'Dog collars', 'house of slaves' derided

Published on Dec 30 , 2005

MPs amount to "Shin-breed dog collars" and senators belong to the "House of Slaves", while a massage-parlour tycoon metamorphosed into a firebrand, and an anti-vice MP was named the "shining star" of Parliament in this year's nicknaming rite by political reporters.

The quote of the year went to senior Thai Rak Thai Party member Snoh Thienthong, who turned against his own party leader, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with a biting indictment.

"He has taken the sovereignty of the Thai people and locked [MPs] up like slaves," he said.

The remark was made on June 8 when the party faction under Snoh grew increasingly discontented with Thaksin's control over how his party's MPs should vote on a constitutional amendment. Snoh's MPs were stifling under the charter requirement that an MP belong to one political party for at least 90 days before an election, which ensures that no MPs can switch sides in time for a new poll.

The term "Shin-species dog collar" was chosen in reference to the Thai Rak Thai's strict control of 377 out of the 500 House seats and the way MPs are treated by their boss, the premier, as if they were his lap dogs.

The Upper House got the moniker of House of Slaves because senators have mostly lost their independence due to political interference.

MP Chuwit Kamolwisit was seen as the bright light for catching the public's interest and bringing flamboyancy to debates.

Three fallen stars were also chosen, all Thai Rak Thai MPs: Pracha Prasopdee from Samut Prakan, Sitthichai Kittithanaesuan from Nakhon Nayok and Vichit Pluengsrisakul, a party-list MP. The three were cited for their lacklustre attempt to defend Thaksin against allegations of corruption and abuse.

The Nation

So Mr. Snoh-job Tingtong bravely calls TRT MP's "lap dogs of Thaksin". How true. Strangely Thaksin referred to Sondhi as a barking dog. It seems all that the dogs in his party can do is yap.

Of course Mr. Thaksin will find time for a heart to heart with Snoh when he (Mr.T.)is not so busy, sometime between now and April Fools Day.

The attached images show Mr Thaksin with Mr Plod Prasop Suraswadi and a TRT member who goes by the name of Mr. Shin Tzu.

Edited December 31, 200520 yr by ratcatcher

Those reporters are getting pretty brave. They better watch out or they will get sued for billions of baht!

Happy New Year.