Thanathorn’s acid test: The real deal or just another political opportunist?

[webfact]

Thanathorn’s acid test: The real deal or just another political opportunist?

By Tulsathit Taptim 
The Nation

 

 

Thanathorn Juangroonruangkit is flying high politically, but the question of why the Future Forward Party leader did not fly home on January 8 could send him crashing down. It could also send him soaring even higher, though, depending on how his share transfer controversy is settled.

 

The outcome may rest with Dtac, the telecom operator holding his mobile phone records. Thanathorn’s accusers say there is no way he had time to travel by road from Buri Ram to Bangkok on the January 8 deadline to sign the transfer of his media shares to his mother.

 

Unless his chauffeur was driving at 200 kilometres per hour, that is.

 

Thanathorn’s response? Check with Dtac and see where I was on the afternoon of January 8, he told veteran journalist Suthichai Yoon in an interview.

Dtac responded that any request for Thanathorn’s phone records had to come from the man himself; nobody else could check.

 

It’s an extremely important issue. Even if Thanathorn ends up having his election candidacy nullified, the events of January 8 will go a long way toward defining his political fate. Being disqualified for an oversight regarding his V-Luck Media shares would make him a political martyr. Telling a lie to protect himself or being involved in fabricating evidence could hound him for a long, long time.

 

The country is divided over Thanathorn’s case, just as it remains split over Thaksin Shinawatra. But until the questions over Thanathorn’s share transfer document came along, there was a key difference between the two. Thaksin was popular, connected with unorthodox ideology and involved in what courts ruled to be acts of dishonesty. Thanathorn was also popular and identified himself with controversial ideology, but he was never found involved in dishonourable practices.

 

Thanathorn has offered a few reasons for why he chose not to fly home on January 8. The fact that his party secretary-general did fly back on the same day has aroused scepticism, but the Future Forward leader still deserves the benefit of the doubt. However it’s now up to Thanathorn to back up his road-trip claim with evidence.

 

He is wrong on two major points here. The first is his often-invoked argument that the “burden of proof” rests with his accusers. This is not a case merely of contending opinions that are finely balanced. This is a case that can be solidified or weakened by facts, so he cannot and should not avoid the burden of rebuttal. His argument, after all, is not even good for democracy.

 

The second point is his claim that the media are nitpicking to attack him. “Welcome to politics” is probably the best response to that. Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan may have been let off the legal hook over his luxury watch collection, but “nitpicking” media and social media have made sure his status is no longer what it was. Democracy, something Thanathorn apparently cherishes, requires the help of nosy and tenacious media more than anything else.

Thanathorn is at a crossroads. Being immensely popular does not make one a great political leader. 

 

Apart from realising that being an MP is not everything, he may need to sit back and think about what is really good for democracy. The leader of the Future Forward Party has taken a public stand against military intervention in politics, but his opinions on the obvious flaws in the system he advocates are far from clear. He appears to half-heartedly criticise Thaksin, conceding that he may have done a few things wrong, but adding that the ousted premier headed a democratic system that was not given enough time. This is where Thanathorn needs to be bolder if he really wants to take Thailand’s future forward.

 

He radiates youth, which tends to be associated with “democracy at all costs”. But with popularity and power comes responsibility. As a political leader, Thanathorn has a duty to ensure that the democracy people fight for is worth the battle. It is easy to attack military coups, because the negative consequences they bring are so well known. Everyone from the man on the street to flamboyant academics is able to put their finger on what is wrong and what can go wrong. It’s a lot harder, though, to dissect and make painful changes to a system that the Future Forward leader and his fan base so crave.

 

But first, Thanathorn needs to be different, not just look different. Which is why the next few days are crucial to his fate. If he emerges from the January 8 controversy unscathed, he will remain on a dignified political path regardless of what happens to his MP status. If he does not, he won’t be able to differentiate himself no matter how popular he remains. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30368653

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-01

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[leeneeds]

Such hope just might have been extinguished by not understanding the complete  political system he was entering and how dirty the game can be, 

 

 

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

His argument, after all, is not even good for democracy.

good enough for Thai democracy; if he can/could deliver on any of the points of his platform he would be better than the current lot

[PatOngo]

When it all boils down, are they not ALL political opportunists vying for that place at the trough and their greedy share of swill. The only way most peoples lives have been altered in the past 20 years is through massive household debt. When 1% control 66% of the wealth there is little chance anything will improve for the impoverished. 

