Jurin Laksanawisit: Democrat leader struggling to keep storm-hit party afloat

[snoop1130]

 

The “Prinn effect” has left the coalition Democrat Party at one of the lowest ebbs in its 76-year history and its eighth leader, Jurin Laksanawisit, in political hot water. 

 

Multiple sex-abuse allegations against former deputy Democrat leader Prinn Panitchpakdi, who was handpicked by Jurin for the job, have tainted the party’s hard-earned reputation and credibility but also opened rifts between factions and even in the 36-member executive board.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

This latest crisis is yet another headache for Jurin, who took over the party helm from former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in May 2019 after the Democrats’ disappointing performance in the general election. Since then, the new Democrat leader has faced problem after problem.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/jurin-laksanawisit-democrat-leader-struggling-to-keep-storm-hit-party-afloat/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-02

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[engamann]

Great , this snakes promised in 2019 to not support any junta government run buy Cha Cha , then do a 100 turn arround to get some power , shamles party.

[candide]

10 minutes ago, engamann said:

Great , this snakes promised in 2019 to not support any junta government run buy Cha Cha , then do a 100 turn arround to get some power , shamles party.

Not to mention that they appointed Prayut as army chief in 2010 and supported the coup in 2014.

The Dems have signed a pact with their own blood and it doesn't bring luck.

[zzaa09]

Have to wonder if the obsessive nature of proposed political identity is worthy......or even important. 

[klauskunkel]

Quote

he refused to step down as party leader, arguing that resigning would be tantamount to abandoning responsibility for the crisis.

…would be tantamount to abandoning income streams.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This latest crisis is yet another headache for Jurin, who took over the party helm from former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in May 2019 after the Democrats’ disappointing performance in the general election. Since then, the new Democrat leader has faced problem after problem

Mayday Mayday Mayday.... control we have a problem.

[bannork]

I have known Jurin personally for 24 years, he wanted to improve his English as he gained ministerial positions, and he wanted to learn informally through conversation. That was fine with me as I loved Thai politics at the time pre-Thaksin with its myriad collection of regional  businessmen masquerading as MPs. 

Jurin was always ambitious, he took his duties in various ministries very seriously, Thaksin's minions tried to charge him with corruption but nothing stuck. I grew to like him a lot, he really wanted to modernize Thailand. He knew the rote learning so favoured by The Education Ministry was hopelessly outdated.

But the Democrat Party and himself were southern based and focused. It was only after Thaksin swept Issan that they started to think of the north- east and by then it was too late, Thaksin had won their hearts.

The Democrats had some talented people, Prinn's father, Supachai, for example, how he must be embarrassed by his son, but that conservative streak that runs through them in spite of being amongst the most educated  MPs in Thailand, resulted in lack lustre campaigns. They couldn't see how Thanathorn made them look so dated, and joining Prayud alienated the young further.

Their future is bleak, as is Jurin's. He has no charisma but I believe he's honest and hardworking. If only the Dems had joined with Future Forward, their experience would be invaluable.

 

 

 

[RandiRona]

Just bring a lotta bar girls and you will have lot of people joining.... or may be that wont work as they are used to molest non professionals.

[mtls2005]

The brand had its hey-day. but is more aptly named the Dinosaur Party.

 

Walking amber.

 

Haven't had a modern, cohesive or appealing message in decades. 

 

Maybe step back, figure out who you want to represent, and what you can do to help them.

 

Making odd references to "modernizing thailand" and "reforming education" might have worked last century.

 

Time for a rebrand, and a new name, and some modern, even controversial polices and platform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

The brand had its hey-day. but is more aptly named the Dinosaur Party.

 

Walking amber.

 

Haven't had a modern, cohesive or appealing message in decades. 

 

Maybe step back, figure out who you want to represent, and what you can do to help them.

 

Making odd references to "modernizing thailand" and "reforming education" might have worked last century.

 

Time for a rebrand, and a new name, and some modern, even controversial polices and platform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controversial ideals and policies have already been suggested by numerous rebel-rousing political parties in recent years - and look what's become of them. 

 

More remarkable [even amusing] is that the likes of the Democrats are viewed with fanciful notions that they might be something different from the traditional ruling class establishment club.....they're far from that. 

[Eric Loh]

The manner in which Jurin was voted to be the party leader was shrouded with controversy. The ballots were given to the 52 constituency MPs who won seats in the general election as well as 255 party executives. However not all MPs and executives carried equal weight in the vote. 52 MPs accounted for 70% of the total while the rest made up the remaining 30%. As a result, party veterans like Korn and Apirak were only able to get meagre votes. Seem Jurin had a secured path that leads to the party joining the present junta government. He should resign as an admission that he has failed as a leader to the party and cozying to Prayut's government. 

[Burma Bill]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

have tainted the party’s hard-earned reputation and credibility but also opened rifts between factions and even in the 36-member executive board.

Great news!! The beginning of the end for Abhisit and Sutep's "yellow shirts" of old??????????