Yingluck, Thaksin At Odds?

[Lite Beer]

ANALYSIS

Yingluck, Thaksin at odds?

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Chief adviser Pansak seen to be undermining finance minister

An ongoing conflict between Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and the prime minister's chief adviser, Pansak Vinyarat, points to a previously unthinkable situation - a rift between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her influential brother Thaksin.

There has been a perception Pansak is trying to oust Kittiratt, both as finance minister and the deputy premier in charge of the government's economic team.

Kittiratt has stubbornly refused to follow suggestions from Pansak, who considers himself a key economic adviser. One of Thaksin's trusted aides, Pansak proposed several measures for financial and monetary matters.

After Kittiratt admitted to telling "white lies" about national economic growth targets, it was rumoured he would be replaced. However, it appears the finance minister and the head of the government's economic team has remained stable.

Then came a new controversy.

A group of Government House reporters was recorded on video criticising Kittiratt's performance in the press room. A copy of the video was later sent from Pansak's room to the prime minister's office in the Thai Khufah Building. The clip appeared to be intended to prove that reporters were unimpressed with Kittiratt. This was the latest in a series of moves obviously targeting the finance minister.

However, the result so far has been unexpected - at least for Pansak. Reporters complained about the media being used as a political tool. And the PM became more angry at Pansak. For her, the video-clip controversy was demeaning and disrespectful. The people involved were viewed as failing to respect Yingluck as government leader.

After more than one year in office as the government head, Yingluck appears to be more confident in running the country, despite a number of shortcomings in the eyes of many critics and observers. The prime minister has insisted she wants Kittiratt to remain as her economic czar. She is more comfortable working with Kittiratt, who is considered her friend and trusted adviser on economic matters.

When former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala was in conflict with Kittiratt, then the commerce minister, the prime minister was not reluctant to oust Thirachai from her Cabinet.

And now, with the growing rift between Kittiratt and Pansak, the latter has seen a wider distance between him and the prime minister. Pansak has now found it more difficult to reach Yingluck, due to obstacles by her close aides, led by the PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva.

Pansak was once a candidate to head the government's economic team but he later had to be satisfied with the post of chief adviser to the PM. Thaksin, believed to be pulling strings behind the government, did not oppose Yingluck's wish to have her trusted friend serve as chief of their economic team.

These moves have raised questions of whether Pansak wants to take Kittiratt's seat, or whether his moves have been encouraged by others. It is yet to be seen if he will succeed in ousting Kittiratt and if the prime minister, for the rest of her time in office, can resist the pressure for her finance minister to be replaced.

Both Kittiratt and Pansak have strong supporters behind them. While Yingluck has strongly defended the former, the latter has been backed by Thaksin from the beginning.

-- The Nation 2012-09-02

[Buchholz]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

.

[theblether]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

[Thaddeus]

Yingluck, Thaksin at odds?

Choosing curtains?

[Thaddeus]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

I seriously hope you are right.

[Buchholz]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

Please enlighten me as to when and what I said I that you somehow construe as my expectation that Thaksin would be back by now?

As for Thaksin having become irrelevant, I'll believe that when there's more indications to do so. Instead we have many indications that highlight the exact opposite of that position.

His number one acolyte is the person he's described as his "daughter" but who is actually his sister.

.

Edited September 2, 2012 by Buchholz

[OzMick]

"Yingluck appears to be more confident in running the country" and there's nothing scarier than a confident incompetent.

[theblether]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

I seriously hope you are right.

Me too.

I would like to see a poll of how many people here have called it completely wrong for the past year.................day in and day out they have railed about the same subject............the impending return of TS.

To me he is further away than ever........and Yingluck's people are starting to empire build. People don't give up the levers of power easily once they get their hands on them. This has been true throughout history and it will become true in this case too.

[theblether]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

Please enlighten me as to when and what I said I that you somehow construe as my expectation that Thaksin would be back by now?

