Yongyuth Resigns As Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister

[webfact]

Yongyuth resigns as deputy PM, interior minister

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Yongyuth Wichaidit Friday stepped down as deputy prime minister and interior minister following reports that the Pheu Thai core members pressured him to resign.

Yongyuth claimed he decided to resign on his own with no one pressuring him.

He said he had submitted his resignation to the Government House and would take effect on October 1.

He said he would remain in the position of the Pheu Thai leader and party-list MP.

It was earlier reported that the Pheu Thai strategic committee decided to have Yongyuth step down from the Cabinet after the Interior Ministry's Civil Service Sub-commission resolved on September 14 to fire him retroactively as the permanent secretary for Interior for having committed a severe disciplinary action.

According to Thai Rath, the strategic committee of the Pheu Thai made an urgent call to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was visiting the US, suggesting that Yongyuth should not hold any political position now or else the Pheu Thai could be affected.

Thai Rath said PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong Boongsongphaisarn would become acting deputy prime minister and interior minister, replacing Yongyuth.

The CSC sub-commission decided to fire Yongyuth as demanded by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which decided to indict Yongyuth for failing to act on the Council of State's recommendation to revoke the land deed of Alpine golf course. The revocation of the land deed would result in the revocation of the land sale from a temple to the company that owns the golf course.

Yongyuth earlier declined to step down following the action of the CSC sub-commission, claiming that he should have retroactively received leniency under the 2007 Exoneration Act.

-- The Nation 2012-09-28

[OzMick]

Yongyuth has announced his resignation as interior minister and deputy PM. He will remain Pheu Thai leader...............

.............Criminality not being a hindrance to holding that position. In fact considering the number of PTP MPs who gained their position because of their criminality, it may even be a desirable attribute, as the crime was committed, like the others, in the service of Thaksin.

[GentlemanJim]

So, a completely correct decision requiring integrity and a conscience ................ coming from a PTP member who previously has removed to budge on many occassions. Whilst I am absolutely delighted.......what's the catch ????

[asiawatcher]

Praise be, on the side of Light - he has decided to stay on? Under what directive - he is still there... nothing has changed. Still the puppet masters real prodigy whilst madam PM continues to flutter her eyelids and socialise globally where nothing can affect her.

[ratcatcher]

I think we'll all miss the guy, with his traditional Thai clothes and silver comb-over.

He has been Yingluck's shadow since the elections of 2011. Always in the background like a nervous father or someone who had something to hide.

Looks like some of the wolves in the PTP pack were getting restless, so they cut him loose.

No more Ying and Yong.

Replaced by Niwatthamrong Boongsongphaisarn. Oops, there's a mouthful

[somtumlion]

Don't worry, Im sure Thaksin will give his ol' buddy Yongyuth a "reach around" for taking one for the team....

[GentlemanJim]

Don't worry, Im sure Thaksin will give his ol' buddy Yongyuth a "reach around" for taking one for the team....

There has to be a catch.....can't wait for the next episode. These people do NOTHING unless there is something in it for themselves. I wonder what it will be?

[Nickymaster]

This warrior against corruption should leave politics with his tail between his legs. Hypocrite.

[animatic]

So, a completely correct decision requiring integrity and a conscience ................ coming from a PTP member who previously has removed to budge on many occassions. Whilst I am absolutely delighted.......what's the catch ????

Follow the money. Catch 22 if you don't want the money then no one will believe you,

and give it to you anyway and still expect the favor...

[webfact]

Thai interior minister quits amid land sale probe

BANGKOK, Sept 28, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's interior minister and leader of the ruling party resigned from the cabinet on Friday amid a spiralling graft probe scandal and fears over the political fallout for the government.

Yongyuth Wichaidit said he would quit his ministerial position, although he will retain his role as a member of parliament and as head of the Puea Thai party, allied with ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I have decided to resign from both deputy prime minister and interior minister positions," he told reporters in Bangkok, adding that the move would take effect from Monday.

