Who Is Really in Charge In Thailand?

[webfact]

 

How many prime ministers does Thailand have now? One if you ask Srettha Thavisin. 

In theory, Thai premier Srettha Thavisin leads the country. But there is more than meets the eye.

 

In theory, the 62-year-old real estate tycoon is the prime minister of Thailand. Nominally, he leads a government coalition of 11 parties with 314 MPs in the 500-member House of Representatives. But whether he is actually fully or partially in charge is another matter altogether. 

 

In practice, Srettha is neither an MP nor the leader of Pheu Thai (PT), the chief party in the ruling coalition. He has confessed to knowing a few of the party’s 141 MPs. His familiarity with MPs from other government parties is almost non-existent.

 

During the few hectic weeks prior to the formation of his cabinet, Srettha was hardly at the bargaining table. He did not do the wheeling and dealing; rather, this was done by PT bigwigs, notably Phumtham Wechayachai, who is now a deputy prime minister and minister of commerce; and Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, now the secretary-general to the Prime Minister. Both Phumtham and Dr Prommin have close ties to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. 

 

Should the “Digital Wallet” fail to materialise, Srettha will be held responsible. At any rate, it has been argued on Fulcrum previously that the proposed scheme was never intended to stimulate the economy but serves as a “political tool” to revive Pheu Thai’s image and secure the Thai premier’s popular standing.

 

Undoubtedly, Phumtham and Dr Prommin consulted and listened to Thaksin, even though the 75-year-old former premier is officially a criminal convict serving a one-year jail term for corruption. Thaksin is widely regarded as the actual “owner” of the PT.  

 

by TERMSAK CHALERMPALANUPAP

 

TOP picture: In theory, the 62-year-old real estate tycoon (R) is the prime minister of Thailand. However, Srettha Thavisin's fate cannot be discussed without discussing the fate of Thaksin Shinawatra (L). (Photo via AFP)

 

Full story: FULCRUM 2024-03-06

 

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[jacko45k]

Ridiculous. How can someone run away from a conviction, returning after 15 years as a wanted criminal to supposed imprisonment, step straight back into the top job in town?

[JonnyF]

Srettha was a stop gap. Someone put in place while they overturned the election result and ensured Move Forward never got power. 

 

They're just waiting for the right time to officially hand the power to Thaksin. My guess would be 12-18 months depending on the public mood. 

 

Democracy. Thai sty. 

[bamnutsak]

Who Is Really in Charge In Thailand?

 

 

Uhm, the Thai Constitution is quite clear on this question.

 

Chapter 1, Sections 2 & 3.

 

 

[daveAustin]

Two guesses, and it is not the installed smiling donkey no matter how much cheesy grinning he does. Pathetic.

[bob smith]

There’s only one person truly in charge in Thailand.

 

Though that person is most definitely not in that photograph.

 

bob.

[stupidfarang]

25 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Ridiculous. How can someone run away from a conviction, returning after 15 years as a wanted criminal to supposed imprisonment, step straight back into the top job in town?

Why ridiculous? did this not just happen? Now the sister has had charges dropped so will be home soon.

[mikebell]

30 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Who Is Really in Charge In Thailand?

It doesn't matter; the farang will still get screwed.

[StayinThailand2much]

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai premier Srettha 'P' Thavisin

 

'P' for 'puppet'...

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Ridiculous. How can someone run away from a conviction, returning after 15 years as a wanted criminal to supposed imprisonment, step straight back into the top job in town?

Wait and see. And don't act surprised.

[doctormann]

45 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Two guesses, and it is not the installed smiling donkey no matter how much cheesy grinning he does. Pathetic.

if you look carefully you can see the strings.

[zhounan]

Probably the Sino-Thai clans the own most of Thailand economy.

[sirineou]

59 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Ridiculous. How can someone run away from a conviction, returning after 15 years as a wanted criminal to supposed imprisonment, step straight back into the top job in town?