As for Thaksin having become irrelevant, I'll believe that when there's more indications to do so. Instead we have many indications that highlight the exact opposite of that position.

His number one acolyte is the person he's described as his "daughter" but who is actually his sister.

.

Do I really need to go through your content for the past year?......I want to enjoy life

His number one acolyte is the person he's described as his "daughter" but who is actually his sister.

............who now appears to be comfortable and stable in the job, unlike the "deer in the headlights" look she had last year. Be very careful of underestimating the ambition of her people......as every month passes they will become more powerful and influential and TS and his people less so.

His US trip seemed to do more damage than good for him.........he's drifting out to sea.

Edited September 2, 2012 by theblether

[Buchholz]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

Please enlighten me as to when and what I said I that you somehow construe as my expectation that Thaksin would be back by now?

As for Thaksin having become irrelevant, I'll believe that when there's more indications to do so. Instead we have many indications that highlight the exact opposite of that position.

His number one acolyte is the person he's described as his "daughter" but who is actually his sister.

Do I really need to go through your content for the past year?......I want to enjoy life

Ok, so then that's a no.

You prefer to just toss something out there without justification.

Fair enough.

Edit to add.... perhaps you've mistaken my sarcasm towards proclamations by others that he is returning... such as Red Shirt Leader Kwanchai's declarative that Thaksin would return last December for his daughter's wedding or that he and 10 million Red Shirts would escort Thaksin into Thailand from Laos during last April's Songkran as actually believing him.

.

Edited September 2, 2012 by Buchholz

[theblether]

I'n pretty sure you have predicted his return in the past however if you say you did not then I will retire and lick my wounds.

[Ricardo]

While it would be nice to see PM-Yingluck making her own decisions, about policy or her Cabinet-members, this would require quite a change from the old ways, but you never know.

I suspect that he who pays the pipers, still believes he calls the tune, and they dance whatever jig is instructed.

[marshbags]

The Thaksin spin machine puts a bit more propoganda out to take other serious issues away of the headlines.

HIm and his sister at odds..

She may differ on certain things like who,s turn is it to take the family pet for walk, make the coffee or other mundane family matters but.......

When it comes to PT and governmental policy / policies his wishes are carried out to the letter and this most certainly applies to Yingluk based on her performances up to now.

marshbags

Edited September 2, 2012 by marshbags

[Gary A]

I'm always amused with posters here calling Yingluck a puppet. What they fail to realize is that she is a woman. I have never been able to tell a woman anything, not my sister in particular. My Thai wife knows everything. My wife does consult me about major decisions then she does exactly what she wants to do.

[Buchholz]

I'n pretty sure you have predicted his return in the past however if you say you did not then I will retire and lick my wounds.

As someone who generally avoids the prognostication that so many others are fond of, I very rarely ever try to predict anything in Thai politics. It's needless and most often incorrect, no matter who is gazing into the crystal ball.

I appreciate you recognizing you misspoke.

.

Edited September 2, 2012 by Buchholz

[theblether]

While it would be nice to see PM-Yingluck making her own decisions, about policy or her Cabinet-members, this would require quite a change from the old ways, but you never know.

I suspect that he who pays the pipers, still believes he calls the tune, and they dance whatever jig is instructed.

still believes he calls the tune

..............and with that prescient remark, the whole issue lies.

He believes he is calling the tune........there will be others preparing their own concerto.

[theblether]

I'n pretty sure you have predicted his return in the past however if you say you did not then I will retire and lick my wounds.

As someone who generally avoids the prognostication that so many others are fond of, I very rarely ever try to predict anything in Thai politics. It's needless and most often incorrect, not matter who is gazing into the crystal ball.

I appreciate you recognizing you misspoke.

.

To be honest with you I was dreading going through a years worth of content

It's better to retire wounded than add to my suffering.

[Orac]

The Thaksin spin machine puts a bit more propoganda out to take other serious issues away of the headlines.

Thaksin and his sister at odds...

