I Deserve A Cabinet Seat Says Jatuporn

[Lite Beer]

'I deserve a Cabinet seat'

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Atapoom Ongkulna

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Once the Criminal Court decided it would not revoke the bail of terrorism-accused Jatuporn Promphan, the red-shirt leader's name was back on the list of potential new ministerial candidates for the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.

In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Jatuporn claimed he had the qualifications for such a post.

"Politically, I have proved [my eligibility] in all aspects, all platforms, in or outside the Parliament, in all environments. I don't know what else I can do better in life as this is the ultimate. That's all. I don't know what else I have to prove," he said.

However, he has not conveyed these thoughts to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who will decide on the Cabinet reshuffle. "I can talk about anything but myself."

Jatuporn denies he would be a target of attack if he became a minister. He said he had worked hard and was one of the rare people who could counter-debate with Democrat veteran Suthep Thaugsuban. It's difficult to find a person who can really talk down to him, Jatuporn said.

Regarding his image of being aggressive, which could be criticised and hurt the reconciliation efforts of the government, Jatuporn said he had to be aggressive as he had fought for the red shirts and it was his duty. He used the metaphor of warriors and said undoubtedly he was wounded, but his scars should not be seen as flaws.

"I fought to my best. My metaphor will be that I was a warrior on the battlefield. All the warriors, no matter how good they were at fighting - Genghis Khan, Alexander or anyone - had wounds from fighting on the battlefield," he said.

"The red shirts all have been bruised, black and blue, face legal cases. If you think the wounds of the warriors on the battlefield are blots, nobody will be your warrior in the future. We are at the back when it comes to the reward, but at the front when it comes to fighting - and how can you expect us not to have bruises," he said.

"It's not that I fought because I wanted to be [a minister], but on the battlefield you have to accept that the war has not finished," he said. "If [the Cabinet] consists only of people without any bruises, in the future we'll have no warriors. Everybody will be selfish," he said.

Jatuporn denied speculation that if he became a minister, Natthawut Saikua - another red-shirt leader who is now deputy agriculture and agricultural cooperatives minister - would be out of the post. He said there was no such thing as "quota" in the Pheu Thai Party. He and Natthawut were a perfect duo who opponents wanted to separate.

Asked whether the red shirts would accept the situation if he did not get a ministerial post because of his image, Jatuporn did not answer. He only said he would not be a problem for the Cabinet.

"The situation now is normal. It's not that once I became a minister the government's administration would collapse. Natthawut is in [the Cabinet] and he is not a problem. On the contrary, we can get a better understanding of the work," the red-shirt leader said.

Jatuporn said it was necessary for him to have the power to solve problems of people around the country he and Natthawut regularly visit.

"We have received lots of complaints [of problems] from the people. [but] we can only be [sympathetic] as we don't have the power. We can order [around] only the deputy agriculture minister! [laughs]. We can sometimes tell others. But when the people want a follow up [on problems], they don't follow up with the ministers, they ask us because they know us. So we have bared the problems," Jatuporn said.

Jatuporn declined to say which problem areas he would solve once he was in office. "Until the appointment, I cannot say. But wherever it is, I can work with the mechanism," he said.

On the situation of the red-shirt movement and reconciliation, Jatuporn said he had told the red shirts to keep calm and not to protest or attack the Democrats. They will get justice in the near future.

"I told supporters that the judicial process will lead to the Democrat government being penalised. It had been delayed for two years, but it is progressing. The red shirts must be mindful. If they obstruct [justice], we will be the villains. If the red shirts do that, it means we are opening the exit for [the Democrats]," he said.

Regarding the relationship between Pheu Thai and the red shirts - whom some see as being abused by the party, especially when de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra once said the red shirts had supported him to his destination and it was time he went on by himself - Jatuporn said there was no problem. Thaksin had apologised and he might have been incited by people with ill intent.

