New Cabinet Appointed

[sriracha john]

Jakaprob needs to spend less time on facial expressions, something he's copied from the Little Emperor

Speaking of those faces...

Jakrapob Penkair

PM Assigns Responsibilities to Deputy Prime Ministers

PM's Office Minister and Government Spokesman Jakrapob Penkair held a press conference in regard to today's Cabinet meeting, saying that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has delegated responsibilities to his six Deputies and the two PM's Office Ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat (Thaksin's brother-in-law) has been given the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Culture Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Public Sector Development Commission Office, and the Civil Servant Commission.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee will take charge of the Finance Ministry, the Public Health Ministry, the National Economic and Social Development Office, the National Village Fund, the National Public Health Office, and the Knowledge Management and Development Office.

Deputy Prime Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan has been assigned the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Commerce Ministry, the Labor Ministry, the Consumer Protection Board and the Public Relations Department.

Deputy Prime Minister Sahat Banditkul will oversee the Transport Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the Energy Ministry, the Science and Technology Ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart will take charge of the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, while Deputy Prime Minister Suwit Khunkitti takes care of the Information Communications and Technology Ministry and the Industry Ministry.

In cases where he is unable to carry out his duties, Samak has assigned Somchai or Surapong to take charge.

As for the two PM's Office Ministers, Chusak Sirinil has been assigned the Consumer Protection Board, the Public Sector Development Commission Office, and the National Buddhism Office, while Jakrapob Penkair will oversee the Office of the Permanent-Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, the Public Relations Department, and MCOT Public Company.

The Cabinet also appointed Pannee Charusombat as Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for political affairs and General Thongchai Kuasakul as advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Suwit.

- Thailand Outlook

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not certain and I'm just pre-supposing here, but I might guess that the new Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Pannee Charusombat is related to former TRT Party executive Pinij Charusombat (TRT Banned #11) who was banned from politics for five years for electoral fraud.

[sriracha john]

Thailand's 'ugly duckling' government gives ministry jobs to wayward sons of politicians

BANGKOK, Thailand: The new Thai government appointed two wayward sons of controversial politicians to key ministerial jobs Tuesday.

Wan Yoobamrung, son of Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, has been made Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Public Health. Wan, who is in his early 30s and has a history of brawling in pubs, might work on anti-drinking and anti-smoking campaigns launched by the Public Health Ministry, according to newspaper reports.

Meanwhile, Chonsawat Asavahame will serve as Secretary to the Deputy Interior Minister. Chonsawat, in his early 40s, faces a criminal court trial on charges of assaulting a policeman. He was charged after allegedly refusing to stop for an alcohol test and assaulting the officer who tried to stop his vehicle.

"Wan and Chonsawat are well-educated and qualified young men for the job of secretaries, and they are among dozens of qualified figures being appointed to be Secretaries and Advisers to Ministers," Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsup told reporters.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has himself called his new government an "ugly duckling" Cabinet.

Chalerm, Wan's father, has been dogged by media reports that he made a fortune in the gambling business. He was once charged with a gambling offense, but never indicted.

Chonsawat's father, Vatana Asavahame, is on trial for the corruption and abuse of authority in a water reservoir project as well as encroachment on public land when he was Interior Minister. Vatana is currently the President of the mid-sized Puea Pandin Party, which is one of the six parties in the coalition government. He currently holds no ministerial post.

Wan is one of three sons of Chalerm who were charged in at least a dozen cases between 2000-2004 involving nightclub brawls and assaults. Bangkok newspapers speculated at the time that Chalerm used his considerable political clout to sway the court decisions in his sons' favor.

Wan was a co-defendant in the execution-style murder of a policeman in a Bangkok nightclub in 2001. He was acquitted after a three-year trial, but banned from entering entertainment establishments for two years.

Chalerm apologized for his sons' behavior shortly after being appointed Interior Minister. "Aware of public concern about the past behavior of my family, I want to extend my sincere apology for the past record of my sons and I promise that none of my sons will get involved in any role in the Interior Ministry," Chalerm said Saturday.

The Health Minister has not yet announced Wan's official duties, but local newspapers reported that the new job would include working on a campaign to curb drinking, as well as smoking, which was banned in bars in Thailand starting Monday.

