Appointment Of Red-Shirt Natthawut Not Good For Unity: Thai Opinion

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Appointment of Natthawut not good for unity

The Nation

Nattawut, file photo. Source: wikimedia

Govt gamble on selecting outspoken red-shirt won't help reconciliation

The first Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has created quite a few focal points for discussion. The decision to change the finance minister after just over six months. Her confessed "frustration" with "inefficiency" during the flooding despite the fact that none of the ministers tasked with handling the disaster was removed. The change at the top of the Defence Ministry and the dispiriting yet typical disruption at the Education Ministry. These moves have made this Cabinet revamp conspicuous at least. The social media, however, has directed its attention to the new deputy agriculture minister, Natthawut Saikua.

The rise to a government post of the red-shirt leader brought back bitter memories to those on the opposite side politically or ideologically. Videos featuring his extremely provocative speeches during the 2010 political turbulence re-emerged on Facebook. Anti-red Tweeters expressed disbelief. Several newspaper articles called his Cabinet post a "reward" from Yingluck's brother Thaksin.

That Natthawut still faces grave criminal charges for his anti-government role in 2010 may not be as important as the fact that he is a divisive figure with or without the legal trouble. While the Yingluck Cabinet II list did not inspire confidence, people only shrugged at the other names. When it came to Natthawut, many jaws dropped, followed by not-so-polite exclamations.

Yingluck defended her new Cabinet, saying it would improve government work. She did not say how and neither did she spell out what went wrong at the ministries subjected to drastic changes like energy or education. On Natthawut, she said he was more than qualified to tackle grassroots-related problems at the Agriculture Ministry.

The prime minister may be right about Natthawut's qualifications, but she also may have missed the point that there is a place and time for everything. Giving Natthawut a Cabinet seat just over a year after he led raucous street rallies during which he openly promoted violence and demonstrated a political ideology many Thais deem unacceptable will certainly not help Yingluck's proclaimed reconciliation agenda.

It really doesn't matter much whether what he did in 2010 was right or wrong. People on both sides of the national divide have been viewing him differently. Maybe that should remain his current status - an inflammatory activist waiting to see where the country's fledging reconciliation road takes him. Perhaps he should not have been shoved back into the political limelight and had every word he uttered at Ratchaprasong recited with renewed scrutiny.

Yingluck's humble nature is a breath of fresh air for Thai politics. But it's cases like Natthawut's that have been belying her purported agenda of bringing back peace to Thailand.

Her government has wasted no time in putting the most sensitive issues before the public. First it was the rush to get self-exiled Thaksin Shinawatra his key foreign visas and return him his Thai passport. Then it was the shadowy efforts to get him a royal pardon or amnesty - attempts that ran into tough resistance from the other political polarity. Her party has also displayed readiness to spearhead a campaign to revamp the Constitution, again with an alleged eye on helping her big brother.

A Pandora's box is probably being opened regarding constitutional reform, and Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party has somewhat tried to distance itself. Whatever its stance on the charter now, the ruling party is unlikely to reverse the tide and will be considerably distracted at a time when Thailand should focus its resources and energy on post-flood rebuilding.

Natthawut's appointment may not prove a long-term distraction. Yingluck must have gambled that the controversy will be transitory and she would probably be right. However, when it comes to the long-range future of what she once declared as her supreme mission - national reconciliation - it may turn out to be a bad bet.

-- The Nation 2012-01-23

[Moruya]

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

[pimay11]

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

[whybother]

"at the Agriculture Ministry."

Good to see the Nation finally worked out which ministry Natthawut is working for.

[virtualtraveller]

This writer forgets the fact that this govt isn't aiming to govern the country effectively, they are trying to monopolise power safely, and that includes every possible reward or base covered to keep loyalty together. It's not so much a 'gamble' as a necessity. The UDD are getting restless, the last thing Thaksin needs is for them to turn against them like the PAD did against the Abhisit govt, he needn't to give them a promised cabinet position without delay.

