The Government: Thaksin's Front Line

[webfact]

2011 CABINET ALIASES

The government: Thaksin's Front Line

The government has taken up the role of representative of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is living in exile - with much of its work aimed at helping him.

In return, Thaksin has originated or watched over much of its work, even in setting up the Cabinet line-up. Many foreign trips of government members or officers have been to countries where Thaksin has either been present or recently visited.

Quote of the year:

"The falling tears didn’t come from weakness. Other people cannot understand; it is the 'in' feeling."

- PM Yingluck

Cabinet members:

_ Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra: "Parrot PM"

Yingluck is the bird Thaksin raised in a golden cage and taught to speak repeatedly the messages he wants while avoiding talking politics.

_ Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit: "Grocery Tuxedo" Yongyuth patiently stays with the Pheu Thai Party while Thaksin rewards him with positions. He has a good personality and is a gentleman. However, he has no clearer achievement than being at the PM’s side at all times.

_ Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung: "Kumarnthong Kanong Suek" (War-enjoying Kumarnthong)

"Kumarnthong" is a naughty child ghost kept in control by a shaman as a servant. He can do things visibly or invisibly. Many times, in whispers, Chalerm has told others what to say according to their designated role. Meanwhile, this active minister has been assigned to take on many important tasks - just like a warlord.

_ Justice Minister Pol General Pracha Promnok: "Stray Eagle"

As a police officer, Pracha is known as the "Eagle of the Northeast". Besides being appointed as justice minister, Pracha was assigned director of the Flood Relief Operations Centre, which was far from his expertise. He was then seen as an eagle who had flown astray.

_ Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul: "Peung Pao Pae" (Peung the perfect target)

Playing with the sound of his nickname "Peung", the alias also stresses that he can do all the tasks designed to help Thaksin, including re-issuing a Thai passport for him, and the transfer of ambassadors known to be on the other side.

_ Deputy Prime Minister Pol General Kowit Wattana: "The Wrench"

This capable but quiet minister keeps his tongue tied, especially with reporters. He was the first border patrol police officer to become national police chief.

_ Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong: "Puleng Nong"

Playing with the sound of the name of King Burengnong - the word "puleng", which means running or travelling awkwardly here and there, is combined with the word "nong", which means overflow - a comment on his performance as commerce minister, in which he had to go here and there to promote the economy, while he cried when visiting a flooded industrial estate.

_ Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan: "Spilling idea"

Pichai is very good at proposing ideas, but they have never been implemented. He is very often seen standing behind the PM in the media but his achievement has not been recognised.

_ Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut: "Kongbae Theera" once said that even Kongming - the great strategist of the Three Kingdoms - could not solve Thailand's flood problems. Theera himself, the only minister who was also in the Abhisit Vejjajiva Cabinet, provides "all kinds of services" for Chart Thai Pattana de facto leader Banharn Silapa-archa. Therefore he is called a "bae" or a servant.

_ Science and Technology Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee: "Phi Joh Plod" Plodprasob’s name is combined with a Thai saying, "phi joh pak" - which means speaking inconsiderately, as if possessed by a ghost - a reference to Plodprasob’s telling people prematurely to evacuate in the face of flood waters, which panicked Bangkok residents in the early days of FROC's work after he joined it.

-- The Nation 2011-12-27

[webfact]

Yingluck smiles at her "Parrot PM" alias

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave a smile and declined to comment on her alias of "Parrot PM" given to her by Government House reporters.

"I've learned about it," she said shortly, smiled and walked away to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting when reporters asked her to comment on her alias.

Government House reporters compared Yingluck to a parrot Thaksin raised in a golden cage and taught to speak repeatedly the messages he wants while avoiding talking politics.

-- The Nation 2011-12-27

[tragickingdom]

Luckily for the Nation press freedom will gradually improve after their Royalists, Army and Democrat friends ruled like de facto dictators. There are hardly any arrests anymore on lese majeste (unless they have been brought already by the Abhisit government) there are no community stations that are shut down anymore and even the Nation can rattle on with their nonsense stories without anyone telling them that it is an insane biased newspaper.

Good luck for most of us thus that the new government is the font line of most of us. They only have to dow away with the silly office investigating web posts, but that is also something that the Nation is whole heartedly behind.

[webfact]

Yingluck Welcomes "Parrot PM" Moniker

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declined to comment on the nickname "parrot" that was given to her by Government House reporters.

Meanwhile, the science minister also shrugged off the less than complementary nickname given to him saying he spoke only the truth.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra started off her work with a meeting with representatives from various health-related groups, celebrities and disabled students.