- Associated Press

Edited February 12, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

With apologies to Mr. Bowman for the continued cavalcade of criminals under investigation going to the Cabinet...

Arisman appointed as Foreign Minister's Advisor

Foreign Minister Noppadon Patama appointed three Advisors and a Secretary. He appointed Arisman Pongruangrong, Apichai Trangkhininart and Anthony Asoke Sharma as his Advisors and former TRT MP Sirumpha Lertnuwat as his Secretary.

- The Nation

Arisman Pongruengrong

Meanwhile, the ASC yesterday pressed charges against four state officials and a company executive for their involvement in alleged corruption in the Baan Ua-arthorn low-cost housing scheme initiated by the Thaksin government. ASC Secretary Kaewsan Atipho said there was sufficient evidence to prove that National Housing Authority (NHA) Deputy Governor Pittaya Charoenwan and three state officials abused their power by colluding with a contractor to forge a land price evaluation. The forgery took place during the bidding process for two Baan Ua-arthorn projects, the 181 million baht Kabinburi project in Prachinburi province, and the 209 million baht Aranyaprathet project in Sa Kaeo. The NHA had bought land from the contractor at inflated prices, 7.8 million baht more for the first project, and 10.7 million baht more for the second, he said. The process usually requires two evaluations from two separate consultants, said Mr Kaewsan. The contractor, identified as Alliance Property, managed to submit only one assessment each for the two projects and NHA officials helped them by counterfeiting another paper. A private firm which it was claimed submitted the other assessment told the ASC team that it never issued any such verification, said Mr Kaewsan. The three officials found to be in the wrong were identified as Jetwat Wichit, Preecha Khunrak and Winai Piromdee. They and the NHA Deputy Governor will face malfeasance charges and criminal charges for forgery. Tawat Tuwirat of Alliance Property Co also faces charges of collusion, he added. The ASC last week filed charges against 14 other people, including singer-turned-politician Arisman Pongruengrong, who has been found to have been involved in the alleged corruption in some projects of the Baan Ua-arthorn scheme. The panel has already charged Watana Muangsook, the former Social Development and Human Security Minister, with corruption for allegedly taking an 80 million baht kickback from a contractor for another project under the scheme.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Jan2008_news13.php

[sriracha john]

Samak rebukes Chalerm for being talkative

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday cautioned his Interior Minister for floating the idea of designating the Deep South as a special administrative zone in order to quell insurgency.

"I would like to tell Chalerm Yoobamrung that I have faced so many criticisms for making such comments," he said.

Samak said Chalerm should not rush to circulate his half-baked opinions on the security situation in the South before discussing and forming a firm stand with the authorities concerned.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Additional info on...

Division of work for Deputy PMs

The Cabinet yesterday approved three prime ministerial orders outlining the seniority and job assignments for six Deputies of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and two PM's Office Ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat (Thaksin's brother-in-law) ranks first in seniority to fill in as acting Prime Minister should Samak be absent or unable to perform his job.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Former Thaksin Shinawatra attorney and Thailand's new Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama stands at the Government House in Bangkok.

Reuters

The Nation

Members of Thailand's new Cabinet take a group photo at the Government House in Bangkok.

Reuters

The Nation

[Plus]

Arisman's story:

How the Foreign Ministry handles things delicately

Published on Feb 11, 2008

If you know anyone who works at the Foreign Ministry, the reason they were smiling last Thursday wasn't because the new boss, Noppadon Patama, is such an excellent choice to conduct Thailand's international relations, but because Noppadon had killed a rumour about his advisory staff.

The gossip had former pop singer Arisman Pongruangrong, who's now a politician in his own right, being named as the minister's secretary.

"So what?" was the basic reaction among the reporters covering the ministry, but apparently the staid guardians of foreign policy were a little miffed at the possibility they'd be taking orders from a singer.

Arisman had a major hit in the 1980s called "Jai Mai Daan Por", which translates into something like "My heart is not strong enough".

Noppadon arrived on the job with Arisman clinging to one arm, and the pop star pitched right in to help, giving a senior official some advice on controlling the news media's question sessions.