"As long as Pheu Thai does not abuse its power, is not corrupt and does not do anything against the people's will, [the red shirts] still share its heart and breath. If one day, Pheu Thai does something the other way round, the red shirts who have free hearts are ready to go. We have our own way," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-08-30

[kimamey]

"I told supporters that the judicial process will lead to the Democrat government being penalised."

So he already knows the outcome? Either the judicial process has been interfered with to get the desired judgement or he has no idea how the judicial process works. I suppose it could be both actually.

He's got all the qualities needed for a cabinet post hasn't he?

[rubl]

"Politically, I have proved [my eligibility] in all aspects, all platforms, in or outside the Parliament, in all environments. I don't know what else I can do better in life as this is the ultimate. That's all. I don't know what else I have to prove," he said.

All that ability and humble as well. He really deserves a seat as this is the ultimate in eligibility. And a police escort and a nice orange jumpsuit. IMHO that is

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

The only thing he deserves is a long jail sentence for trying to burn down Bangkok and starting a civil war.

[KireB]

He deserves his seat alright, as he sold his soul to the devil.

Weng and Jatuporn were the ones that turned down Abhisit's proposal for early elections, just before the shit hit the proverbial fan!

Both have blood on their hands!

[Pimay1]

"As long as Pheu Thai does not abuse its power, is not corrupt and does not do anything against the people's will, [the red shirts] still share its heart and breath.

Well that says it all. Jatuporn sure has a different definition of abuse of power and corruption than I do. And he is correct when he says the red shirts share the heart and breath of this corrupt administration. It is sad that the poor Thai people in the red shirt movement have been tricked into following the likes of Nattawut and Jatuport cannot see the real agenda of these guys. Hopefully they will break the bonds with these people and find someone who truly represents them and not represent the fugitive's agenda.

[OzMick]

do you know the difference between a political activist and a mercenary propaganda mouthpiece. Political activists rarely get to be millionaires.

[Sydebolle]

What the Thai people deserve is a professional government and not providing a political playpen for shirties of various colours. It's their country and for the last six years they've been scr...wing around to the sole disadvantage of those, who foot the bills, i.e. the Thai electorate. How sad is this....... ?

[khunken]

As already posted, he deserves a prominent post in the current government. He has all the credentials: Thaksin acolyte, big mouth, violent, corrupt & a huge self-inflated ego. He'd go well with Chalerm.

Does Thailand have a ministry of propaganda. Sorry, silly question - it has umpteen.

[buhi]

"I fought to my best. My metaphor will be that I was a warrior on the battlefield. All the warriors, no matter how good they were at fighting - Genghis Khan, Alexander or anyone - had wounds from fighting on the battlefield," he said.

Good role models for Democracy!

[buhi]

"I fought to my best. My metaphor will be that I was a warrior on the battlefield. All the warriors, no matter how good they were at fighting - Genghis Khan, Alexander or anyone - had wounds from fighting on the battlefield," he said.

Good role models for Democracy!

Hitler?

[Sharp]

He deserves his seat alright, as he sold his soul to the devil.

Weng and Jatuporn were the ones that turned down Abhisit's proposal for early elections, just before the shit hit the proverbial fan!

Both have blood on their hands!

I'd give him a seat plugged into the electric grid...

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect App

[Pimay1]

What he truly deserves is at least twenty years in the Bangkok Hilton fed maggot soup daily. This guy has no remorse at all for helping to create hatred by his firey speeches to the reds for over two months leading many of them to their deaths. Scum comes to mind.

[siampolee]

Thaksin had apologised and he might have been incited by people with ill intent.

Thaksin apologising???? People with ill intent, Jutuporn must have been looking in the mirror when he came up with that little pearl of wisdom

Methinks Jutuporn should stop taking the medication that he shouldn't be taking and perhaps start taking the medication that he should be taking

Edited August 30, 2012 by siampolee

[Pimay1]

All the Jatuporn and red defenders must be on a visa run today. Not one post from the true believers/defenders.

