Thai Ministers Get Ready For A Fight As Bans Set To Be Lifted

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Ministers get ready for a fight as bans set to be lifted

BANGKOK: -- Another time bomb is about to hit Yingluck Shinawatra's government, except this time it looks as if it will be set off from the inside.

The bomb will certainly start ticking after May, when the ban on the 111 members of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party is lifted and some of them are given seats in the Cabinet.

Obviously, once these politicians are in the Cabinet, certain Pheu Thai Party members will end up losing their ministerial portfolios.

The first ripple of dissatisfaction was felt when Suranand Vejjajiva was made Prime Minister Yingluck's personal spokesman.

Meanwhile, banned politician Chaturon Chaisang is saying that some Pheu Thai members holding ministerial posts have been trying to block the banned politicians from entering the Cabinet.

"They are strong, they are senior, and they want to cling to power," Chaturon said.

Besides, it's not just the banned politicians, but other Pheu Thai MPs, including red-shirt leaders, who are waiting in line for ministerial posts. Clearly there are more people than positions available.

So if a Cabinet reshuffle does take place and the banned politicians are brought back, an internal war is bound to break out.

Thai Rak Thai minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said earlier that ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that banned politicians would not be given Cabinet posts unless it was really necessary. "He wants to give a chance to the younger generation," she said.

However, this statement failed to convince people.

It is widely known that many prominent political figures who were banned, such as Sudarat, Chaturon, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Prommin Lertsuridej, Varathep Ratanakorn, Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, Phoomtham Vejchayachai and Suranand, have been working as Yingluck's advisers right from the start. Therefore, it would not be difficult to move them from behind the scenes to the centre of the spotlight.

As swords start getting drawn within the ruling party, Yingluck needs to get ready for other rows brewing between her coalition partners - Banharn Silpa-archa's Chart Thai Pattana Party and Sonthaya Khunpluem's Phalang Chon Party. Both Banharn and Sonthaya are banned politicians.

When Yingluck's Cabinet was first formed, it appeared as if Chart Thai Pattana was more favoured. The government's policy was to grant one Cabinet portfolio for every seven to nine MPs. However, it appears as if Banharn's party ended up getting a bigger quota than others. His party only holds 19 MP seats yet it was given the Sports and Tourism, Agriculture and deputy Commerce portfolios, and a deputy premiership.

Therefore, if any of the 111 banned politicians do return to the Cabinet, Banharn's people might be in trouble.

In addition, Sonthaya's Palang Chon Party is expecting to swap some Cabinet posts with Banharn's people. Sonthaya's wife Sukumol is currently leading the Culture Ministry, while Sonthaya, who was previously the sports and tourism minister, wants his old post back. He had his eye on his former post since this government was being formed, but his wife was too much of a junior politician for it, so Banharn took the opportunity to snatch it up.

Palang Chon, which only holds seven MP seats, had no choice but to accept the Culture portfolio, though now it's time for Sonthaya to take his old post back.

There are also reports that the Pheu Thai Party wants to take the Agriculture Ministry off Banharn's hands because it wants to control the country's water management.

"As of now there are no signs from Thaksin [if he wants to take back Agriculture], but we believe he will not touch our [quota] because Banharn has always taken care of Yingluck and her government. Plus, he is promising to support the charter changes," a key leader from the Chart Thai Pattana Party said.

Meanwhile, someone spotted another banned politician - Suwat Liptapanlop, the de facto leader of the Chart Pattana Party - on a flight to Dubai last week. Thaksin is currently based in Dubai and it is believed that Suwat went to discuss his political future once his ban is lifted.

Political analysts believe that Suwat is far too much of a senior politician just to sit in a ministerial post. He could very well be made PM's adviser or secretary-general of the ruling party.

Once the ban is lifted, many politicians will be given the key to freedom, yet this freedom might set off a political time bomb for others.

-- The Nation 2012-03-08

[AleG]

Obviously the solution is... to create more ministries.

I'd suggest the Ministry of Thaksin Affairs to begin with.

[KKvampire]

All the red rats fighting in the ptp/udd sack , mirroring the selfish society they represent

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

Edited March 8, 2012 by KKvampire

[Ricardo]

But they all clearly have only the best-interests of the country, and of the poor, in-mind ?

[GentlemanJim]

Thai Rak Thai minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said earlier that ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that banned politicians would not be given Cabinet posts unless it was really necessary. "He wants to give a chance to the younger generation," she said.

Just what the hell has this got to do with Thaksin? When are the people of this country going to stop a banned fugitive criminal from running the country as if it were his own? Just starting with the media would be something, stop reporting anything to do with him.

[monty1412]

Thai Rak Thai minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said earlier that ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that banned politicians would not be given Cabinet posts unless it was really necessary. "He wants to give a chance to the younger generation," she said.

Just what the hell has this got to do with Thaksin? When are the people of this country going to stop a banned fugitive criminal from running the country as if it were his own? Just starting with the media would be something, stop reporting anything to do with him.

but then their would be nothing to report a veritable vacuum of political stories.

[otherstuff1957]

Unfortunately his decisions are more important than his sister's, so unless he actually decides to step aside and let her run the country, his pronouncements will continue to be reported.

