Drastic Overhauling For Thai Cabinet

[geriatrickid]

Would that be the same Korn who was voted Finance Minister of the Year by the FT?

Precisely, but because he's a democrat, to geriatric kid he will always be inferior. We all have the evidence at our disposal and if you look at the data Korn was hugely successful.

On what basis was he successful? The money used for his last "stimulus" project was borrowed against future years and locks the current government into large expenditures in infrastructure associated with widescale corruption. Mr. Korn did not bump up the oversight to prevent corruption. Instead, he has left a multi year funding obligation that will only make the corrupt officials happy.

Your allegation is false. I am opposed to Mr. Korn's fiscal policy because it did not address the debt crisis and because it relied on expected future revenues. The finance minister that replaced him had a very different view more in line with the finance ministers of stable performing economies such as Sweden and Canada. The newly announced finance minister is a clone of Mr. Korn. If this new chap does the same thing as Mr. Korn, he too will earn my contempt.

Please read the budget papers and understand that Korn fiscal policy was similar to other finance ministers that ran their countries economies onto the rocks. Mr. Korn has locked the PTP government into funding projects until the end of 2012. It was fiscal irresponsibility. What was needed then and what is needed now is fiscal discipline, not accounting games. Thailand will soon regret the loss of the current finance minister and I remain adamant that PM Yingluck has erred.

My criticism of Mr. Korn is not because he is a Democrat, but because his fiscal policy was bad.

Edited January 19, 2012 by geriatrickid

[Buchholz]

Foreign Ministry to Check If New Cabinet Member on U.S. Travel Ban List

The foreign minister says that he will verify whether newly appointed Prime Minister's Office Minister Nalinee Taweesin is on the U.S. travel ban list.

He expressed confidence that the government's image is not affected by the new Cabinet lineup.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he has not received confirmation from the United States government on whether newly appointed Prime Minister's Office Minister Nalinee Taweesin is on the US travel ban list.

However, he said he is prepared to verify the report if requested.

In any case, he believes a travel ban would not affect the government's image.

Moreover, the foreign minister is planning to meet with diplomats of 18 countries that have issued warnings on travel to Thailand.

Surapong has expressed confidence in security authorities and pointed out that the Foreign Ministry's priority is to the regain international community's confidence in Thailand with correct information.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-19

[Buchholz]

Thai 'Red Shirt' Firebrand Appointed to Cabinet

A firebrand 'Red Shirt' leader charged with terrorism over the movement's 2010 protests was appointed Wednesday to Thailand's Cabinet, and a second appointee is a businesswoman blacklisted from certain U.S. financial transactions.

The new deputy agriculture minister is Nattawut Saikua, a stirring orator who was one of the core leaders of the protesters whose two-month occupation of downtown Bangkok ended with a deadly military crackdown. He is seen as a top loyalist of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a lightning rod in Thailand's political divide

continues:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thai-red-shirt-firebrand-appointed-cabinet-15386024#.TxfApVZn6So

Associated Press

[Buchholz]

Red-shirt Minister Denies Being Rewarded

A red-shirt MP has denied that he was rewarded with a ministerial post to pay back the red-shirt group for its support to the current government.

New Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikua affirmed that his appointment as a Cabinet member in the Yingluck Shinawatra administration was not a political reward to repay the red-shirt group's support to the current government.

Natthawut countered the accusation, saying he has been working with the Pheu Thai Party for a long time and did his best when given specific tasks.

The Minister asserted that his grassroots background and political and management experiences will be applied to his new assignment in the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.

Moreover, Natthawut believes that he will have no problem working with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Threera Wongsamut from the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

The Minister reaffirmed that he will do his best from the first second after the swear-in ceremony before His Majesty the King.

He urged the public to closely monitor and evaluate his performance, but refused to give a time frame of proving himself in the new Cabinet post.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-19

[maidu]

Thai 'Red Shirt' Firebrand Appointed to Cabinet

A firebrand 'Red Shirt' leader charged with terrorism over the movement's 2010 protests was appointed Wednesday to Thailand's Cabinet, and a second appointee is a businesswoman blacklisted from certain U.S. financial transactions.

