Appointing Jatuporn Would Ruin Hope For Reconciliation: Editorial

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Appointing Jatuporn would ruin hope for reconciliation

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Making controversial red shirt a Cabinet member could be explosive

Once again, Jatuporn Prompan is posing a political dilemma for his boss. Having been kept away from the Yingluck Cabinet, the red shirt leader is virtually knocking on the ministerial door one more time because the end of the five-year ban on 111 politicians will make a major government reshuffle unavoidable. There are several big names for Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister to consider for what could be a Cabinet revamp, but none will be as potentially explosive as Jatuporn's.

As with most political developments in Thailand, there are two opposing theories to describe Jatuporn's fresh appearance in news headlines. One school of thought simply states that his time has come, after having fought hard to help the Thaksin camp regain political power but missed out on the first Cabinet train because the post-election political atmosphere was too fragile.

The other school of thoughts smells a conspiracy. Not everyone, including those in the Thaksin camp, wants to see Jatuporn in the Cabinet, let alone his rising to the powerful post of deputy interior minister. Jatuporn, goes this theory, is possibly being set up for another round of character attacks. Approximately one month - the time left before the ban on the 111 politicians expires - should be enough to soften Jatuporn up and chalk him out of the list of Cabinet contenders.

Conspiracy or not, Jatuporn is a big controversy, especially if he is earmarked to become a deputy interior minister. Having led vociferous red shirt protests in 2010, in which laws were broken, public order was disrupted and the Army arguably provoked into action, it would be quite ironic for Jatuporn to take over a ministerial position charged with maintaining law and order.

Besides that irony, which could spark strong public resistance to his ministerial nomination, the road seems relatively clear for Jatuporn. His trouble in the Constitution Court stemming from the Election Commission's attempt to disqualify him as an MP is unlikely to have legal bearing on a Cabinet appointment. That is thanks to the fact that the Thai Constitution does not require a Cabinet minister to concurrently be an MP. And when it comes to criminal charges related to the 2010 political violence, the court process is far from finalised, which means he can serve in the Cabinet in the meantime.

Politically speaking, things will not be rosy for Yingluck if she has to appoint Jatuporn to the Cabinet. Another red shirt leader, Natthawut Saikua, is already serving as deputy agriculture minister and because of that the "controversy quota" may have been stretched to its limit. Adding another red shirt leader to the government would lead to the same uproar of mockery that forced the Thaksin camp to hold back on Jatuporn's Cabinet nomination previously.

Thaksin and Yingluck can decide that the government's position has become more stable now. The yellow shirts have been unable to revitalise themselves, the armed forces have steered clear of politics and the opposition Democrats' voices have been overwhelmed in Parliament by the ruling party's election mandate. Jatuporn's appointment, therefore, may be subjected to just a few days of outcry or condemnation that should fade away quickly.

However, the dilemma is not about Jatuporn's Cabinet appointment causing street protests. It's the quietness likely to greet his ministerial position that Thaksin and Yingluck should be worried about. Appointing Jatuporn to the Cabinet will send a message - or be perceived as a message - that all the talks and gestures about reconciliation only means so much as having this man join Natthawut in the government.

Prime Minister Yingluck met Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, who was always a target of harsh red shirt attacks and repeatedly accused of leading a conspiracy against Thaksin, to pay him Songkran homage recently. Despite the meeting being symbolic rather than a substantial breakthrough in Thailand's political impasse, few people would have imagined that she would follow up that meeting with Jatuporn's appointment. The Prem-Yingluck meeting was overwhelmingly welcomed in opinion polls as a silver lining for peace. Now, the question for Yingluck to ponder is, will Jatuporn's appointment to the Cabinet help her proclaimed reconciliation agenda or reset everything back to Square One.

-- The Nation 2012-05-06

[MEL1]

"it would be quite ironic for Jatuporn to take over a ministerial position charged with maintaining law and order."

I can think of a few more inappropriate words than 'ironic' ...

A disqualified MP and person under trial for political violence could really run for a cabinet seat? They're pulling my leg aren't they?

-mel.

[Bakseedaa]

Why not make him a Cabinet member, he has about as much savvy as the cabinet in my sitting room, but he does not have the same shine... The man is a complete ass and will do this government a world of good. The blind leading the blind comes to mind... I love living in Thailand for these reasons.. nothing is unbelievable in this country..or impossible... maybe he will stand for Prime Minister at the next election.. He would get my vote.. (

[GentlemanJim]

Why not make him a Cabinet member, he has about as much savvy as the cabinet in my sitting room, but he does not have the same shine... The man is a complete ass and will do this government a world of good. The blind leading the blind comes to mind... I love living in Thailand for these reasons.. nothing is unbelievable in this country..or impossible... maybe he will stand for Prime Minister at the next election.. He would get my vote.. (

That's it! Nothing is impossible in this country............Miracle Thailand!

