Promote Thaksin - Chalerm Issues Ultimatum To Party

[webfact]

Promote Thaksin - Chalerm issues ultimatum to party

By PRAPHAN CHINDALERT-UDOMDEE

THE NATION

Outspoken Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung has given an ultimatum to the opposition party, saying he will quit and set up a new party if his proposals - which include promoting ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra during the election - are rejected.

Chalerm said he planned to invite sharp-tongued politician Chuwit Kamolvisit and Nitipoom Navaratna to join the party.

He has demanded that Pheu Thai promote the fugitive former premier in the poll, and change its policies, especially for Bangkok, where he will run in the election.

He said he had spoken out because many Pheu Thai MPs disagreed with his idea to continue to promote Thaksin as a selling point for the party. Indeed, he was ignored and mocked by some party MPs.

He said some supporters of Mingkwan Sangsuwan, who is expected to lead the upcoming censure debate, sneered and said the debate could not be "fierce like before".

"Today, when we have different opinions, I have to speak out. When the party members say they won't promote Thaksin, then who will they promote to win the election? Nobody's in good shape, neither am I. I am blamed as loving my sons too much," he said.

Chalerm spoke before the start of his eldest son's wedding party yesterday, and said none of his three boys - who have been involved in a series of highly controversial dramas - would stand in the election.

"If I am to stay in politics I must set up a new party. But whether the story will go that far, I have to wait and see the party's reaction first."

He said he would decide in three months on whether there was enough time to prepare for a change before the election.

He planned to name the new party the New Alternative Party. He said he still respected and was friendly with Thaksin.

Chalerm said on Monday he would opt out if Pheu Thai's censure debate was led by his rival Mingkwan.

Chalerm, who has led censure debates many times, said this was because Mingkwan's style was too soft. He said Mingkwan should tell his supporters to stop attacking him.

At the wedding, Mingkwan told the media he did not have any conflict with Chalerm. But he walked away and did not respond when asked if he had paid some Pheu Thai MPs to support him, as claimed, and if he was ready to accept the position of alternate premier to Abhisit Vejjajiva in the censure debate.

The chairman of Pheu Thai's Bangkok MPs, Vicharn Minchainant, said Chalerm should discuss the issue in a party meeting.

Chalerm had proposed dividing Bangkok into three zones when selecting the party's candidates. However, the meeting resolved not to do this, as all candidates needed to be backed by party executives, Vicharn said.

He denied that former Thai Rak Thai Party executive Sudarat Keyuraphan, who is serving a five-year ban from politics like many former TRT executives, influenced the selection.

Vicharn said Chalerm never said clearly whether his son would be a candidate or if he wanted to propose himself as a selector of candidates for the party.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said Chalerm and Mingkwan's different opinions showed the beauty of democracy. There was no rift in the party, he said, but it had not met to finalise plans for the censure debate, including the topics, speakers and schedule.

"Anyway, Chalerm must join in the censure debate. But so far we haven't met to pick the date and the list of speakers," the MP said.

"Mingkwan also has to prepare well as this is the last censure debate [in this government's term]. Although Chalerm has said he won't take part, we have to talk, just the way we have to ask General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to run in the next election," Jatuporn said.

Chavalit told a Japanese diplomat on Monday he would not run in the next election.

-- The Nation 2011-01-19

[hoaker]

It is without a doubt he loves his son. The youngest son paid a 1000 baht fine for shooting a cop (chalerm's band of color) point blank in a night club, go home to his family, prepare an alibi and then resurface. What actually happened that night was never publicized and Yes please promote a corrupt convicted criminal to run this nation, all will just be better. Get the the poors votes and then make the rich richer and of course himself. Is politics in Thailand rolling backwards or what??

[OzMick]

New Alternative Party - vote for us or we will blow your brains out!

[gemini81]

Evil has no boundaries. This man and his sons are the worst.

[Kissmehoney]

Just what we need. Another party to add to the confusion. With so many parties running it will be impossible to ever form a majority government so that something beneficial can be accomplished. Thailand really needs a majority government to make the changes that can reduce corruption, improve the educational system and get this country back on its feet. As for supporting Thaksin that is like flogging a dead horse. Thaksin is gone and will never be allowed to return. He had his shot at being the PM and now it is someone else's turn

[jonclark]

"When the party members say they won't promote Thaksin, then who will they promote to win the election?"

Maybe promting a wide ranging set of policies to help people would be a more worthwhile activity

[animatic]

Just what we need. Another party to add to the confusion. With so many parties running it will be impossible to ever form a majority government so that something beneficial can be accomplished. Thailand really needs a majority government to make the changes that can reduce corruption, improve the educational system and get this country back on its feet. As for supporting Thaksin that is like flogging a dead horse. Thaksin is gone and will never be allowed to return. He had his shot at being the PM and now it is someone else's turn

But by doing this move he thinks he can cajole Thaksin into paying him to stay in PTP as his personal mouthpiece. And if not then he is the spoiler for Thaksin by doing a Newin. It is a classic attempt at extorting political capital and cash, from an ailing leader, who doesn't know how ill he is and throws money at most problems

Edited January 19, 2011 by animatic

[Sparkles]

Evil has no boundaries. This man and his sons are the worst.

