Sudarat ‘hurt, but not out’, after marigold faux pas

By THE NATION

 

 

KHUNYING SUDARAT Keyuraphan’s widely criticised faux pas during the current mourning period for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej only makes her path to the leadership of the Pheu Thai Party that much harder, a party source said.

While Sudarat remains a potential top choice among candidates, she will have to work harder to rescue her image following the incident, said the source who requested anonymity.

 

The former minister shot herself in the foot when she accompanied a truck through her political base, Lat Pla Kaho region of Bangkok, encouraging marigold-planting in tribute to the late King on Sunday.

 

Sudarat responded with a teary apology a day later following criticism.

 

The tears, however, did not fully succeed in toning down criticism of the seeming opportunism and inappropriate political marketing as activities ramp up for the late King’s funeral.

 

But this incident will not be the death knell of Sudarat the politician who has two decades of experience. Within the party itself, Sudarat continues to enjoy the support of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the former wife of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Thaksin, the party’s de facto navigator, has avoided sending any negative signals about Sudarat’s move. If he gives her a pass, less pressure from other players in the party can then be predicted.

 

That, however, would leave Thaksin with a price to pay.

 

While Sudarat is rather powerful among Bangkok-based politicians, her influence is limited in rural provinces. She is also disliked by some influential party figures such as Thaksin’s sister, Yaowapha Wongsawat, and former deputy PM Pol Captain Chalerm Yubamrung.

 

If Thaksin gives the nod for her to run for party leader, he would be required to make deals with former MPs who oppose Sudarat, and it is very likely some of them may leave.

 

Other candidates to watch include Chaturon Chaisang, Bhokin Balakul, Phongthep Thepkanjana, Chaikasem Nitisiri and Chadchart Sittipunt. All are former ministers.

 

While they remain politically static, Chadchart recently hit the headlines after refusing to work with the junta on drafting the legally binding 20-year national strategy. 

 

Already popular for his down-to-earth and witty personality, the former transport minister won public plaudits for his stance.

 

According to the Pheu Thai source, Thaksin’s sister Yaowapha supports Chadchart.

 

The seat of Pheu Thai leader has been vacant since the previous leader, Charupong Ruangsuwan, fled Thailand rather than obey an order to report to the junta shortly after the 2014 coup.

 

Although the junta ban on political activities is still in place, the organic law on political party has already been enacted, prompting parties to prepare themselves accordingly.

 

Founded in 2007, Pheu Thai Party is the third incarnation of Thaksin’s political aspirations following the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai Party and the People’s Power Party. 

 

Pheu Thai’s biggest success was nominating Yingluck Shinawatra as leader shortly before the 2011 election, which the party won, catapulting her to prime minister.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30329694

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-20

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

While they remain politically static, Chadchart recently hit the headlines after refusing to work with the junta on drafting the legally binding 20-year national strategy. 

 

I don't have enough knowledge to comment intelligently on all these people, but anyone who refused to work with the Junta is okay in my book.

 

Ah!!!!  Flower  Power. How  to  refuse  the  bouquet of the  players  of  the play and  yet not  offend  the  audience?

The  marigold   has  certainly  and  attractively displaced  the   faded to  pink  items  of red like  clothing   hung  despondently  at  the previously  scruffy front  gates of the  assumed strongholds of  the defenders  of  the generally lost faith.

Of as  much significance  is  that the  fields  of yellow  have  in  general  been placed  in  newly  clearly defined boundaries of property even in the  absence  of walls.

Compliance  to the  concept of  household  individuality  is  a remarkable change!

Is  it a  sign  of  something  significant?