By the looks of his eyes in the photo, he had a heavy night on the booze the night before! Maybe he joined Chalerm for a bit of ear medication.

[JayBangkok]

He would be ideal for the new MOLAM (Ministry of Lies and Mistruths)

[jeffcool]

"it would be quite ironic for Jatuporn to take over a ministerial position charged with maintaining law and order."

I can think of a few more inappropriate words than 'ironic' ...

A disqualified MP and person under trial for political violence could really run for a cabinet seat? They're pulling my leg aren't they?

-mel.

I bet they are not "pulling YOUR leg"..... Certainly the legs of Thai people tough.....

And why not??? After all the "Miracle Thailand" is on......

This post should be a funny one...... on a sunday too......

[moe666]

Appoint him to a post and just bring Big T back and refuse to arrest him at the airport, then everyone will see what a joke this is.

Edited May 6, 2012 by moe666

[asiawatcher]

Possibly the only man who can truly be held accountable as the catalyst that ended up inciting riots and the eventual unnecessary deaths in the April seizure of the city. Heaven forbid they let this person into 'Govt' - such that the puppet 'govt' is.

[lungmi]

Other scenario: He gets his job in the Interior Ministry.

Some Red Village people already are grumbling in Esaarn about the rice pledge policy of the gouvernement saying the Democrat program was better and more efficient. (Other newspaper yesterday).

They start to understand that they have been cheated and their good instructor of democracy is one of the highest of

deceivers. They will fight for their rights, for democracy in the way they learnt .

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

will be surprised to be overwhelmed by the bad spirits he called.

Who can help him? The anti-riot police? The Army? The Sorcerer and his black magic out of service?

Spilling some blood (Apprentice lesson Nr.1 he absolved already), but this time it may be his own.

Edited May 6, 2012 by lungmi

[siampolee]

Lungmi # 9.

Other scenario: He gets his job in the Interior Ministry.

Some Red Village people already are grumbling in Esaarn about the rice pledge policy of the gouvernement saying the Democrat program was better and more efficient. (Other newspaper yesterday).

They start to understand that they have been cheated and their good instructor of democracy is one of the highest of

deceivers. They will fight for their rights, for democracy in the way they learnt .

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

will be surprised to be overwhelmed by the bad spirits he called.

Indeed Karma can be interesting, remember, ''What goes around comes around.''

[Skywalker69]

Why not make him a Cabinet member, he has about as much savvy as the cabinet in my sitting room, but he does not have the same shine... The man is a complete ass and will do this government a world of good. The blind leading the blind comes to mind... I love living in Thailand for these reasons.. nothing is unbelievable in this country..or impossible... maybe he will stand for Prime Minister at the next election.. He would get my vote.. (

That's it! Nothing is impossible in this country............Miracle Thailand!

By the looks of his eyes in the photo, he had a heavy night on the booze the night before! Maybe he joined Chalerm for a bit of ear medication.

Not even all ear-medicine in the world won´t help, but I think a lobotomy will do the job.

[Skywalker69]

"it would be quite ironic for Jatuporn to take over a ministerial position charged with maintaining law and order."

I can think of a few more inappropriate words than 'ironic' ...

A disqualified MP and person under trial for political violence could really run for a cabinet seat? They're pulling my leg aren't they?

-mel.

I bet they are not "pulling YOUR leg"..... Certainly the legs of Thai people tough.....

And why not??? After all the "Miracle Thailand" is on......

This post should be a funny one...... on a sunday too......

Yes, It needs a "miracle" to save Thailand.

[volk666]

However potentially offensive Jatuporn's appointment might be, the lack of reaction suggests that only Thaksin's personal fate is the real bone of contention in this country.

Reds can get themselves the government, they can appoint themselves to Cabinet, they can write a constitution for themselves - no one really cares, let them screw themselves over with imaginary inflation and Chinese tablets, it's only Thaksin that is truly untouchable - they can have any kind of democracy they want as long as they don't let Thaksin off the hook. That's the real truth about "reconciliation".

[siampolee]

Not even all ear-medicine in the world won´t help, but I think a lobotomy will do the job.

Surely one needs a functioning set of brain cells sane or otherwise for a lobotomy to be performed on ?

