Will Newin turn back time to become ‘kingmaker’ for Prayut

[webfact]

Will Newin turn back time to become ‘kingmaker’ for Prayut

By JINTANA PANYAARVUDH 
THE NATION

 

Newin

 

ONCE AGAIN, Newin Chidchob has demonstrated that in politics there are neither permanent friends nor permanent foes – only permanent interests.

 

A former wheeler-dealer who once pounded the pavements around Government House, Newin, or “Uncle Ne” as he prefers to be known, spends much of his time clad in a Buriram United Football Club jersey and shorts, riding his favourite big bike through the streets of his native Buri Ram.

 

After disappearing from the political scene for six years, the 59-year-old veteran politician and still de facto leader of the Bhum Jai Thai Party returned to the spotlight on Monday as he led about 30,000 locals in welcoming Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at his club’s Thunder Castle Stadium.

 

It was the first time Prayut, as PM, had set foot in Buri Ram, Newin’s stronghold. The PM spent the night in the province before holding a mobile Cabinet meeting yesterday, with an almost Bt21-billion development budget set to pour into Buri Ram and other lower northeastern provinces.

 

Critics claim Monday’s welcome ceremony was one of the biggest political events held under this junta, and a further attempt to woo old-guard politicians to support a pro-military party to prolong its power after the next election.

 

That bid would certainly be strengthened by forging an alliance with Newin and Bhum Jai Thai, the third largest party at the last election with 34 seats.

 

Having started his political career 30 years ago, Newin burst into the national limelight in the mid-1990s with the “Group of 16” – 16 young MPs of Chart Thai and the Chart Pattana Party who bandied together to boost their political bargaining power.

 

The group eventually scattered to different parties after corruption accusations in a land deal, before rejoining a new party under Bhum Jai Thai in 2008.

 

Named by his father after the notorious Burmese General Ne Win, the Buri Ram “kingmaker” played a major role in the collapse of the Democrat-led government, and brought his faction to support Thaksin Shinawatra under the Thai Rak Thai Party, before switching his support back to Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and his bid to become prime minister.

 

He also served as a minister in three administrations, under Banharn Silpa-archa, Chuan Leekpai, and Thaksin.

 

In 2007, Newin was banned from politics for five years following the dissolution of the former Thai Rak Thai Party by a Constitutional Court ruling. He decided to leave the political arena to devote time to his hometown Buri Ram, 410 kilometres northeast of Bangkok.

 

The former politician is credited with transforming a Northeast backwater into a centre for sport and tourism in just six years.

 

And he’s proud of his accomplishments for his home province.

 

“The 20 years I spent in politics count for nothing compared to the past six years. I can do so much more than as a politician,” Newin told The Nation in an interview two years ago.

 

As the president of Buriram United, Newin created a number of eye-catching landmarks in the provincial seat, including the Fifa-standard Thunder Castle Stadium with a capacity of 32,000 seats; the 50,000-seat Chang International Circuit for motorsports, the first in Thailand to meet top-tier racing standards; and the Amari Buriram United, Thailand’s first soccer-themed hotel. The Bt370-million Buriram Castle mall is his latest major project.

 

Newin boasted that his business empire has helped quadruple the number of tourists in Buri Ram, from 600,000 to 2.5 million a year.

 

“These landmark destinations have created jobs and income for people in this city. The venues have increased the value of assets in the surrounding area by no less than 200 per cent,” Newin said in the interview.

 

He is also a man who has never stopped thinking big.

 

“My ultimate goal is to build the city into a hub of football, motor sport and finally a centre for health and wellness,” he said.

 

Two year ago, he said without hesitation that he never missed or wanted to discuss politics.

 

“When I watch the political news I always pour ceremonial water and wish the karma of those who remain in politics to be over,” he said, using the Thai religious ceremony of pouring water to dedicate merit to the departed, as a metaphor.

 

“If you want to talk about politics, go and talk with Gen Prayut. Don’t talk to me,” he said loudly and clearly when asked if he thought an election would be held next year [2017] as laid out in the junta’s road map and whether Thaksin’s camp could win the election.

 

But, for now, the political big gun turned football-club owner is facing an even bigger decision: whether to become “kingmaker” again to support Prayut.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30344914

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-09

[Samui Bodoh]

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

It was the first time Prayut, as PM, had set foot in Buri Ram, Newin’s stronghold. The PM spent the night in the province before holding a mobile Cabinet meeting yesterday, with an almost Bt21-billion development budget set to pour into Buri Ram and other lower northeastern provinces.

This story encapsulates every reason that Thai politics is such a disgrace and disaster.

 

"Mobile Cabinet Meeting"? No. Taxpayer-funded political trip.

 

"21 Billion Baht development budget"? No. Political pay-off with tax monies.

 

"Newin's stronghold"? Old, Old style politician who puts himself and his area up for sale to the highest bidder. This is "Warlordism" without the battles.

 

Prayut bribing the same politicians he said had to go as a reason for the coup? World-class hypocrisy.

 

I recognize that the role of politicians can be to attain all you can attain for your constituency, but if there is no underlying moral basis for your actions other than "how much?", it is hard not to see the person simply as a whore available to the highest bidder.

 

One would hope that a representative of the people had slightly better morals than a whore...

 

[George Bowman]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

ONCE AGAIN, Newin Chidchob has demonstrated that in politics there are neither permanent friends nor permanent foes – only permanent interests.

And therein lies the problem.

[kannot]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The group eventually scattered to different parties after corruption accusations in a land deal,

ALL the  bloody same, they just cant help themselves, greedy, selfish corrupt slime balls filters right down thru the  society.

