Yingluck Shinawatra Heading Pheu Thai Leadership

[webfact]

Yingluck Shinawatra heading Pheu Thai leadership

By Kittipong Thavevong

The Nation

Yingluck Shinawatra, the youngest sibling of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has emerged as a leading candidate for the premiership among key figures of the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

The 43-year-old business executive and mother appears to have the backing of veteran politician Chalerm Yoobamrung and her brother Thaksin, who is believed to be pulling the strings behind the main opposition party and providing it with funding.

Yingluck holds no official executive post in Pheu Thai but it is no secret that she has considerable influence in the party, acting as a link between its politicians and Thaksin, who is known as the party's "big boss" and de-facto leader.

Thaksin, whose government was overthrown in the coup of 2006, has lived overseas after leaving the country in 2008 and escaping a two-year jail term by the Supreme Court for conflict of interest.

Pheu Thai MP Mingkwan Sangsuwan, who led the opposition's onslaught during last week's censure debate, caused a stir in Pheu Thai when he announced during his closing speech on Friday night that he would be the party's candidate to contest the premiership against Abhisit, the Democrat Party leader.

Many Pheu Thai figures said afterwards that the party had not decided yet about its PM candidate. Some added that the final decision would be made by Thaksin himself.

Yingluck, despite her lack of political experience, is likely to prove a more unifying figure than Mingkwan, who has been openly opposed by party colleagues like Chalerm.

Having been rejected as Pheu Thai's PM candidate, Chalerm said he would quit the party if Mingkwan was nominated but would review his decision if it was Yingluck.

As Thaksin's sister, the selection of Yingluck would likely end wrangling among the party's key figures over who should be the candidate. Her choice will also assure the party's politicians that Thaksin is serious about financing it.

For Thaksin, picking his own sister as candidate is better than favouring "outsiders" who do not always do what he wants, according to political observer Paisal Phuetmongkon, a former member of the post-coup National Legislative Assembly.

Political scientist Surachai Sirikrai from Thammasat University said Thaksin had learned "some bitter lessons" trusting people outside his family to make political moves on his behalf.

The academic said that as Pheu Thai's PM candidate, Yingluck could be projected as Thaksin's trusted representative when campaigning to his loyal supporters, particularly those in the North and Northeast.

On Sunday, Thaksin sent out Twitter messages outlining nine qualities for prime minister. In addition to general qualifications like being humble, kind, courageous and democratic, the ex-premier said the person should be experienced at running a large organisation.

Yingluck was president of Advanced Info Service, the country's largest mobile-phone network operator, before it was sold to Singapore's Temasek Holdings. She is now president of SC Asset, a family business.

On the negative side, the selection of Yingluck would confirm that the party is closely connected to Thaksin and that he has final say in all key matters regarding the party - including its PM candidate or party leader.

Voters who are convinced that Thaksin was behind the political turmoil over the past two years may shun Pheu Thai and shift their support to its competitors instead.

One possibility is that although she could be picked as PM candidate, she is unlikely to become the next party leader - or even to hold any executive party post. Thaksin had learned an expensive lesson from his own experience and that of his brother-in-law, former premier Somchai Wongsawat. As party executives, they were banned from politics for five years after their parties were dissolved by court order for electoral fraud.

Pheu Thai's politicians will have to decide on their party's priority - whether it is to please the "big boss" or to serve the interests of their constituents in particular and the country in general.

-- The Nation 2011-03-23

[Loaded]

Only mickey mouse democracies allow power to be handed from father to child. This wouldn't happen in America LoLs.

[Jingthing]

Only mickey mouse democracies allow power to be handed from father to child. This wouldn't happen in America LoLs.

Yingluck Shinawatra, the youngest sibling of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra

[Loaded]

Only mickey mouse democracies allow power to be handed from father to child. This wouldn't happen in America LoLs.

Yingluck Shinawatra, the youngest sibling of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra

You got me. My excuse is it's very early in the morning. Principal is the same though: keeping it in the family.

[ib1b4]

Only mickey mouse democracies allow power to be handed from father to child. This wouldn't happen in America LoLs.

555 Good one

[webfact]

Mixed feedback on 'nominee' sister

By The Nation

What do you think about Thaksin choosing his sister Yingluck as Pheu Thai's candidate for prime minister?

@suntipon: Agree, so voters can decide if they will or won't vote for them.

@i_intra: Yingluck is qualified for the candidacy and trusted by Thaksin.

I've heard that his former wife also trusts her.

@varittweet: She has the ability but it's hard for her to stay (in office) because of her personal background and business.

@panyalee: She will be another Thaksin!!

@ThePongk: Obviously, they turn political power into family business.

