Chalerm: Opposition Politicians Involved In Crimes In South

[webfact]

Opposition politicians involved in crimes in South: Chalerm

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung dropped a verbal bombshell during yesterday's House session on the situation in the deep South when he alleged opposition politicians were involved in oil smuggling and illegal gambling in the region.

The situation in the South was complicated by the fact that some politicians operated illegal businesses such as oil smuggling and gambling in the provinces bordering Malaysia, Chalerm said. Such illegal businesses had implications for the security situation, he said.

Drug traffickers from the North also have dealings in the South, he said. The military on the ground is aware of this illicit business and is reporting on it to the government as usual, the deputy premier said.

Democrat MP from Yala Prasert Phongsuwansiri raised an objection and demanded that Chalerm name the politicians involved in illicit business. Such general smear tactics could hurt the reputations of innocent politicians from the southern border provinces, he said.

Democrat MP from Narathiwat Jeharming Tohtayong said the government should take legal action against those politicians known by Chalerm to be involved in smuggling.

Chalerm said he would not name any politicians, and was simply informing Parliament that such illegal business complicated the troubles in the South.

The current spate of violence in the deep South erupted in early 2004. Chalerm said there are as many as 9,400 insurgents, supporters and sympathisers involved in it. The government knew their operational structure and leaders but cannot reveal the details to Parliament or the public, he said.

As a result of Wednesday's meeting of a newly established government operations centre, dubbed Pentagon II by Chalerm and later the media, the Air Force would dispatch two DA42 aircraft to conduct aerial reconnaissance and photography officials said. The aircraft are capable of day and night sorties.

Air Force commander Itthiphorn Suphawong said two AU23 attack aircraft based in Songkhla's Hat Yai were already carrying out aerial reconnaissance and photography, in addition to their default role as attack aircraft. Also, a few C130s were regularly flying cargo sorties, while Air Force infantry units secured many airbases in the region, including its own base at Bor Thong in Pattani.

The military leadership and key Cabinet members in charge of the centre will today visit a number of areas in the deep South. Their itinerary has not been disclosed due to security concerns. Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said he was not deterred by intelligence reports that insurgents are now aiming to kill VIP targets.

In Narathiwat, a raid on five target areas turned up six suspects thought to have been planning an attack. The six men are Muslims, some of whom were found to possess firearms and munitions, as well as homemade narcotics, at their homes. The six were apprehended after they got off a train and were preparing to stay with relatives in Rusoh district.

Earlier, an explosive device detonated near a Narathiwat school, triggering panic and prompting its closure. No casualties were reported.

School director Somjit Thongjinda said a student alerted her that a suspicious object had been found under stone benches in front of the school canteen, where Border Patrol policemen took a rest during lunch. She immediately alerted a bomb squad, sealed off the area and moved 267 students and teachers away from the scene.

When the squad arrived and was approaching the benches, the insurgents, apparently in hiding near the school, triggered the explosive. The blast blew a hole two feet deep and three feet wide. No one was injured and only the benches suffered damage.

-- The Nation 2012-08-10

[clifric]

Typical Chalerm - accusations without proof; guess he's worried about being sued for defamation. No such thing as parliamentary privilege here!

[EvilDrSomkid]

Was he a little heavy on the ear infection medication again?

I'd go out on a limb here and say that Chalerm is taking over the role of the most politically divisive figure in Thailand.

Forget about reconciliation.

If a "peace" deal is to made between the contending parties, this guy has to shut up. Permanently.

Retirement would be good for him.

[WhizBang]

Chalerm said he would not name any politicians, and was simply informing Parliament that such illegal business complicated the troubles in the South.

Nothing but hot air, lies and innuendo from this clown. I also do not see how such illegal businesses complicate anything. Just shut them down and arrest everyone involved.

It does not surprise me at all that there are illegal businesses being run down there by influential people. If he really knows anything (ok very doubtful), then he should take appropriate police action against them. But that would mean he would have to name them and perhaps some members of his own party might get caught up in such a police action.

Bottom line is that all of these so called influential people are crooked.

[whybother]

Drug traffickers from the North also have dealings in the South, he said.

That's how Chalerm knows who's involved in the south. It's government MPs businesses that have dealings with those in the South.

The military on the ground is aware of this illicit business and is reporting on it to the government as usual, the deputy premier said.

Ofcourse they're aware of it. They're involved in it.

[lovetotravel]

Chalerm has a dodgy past also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalerm_Yubamrung

He was accused of press interference and had ongoing conflicts with the military, to the point that he was cited by the coup-makers as one of the reasons for the 1991 military coup d'état. In the wake of the coup Chalerm was among the politicians accused of "unusual wealth", and had 32 million baht in assets seized.^[1] He fled Thailand to live in Sweden and Denmark until the political situation cooled down.