[kannot]

46 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

This story encapsulates every reason that Thai politics is such a disgrace and disaster.

 

"Mobile Cabinet Meeting"? No. Taxpayer-funded political trip.

 

"21 Billion Baht development budget"? No. Political pay-off with tax monies.

 

"Newin's stronghold"? Old, Old style politician who puts himself and his area up for sale to the highest bidder. This is "Warlordism" without the battles.

 

Prayut bribing the same politicians he said had to go as a reason for the coup? World-class hypocrisy.

 

I recognize that the role of politicians can be to attain all you can attain for your constituency, but if there is no underlying moral basis for your actions other than "how much?", it is hard not to see the person simply as a whore available to the highest bidder.

 

One would hope that a representative of the people had slightly better morals than a whore...

 

Well....Thailand is "famous" worldwide for that

[Thailand]

I am sure Newin will do what is best for the country casting aside all thoughts of personal gain.

[yellowboat]

Other than all the weapons and complete, unquestionable power, it sounds like this guy wouldn't even need Prayuth or his junta.  He could manage on his own. 

[Chang_paarp]

Like Suthep I wondered when this one would crawl out from under his rock.

 

An election must be near.

[Dexlowe]

If Newin, heaven forbid, hits the campaign trail again, will Sora be at his side? She could probably add some new dimensions to vote-buying.

[anon537687643]

Whoever said there could never be a civil war in Thailand! Fact is it could be caused by the actions of the military this time !


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[starky]

Yet another politician with untold wealth, far above what he could have made legally in his profession trying to shoulder his way back into the trough. No scruples, no principles, no shame every last one of them.

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, markaoffy said:

Whoever said there could never be a civil war in Thailand! Fact is it could be caused by the actions of the military this time !


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

I don't think so. No one is that passionate about supporting any of the various political barons. They all know what they are really like and up to. They might vote for them in return for what's been promised but fighting for them is something totally different. The only ones who do that are paid mercenaries and thugs for hire. And they're massively outgunned by the military.

Remember when PTP announced the formation of "Democracy Defense Volunteers" and the very non democratic UDD called a 'beating the war drum rally" - very little happened and quickly fizzled out. 

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Will Newin turn back time to become ‘kingmaker’ for Prayut

Too late, Burger King beat him to it already:

 

 

[candide]

3 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Too late, Burger King beat him to it already:

 

 

Is it me or do you notice the influence of Ronald McDonald too! 

[KiwiKiwi]

Newin is a thug and (in my opinion), one of the most corrupt people in Thailand. He tried to make a grab for fame and fortune allied with the Dems before, and got his bottom kicked instead. Perhaps, if there is a God, it'll happen again.

 

I personally draw some measure of comfort seeing Prayuth make a shameless grab for support and votes by cuddling up to Chidchob. He must really be grasping at straws.

 

Not waving, drowning. With any luck.

[KiwiKiwi]

6 minutes ago, candide said:

Is it me or do you notice the influence of Ronald McDonald too! 

 

I personally liked the court jester's hat on Prawit. Very appropriate.

[candide]

3 minutes ago, KiwiKiwi said:

Newin is a thug and (in my opinion), one of the most corrupt people in Thailand. He tried to make a grab for fame and fortune allied with the Dems before, and got his bottom kicked instead. Perhaps, if there is a God, it'll happen again.

 

I personally draw some measure of comfort seeing Prayuth make a shameless grab for support and votes by cuddling up to Chidchob. He must really be grasping at straws.

 

Not waving, drowning. With any luck.

The other positive aspect is that he is well able to betray Prayuth too, depending on where the wind comes from. 

[KiwiKiwi]

6 minutes ago, candide said:

The other positive aspect is that he is well able to betray Prayuth too, depending on where the wind comes from. 

 

That's true. Good reminder.

[Anak Nakal]

From under rock!

Slime.

[TKDfella]

3 hours ago, markaoffy said:

Whoever said there could never be a civil war in Thailand! Fact is it could be caused by the actions of the military this time !


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

May be, but I don't see anyone rising up against this at the moment.

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, candide said:

The other positive aspect is that he is well able to betray Prayuth too, depending on where the wind comes from. 

Possible. Buriram really don;t need junta money to develop Newin's vision. Private investors like the Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi of Thai Beverage is big on investing in Buriram on the motor circuit and the football stadium. They have more cash than the less than 10B Baht that Prayut promised. Vichai Raksriaksom of King Power is another close investor friend of Newin. Newin is also not exactly penniless too and many banks will be lining up to provide him with funds. 

 

 

[worgeordie]

If he gets enough money and projects thrown his way,

yes I am sure he will,and that's the problem with politics,

and not just Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[ratcatcher]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

One would hope that a representative of the people had slightly better morals than a whore...

One would hope that is so, yes, but the reality is somewhat different.

Politicians and prostitutes are very closely related in their aims, parting you from your money. 

Both speak sweetly to get your attention..

Both make promises they know they can rarely keep.

Both tell lies more than truths.

The main difference IMO is that when you get screwed by a politician you usually end up feeling angry.

When screwed by a pro, usually, most people end up feeling happy.

[holy cow cm]

Government Money for Buriram, then he will take it. Hold a little money from his area, he will turn back on you. All these guys including big and little p need to go away at one time, hopefully God does work in mysterious ways. . 

[Jonah Tenner]

14 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

One would hope that a representative of the people had slightly better morals than a whore...

I think you will find on closer examination, that whores have a lot higher morals and ethical standards than politicians. This is not limited to Thailand, this is a worldwide problem...