[Oziex1]

I think they got him here, his excuse seem weak. 

Perhaps not in Thailand but don't these hi flyers have their lawyers with the power of attorney to deal with such things as share transfer? 

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

It is easy to attack military coups, because the negative consequences they bring are so well known.

That and they are just wrong.  Taking something you are not entitled to is wrong.  The statement seems to show some sort of acceptance.  Hope this guy never teaches a civics class. 

[robblok]

Lets hope he is right, because starting to lie would make him just like all the other politicians. I had good hopes for him. 

 

Though those speeding tickets with date and time do place him in BKK around 3pm. 

Edited May 1, 2019 by robblok

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thanathorn’s acid test: The real deal or just another political opportunist?

The Prayut government's FEAR of Thanathorn getting Parliament seats and some of the ministries in the next government shows Thanathorn's perceived to be the "real deal."

No 'acid test' required.

[seeyoujimmy]

Why wait till the last minute.

 

[gamini]

His party manifesto makes no mention of inequality. It is much the same as the other parties. No capital gains tax, no property tax and no increase in taxes for the rich. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Thanathorn is willing to work with the fugitive criminal. That's all we need to know about him.

An honest person would not do that.

Case closed.

 

P.S.: And being anti Thaksin does not mean someone has to be pro military.

[CanuckThai]

45 minutes ago, seeyoujimmy said:

Why wait till the last minute.

 

Here's hoping the tardy response, is a strategic maneuver.  Up until now, the junta has been getting a free ride, with little or no friction from any of the opposition.  It's well past the time to be pressing the facts, and for them to answer.  Implicating all known questionable law discrepancies and junta member business involvement is crucial.

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, robblok said:

Lets hope he is right, because starting to lie would make him just like all the other politicians. I had good hopes for him. 

 

Though those speeding tickets with date and time do place him in BKK around 3pm. 

 

They place the vehicle at certain places at certain times. Unless he was also caught in one of the speeding camera photos.

 

Clearly, as someone very wealthy, one wonders why he didn't fly or have a minion do what was necessary. Perhaps he genuinely forgot about it and rushed back when someone pointed it out? But was this the last day to do this?

 

Presumably there are some records kept on actual share transfers in Thailand. The date on the transfer is what matters.

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

They place the vehicle at certain places at certain times. Unless he was also caught in one of the speeding camera photos.

 

Clearly, as someone very wealthy, one wonders why he didn't fly or have a minion do what was necessary. Perhaps he genuinely forgot about it and rushed back when someone pointed it out? But was this the last day to do this?

 

Presumably there are some records kept on actual share transfers in Thailand. The date on the transfer is what matters.

True its just a car, not the driver. But now he is trying to get Dtac proof too. I think the date is already known they just don't believe it. 

[Baerboxer]

34 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Thanathorn is willing to work with the fugitive criminal. That's all we need to know about him.

An honest person would not do that.

Case closed.

 

P.S.: And being anti Thaksin does not mean someone has to be pro military.

 

It says Thanathorn concedes Thaksin "may have done some things wrong".

 

Rather weakly put wouldn't you think? Suggesting one or two minor infractions rather than reality.

 

Perhaps he's simply avoiding criticizing the owner of the political party he wants to go into coalition with. Maybe he thinks he's smart enough to spike the more unsavory aspects of Shin governments and political parties? Maybe he thinks he can change them? Or maybe he's just the junior wing really?

 

Guess it will all come out in the fullness of time.

[Baerboxer]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

True its just a car, not the driver. But now he is trying to get Dtac proof too. I think the date is already known they just don't believe it. 

 

It's farcical here really. Even if he has 3 speeding tickets. and his mobile phone was tracked as being in that vehicle by route and time, it proves nothing. Even if you accept he was in the vehicle and it was him with the phone it proves nothing regarding the actual date when the shares were transferred.

 

Unless the EC have the transfer and are questioning the truth of the date.

[Eric Loh]

52 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

It's farcical here really. Even if he has 3 speeding tickets. and his mobile phone was tracked as being in that vehicle by route and time, it proves nothing. Even if you accept he was in the vehicle and it was him with the phone it proves nothing regarding the actual date when the shares were transferred.

 

Unless the EC have the transfer and are questioning the truth of the date.

What transfer date and what truth BB. You sure like to make it up as it comes conveniently to your narrative. The EC just took the petition of Srisuwan who quoted news report from an agency as the only evidence. They make up their mind to charge Thanathorn without giving him the chance to explain. In just a short time, the EC has already charged him. 