Edited May 6, 2012 by siampolee

[Exsexyman]

However potentially offensive Jatuporn's appointment might be, the lack of reaction suggests that only Thaksin's personal fate is the real bone of contention in this country.

Reds can get themselves the government, they can appoint themselves to Cabinet, they can write a constitution for themselves - no one really cares, let them screw themselves over with imaginary inflation and Chinese tablets, it's only Thaksin that is truly untouchable - they can have any kind of democracy they want as long as they don't let Thaksin off the hook. That's the real truth about "reconciliation".

The cynic in me suggests that appointing Jatuporn to the cabinet would indeed ruin hopes for a reconciliation, which is exactly why the government would appoint him. They don't want reconciliation, which would require compromise, they are not prepared to compromise on the only issue that matters for them, ie the return of Mr Thaksin with the slate wiped clean.

[Skywalker69]

Not even all ear-medicine in the world won´t help, but I think a lobotomy will do the job.

Surely one needs a functioning set of brain cells sane or otherwise for a lobotomy to be performed on ?

You got me there.

[KireB]

It's all political and strategically clever as the big Boss starts to realize that his Red creation might turn against him. Promoting Jatuporn would shush the reds for a while.

[bigbamboo]

Could be a ratings winner for KY.

With Oddjob Chalerm on one side of her and Jatuporn the Hutt on the other Yingluck is going to look good to everyone......!

Edited May 6, 2012 by bigbamboo

[hyperdimension]

Jatuporn the Hutt

[animatic]

"it would be quite ironic for Jatuporn to take over a ministerial position charged with maintaining law and order."

I can think of a few more inappropriate words than 'ironic' ...

A disqualified MP and person under trial for political violence could really run for a cabinet seat? They're pulling my leg aren't they?

-mel.

just plain ' ick ' similar to yuck and much, comes to mind,

Sick in the old school sense, and certainly MORONIC.

[animatic]

"it would be quite ironic for Jatuporn to take over a ministerial position charged with maintaining law and order."

I can think of a few more inappropriate words than 'ironic' ...

A disqualified MP and person under trial for political violence could really run for a cabinet seat? They're pulling my leg aren't they?

-mel.

I bet they are not "pulling YOUR leg"..... Certainly the legs of Thai people tough.....

And why not??? After all the "Miracle Thailand" is on......

This post should be a funny one...... on a sunday too......

The must pull you nose here, ar at least elephant noses,

other wise this would be the land of girafe people.

Legs pulled beyond all belief.

[AleG]

Could be a ratings winner for KY.

With Oddjob Chalerm on one side of her and Jatuporn the Hutt on the other Yingluck is going to look good to everyone......!

Jatuporn the Hutt!

Thank you so very much.

[volk666]

The cynic in me suggests that appointing Jatuporn to the cabinet would indeed ruin hopes for a reconciliation, which is exactly why the government would appoint him. They don't want reconciliation, which would require compromise, they are not prepared to compromise on the only issue that matters for them, ie the return of Mr Thaksin with the slate wiped clean.

Hmm. Why do they want to appoint Jatuporn to the cabinet anyway? Is it his personal ambition? Is it to spite the opposition? Is it to placate the red shirts?

One thins is sure - it's not because he would serve the country better than any other candidate for the position.

Or maybe it's the grand ammart conspiracy to undermine red leadership. They've got enough dirt on Nattawut already, or perhaps Nattawut got enough dirt on himself not to speak in public ever again.

What would his next inspirational speech be anyway?

"I stand on the ground and I look at the sky and I dream of all PTT profits from high fuel prices dropping in my pocket?"

Perhaps they are giving these posts to red leaders so that their followers can see them for what they really are, and it isn't pretty.

[Thaddeus]

Thai Hub Uber General.

THUG.

[nurofiend]

jatuporn the hutt.. now that is funny.

[volk666]

Shouldn't it be "Jatu the Hutt", or as his opponents "lovingly" call him "Ai Too the Hutt"?

[FOODLOVER]

Jatuporn the Hutt

Yep, same eyes!

[billd766]

Jatuporn the Hutt

Yep, same eyes!

This one is more hansum man.

[looping]

Does anyone know if Jatuporn has any qualifications, experience or skills, other than the ability to incite violence?

[GentlemanJim]

Does anyone know if Jatuporn has any qualifications, experience or skills, other than the ability to incite violence?

But that is his qualification, experience and skill, you got it ! Perfect for the PTP Deputy Interior Minister.

Edited May 7, 2012 by GentlemanJim