They hope to create awareness for the campaign encouraging Thais to spend the New Year's eve praying at Sanam Luang.

The slogan of the campaign urges Thais to spend their New Year's eve praying to mark a new chapter of life and the New Year.

Reporters took the opportunity to ask the premier what she thought about being dubbed as "parrot" by the reporters on the Government House beat.

Yingluck merely said she's aware of the nickname and quickly walked away.

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, on the other hand, embraced his nickname of "Kong Bae".

He thanked the reporters for giving him the nickname for it is the first time he's been given a nickname while he's in office.

Theera denied the nickname reflected his achievement as the agriculture minister.

He responded by saying that several of the projects that were implemented during his term as agriculture minister were initiated by him.

He added that if he were truly lacking as minister, the Dusit Poll wouldn't have named the Agriculture Ministry as the ministry with the most outstanding achievements.

The name "Kong Bae" is a play of word from "Kong Beng".

Kong Beng is known in the western world as Confucius, the character of a brilliant strategist in the world famous Chinese literature of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

However, the nickname "Kong Bae" reflects Theera's role as the subordinate of Chart Thai Pattana Party's de factor leader, Banharn Silapa-archa.

Another minister who has accepted the reporters' nickname with good humor is Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi.

Plodprasop is being dubbed as "Pi Joh Plod", a play of word from his name.

He was given the nickname when he created a citywide panic after he told Bangkok residents to evacuate prematurely when floods first hit the city.

The minister said he was only speaking the truth when he told the residents to evacuate.

Plodprasop also added he'll continue to speak the truth and do his job as a true representative of the people.

Plodprasop also shrugged off the nickname that was given for the entire Pheu Thai government coalition.

The reporters on Government House beat gave the government the nickname of "Thaksin Suan Na", liking it to the frontline command center of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Plodprasop said Thaksin played a significant role in setting up the previous reincarnations of the Pheu Thai Party such as the Thai Rak Thai and People Power Party.

He said there's nothing wrong about listening to and heeding advices from Thaksin.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-27

[phiphidon]

So is Yingluck a "Parrot" or the "Shell of a Red Crab" - The public demands to know.

It can only be , can't it, surely not a genuine article from a Bangkok based English language newspaper.

Obviously run out of new ways of printing articles about the floods and calling the government incompetent - that Suan Dusit poll must have hit them harder than I thought..................

[webfact]

POLITICS

FM honoured at being "perfect target"

The Nation

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul on Tuesday welcomed the alias given to him by Government beat reporters, saying he felt honoured at being one of the cabinet members picked for the list.

Surapong's alias was "Peung Pao pae" or Peung, meaning the perfect target. Playing with the sound of his nickname "Peung", the alias stresses that he can do all the tasks designed to help Thaksin, including re-issuing a Thai passport for him, and transferring ambassadors known to be on the other side.

"I welcome the alias and have no problem about it. I feel honoured. The reporters have their own views. I do however believe that I have done useful works as I adhere to the righteous path. I have never done anything that goes beyond my authority," he said.

The minister claimed that his work has been carried out for the benefit and interests of the country.

During his four months as foreign minister, Surapong has been harshly criticised for focusing on seeking ways and means to bring home the fugitive former prime minister.

He recently revoked the passport ban on Thaksin, issuing him with a new passport to replace the one cancelled by the Abhisit government.

-- The Nation 2011-12-27

[webfact]

NEW YEAR'S ALIAS

No comment from 'PM parrot'

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday declined to react to the alias given to her by government beat reporters.

Speaking before attending the Cabinet meeting, Yingluck just smiled and said she had already learnt about it. She then walked away from the group.

The reporters called Yingluck "Parrot PM," explaining that Yingluck is the bird her brother, Thaksin, raised in a golden cage and taught to repeat the messages he wants to convey while avoiding talking politics.

-- The Nation 2011-12-27

[VoterPower]

Well done Yingluk, just laugh at your detractors You were elected by the voters, they were not..

It will be the voters who give their verdict on you , in 4 years time.

Then after that, in another 4 years time.

Thats what will matter, not the rubbish in the Nation or the Bangkok Post, or the rest of the slanted media.

[lannarebirth]

Well done Yingluk, just laugh at your detractors You were elected by the voters, they were not..

It will be the voters who give their verdict on you , in 4 years time.

Then after that, in another 4 years time.

Thats what will matter, not the rubbish in the Nation or the Bangkok Post, or the rest of the slanted media.

One doesn't need a byline to spot a Thanong article. They're always guaranteed to bring out the liars and apologists however. BTW. what was your previous user name?