[looping]

Like kids fighting over candy; obviously the Ministry of Agriculture is the hot seat at the moment with so much to be made from mega- projects. Something HAS to be done to stop ministerial positions from being so profitable. Seeing as Thailand practices the death penalty, I'd suggest extending it to extreme cases of corruption at the highest levels. However harsh this may seem, It MAY act as a deterrent to those entering politics for the wrong reasons. We should remember that these people are stealing from millions of people, and destroying lives through their inaction and general incompetence. And what do they get? IMMUNITY. This seems to be acceptable to most people, whereas drug dealers are put to death with no or little complaint from anyone. Something really should change if Thailand is to move onwards and upwards.

[skippy_nl]

Like kids fighting over candy; obviously the Ministry of Agriculture is the hot seat at the moment with so much to be made from mega- projects. Something HAS to be done to stop ministerial positions from being so profitable. Seeing as Thailand practices the death penalty, I'd suggest extending it to extreme cases of corruption at the highest levels. However harsh this may seem, It MAY act as a deterrent to those entering politics for the wrong reasons. We should remember that these people are stealing from millions of people, and destroying lives through their inaction and general incompetence. And what do they get? IMMUNITY. This seems to be acceptable to most people, whereas drug dealers are put to death with no or little complaint from anyone. Something really should change if Thailand is to move onwards and upwards.

The problem is that these are the very people that makes the laws, and nobody is going to vote for a law that could see them self or a family member going to jail

[sparebox2]

Another 111 sets of iPad3 & iPhone 4S to be ordered from govt budget (tax payer money).

[anterian]

This is just standard Thai infighting, disband the Dems and the same would happen. Thailand is still in the medieval age of robber barons.

[ratcatcher]

This is just standard Thai infighting, disband the Dems and the same would happen. Thailand is still in the medieval age of robber barons.

"Thailand is still in the medieval age of robber barons" So sad, so true!

[tragickingdom]

Wishful thinking from the Nation newsletter.

[David48]

Obviously the solution is... to create more ministries.

I'd suggest the Ministry of Thaksin Affairs to begin with.

adding the Ministry of Hubs

... any more suggestions?

[moe666]

This is what Big T wants keep the little fish fighting over the scraps it keeps them from thinking about bigger things like pushing him to the side. If any of them had a brain it would be so easy to put him and sister aside as they are now in office.

[animatic]

Beware of the Ides of May and a Night Of The Long Knives.

It will be a political bloodbath and the young that stand up to the old guard will be slaughtered wholesale.

Et tu Kuhn Brutuswatra

Edited March 9, 2012 by animatic

[animatic]

Obviously the solution is... to create more ministries.

I'd suggest the Ministry of Thaksin Affairs to begin with.

adding the Ministry of Hubs

... any more suggestions?

Ministry of Spokes that Hub Around Thaksin.

[Ricardo]

Obviously the solution is... to create more ministries.

I'd suggest the Ministry of Thaksin Affairs to begin with.

adding the Ministry of Hubs

... any more suggestions?

Ministry of Crack-Downs, except D-PM Chalerm already appears to have that covered ?

[CalgaryII]

All the red rats fighting in the ptp/udd sack , mirroring the selfish society they represent

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

"Selfish society"?

Spoken by someone who has never been involved with Red Shirts in a meaningful way.

The comments speak for themselves.

"Selfish Society"? Didn't seem to bother the electoral majority last election, so perhaps the descriptor is misplaced

[CalgaryII]

An article heaped with wishful thinking, hoping that internal conflicts will destroy a Government the Opposition cannot touch electorally.

The last cabinet shuffle already created the groundwork for these 111 returnee's.

Ms. Y, was afflicted in her first Cabinet, with some members who were seeking second opinions after she spoke, and not only from Thaksin.

Those were turfed, with the clear indication she would not be above doing so again in six months, about the time that these 111 are re-eligible.

I understand that as one previous Cabinet member was pleading his case with Thaksin, Ms. Y. was cutting him off at the ankles in BKK.

You can bet the replacement Cabinet members, plus those retained, paid close attention, and will pay even closer attention when Ms. Y. speaks.

Edited March 9, 2012 by CalgaryII

[Reasonableman]

Interacting in a meaningful way...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/539423-thai-media-group-inconclusive-over-kanoks-surprise-visit-by-red-shirts/

[hellodolly]

All the red rats fighting in the ptp/udd sack , mirroring the selfish society they represent

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

"Selfish society"?

Spoken by someone who has never been involved with Red Shirts in a meaningful way.

The comments speak for themselves.

"Selfish Society"? Didn't seem to bother the electoral majority last election, so perhaps the descriptor is misplaced

Once again your naivitey is showing through. The last election had the majority of voters voting against the PT that seems to be a fact you seem to continually overlook. And of the votes they got do you really think they were all for the PT or perhaps some were against the Dems and do you honestly believe that all who voted PT wanted Thaksin. Some honestly mistakenly thought Yingluck would do the job.

How do you know the poster has never been involved with a red shirt in a meaningful way. For all you know he could have been one of the innocent bystanders the red shirts were throwing grenades at. I would call that a meaningful way. Or perhaps in the hospital the red shirts invaded.