What's Behind Abhisit's Olive Branch To Yingluck?: Thai Talk

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THAI TALK

What's behind Abhisit's olive branch to Yingluck?

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

Frankly, I don't really get it. But political logic has apparently turned upside down with the ongoing flood crisis.

Premier Yingluck Shinawatra has thanked opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for publicly advising her not to resign over problems related to the management of the flood disaster.

This came after calls from some quarters - especially a group of Chulalongkorn University lecturers, collecting signatures - demanding that the prime minister show her sense of responsibility by handing in her resignation. They charged that she had failed in the management of the crisis and that the inundation should have been handled in a more efficient way. In other words, they were accusing her of lacking the ability to govern, especially in a crisis.

Of course, one would have expected her political rivals to take the initiative and call for her resignation. But that's not the case. A group of senators who are known to be her critics came up with an interesting creative strategy: They were in agreement that the prime minister wasn't up to the task; "But she can't resign because, by quitting, she would be shirking her responsibility."

It wasn't too long ago that a politician would step down in order to take responsibility for what the public considered to be his or her blunder, inefficiency or misstep. But in this particular case, that "common practice" doesn't apply. Her political detractors say she must show responsibility by staying on. If she is allowed to go, these senators argue, it would be tantamount to allowing a prime minister to be let off the hook too easily.

Abhisit's stand was even more intriguing. Soon after some academics and senators issued public calls for Yingluck's ouster, the opposition leader, who had kept pressure on the government every step of the way, went on the record as saying: "No, the prime minister should not resign while the situation remains fluid."

Whether Yingluck was taken aback by this unexpected statement from Abhisit or not, she was quick to express her public appreciation. "I must thank the opposition leader for his constructive attitude. We should be working together to overcome the crisis the country is facing."

Then came Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who publicly thanked Abhisit for his cooperation with the government. "Khun Abhisit is a good example of constructive politics. Whenever he encountered a problem in the flood relief effort in any part of the country, he would call to inform us about the obstacle so that we could fix the problem," he reported.

Abhisit's apparent cosy relationship with Yingluck, however, hasn't been reflected in the working relationship beween the premier and Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who of course is a key member of the opposition Democrat Party. The central government and Bangkok administration have yet to overcome the barriers that have kept them apart, thereby contributing to the deterioration of the flood situation in the capital.

In fact, there were even rumblings within Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party that if the governor persisted in his "stubborn hubris", the premier could well exercise her right under the law to sack him. However, the leaked discussion of this sore point didn't push the governor or the Democrat leader into a fury, as would have been the case under normal circumstances. Governor Sukhumbhand, in fact, took it in stride, so much so that he even joked about it.

Asked by a reporter whether that threat represented an attempt to "saw off the legs of [his] chair" - a Thai political expression meaning an attempt to oust him from power - the governor responded with a light-hearted answer: "I don't mind. If they sawed off the legs of my chair, I could always work sitting on the floor."

Did Abhisit's friendly gesture to Premier Yingluck stem from the fact that even if he could engineer a move to oust her, his Democrat Party doesn't have enough votes in Parliament to return him as prime minister anyway?

That may be a partial answer to the puzzling reaction. But a more credible answer may be in what a political pundit suggested, not exactly in jest: "Abhisit wants Yingluck to remain prime minister because he knows that her possible replacement could be much worse for the opposition."

That's real enlightenment for me.

-- The Nation 2011-11-17

[Ricardo]

Perhaps she'll phone him now, to ask for his continued-support or advice during the ongoing national-disaster, or perhaps she'll be too busy avoiding knowing about her Cabinet's secret-meeting, to bring her brother back.

[ThaiOats]

Maybe Abhisit does have reasoning instead of insatiable rage like the Red shirts? He's been diplomatic ever since he lost the election, putting in constructive criticisms here and there while people accuse him of being a sore loser.

