Pheu Thai Party Going Forward Or Sliding Back?

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

Pheu Thai party going forward or sliding back?

By Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation

Opposition seems in disarray amid talk of Yongyuth returning as leader

Thaksin Shinawatra remains very healthy, according to a group of MPs who said they met him in Russia over the weekend. He has been playing golf and riding horses, all the while purportedly having only one thing in mind: How to make Thailand peaceful again.

However, undeniably sick is the party he founded. And Thailand's peace may have to be Thaksin's second priority at the moment. Until disunited and rudderless Pheu Thai finds a new leader to replace Yongyuth Wichaidit, who emotionally quit his job last week, national "reconciliation" will have to wait.

The party is scheduled to elect Yongyuth's successor today, and the possibility of Yongyuth succeeding "himself" underlines the messy state the opposition camp is in. Former police chief Kowit Watana, who emerged as a strong candidate last week, failed to show up at party headquarters yesterday for a crucial formality, fuelling gossip about widespread objections to his potential appointment. Is Pheu Thai "in transition" as claimed, or is it simply in renewed turmoil?

Only Yongyuth knows for sure why he resigned in the first place. Certain sources in the divided party claim Thaksin wants him to step down, in order to facilitate a certain agenda. Other party members claim he was simply fed up, having served as a nominal leader without real power and suffering disrespect and unfair criticism for too long. Either way, if he returns to the party's helm today, the development will be anything but a step forward for Pheu Thai.

One lame excuse Pheu Thai can use in the event of Yongyuth's re-instatement is that his resignation was only ceremonial and designed to allow a re-organisation of the party. That, however, will not explain why Yongyuth's press conference last week featured teary eyes and choked voices. He looked more like a man feeling sorry for himself than someone "pretending" to quit so he could come back stronger than ever.

It could still be Kowit who gets elected today, but that would mean he's a very brave man. Opposition to his arrival was no longer limited to media gossip quoting unnamed sources. The MPs who had been to Russia were outspoken in their criticism of his character yesterday. This is definitely not someone, one of them said, whom the party can present as Abhisit Vejjajiva's challenger.

Kowit was supposed to register his membership with Pheu Thai yesterday so he could be nominated for today's election. After his no-show, rumours about Yongyuth's return buzzed. "Don't ask me what-if questions," Yongyuth, in a different mood from last week, said of the possibility of his resurgence. "I'm not commenting on things that have not happened yet."

If it wasn't going to happen for Yongyuth, the credibility of the seven MPs who made the trip to Russia would surely be called into question. Suchart Lai-namngern and Pracha Prasopdee have come back as Yongyuth's cheerleaders, giving the impression that their support for him has been endorsed by the one man who really matters.

"He [Thaksin] insisted he could only advise the party and not make decisions on its behalf," Pracha said. "But when it comes to Yongyuth, he agreed that he [Yongyuth] should continue to serve as party leader at least until the election comes."

Suchart told reporters it would "definitely" be Yongyuth today. He and Pracha suggested that Thaksin had been fed with wrong information about Kowit, who both MPs claimed could not carry the party's banner in the next election.

Yongyuth's possible return, however, would not solve long-standing Pheu Thai problems of badly organised structure, disharmony and intense power plays. The party now has an executive board through which MPs can exert little power, and a "coordinating committee" that brings together banned politicians and key Thaksin relatives and seems to wield more authority than the MPs. That is in addition to having political veterans Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Chalerm Yoobamrung as advisory chairman and MPs' chairman respectively.

"I've taken some aspirin," said Plodprasop Suraswadi, deputy party leader, whose announcement of the party's "reconciliation plan" two weeks ago was criticised by MPs who were in the dark about it, but seemed to set the ball rolling for leadership change.

"As far as I know, Pol Gen Kowit hasn't come to register as a party member today and the reason given was he wasn't a politician and did not know much about the party's affairs."

One little comfort for Kowit, especially if he does become the new party leader, is that most Pheu Thai MPs are not much better off in that respect.

-- The Nation 2010-09-14

[SomTumTiger]

I love articles about the mouth breathers in PTP.