The new deputy agriculture minister is Nattawut Saikua, a stirring orator who was one of the core leaders of the protesters whose two-month occupation of downtown Bangkok ended with a deadly military crackdown. He is seen as a top loyalist of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a lightning rod in Thailand's political divide

Associated Press

and of course, Thaksin had no part in getting the guy appointed

I drastic re shuffle after 6 months in power would tend to indicate that some pretty poor choices for running the country were iniatially made, does not bode well or enthuse confidence in the electorate for the future, but then then its a bit like picking a football team, everyone picks different players.

Most of the folks who voted for Puea Thai don't give a satang about cabinet appointments. They don't gauge this gov't on such thing, but rather on how much extra baht they can get to ease their struggles.

[rubl]

Phue Thai party list MP and UDD leader Nattawut Saikua soon to be a new deputy agriculture minister.

Now I wonder is this still valid and does it effect Deputies also?

"Pheu Thai resolves to have ministers resign as party-list MPs

Published on August 30, 2011"

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Pheu-Thai-resolves-to-have-ministers-resign-as-par-30164072.html

[Buchholz]

Phue Thai party list MP and UDD leader Nattawut Saikua soon to be a new deputy agriculture minister.

Now I wonder is this still valid and does it effect Deputies also?

"Pheu Thai resolves to have ministers resign as party-list MPs

Published on August 30, 2011"

http://www.nationmul...r-30164072.html

That was yet another of Thaksin's directives, the same Thaksin that his clone sister keeps insisting has nothing to do with the Party.

.

[rubl]

Phue Thai party list MP and UDD leader Nattawut Saikua soon to be a new deputy agriculture minister.

Now I wonder is this still valid and does it effect Deputies also?

"Pheu Thai resolves to have ministers resign as party-list MPs

Published on August 30, 2011"

http://www.nationmul...r-30164072.html

That was yet another of Thaksin's directives, the same Thaksin that his clone sister keeps insisting has nothing to do with the Party.

I was too vague I guess. I'm wondering what might happen if k. Natthawut resigns as party list MP. Will he loose his parliamentary immunity, go to jail, try to get out on bail, etc., etc. Messy. Surely would distract this new Deputy Argricultural Minister to the point of reducing his value as such. Is this what PM Yingluck had in mind when she said the Cabinet change was a matter of 'suitability' ?

[SomTumTiger]

Will the US grant a person on their black list to enter the nation if TAVEESIN is required to travel there for anything regarding cabinet work?

She is not on a black list for travel. All that is required is as follows; _{. As a result of Treasury's action, any assets of the individuals and entities designated today that are within U.S. jurisdiction must be frozen. Additionally, U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals or entities.}

So, she's a scumbag who is associated with scumbags, but is free to travel. Congrats GK! Your party sure knows how to pick winners!

[Buchholz]

Despicable Cabinet

It was no surprise that the Yingluck Shinawatra administration undertook its first cabinet reshuffle after being in office less than five months as it was backed by many MPs and various elements of the Pheu Thai Party.

This form of power sharing in which politicians take turn to become ministers has become a traditional practice that seems to be accepted by everyone. Apparently, the government would claim the reshuffle was carried out based on suitability. However, suitability by the government's definition may not concern knowledge and competence. Rather, it would depend on the consideration of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is known to pull all the strings in the present government.

Particularly, the appointment of a red-shirt leader to a deputy minister post is believed to reward the red shirts whose leaders were counted out of Yingluck's first Cabinet.

The red shirts have been fighting against the aristocracy, so-called Amataya. In March 2010, this red-shirt leader proclaimed a rally of a million protesters and demanded that the Abhisit Vejjajiva government dissolve the House. He said it was time for the then prime minister to assess himself and quickly make the decision on House dissolution, claiming that he and his government were a hindrance to the development of democracy in Thailand.