[sparebox2]

Because they both have a common enemy. Sondhi Lim,

[slapout]

The longer the PM is in the public eye and giving opinions, press releases, and other antics, she may be seen as doing more good for the opposition than any other factor. Pressuring a woman, is conceded by many as not the best way to accomplish what you want, instead give them enough rope and they eventually hang themselves.

[FWIW]

The longer the PM is in the public eye and giving opinions, press releases, and other antics, she may be seen as doing more good for the opposition than any other factor. Pressuring a woman, is conceded by many as not the best way to accomplish what you want, instead give them enough rope and they eventually hang themselves.

I would have said that "give them enough rope" is exactly what is going on here.

I would have thought Abhisit want Yingluck firmly in the top job when big brother comes back.

Edited November 17, 2011 by FWIW

[siamdivers]

Because they both have a common enemy. Sondhi Lim,

Yep! Thanks for getting to the heart of the matter.

[hellodolly]

Not that familiar with the way Thai politics work.

If she was to step down then who would Thaksin put in to replace her"?

Should it not go to a vote again for to not do so would be exactly what the red shirts said was wrong with the Democrats ruling.:jap:

[hearditallbefore]

Easy. She is in charge of the 500 billion baht flood recovery fund and he, and several other politicians, will be forming businesses to get their share. They will all be sweet mouth/sour butt , "pak wan/gon preow" trying to get the loot. As a side question, how many of you expats that got flooded out recieved, or think you will recieve any of it? Please let us know if you do. I was told the minimum payment was 5000 baht per household. I wasn't flooded out, just curious.

[Cayenne]

Maybe Abhisit does have reasoning instead of insatiable rage like the Red shirts? He's been diplomatic ever since he lost the election, putting in constructive criticisms here and there while people accuse him of being a sore loser.

When I think of sore losers I think of the PTP when they were in opposition- doing absolutely nothing constructive in parliament to serve as a check and balance to the AV government. Unless, you count bringing all those red shirts into Bangkok and burning buildings as "constructive".

[HAL9000]

What olive branch? He's been dogging her throughout the entire flood process including threatening to have her removed from office. She has tried to work in a spirit of non-partisan cooperation while he has taken every opportunity for a pot shot.

He ought to be grateful she came in with a spirit of reconciliation, otherwise he would be sitting in jail for the massacres last year. Besides, he can blame himself for the decaying infrastructure and tangled web of managing agencies he left her to work with.

No man-made defenses could have coped with the amount of water that came down the chute anyway. This is just dirty Democrat politics as usual.

Edited November 17, 2011 by jkolak

[billd766]

If I remember correctly any PTP minister had to resign his parliamentary seat and sign a letter for Thaksin that if he lost his job or resigned he was no longer an MP.

If a PTP party list MP were to resign then an election would not be required as there are others waiting in the wings.

If Thaksin were to return how long do you think it might be before an MP "resigns" and a party list vacancy appears?

After all the current PM is only a party list MP.

[whybother]

If I remember correctly any PTP minister had to resign his parliamentary seat and sign a letter for Thaksin that if he lost his job or resigned he was no longer an MP.

If a PTP party list MP were to resign then an election would not be required as there are others waiting in the wings.

If Thaksin were to return how long do you think it might be before an MP "resigns" and a party list vacancy appears?

After all the current PM is only a party list MP.

Thaksin isn't on the party list, so it doesn't matter how many resign. The only way he could get in is if he stood in a by-election.

[whybother]

What olive branch? He's been dogging her throughout the entire flood process including threatening to have her removed from office. She has tried to work in a spirit of non-partisan cooperation while he has taken every opportunity for a pot shot.

He ought to be grateful she came in with a spirit of reconciliation, otherwise he would be sitting in jail for the massacres last year. Besides, he can blame himself for the decaying infrastructure and tangled web of managing agencies he left her to work with.

No man-made defenses could have coped with the amount of water that came down the chute anyway. This is just dirty Democrat politics as usual.

Are you suggesting that Yingluck stalled investigations into red shirt and army deaths just so Abhisit wouldn't go to jail? I'm sure the red shirts would love to know that.