Yongyuth, 70, was found guilty by the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for unlawfully endorsing the sale of monastic land to a golf course developer when he was deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry in 2000.

He denies wrongdoing and is fighting the case. But the Puea Thai party said he had decided to fall on his sword to take the heat off the government, as bitter divisions continue to cause uncertainty in Thailand's political landscape.

"He wanted the government to be able to continue working for the people without any trouble to distract it," party spokesman Pormpong Nopparit told AFP.

"This is purely legal matter and because the opposition will not let it go, he decided to call it quits."

Political tensions have racked Thailand since Thaksin was ousted by royalist generals in 2006.

Judicial rulings have played a key part in Thailand's volatile recent past, with two pro-Thaksin premiers forced from office in 2008 by the courts. The tycoon's sister Yingluck Shinawatra is the country's current prime minister.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-09-28

[noahvail]

"This is purely legal matter and because the opposition will not let it go, he decided to call it quits."

As opposed to a purely illegal matter?

[AleG]

"This is purely legal matter and because the opposition will not let it go, he decided to call it quits."

Pfff... how dare the opposition cast light into the illegalities of the incumbent government and its members. Why can't they just look the other way instead?

[whybother]

Surely still being a party list MP it would still be an issue for the PTP.

Sent from my HTC phone.

[MEL1]

Such a waste!

-mel.

[Thai at Heart]

Thai interior minister quits amid land sale probe

BANGKOK, Sept 28, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's interior minister and leader of the ruling party resigned from the cabinet on Friday amid a spiralling graft probe scandal and fears over the political fallout for the government.

Yongyuth Wichaidit said he would quit his ministerial position, although he will retain his role as a member of parliament and as head of the Puea Thai party, allied with ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I have decided to resign from both deputy prime minister and interior minister positions," he told reporters in Bangkok, adding that the move would take effect from Monday.

Yongyuth, 70, was found guilty by the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for unlawfully endorsing the sale of monastic land to a golf course developer when he was deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry in 2000.

He denies wrongdoing and is fighting the case. But the Puea Thai party said he had decided to fall on his sword to take the heat off the government, as bitter divisions continue to cause uncertainty in Thailand's political landscape.

"He wanted the government to be able to continue working for the people without any trouble to distract it," party spokesman Pormpong Nopparit told AFP.

"This is purely legal matter and because the opposition will not let it go, he decided to call it quits."

Political tensions have racked Thailand since Thaksin was ousted by royalist generals in 2006.

Judicial rulings have played a key part in Thailand's volatile recent past, with two pro-Thaksin premiers forced from office in 2008 by the courts. The tycoon's sister Yingluck Shinawatra is the country's current prime minister.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-09-28

Amid? Its been going on how long. Amid would been one week into a 2 week process?

[MEL1]

He has a nice golf course free membership to retire to, plus a few stakes in various shady land deals in Kho Samui, amongst others.

Jump ship before you are sunk, is his idea. I can't knock him for audacity. Hopefully, he'll just get ill quickly and go a natural cause of events, like leptospirosis can affect an Interior Minister.

Glad to see the current house leaders starting to collapse amongst their own ranks....... can't wait to see them oust Jatupon.

These kind of events make me smile, after a hard days work paying taxes into their humungous tax benefitted open wallets...... I WISH illness on all the PTP MEMBERS! I especially wish harder hearing on Chalerm, so he has to turn up even more pissed up than he normally does and he needs a hering aid. When his son speaks loud he MIGHT just get the slap he deserves.

-mel.

[webfact]

Yongyuth Alpine's biggest casualty

Piyanart Srivalo,

Wattana Khamchoo

The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, flanked by his colleagues and red-shirt leaders from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, talks to reporters about his decision to bow out of the Cabinet, at Saket Worawihan Temple yesterday.

Deputy PM pulls off a surprise with sudden resignation; Yingluck may now come under pressure to reshuffle Cabinet

BANGKOK: -- Yongyuth Wichaidit's surprise resignation yesterday as deputy prime minister and interior minister raises more questions than it answers.