"You should allow one reporter at a time to ask a question," Arisman allegedly said. "Just point at the next person."

The ministry officials wanted to know if this was the new broom in the baan, but being of the diplomatic persuasion they couldn't exactly come right out and ask anyone.

Fortunately journalism schools don't teach diplomacy, so within hours a nosy reporter was pulling on Noppadon's sleeve: "Mr Minister, is it true that Khun Arisman will be your adviser and secretary?"

Noppadon got his sleeve loose and explained that Arisman had just dropped by to help that morning and would not be working there. In fact, he'd been assigned to another ministry.

Foreign Ministry headquarters visibly sagged as the staff let out a collective sigh of relief.

Next question: Which ministry gets Arisman?

>>>

They've got to be kidding.

Maybe we should start the "ridiculous" thread to collect all the bizarre events, policies, and appointments for future reference. Stuff like this doesn't happen every day, every year, or even every decade.

[Plus]

There are plenty of anti-coup people here, there are some pro-Thaksin people here, there are people who are anti-coup and anti-Thaksin, we've got them all.

Although the range of opinions has become more diverse...

Actually something is missing, I can't attribute that to any particular poster with certainty, but there was a wide held view that PPP is a party representing the masses and the poor.

Where did they all those posters disappear? Or have they quitely changed the tune?

[John K]

Something I heard once about a septic tank that all the big chunks tend to float to the top.

[Tony Clifton]

Some of us on here have been accused of drinking the junta's kool-aid in the past.

I prefer the idea that all this weirdness with nominations, mental instability and criminal behaviour with the PPP could very well be attributed to lead poisoning from the old TRT headquarter's water fountain.

[marshbags]

Bangkok Post, Breaking News

Quote

Ex-Thai Rak Thai execs tipped for boardroom position

(BangkokPost.com) – The 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party could soon have their hands full again after deputy prime minister Dr Surapong Suebwonglee hinted that they may be appointed as board members of state enterprises.

The 111 executives were banned from politics for five years after the Constitution Tribunal ruled against them in electoral fraud cases.

Dr Surapong, also finance minister, said he was prepared to welcome the 111 executives as board members of state enterprises on the condition that they qualify for the job.

Unquote.

Ref Url for the rest of the brief article:- http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=125901

marshbags Kin hel_l

On second thoughts i think F in place of the blink is more appropriate, talk about extracting the urine

Edited February 13, 2008 by marshbags

[younghusband]

There are plenty of anti-coup people here, there are some pro-Thaksin people here, there are people who are anti-coup and anti-Thaksin, we've got them all.

Although the range of opinions has become more diverse...

Actually something is missing, I can't attribute that to any particular poster with certainty, but there was a wide held view that PPP is a party representing the masses and the poor.

Where did they all those posters disappear? Or have they quitely changed the tune?

Although I'm not sure the specific category you describe was that numerous, it's true that most posting over the last couple of weeks has been dominated by the usual suspects (and this just after my "more diverse" comment!)

It's all fair comment though given this government's mediocrity.I'm really waiting to get a better handle on what Samak is really up to.

[Plus]

Before elections people used to defend PPP for being anti-junta, for being democratic. Now we are left with this repugnant monstrosity of a government and those "democracy lovers" are nowhere to be seen.

What are their opinions on the current situation?

I'd also like to know what they think about new Health Minister attempts to reverse compulsory licensing because "some big companies are going to be very upset".

[chownah]

There's really no issue here....just sarcasm and inuendo. It's pretty obvious to everyone that there will be no reasonable discussion going on here.....so why post?

chownah

[Tony Clifton]

Newly appointed and Jakaprob is already making a personal and threatening phone calls to a radio station.

The whole country will have to follow his orders, just wait and see.

I said it before, I'll say it again, this guy is very dangerous. He has already shown that violence is an option to get his way.

Actually, this guy alone deserves his own thread.

Chirmsak stops hosting radio talk following threat

Former Bangkok senator Chirmsak Pinthong Wednesday gave up hosting in his daily radio talk show after he criticised Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for allegedly covering up the Thammasat University massacre of October 6, 1976.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, who supervises the Public Relations Department, telephoned production house Fatima Co to give notice that he might not extend its airtime contract, a company source said.