@greentea_pantip: Yingluck is more obviously Thaksin's nominee than Somchai [Wongsawat]. She doesn't have any of the qualifications to become prime minister. The only thing she has is she is Thaksin's sister. So Thaksin can nominate his children because it's no different. This shows the qualification for being a premier is who you are but not what ability you have. It sounds hopeless.

@toumeetyou: It will show Pheu Thai cannot go beyond Thaksin and the Shinawatra family. The party still depends on Thaksin's popularity more than their MP candidates.

@panzahahaha: Yingluck has much management experience but how can she distance herself from the red shirts and the need to help her brother?

@Jeed_NBC: Nothing wrong if Thaksin wants to support his sister. What's important is whether voters will vote for her, isn't it?

@Tik_Thongrit: Not surprising. It's normal for a "Company Limited" party to have their family members run.

@iamiaor: It means Thaksin is still the mastermind and dictates to the party. Yingluck is only his nominee.

@ekkpong: Yingluck has a chance to win the election. If Pheu Thai wants to lose then back Mingkwan. If they want to completely lose then support Chalerm.

@NochiPH: Nothing changes!!! The real head of the party is still Thaksin!! Just another NOMINEE!!

@AttaphonPhayak: It's Thai politicians' normality. They are banned from politics, then they field their relatives at the election. I'm sick of Thai politics.

@sudan_FMTV: This reminds me of Chalerm's true words that "no matter who leads the Pheu Thai Party, the real leader is Thaksin".

@Aminlive: That's OK.

@jojoplayboy: Disagree, Mingkwan is more appropriate.

@ptikumpo: I would like you [Thaksin] to return to face the justice system and accept its consequences. If you're cleared, you can take the PM post.

@iRinzz: In fact, Yingluck is a real working woman. I want to see the first woman PM. It's good for us to have that chance.

-- The Nation 2011-03-23

[Jingthing]

I don't think Thailand will elect a female PM at this point in history.

[Buchholz]

The 43-year-old business executive and mother

Is she prepared for the public scrutiny of public officials? She is not married, but is a mother of a child the public never sees and is not photographed.

Also, would any non-Red Shirt vote for the Red Shirt participant?

Lastly, what with her Billions in assets here and there, is she prepared to face all the financial scrutiny politicians must face.

.

Edited March 23, 2011 by Buchholz

[Jingthing]

Is she going to make it somehow clear that if she is elected she will get Thaksin back right away to take her job? If so, I take back the woman comment. Obviously if she wins, the big man is coming back in some capacity, and not to prison.

[DP25]

Pheu Thai's politicians will have to decide on their party's priority - whether it is to please the "big boss" or to serve the interests of their constituents in particular and the country in general.

As if there is the slightest doubt which is the priority

[howzat]

Pheu Thai's politicians will have to decide on their party's priority - whether it is to please the "big boss" or to serve the interests of their constituents in particular and the country in general.

As if there is the slightest doubt which is the priority

[howzat]

keeping it in the family....sounds as though we are modelling the Thai political system on certain middle east countries..

[Emptyset]

From what I've heard, Thaksin actually preferred Mingkwan, but it's senior PT advisers who're trying to get him to persuade Yingluck to take the role; with some threatening to quit the party if he backs Mingkwan. For some reason I still suspect Mingkwan will be the choice, with Yingluck firmly by his side. I've no reason to really think that, but I suspect YL is quite reluctant.

Either way the party will be split. I've been told by some people that Mingkwan has as many as seventy backers who might well go over to PJT if Mingkwan doesn't become leader - and Sudarat is also a major Mingkwan supporter. Others have told me "forget Mingkwan, he has no base at all". Not sure which is true.

[Thailand]

keeping it in the family....sounds as though we are modelling the Thai political system on certain middle east countries..

But at least the people will decide in one way or another.

[Buchholz]

keeping it in the family....

Continuing in the same vein, the other paper this morning is reporting that more of the Shinawatra clan will be running in the election, including :

Former Deputy National Police Chief Police General Priewpan Damapong, brother of Potjaman

and

Bannaphot Damapong, another brother of Potjaman.

Bannaphot, on the left alongside his sister in July 2008, when the Criminal Court found Potjaman and Bannaphot guilty of intentionally avoiding a tax payment of 546 Million Baht. Also found guilty were Potjaman's personal secretary, Kanchana Honghern, on the right. The court sentenced Potjaman and Bannaphot each to 3 years in prison and Kanchana to 2 years in prison. He's never served his sentence, so not sure how they plan on getting around that little nuance.

.

Edited March 23, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

From what I've heard, Thaksin actually preferred Mingkwan

The other paper is also reporting that at the Party's annual meeting yesterday, Mingkwan's supporters attempted to secure the title of Party Leader and the Party's PM candidate, but that the move was blocked by Thaksin's messaging that now was not the right time to establish those titles. He also sent word that the positions may be separated.

.