His announcement came shortly after he and his colleagues in the ruling Pheu Thai Party had persistently insisted on his right and ability to stay on in the coveted posts despite the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) finding him guilty of wrongdoing in the decade-old Alpine scandal.

Yongyuth, who is also the Pheu Thai leader, said yesterday that he had decided to step down out of fear that remaining in the positions would be against the law. He said his resignation would become effective from Monday.

The abrupt decision led to doubts on whether he had voluntarily opted to step down. However, Yongyuth insisted the decision to quit did not result from anyone's pressure.

Pheu Thai sources said ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is believed to be pulling the strings from behind the ruling party, wanted Yongyuth out after he was implicated in the Alpine scandal.

Yongyuth had often been protected by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is Thaksin's sister, against pressure for him to be replaced. But with the latest legal headache threatening to question his legitimacy in the Cabinet, Yingluck could not help him any more, according to the party sources. Pheu Thai's strategic committee was earlier concerned that Yongyuth's decisions as deputy premier and interior minister could affect the government and the ruling party due to the lingering uncertainties about his status.

With its two previous parties being dissolved for breaking the law, the ruling party could not risk another dissolution by remaining stubborn over Yongyuth's legal problems, party sources said.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung took over from Yongyuth as chairman of the weekly Cabinet meeting although Yongyuth had insisted that he could chair the meeting despite the legal issue. Yongyuth, instead, went to inspect flooding in Prachin Buri, on an "urgent assignment" from the prime minister.

The prime minister is in the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly and is due to return to Thailand today.

The NACC had found Yongyuth guilty of unlawfully endorsing the 2002 sale of monastic land owned by Wat Thammikaram to Alpine Real Estate Co and Alpine Golf & Sports Club Co while he was serving as deputy permanent secretary for the Interior. Last week, the Interior Ministry's Civil Service Committee resolved to expel Yongyuth retroactively, but it also said he was qualified to benefit from the 2007 Exoneration Act.

The anti-graft agency later said Yongyuth was not eligible for exoneration because he had never served the term of his punishment - a condition stated in the law.

Yesterday, Yongyuth called a press conference at Saket Worawihan Temple to announce his decision to leave the Cabinet, after offering alms to monks. He said that he would retain his positions as Pheu Thai leader and an MP.

Red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Saikua and some 20 red-shirt supporters were among his well-wishers. They gave him red roses while offering moral support. Some of them told him not to bow out of the Cabinet.

"This is an important day in my life. I have decided to resign as deputy prime minister and interior minister, with my own willingness and without being influenced by anyone else," Yongyuth said, adding that he had "prepared for a long while" before coming up with the decision to quit.

He said his resignation was due to his intention to avoid possible legal problems arising from his status in the Cabinet. He pointed to conflicting opinions from legal experts about his case. "Some said that I did the right thing [in previously staying on in the seats] but others said I could no longer do my job," he said.

When asked if he had consulted the prime minister before making his decision, Yongyuth said he had talked to "senior persons whom I respect" about this matter. He said the prime minister would make the decision about his replacements for the two Cabinet seats.

Thaksin wanted to fill Yongyuth's vacant seats with politicians close to him from the Group of 111 former executives of Thaksin's disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party. Among the candidates for the coveted Interior seat are Poomtham Wechayachai, Bokhin Bhalakula and Sermsak Pongpanit.

With two major Cabinet seats left vacant, the prime minister now has two options - resisting the pressure for a Cabinet reshuffle by having members of her Cabinet become caretakers of the posts, or yielding to her brother Thaksin's pressure for a big shake-up in her government.

Some party sources said that the changes could affect as many as 10 Cabinet posts.

Yingluck has postponed a Cabinet reshuffle in order to avoid causing ripples in the ruling party.

-- The Nation 2012-09-29

[FOODLOVER]

Clearly an Andorian.