More interesting info on his political parties in the link.

[RogueExpat]

Why doesn't Chalerm concentrate on the illegal oil smuggling on the Eastern seaboard; much larger operation than the oil smuggling from Malaysia. It comes by the shipload, not truckload.

Why doesn't Chalerm concentrate on the illegal gambling in Bkk; can't do that - too much (election slush fund) money at stake.

Why doesn't Chalerm shut his mouth; impossible!

Smoke and mirrors, watch for the hidden hand; namely any large governemnet procurement cotracts that are out to tender in the next week; or even auto auctions with security guards to prevent any honest bids taking place.

[Dodobird]

illegal oil and gambling ... ah! Chuwit where are you?

[MunterHunter]

Drug traffickers from the North also have dealings in the South, he said. The military on the ground is aware of this illicit business and is reporting on it to the government as usual, the deputy premier said.

Err... the military has a SOP for this kinda thing? "Mr Deputy PM Sir! We have uncovered illegal operations again by politicians and are reporting it to you as usual, sir!"

If this is a "usual" thing, then why the heck hasn't this case (and the others, that have been reported as usual procedure) been tackled already - or is the chief of police, DSI, PM and Deputy PM guilty of dereliction of duty? Perhaps its time to impeach them all (or simply arrest those not in political positions) - Failure to act is the same as Aiding and Abetting, no?

[GentlemanJim]

He must name the politicians or he should be made to publicly retract his comments. I thought politics was a dirty business in the UK, but in comparison to Thailand it is as clean as a freshly polished button.

[zakk9]

He's actually on to something. Different forms of organised crime is maybe the most important reason why the conflict is almost impossible to solve. The religious and ethnical conflict is only the tip of the iceberg, but as long as influential people within military, police and the political parties have their hands burried deep into the honey pot, there's no real incentive to solve this matter. This conflict is mainly about money, as most other things in Thailand.

[Ricardo]

Perceived-wisdom from my family in the South was that this was previously a major military-scam, which DL when-in-power passed to the local BiBs, the 'troubles' ramped-up shortly afterwards. I find this entirely credible.

Also the story that, growing tired of shipping truckloads and boatloads of diesel, someone influential built a pipeline across the border, for more-efficient smuggling.

I can personally testify, to having been in-the-queue at the petrol-station just south of the border, whilst a 4-door sedan at the petrol-pump ahead of us topped-up with 500 litres of fuel, I guess he was planning a long drive that afternoon ?

But pretending that this is a newly-discovered scam, and that only his political opponents are involved, is fully up to the DPM's usual standards of sensationalist smear-job, lucky that someone maintains the old standards in the current government !

[slapout]

Chalerm has been chosen/charged to solve several problems since this government came to power. He is most adapt at pointing a finger, inuindo, and pure BS, when he gets into a situation that he can not handle as he handles his family, personal and business dealing He proclaims his experience as a policeman, his law degree as a justification for his ideas/methods.

In the real world he would be locked up so tight/isolated that they would shoot him his meals thru a pea shooter.

[chainarong]

Oh, To call the Pot back , one of the amusing little twerps, in political Thailand , sad fact of life, they are in every countries political scene, Australia has the greens.

[birdpooguava]

Must be BS. Dem MPs are purer than the driven snow.

[Reasonableman]

Must be BS. Dem MPs are purer than the driven snow.

Just dropping some more bird poo, so what's new?

[MunterHunter]

Must be BS. Dem MPs are purer than the driven snow.

Much like PTP, huh?

[hanuman2543]

He's actually on to something. Different forms of organised crime is maybe the most important reason why the conflict is almost impossible to solve. The religious and ethnical conflict is only the tip of the iceberg, but as long as influential people within military, police and the political parties have their hands burried deep into the honey pot, there's no real incentive to solve this matter. This conflict is mainly about money, as most other things in Thailand.

Spot on! Sums up the whole problem.

Edited August 10, 2012 by hanuman2543

[carra]

Chalerm said he would not name any politicians, and was simply informing Parliament that such illegal business complicated the troubles in the South.

Nothing but hot air, lies and innuendo from this clown. I also do not see how such illegal businesses complicate anything. Just shut them down and arrest everyone involved.

It does not surprise me at all that there are illegal businesses being run down there by influential people. If he really knows anything (ok very doubtful), then he should take appropriate police action against them. But that would mean he would have to name them and perhaps some members of his own party might get caught up in such a police action.

Bottom line is that all of these so called influential people are crooked.

So you say it is nothing but hot air, innuendos and lies from Chalerm but finish your post by saying ALL of these so called influential people are crooked, so the very people that Chalerm accuses in fact.

So let me get this straight, they are all crooked unless Chalerm says they are crooked, then your political bias will condone the crooked actions of the people he accusing based purely on the accuser?