[Siripon]

A journalist commentated recently that Thaksin was wary of staying in Russia as it wouldn't be difficult to recruit a gang of kidnappers, or worse( from his point of view) there.

[Robby nz]

"As far as I know, Pol Gen Kowit hasn't come to register as a party member today and the reason given was he wasn't a politician and did not know much about the party's affairs."

One little comfort for Kowit, especially if he does become the new party leader, is that most Pheu Thai MPs are not much better off in that respect.

Love that bit.

Wasnt he in TRT and held some sort of a ministerial post.

Not a ploitician???

[Buchholz]

"As far as I know, Pol Gen Kowit hasn't come to register as a party member today and the reason given was he wasn't a politician and did not know much about the party's affairs."

One little comfort for Kowit, especially if he does become the new party leader, is that most Pheu Thai MPs are not much better off in that respect.

Love that bit.

Wasn't he in TRT and held some sort of a ministerial post.

Not a politician???

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2004/04/07/latest%20news/MISSING-LAWYER-Rogue-cop-offers-to-talk-96716.html

[ratcatcher]

"As far as I know, Pol Gen Kowit hasn't come to register as a party member today and the reason given was he wasn't a politician and did not know much about the party's affairs."

One little comfort for Kowit, especially if he does become the new party leader, is that most Pheu Thai MPs are not much better off in that respect.

Love that bit.

Wasn't he in TRT and held some sort of a ministerial post.

Not a politician???

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2004/04/07/latest%20news/MISSING-LAWYER-Rogue-cop-offers-to-talk-96716.html

Just as a comparison to the frippery of Kowit, here's the current London, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson. A lot less of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta about his appearance.

[hammered]

Farcical, but it shows how hard it is to hold this disparate group of factions together and also exposes the still critical link out man in Russia has however much some would want people to think otherwise.

Some of thsoe who went to Russia to champion their man were MPs linked to a BJT defecrtion so they cant be ignored too much

[Piengrudee]

Pheu Thai party going forward or sliding back? Don't know. But I think Pheu Thai party is going to hel_l.

[ballpoint]

Pheu Thai party going forward or sliding back? Don't know. But I think Pheu Thai party is going to hel_l.

So that's a vote for going forward then. Having already sold their souls to Thaksin, any new ownership has to be an improvement.

[phiphidon]

"As far as I know, Pol Gen Kowit hasn't come to register as a party member today and the reason given was he wasn't a politician and did not know much about the party's affairs."

One little comfort for Kowit, especially if he does become the new party leader, is that most Pheu Thai MPs are not much better off in that respect.

Love that bit.

Wasn't he in TRT and held some sort of a ministerial post.

Not a politician???

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmul...talk-96716.html

Just as a comparison to the frippery of Kowit, here's the current London, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson. A lot less of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta about his appearance.

Whilst we're on the subject of comparisons how about these?

[Buchholz]

Whilst we're on the subject of comparisons how about these?

When comparing apples to apples, the left pales in comparison to the robes and adornments on the right

[Buchholz]

Suthep: Pheu Thai, UDD up to Thaksin

BANGKOK, 14 September 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the sole decision maker of the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Rumor is spreading that outgoing Pheu Thai Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit will be elected the Party Leader once again, which will make it easier for the reconciliation talks between the opposition and the Government to take place.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the stance taken by the Opposition and the UDD relative to the national reconciliation process solely depended on the former Premier.

-- NNT 2010-09-14

[SomTumTiger]

PTP is a joke. If you like them, you are a joke too lol.

[hammered]

Suthep: Pheu Thai, UDD up to Thaksin

BANGKOK, 14 September 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the sole decision maker of the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Rumor is spreading that outgoing Pheu Thai Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit will be elected the Party Leader once again, which will make it easier for the reconciliation talks between the opposition and the Government to take place.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the stance taken by the Opposition and the UDD relative to the national reconciliation process solely depended on the former Premier.

-- NNT 2010-09-14

Its pretty hard to argue against when you have senior PTP MPs saying exactly that in interviews.