[nong38]

The government does not seem to bothered about public opinions. So long as the red shirts fet their way that is all that matters, there is only one way the red way. ......you'll never walk alone.

[takatukaland]

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

when the demorats did same it was ok,laaa?

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

when the democrates did same it was ok,laa?

[pimay11]

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

when the demorats did same it was ok,laaa?

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

when the democrates did same it was ok,laa?

What a nonsense post. You are saying Thaksin dictated to the democrates who to choose for their cabinet.

[gl555]

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

when the demorats did same it was ok,laaa?

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

when the democrates did same it was ok,laa?

Epic fail at trolling.

[takatukaland]

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

when the demorats did same it was ok,laaa?

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

when the democrates did same it was ok,laa?

Epic fail at trolling.

if ur knowledge about thailand is limited,google is ur friend

[gemini81]

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

when the demorats did same it was ok,laaa?

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

when the democrates did same it was ok,laa?

You sound really smart there!

How can you even begin to compare?! Did Abhisit have a fugitive brother overseas tampering and tinkering and lying about everything?

Edited January 23, 2012 by gemini81

[animatic]

quote 'Moruya' timestamp='1327276903' post='4998410'

This government is a disgrace. If Joseph Mengele and Pol Pot were available they'd have key cabinet roles.

when the demorats did same it was ok,laaa?

Yingluck has no choice in the matter of choosing a cabinet. She must do as her big brother dictates. She is so far in over her head she can't even give an intelligent or straight answer to a simple question.

when the democrates did same it was ok,laa?

Epic fail at trolling.

if ur knowledge about thailand is limited,google is ur friend

Heeded thine own advice.

[gemini81]

The appointment of this angry loose cannon (or Varanus salvator lizard) would be the grand daddy of all banana republics.

[metisdead]

A post containing veiled reference to HM the King and the Royal family has been removed. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

2) Not to express disrespect of the King of Thailand or anyone else in the Thai royal family, whether living or deceased, nor to criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family. Discussion of the lese majeste law or lese majeste cases is permitted on the forum, providing no comment or speculation is made referencing the royal family. To breach this rule will result in immediate ban.

[anterian]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Edited January 23, 2012 by sbk
font fixed, please don't use weird font sizes nobody can read

[Siam Simon]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Yes, any government anywhere in the world would be hard-pushed to trump the last Dem-led government's appointment of Kasit Piromya to one of the three marquee cabinet roles.

[rubl]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Yes, any government anywhere in the world would be hard-pushed to trump the last Dem-led government's appointment of Kasit Piromya to one of the three marquee cabinet roles.

To have UDD leaders accused of terrorismcriminal association on a party list to get them elected seems high on the list of the ridicule as well. Only surprise is Dr. Weng not in charge of the MoE, but then he's already in charge of schools and 'red-shirt' curriculum.

[takatukaland]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

exactly,the same kasit who had been leader of the yellow shirt occupation of the bkk airport

[Babcock]

I agree with the poster below. Mums the word

takatukaland

[scorecard]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

exactly,the same kasit who had been leader of the yellow shirt occupation of the bkk airport

Well yes, but did Kasit incite people to burn down the airport or anything similar, did he incitew people to come to Bangkok with bottles of gasoline, stand up on stage and tell blatant lies, did he play doctored tapes?

[scorecard]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Yes, any government anywhere in the world would be hard-pushed to trump the last Dem-led government's appointment of Kasit Piromya to one of the three marquee cabinet roles.

Well do you want a list ( a long-list) of the unqualified people, many with a scaly history, including on deputy PM who make up the current cabinet etc?

[anterian]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Yes, any government anywhere in the world would be hard-pushed to trump the last Dem-led government's appointment of Kasit Piromya to one of the three marquee cabinet roles.

Well do you want a list ( a long-list) of the unqualified people, many with a scaly history, including on deputy PM who make up the current cabinet etc?

