No Red-Shirt Leaders In New Cabinet: Pheu Thai Source

[OzMick]

I aint no fan of the red shirt leadership but basically the new government should be able to pick who they want as a minister as long as they aint banged up on a final decision. If they want a government of red shirts so be it, they won the election and clearly. If they dont include red shirts then they seem to be being very nice to the extra-parliamentary lot. And lets be honest we could soon have a few on the opposition benches with serious charges against them.

In a few years time it is likely virtually everyone will be well amnestied anyway

Edited to add: and the extra-parliamentary boys could be facing charges too and they dont have parliamentary immunity

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against him, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

Edited July 5, 2011 by OzMick

[hammered]

I aint no fan of the red shirt leadership but basically the new government should be able to pick who they want as a minister as long as they aint banged up on a final decision. If they want a government of red shirts so be it, they won the election and clearly. If they dont include red shirts then they seem to be being very nice to the extra-parliamentary lot. And lets be honest we could soon have a few on the opposition benches with serious charges against them.

In a few years time it is likely virtually everyone will be well amnestied anyway

Edited to add: and the extra-parliamentary boys could be facing charges too and they dont have parliamentary immunity

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

There's no need to draw comparisons. It is all part of the get loads of people up on charges from all sides. Right now it is a bunch of red leaders and yellow leaders and Thaksin and all of those can be sacrificed. Politicially the trick is to get those the establishment wont want to see sacrificed on charges, or at least show you can do it or threaten it or show you are struggling to hold your own supporters back from demanding it. Then we get to the amnesty for all deal. Maybe even Abhisit and Suthep can be sacrificed but once it gets into extra-parliamentary ones the deal gets closer. imho

[OzMick]

I aint no fan of the red shirt leadership but basically the new government should be able to pick who they want as a minister as long as they aint banged up on a final decision. If they want a government of red shirts so be it, they won the election and clearly. If they dont include red shirts then they seem to be being very nice to the extra-parliamentary lot. And lets be honest we could soon have a few on the opposition benches with serious charges against them.

In a few years time it is likely virtually everyone will be well amnestied anyway

Edited to add: and the extra-parliamentary boys could be facing charges too and they dont have parliamentary immunity

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

There's no need to draw comparisons. It is all part of the get loads of people up on charges from all sides. Right now it is a bunch of red leaders and yellow leaders and Thaksin and all of those can be sacrificed. Politicially the trick is to get those the establishment wont want to see sacrificed on charges, or at least show you can do it or threaten it or show you are struggling to hold your own supporters back from demanding it. Then we get to the amnesty for all deal. Maybe even Abhisit and Suthep can be sacrificed but once it gets into extra-parliamentary ones the deal gets closer. imho

You don't get it do you? if they bring murder charges against Abhisit as a private citiizen, he can produce any evidence he likes that he was a duly appointed PM facing an armed insurrection. And that he did everything possible to avoid confrontation. All the red speeches, Army witnesses describing how they were attacked with military weapons, the burning of BKK - and the world press WILL be interested and report it worldwide, again. PTP have everything to lose, and nothing to win.

The problem is that they have used UDD to misinform the thai public, repeating this lie over and over - now how do they turn the anger and hatred off?

Edited July 5, 2011 by OzMick

[rubl]

The Pheu Thai source also said that Thaksin would have the final say about Yingluck's Cabinet. "It all depends on Thaksin," the source said.

One man, one party, no compromise !

Democracy at work ?

Edited July 5, 2011 by rubl

[webfact]

Thaksin's party in power talks after Thai vote win

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, July 5, 2011 (AFP) - Fresh from victory in Thailand's election, the party of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra met Tuesday to discuss the shape of the next government in the face of high expectations among voters.

Puea Thai party leaders gathered at their headquarters in Bangkok after clinching a convincing majority in Sunday's crucial vote, nearly five years after their figurehead was toppled from power in a military coup.

Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra, a political newcomer who is set to be the first Thai female premier, faces a formidable task in bringing stability to a kingdom that has been riven by political crises since her brother's ouster.