[rubl]

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the sole decision maker of the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Its pretty hard to argue against when you have senior PTP MPs saying exactly that in interviews.

It's easy to argue against. K. Thaksin does it all the time

PS did K. Suthep really say 'Prime Minister Thaksin S....' or is that a Nation typo?

[asiawatcher]

Pheu Thai party going forward or sliding back? Don't know. But I think Pheu Thai party is going to hel_l.

Agree - sliding is not a word I would use - more like plummeting.

[Buchholz]

"As far as I know, Pol Gen Kowit hasn't come to register as a party member today and the reason given was he wasn't a politician and did not know much about the party's affairs."

One little comfort for Kowit, especially if he does become the new party leader, is that most Pheu Thai MPs are not much better off in that respect.

Love that bit.

Wasn't he in TRT and held some sort of a ministerial post.

Not a politician???

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2004/04/07/latest%20news/MISSING-LAWYER-Rogue-cop-offers-to-talk-96716.html

DSI aims for masterminds in the Somchai Neelaphaijit case

The Department of Special Investigation has delayed the prosecution of minor suspects on the Somchai Neelaphaijit case in order to prevent the masterminds from eluding the law, its Director-General Tharit Pengdit said on Thursday.

"It is not true that DSI has abandoned the case for the missing Muslim and human rights lawyer but in fact it is trying to unmask the masterminds," he said, explaining his decision not to complete the investigative report at this juncture.

-- The Nation 2010-09-23

[animatic]

When you back is to the wall, and you can't see forward past your nose,

how much more backsliding is possible? More of a endless bump and grind

Edited September 24, 2010 by animatic

[Buchholz]

More of an endless bump and grind

[Buchholz]

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2004/04/07/latest%20news/MISSING-LAWYER-Rogue-cop-offers-to-talk-96716.html

Appeals Court's ruling in lawyer Somchai's murder case postponed

The Criminal Court Friday sent back the ruling of the Appeals Court in the abduction-murder case of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit after the prime suspect, a former police officer, has gone missing.

The Criminal Court was scheduled to read the verdict of the Appeals Court against Police Major Nngern Thongsuk Friday.

But Ngern's relatives have asked the Appeals Court to dismiss the case against Ngern on the grounds that he has not been accounted for since a flash flooding in Phitsanulok on September 19, 2007.

The relatives asked the Pathum Thani Provincial Court to declare Ngern a missing person and the court is scheduled to make a ruling on November 15.

The Criminal Court Friday sent the case back to the Appeals Court to decide whether to dismiss the case.

-- The Nation 2010-09-24

[animatic]

More of an endless bump and grind

So wrong on so many levels. 555!!!!

[animatic]

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmul...talk-96716.html

Appeals Court's ruling in lawyer Somchai's murder case postponed

The Criminal Court Friday sent back the ruling of the Appeals Court in the abduction-murder case of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit after the prime suspect, a former police officer, has gone missing.

The Criminal Court was scheduled to read the verdict of the Appeals Court against Police Major Nngern Thongsuk Friday.

But Ngern's relatives have asked the Appeals Court to dismiss the case against Ngern on the grounds that he has not been accounted for since a flash flooding in Phitsanulok on September 19, 2007.

The relatives asked the Pathum Thani Provincial Court to declare Ngern a missing person and the court is scheduled to make a ruling on November 15.

The Criminal Court Friday sent the case back to the Appeals Court to decide whether to dismiss the case.

-- The Nation 2010-09-24

Isn't this just so convenient....

I wonder what casino he's running in Cambo now?

[Buchholz]

Excerpts of additional chronological background information on the missing Police Major:

The Nation - November 1, 2006

Thaksin aide link to kidnap of Somchai

Somchai's wife Angkhana Neelaphaijit said the information might be the same as what she had known for a long time. It indicated that a person from the Prime Minister's Office made several phone calls to one of five police allegedly involved in the abduction of her husband on March 12, 2004, she said.