Confused

[carra]

Chalerm has a dodgy past also:

http://en.wikipedia....alerm_Yubamrung

He was accused of press interference and had ongoing conflicts with the military, to the point that he was cited by the coup-makers as one of the reasons for the 1991 military coup d'état. In the wake of the coup Chalerm was among the politicians accused of "unusual wealth", and had 32 million baht in assets seized.^[1] He fled Thailand to live in Sweden and Denmark until the political situation cooled down.

More interesting info on his political parties in the link.

So because he has a dodgy past he can't blow the whistle on wrongdoers now, is that what you are saying?

If this is the case i guess nobody should listen to Chuwit now either?

[steveromagnino]

I believe the correct Chalerm reference in this case is

"I am shocked, shocked to see gambling is taking place in this establishment"

"your winnings sir"

"thank you very much"

Perhaps he didn't get all those pink cars and ties from his time as a humble policeman, protected by the benefits of innuendo and suggestion, some people say alledgedly that Chalerm may own a number of illegal gambling establishments and numbers rackets in the Praseecharoen area, but of course, that's just gossip. Coincidentally, in all his time as a politician, he has never investigated illegal gambling in his constituency, some say, again idle gossip.

Also, he has always claimed the innocence of his sons in every thing they have ever done. Supposedly.

Indeed, while others might say he is a crook, I say he is a fine upstanding member of the community, with a wonderful 3 sons who are very capable of standing on their own two feet and have earned all their jobs, money and reputation through hard work, determination and a willingness to go 'into the pit'* I agree, he would make an ideal whistle blower, since he pretty much has, alledgedly, dirt on most of the other members of the house, having made a quick buck alongside many of them. Supposedly. Also, not unknown to resort to a bit of rough and tumble when needed.

"I like the lad, I think we should give him a run at Old Trafford, to help protect Rooney up front," said canny Scottish manager Sir Alex Ferguson. And with that sort of made up endorsement, I therefore say wholeheartedly, anyone that can make stuff up that good about someone, is obviously a good honest man, and not the type of bloke that would have given a monopoly at cut rate prices to an up and coming Thai business magnate dealing in the shadowy world of government contracts, procurement and licensing off Thai state services to the private sector.

*'no no no, in the pit! Yes Master.' (a small 'I met Duangchalerm in Club 20/Taurus/RCA1' lucky charm available to the first to mention the reference of this line)

Edited August 10, 2012 by steveromagnino

[rkidlad]

For the sake of this country, the owners of chalerm need to take him to the vet so he can be put down.

This man is quite literally a 'moron'.

[WAERTH]

How to silence the political opposition in a country 101 lesson 1

Edited August 10, 2012 by WAERTH

[Skywalker69]

Chalerm said he would not name any politicians, and was simply informing Parliament that such illegal business complicated the troubles in the South.

Come on Charlem, give us the names, please.

[dominique355]

Chalerm knows these people so well, he knows what they are doing, he knows to which political party the belong and where they are.

Yet nobody is arrested or even named. Why?

Isn't a civil servant under the obligation to report a crime to the competent authorities or face dereliction of duty?

... maybe, just maybe, it's only hot air.

[mrtoad]

The Genius of Chalerm.

Only another 70 odd days, and all will be resolved in The South.

[Buchholz]

Chalerm said he would not name any politicians, and was simply informing Parliament that such illegal business complicated the troubles in the South.

Come on Charlem, give us the names, please.

Names?

That's not how it works.

First, he has to list a chronic medical malady as a means to identify the responsible party...

'Men in black' are policemen, Chalerm claims

He added that the mastermind behind these groups was now suffering from Parkinson's disease.

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4908402

And then, he.... uhhh...uhmmm... errrr..... never returns to the issue.

.

Edited August 10, 2012 by Buchholz

[ramrod711]

The scary thing is that he is Thailands most popular politician

[OzMick]

Chalerm has a dodgy past also:

http://en.wikipedia....alerm_Yubamrung

He was accused of press interference and had ongoing conflicts with the military, to the point that he was cited by the coup-makers as one of the reasons for the 1991 military coup d'état. In the wake of the coup Chalerm was among the politicians accused of "unusual wealth", and had 32 million baht in assets seized.^[1] He fled Thailand to live in Sweden and Denmark until the political situation cooled down.

More interesting info on his political parties in the link.

So because he has a dodgy past he can't blow the whistle on wrongdoers now, is that what you are saying?

If this is the case i guess nobody should listen to Chuwit now either?

The difference is that Chalerm does not only have a dodgy past, he is part of a continuing criminal conspiracy.

[slapout]

Not sure popular is how most people would describe him. That could be a tongue in cheek discription, just as 'your a good looking son of a bitch', when the wife greets me at the door after a night out.