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Thanathorn is willing to work with the fugitive criminal. That's all we need to know about him.

An honest person would not do that.

Case closed.

 

P.S.: And being anti Thaksin does not mean someone has to be pro military.

Your puritanical observations of Thai politics are laughable.  If you want to win, and you do not want the military to win, what choices do you have ?  The PTP is the counter weight to the military.   You have to work with them to win.  

 

You are in the middle, but there isn't one.  Have you ever visited Thailand ?

[OneMoreFarang]

21 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Your puritanical observations of Thai politics are laughable.  If you want to win, and you do not want the military to win, what choices do you have ?  The PTP is the counter weight to the military.   You have to work with them to win.  

 

You are in the middle, but there isn't one.  Have you ever visited Thailand ?

Have you heard about the Democrat Party and Abhisit?

Obviously they are far away from perfect but at least they don't work with the criminal.

But you should know this if you live in Thailand. ???? 

[Eric Loh]

17 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Have you heard about the Democrat Party and Abhisit?

Obviously they are far away from perfect but at least they don't work with the criminal.

But you should know this if you live in Thailand. ???? 

I think YB is right that you don’t live in Thailand. If you do, you know that the Dem and their relationship with the military in the last decade. Even after punished by their supporters for their closeness to the military, their leaders still sprout intention to be in the junta coalition. They prefer to work with the criminal junta government. Why they don’t work on the side of the pro-democracy coalition is because their leaders know they will never win any election and thus will clink to the coattail of the establishment to have a chance to be in a government. 

[OneMoreFarang]

2 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

I think YB is right that you don’t live in Thailand. If you do, you know that the Dem and their relationship with the military in the last decade. Even after punished by their supporters for their closeness to the military, their leaders still sprout intention to be in the junta coalition. They prefer to work with the criminal junta government. Why they don’t work on the side of the pro-democracy coalition is because their leaders know they will never win any election and thus will clink to the coattail of the establishment to have a chance to be in a government. 

What exactly is the "pro-democracy coalition"? The criminal Thaksin, the people who work for him and the people who want to have a piece of the cake? That is the pro-corruption and pro-criminal coalition. It has little to do with democracy because there is only one leader who decides.

 

I guess many of us have a view similar to our surrounding. I live in the middle of Bangkok. Last time I checked my part of town was deep blue Democrat party.

I guess if people live in a red villages things look different.

 

And about the military: They cleaned up the streets and removed the violent criminal red-shirts and the MiB. They also removed the corrupt Shinawatras two times. These facts are strong facts pro Prayut.

 

If Thai democracy would work and if honest people would be in charge then there would be no reasons for coups. But as long as criminals are in control it's good that the military removes them if necessary.

[Eric Loh]

3 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What exactly is the "pro-democracy coalition"? The criminal Thaksin, the people who work for him and the people who want to have a piece of the cake? That is the pro-corruption and pro-criminal coalition. It has little to do with democracy because there is only one leader who decides.

Even the basic, you have difficulty in understanding. Pro-democracy is allowing the people the freedom to vote and choose their leaders. Like minded parties formed the coalition to seek the answer from the people whether they prefer a military coalition that will appoint a non elected Prayut who has rigged the election into a non level playing field or a coalition that will form the government with the mandate of the people. You talk about criminal coalition and you turn a blind eye to all the criminal acts by the junta to intimidate pro democracy politicians and activists. Just where is your moral judgement. 

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I guess many of us have a view similar to our surrounding. I live in the middle of Bangkok. Last time I checked my part of town was deep blue Democrat party.

i live in Bangkok too and has never change my democratic view. Universal suffrage is my belief and seizure of power via coup is illegal and to be condemned. Don’t you?

 

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

about the military: They cleaned up the streets and removed the violent criminal red-shirts and the MiB. They also r

5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

f Thai democracy would work and if honest people would be in charge then there would be no reasons for coups. But as long as criminals are in control it's good that the military removes them if necessary.

emoved the corrupt Shinawatras two times. These facts are strong facts pro Prayut.

The establishment with the military and their politician allies created the chaos as pretext for coups. Yes Thaksin is corrupt and he has been charged, assets seized and on the run. No pity for him but he has brought empowerment to the people and good policies and it’s up to the people to disown him by electing him out. Only those who fear his popularity chose to take him out by power and guns. 

 

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Have you heard about the Democrat Party and Abhisit?

Obviously they are far away from perfect but at least they don't work with the criminal.

