New Political Phase Set To Begin; Thai Opinion

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

New political phase set to begin

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

A new political chapter has begun following yesterday's inauguration of the 24th House of Representatives and today will see legislators vote to elect Somsak Kiatsuranont as the new Speaker. At the same time he will become president of the Parliament.

By next week, Yingluck Shinawatra will have formally taken office as prime minister. At the same time Abhisit Vejjajiva looks set to lead the Democrat Party for a second term. He will also serve as opposition leader.

The policy debate is expected to take place no later than August 25, paving the way for Yingluck's government to assume office.

Even before stepping into Government House, Yingluck has already projected her style of leadership - getting work done with subtlety.

Over the weekend, Pheu Thai MP Apiwan Wiriyachai made an abrupt decision to withdraw from the race to be House speaker. With Apiwan out of the picture, Yingluck was spared from having to choose between him and Somsak.

Yingluck's "hatchet men" should be commended for convincing Apiwan to opt for a face-saving exit. The subtlety of letting friends down gently is expected to dominate next week's news when Yingluck will unveil her Cabinet.

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

The hard part is breaking the bad news to people who hoped to be in the Cabinet.

For Pheu Thai MPs, the consolation prizes will be advisory positions and seats in various legislative committees. There is still an unanswered question on how to the red shirts will be accommodated. The ruling party is obliged to find suitable assignments for "red" MPs left out of the Cabinet and unable to lead House committees due to lack of seniority.

Yingluck cannot afford to antagonise the red shirts if her government is to succeed in bringing about reconciliation.

The task of keeping the red shirts happy won't be easy. A few weeks ago Yingluck faced the wrath of a red clique led by fugitive Jakrapob Penkair, who reprimanded her for warning the reds not to intimidate the Election Commission into endorsing "red" MPs-elect.

One thorny issue for the new PM and the red shirts is the legal problem faced by red leader and MP-elect Jatuporn Promphan.

Jatuporn's qualification as a party-list MP has been questioned because he has been held in the Remand Prison since May. The Election Commission has two options - to disqualify him or endorse him with the condition that the House initiates a judicial review to clarify his suitability to be an MP.

Regardless of which option the EC takes, Jatuporn's legal battle is likely to be lengthy. In the event he is disqualified, the red shirts are expected to launch criminal action to sue the EC for a supposed lapse of duty. If he is allowed to take a seat in the House, he will also face a court battle.

Yingluck will have a tough time trying to rein in the red shirts without appearing to "short-change" Jatuporn.

It would be unfortunate for Pheu Thai if ties with their red allies sour over what happens to Jatuporn. The red shirts have campaigned vigorously against double standard in law enforcement. But would they compromise their principle in order to save their one of their top men?

More importantly, what will Yingluck do - or not do - to save Jatuporn?

-- The Nation 2011-08-02

[Thai at Heart]

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

Not to defend anyone, but is there any actual proof of this? If not, I can see a lawsuit brewing.

[hammered]

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

Not to defend anyone, but is there any actual proof of this? If not, I can see a lawsuit brewing.

Its like with the last government where Newin and Banharn were known to be power brokers. As long as none of them actually come out and declared it and kept it a little hidden from public view, it didnt matter even though everyone knew the reality. As long as Thaksin doesnt come out and say Im choosing the cabinet, it wont matter too. I dont think his ex-wife is banned so she can be as open or secret as she wants I guess.

The powerful elite on all sides of this game a relatively small in number in reality and the ones who can control and guide groups are only a handful, so reality will be they will continue to control from behiond the scenes. There are a few other banned ones who perform similar roles too.

[Thai at Heart]

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

Not to defend anyone, but is there any actual proof of this? If not, I can see a lawsuit brewing.

Its like with the last government where Newin and Banharn were known to be power brokers. As long as none of them actually come out and declared it and kept it a little hidden from public view, it didnt matter even though everyone knew the reality. As long as Thaksin doesnt come out and say Im choosing the cabinet, it wont matter too. I dont think his ex-wife is banned so she can be as open or secret as she wants I guess.

The powerful elite on all sides of this game a relatively small in number in reality and the ones who can control and guide groups are only a handful, so reality will be they will continue to control from behiond the scenes. There are a few other banned ones who perform similar roles too.

All very true. It is just that the newspapers complained like hell when Thaksin kept throwing lawsuits at them last time, which was a general threat on the freedom of the press. However, if the press make statements like this, they are simply inviting him or anyone else to throw some more at them.

I don't like the defamation laws in Thailand at all, but printing stuff like this just invites trouble.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Thai at Heart

[Samuian]

All very true. It is just that the newspapers complained like hell when Thaksin kept throwing lawsuits at them last time, which was a general threat on the freedom of the press. However, if the press make statements like this, they are simply inviting him or anyone else to throw some more at them.

I don't like the defamation laws in Thailand at all, but printing stuff like this just invites trouble.

"proof" of what? simply lean back and watch the show unfold.... it will be breathtaking again, promised!

[SomTumTiger]

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

Not to defend anyone, but is there any actual proof of this? If not, I can see a lawsuit brewing.

With what is known about these folks, I would say you the burden of proof should be on you, to show that it didn't happen. lol

[Siripon]

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

Not to defend anyone, but is there any actual proof of this? If not, I can see a lawsuit brewing.

With what is known about these folks, I would say you the burden of proof should be on you, to show that it didn't happen. lol

with their campaign slogan- Thaksin thinks, Pheua Thai does- there's no attempt to hide the real power broker.

[OzMick]

Pheu Thai insiders suspect the party's real powerbrokers - Yingluck, her brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, finalised their decisions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios about a week ago.

Not to defend anyone, but is there any actual proof of this? If not, I can see a lawsuit brewing.

Its like with the last government where Newin and Banharn were known to be power brokers. As long as none of them actually come out and declared it and kept it a little hidden from public view, it didnt matter even though everyone knew the reality. As long as Thaksin doesnt come out and say Im choosing the cabinet, it wont matter too. I dont think his ex-wife is banned so she can be as open or secret as she wants I guess.

The powerful elite on all sides of this game a relatively small in number in reality and the ones who can control and guide groups are only a handful, so reality will be they will continue to control from behiond the scenes. There are a few other banned ones who perform similar roles too.

All very true. It is just that the newspapers complained like hell when Thaksin kept throwing lawsuits at them last time, which was a general threat on the freedom of the press. However, if the press make statements like this, they are simply inviting him or anyone else to throw some more at them.

I don't like the defamation laws in Thailand at all, but printing stuff like this just invites trouble.

Problem is, he would have to come back to give evidence. Prisoner uniforms are VERY detrimental to a witnesses credibility.

[animatic]

More aptly a New Political Aphasia

is setting in shortly.