Thailand: Plenty Going On Behind The Scenes

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Plenty going on behind the scenes

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Suddenly the opposing sides are talking reconciliation - although in reality they are trying to bluff one another instead of making a genuine effort to bring about peace.

All key players are putting out feelers, disguised as reconciliation offers, in order to map out their next alliance with maximum gain for the respective sides.

The prevailing situation has turned into a game of numbers to shore up bargaining leverage. Policy issues are being delegated to the back seat.

Before departing for a summit meeting in Brussels, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made a significant gesture - showing for the first time his willingness to meet and talk with a team of 20 Pheu Thai MPs, led by Plodprasop Suraswadi.

It appears Abhisit made an about-turn by deciding to talk with a certain clique within the main opposition party. His previous moves in regard to reconciliation had left out the opposition.

Whether the meeting will actually take place is not an issue, the underlying message, however, is that the Democrats are prepared to strike a deal with selected opposition members - should the survival of the Democrat-led government be at risk.

At the backdrop of the unfolding political drama is big uncertainty on the fate of the main coalition party in the face of a looming verdict on its party dissolution case.

Even in a worst-case scenario - that the main coalition party is dissolved- Abhisit still has a strong chance of carrying on his job till the next poll. But he is obligated to brace for any political accidents since an unfavourable verdict would let loose the political vultures to prey on his vulnerability.

This past weekend, the prime minister was not the only one trying to safeguard his central role on the political stage.

Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Banharn Silapa-Archa spent his annual vacation in Hong Kong with two power brokers, Vishanu Krua-ngam and Meechai Ruchuphan. The three coincidentally ran into a group of 43 Pheu Thai MPs led by coalition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri.

Less than two days before faction leader Newin Chidchob celebrated his birthday, a Prachin Buri man reported to police in Chiang Mai, confessing a Bt20-million plot to assassinate leading figures, including Newin, and stir up violence.

The police said Kittichai Chansawasdee's statement led to the discovery of 12 red shirts, who admitted to have received terrorist training near the Thai-Cambodian border. The 12 were staying in the northern province awaiting "assignments". Police have yet to file charges and are still making inquiries.

The discovery of the alleged plot gave Newin an opportunity to become a sought-after news source once again. He pointed an accusing finger at fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly putting out a contract on his life.

Newin's attempt to fault Thaksin is not a surprise but the subtext of his remarks is of significance. He referred to Thaksin as "his old boss", the term he had not used since switching his loyalty to the Democrats in 2008.

In the same press interview on the alleged contract on his life, he boasted about soliciting 100,000 signatures from voters in support of his amnesty bill as part of the reconciliation process.

The push for reconciliation by Newin and his Bhum Jai Thai Party coincided with the ongoing attempt by Deputy Premier Sanan Kachornprasart to mend fences among the rival sides. Newin is reportedly pushing a plan to install Sanan as caretaker prime minister if Abhisit is disqualified from holding office.

For dramatic effect, Thaksin is busy working as the puppeteer behind the opposition lawmakers looking to jump on the coalition bandwagon and those shunned by the main opposition party. He appears to be working to hedge his future.

-- The Nation 2010-10-05

[Thaddeus]

Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Banharn Silapa-Archa spent his annual vacation in Hong Kong with two power brokers, Vishanu Krua-ngam and Meechai Ruchuphan. The three coincidentally ran into a group of 43 Pheu Thai MPs led by coalition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri.

Ok..... I spotted the dig this time.

[givenall]

Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Banharn Silapa-Archa spent his annual vacation in Hong Kong with two power brokers, Vishanu Krua-ngam and Meechai Ruchuphan. The three coincidentally ran into a group of 43 Pheu Thai MPs led by coalition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri.

Ok..... I spotted the dig this time.

Reconciliation is impossible as long as Thaksin and his close friends are in the picture.

It would be a good advice to remove them from any negotiating condition if they are really interested in solving the political problem. But this will never happen since Money talks and BS walks

[NCFC]

_Also bear in mind that the five-year ban on the original TRT executives will be expiring and some big-hitters will be coming back into play. What we see is a lot of jockeying for positions right now.