Chalerm and sons, what wonderful role models for coming generations. Will this nation ever wake up ? sadly not, in my lifetime.

[philhal2]

It is without a doubt he loves his son. The youngest son paid a 1000 baht fine for shooting a cop (chalerm's band of color) point blank in a night club, go home to his family, prepare an alibi and then resurface. What actually happened that night was never publicized and Yes please promote a corrupt convicted criminal to run this nation, all will just be better. Get the the poors votes and then make the rich richer and of course himself. Is politics in Thailand rolling backwards or what??

Good to see how these so called leaders set a great example to the community on ethics , morals , corruption , leadership , possibly bribery , monetary policies ,and generally show how they place the interests and future of the people and the country before their own selfish greedy little needs .

[mca]

Evil has no boundaries. This man and his sons are the worst.

Err I think you could find worse if you really put your mind to it mate.

[SomTumTiger]

Evil has no boundaries. This man and his sons are the worst.

Err I think you could find worse if you really put your mind to it mate.

Yes, but why waste time and energy. Just substitute "the worst" with "Douchbags", and you pretty much arrive at the same end.

[mca]

Very apt i concur.

[Siripon]

Just what we need. Another party to add to the confusion. With so many parties running it will be impossible to ever form a majority government so that something beneficial can be accomplished. Thailand really needs a majority government to make the changes that can reduce corruption, improve the educational system and get this country back on its feet. As for supporting Thaksin that is like flogging a dead horse. Thaksin is gone and will never be allowed to return. He had his shot at being the PM and now it is someone else's turn

But by doing this move he thinks he can cajole Thaksin into paying him to stay in PTP as his personal mouthpiece. And if not then he is the spoiler for Thaksin by doing a Newin. It is a classic attempt at extorting political capital and cash, from an ailing leader, who doesn't know how ill he is and throws money at most problems

I agree, he's just trying to extract money and or a position from Thaksin. It serves Thaksin right for mixing with such people.

[Xangsamhua]

"... we have to talk, just the way we have to ask General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to run in the next election," Jatuporn said.

Chavalit?? The man's 80 years old next year and appears to have lost the plot altogether. There's something here I seriously don't understand.

[hammered]

"... we have to talk, just the way we have to ask General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to run in the next election," Jatuporn said.

Chavalit?? The man's 80 years old next year and appears to have lost the plot altogether. There's something here I seriously don't understand.

We (meaning not Jatuporn) have to give loads of dosh and face to the old ex-enforcer and the old gaga one, so they dont in one case run off to formn a new party that doesnt like us, and in the other case run off and get a tad confused about where they are

[SICHONSTEVE]

It is without a doubt he loves his son. The youngest son paid a 1000 baht fine for shooting a cop (chalerm's band of color) point blank in a night club, go home to his family, prepare an alibi and then resurface. What actually happened that night was never publicized and Yes please promote a corrupt convicted criminal to run this nation, all will just be better. Get the the poors votes and then make the rich richer and of course himself. Is politics in Thailand rolling backwards or what??

Good to see how these so called leaders set a great example to the community on ethics , morals , corruption , leadership , possibly bribery , monetary policies ,and generally show how they place the interests and future of the people and the country before their own selfish greedy little needs .

Possibly bribery????!!!!!!! and what leadership and monetary policies???

[SICHONSTEVE]

Three apt words spring to mind to describe the PTP's prospect in this coming election.

disintegration - annihilation and humiliation!!!!

[animatic]

The irony of threatening Thaksin about leaving his 'Personal Proxy Party',

for not supporting Thaksin enough, and then starting a theoretically

MORE Pro-Thaksin party that will do little more than rob votes from

Thaksin's proxy party is not lost on me.

[jfchandler]

All this would be a real comedy hoot...except for the small fact that these same guys and their kin used to run this country and aspire to do so again in the future... That makes it anything but a comedy...

[SouthernMan3]

ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra

Are we really still talking about this fugitive ?

[lannarebirth]

"Today, when we have different opinions, I have to speak out. When the party members say they won't promote Thaksin, then who will they promote to win the election? Nobody's in good shape, neither am I. I am blamed as loving my sons too much," he said.

I don't think anyone faults Chalerm for loving his sons. It was how he showed his contempt for everyone else while doing so that lingers in people's minds.

[lannarebirth]

Phuea Thai looking more and more everyday like one of those sham teams the Harlem Globetrotters used to play against.

[MaiChai]

I recon Peua Thai will be too divided and have too much infighting to win the next election. There, I said it. You can quote me when they loose the election

[animatic]

ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra

Are we really still talking about this fugitive ?

Seems Chalerm still is.

[SouthernMan3]

ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra

Are we really still talking about this fugitive ?

Seems Chalerm still is.

If this guy was not in the picture, Thailand and Thais would be so much more mellow and we could all get on with our lives....

[yoshiwara]

Not one of our aspiring red leaders can stake their claim without paying homage at the court of Thaksin. Our friendly forum red cheerleaders can blather on all they want about the reds being no longer about Shinawatra, but the closer the election approaches the more open the chancers declare their undying fealty and the picture placards come out. Thaksin is the paymaster. That's all you need to know.