She may differ on certain things like who,s turn is it to take the family pet for walk or other mundane family matters.

When it comes to PT policy and other govermental issues...he speaks, they all listen and obey, this includes Yingluk.

marshbags

I think having the The Nation down as "the Thaksin spin machine" is a bit much to be honest

[OzMick]

The Thaksin spin machine puts a bit more propoganda out to take other serious issues away of the headlines.

Thaksin and his sister at odds...

She may differ on certain things like who,s turn is it to take the family pet for walk or other mundane family matters.

When it comes to PT policy and other govermental issues...he speaks, they all listen and obey, this includes Yingluk.

marshbags

I think having the The Nation down as "the Thaksin spin machine" is a bit much to be honest

I think it's a twin tub. PTV washes it and the Nation spins. May be an installation problem with spinner belt as running backwards.

[Buchholz]

I'm always amused with posters here calling Yingluck a puppet. What they fail to realize is that she is a woman. I have never been able to tell a woman anything, not my sister in particular. My Thai wife knows everything. My wife does consult me about major decisions then she does exactly what she wants to do.

Theirs is much more of a father/daughter relationship. Quite different than a sibling or spousal relationship.

Yingluck publicly declined to get involved in politics numerous times. It was only when the election was rapidly approaching and with no suitable PM candidate for the position that met Thaksin's approval, eg. his turning down the proposal for his brother Payup to become PM, did Yingluck finally relent after a family clan meeting in Dubai, and agree to become PM. A scant 49 days later, she was in the position.

She did what she wanted (avoid politics) for quite some time... but eventually acquiesced to her brother's decision, which she has for most of her life, eg. going to school in the USA, fulfilling fluff positions in his corporations, etc.

.

Edited September 2, 2012 by Buchholz

[ballpoint]

Impetuous teens are often at odds with a parent.

.

At the risk of picking a fight Buchholz..............you and many others expected TS to be back by now. You didn't expect a new generation of politicians to start roosting in the nest of power.

The longer TS is out of the country the more irrelevant he and his acolytes will become.......and the more power and confidence will flow to his sister.

It's happening below your nose and you can't see it.

I seriously hope you are right.

Me too.

I would like to see a poll of how many people here have called it completely wrong for the past year.................day in and day out they have railed about the same subject............the impending return of TS.

To me he is further away than ever........and Yingluck's people are starting to empire build. People don't give up the levers of power easily once they get their hands on them. This has been true throughout history and it will become true in this case too.

Actually, it's been the red side, both on the forum and in the government, that have been promising us that he'll be back. "His conviction was politically motivated... He'll be back for his daughter's wedding/birthday/graduation... There are secret talks going on with "the elite"... The people love him and want him back...blah de blah de blah... " Fortunately, the country still has a working opposition, despite the efforts of the government to "destroy" it, and enough people to make a stand against the whitewashing of his crimes that the government is furiously trying to get written into law, or the promise might have become true.

It could very well be possible that the non red faction of the PTP is making an attempt to gain control,or at least remain in their seats, especially following Jatuporns deserving of a place speech, but I doubt Yingluck has a clue about what's really going on. She's being manipulated by both sides and bumbles along in her own little world while her advsors take shots at each other.

[Orac]

I'm always amused with posters here calling Yingluck a puppet. What they fail to realize is that she is a woman. I have never been able to tell a woman anything, not my sister in particular. My Thai wife knows everything. My wife does consult me about major decisions then she does exactly what she wants to do.

Theirs is much more of a father/daughter relationship. Quite different than a sibling or spousal relationship.

Yingluck publicly declined to get involved in politics numerous times. It was only when the election was rapidly approaching and with no suitable PM candidate for the position that met Thaksin's approval, eg. his turning down the proposal for his brother Payup to become PM, did Yingluck finally relent after a family clan meeting in Dubai, and agree to become PM. A scant 49 days she was in the position.

She did what she wanted (avoid politics) for quite some time... but eventually acquiesced to her brother's decision, which she has for most of her life, eg. going to school in the USA, fulfilling fluff positions in his corporations, etc.

