Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party.

 

During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the beans on the tensions that severed his relationship with Prawit. The 75 year old former premier recalled that the cracks began to show when Prawit, then set to retire as army chief in 2005, sought Thaksin’s backing to head Thailand’s top anti-corruption agency.

 

Thaksin, in a tone laced with condescension, reminisced about how Prawit owed his rise through the military ranks to him.

 

“It was me who appointed him as commander of the First Army Region.”

 

Thaksin referred to the powerful unit notorious for its involvement in past coups. Prawit eventually climbed to the top of the military hierarchy, becoming army commander-in-chief and playing a pivotal role in the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin’s government.

 

The breaking point, according to Thaksin, came when Prawit requested to be made chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission after retiring.

 

“‘What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?’”

 

This remark, Thaksin revealed, was somehow conveyed to Prawit, marking the end of their camaraderie.

 

Since his return from self-exile last August, Thaksin admits he hasn’t been in contact with Prawit.

 

“Why would I want to talk to him?”

 

Meanwhile, Prawit’s Palang Pracharath Party is facing internal turmoil, with MPs rebelling against his leadership as they seek to continue their alliance with Pheu Thai on their terms, reported Thai PBS World.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-23

 

 

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So, the convicted criminal, who told us he will take care of his grandchildren, complaints about others not following the rules.

Yeah, sure. And I am sure Thaksin doesn't notice the irony in that.

The manner which Thaksin is proceeding you know he has secured carte blanche backing from the One which matters. 
I would really love to see the 2 thieving generals getting their just desserts finally

Fascinating. I am not a fan of Thaksin, but I despise Prawit. 

 

He said: "What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?" 

 

I would change that to "What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about decency or morality? And how is he not corrupt?" 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

sought Thaksin’s backing to head Thailand’s top anti-corruption agency.

 

 

 

You just couldn't write this stuff

Is it still safe to click on emojis?

8 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

You just couldn't write this stuff

Those well known farang noir novelists who have been dredging the dregs of Bangkok society for their plots have been missing the boat; why not let Tony be your script idea man and follow the money? Or in this case, the power ownership, because these people have all the money they can ever spend at this point. 

The only good thing about Thaksin's return is the Thai Salim aunties apoplexy at his return. The rest is evil.

Just remember Thaksin, Thai people are very smart and getting smarter when dealing in filth like you...!

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The breaking point, according to Thaksin, came when Prawit requested to be made chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission after retiring.

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“‘What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?’

Set a thief to catch a thief....

Why do they keep referring to Thaksin as the "former Thai PM", do they think its still a secret?

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“‘What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?’”

Not sure about knowledge of the laws involved but as for corruption itself they are both supremely knowledgeable and highly qualified practitioners.

Why would he want to be boss of the anti-corruption agency?  Hedging against his own misdeeds, it is a powerful enough agency to get rid of your enemies by digging up past dirt while being able to block any spade turning concerning his own escapades. It is surprising that old men in positions of power seem to forget they are mortal and use power as an elixir of life.

It may be wise for Thaksin to lie low for a while, and to stop trying to steal the limelight. He is not liked by many Thai people who have both power and influence.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin, in a tone laced with condescension, reminisced about how Prawit owed his rise through the military ranks to him.

 

“It was me who appointed him as commander of the First Army Region.”

 

Thaksin - Guilty of Nepotism and Corruption , and even declaring it in public .

Now the Thai people have it back just as it was before ... not what they voted  for .

This guy , Thaksin , is an enemy to all democratic processes , and , with that , to all thai people .

He stands for a failed , corrupt regime that only fills his own pockets and does not give a damn about the outcome of democratic ( ? ) elections .

 

What happens here now , is not kind of a political satire anymore , it is a political grotesque , that , hopefully , will be ended soon ...

 

Two self serving old timers  without any redeeming factors

The old goats are at each others' throats. Fascinating. 

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

It may be wise for Thaksin to lie low for a while, and to stop trying to steal the limelight. He is not liked by many Thai people who have both power and influence.

Tax-in could end up getting a slap across the head like the Thai journalist who invoked General Rolex's ire.

26 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Tax-in could end up getting a slap across the head like the Thai journalist who invoked General Rolex's ire.

I'm looking forward to Thaksin funding the assault case against Prawit.

He said: "What? A general in charge of an anti-corruptionagency? What does he know about all the laws involved?" 🤣

What about his own daughter? Is she well-rounded about how to be a PM?

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?

 

Cynics of course might suggest that he knows quite a lot, having broken most of them during his rise.

 

I however conclude that his professional success was due to superb leadership, sound consistent tactical knowledge which he frequently displayed whilst commanding troops in the field, all of course backed up by the general demeanor of an admirable lean mean steely eyed killer ...

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

National Anti-Corruption Commission

Senior policitians and generals would apply for that post for the same reason countries like Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Somalia and Sudan are on the UN Human Rights Council.

And why the UN's  Commission on Status of Women is now chaired by a guy from Saudi Arabia - whom not one single representative of the 45 countries present opposed.

And why Saudi Arabia (again) was able to secure the post of Chair of the UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) Advisory Committee.

What better way to limit investigation into your own suspect activities and be able to deflect/delay/cancel any investigations that might be "problematic" to you than by being the person in charge of the very organization that would conduct such investigations.

It was noted a few years ago when Saudi Arabia (again) was Chair of the Human Rights Council that the council had approved hundreds of complaints against Israel - and not a single one against any of the major Human Rights abusers, including the ones on the Council.

Funny how that works eh ?

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

It may be wise for Thaksin to lie low for a while, and to stop trying to steal the limelight. He is not liked by many Thai people who have both power and influence.

The most powerful ONE and the only ONE that matters is on his side now.

Khun Thaksin would be wise to make haste while the sun shines to rid himself of his enemies 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“‘What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?’”

 Says the man who put a police man in charge of the ministry of education

44 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

Funny how that works eh ?

Funny how so many countries of diverse governments, cultures and traditions can be brought together to address any human rights issue. But the public dialog does expose despicable human rights records that are typically cut out or marginalized by complicit countries. 

• Executive Director of the Oxford Programme (sic) on International Peace and Security and Co-Chair of the IBA Human Rights Law Committee Federica D'Alessandra notes that 'the prevalent view is to keep (states) around the table and try where possible to leverage their membership to attempt constructive engagement, rather than shutting them out.'

No nation can be an island of inhumanity in a world of instaneous communication, global trade and security. 

Dinosaurs at play.

21 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The manner which Thaksin is proceeding you know he has secured carte blanche backing from the One which matters. 
I would really love to see the 2 thieving generals getting their just desserts finally

Only two of them ?    There are over 3,000 'Generals' and how many of them are 'clean' ?

21 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Fascinating. I am not a fan of Thaksin, but I despise Prawit. 

 

He said: "What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about all the laws involved?" 

 

I would change that to "What? A general in charge of an anti-corruption agency? What does he know about decency or morality? And how is he not corrupt?" 

 

A case of the pot calling the kettle black.  Prawit did managed to get his brother's former assistant appointed as chairman of the NAAC.  So he got what he wanted and avoided prosecution over the watches as a result.

Thaksin failed to mention that he only appointed Prawit commander-in-chief reluctantly because he put his totally unqualified and incompetent cousin Chaiyasit Shinawatra in the job but Chaiyasit messed things up so badly in the South and other areas that he became an embarrassment to Thaksin and had to be fired.

7 hours ago, mikebell said:

Tax-in could end up getting a slap across the head like the Thai journalist who invoked General Rolex's ire.

A slap?  It looked like more of a feeble pawing.