You're expecting Abhisit to be a miracle worker if you think he could have fixed "the decaying infrastructure and tangled web of managing agencies" in the couple of years he had at the helm. Why was it decaying and tangled? Thaksin (and proxies) had spent 6 of the previous 7 years in power. Didn't they fix everything?

edit: In addition to that, the PTP did a similar thing last year getting the NACC to investigate Abhisit after the floods. But that's just dirty PTP politics as usual.

Edited November 17, 2011 by whybother

[BlueTerrace]

Easy- peasy! With Yingluck in power, his stocks rise.

[FOODLOVER]

I think i understand, you can clearly see that his left hand is hiding something. I prefer the term "Tallywhacker" but "Olive branch" is ok too, i guess.

[udonguy]

What olive branch? He's been dogging her throughout the entire flood process including threatening to have her removed from office. She has tried to work in a spirit of non-partisan cooperation while he has taken every opportunity for a pot shot.

He ought to be grateful she came in with a spirit of reconciliation, otherwise he would be sitting in jail for the massacres last year. Besides, he can blame himself for the decaying infrastructure and tangled web of managing agencies he left her to work with.

No man-made defenses could have coped with the amount of water that came down the chute anyway. This is just dirty Democrat politics as usual.

spot on

[wxyz]

"It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything."

Joseph Stalin

[anterian]

Perhaps he sees the returnhj of Thaksin as inevitable and is just covering his arse.

[animatic]

Maybe Abhisit does have reasoning instead of insatiable rage like the Red shirts? He's been diplomatic ever since he lost the election, putting in constructive criticisms here and there while people accuse him of being a sore loser.

I doubt the sore lose bit has much traction, but the fact that her resigning means the chair is open to someone truly amoral and odious taking the seats is a logical reason to want her to remain for the moment. The phrase "while the situation is still fluid" is a VERY interesting choice of words. I think they want to remove the more incompetence players around her for well. incompetence and keep her as diminished figure head.

[animatic]

What olive branch? He's been dogging her throughout the entire flood process including threatening to have her removed from office. She has tried to work in a spirit of non-partisan cooperation while he has taken every opportunity for a pot shot.

He ought to be grateful she came in with a spirit of reconciliation, otherwise he would be sitting in jail for the massacres last year. Besides, he can blame himself for the decaying infrastructure and tangled web of managing agencies he left her to work with.

No man-made defenses could have coped with the amount of water that came down the chute anyway. This is just dirty Democrat politics as usual.

spot on

Hardly.

Doesn't even hit the barn, let alone the paper target or bullseye.

He's the opposition leader he has taken fair comment on affairs of the day as is HIS JOB as Opposition and Shadow Government leader.

And MUCH more fair shots than PTP's utter ridiculousness in opposition.

Edited November 18, 2011 by animatic

[animatic]

If I remember correctly any PTP minister had to resign his parliamentary seat and sign a letter for Thaksin that if he lost his job or resigned he was no longer an MP.

If a PTP party list MP were to resign then an election would not be required as there are others waiting in the wings.

If Thaksin were to return how long do you think it might be before an MP "resigns" and a party list vacancy appears?

After all the current PM is only a party list MP.

Thaksin isn't on the party list, so it doesn't matter how many resign. The only way he could get in is if he stood in a by-election.

Which he could easily buy.

But the way to be a party list person is because the PARTY ADDS YOU TO THE LIST. How do you think Yingluck went from rank and file ,not even an MP candidate ever, and voila, top #1 guaranteed seat in Parliament?

Then, it only takes the person one seat above Thaksin to then resign and he his instantly a rep[lacement MP. Then Yingluck resigns and the PTP votes Thaksin in as PM.

The non list MP's visited Thaksin and handed him signed resignation papers... Why?

Because if they say or do ANYTHING he doesn't like, he waves the papers in public and they go back to the rice fields broke and in disgrace. Likely something similar is in place with party list players too.