[tukkytuktuk]

I remember the science minister telling everyone to evacuate. Loud speakers in the street I live in came alive with people the village headsmen urging everyone to evacute immediately. Sirens were sounded aswell for about 10 minutes. It scared the heck out of me. I decided in the end to wait and see what happened as it was dry outside, no sign of a flood. The next day no flood outside, infact no water at all. So I thought, this blokes got it all wrong, hes panicing. We listened to the Tv and radio reports and checked the internet for news on the flooding. I found that this science minister was mis-informed and had it all wrong and not to worry. This slowed me down, I was before movong everything from the ground floor up to the highest floor until then. So I waited, watched the tv, looked at the internet, even downloaded sattelite photos to try and understand what might happen a bit like what they were doing on the morning news on Thai Tv. I found a website google maps with flood updates marked on a map and found Thaivisa.com with "Where is the flooding now?" thread.

[tukkytuktuk]

The flooding forced me and my family to evacutate just like millions of others. But the point Im trying to make is this. The science minister got it spot on when he told everyone to evacuate. Why wasn't this information that he got from the government, immediately explained to the Bangkok people? This guy knew what was going to happen and was told to shut up and apologise to the public by the government. I could have moved alot more possesions upstairs if I'd known what the science minister was saying was true. There were alot of bad decisions made during the pre flood stage. Decisions that if made correctly could have saved alot of money, jobs and maybe lives. Apart from calling cabinet ministers silly nicknames can we seriously find out why while the government knew the full extent of the flooding in Bangkok, Why it chose to inform cabinet ministers, who then told the public, but then retract that information, vital information and tell the minister to apoligise and say its not true.

[americaninbangkok]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday declined to react to the alias given to her by government beat reporters.

Speaking before attending the Cabinet meeting, Yingluck just smiled and said she had already learnt about it. She then walked away from the group.

Awww... at least she just walked away and didn't cry.

Edited December 27, 2011 by americaninbangkok

[VoterPower]

Well done Yingluk, just laugh at your detractors You were elected by the voters, they were not..

It will be the voters who give their verdict on you , in 4 years time.

Then after that, in another 4 years time.

Thats what will matter, not the rubbish in the Nation or the Bangkok Post, or the rest of the slanted media.

One doesn't need a byline to spot a Thanong article. They're always guaranteed to bring out the liars and apologists however. BTW. what was your previous user name?

The PAD variety, does that include you?

No matter, the voters have chosen their legitimate government, live with it.

[lannarebirth]

Well done Yingluk, just laugh at your detractors You were elected by the voters, they were not..

It will be the voters who give their verdict on you , in 4 years time.

Then after that, in another 4 years time.

Thats what will matter, not the rubbish in the Nation or the Bangkok Post, or the rest of the slanted media.

One doesn't need a byline to spot a Thanong article. They're always guaranteed to bring out the liars and apologists however. BTW. what was your previous user name?

The PAD variety, does that include you?

No matter, the voters have chosen their legitimate government, live with it.

I don't follow you. Please clarify. Thanks.

[Siam Simon]

Well done Yingluk, just laugh at your detractors You were elected by the voters, they were not..

It will be the voters who give their verdict on you , in 4 years time.

Then after that, in another 4 years time.

Thats what will matter, not the rubbish in the Nation or the Bangkok Post, or the rest of the slanted media.

One doesn't need a byline to spot a Thanong article. They're always guaranteed to bring out the liars and apologists however. BTW. what was your previous user name?

Thanong always brings out the belly laughs for me. Doesn't he for every sane person?

[MAJIC]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

Edited December 27, 2011 by MAJIC

[Siam Simon]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

This is an article in The Nation. Get real.

[wxyz]

so says the thaksin madam proxy, or ms Oz

ms Wizard of Oz: "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)

Edited December 27, 2011 by wxyz

[OzMick]

Luckily for the Nation press freedom will gradually improve after their Royalists, Army and Democrat friends ruled like de facto dictators. There are hardly any arrests anymore on lese majeste (unless they have been brought already by the Abhisit government) there are no community stations that are shut down anymore and even the Nation can rattle on with their nonsense stories without anyone telling them that it is an insane biased newspaper.

Good luck for most of us thus that the new government is the font line of most of us. They only have to dow away with the silly office investigating web posts, but that is also something that the Nation is whole heartedly behind.

PTP's commitment to press freedom was demonstrated by the attempt to reinstate press licences.

"... the new government is the font line of most of us." I suspected that you may have been baptized into the red brotherhood. Do they use blood for the ceremony?