[MEL1]

"Red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Saikua and some 20 red-shirt supporters were among his well-wishers. They gave him red roses while offering moral support" --- and of course, Jatuporn yesterday. (c.f Brutus, and the Caesar crew, who all had a slice after telling Caesar his glass was empty!)

-mel.

[abq2020]

So, a completely correct decision requiring integrity and a conscience ................ coming from a PTP member who previously has removed to budge on many occassions. Whilst I am absolutely delighted.......what's the catch ????

A very good question you ask.....

[SICHONSTEVE]

So, a completely correct decision requiring integrity and a conscience ................ coming from a PTP member who previously has removed to budge on many occassions. Whilst I am absolutely delighted.......what's the catch ????

His position was untennable!!

[SICHONSTEVE]

I want to know if the golf course can stay as a golf course.........you know, like they are demolishing all of these resorts and fish restaurants that have encroached on the sea and national parks!!!!

Surely it has to be returned back to monastic land!!

[Robby nz]

Yesterday, Yongyuth called a press conference at Saket Worawihan Temple to announce his decision to leave the Cabinet, after offering alms to monks. He said that he would retain his positions as Pheu Thai leader and an MP.

Wonder if he offered them their land back?

I would expect his demise would be a Thaksin decision.

After all he has now turned into a loser and Thaksin does not tolerate loss.

Look back to his days as a football team owner and see what happened to the manager every time the team lost.

[Baerboxer]

So, a completely correct decision requiring integrity and a conscience ................ coming from a PTP member who previously has removed to budge on many occassions. Whilst I am absolutely delighted.......what's the catch ????

A very good question you ask.....

Maybe he hopes this will all simply die down now and fizzle out.

[robertson468]

I want to know if the golf course can stay as a golf course.........you know, like they are demolishing all of these resorts and fish restaurants that have encroached on the sea and national parks!!!!

Surely it has to be returned back to monastic land!!

It would also be interesting to know who all the share holders are/were in the Golf Course?

[Chads]

Yongyuth has announced his resignation as interior minister and deputy PM. He will remain Pheu Thai leader...............

.............Criminality not being a hindrance to holding that position. In fact considering the number of PTP MPs who gained their position because of their criminality, it may even be a desirable attribute, as the crime was committed, like the others, in the service of Thaksin.

[SICHONSTEVE]

I want to know if the golf course can stay as a golf course.........you know, like they are demolishing all of these resorts and fish restaurants that have encroached on the sea and national parks!!!!

Surely it has to be returned back to monastic land!!

It would also be interesting to know who all the share holders are/were in the Golf Course?

I would also like to know a few more details about Thaksin and his ex- wife's involvement in proceedings!!!!

[webfact]

Prime Minister respects Yongyuth Wichaidit's decision to resign

BANGKOK, 29 September 2012 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her entourage returned to Thailand this morning after attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. Asked for her comment on Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit’s decision to resign from his positions as deputy prime minister and Minister of Interior, Ms.Yingluck said she had learned the news with regret because Mr. Yongyuth was a knowledgeable and capable person who always sacrificed for others. However, she respected his decision.

Asked whether there would be a Cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister said there were still ways to fill in the seats left vacant by Mr. Yongyuth, adding that any replacement needs cabinet approval. She said Mr. Yongyuth had asserted that his resignations were not in any way a result of pressure from the Pheu Thai Party.

-- NNT 2012-09-29

[asiawatcher]

Respect for a corrupt official being finally exposed? Dearest Yingluck - you need to change you press secretary, keep your mouth shut and distance yourself from your brother's criminal elements.

[siampolee]

Mere window dressing, it'll be interesting to see if a sop is offered to the Red Shirt faction by the puppet master in an attempt to keep the Red Shirt faction on his side.

Such an action would thus further his (Thaksin) plans to establish the Thaksinland dynasty and funnel all the countrys resources and assets into the Thasin family and thier acolytes pockets.

The trial runs seem to have been successful to date,Yonguth was nor is no more than a bagman for Thaksin..