Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today (June 10) downplayed recent criticism from de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin had sharply condemned Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan.

 

Srettha sidestepped questions about possible strain between coalition partners following Thaksin's remarks. Thaksin criticised Prawit over an impeachment lawsuit filed by 40 senators, most of whom are said to be Prawit's loyalists, against Srettha.

 

Srettha denied that the relationship may sour, even after Thaksin labelled Prawit “the sole troublemaker” behind the impeachment case in the Constitutional Court.

 

Srettha emphasised that he never met Prawit in person but had spoken with Prawit's brother, Deputy Prime Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan, and Palang Pracharath Secretary-General Thammanat Prompao.

 

Thaksin, without naming Prawit directly, had previously referred to him as “the Forest Man.” Thaksin alleged that Prawit was behind the senators’ impeachment bid against Srettha.

 

The grounds for impeachment include Srettha's appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a minister, despite Pichit’s prior criminal conviction and disbarment.

 

Prawit chairs the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation, located near his house within the First Infantry Regiment. Pichit, a former defence lawyer for Thaksin who faced jail time for contempt of court, had since resigned. Still, the senators argued that Srettha’s decision was unethical and unconstitutional.

 

Thaksin is seen as a key player behind the scenes, allegedly influencing both the prime minister and coalition partners. If Srettha is found guilty, he might lose his prime minister's status, potentially opening the door for Prawit or another candidate from the coalition to replace him.

 

Meanwhile, Thaksin is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Court on June 18 to face lese majeste charges, stemming from comments made during a 2006 interview in Seoul.

 

The charges, which he vehemently denies, accuse him of insulting the monarchy, punishable by three to 15 years imprisonment under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

 

Thaksin categorically dismissed the charges as “utterly groundless” and politically motivated by the 2014 coup junta. Despite this, he confirmed that he will appear in court on June 18 to fight for justice, a legal battle that could drag on for years.

 

Prawit Wongsuwan. Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-11

 

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Its like my brother used to say "I dont like money but I really like what it can do for me".

Paroled Thaksin maybe over-playing his hand by provoking Prawit & Co.

47 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Paroled Thaksin maybe over-playing his hand by provoking Prawit & Co.

Fun to be in the audience all the same. And who could be nicer to tip s...t over? Never a dull moment in Thailand.

Pot, meet kettle. Both as corrupt as they could get, both have hands in the government till, and both have run the country into the ground.

never a shortage of mud to sling in a mud hole

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Paroled Thaksin maybe over-playing his hand by provoking Prawit & Co.

Keep a watch out for the Watch Man. Hypocrisy knows no bounds in Thai politics.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin, without naming Prawit directly, had previously referred to him as “the Forest Man.”

Ah yes, Rumpelstiltskin!
There was once a miller who was poor, but he had one beautiful watch...

A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm (modernized)

53 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Pot, meet kettle. Both as corrupt as they could get, both have hands in the government till, and both have run the country into the ground.

Thailand was doing well under Thaksin.

At the time, as many Thai people said "yes, he may be corrupt - they all are, but Thaksin is the first leader to do something for poor people"

And we are not talking about a dodgy 10,000 THB handout to anyone with less than 500,000 baht in the bank.

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Paroled Thaksin maybe over-playing his hand by provoking Prawit & Co.

Might be, but it seems like he know exactly how to stay above water.

8 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Thailand was doing well under Thaksin.

At the time, as many Thai people said "yes, he may be corrupt - they all are, but Thaksin is the first leader to do something for poor people"

And we are not talking about a dodgy 10,000 THB handout to anyone with less than 500,000 baht in the bank.

 

but Thaksin is the first leader to do something for poor people

Yes, if they opposed him, he had them shot under his guise of a war on drugs.

 

2 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

but Thaksin is the first leader to do something for poor people

Yes, if they opposed him, he had them shot under his guise of a war on drugs.

 

 

It's amazing how people worship murderers when they hide under the guise of righteousness.

Just now, Bert got kinky said:

 

but Thaksin is the first leader to do something for poor people

Yes, if they opposed him, he had them shot under his guise of a war on drugs.

 

Silly exaggeration.

Most who opposed him were politicians and the army that took him down.

How many of them were shot?

I suppose that you believe that the Junta and Abhisit's lot were best friends with Thaksin supporters.

Oh, but wait. Weren't they were both shooting innocent folk under the guise of lese majeste and democracy.

 

Aaah, I note that there are a few posters who are confused with my post.

Newcomers or just ignorant to the facts?

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Tropicalevo said:

Silly exaggeration.

Most who opposed him were politicians and the army that took him down.

How many of them were shot?

I suppose that you believe that the Junta and Abhisit's lot were best friends with Thaksin supporters.

Oh, but wait. Weren't they were both shooting innocent folk under the guise of lese majeste and democracy.

