An Insecure Newin Makes A Bid For Sympathy In Thailand

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

An insecure Newin makes a bid for sympathy

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The appearance of Newin Chidchob on his 52nd birthday on Monday at his residence in Buri Ram making the accusation that his ex-boss Thaksin Shinawatra was attempting to assassinate him may not surprise political observers.

He is trying to place himself in the spotlight and call for sympathy.

The bottom line was that he had realised he was going to be kicked out of the coalition partnership. There were many indications concerning the Bhum Jai Thai Party's de facto leader.

Having joined with the ruling Democrat Party government for almost two years, the status of Bhum Jai Thai in the coalition did not seem to be going well. Many of its ministers' performances, and its party's role, reportedly upset Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Bhum Jai Thai members heading the Interior, Commerce, and Transport ministries were allegedly involved in many scandals. Moreover, Newin was trying hard to push for an amnesty bill, despite the ruling Democrat Party's disagreement.

Newin may feel more insecure - especially after his only close friend in the Democrat Party, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, resigns on Friday to run in a by-election in Surat Thani. Without Suthep, Newin and his party may stay uncomfortable in the government.

Some political analysts say Suthep's resignation could be part Abhisit's plan to pave the way for ousting Bhum Jai Thai from the government, because Suthep was too close to Newin and tried to give him and his party everything they wanted.

Recent reports that the Democrats would bring back into the coalition 18 Puea Pandin Party MPs who were expelled from the government in June after they voted against Bhum Jai Thai's ministers in a no-confidence motion also concerned Newin.

On the one hand, the claim that his life was in danger could help people feel some sympathy to Newin. He talked about the assassination plan after the arrest in Chiang Mai of 11 men suspected of involvement in a move to overthrow the monarchy and planning assassinations.

The salvo on Thaksin could, on the other hand, shatter the national reconciliation plan initiated by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachonprasart. The chief adviser of Chart Thai Pattana discussed the plan with several representatives of concerned parties, such as red-shirt leaders, yellow-shirt leaders, and leaders of the Pheu Thai Party. Sanan planned to meet with Thaksin as part of the reconciliation plan as well.

Sanan's reconciliation plan appeared to be a threat for Newin, so he had to do everything to foil it. If the plan had come to fruition it could have led to a change of political alignments - none of which would be good for Bhum Jai Thai.

Thaksin is reportedly still angry at Newin for betraying the fugitive ex-prime minister. Other small and medium-sized political parties did not want to work with Newin either if they had any choice. So if Sanan had achieved his reconciliation plan, which meant Thaksin or Pheu Thai could join hands with Sanan and the other parties, then Newin would have no place in a new political formula.

The worst is yet to come. Bhum Jai Thai was hoping to become a medium-sized party by winning more than 40 parliamentary seats in the next election. But that seemed to be out of reach.

"Thaksin is still popular among Isaan voters. They feel angry at Newin" for betraying Thaksin, a source from Pheu Thai who oversees the Northeast said. "They don't like the betrayal. Besides, their candidates for the election are new faces. So money is still an important factor for winning the election - except in Buri Ram," Newin's stronghold.

-- The Nation 2010-10-06

[SomTumTiger]

Why doesn't Newin turn the tables on Thaksin. He has enough money surely.

[taurus88]

Newin has betrayed one too many people and his craftyness & greed will come back to haunt him. BJT will very likely to be marginalised sooner than later in the political arena. However in Thai politics, anything can happen and he can re-invent himself again and use his cunning to stay relevant.

[asiawatcher]

This is all like a Thai drama - Newin is however not only the lead actor but also the director. Cunning as and each day of his activities will further prove that.

[chantorn]

Newin could be the next PM

[yellow1red1]

insightful, unbiased, documented Article from the Nation - nice, for a change

Just when Newin had shouldered other runners into the ditch and was surging ahead towards next PM, has he tripped on his shoe lace?

the reds are not the only ones who would like to see him 'out of the running'