20 Low-keyed Classmates Of Thaksin Join Pheu Thai

[webfact]

About 20 low-keyed classmates of Thaksin join Pheu Thai

By The Nation

Although the Pheu Thai Party is hyping up some 20 new party members as a political scoop to signal the dissension within the military ranks, the fact is these ex-soldiers-turned-politicians have never been the major voice of the military.

Although the 20 are classmates of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra from Pre-Cadet Class 10, Thaksin often treated them with indifference and chose to dispensing favours to those classmates with clout when he was in power.

Of the 20 new Pheu Thai members, only three can be counted as "somebody". The three are Manas Paorik, former deputy commander of the Third Army Region; Jirasit Kesakomol, former commander of the First Army Corps and Sumeth Phomanee, former chief of staff to the defence minister.

Sumeth served last year under Samak Sundaravej who then held concurrent positions as prime minister and defence minister.

The 20 Pheu Thai newcomers are military retirees.

The clique of Pre-Cadet Class 10, seen as pro-Thaksin, held a reunion dinner on Monday and Thaksin made a phone-in to greet his classmates as well as thank them for their support.

But his phone-in apparently failed to convince the "stars" of the class to join Pheu Thai.

General Pornchai Kranlert, once a Thaksin's favourite for the position of Army chief, and Lt General Prin Suwanthat, once the powerful commander of the First Army Division, begged for more time to form a decision.

More than 80 per cent of Thaksin's classmates failed to show up at the dinner. The no-shows are apparently linked to the clique led by Army chief General Anupong Paochinda.

Even though most of the Class 10 have been sidelined since the 2006 coup. Anupong has made sure those distancing themselves from Thaksin would have their ranks elevated before retirement.

-- The Nation 2009/10/20

[hammered]

At Songkhran when he called for all his supporters to show themselves and bring their people out he had a low response. With the big hitters it is the same again here. They prefer to sit on the fence and see which way the wind blows. Thyey can always sign up later if the tide is in that direction

[Old Man River]

The main issue on these guys is whether they can win an election or help one of the existing members of the Party to win an election. They have nothing to lose. If Thaksin succeeds, then they will expect a piece of the pie (i.e. Thailand). If he doesn't succeed, then they lose nothing.

[givenall]

The main issue on these guys is whether they can win an election or help one of the existing members of the Party to win an election. They have nothing to lose. If Thaksin succeeds, then they will expect a piece of the pie (i.e. Thailand). If he doesn't succeed, then they lose nothing.

I guess they lose nothing. and I also think is hard to win friends like this since Thai people are revengeful and do not forgive easily

[Publicus]

Thaksin's gathering military pals chased from power subsequent to Thaksin's own removal seems to suggest extra constitutional thinking and/or planning, which I certainly hope is not the case. The pals could continue to sit on their duffs in retirement but rather the lucrative lure to Thaksin's dwindling camp. Their participation in the PTP presents neither persuasive nor convincing evidence the motives or means of the gang of 20 lie within the system.

So one wonders whether Thaksin consciously is moving again to extremes.

[lopburi3]

Two other sources put the number at 40 and 50. Consider sources.

[hammered]

Two other sources put the number at 40 and 50. Consider sources.

I think if you add up those that have joine dover the past month it comes to 40-50 ex-police, ex-military and ex-bureacracy. It has happened in 2 or 3 groups iirc