[OzMick]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

This is an article in The Nation. Get real.

Do you any proof that the Nation story is inaccurate or biased? Could the bias be your own?

[Siam Simon]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

This is an article in The Nation. Get real.

Do you any proof that the Nation story is inaccurate or biased? Could the bias be your own?

[MAJIC]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

This is an article in The Nation. Get real.

As a dismissive reply,a very poor effort,Simon!

Edited December 27, 2011 by MAJIC

[Siam Simon]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

This is an article in The Nation. Get real.

As a dismissive reply,a very poor effort,Simon!

MAJIC (and everyone else), please re-read the OP. It isn't, nor does it attempt to be a serious piece of reporage. It's just a p1sstake of the current govenment, and one that is actually quite funny and close to the bone in places.

[VoterPower]

The main problem of being a "Parrot PM" as named by the Thai Media,is that Parrots don't speak too much,and when they do it's the same old repetitive,dialogue. So aptly named by the Media.

Who have obviously lost any respect for her,that they may have had,but even having any respect in the first place,appears to be extremely unlikely.

Who cares what they think, everyone knows they only print PAD propoganda, see for yourself. .

The PTP Coalition government trounced the Nation and Bangkok Post's reporters sad representatives in the last election

And the'll trounce them again in 4 years time.

Playground reporters calling the teacher names, Yingluk is an international statesperson now, read the real media and see for yourself

[alanferdi]

Well done Yingluk, just laugh at your detractors You were elected by the voters, they were not..

It will be the voters who give their verdict on you , in 4 years time.

Then after that, in another 4 years time.

Thats what will matter, not the rubbish in the Nation or the Bangkok Post, or the rest of the slanted media.

One doesn't need a byline to spot a Thanong article. They're always guaranteed to bring out the liars and apologists however. BTW. what was your previous user name?

The PAD variety, does that include you?

No matter, the voters have chosen their legitimate government, live with it.

I don't follow you. Please clarify. Thanks.

The voters did not understand the difference between IPAD and EyePad. They have partial vision now

[Siripon]

Luckily for the Nation press freedom will gradually improve after their Royalists, Army and Democrat friends ruled like de facto dictators. There are hardly any arrests anymore on lese majeste (unless they have been brought already by the Abhisit government) there are no community stations that are shut down anymore and even the Nation can rattle on with their nonsense stories without anyone telling them that it is an insane biased newspaper.

Good luck for most of us thus that the new government is the font line of most of us. They only have to dow away with the silly office investigating web posts, but that is also something that the Nation is whole heartedly behind.

These nicknames were given by Thai reporters and journalists, they're in every Thai newspaper. The Nation and Bangkok Post have merely translated them.

[Mitker]

...Yingluk is an international statesperson now, read the real media and see for yourself

"international", obviously since she's the PM of a recognized country. Self-promotion trip to Myanmar not needed.

"stateperson"?? Doesn't this word refer to someone who demonstrates some kind of concern for the state?, let's say further than the immediate clan interests?

[Siripon]

Luckily for the Nation press freedom will gradually improve after their Royalists, Army and Democrat friends ruled like de facto dictators. There are hardly any arrests anymore on lese majeste (unless they have been brought already by the Abhisit government) there are no community stations that are shut down anymore and even the Nation can rattle on with their nonsense stories without anyone telling them that it is an insane biased newspaper.

Good luck for most of us thus that the new government is the font line of most of us. They only have to dow away with the silly office investigating web posts, but that is also something that the Nation is whole heartedly behind.

Luckily for the Nation press freedom will gradually improve after their Royalists, Army and Democrat friends ruled like de facto dictators. There are hardly any arrests anymore on lese majeste (unless they have been brought already by the Abhisit government) there are no community stations that are shut down anymore and even the Nation can rattle on with their nonsense stories without anyone telling them that it is an insane biased newspaper.

Good luck for most of us thus that the new government is the font line of most of us. They only have to dow away with the silly office investigating web posts, but that is also something that the Nation is whole heartedly behind.

I like your New Year joke-' press freedom will improve'!!!

Chalerm has vowed not to alter the lese majeste law and to vigorously go after all those possibly committing lese majeste.

The government has just invested in the 400 million LI Big Brother system.

And let's not forget Pheua Thai's attempt to alter the law to permit the police chief to close down any newspaper he considered a security risk.

[moe666]

Doesn't anyone posting here have a sense of humor. A few take themselves way to serious, must be the new format

[tlansford]

Doesn't anyone posting here have a sense of humor. A few take themselves way to serious, must be the new format

jing jing +1 ... for the new format, too.