"Yingluck will attend a party meeting. We have to look at the results of the election and meet with representatives and working groups to prepare to deliver on our promises to the people," said party spokesman Prompong Nopparit.

Another party source told AFP they would begin discussing cabinet positions, although a cautious Yingluck denied such negotiations were underway as she arrived at the party offices.

"We have not decided on anyone yet," she told reporters, saying they would wait for the electoral commission to certify the poll results.

Yingluck announced a coalition deal with four smaller parties on Monday to shore up her grip on power, and together the partners will hold about three fifths of the 500 seats in parliament.

Although Puea Thai won by a thumping 265 seats, it was quick to reach out to potential allies, partly to protect against possible future defections or the disqualification of some of its winning candidates in Sunday's vote.

The establishment-backed Democrat Party of outgoing premier Abhisit Vejjajiva secured just 159 seats and quickly conceded defeat after two and a half years in power. Abhisit also resigned as party leader after the results.

Although Thaksin, who controls Puea Thai from his Dubai base, is unpopular with the Thai elites and the military, fears of another coup abated Monday as the outgoing defence minister said the army accepted the results.

Thaksin himself has vowed not to seek revenge over a deadly military crackdown on his "Red Shirt" supporters in Bangkok last year which ended with more than 90 people dead and buildings aflame across the city.

While Thaksin's allies will not wish to alienate the generals, they face pressure from the Reds to establish the facts behind the army assault which saw soldiers firing live ammunition as they stormed the Reds' rally camp.

Another key sticking point is the potential return of Thaksin, who insisted on Monday that he had no plan to return to office himself, and said that setting foot back in Thailand was not a priority.

"I've been with the party too long, and I really want to retire," the billionaire telecoms tycoon told reporters in Dubai, where he lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption.

His sister has floated the idea of an amnesty to allow her brother to return, which would anger many in the Bangkok-based elites around the palace and army and could prompt protests by the royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement.

An amnesty for banned politicians is "not a matter of vital national interest", an editorial in the Bangkok Post said Monday, urging Yingluck to prioritise the economy.

"The return of Thaksin with a full political pardon is a potentially dangerous issue for this next prime minister to try and tackle through political means, especially now, at the beginning of her term," it said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-05

[philw]

I aint no fan of the red shirt leadership but basically the new government should be able to pick who they want as a minister as long as they aint banged up on a final decision. If they want a government of red shirts so be it, they won the election and clearly. If they dont include red shirts then they seem to be being very nice to the extra-parliamentary lot. And lets be honest we could soon have a few on the opposition benches with serious charges against them.

In a few years time it is likely virtually everyone will be well amnestied anyway

Edited to add: and the extra-parliamentary boys could be facing charges too and they dont have parliamentary immunity

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against him, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

Are you suggesting his resignation is an admission of guilt ??

[webfact]

Too soon to form Cabinet: Yingluck

By The Nation

Designate Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday played down speculation on Cabinet formation, saying the Election Commission has yet to endorse the balloting outcome.

"For the time being, there is no list of Pheu Thai candidates for Cabinet job," she said.

Yingluck said the Cabinet line-up would follow the official vote outcome and the government endorsement by coalition partners.

Reacting to intense lobbying efforts for ministerial appointments, she said she expected an amicable allocation of Cabinet seats.

She dismissed rumour that her party would form the Cabinet based on the quota of one minister per 10 MPs.

In regard to speculation about the inclusion of the red shirts in her government, she said this issue had not been raised in her party.

"My Cabinet will include capable individuals whose expertise fits the job responsibilities and I will consider filling positions with those outsiders and insiders in order to achieve an overall public approval," she said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-05

[webfact]

Yingluck: New cabinet to look attractive

BANGKOK, 5 July 2011 (NNT) – Incoming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reassured that her cabinet will be carefully tailored comprising members who have been accepted domestically and internationally.

Ms Yingluck reported the progress of cabinet formation that she is waiting for the Election Commission (EC) to certify the election result, and that her party and coalition partners are, in the meantime, working on necessary procedure of each party. She denied a report that she was using the 10:1 ratio as criteria to pick members of coalition parties for the ministerial quota.