 

Try doing some research, you might learn something.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premiership_of_Thaksin_Shinawatra

 

12 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Might be, but it seems like he know exactly how to stay above water.

Lets see if he can walk on it.

9 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Lets see if he can walk on it.

T "Moses" W-some

It amazes me how farangs can get themselves into Thai politics in this forum. Personally I don't give a ratz what they do as long as it doesn't affect me. Just remember what our conversion rates were when Thaksin and then Yinluck were in power. Those rates were completely smashed one month later by the coup leaders. They're the ones that should be in jail but of course that will never happen.

Perhaps a strategic calculative move by Thaksin. Lots of dynamics happening on the political front with MFP likely to be dissolved and junta appointed senators to be replaced. Thaksin may see this as an opportunity to kick Palang Pracharath out of the coalition. That will erase the last vestiges of military party in the government and will improve the image of PTP. MPs from MFP will be more willing to consider joining PTP if PPP is out. Prawit will be without any power base when his appointed senators are replaced after royal endorsement of the new elected senators. I am sure there are people from higher echelon of power that also want to nullify the power of the military. 

6 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

It amazes me how farangs can get themselves into Thai politics in this forum. Personally I don't give a ratz what they do as long as it doesn't affect me. Just remember what our conversion rates were when Thaksin and then Yinluck were in power. Those rates were completely smashed one month later by the coup leaders. They're the ones that should be in jail but of course that will never happen.

 

It amazes me how farangs can get themselves into Thai politics in this forum.

Yet here you are, commenting about That politics.

Does this mean that you amaze yourself?

 

Just remember what our conversion rates were when Thaksin and then Yinluck were in power. Those rates were completely smashed one month later by the coup leaders. They're the ones that should be in jail but of course that will never happen.

So when the local economy improves, we should jail those that have made the improvement.

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra

Isn't there a law in Thailand against outsider influence? And maybe sharing state secrets with convicted criminals?

How is it possible that the guy who just promised a few months ago he wants to retire and play with his grandkids is again pulling the strings?

Lock him up! 

There is no shortage of criticism that can be leveled at that ancient dinosaur. In 9 years he helped to turn the once dynamic tiger of SE Asia into a whiny, skinny, anemic, sickly alley cat. 

39 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

It amazes me how farangs can get themselves into Thai politics in this forum. Personally I don't give a ratz what they do as long as it doesn't affect me. Just remember what our conversion rates were when Thaksin and then Yinluck were in power. Those rates were completely smashed one month later by the coup leaders. They're the ones that should be in jail but of course that will never happen.

 

Enjoy your worldwide income tax, then.

57 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

Try doing some research, you might learn something.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premiership_of_Thaksin_Shinawatra

 

Research and wiki......oh I do like an early morning joke with my coffee........

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

There is no shortage of criticism that can be leveled at that ancient dinosaur.

Which one?

There are many of them out there. And not just in Thailand. 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra

Isn't his full title "paroled cum-convict de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra"?

 

3 hours ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

It amazes me how farangs can get themselves into Thai politics in this forum.

Yet here you are, commenting about That politics.

Does this mean that you amaze yourself?

 

Just remember what our conversion rates were when Thaksin and then Yinluck were in power. Those rates were completely smashed one month later by the coup leaders. They're the ones that should be in jail but of course that will never happen.

So when the local economy improves, we should jail those that have made the improvement.

 

 

 

 

Hey Bert, you should work for Fox media, when I did I comment on Thai politics? I only mentioned the exchange rate which affects every farang living in Thailand, even you.

The old goats are at each others' throats again. That's as saddening as it was predictable after the real winner of the election had been blocked from forming a government and those odious dinosaurs united (for a while anyway).

It is not a question if but rather when ....... Thailand's bumpy road into the 21st century is getting closer and closer; the oligarch elite, the dinosaurs and all those Phooyais fighting for power and money (or both) on the back of the taxpayer and the voters. 

This country is heading into an abyss; the writing is getting bigger and bigger on the wall - how sad! 

3 hours ago, Mason45 said:

Hey Bert, you should work for Fox media, when I did I comment on Thai politics? I only mentioned the exchange rate which affects every farang living in Thailand, even you.

when I did I comment on Thai politics?

                Just remember what our conversion rates were when Thaksin and then Yinluck were in power.

You did manage to get to the third sentence in your post without commenting on Thai politics, or do you think that two 'dodgy' ex Thai prime ministers had no relevance in Thai politics?

 

I only mentioned the exchange rate which affects every farang living in Thailand, even you.

Nice bit of conclusion jumping there.

I get paid by a Thai company, have done for the last 23 years and I spend my money in Thailand.

The only time that the exchange affects effect me is when I have to pay more for imported goods, mainly thanks to the  square headed one.