The red-shirt leader also used the terms “Phrai”(commoners) and “Ammat” (aristocrats) in his rhetoric to provoke resentment against the country's leader among the protesters. He compared the red shirts to “Phrai” and called whoever has opposing views “Ammat”. But today, it seems the red-shirt leader is enjoying his power and becoming more like an aristocrat.

Actually, most Thais did not pay much attention to the news about the reshuffle. It has long been outside their perception sphere because they know the reshuffle is purely about politicians' interest, not the public's.

Yet, the latest reshuffle saw the appointment of an individual who has caused disruption in Thai society, lacks maturity, has an inclination to solving problems with force and has been charged with serious offenses, to a position in the Cabinet.

It is an insult to the public and set a bad precedent that a person who hurts the country and disrespects the law can still prosper in politics. Widespread opposition could be expected once he officially assumes his post.

The recent reshuffle would not be the last for the Yingluck government. There could be another reshuffle after the 111 politicians of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party come out from their political bans. So, Thais will be unable to look at the next reshuffle with much hope. They have to continue to bear with the undesirable Cabinet.

Editorial, Kom Chad Luek, Page 4, January 20th, 2012.

Translated and rewritten by Wacharapol Isaranont

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-20

[longway]

It is an insult to the public and set a bad precedent that a person who hurts the country and disrespects the law can still prosper in politics. Widespread opposition could be expected once he officially assumes his post.

Its not exactly a precedent is it. It is the basic foundation of the time honoured patron client-system, you do me favours, I will do you favours.

The reds are no different from any other wnkers wanting to climb up the greasy pole in thai politics, the my amat is different from your amat bs is wearing very thin. The reds are not a democracy movement, just another power bloc that is being incorporated into the traditional 'mob-rule' kleptocracy power structure in thailand.

[Buchholz]

The crowd on Twitter is now talking about the fact that the new cabinet member destined for the Trade Minister position is Nalinee Joy Taveesin.

She is currently blacklisted by the US for co-operating with dictator Robert Mugabe, of Zimbabwe. See: https://www.epls.gov...dex=0&xref=true

This is the sort of scum they put into ministerial positions.

Zimbabwe is where Thaksin has a platinum mine valued at a Trillion Baht.

He doesn't have any trouble associating with scum from either country.

Meanwhile.... in other Thaksin African Mining News.... from South Africa, comes word of more than a few concerns regarding how he conducts his business...

SABC chief linked to shady Thai billionaire

The appointment of Lulama Mokhobo as SABC group (South African Broadcasting Corporation) chief executive is dogged by the virtual collapse of a mining company she chaired -- and controversial Thai billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra played a key role in its meltdown.

Shinawatra stands accused of reneging on an “irrevocable” agreement to inject more than R100-million¹ into Miranda Minerals and hijacking the board of the company, sparking a court action.

At the same time there are counter-allegations that the company's balance sheet was misrepresented by its previous management to reflect R285-million ² worth of assets it does not own.

Further explanation of the convoluted and dodgy dealings continues here:

http://mg.co.za/arti...ai-billionaire/

Mail & Guardian news (South Africa) - January 20, 2012

.

1 396,286,358 Baht

2 1,129,416,120 Baht

Edited January 20, 2012 by Buchholz

[TAWP]

Amazing, some names keeps coming back when shady deals are in the news...

[OzMick]

Will the US grant a person on their black list to enter the nation if TAVEESIN is required to travel there for anything regarding cabinet work?

She is not on a black list for travel. All that is required is as follows; _{. As a result of Treasury's action, any assets of the individuals and entities designated today that are within U.S. jurisdiction must be frozen. Additionally, U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals or entities.}

Would be a fun trip to the States if she couldn't catch a cab or buy a hamburger - well I suppose she could get either from an "illegal alien".

[Buchholz]

Nattawut puts critics on notice

New Deputy Education Minister Nattawut Saikua, who is also a co-leader of the red-shirt movement, said he would let his performance provide the justification for his appointment, adding that most of the criticism that he is not qualified for the job had come from the opposition.