Edited November 18, 2011 by animatic

[whybother]

Which he could easily buy.

But the way to be a party list person is because the PARTY ADDS YOU TO THE LIST. How do you think Yingluck went from rank and file ,not even an MP candidate ever, and voila, top #1 guaranteed seat in Parliament?

Then, it only takes the person one seat above Thaksin to then resign and he his instantly a rep[lacement MP. Then Yingluck resigns and the PTP votes Thaksin in as PM.

The non list MP's visited Thaksin and handed him signed resignation papers... Why?

Because if they say or do ANYTHING he doesn't like, he waves the papers in public and they go back to the rice fields broke and in disgrace. Likely something similar is in place with party list players too.

I don't know if someone can be added to the party list, or the party list changed, after it's been submitted at the time of the election. Even if someone could be added, they would probably be added to the end of the list. Last count (with minister resignations) PTP were up to about 67, so they'd need to go through 58 more to get to the end of the 125 that had been submitted to the EC.

[Chris Lawrence]

Ah, so this is how he is paying life insurance!

[lannarebirth]

If I remember correctly any PTP minister had to resign his parliamentary seat and sign a letter for Thaksin that if he lost his job or resigned he was no longer an MP.

If a PTP party list MP were to resign then an election would not be required as there are others waiting in the wings.

If Thaksin were to return how long do you think it might be before an MP "resigns" and a party list vacancy appears?

After all the current PM is only a party list MP.

Thaksin isn't on the party list, so it doesn't matter how many resign. The only way he could get in is if he stood in a by-election.

Which he could easily buy.

But the way to be a party list person is because the PARTY ADDS YOU TO THE LIST. How do you think Yingluck went from rank and file ,not even an MP candidate ever, and voila, top #1 guaranteed seat in Parliament?

Then, it only takes the person one seat above Thaksin to then resign and he his instantly a rep[lacement MP. Then Yingluck resigns and the PTP votes Thaksin in as PM.

The non list MP's visited Thaksin and handed him signed resignation papers... Why?

Because if they say or do ANYTHING he doesn't like, he waves the papers in public and they go back to the rice fields broke and in disgrace. Likely something similar is in place with party list players too.

For the answers to these and more interesting questions you're going to want to reserve your copy of Yingluck's new biography, Vol. I.

I really like how they whited her name out on the cover.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Yinglucks-bio-booklet-makes-the-scene-at-Asean-Sum-30170158.html

Edited November 18, 2011 by lannarebirth

[sparebox2]

Not unusal for politicians to be in bed together (not literally). You scratch my back, I scratch yours,

Edited November 18, 2011 by sparebox2

[coastalmatty]

And Hijakking the airport was constructive!!!!!!

[whybother]

And Hijakking the airport was constructive!!!!!!

Rather than Destructive.

[animatic]

Which he could easily buy.

But the way to be a party list person is because the PARTY ADDS YOU TO THE LIST. How do you think Yingluck went from rank and file ,not even an MP candidate ever, and voila, top #1 guaranteed seat in Parliament?

Then, it only takes the person one seat above Thaksin to then resign and he his instantly a rep[lacement MP. Then Yingluck resigns and the PTP votes Thaksin in as PM.

The non list MP's visited Thaksin and handed him signed resignation papers... Why?

Because if they say or do ANYTHING he doesn't like, he waves the papers in public and they go back to the rice fields broke and in disgrace. Likely something similar is in place with party list players too.

I don't know if someone can be added to the party list, or the party list changed, after it's been submitted at the time of the election. Even if someone could be added, they would probably be added to the end of the list. Last count (with minister resignations) PTP were up to about 67, so they'd need to go through 58 more to get to the end of the 125 that had been submitted to the EC.

His secretary writing, and his checkbook or promise, would go through those 58 in a long morning of paper work and hand shaking. If their deal is better to drop being a MP candidate, they will bow and scrape,

all the way to the bank.

Edited November 18, 2011 by animatic