.

Given the stick that Yingluck gets from some people can you imagine the flack that a prime minister called Payup would get.

[Buchholz]

I'n pretty sure you have predicted his return in the past however if you say you did not then I will retire and lick my wounds.

As someone who generally avoids the prognostication that so many others are fond of, I very rarely ever try to predict anything in Thai politics. It's needless and most often incorrect, not matter who is gazing into the crystal ball.

I appreciate you recognizing you misspoke.

To be honest with you I was dreading going through a years worth of content

It's better to retire wounded than add to my suffering.

An easy search engine look could cut your "suffering" to mere seconds of time, but I can appreciate you'd prefer to laugh something off rather than admit you misspoke, but no worries. It's common here to categorically state others of saying things they didn't say.

.

[theblether]

Maybe I'm barking mad however my reading of court politics throughout history ( and that's a hobby of mine ) is that it's the courtiers that turn the heads........the OP is a story about court politics and that's where the danger lies for TS.......the court will split.......and he will not be able to do anything about it.

The longer he is out of the country.........the tighter the grip the courtiers will have on power.......and you'll find an internal coup will emanate from the most unexpected source.

Read the story again...................an attempt to blacken a name back fired..........it won't be the last time the rule of unintended consequences comes into play.

[Valentine]

Maybe I'm barking mad however my reading of court politics throughout history ( and that's a hobby of mine ) is that it's the courtiers that turn the heads........the OP is a story about court politics and that's where the danger lies for TS.......the court will split.......and he will not be able to do anything about it.

The longer he is out of the country.........the tighter the grip the courtiers will have on power.......and you'll find an internal coup will emanate from the most unexpected source.

Read the story again...................an attempt to blacken a name back fired..........it won't be the last time the rule of unintended consequences comes into play.

Game of Thrones is a good television series which truly mimics the feudalistic power struggles going on in Thailand.

[Thaddeus]

The longer he is out of the country.........the tighter the grip the courtiers will have on power.......and you'll find an internal coup will emanate from the most unexpected source.

Is there a feminine form of Dictator..............

Dictatress?

[theblether]

The longer he is out of the country.........the tighter the grip the courtiers will have on power.......and you'll find an internal coup will emanate from the most unexpected source.

Is there a feminine form of Dictator..............

Dictatress?

Wife

[soundman]

No need to start getting personal guys.

[OzMick]

The longer he is out of the country.........the tighter the grip the courtiers will have on power.......and you'll find an internal coup will emanate from the most unexpected source.

Is there a feminine form of Dictator..............

Dictatress?

Pussytator ? (or its shorter anglo-saxon derived equivalent)

[Buchholz]

I'm always amused with posters here calling Yingluck a puppet. What they fail to realize is that she is a woman. I have never been able to tell a woman anything, not my sister in particular. My Thai wife knows everything. My wife does consult me about major decisions then she does exactly what she wants to do.

Theirs is much more of a father/daughter relationship. Quite different than a sibling or spousal relationship.

Yingluck publicly declined to get involved in politics numerous times. It was only when the election was rapidly approaching and with no suitable PM candidate for the position that met Thaksin's approval, eg. his turning down the proposal for his brother Payup to become PM, did Yingluck finally relent after a family clan meeting in Dubai, and agree to become PM. A scant 49 days she was in the position.

She did what she wanted (avoid politics) for quite some time... but eventually acquiesced to her brother's decision, which she has for most of her life, eg. going to school in the USA, fulfilling fluff positions in his corporations, etc.

Given the stick that Yingluck gets from some people can you imagine the flack that a prime minister called Payup would get.

The pre-election campaign T-shirts with the great slogan all went to waste when, in less than 2 months before people went to the polls, Yingluck finally relented to family pressures and took the reigns from someone even more inept than her....

Give Payup Shinawatra a crack at it...

.

Edited September 2, 2012 by Buchholz