Not really thanks, being a farang I am just an observer, whilst I like to voice my two pennyworth I never see the point in arguing over events one cannot control. I would be interested, just out of curiosity in whom you deem qualified in both Abhisit's and Yingluck's cabinet, then of course that depends upon your concept of qualified.

[takatukaland]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

exactly,the same kasit who had been leader of the yellow shirt occupation of the bkk airport

Well yes, but did Kasit incite people to burn down the airport or anything similar, did he incitew people to come to Bangkok with bottles of gasoline, stand up on stage and tell blatant lies, did he play doctored tapes?

oh great he only hijacked the airport,1000"s stranded,probably scared to deaths,maipenrai its only an airport,u know what will happen with people who hijack an airport in europe or in usa?do u know why kasit never got punished?

[takatukaland]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Yes, any government anywhere in the world would be hard-pushed to trump the last Dem-led government's appointment of Kasit Piromya to one of the three marquee cabinet roles.

Well do you want a list ( a long-list) of the unqualified people, many with a scaly history, including on deputy PM who make up the current cabinet etc?

Not really thanks, being a farang I am just an observer, whilst I like to voice my two pennyworth I never see the point in arguing over events one cannot control. I would be interested, just out of curiosity in whom you deem qualified in both Abhisit's and Yingluck's cabinet, then of course that depends upon your concept of qualified.

Suthep, is a great honest guy,still remember when they raised the price for palm cooking oil,so sutheps family who sits in surathani on giant palm plantations could triple their income,nice guy

[metisdead]

Posts criticizing grammar usage have been removed. English is not always the first language of our members so don't waste space correcting other members' grammar and spelling where it isn't necessary.

[takatukaland]

Posts criticizing grammar usage have been removed. English is not always the first language of our members so don't waste space correcting other members' grammar and spelling where it isn't necessary.

thanks,sorry for bad grammar,I try to improve

[anterian]

Posts criticizing grammar usage have been removed. English is not always the first language of our members so don't waste space correcting other members' grammar and spelling where it isn't necessary.

I feel it should be permitted if done in a friendly rather than sarcastic way. Additionally one sometimes needs to clarify what the writer intends with a comment.

[anterian]

Scorecard is falling into a common mistake, he is trying to establish that Kasit was the lesser evil of the two. This is irrelevant and in any case a subjective assessment.

The point is both are evil, and both the Dems and the PT have been equally guilty of endorsing evil acts by appointing them to government posts.

Edited January 24, 2012 by anterian

[scorecard]

Scorecard is falling into a common mistake, he is trying to establish that Kasit was the lesser evil of the two. This is irrelevant and in any case a subjective assessment.

The point is both are evil, and both the Dems and the PT have been equally guilty of endorsing evil acts by appointing them to government posts.

Well that's your opinion.

I can't accept that kasit is evil. However IMHO:

- The PAD made a big mistake in occupying the airport, and did more harm that good to their image and their cause.

- Kasit used poor judgement to make speeches on stage at the airport.

- In hindsight, it was probably 'not worth it' for the dems to appoint him as foreign minister.

[TAWP]

I think what he meant was that Abhisit had to likewise rewards the PAD leaders, remember the PAD leader Kasit Piromya as Foreign Minister.

So it seems a fair comment to me!

Yes, any government anywhere in the world would be hard-pushed to trump the last Dem-led government's appointment of Kasit Piromya to one of the three marquee cabinet roles.

exactly,the same kasit who had been leader of the yellow shirt occupation of the bkk airport

I like collective posts like this to highlight who posts falsified facts, propaganda and direct lies.

Kasit was not a PAD leader. Nor did he occupy any airport. He did go there to speak to them (much like a farang did at the Red Shirt stage, not hearing anyone say he is a Red Shirt leader because of that) to give them encouragement that the current government was not going to get away with whitewashing Thaksin by forcing through changes to the constitution that benefited only one person. We can debate if it was the best thing to do, but still doesn't make him a leader nor one of the occupiers.

Hence your comparison fails.