The explanation given was that the show's content had to be adjusted to match the new programming schedule, the source said.

The company asked Chirmsak about Jakrapob's reason. (Death? ) He understood the situation by withdrawing as a radio host, the source said.

"Chirmsak's Views" was broadcast from 89pm on FM105, which is under the PRD.

The Nation

Edited February 13, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

A house divided can not stand...

List of job nominees worsens PPP divide

The rift between People Power Party's MPs in Bangkok and the Northeast is getting worse

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej rejected a proposed list of Secretaries on Monday, citing problems with image and qualifications.

* WELL... DUH.... ya think? *

A source said the list of Secretaries representing people from the North, Central and Northeast did not cause any hassles, but problems stemmed from Secretaries proposed within the Bangkok MP quota. He said many of the people put forward were inexperienced and some had failed as MP candidates.

Citing the proposal of Wan Yoobamrung as Secretary to Deputy Health Minister, they reasoned that even though Wan had earned a master's degree, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung had picked the wrong time to nominate his son because the government needed experienced hands to help it make a good start.

According to the list, Kamol Bandaipet is proposed as Deputy Secretary-General to a Deputy Prime Minister; Leelawadee Watcharobol would be an Adviser to the Education Minister; Nalinee Thaweesin would be an Adviser to the Commerce Minister, Poowanida Kunplin would be Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime minister; Pakdihan Himathongkam would be Secretary to a Deputy PM and Mana Kongwutpanya would be an Adviser to the Natural Resources Minister.

Suwat Wannasirikul, Chairman of PPP's Bangkok MPs Coordinating Committee, said if Samak rejected the proposed names, the group would review the list. However, he believed the people put forward were qualified and had extensive experience.

"Many of the Bangkok MP candidates failed because they were fighting an uphill battle in the elections, and provincial MPs won easily because of the positive sentiment for the PPP."

He denied reports that Sudarat Keyuraphan (TRT Banned #3), one of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives, was involved in the list of proposed applicants.

Meanwhile, a PPP MP from the Northeast disputed the claim that he and other elected MPs from the region had capitalised on the party's popularity. "We all had to stand before the barrel of a gun , especially those who were under the watch of powerful figures. If we were not tough, we could not have come this far," Buriram MP Sanong Thepaksornnarong said. Isaan MPs were not given many Cabinet posts, he said, because they were looked down upon.

"We are treated like the children of a minor wife. It is not the first time that this has happened to us," he said. However, he hoped this time justice would prevail.

A conflict sparked earlier this month when Northeast MPs cried foul over what they believed was an unfair allocation of Cabinet seats, claiming they had brought the party its biggest election victory, but were not given enough Cabinet posts in return.

Samak managed to bridge the rift by promising that they would be given posts in House committees.

- The Nation

Edited February 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[Plus]

There's really no issue here....just sarcasm and inuendo. It's pretty obvious to everyone that there will be no reasonable discussion going on here.....so why post?

chownah

It's not my fault that PPP came out this way, it looks indefensible to me, and I guess to its former "supporters", too.

Come on, you can't have a reasonable discusson why despicable individuals like Wan have been chosen as role models by the new government, in fact even Samak is disgusted.

The issue that is being overlooked here is compuslry licensing, that one can have plenty of arguments for both positions. I wish the mods started a new thread for this, the old one is long forgotten.

[sriracha john]

Updated article on Jakropob's interference with a free media... including Samak's OWN contradiction of his recent interview comments...

Chirmsak quits radio show

Former Bangkok Senator Chirmsak Pinthong yesterday gave up hosting his daily radio talk show after criticising Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for allegedly covering up the Thammasat University massacre of October 6, 1976.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, who supervises the Public Relations Department (PRD), called production house Fatima to give notice that he might not extend its airtime contract, a company source said. The explanation given was that the show's content had to be adjusted to match the new programming schedule, the source said.

The company asked Chirmsak about Jakrapob's reason. He understood the situation by withdrawing as a radio host, the source said.

"Chirmsak's Views" was broadcast from 8-9pm on FM105, which is under the PRD.