Edited March 23, 2011 by Buchholz

[Monkeypants]

You got me. My excuse is it's very early in the morning. Principal is the same though: keeping it in the family.

Didn;t Hillary Clinton run for the presidency ?

[Buchholz]

More Thaksinite candidates in the upcoming election was the announced candidacy with the Pheu Thai Party of Thaksin author and confidant, sacked Army Lieutenant Sunisa Lertpakawat (shown tearfully below with one of her two Thaksin books):

[Emptyset]

From what I've heard, Thaksin actually preferred Mingkwan

The other paper is also reporting that at the Party's annual meeting yesterday, Mingkwan's supporters attempted to secure the title of Party Leader and the Party's PM candidate, but that the move was blocked by Thaksin's messaging that now was not the right time to establish those titles. He also sent word that the positions may be separated.

.

That doesn't really indicate Thaksin's preference. He probably wants to delay the choice at least until house is dissolved. By then (I think) it'll be too late for people that disagree to switch to a new party. I still don't know how many people within the party support YL and how many support MK though. Just a friend that associates w/politicos told me senior party advisers are strongly pushing for YL even though TS previously leant towards Mingkwan. Same friend also told me Mingkwan was getting funding from Newin though, so... I don't quite believe that.

[whybother]

That doesn't really indicate Thaksin's preference. He probably wants to delay the choice at least until house is dissolved. By then (I think) it'll be too late for people that disagree to switch to a new party. I still don't know how many people within the party support YL and how many support MK though. Just a friend that associates w/politicos told me senior party advisers are strongly pushing for YL even though TS previously leant towards Mingkwan. Same friend also told me Mingkwan was getting funding from Newin though, so... I don't quite believe that.

I read somewhere that when the government is dissolved, MPs have 30 days to switch parties.

[jayboy]

Is she prepared for the public scrutiny of public officials? She is not married, but is a mother of a child the public never sees and is not photographed.

A personal slur from the usual source.

[whybother]

Is she prepared for the public scrutiny of public officials? She is not married, but is a mother of a child the public never sees and is not photographed.

A personal slur from the usual source.

You don't think other people will scrutinize those facts?

[jayboy]

Is she prepared for the public scrutiny of public officials? She is not married, but is a mother of a child the public never sees and is not photographed.

A personal slur from the usual source.

You don't think other people will scrutinize those facts?

Probably but many have a distaste for the scumbag tabloid newspaper mentality.

The slight puzzle to me is who these muckrakers believe is their audience, indeed why they bother.

[whybother]

Probably but many have a distaste for the scumbag tabloid newspaper mentality.

The slight puzzle to me is who these muckrakers believe is their audience, indeed why they bother.

Many love the tabloid newspaper mentality too. Especially if it's about someone they already don't like.

Most people that don't like it happening to Yingluck, would love it if happened to Abhisit.

[SomTumTiger]

Abhsit must be laughing himself silly. 4 more years are assured.

[canuckamuck]

The only thing that will be accomplished by the next election will be the slight postponement of riots.

Whatever happens, the result will be unacceptable by some group with the same taste in shirt color.

[SomTumTiger]

And only one government seems to be able to handle the riots effectively - so lets hope that government returns to power in the next election.

Imagine this cabinet, and tell me if it doesn't make your bowels water...

PM - Yingluck

FM - Charlerm

Minister of Defense - Jatuporn

Minister of Finance - MIngkwan

Minister of Big Lips - Jakrabop

etc etc etc

Is there one person in PTP who is not a complete moron or yes man? I would love to see one.

[ratcatcher]

Probably but many have a distaste for the scumbag tabloid newspaper mentality.

The slight puzzle to me is who these muckrakers believe is their audience, indeed why they bother.

Many love the tabloid newspaper mentality too. Especially if it's about someone they already don't like.

Most people that don't like it happening to Yingluck, would love it if happened to Abhisit.

I couldn't have said it better.

If,and it's a BIG if, she ever reaches the point of becoming P.M., she will be under the microscope of everyone's newspaper, tabloid or not.

Edited March 23, 2011 by ratcatcher

[lannarebirth]

Highly placed Thais I know, who ought to know what they are talking about, have told me hundreds of thousands of rai, of what were once public lands, found there way into this families holdings during Thaksin's administartion. Mostly coastal areas near Ko Chang and Cambodia border. I wonder if any of it found its way into SC Asset management's holdings?

Edited March 23, 2011 by lannarebirth

[Insight]

Probably but many have a distaste for the scumbag tabloid newspaper mentality.

The slight puzzle to me is who these muckrakers believe is their audience, indeed why they bother.

Many love the tabloid newspaper mentality too. Especially if it's about someone they already don't like.

Most people that don't like it happening to Yingluck, would love it if happened to Abhisit.

Comeback of the month.