The charismatic red shirt said it was too early to say whether his presence in the new Cabinet would invite more criticism of the Yingluck Shinawatra government, adding that he did not intend to respond to any attacks at this stage.

Nattawut is one of two new Cabinet members opposed by the green political group led by former People's Alliance for Democracy spokesman Suriyasai Katasila. Suriyasai yesterday petitioned the parliamentary ombudsman claiming Nattawut is not qualified for the Cabinet post because as a red-shirt leader he fomented political unrest and may not be considered an ethical person.

Ombudsman Pravit Ratanapian said his office would take two months to consider the petition.

Nattawut said his relationship with the red-shirt movement was unchanged, and the ties among red shirts were above considerations of political positions because of what they fought for together.

He said he would be very pleased if red-shirt co-leaders such as Jatuporn Promphan received Cabinet portfolios as well. Nattawut denied his appointment was the result of a discussion between him and any specific person.

Nattawut urged the public to give the committee set up to heal divisions stemming from the deadly protests of April-May 2010 time to do its work and not jump to any conclusions. The government's decision to compensate protesters who were injured and families of those killed can be criticised under a democracy, but all compensation should be geared towards national reconciliation, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-21

[Buchholz]

I drastic re shuffle after 6 months in power would tend to indicate that some pretty poor choices for running the country were iniatially made, does not bode well or enthuse confidence in the electorate for the future

while another drastic reshuffle in another 6 months is looming.

The 111 Gang will be sure to bring on the corruption professionals in June.

*badah-bing*

as said above

Pm Yingluck Defends New Cabinet Line-Up Ahead Of Likely Third Reshuffle

Once the 111 politicians - who are much more experienced than the current Cabinet members - are free to participate in politics, at least a few of them will join the third Yingluck Cabinet.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/PM-defends-new-Cabinet-line-up-ahead-of-likely-thi-30174199.html

,

[473geo]

Is there a knack to stating and predicting the blindingly obvious.........or do most of us see and feel there is actually no requirement for such basal statements

As the pressure mounts on the government to perform and deliver, easy to predict the arrival of some latent heavyweights

[Buchholz]

Most would have thought it was blindingly obvious that pressure on Yingluck's Cabinet (AKA Thaksin's Cabinet) to perform and deliver would have begun six months ago.

While it was fairly predictable that it was going to be an abject failure... as it has turned out to be... many, back then, still defended the selections vigorously.

Good to see with an even worse line-up, six months later, that those defenders are less strident in their defensive statements of the inept.

.

[maidu]

The crowd on Twitter is now talking about the fact that the new cabinet member destined for the Trade Minister position is Nalinee Joy Taveesin.

She is currently blacklisted by the US for co-operating with dictator Robert Mugabe, of Zimbabwe. See: https://www.epls.gov...dex=0&xref=true

This is the sort of scum they put into ministerial positions.

Zimbabwe is where Thaksin has a platinum mine valued at a Trillion Baht.

He doesn't have any trouble associating with scum from either country.

Meanwhile.... in other Thaksin African Mining News.... from South Africa, comes word of more than a few concerns regarding how he conducts his business...

SABC chief linked to shady Thai billionaire

The appointment of Lulama Mokhobo as SABC group (South African Broadcasting Corporation) chief executive is dogged by the virtual collapse of a mining company she chaired -- and controversial Thai billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra played a key role in its meltdown.

Shinawatra stands accused of reneging on an “irrevocable” agreement to inject more than R100-million¹ into Miranda Minerals and hijacking the board of the company, sparking a court action.

At the same time there are counter-allegations that the company's balance sheet was misrepresented by its previous management to reflect R285-million ² worth of assets it does not own.

Further explanation of the convoluted and dodgy dealings continues here:

http://mg.co.za/arti...ai-billionaire/

Mail & Guardian news (South Africa) - January 20, 2012

.