Chirmsak on Tuesday read an excerpt from the book written by Veera Musigapong, a former Thai Rak Thai Party executive, which said Samak had distorted the truth surrounding the killings of student protesters at Thammasat University.

He also read a transcription from Samak's speech to students in France in 1977 while he was Interior Minister, insisting that 48 people had died in the October 6, 1976 demonstration.

Chirmsak started hosting the programme after the September 2006 coup.

- The Nation

[John K]

I is seeming to come down to A: Thaksin says pick from this list. Or B: A person in their right mind would never be associated with this group leaving only.... well.

If there is any doubt where this is going to lead to, simply look at countries with dictators and you will see similar credentials in the upper ranks.

[sriracha john]

Chirmsak radio show shut down

Host disputed Samak's view of Oct 6 uprising

A radio program contradicting PM Samak Sundaravej's controversial remarks about the 1976 uprising was taken off the air yesterday in a move that sparked fears about government attempts to silence critics. The "Chirmsak's Viewpoints" program, which is broadcast every weekday, was halted yesterday, 1 day after Chirmsak Pinthong talked about the PM's interview with CNN. Samak said during the interview that only 1 demonstrator died during the demonstrations. A source close to Mr Chirmsak claimed that the decision to end the program came after PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair phoned Fatima executives on Tuesday expressing his dissatisfaction about the content. The minister threatened to cancel a radio broadcasting contract given to the company if it did not make the change, according to the source. But Jakrapob strongly denied that he was behind the closure of the program, saying he had no policy of interfering with the station. The minister said never contacted Fatima or sent any message to the firm that he was displeased with the program of Mr Chirmsak, who was a critic of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra. The case will be clarified today in a press conference by PRD Director-General Pramoj Rathavinij and Fatima executives, Jakrapob added. "I am totally not satisfied'' with the claim, he said, ''because it could start mistrust between the government and the mass media." Samak's remark faces more heat as the Network of the Oct 6 victims will gather on Sunday to condemn the PM for distorting history.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/14Feb2008_news01.php

[Tony Clifton]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long. Dangerous recipe when you have a PM responsible for rallying people for rioting and killing on a radio show in 1976 and a kamikaze young politician ready to do ANYTHING for the master in exile only to boost his carreer.

Jakaprob knows his own flaws and arrogance and TRT/PPP is pretty well the only environment where he can survive and perform.

He's just as toxic as Thaksin, worse by far than any other PPP cabinet member.

[nothingleftbutfaith]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long."

So what's going to happen according to you ?

[John K]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long. Dangerous recipe when you have a PM responsible for rallying people for rioting and killing on a radio show in 1976 and a kamikaze young politician ready to do ANYTHING for the master in exile only to boost his carreer.

Jakaprob knows his own flaws and arrogance and TRT/PPP is pretty well the only environment where he can survive and perform.

He's just as toxic as Thaksin, worse by far than any other PPP cabinet member.

I totally agree Tony. This is also the match that can light the PAD type rallies again.

I can’t help but wonder what the blind junta bashing folks have to say about this. It certainly would be difficult to support from their stance. Perhaps they will cite forum rules again.

[steveromagnino]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long. Dangerous recipe when you have a PM responsible for rallying people for rioting and killing on a radio show in 1976 and a kamikaze young politician ready to do ANYTHING for the master in exile only to boost his carreer.

Jakaprob knows his own flaws and arrogance and TRT/PPP is pretty well the only environment where he can survive and perform.

He's just as toxic as Thaksin, worse by far than any other PPP cabinet member.

As an aside he alledgedly once stated to members of the media that he had accepted 40m baht to run riot during Thaksin's absence and keep positive TRT press flowing. Most media were not surprised he was a sell out, but very surprised at how cheaply his services could be obtained.

He has hidden the fact that he is gay quite well, not that there is anything wrong with that. But given the reality of TRT's endless parade of beauties and starlets populating many of the politicians' bedrooms setting standards on par with Kennedy, one must wonder whether perhaps his sexual preferences might have better allowed him to 'fit' with the Democrats if what they say about some of the senior Dems is indeed true.

