Pheu Thai May Field Kittiratt For Bangkok Governor

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

Pheu Thai may field Kittiratt for governor

POLITICAL DESK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party's desperate search for a suitable candidate for next year's Bangkok gubernatorial election may be over, with Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong likely to be selected.

Some Pheu Thai sources said Kittiratt was favoured by many party heavyweights, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her self-exiled brother Thaksin, who is believed to be pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

Kittiratt's selection could be a Pheu Thai strategy to kill two birds with one stone.

First, it would remove him from the Cabinet after his "white lie" controversy brought much negative publicity for the government, which would help reduce pressure on the ruling party. Second, the move could lessen the conflict between some party factions revolving around Kittiratt and his position as the head of the government's economic team.

Thaksin Shinawatra, referred to as the "big boss" by many Pheu Thai politicians, is reportedly unhappy with Kittiratt's performance, amid mounting public discontent over the rising cost of living and other economic problems.

Kittiratt, who is also the deputy prime minister in charge of economic matters, recently admitted to having told a "white lie" about the country's economic growth. He said that as the head of the government's economic team, he was allowed to "utter white lies sometimes" to boost confidence in the country's economy.

The remarks led to heavy attacks from critics and opposition politicians, who pointed to a possible cover-up and lies by the government on other matters.

A recent public opinion survey found that 66 per cent of the respondents said they had less faith in the government after the finance minister admitted to having lied, and 83 per cent of them wanted him to resign to take responsibility.

During yesterday's meeting of the House of Representatives, Kittiratt failed to show up again to respond to queries by opposition Democrat MP Kiat Sitthee-amorn about his "white lie" remark as well as the government measures to fight economic problems. The finance minister had also been absent from the previous question session on August 30.

A Pheu Thai source said yesterday that choosing Kittiratt as its candidate for the upcoming governor election did not mean the party would "raise the white flag" to the Democrat Party, to which incumbent Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra belongs. The source said Kittiratt was Pheu Thai's best - not desperate - choice.

"Don't forget the fact that Thaksin is a master of polls. His decision is always based on the scientific principle. The decision to support any particular candidate certainly is not based on his feeling," the source said.

However, the selection of Kittiratt may cause displeasure among supporters of certain Pheu Thai politicians earlier believed to be its candidate, particularly veteran politician Sudarat Keyuraphan, a key figure among Pheu Thai's Bangkok politicians. She is reportedly not favoured by certain members of the Shinawatra family who have retained influence in the ruling party.

At a Pheu Thai meeting yesterday in preparation for the governor's election, some participants shouted: "We support Sudarat." Yingluck, who chaired the meeting, promised to "hear all the voices" but added that the party would have to "answer the questions of Bangkok residents".

Sudarat has not made it clear publicly whether she wants to run for Bangkok governor, although her name has been mentioned often.

-- The Nation 2012-09-07

[FOODLOVER]

When the prime minister of Thailand consistently lies to her people why would she not want her minions to be as easy with the truth as her? Ask her about night radar, flooding, her brothers finances, the four seasons affair and the list continues. Unbelievable she wiggled out of her perjury situation. Should have been convicted but oh well, only the poor Thai people pay for her lies. They are consistent, i'll give them that.

Edited September 6, 2012 by FOODLOVER

[Ricardo]

The current-FM could perhaps promise to extend the Sky-Trains, or to solve all the traffic-problems, but that's been done a decade and more ago.

Perhaps he could promise to call-in his friend, DMP Super-Chalerm to solve the flooding-problems, within 90 days ?

Or perhaps he could try promising lower rice-prices for consumers, or ensuring that last year's flood-compensations might be paid-in-full, at last, or to put Bangkok schools to the top-of-the-list for getting the free lap-tops ?

Or guarantee no-more-peaceful-protests, by the Red-Shirts, while PM-Yingluck is still PM ?

Or how about promising to cut the price of diesel/petrol, that might work, or free whitening-cream for all ! Another whitening lie ?

Edited September 6, 2012 by Ricardo

[whybother]

That makes sense. Kittirat is an embarressment to the government because of his white lies. What makes then think that the Bangkok electorate will accept that?

Sent from my HTC phone.

[virtualtraveller]

Thaksin may be a master of polls, but a poor judge of character. Bangkok people aren't stupid, they don't want 'white lies' told to them, they've already informally polled that they think he should resign as minister. Democrats must be pleased with all these unsuitable candidates that are being put forward because of their closeness to Thaksin. Sudaret would be much better.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Can a monkey from Bangkok's zoo be chosen as a suitable PTP candidate??

They would stand more chance if they could!!

[Buchholz]

That makes sense. Kittirat is an embarrassment to the government because of his white lies. What makes then think that the Bangkok electorate will accept that?

His opponent may garner between 80 and 84 per cent of the vote.

Kittiratt should quit: poll

BANGKOK: -- Most people believe investors lost confidence in Thailand when the finance minister confessed to telling "white lies", indicating sagging ethics among politicians, according to a Abac poll.

About 80 per cent of respondents believe Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong's comment that it was fine to fudge figures in some cases betrayed investors' trust while 84 per cent said his remark showed the poor state of Thai politician's integrity and principles.

[FarangTalk]

A liar?

I can see why he would be considered an excellent and suitable candidate.

[scotbeve]

That makes sense. Kittirat is an embarressment to the government because of his white lies. What makes then think that the Bangkok electorate will accept that?

Sent from my HTC phone.

Of course they'll accept his "white lies"... They've accepted the present guvs lies for years, haven't they? Kitti is just a different flavor.

[OzMick]

Given a choice of Kittirat or Sudarat, I'd pick neither rat.

[OzMick]

That makes sense. Kittirat is an embarressment to the government because of his white lies. What makes then think that the Bangkok electorate will accept that?

Sent from my HTC phone.

Of course they'll accept his "white lies"... They've accepted the present guvs lies for years, haven't they? Kitti is just a different flavor.

....of rat. you forgot the rat on his name which is a no-no.

[h90]

no way he can win in Bangkok.

[whybother]

That makes sense. Kittirat is an embarressment to the government because of his white lies. What makes then think that the Bangkok electorate will accept that?

Sent from my HTC phone.

Of course they'll accept his "white lies"... They've accepted the present guvs lies for years, haven't they? Kitti is just a different flavor.

But they didn't elect Suhkumband knowing that he lies. (except that he is a politician, and everyone knows they lie)

[rubl]

A Pheu Thai source said yesterday that choosing Kittiratt as its candidate for the upcoming governor election did not mean the party would "raise the white flag" to the Democrat Party, to which incumbent Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra belongs. The source said Kittiratt was Pheu Thai's best - not desperate - choice.

"Don't forget the fact that Thaksin is a master of polls. His decision is always based on the scientific principle. The decision to support any particular candidate certainly is not based on his feeling," the source said.

Reading and rereading gain, I wonder if the 'source' is saying that the support of any candidate (e.g. k. Kittirat) is not based on k. Thaksin's feeling, but his scientific approach, suggesting that ONLY k. Thaksin had a say in this? The 'Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts' man who stepped back from politics, likes playing golf and flying around in his own aeroplane? The self-exiled criminal on the run?

[drdoom6996]

An admitted liam as opposed to the one who does not lie ever? I am being sarcastic.

[bigbamboo]

So PT want to inflict a liar and a coward on the 'elitist' people of Bangkok.

Well, they're right about one thing. Compared to Kittiratt just about everyone is elite.