[OzMick]

The first 4 paragraphs are mind-boggling hypocrisy. He became a millionaire for flapping his gums, lying and distorting the truth for the kwai, and never struck a blow. All warriors are wounded - show us your scars.

[khunken]

All the Jatuporn and red defenders must be on a visa run today. Not one post from the true believers/defenders.

No, they're busy trying to twist the testimony of the soldiers in the thread 'Only Rubber Bullets Used on Fatal Day....'

[Tanaka]

What a total moron. In the west he would be in an asylum. Or, if deemed sane, serving a very long jail sentence for terrorism.

[Nickymaster]

What he truly deserves is at least twenty years in the Bangkok Hilton fed maggot soup daily. This guy has no remorse at all for helping to create hatred by his firey speeches to the reds for over two months leading many of them to their deaths. Scum comes to mind.

2 months?! This guy has been spreading hatred for more than 2 years. He has pulled the whole country into pieces.

[Pimay1]

What he truly deserves is at least twenty years in the Bangkok Hilton fed maggot soup daily. This guy has no remorse at all for helping to create hatred by his firey speeches to the reds for over two months leading many of them to their deaths. Scum comes to mind.

2 months?! This guy has been spreading hatred for more than 2 years. He has pulled the whole country into pieces.

I stand corrected.

[SICHONSTEVE]

He deserves his seat alright, as he sold his soul to the devil.

Weng and Jatuporn were the ones that turned down Abhisit's proposal for early elections, just before the shit hit the proverbial fan!

Both have blood on their hands!

Absolutely!!!

[rixalex]

"I fought to my best. My metaphor will be that I was a warrior on the battlefield. All the warriors, no matter how good they were at fighting - Genghis Khan, Alexander or anyone - had wounds from fighting on the battlefield," he said.

Are we sure this was what Jatuporn said? Sounds distinctly like something Blackadder said in Blackadder Goes Forth.

Similar characters. Both noble and brave, and prepared to sacrifice themselves from behind the trenches. Metaphorical blows aren't to be scoffed at. They really do hurt. Imagine a puppy dog nuzzling at your leg. They are like that, but twice as painful.

[Ricardo]

For Blind-Loyalty beyond all reason, and his skill at forecasting coups, Jatuporn surely deserves to be Finance Minister, forecasting the country's economic-future !

And also a Deputy Prime Minister as well !

Hurrah for the PTP/Red-Shirt-elite feudal system, which rewards faithful servants, regardless of ability !

Edited August 30, 2012 by Ricardo

[LuckyLew]

Sire he deserves his seat

He has served his paymaster very well

Time for his just rewards

[MAJIC]

And if he got one,he'd only set fire to it,if he didn't get his own way!

[Chads]

Here's a "cabinet seat". Should suffice.

[ramrod711]

"It's not that I fought because I wanted to be [a minister], but on the battlefield you have to accept that the war has not finished," he said. "If [the Cabinet] consists only of people without any bruises, in the future we'll have no warriors. Everybody will be selfish," he said.

In the future? Remember his statement that he had not recieved money from Thaksin for his part in the Bangkok sedition?

He said that all he had was his home and his toyota fortuner, did he win the lottery, or stumble across several million on the street?

[ricardofel]

he deserves a seat in the restroom.

[KireB]

do you know the difference between a political activist and a mercenary propaganda mouthpiece. Political activists rarely get to be millionaires.

Jatuporn claimed on the red shirt stage that he was part of the people, the Prai and was down to earth and modest. He only drives a Fortuner, to use his own words.

[steenasger]

"I told supporters that the judicial process will lead to the Democrat government being penalised."

So he already knows the outcome? Either the judicial process has been interfered with to get the desired judgement or he has no idea how the judicial process works. I suppose it could be both actually.

He's got all the qualities needed for a cabinet post hasn't he?

Yes, he would be the perfect clown.