Prayut ‘set to take charge of Phalang Pracharat’

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

 

Move seen as Premier’s attempt to soften public perception of his links to the military.

 

COUP LEADER-turned-two-term prime minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has decided to take over the leadership of the junta-aligned Phalang Pracharat Party once his Cabinet is installed, a party source said. 

 

A party assembly to change the executive board is expected next month, the source said. 

 

Uttama Savanayana would reportedly step down to make way for Prayut, while Sontirat Sontijirawong would likely continue as secretary-general. 

 

The No 1 party-list MP, Nattapol Teepsuwan, might also emerge as contender for the secretary-general’s job but was deemed by the source as unlikely to take over the post.

 

The move to prop Prayut as the party leader is aimed at reportedly transform the military general into a full-fledged politician and reduce public perception of his links with the junta. That association has been among the most vulnerable spots for attacks by political rivals.

 

Prayut plans to stay in politics for the long term, the source said. Without holding a party membership, it was difficult for the general to help the party campaign and build up popularity. 

 

Prayut’s leadership of Phalang Pracharat was also aimed at resolving tensions in the party related to the influential Sam Mitr or Three Allies faction. The group had been a stumbling block in the recent allocation of Cabinet portfolios. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, in charge of the government’s legal affairs, said yesterday that Prayut could take the position if he wanted to. 

 

Wissanu, however, also warned that if anything went wrong, Prayut would inevitably be affected as a party executive. Thus, the general should also plan a way out in case of an emergency, the deputy advised.

 

Phalang Pracharat’s deputy spokesman, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, told The Nation that he would prefer not to speak about the issue yet. He had not been notified of any changes in the party so far, he said. 

 

Prayut had yet to register as a party member, Thanakorn noted. 

 

Another source in the party said the circulating leaks were inconsistent with the truth. It had been leaked by party members who were disappointed with the allocation of ministerial positions, he added. 

 

The leaked reports aimed to discredit the party, the source said. 

 

The party had yet to discuss replacing Uttama with Prayut, he said, adding that Uttama and Sontirat had been dedicated executives and were well-accepted by their colleagues.

 

Meanwhile, political scientist Wanwichit Boonprong noted that Prayut had up until now kept some distance between the party and himself.

 

He viewed any move to assume the party leadership as intended to eliminate the middle men in talks between the party executives and partner parties.

 

“With Prayut’s leadership, it would become clear who is in charge of the party,” the expert explained. “Prior to this, many people did not give Uttama and Sontirat much credit. They did not think [these two] could make the decisions. If Prayut takes charge, it would become more clear.”

 

Some pundits believe Prayut was having to shift fully to the political sphere due to alleged lack of support from the Army, but Wanwichit disagrees, adding the question was irrelevant.

 

Prayut is also said to be considering taking control of the defence ministry. Wanwichit said to do so would be a way to maintain the network backed by his close colleague and former mentor, General Prawit Wongsuwan, who might step down because of health issues.

 

But this would not necessarily mean that Prayut’s relations with the Army would weaken, he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30371061

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-14

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What a sham, as if he hasn't been "in charge" since the party was formed.

Well done prayut.. Coup number two. He has replaced publically elected MPs once again. Man is starting to make a habit of this. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Wissanu, however, also warned that if anything went wrong, Prayut would inevitably be affected as a party executive. Thus, the general should also plan a way out in case of an emergency...

Prayut needing an emergency bolt hole? Probably back to barracks to formulate a new coup against his own government. Surely Thai politics couldn't get any more unhinged!

One of the most common arguments made on this forum, by those seeking to justify the removal of elected governments and usurping of power by the military in the last few years is " elections do not produce democracy" or similar claims.

 

Watching the shenanigans, manoeuvring and dishonesty surrounding the creation of this current regime, which lacks anything like a popular or parliamentary mandate, maybe on this occasion they would be correct.

Edited June 13, 20197 yr by JAG

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The move to prop Prayut as the party leader is aimed at reportedly transform the military general into a full-fledged politician and reduce public perception of his links with the junta.

Reduce public perception? The truth once more to be subjected to a convenient lie. It would take massive collective amnesia to 'forget' this mans links with the junta.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The move to prop Prayut as the party leader is aimed at reportedly transform the military general into a full-fledged politician and reduce public perception of his links with the junta.

Maybe if he dropped the title "General"  the public would think it was a different person.

Is this legal? So Prayut, an unelected Prime Minister, decides to become an unelected leader of a political party of his choice! Presumably he is using Article 44 whilst he still can. This is democracy?


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5 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut ‘set to take charge of Phalang Pracharat’

Here's some stuff to help you:

Since he has been officially endorsed as the Prime Minister he has wielded Section 44 re: 20,000 illegal hotels and accommodation services nationwide.  Section 44 should be nullified since there is now a "democratically elected" parliament.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

General Prayut Chan-o-cha has decided to take over the leadership of the junta-aligned Phalang Pracharat Party once his Cabinet is installed, a party source said. 

So HE has decided to take the leadership.

After HIS appointed cabinet is installed.

 

What was the point of this election? ------- exactly, NO POINT!

If this is how a person acts when thy ‘don’t want the job’ as he stated many times, I would hate to see the actions of someone keen to do it!

This guy and his junta cronies are just bad rotten eggs. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Wissanu, however, also warned that if anything went wrong, Prayut would inevitably be affected as a party executive. Thus, the general should also plan a way out in case of an emergency, the deputy advised.

So he is still a General. If things don't go well, he just switch back from politician to General. How convenient. Shouldn't he resign himself from the military before he take up the role of a politician? 

5 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

Is this legal? So Prayut, an unelected Prime Minister, decides to become an unelected leader of a political party of his choice! Presumably he is using Article 44 whilst he still can. This is democracy?


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keep in mind he just said he will be governing by """HIS""" law, meaning I do as I please for the good of the nation

9 hours ago, webfact said:

COUP LEADER-turned-two-term prime minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

this is his FIRST term as (unelected) PM the first time after the coup he appointed himself as leader

9 hours ago, webfact said:

“With Prayut’s leadership, it would become clear who is in charge of the party,”

that means until now it was not clear to them...for us it was clear as clear can be, clear than water

Pray is prepared to take charge of any party that will bend to his wishes and allow him to take Thailand further from the democratic process.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

1.COUP LEADER-turned-2 two-term prime minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

1  Correct 2. extremely dubious

As a politician is Prayuth compelled to declare his wealth and income and the same thing again when he leaves politics?