Big Brother Thaksin Simply Makes Life More Difficult For Yingluck

[webfact]

GUEST COLUMN

Big brother simply makes life more difficult for Yingluck

By Pavin Chachavalpongpun

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra certainly has many enemies.

They are waiting to see her stumble and make a mistake. As part of its main duty, the opposition Democrat Party is searching for ways to weaken the Pheu Thai-led government. Some anti-government individuals have launched their own propaganda campaign against Yingluck. Some label her a pretty, yet brainless, Barbie doll. Others call her a puppet of her brother, former prime minister Thaksin - which is to a certain extent true.

Some feminists criticise her for producing no policy that enhances the rights of women, despite her being the country's first female prime minister. Yet, many ruthless male leaders before Yingluck, including ex-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, got away with making no attempt to enhance female liberty.

The existing unequal rights between men and women in Thai society, as well as in politics, may explain why Yingluck could become the next target of "gender bullying". The sad reality is that many of the so-called Thai feminists have joined the bandwagon of male supremacy in attacking Yingluck.

Every day for Yingluck is a battle. Her enemies in the military might want to stage another coup to eradicate once and for all the supposed "Shinawatra germs" in politics. As the Thai judiciary has worked closely with the Bangkok elite, she might not escape from being overthrown in a judicial coup. Her other rivals in high places could also collaborate with both the Army and the judges in kicking her out of office, just as happened to Thaksin, Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat.

But all these threats are not the key point of this article. The real challenge for Yingluck, ironically, stems from within her own family - her beloved, self-exiled, fugitive brother.

Undoubtedly, Yingluck is Thaksin's clone. And the two Shinawatras have never actually denied this fact. During the election campaign, Pheu Thai supporters received a clear message: electing Yingluck was like purchasing a buy-one-get-one-free product - they would get Thaksin, too. So it is fair to say that the Pheu Thai election victory owed much to Thaksin's remaining popularity among his diehard fans in far-flung regions.

But even after the Pheu Thai-led government was formed, Thaksin has refused to withdraw from his manipulating position. It would be naive to believe that Yingluck handpicked all the ministers to serve in her Cabinet. Although Yingluck announced loudly to the media, "My Cabinet was made in Thailand", it still seems obvious that the instruction was written in Dubai or Montenegro.

Yingluck failed to explain succinctly why Surapong Tovichakchaikul was selected as the new foreign minister. Why did she pick an engineer to serve as a diplomat? Or was it because Surapong is her cousin?

A culture of nepotism was prevalent during the Thaksin years from 2001-2006. Would it be accurate to conclude that it was Thaksin who placed Surapong in this crucial ministerial post?

The Thaksin threat loomed large since he decided to embark on a world tour at the expense of his sister's government being challenged by her enemies. Controversy surrounded Thaksin's visit to Japan, so severely that the opposition moved to impeach Surapong for helping a criminal to get an entry permit to a foreign country.

In many ways, his trip to Japan last week revealed the same old Thaksin. He has been an impatient man. The objective of his Japan trip was mainly about his political redemption, so as to show the world that he had been a legitimate leader. More importantly, it was also construed as a slap in the face for the traditional elite who, after all this time, continue to hunt him down and block his entry to foreign countries. Thaksin surely enjoyed the last laugh.

Thaksin's high-profile visit to Japan, which included travelling to the areas badly hit by the recent quake and tsunami in Miyaki prefecture, holding talks with leading Japanese politicians and businessmen, and giving lectures to a number of institutions and the Foreign Correspondents' Club, was meant to announce that he was indeed the de facto prime minister of Thailand.

Should Thaksin discuss politics and business with Japanese leaders and offer his opinion on how Thai-Japanese relations could be improved?

Thaksin holds no official political position. Why would he want to overshadow his sister's government, which only just assumed power less than a month before? If Yingluck is eager to see Thaksin playing such role, she must appoint him in an official position. But can she proceed with this without a resounding protest from Thaksin's adversaries?