I would say Noppadol is more toxic than Jakapop, but his role is a more silent behind the scenes one; the acquisition of many hospitals by Thaksin and his friends prior to launching the medical hub and 30b healthcare schemes (both designed to use govt money for personal enrichment) were made possible by the sell out lawyer.

Mingkwan is perhaps the most self serving, although not completely inept; goodness knows why anyone considers him to be any good at his job (he isn't a great marketer, just average) but of course marketing is definitely the same as finance and running a country - we learned that from Somkid 55555555555555555

The BKK Post already has a number of writers including the news analyst writing in today's issue probably directly on TRT payroll - Bleum gor mai bleum has consistently been pro Thaksin and was presumably pushed on there by the board - most genuine financiers think he has lost his creditibility; Thairaht is always pro govt; most of the other media are scared s^&tless to stir things up as PRD actually does probably have the capacity to be unbelievably vindictive as it was back in the TRT years.

BMA is the best hope; some good programs that were previously blocked by TRT are about to be completed, and will make Samak and Thaksin look bad, so Bangkok will stay anti PPP>

I think we'll see close to civil unrest (planned by TRT/PPP) capped off by the lift of the ban on 111; Samak will respond by calling an election; TRT/PPP will use their heavyweights like Chalerm and Newin to sweep Isaan again and get a clear mandate with a few freebies, and then we will see a new constitution written, Thaksin's return and about 5 years before there is another coup as the country gets run into ruin to the point that even the poor and disenfranchised realise that they have been scammed.

At which time Singapore and USA will again support Thaksin, because, let's face it, they know jacks&^t about what is going on here. Did you guys not meet the former US Ambassador posted here??????

But that time...finally...it will be too late and there may end up being genuiine democracy.

in the meantime, economy will plow on about as normal; even during the TRT years it didn't go too far off the rails despite the moronic policies of lying about bird flu, creating random hubs, killing all the dogs for APEC, trying to buy football teams, etc etc. Business will be fine; it will just be massively tilted and probably payouts will climb back up to the 40% level (which is alledgedly what you had to pay to do business at the airport with TRT).

Edited February 14, 2008 by steveromagnino

[younghusband]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long. Dangerous recipe when you have a PM responsible for rallying people for rioting and killing on a radio show in 1976 and a kamikaze young politician ready to do ANYTHING for the master in exile only to boost his carreer.

Jakaprob knows his own flaws and arrogance and TRT/PPP is pretty well the only environment where he can survive and perform.

He's just as toxic as Thaksin, worse by far than any other PPP cabinet member.

I totally agree Tony. This is also the match that can light the PAD type rallies again.

I can’t help but wonder what the blind junta bashing folks have to say about this. It certainly would be difficult to support from their stance. Perhaps they will cite forum rules again.

If your reference to forum rules is connected with the top level endorsement of the Samak Government, please bear in mind that you in particular frequently played this card to counter criticism of the junta and the coup.My references were somewhat sarcastic given the hypocrisy of your record.As an American(?) you might not understand anyway that in constitutional monarchies such as the UK or Thailand, the Head of State, while having the right to warn and advise, has to accept the verdict of the people.It's not a very difficult point to grasp.

You have a similar problem apparently in grasping that critics of the junta can also be critical of the current government, though at least the latter has some moral authority having not seized power by force.It's the same point really that opponents of the coup are not necessarily supporters of Thaksin.

It was inevitable, as I predicted, the juntophiles would be twisting and squirming as we have seen from the increasingly bad tempered tone of the usual suspects' posts.Unfortunately I'm afraid it's all going to get a lot worse fo them.

[Old Man River]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long. Dangerous recipe when you have a PM responsible for rallying people for rioting and killing on a radio show in 1976 and a kamikaze young politician ready to do ANYTHING for the master in exile only to boost his carreer.

Jakaprob knows his own flaws and arrogance and TRT/PPP is pretty well the only environment where he can survive and perform.

He's just as toxic as Thaksin, worse by far than any other PPP cabinet member.

As an aside he alledgedly once stated to members of the media that he had accepted 40m baht to run riot during Thaksin's absence and keep positive TRT press flowing. Most media were not surprised he was a sell out, but very surprised at how cheaply his services could be obtained.