Isn't funny how Thai politicians overthrown by the military become convicted criminals. 

If one did not know better one might think that the justice system in Thailand is corrupt. 

Of course I am not one of them, Personally I am thankful  to the military for getting rid of these criminals for us.

[BayArea]

The military, billionaires, and HiSo are truly in charge of Thailand.  Before you forget, Thaksin is a billionaire and former military and is considered a HiSo by common people. Political parties are nothing but a guise for democracy.  The last election has shown that the votes from the population don't mean a lick. It's all a show, and voting  in Thailand is an exercise in futility. 

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, BayArea said:

The military, billionaires, and HiSo are truly in charge of Thailand.  Before you forget, Thaksin is a billionaire and former military and is considered a HiSo by common people. Political parties are nothing but a guise for democracy.  The last election has shown that the votes from the population don't mean a lick. It's all a show, and voting  in Thailand is an exercise in futility. 

Thought Thaksin was police?

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Ridiculous. How can someone run away from a conviction, returning after 15 years as a wanted criminal to supposed imprisonment, step straight back into the top job in town?

It can obviously only happen if people allow it to happen.

If Thai people would demonstrate on the streets, then it wouldn't happen like now.

But Thais normally don't do that - unless someone pays them to demonstrate.

TiT

[fondue zoo]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Thought Thaksin was police?

 

Yes, just your run of the mill rags to riches story, policeman to billionaire, selling pc's to the police department for starters in the 80's

[CharlesHolzhauer]

Maybe, just maybe we'll see the newly introduced tax guidelines changed or even canceled.

[Kaopad999]

The collaboration between Srettha and Thaksin presents a compelling dynamic for Thailand. With Thaksin orchestrating strategies from behind the scenes, leveraging his vast experience and innovative ideas, and Srettha taking the forefront to implement these visions, responding directly to the country's needs, this partnership could symbolize a robust blend of insight and action. 

[spidermike007]

Well we know for sure it certainly is not the completely useless PM. However this is not something we're allowed to discuss. 

[impulse]

Who Is Really in Charge In Thailand?

 

Not me, and not anyone I know. 

 

Life in LOS got so much easier when I accepted that and just started going with the flow.  Enjoying the advantages of some corruption and laissez faire, and accepting the rest as a compromise to balance the good aspects. 

 

All in all, I'm glad Thailand hasn't gone full nanny, even if there are things I'd like improved.  Generally easy enough to stay out of the crosshairs, especially since I don't drink, I don't chase loose women, and I'm generally asleep by midnight.

 

[stoner]

neither of those 2 are in charge. we all know who is really in charge. fortunately it is not possible to talk about it. 

[RandiRona]

That is a trap question, umm not answering it.

[Will B Good]

I'm pretty damn sure whoever is in charge it should really be my wife.....she knows the answer to everything and is never wrong.

[bokningar]

The real masters live in Beijing.

This is just local puppets.

[stoner]

10 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

my wife.....she knows the answer to everything and is never wrong.

 

they must come from a factory ? 

[Will B Good]

6 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

they must come from a factory ? 

Mass produced.....555

[john donson]

nominee at best...

[Rimmer]

Off topic post has been removed

[No Forwarding Address]

Police career

Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School,^[17] and was then admitted to the Thai Police Cadet Academy. Graduating in 1973, he joined the Royal Thai Police. He received a master's degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States in 1975, and three years later was awarded a doctorate in criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.^{[citation needed]}

Returning to Thailand, he reached the position of Deputy Superintendent of the Policy and Planning Sub-division, General Staff Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau, before resigning his commission in 1987 as a Police Lieutenant Colonel and leaving the police. His former wife, Potjaman Damapong, is the sister of Police General Priewpan Damapong and now uses her mother's maiden name.^[13]: 39

He is a former university lecturer at Royal Police Cadet Academy in 1975–1976.^[18][19]

Thaksin's police lieutenant colonel rank was revoked in September 2015.^[20][21]