But you should know this if you live in Thailand. ???? 

Sorry, I had forgotten about him as did most voting Thais.  And Mr. Loh is right.  Abhisit was and, perhaps will be again, the usurper's lap dog. 

Edited May 1, 2019 by yellowboat

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Yes Thaksin is corrupt and he has been charged, assets seized and on the run. No pity for him but he has brought empowerment to the people and good policies and it’s up to the people to disown him by electing him out. Only those who fear his popularity chose to take him out by power and guns. 

So for you it's perfectly ok that a super rich business man does corrupt politics to get a lot richer as long as he gives enough crumbs to the stupid people so that they vote for him again?

Judges decide if someone is guilty or not according to evidence. There is more than enough evidence against Thaksin. He should be in jail even if he did a few good things for the people.

Anybody who is pro Thaksin is pro crime and pro corruption. And you call that democracy? That would be laughable if it wouldn't be so sad.

Who divided the Thai people more, Thaksin or the military? Imagine Thaksin would have gone to jail for his so called honest mistakes 20 years ago. And imagine a honest leader would have been elected who cares about all Thais and Thailand. Democracy, freedom, no coups, it could have been wonderful. But stupid people vote for the criminal again and again because he did also something good for them. Disgusting!

[bapoboy]

10 hours ago, PatOngo said:

When it all boils down, are they not ALL political opportunists vying for that place at the trough and their greedy share of swill. The only way most peoples lives have been altered in the past 20 years is through massive household debt. When 1% control 66% of the wealth there is little chance anything will improve for the impoverished. 

In socialismistan 99% are poor and control 1% of the wealth and the government owns the 99% of the wealth.

 

 

[Donutz]

Prayut, Thaksin,  Abhisit,  Suthep and many more all have blood on their hands. Responsible for atleast hundreds of deaths and there for all criminal on my opinion, though for that to become established there would be need for a court up to international standards in which all these men can explain themselves. 

 

The true pro democracy forces such as FFP will stay well clear from this scum. Though FFP would not be as to rule without others so the lesser evil Phue Thai is sort of an ally. If only PT could cut all ties with Thaksin... but why are we dragging mr. T into this time and time again? That's beating the junta drum which tries to put all anti-junta powers in the same bag. 

 

As for the democrats,  the news clearly shows internal struggles. The young democrats seem to be pro democracy but the dinosaur members seem too close to the army and in favour of a Phalang Pracharat coalition. That's hardly pro democracy. 

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

So for you it's perfectly ok that a super rich business man does corrupt politics to get a lot richer as long as he gives enough crumbs to the stupid people so that they vote for him again?

Judges decide if someone is guilty or not according to evidence. There is more than enough evidence against Thaksin. He should be in jail even if he did a few good things for the people.

Anybody who is pro Thaksin is pro crime and pro corruption. And you call that democracy? That would be laughable if it wouldn't be so sad.

Who divided the Thai people more, Thaksin or the military? Imagine Thaksin would have gone to jail for his so called honest mistakes 20 years ago. And imagine a honest leader would have been elected who cares about all Thais and Thailand. Democracy, freedom, no coups, it could have been wonderful. But stupid people vote for the criminal again and again because he did also something good for them. Disgusting!

Absolutely disgusting and I should say hypocritical that you never talk about the blatant junta corruption and that they have been dividing the country since 1932. How else can they remained dominant without creating division and killing off those who opposed them. 

[metisdead]

A troll post containing overly derogatory generalizations toward Thai people has been removed. 

[jayboy]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Have you heard about the Democrat Party and Abhisit?

Obviously they are far away from perfect but at least they don't work with the criminal.

But you should know this if you live in Thailand. ???? 

Which criminal are you referring to? Both the current PM and Abhisit are said by many to have committed offenses far worse than those of Thaksin, namely treason and presiding over murder of unarmed civilians.

[OneMoreFarang]

34 minutes ago, jayboy said:

Which criminal are you referring to? Both the current PM and Abhisit are said by many to have committed offenses far worse than those of Thaksin, namely treason and presiding over murder of unarmed civilians.

Are they convicted criminals? No

Are there court cases going on against them? Not as far as I know.

 

If your "murder of unarmed civilians" refers to 2010 that is laughable. Look up the definition of murder and it is obvious it can't be murder. These people would not have died if they wouldn't have illegally occupied the city and if they would have left it after they were asked many times to go home. The busses were waiting for them. Murder? Pathetic!