interests after the exit of Thaksin, he said. A former newspaper columnist had helped by plotting a publicity blitz to portray Somkid in a favourable light.
With his new position, Somkid gained undue standing in society and his association with the government was like a shield to being investigated for myriad graft violations that happened while he was in power, he said.
Meanwhile, the NLA is coordinating with the PM's Office to schedule a debate on Somkid's appointment, setting a venue for a possible rebuttal by Surayud.
Samatcha Hunsara,
Wattana Khamchu
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/21/headlines/headlines_30027439.php
Someone said that Somkid's appointment would make Thaksin livid. On the contrary! I suspect that Thaksin would have been gleeful about the attempt to rehabilitate Somsak, knowing full well that the appointment - and inevitable resignation - would reflect badly on the interim government and junta: -
Somkid quits as sufficiency economy envoy
Somkid Jatusripitak Wednesday resigned as sufficiency economy envoy following growing opposition to his appointment.
He said he did not want to cause Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to feel uneasy.
Somkid, a former economic tsar of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said he has been on the opposite side with Thaksin for quite a long time but he did not leave the Thaksin government before the coup because he wanted to stay to try to protect national interest.
"I want to stop this conflict early," Somkid told reporters.
"After consulting with the prime minister, I told him that I want to resign inorder to defuse the conflict," he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027450
Somkid resigns
Somkid Jatusripitak Wednesday announced his resignation as sufficiency economy envoy, late than a week after his appointment.
Somkid, former finance minister for the Thaksin government, held a press conference at Siam Intercontinental Hotel to announce his resignation.
He said he wanted to show through his resignation that reconciliation must be given priority to in this time of political crisis.
Somkid was appointed late last week as chairman of a special committee in charge of preaching sufficiency economy to the world.
Critics and action groups, especially the People's Alliance for Democracy, cried foul over his appointment, saying he was economic architect of the Thaksin government and staunch supporters of the Thaksinomics.
But Somkid told the press conference that he held opposite way of thinking with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He said he could not resign from the Thakin government because he was in charge of economic affairs and could not leave the country's economy to be in crisis.
He said he appreciated Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont for giving him a chance to serve the country as the sufficiency theory envoy. He said Surayud himself proved that he wanted to have reconciliation by appointing him to the post.
Somkid said he volunteered to work for the country to explain the sufficiency theory after foreign media attacked the theory and caused misunderstanding to foreign countries.
"I would like to end the conflict here and do not want the conflict to become a burden of the prime minister. So, I decide to withdraw myself to end the conflict," Somkid told the press conference.
"I know that if I stay on, the prime minister will protect me but what good it will do for the country?"
He said he could still serve the country without a position.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/21/headlines/headlines_30027451.php
Baton Rouge
21-02-07, 10:53 AM
He said he wanted to show through his resignation that reconciliation must be given priority to in this time of political crisis.
Fair enough! In a way, it was a pity that he resigned.
Somkid was appointed late last week as chairman of a special committee in charge of preaching sufficiency economy to the world.
That just about sums what is wrong with this new policy. It is preached, rather than debated and adapted. Shades of Thaksin! Shades of that megalomaniac Sonthi Limthongkul! Shades of ..... over-paternalism! Protect people too much from the consequences of their own mistakes and they cease to learn.
But Somkid told the press conference that he held opposite way of thinking with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He said he could not resign from the Thakin government because he was in charge of economic affairs and could not leave the country's economy to be in crisis.
This is what totally defeats me about the likes of Somkid. They lack the commonsense that keeps the rest of us poor b's alive. One might practice 'manyana' and forgiveness in the private of one's home, but it's suicide in public. When in doubt, look elsewhere! When having even a slight hint of dislike, avoid like the plague!
I know that a very high percentage of you will be find this report somewhat compelling!: -
FIRE-ENGINE SCAM
Samak, 4 others face AEC probe
Apirak off the hook because Bt6.7-bn deal signed before he became governor
Former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, ex-interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula and his deputy Pracha Maleenont are among five people to be investigated by the Assets Examination Committee for alleged involvement in the fire-engine corruption scandal, a source from the AEC said yesterday.
However, Apirak Kosayodhin, Samak's successor and the current Bangkok governor, who has often been linked to the case, will escape investigation because the purchase was made before he took up the post, the source said.
The AEC's chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday said its fact-finding team had enough grounds to open a full investigation of five people, including three politicians, for their parts in the allegedly overpriced Bt6.7-billion deal. He did not name them. Nam said he had received a report from the fact-finding team and would put it to the AEC's full panel on Monday to decide whether a subcommittee should be set up to investigate the accused.
The AEC source said the five were former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, his deputy Pracha Maleenont and Pracha's assistant Somsak Kun-ngern, former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and the former Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department chief Atilak Tanchukiat.
Nam said the charges were malfeasance or corruption in violation of Article 157 of the Criminal Code, causing damage of over Bt6 billion to the government.
Nam said the sub-committee could summon more suspects if more were involved.
Last year the Department of Special Investigation said there were seven, the present five plus Apirak and then-commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk.
Bhokin signed an agreement of understanding for the purchase at a government-to-government level. Pracha was responsible for discussing details with Austrian ambassador Herbert Traxl, and his assistant Somsak prepared the barter-trade plan for the deal.
The Foreign Trade Department sealed the barter agreement with Steyr Daimler Puch, the Austrian supplier of fireboats, fire engines and fire-fighting equipment to the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department while Wattana was commerce minister.
The source yesterday said that Apirak, who had a letter of credit for the deal opened, was not on the AEC list for investigation because he had taken up his post after Samak signed the contract with Steyr Daimler Puch, which was conditional on the issuance of a letter of credit for payment.
The AEC investigation also found that though Steyr Daimler Puch had contracted with Thai CP Foods, which had a quota to export cooked chicken, to complete the barter agreement, the meat never reached Austria, the source said.
Another AEC source said yesterday Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had asked the probe panel why it had to charge as many as 62 people in the matter of the Thaksin government's rubber-seedling project.
"Why don't you just specify key politicians who did the damage, rather than taking all the fish?" Surayud was quoted as asking the AEC yesterday during a meeting with the panel.
The source said the AEC had explained that it wanted to set a precedent that if any ministers were found to have acted corruptly all Cabinet members who approved the resolution were jointly responsible.
Bancha Khaengkhan,
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/24/headlines/headlines_30027776.php
Doubtless the dynamic duo will find some other way to worm their way out of this fine mess:
Court sentences ex-BKK governor Samak Sundaravej to two years in jail on defamation suit
Court sentenced Thursday former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and veteran politician Dusit Siriwan to two years in jail on defamation suit against a former deputy Bangkok governor.
Court said that Samak and Dusit said libellous statements against Samart Ratchaponlasit in their television talk show programme on the Channel 5 last year.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30031754
As to the background of said Rambo, I only know that he is an ex-military man with a history of involvement in very controversial land deals:
July 2007
Attempted assassination on former TRT MP to Nakhon Ratchasim province
A former Thai Rak Thai Member of Parliament to Nakhon Ratchasima province was shot and injured today (July 2).
Earlier today (July 2) Pol Lt Col Pisanu Kongthongnok, investigative officer to the Khon Buri (ครบุรี ) district precinct reported that a shooting occurred on the Khon Buri-Soeng Sang Road in Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima province. A response unit was immediately dispatched to the scene. Officers reported that an overturned vehicle riddled with bullet holes was found with 5 bullet casings nearby.
The victim of the shooting was identified as former Thai Rak Thai Member of Parliame