Police Lt-Colonel Chatchai Liumsanguan, Police Lt-Col Sinchai Nimpunyakhamphong, Sergeant Chaiyaweng Phaduang, Corporal Randorn Sithikhet, and Police Major Ngern Thongsuk were charged with illegal detention in connection with Somchai's disappearance.

But only Police Major Ngern, of the Crime Suppression Bureau, was jailed - for three years - after a trial. Three of seven eye-witnesses who testified in court said they had seen Ngern forcibly push Somchai into a car.

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

The Nation - September 20, 2008

Trains to Northeast suspended as more flooding forecast

Due to heavy flooding, train services to many destinations in the Northeast have been suspended indefinitely and people are advised to call the 1690 hotline to check which routes are still open. As of press time, Udon Thani and Nong Khai were not accessible by trains.

In Phitsanulok, two men were swept away early yesterday while they were standing by the banks of the Kwai Noi River. One of the victims was identified as Ngern Thongsuk, a relative of an executive with the UBC Joint Venture, which is constructing a dam in the province. The other victim was identified only as Ball. Rescue workers are still trying to retrieve the bodies.

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

The Nation - March 18, 2009

Missing lawyer's wife

Angkana Neelaphaijit applied for a Civil Court ruling yesterday to declare her husband Somchai a "missing person" since it has already been five years since he disappeared.

The prominent lawyer has been missing since March 12, 2004, after disclosing that his clients, suspected insurgents in the deep South, were tortured during interrogation.

It is widely believed that he was kidnapped by the police officers involved in the torture. In January 2006, the Criminal Court sentenced Police Major Ngern Thongsuk from the Crime Suppression Bureau to three years in jail. Ngern is reportedly on the run after being granted bail during appeal.

[Buchholz]

Court defers reading of verdict in human rights lawyer’s missing case

BANGKOK, 24 September 2010 (NNT) - The Criminal Court has adjourned the reading of the Appeals Court's verdict in the case involving the missing of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, pending the Pathum Thani Court's deliberation.

The postponement of the reading of the verdict came after relatives of the defendant, Police Major Ngern Thongsuk, lodged a petition with the Pathum Thani Court, asking for pronouncement of him as a missing person. They claimed that Police Major Ngern disappeared in the collapse of Khwae Noi Dam in the northern province of Phitsanulok on 19 September 2008.

As a result, the court is set to proceed with the examination of the petition on 15 November this year.

The Neelapaijit family, led by Mr Somchai's wife Angkhana Neelapaijit, as plaintiff, earlier filed a lawsuit against Police Major General Ngern and four associates due to their connection with the disappearance of the Muslim human rights lawyer in March 2004.

The court later found Police Major Ngern guilty of being involved in the missing of the lawyer and sentenced him to a 3-year jail term.

-- NNT 201-09-24

[animatic]

I love articles about the mouth breathers in PTP.

Isn't that mouth breeders?

[Buchholz]

former National Police Chief, former Interior Minister in former PM Samak's Cabinet, former Deputy Prime Minister in former PM Somchai's Cabinet, Police General Kowit Wattana

[also alleged to have been a key suspect in the abduction and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2004/04/07/latest%20news/MISSING-LAWYER-Rogue-cop-offers-to-talk-96716.html

Appeals Court's ruling in lawyer Somchai's murder case postponed

The Criminal Court Friday sent back the ruling of the Appeals Court in the abduction-murder case of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit after the prime suspect, a former police officer, has gone missing.

The Criminal Court was scheduled to read the verdict of the Appeals Court against Police Major Nngern Thongsuk Friday.

But Ngern's relatives have asked the Appeals Court to dismiss the case against Ngern on the grounds that he has not been accounted for since a flash flooding in Phitsanulok on September 19, 2007.

The relatives asked the Pathum Thani Provincial Court to declare Ngern a missing person and the court is scheduled to make a ruling on November 15.

The Criminal Court Friday sent the case back to the Appeals Court to decide whether to dismiss the case.

-- The Nation 2010-09-24

There's been a further delay reported in the breaking news section of the other paper.

The verdict has been postponed until February 7th.