Thai Rak Thai's 111 Played Key Roles For Red Shirts

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Thai Rak Thai's 111 played key roles for red shirts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party has adopted a "two legs strategy" of dual politicking inside and outside of Parliament since its former lives as the Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties.

Inside Parliament, the party has MPs making political moves within the scope of the legislature. On the streets, the increasingly powerful red-shirts movement campaigns in support of the party and "walks" alongside it and its politicians.

However, it is not a good idea for Pheu Thai to allow the red shirts to lead the movement themselves, as they could diverge independently and shift away from the party’s political goals.

This was why many of the "Thai Rak Thai 111" politicians became red-shirt leaders after they were hit with a court-ordered five-year ban from politics. Some actively joined the red-shirts’ street protests against previous governments considered enemies of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is believed to pull the strings behind Pheu Thai. Others opted to "play it safe" and work with the red shirts behind the scenes, offering advice and legal aid.

These politicians campaigned against coups not long after the Thaksin government was overthrown in September 2006. They formed the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, the precursor to the largest red-shirt group, the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship.

"Thai Rak Thai 111" politicians who worked closely with the red shirts include Veera Musigapong, Adisorn Piengket, Sutham Saengprathum, Ladawan Wongsriwong, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Vichit Plangsrisakul, Chaturon Chaisang, and Suporn Atthawong. Thaksin has reportedly promised to reward the politicians loyal to him with "jobs for everyone".

Veera, a former three-time MP, became chairman of the red-shirts movement and played an important role leading its protests. He later left the movement after disagreeing with hard-line leaders during talks with the Democrat-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva about an early end to the protest. However, Veera regularly joins talk shows on the pro-red satellite-based television and still commands respect from many reds.

Adisorn, a five-time MP, was a key protest leader and later became a senior executive of pro-red TV stations such as People Channel, D-Station, and Asia Update. He recently got a doctorate from an Indian university and became an adjunct professor. He is likely to become a Cabinet member after the political ban ends on May 30.

Suporn, a two-time MP, was part of the hard-line red-shirt leadership. He has become less active as a leader after facing a terrorism charge in connection with the unrest and riots in 2010, but he has retained popularity among the movement.

Sutham made use of his experience as a leader during the student-led uprising in 1973 to help with the red-shirts’ campaigns. He was behind the scenes during the red-shirts’ protests and other political activities. At present, he co-hosts programmes on pro-red TV with Adisorn, waiting patiently to make a return to politics.

Ladawan, a four-time MP and chairwoman of the Society of Women’s Voice, has played a key role in wooing women to become Pheu Thai members and supporters. She was among the first women politicians to lead red-shirt protests.

Chaturon has often publicly criticised coups and Thaksin’s political enemies, and sometimes went on stage to address the red-shirt protesters.

Pongthep and Vichit, both legal advisers to Thaksin, have played roles behind the scenes providing advice and assistance to red shirts facing legal problems.

Many red-shirt leaders much less senior than the veteran politicians mentioned above have been rewarded with political positions after Pheu Thai rose to power, including Nattawut Saikua, Aree Krainara, and Yoswalit Chooklom. Another red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan is tipped to become a deputy interior minister in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.

The TRT 111 members among the red shirts are well qualified for political appointments, including Cabinet posts, when they are free from the five-year ban. They are just waiting for the green light from the "big boss" overseas regarding seats in the government.

-- The Nation 2012-05-21

[OzMick]

Thaksin continues his habit of paying his political debts with taxpayer's money. Would it surprise anyone if new government positions suddenly need filing, such as 2nd deputy ministers or extra "advisors".

One thing for sure, before the next election the in-fighting for party list positions and "safe" northern seats will be savage.

[ianf]

These are all people with no principles. There is a huge difference between those involved in politics because of firm held beliefs, a genuine desire to help society and so on and those who are simply into power, money and all that entails. Happy to see that the red protest over the weekend attracted less than half of the lowest predicted figure, these 'leaders' clearly live in a fantasy world where politics means large bags of baht from state coffers and from him overseas. These are disgusting disingenuous people who do not give one hoot about the lives of the kwais who sheepishly follow them.

[ratcatcher]

These are all people with no principles. There is a huge difference between those involved in politics because of firm held beliefs, a genuine desire to help society and so on and those who are simply into power, money and all that entails. Happy to see that the red protest over the weekend attracted less than half of the lowest predicted figure, these 'leaders' clearly live in a fantasy world where politics means large bags of baht from state coffers and from him overseas. These are disgusting disingenuous people who do not give one hoot about the lives of the kwais who sheepishly follow them.

".......the kwais who sheepishly follow them"

You mean 'the lowing herd"?

Edited May 21, 2012 by ratcatcher

[drdoom6996]

Thaksin continues his habit of paying his political debts with taxpayer's money. Would it surprise anyone if new government positions suddenly need filing, such as 2nd deputy ministers or extra "advisors".

One thing for sure, before the next election the in-fighting for party list positions and "safe" northern seats will be savage.

The only thing this government could surprise me with, is if they actually did something for sombody rather than themselves. Government and police in Thailand is walking and talking corruption.The only way you can tell if they lie is if their mouth is moving.

[ramrod711]

These are all people with no principles. There is a huge difference between those involved in politics because of firm held beliefs, a genuine desire to help society and so on and those who are simply into power, money and all that entails. Happy to see that the red protest over the weekend attracted less than half of the lowest predicted figure, these 'leaders' clearly live in a fantasy world where politics means large bags of baht from state coffers and from him overseas. These are disgusting disingenuous people who do not give one hoot about the lives of the kwais who sheepishly follow them.

Thaksin has released a plague on the nation and it may bite him in the butt