He has hidden the fact that he is gay quite well, not that there is anything wrong with that. But given the reality of TRT's endless parade of beauties and starlets populating many of the politicians' bedrooms setting standards on par with Kennedy, one must wonder whether perhaps his sexual preferences might have better allowed him to 'fit' with the Democrats if what they say about some of the senior Dems is indeed true.

I would say Noppadol is more toxic than Jakapop, but his role is a more silent behind the scenes one; the acquisition of many hospitals by Thaksin and his friends prior to launching the medical hub and 30b healthcare schemes (both designed to use govt money for personal enrichment) were made possible by the sell out lawyer.

Mingkwan is perhaps the most self serving, although not completely inept; goodness knows why anyone considers him to be any good at his job (he isn't a great marketer, just average) but of course marketing is definitely the same as finance and running a country - we learned that from Somkid 55555555555555555

The BKK Post already has a number of writers including the news analyst writing in today's issue probably directly on TRT payroll - Bleum gor mai bleum has consistently been pro Thaksin and was presumably pushed on there by the board - most genuine financiers think he has lost his creditibility; Thairaht is always pro govt; most of the other media are scared s^&tless to stir things up as PRD actually does probably have the capacity to be unbelievably vindictive as it was back in the TRT years.

BMA is the best hope; some good programs that were previously blocked by TRT are about to be completed, and will make Samak and Thaksin look bad, so Bangkok will stay anti PPP>

I think we'll see close to civil unrest (planned by TRT/PPP) capped off by the lift of the ban on 111; Samak will respond by calling an election; TRT/PPP will use their heavyweights like Chalerm and Newin to sweep Isaan again and get a clear mandate with a few freebies, and then we will see a new constitution written, Thaksin's return and about 5 years before there is another coup as the country gets run into ruin to the point that even the poor and disenfranchised realise that they have been scammed.

At which time Singapore and USA will again support Thaksin, because, let's face it, they know jacks&^t about what is going on here. Did you guys not meet the former US Ambassador posted here??????

But that time...finally...it will be too late and there may end up being genuiine democracy.

in the meantime, economy will plow on about as normal; even during the TRT years it didn't go too far off the rails despite the moronic policies of lying about bird flu, creating random hubs, killing all the dogs for APEC, trying to buy football teams, etc etc. Business will be fine; it will just be massively tilted and probably payouts will climb back up to the 40% level (which is alledgedly what you had to pay to do business at the airport with TRT).

In other words, business as usual.

[John K]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long. Dangerous recipe when you have a PM responsible for rallying people for rioting and killing on a radio show in 1976 and a kamikaze young politician ready to do ANYTHING for the master in exile only to boost his carreer.

Jakaprob knows his own flaws and arrogance and TRT/PPP is pretty well the only environment where he can survive and perform.

He's just as toxic as Thaksin, worse by far than any other PPP cabinet member.

I totally agree Tony. This is also the match that can light the PAD type rallies again.

I can’t help but wonder what the blind junta bashing folks have to say about this. It certainly would be difficult to support from their stance. Perhaps they will cite forum rules again.

If your reference to forum rules is connected with the top level endorsement of the Samak Government, please bear in mind that you in particular frequently played this card to counter criticism of the junta and the coup.My references were somewhat sarcastic given the hypocrisy of your record.As an American(?) you might not understand anyway that in constitutional monarchies such as the UK or Thailand, the Head of State, while having the right to warn and advise, has to accept the verdict of the people.It's not a very difficult point to grasp.

You have a similar problem apparently in grasping that critics of the junta can also be critical of the current government, though at least the latter has some moral authority having not seized power by force.It's the same point really that opponents of the coup are not necessarily supporters of Thaksin.

It was inevitable, as I predicted, the juntophiles would be twisting and squirming as we have seen from the increasingly bad tempered tone of the usual suspects' posts.Unfortunately I'm afraid it's all going to get a lot worse fo them.

You seem to be missing the point. When confronted with a scenario that without a doubt proves their position wrong, they avoid answering. That in itself is not bad as many find it difficult to admit error. But to continue to market a clearly flawed position is a bit absurd.