The incoming prime minister stated that the selection of cabinet members will be based on potential and capabilities of each figure. She promised that she will do her best to make the new cabinet well accepted by all sides in Thailand and the international community.

Ms Yingluck also brushed off a rumour about her interview with foreign media that she would help her brother ex-Prime Minister Dr Thaksin. She said her Pheu Thai Party will not push for amnesty to help only one person, but the political violence fact-finding panel will work on this issue.

The Pheu Thai heavyweight stressed once again that her party does not want to seek revenge against anyone or whitewash anyone but will spearhead national reconciliation.

As for the congratulatory message sent from neighbouring Cambodia expressing a hope that Thai-Cambodian relations would improve after her party won the election, Ms Yingluck responded that healthy relations with neighbours should be maintained without losing national interest.

The incoming prime minister noted that she will discuss the issue with related officials since solutions to the Thai-Cambodian relations must be accepted by people in the whole nation while the person who will be the new foreign minister must be well accepted and understand the situation thoroughly.

-- NNT 2011-07-05

[animatic]

That's a shame. I was looking forward to the Army's reaction to Jatuporn as Minister for Defence.

Headhunting comes to mind.

[animatic]

I aint no fan of the red shirt leadership but basically the new government should be able to pick who they want as a minister as long as they aint banged up on a final decision. If they want a government of red shirts so be it, they won the election and clearly. If they dont include red shirts then they seem to be being very nice to the extra-parliamentary lot. And lets be honest we could soon have a few on the opposition benches with serious charges against them.

In a few years time it is likely virtually everyone will be well amnestied anyway

Edited to add: and the extra-parliamentary boys could be facing charges too and they dont have parliamentary immunity

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against him, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

He resigned as Democratic Party Leader, He did NOT resign from Parliament.

[whybother]

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against him, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

Are you suggesting his resignation is an admission of guilt ??

Admission of guilt for what?

He's prepared to face and fight charges, if any are brought against him. He's not going to flee the country to hide from them, as some others like to do.

[ozzieman05]

Too soon to form Cabinet: Yingluck

By The Nation

Designate Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday played down speculation on Cabinet formation, saying the Election Commission has yet to endorse the balloting outcome.

"For the time being, there is no list of Pheu Thai candidates for Cabinet job," she said.

Yingluck said the Cabinet line-up would follow the official vote outcome and the government endorsement by coalition partners.

Reacting to intense lobbying efforts for ministerial appointments, she said she expected an amicable allocation of Cabinet seats.

She dismissed rumour that her party would form the Cabinet based on the quota of one minister per 10 MPs.

In regard to speculation about the inclusion of the red shirts in her government, she said this issue had not been raised in her party.

"My Cabinet will include capable individuals whose expertise fits the job responsibilities and I will consider filling positions with those outsiders and insiders in order to achieve an overall public approval," she said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-05

No matter what your feeling are for Thaskin, we all agree he is a very smart cookie

Now he has the buffalo by the tail the red shirts have done the dirty work for him

So time to put distance between them and his new party for respectability

Doing business with the devil has its just rewards

[hellodolly]

Who is this independent source? Or is this news report simply trying to stir up sh*t? If a Red shirt supporter has not engaged in illegal activity and is law abiding and honest, then the a redshirt affiliation should not be used to bar that person from a cabinet position should the candidate be qualified for the job.

You are quite correct.

Problem being there is no red shirt with those qualifications who would be capable of holding a cabinet position.

Yes I know in your mind they are innocent until proven guilty. But this is not your home land and even if it were any one supporting the terrorism people last year should not be allowed into the cabinet even if they were innocent.

Not sure how you can be a red shirt with power and not have supported the terrorists last year.

[Phuket Stan]

"Considering the motives of the Nation, I wouldn't be surprised if the source was a janitor in the PTP HQ."

Whats wrong with "JANITORS"...they are a very vital person in a building...or maybe it was just a fruedian elitist slip of the tongue

Edited July 5, 2011 by Phuket Stan

[animatic]

I aint no fan of the red shirt leadership but basically the new government should be able to pick who they want as a minister as long as they aint banged up on a final decision. If they want a government of red shirts so be it, they won the election and clearly. If they dont include red shirts then they seem to be being very nice to the extra-parliamentary lot. And lets be honest we could soon have a few on the opposition benches with serious charges against them.

