‘World’s Toughest Minister’ Rejects Junta Job

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

  

An undated file photo of Chadchart Sittipunt

 

BANGKOK — A former transport minister turned internet cult figure turned down a seat on the junta’s 20-year strategy planning body, a government spokesman confirmed Sunday.

 

Former Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, one of the most popular members of Yingluck Shinawatra’s government who was immortalized in social media memes, declined Saturday to take the job offered to him by the military government, citing schedule conflicts and family issues.

 

Full story:  http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2017/10/02/worlds-toughest-minister-rejects-junta-job/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2017-10-02

1 hour ago, webfact said:

‘World’s Toughest Minister’

Sorry, I already heard better jokes today. 

Quoting from the full story; Suraphot Thaweesak said, "This country is in a lousy state without a future precisely because we have no one who values democratic legitimacy in their morality".

 

Government spokesman Lt. Ge. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said, "We want the society to move beyond politics because if we are still stuck to it, we would not go anywhere".

 

Surely a military junta running the country is politics and even if the military junta became a constitutional democracy under a military junta, that would still be politics.  I think what Sansern means is that if there were a legitimate democracy, the military would not go anywhere!

 

Good on former transport minister, Chadchart Sittipunt, I say.

Salute you for your stand and not short changing your principle to serve only elected government. 

One flame post has been removed from this thread.

 

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2 hours ago, webfact said:

‘World’s Toughest Minister’ Rejects Junta Job

 

Good for you!

 

The current Junta is a stain on Thailand. Sooner or later, Thailand will break free from the military and there will be a need for people who couldn't/wouldn't be corrupted.

 

A future PM?

 

29 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Salute you for your stand and not short changing your principle to serve only elected government. 

 

Would serving the non elected criminal that owns the political party in government count?

 

Seems morals only go so far.

Why would he want to serve the junta when he himself can lead the country and serve the will of the people ?  A job in the current government will only tarnish his prospects. 

8 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

Good for you!

 

The current Junta is a stain on Thailand. Sooner or later, Thailand will break free from the military and there will be a need for people who couldn't/wouldn't be corrupted.

 

A future PM?

 

 

Future PM - depends on his family and in-laws connections 

3 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Why would he want to serve the junta when he himself can lead the country and serve the will of the people ?  A job in the current government will only tarnish his prospects. 

 

"Serve the will of the people" - 

3 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Would serving the non elected criminal that owns the political party in government count?

 

Seems morals only go so far.

 

Kagaroo court convictions count for zilch. He got better moral not serving non elected junta government that seized power than you supporting an illegimate government. Your moral is questionable BB. 

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Future PM - depends on his family and in-laws connections 

It looks like he is already in the public eye and he has a good track record in an elected government.  If the Shins support him, he could win easily.  He also in desired by the people in Bangkok. 

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

"Serve the will of the people" - 

 

Give you a head start in understanding the will of the people. Elected by the majority and people' s mandate. How fast you forget since left those universal values at home and moving here.

2 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

 

Kagaroo court convictions count for zilch. He got better moral not serving non elected junta government that seized power than you supporting an illegimate government. Your moral is questionable BB. 

 

All Shin lovers claim all courts are "Kangaroo" when Shins are convicted. But they're fine when they convict the opposition!

 

The Shins are crooks, get over it. Insider dealing, abuses of power, negligent in office, fraud, - how many is it in their family now?

 

And again, all Shin lovers resort to deflection by accusing any who have the timidity to question the Shins as being Junta huggers and supporters.

 

I don't support the Junta - but I don't believe the Shin fairy stories either. Which is morally worse Eric, a Junta or a government that constantly lies, isn't democratic in nature, ignores the law, condones murder and intimidation by its supporters and robs you blind?

6 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

 

Give you a head start in understanding the will of the people. Elected by the majority and people' s mandate. How fast you forget since left those universal values at home and moving here.

 

Serving the people Eric doesn't mean thieving tax payers money, changing laws to enrich yourself, or trying to put yourself above and beyond the law. 