If this is all about Thaksin's political redemption, then he has proven yet again that he is a selfish man. With Thaksin lurking in the shadows, Yingluck is already finding it immensely difficult to overcome her foes at home. The attempted political homecoming of Thaksin has unfortunately added another layer of difficulty for Yingluck to carry out her political missions.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a fellow at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Follow Pavin at www.facebook/pavinchachavalpongpun.

-- The Nation 2011-08-31

[OzMick]

" The sad reality is that many of the so-called Thai feminists have joined the bandwagon of male supremacy in attacking Yingluck."

This shows little understanding of the feminist movement which desires women to be recognized for their abilities, not their family connections. The reality is not sad, it's just that this does nothing to advance, and quite a bit to retard, their cause.

Having a female PM may well be one of their goals, but not when she is a self-professed "clone" - a puppet for a fugitive criminal.

[jalansanitwong]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for her ? She has become super rich because of her brother and no doubt will continue in the years ahead. All sorts of rumours are flying around about enormous sums of money changing hands in various gov depts into the pockets of guess who ????Thailand belongs to the richest families in this country .. No-one else.

[Ayutthaya69]

" The sad reality is that many of the so-called Thai feminists have joined the bandwagon of male supremacy in attacking Yingluck."

This shows little understanding of the feminist movement which desires women to be recognized for their abilities, not their family connections. The reality is not sad, it's just that this does nothing to advance, and quite a bit to retard, their cause.

Having a female PM may well be one of their goals, but not when she is a self-professed "clone" - a puppet for a fugitive criminal.

another Puppet thats it

[webfact]

CP Group Dhanin Chearavanont is the richest Thai, according to Forbes while ousted PM Thaksin is ranked 19 in the list. (via @chalao_k) /via@veen_NT

[MILT]

" The sad reality is that many of the so-called Thai feminists have joined the bandwagon of male supremacy in attacking Yingluck."

This shows little understanding of the feminist movement which desires women to be recognized for their abilities, not their family connections. The reality is not sad, it's just that this does nothing to advance, and quite a bit to retard, their cause.

Having a female PM may well be one of their goals, but not when she is a self-professed "clone" - a puppet for a fugitive criminal.

and may I add not only her fugitive brother but a man as well.

[devaram]

She is a rich barbie doll.

[moe666]

There is a pitcure of Big T next to the word narcicist in the dictionary.

[gemini81]

There is a pitcure of Big T next to the word narcicist in the dictionary.

They deserve all of the stress that they have brought upon themselves. Being neurotic, rich, and in control means exerting a lot of energy...(and hot air in their cases).... Karma: plase wreak havoc upon these two!

Edited August 31, 2011 by gemini81

[kraplung]

Any criticism of Yingluck should be expected in view of the facts. She is a political novice who has been put in place by puppetmaster Thaksin because she is one of the few people he can actually trust........ hence all the undated signed resignation letters sitting in his desk. She has to earn respect.

The only way she will ever free herself of this image is if she is allowed to do the job she now has. But that won't happen.

[renaissanc]

I think that the "elites" are just waiting for the inevitable street demonstrations and violent opposition by the Red Shrits to start and get out of control, which the will. Then Thaksin will be thrown out again.

[lannarebirth]

I think that the "elites" are just waiting for the inevitable street demonstrations and violent opposition by the Red Shrits to start and get out of control, which the will. Then Thaksin will be thrown out again.

Sure, and then you'll wish the Democrats had never left, because even though the Army realizes they are inept at governing, they'll not be relinquishing power so swiftly next time.

[YellowFeverCAD]

CP Group Dhanin Chearavanont is the richest Thai, according to Forbes while ousted PM Thaksin is ranked 19 in the list. (via @chalao_k) /via@veen_NT

Thank god he is 19 this proves once and for all he is one of the working class and not an Elite as so many here claim...