In a few years time it is likely virtually everyone will be well amnestied anyway

Edited to add: and the extra-parliamentary boys could be facing charges too and they dont have parliamentary immunity

Correct! Abhisit (a man of his word) has stated that he will face any charges brought against him, not flee the country, and by resigning from parliament, loses the cover that it would provide.

Refreshing, encouraging, and dare I say, unique in Thai politics. Do I need to draw comparisons?

Are you suggesting his resignation is an admission of guilt ??

He stated quite clearly he would resign as party leader of the Dems lost the election.

Nothing more nothing less. You can't spin this into anything else.

[whybother]

"Considering the motives of the Nation, I wouldn't be surprised if the source was a janitor in the PTP HQ."

Whats wrong with "JANITORS"...they are a very vital person in a building...or maybe it was just a fruedian elitist slip of the tongue

Yep, the PTP have a janitor with a master's degree attending their meetings and giving advice.

[hanuman1]

This puts into clear relief the BS that was the 'UDD = PTP' equation.

It is only now that the division becomes more apparent as before the election, PT needed the red shirt votes and the UDD wanted rid of the Dems. Anyone with unbiased views before the election would still have been able to realize that these two organizations are different beasts, but chose not to. Fair enough, it's just a game after all.

Edited July 5, 2011 by hanuman1

[whybother]

This puts into clear relief the BS that was the 'UDD = PTP' equation.

It is only now that the division becomes more apparent as before the election, PT needed the red shirt votes and the UDD wanted rid of the Dems. Anyone with unbiased views before the election would still have been able to realize that these two organizations are different beasts, but chose not to. Fair enough, it's just a game after all.

Not quite "clear relief".

The red shirt leaders are still PTP pary list MPs, so although they might not be the same group, they are still joined at the hip.

[OzMick]

This puts into clear relief the BS that was the 'UDD = PTP' equation.

It is only now that the division becomes more apparent as before the election, PT needed the red shirt votes and the UDD wanted rid of the Dems. Anyone with unbiased views before the election would still have been able to realize that these two organizations are different beasts, but chose not to. Fair enough, it's just a game after all.

As all the UDD leaders are PTP MPs, with the exception of on-the-run Arisman who is represented by his wife, when drawing a set diagram, it would resemble a fried egg, UDD being the red yolk.

And of course, Thaksin holding the frying pan. Does that help your explanation?

Edited July 5, 2011 by OzMick

[whybother]

This puts into clear relief the BS that was the 'UDD = PTP' equation.

It is only now that the division becomes more apparent as before the election, PT needed the red shirt votes and the UDD wanted rid of the Dems. Anyone with unbiased views before the election would still have been able to realize that these two organizations are different beasts, but chose not to. Fair enough, it's just a game after all.

And just to confirm how muddy it all is:

Red-shirt Leader Warns against Internal Power Struggle

A red-shirt leader has warned that any internal struggle over Cabinet posts in the new government could damage both the red-shirt movement and the Pheu Thai Party.

Edited July 5, 2011 by whybother

[maidu]

No matter what your feeling are for Thaskin, we all agree he is a very smart cookie

If you define 'smart cookie' as' someone who has the best organization for funneling voting stipends to the masses, then ok, he qualifies. If a 'smart cookie' is one that promises the most money and most debt forgiveness/reduction to low income Thai masses, then ok, I guess Thaksin fits.

Problem being there is no red shirt with those qualifications who would be capable of holding a cabinet position.

'Qualifications' by western standards/definitions, are not a factor for deciding who gets the nod for Thai cabinet positions.

Qualifications, by Thai standards, are 'who you know' 'what social class do you represent' and/or 'who deserves what sorts of favors' or 'Did that person give a carton of Johnny Walker Black Label to the right person for the right occasion?'

Qualifications, Thai style, might also include who gave the year's membership to the prestigeous golf course (?), or who gave the complete golf club set (?)

Edited July 5, 2011 by maidu