[Plus]

Who's the BP columnist on PPP payroll?

And where can we find former US ambassador's posts on TV?

PPP is not as strong internally as TRT was. Samak's his own boss now, Chalerm has gone maverick, Isanese MPs demand their slice of the pie, Newin is always there with his opinions.

Surapong came out with his tail between the legs from yesterday's meeting with Central Bank.

They don't even look like they are going to achieve anything substantial, even sending tons of money to the villages could be difficult.

[Tony Clifton]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long."

So what's going to happen according to you ?

Unlike Steveromagnino who says 5 years before a coup, I say this April is where we should see this government tossed right back where they came from, Banned Party Land. When scum arises, dissolve and scrub. I can't say if it will happen in the form of a coup like the first one but it is due to happen.

Call this first very short first PPP period a 2 week capsule, 5 more capsules to go through, at this rate?

They're reentering the Thai political scene's atmosphere at high speed but on a totally wrong angle, just like Apollo 13, if no corrections are made, they'll simply skip off the surface for a very short time and bounce back out to space. There is absolutely no use in having them in power on a long term basis, they did, are already doing, and will do as much damage if not more damage to this country as when it was in Neutral and barely moving under the last interim government.

Half a month just now was enough to show where they came from and who they still were while still headed for the previous government's same rotten policies and politicians, the banned using family members to sit in the chair for them, many are involved in or with crime or are defendants in corruption and murder cases. There's already open talk and proof of media control while saying it's too biased. Revenge on officials has yet to soon begin or there's no word about it yet.

There's probably more proof now already against this party than there was for the TRT' dissolution, all kinds of nonsense from nominations to declarations and nominees... A recent approval doesn't mean it's allowed for this known delinquent bunch to break the rules right afterwards. They think, no , even worse, they are convinced (as always) a party dissolution is impossible a second time around even though they are themselves the actual cast and characters of a fresh case of historical proportions, the Thai Rak Thai's dissolution and 5 year ban of 111 of it's members.

A party harboring known criminals and nominees isn't what Thailand needs.

Wait until the Little Emperor decides to open the closet door, then the fun will begin and it's itching him like a football sized hemorrhoid.

[John K]

These are the first signs and first steps at regaining control and threatening the media. It will not be tolerated very long."

So what's going to happen according to you ?

Unlike Steveromagnino who says 5 years before a coup, I say this April is where we should see this government tossed right back where they came from, Banned Party Land. When scum arises, dissolve and scrub. I can't say if it will happen in the form of a coup like the first one but it is due to happen.

Call this first very short first PPP period a 2 week capsule, 5 more capsules to go through, at this rate?

They're reentering the Thai political scene's atmosphere at high speed but on a totally wrong angle, just like Apollo 13, if no corrections are made, they'll simply skip off the surface for a very short time and bounce back out to space. There is absolutely no use in having them in power on a long term basis, they did, are already doing, and will do as much damage if not more damage to this country as when it was in Neutral and barely moving under the last interim government.

Half a month just now was enough to show where they came from and who they still were while still headed for the previous government's same rotten policies and politicians, the banned using family members to sit in the chair for them, many are involved in or with crime or are defendants in corruption and murder cases. There's already open talk and proof of media control while saying it's too biased. Revenge on officials has yet to soon begin or there's no word about it yet.

There's probably more proof now already against this party than there was for the TRT' dissolution, all kinds of nonsense from nominations to declarations and nominees... A recent approval doesn't mean it's allowed for this known delinquent bunch to break the rules right afterwards. They think, no , even worse, they are convinced (as always) a party dissolution is impossible a second time around even though they are themselves the actual cast and characters of a fresh case of historical proportions, the Thai Rak Thai's dissolution and 5 year ban of 111 of it's members.

A party harboring known criminals and nominees isn't what Thailand needs.

Wait until the Little Emperor decides to open the closet door, then the fun will begin and it's itching him like a football sized hemorrhoid.

An accurate portrayal. As I said before it is like going down a cell block in any prison. I actually feel embarrassed for Thailand. There is a lot of cause and effect here, and seemingly it can all be traced back to poor educational attainment that was exploited and perhaps caused by Thailand’s finest politicians.