 

Are you seriously suggesting that any Shin approved candidate would be allowed to be different? An honest PM? Running the country for the benefit of the people?

15 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

All Shin lovers claim all courts are "Kangaroo" when Shins are convicted. But they're fine when they convict the opposition!

 

The Shins are crooks, get over it. Insider dealing, abuses of power, negligent in office, fraud, - how many is it in their family now?

 

And again, all Shin lovers resort to deflection by accusing any who have the timidity to question the Shins as being Junta huggers and supporters.

 

I don't support the Junta - but I don't believe the Shin fairy stories either. Which is morally worse Eric, a Junta or a government that constantly lies, isn't democratic in nature, ignores the law, condones murder and intimidation by its supporters and robs you blind?

 

I don't support the Shin either. I am for fair and non political conviction. It is kangaroo to me if only one side get most conviction in a shorter time than cases that have been investigated for longer time. When some corruptions are stopped in their track because they are connected and interferences in the investigation process, I call that out. The country will not move forward due to selective persecution. That's my stance. 

17 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Serving the people Eric doesn't mean thieving tax payers money, changing laws to enrich yourself, or trying to put yourself above and beyond the law. 

 

Are you seriously suggesting that any Shin approved candidate would be allowed to be different? An honest PM? Running the country for the benefit of the people?

 

If you can seriously tell me that no government since 1932 thieves on tax payer money, change laws to suit themselves, put them above and beyond the law; I will say I am in the wrong. You can lambast one for corruption when everyone were/are corrupted. 

13 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Serving the people Eric doesn't mean thieving tax payers money, changing laws to enrich yourself, or trying to put yourself above and beyond the law. 

 

Are you seriously suggesting that any Shin approved candidate would be allowed to be different? An honest PM? Running the country for the benefit of the people?

Yeah, but he would win.  Politicians rarely do what is right without personal gain.  You know if there was an election today, the Shins would win.  If they put their influence in getting him elected, he would win.  Your high horse or your new love of emojies won't change those facts no matter how distasteful you find them.  The yellows are tarnished and have no real candidate. 

51 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Would serving the non elected criminal that owns the political party in government count?

 

Seems morals only go so far.

Do you know that OBSESSION is also a fragrance by Calvin Klein?

46 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

All Shin lovers claim all courts are "Kangaroo" when Shins are convicted. But they're fine when they convict the opposition!

 

The Shins are crooks, get over it. Insider dealing, abuses of power, negligent in office, fraud, - how many is it in their family now?

 

And again, all Shin lovers resort to deflection by accusing any who have the timidity to question the Shins as being Junta huggers and supporters.

 

I don't support the Junta - but I don't believe the Shin fairy stories either. Which is morally worse Eric, a Junta or a government that constantly lies, isn't democratic in nature, ignores the law, condones murder and intimidation by its supporters and robs you blind?

Your last paragraph is a remarkably accurate description of the current regime....

 

Tell us, is the vehemence of your reaction to this fellow (of whom I admit I know nothing) because of an in-depth knowledge of his failings (in which case we must admire your exhaustive knowledge of Thai politicians), or is it because he is being talked about as someone who could be part of, or even perhaps lead, a government chosen by the Thai people, an idea which is  a bit like waving a red flag at a bull...

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Would serving the non elected criminal that owns the political party in government count?

 

Seems morals only go so far.

Prayuth is not the subject. Thaksin might be a 'criminal' and he certainly was not on the ballot. Of course the millions that voted for PT were perfectly aware whom they actually voted for. It's not like they tried to hide it during their campaign.

 

Unelected criminals is what this bloke refuses to serve under and for that he must be applauded.

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

All Shin lovers claim all courts are "Kangaroo" when Shins are convicted. But they're fine when they convict the opposition!

 

The Shins are crooks, get over it. Insider dealing, abuses of power, negligent in office, fraud, - how many is it in their family now?

 

And again, all Shin lovers resort to deflection by accusing any who have the timidity to question the Shins as being Junta huggers and supporters.