1 396,286,358 Baht

2 1,129,416,120 Baht

wow. I should hire myself out as a business consultant. Any biz that considers doing biz with Thaksin, could contact me first. I would charge a million bucks for a half hour consultation. I would recommend they not have any involvement with T. If they were to hire me, that biz would save a lot more than a million bucks.

[473geo]

Most would have thought it was blindingly obvious that pressure on Yingluck's Cabinet (AKA Thaksin's Cabinet) to perform and deliver would have begun six months ago.

While it was fairly predictable that it was going to be an abject failure... as it has turned out to be... many, back then, still defended the selections vigorously.

Good to see with an even worse line-up, six months later, that those defenders are less strident in their defensive statements of the inept.

.

The inexperience of the elected government came as no surprise, they were six months ago inexperienced. The inexperienced novices were considered a more viable solution to the problems the country faced than the Democrats. The voters chose inexperience over the recent performance and failed election campaign manouvres of the Democrats

So although you seem a little shocked by the need for the novices to garner the experience required, others may not judge the first 6 months so harshly.

Will be interesting to see how this all plays out, but it would appear PTP is moving forward very carefully, adjusting their strategy to the situations arising, while following a plan that appears to have been in place in place even before Dems came out with their campaign scuttling slogan 'a vote for PTP is a vote for Thaksin'

[TAWP]

It wasn't the Democrats that 'came up' with that slogan, it was PTP's own vote-canvasser and sign-makers...

[maidu]

The voters chose inexperience over the recent performance and failed election campaign manouvres of the Democrats.....

I beg to differ. I'd say the majority of voters - who voted for PT candidates voted for the following reasons:

>>>> they liked the added money that came their way (or the perception thereof) under the Thaksin years, so they figured a vote for PT was a vote for Thaksin, and therefore more money for them, the voters.

>>>> Many were paid for their vote.

>>>> They believed the new slew of promises: computers for their kids, higher entrance salaries, rice price supports for farmers, etc

I don't think many of the voters for PT actually looked much deeper. It's unlikely they looked at other issues (certainly not in a comparative way), because Thai politics doesn't have open or public debates on issues among candidates. Some main reasons: Too worried about defamation of character lawsuits, and too easy to bandy around lese majeste charges - so better to just do the photo opp, smile and say as little as possible. On all but a very few important topics, there was no mention at all by any of the political parties. Thai campaigning is childishly simplistic.

No mention of evergy policies (nuclear vs solar), no mention of environmental issues (parks, pollution, garbage, etc), no mention of immigrant issues, no mention of dire need for libraries, no mention of what to do about the millions of stray dogs, .....the list could on and on.

[473geo]

The voters chose inexperience over the recent performance and failed election campaign manouvres of the Democrats.....

I beg to differ. I'd say the majority of voters - who voted for PT candidates voted for the following reasons:

>>>> they liked the added money that came their way (or the perception thereof) under the Thaksin years, so they figured a vote for PT was a vote for Thaksin, and therefore more money for them, the voters.

>>>> Many were paid for their vote.

>>>> They believed the new slew of promises: computers for their kids, higher entrance salaries, rice price supports for farmers, etc

I don't think many of the voters for PT actually looked much deeper. It's unlikely they looked at other issues (certainly not in a comparative way), because Thai politics doesn't have open or public debates on issues among candidates. Some main reasons: Too worried about defamation of character lawsuits, and too easy to bandy around lese majeste charges - so better to just do the photo opp, smile and say as little as possible. On all but a very few important topics, there was no mention at all by any of the political parties. Thai campaigning is childishly simplistic.

No mention of evergy policies (nuclear vs solar), no mention of environmental issues (parks, pollution, garbage, etc), no mention of immigrant issues, no mention of dire need for libraries, no mention of what to do about the millions of stray dogs, .....the list could on and on.

You can't expect people to take a post seriously that starts out containing so many self assessed guesstimates.....are you suggesting Dems supporters are easily bought.....quite an insult to a Dems supporter

Edited January 22, 2012 by 473geo