 

I don't support the Junta - but I don't believe the Shin fairy stories either. Which is morally worse Eric, a Junta or a government that constantly lies, isn't democratic in nature, ignores the law, condones murder and intimidation by its supporters and robs you blind?

That question is very easy to answer, a government that constantly lies, ignores the law, and robs you blind is morally superior over a junta that does the exact same thing (and a lot more when it comes to denying the citizens basic human rights) simply because such a government still is subjected to checks and balances AND can easily be voted out of office. Provided the other side allows those to be held without disruption of course............

 

Oh regarding courts, precious few criminals from the other side end up there, haven't seen Suthep or Prayuth standing trial yet. In any case, this is Thailand, justice and the concept of a fair trial simply do not exist. 

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Serving the people Eric doesn't mean thieving tax payers money, changing laws to enrich yourself, or trying to put yourself above and beyond the law. 

 

Are you seriously suggesting that any Shin approved candidate would be allowed to be different? An honest PM? Running the country for the benefit of the people?

The military made a big mistake when the courts ousted Samak, he was a friend/appointee of Thaksin and certainly bent, but he was not subservient like Somchai.

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

 

I don't support the Junta - but I don't believe the Shin fairy stories either. Which is morally worse Eric, a Junta or a government that constantly lies, isn't democratic in nature, ignores the law, condones murder and intimidation by its supporters and robs you blind?

The junta is all of the things you said 

 

Just now, tomta said:

The junta is all of the things you said 

 

 

And so are the Shins. Only some posters on this site like to pretend otherwise.

 

Although I can't remember the Junta or their supporters applauding and celebrating the murder of innocent children.

The Junta inviting a Shin figure to join a board? 

1 hour ago, ramrod711 said:

The military made a big mistake when the courts ousted Samak, he was a friend/appointee of Thaksin and certainly bent, but he was not subservient like Somchai.

Are you saying the military were behind Samak's impeachement ? If I remember correctly he was ousted because his appearance in a cooking show, supposedley was a matter of conflict of interest. I still have to laugh at that one, it was idiotic beyond imagination.

5 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

The Junta inviting a Shin figure to join a board? 

That's in the name of reconciliation. They still have zero results so far, 3.5 years and counting. 

1 hour ago, sjaak327 said:

That question is very easy to answer, a government that constantly lies, ignores the law, and robs you blind is morally superior over a junta that does the exact same thing (and a lot more when it comes to denying the citizens basic human rights) simply because such a government still is subjected to checks and balances AND can easily be voted out of office. Provided the other side allows those to be held without disruption of course............

 

Oh regarding courts, precious few criminals from the other side end up there, haven't seen Suthep or Prayuth standing trial yet. In any case, this is Thailand, justice and the concept of a fair trial simply do not exist. 

 

The vagaries and nuances of the justice system are well discussed on other threads. And that system applies to all. Rich, hiso elites, like the Shins and their opponents have to really step out of line to feel it's wrath.

You are naive if you believe any Shin government respects check and balances! PTP were trying to minimize the capability of any unless they could control the organization - NACC budget slashed for instance etc.

 

It's speculation but should a Shin administration ever be voted out, I doubt they would accept the decision with grace. Look how they reacted with law suits and smears flying around when the lost the BKK governor and Don Meuang elections.

 

You may see the Shins as some sort of bona fide social democrats trying to bring about wide social reforms to benefit all - I don't. I see a self serving gang who want to install a one family political hierarchy a la Hun Sen or Mugabe. Given the opportunity the Shins would dispense with elections just like the Junta,

3 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

Are you saying the military were behind Samak's impeachement ? If I remember correctly he was ousted because his appearance in a cooking show, supposedley was a matter of conflict of interest. I still have to laugh at that one, it was idiotic beyond imagination.

 

I don't think it was the TV show per se; rather that he choose to lie about it that cost him his position.

 

A little ironic when you consider subsequent events and Mr. White lies and the porkies that all sides spew out.