Thaksin's Hong Kong Visit Not Linked To Thai Cabinet Reshuffle: Noppadon

[webfact]

CABINET RESHUFFLE

Thaksin's Hong Kong visit 'not linked'

The Nation

Noppadon insists former PM will not influence choice of party leader

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Hong Kong this weekend has nothing to do with the Cabinet reshuffle or the selection of a new Pheu Thai Party leader, the ex-PM's legal adviser told the media yesterday.

"Thaksin is just visiting to meet with his friends, including MPs and ministers, but that does not mean he is linked to the Cabinet line-up," Noppadon Pattama said.

Thaksin is expected to be in Hong Kong over the weekend before heading to London.

Noppadon said the former prime minister had been told about Yongyuth Wichaidit vacating his seat in the House of Representatives as well as quitting the post of party leader.

"I understand that Thaksin has voiced regrets about Yongyuth's exit, but he has also commended him for showing his spirit to put the party's interests before his personal problems," he said.

The lawyer reiterated that Thaksin would not exert any influence in the naming of the new Pheu Thai leader. He added that the party's executive board was scheduled to meet on Monday to decide which deputy leader should take over as caretaker pending the appointment of Yongyuth's successor in a month or two.

He said veterans from the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party, as well as Pheu Thai executives and outsiders, would be given equal opportunities for the post. Noppadon explained that the new leader should be accepted within the ranks and possess administrative skills, adding that politicking abilities was not a job requirement.

"It is not necessary that the party leader be a politician, because Pheu Thai operates under given policies," he said.

As for whether retired national police chief Priewpan Damapong would be considered, he said he had not heard his name being brought up.

In relation to the Cabinet reshuffle, he said he did not think the rearranging of posts would take place this month. He added that changes should happen after the censure debate, which has tentatively been scheduled for next month, is completed.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said Yongyuth should have waited to clear his name before stepping down as party leader, adding that the politician's early exit would be used as a politicking tool by the opposition Democrat Party.

Yongyuth gave up his positions in the government, the legislature and the party after Democrats initiated a judicial and administrative review of his job status.

Under the Constitution, someone accused of a disciplinary offence is banned from holding a House seat or joining the Cabinet.

The foreign minister also dismissed allegations that Thaksin's sister Yaowapa Wongsawat wielded influence over Pheu Thai, saying she was a former MP and maintained contact with "everyone" from the days of Thai Rak Thai to the present. "It is not easy for a former MP to turn her back on politics, but Yaowapa does not interfere," he said.

Surapong added that many people might consider her a faction leader, but the truth is that she talks to all younger politicians who hold her in high respect.

Despite speculation that Yaowapa might become Pheu Thai party leader, he said that as far as he knows, she has already turned down the offer. When asked about Priewpan's prospects, he said anybody with administrative experience could apply.

However, he side-stepped the question whether Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would take over as party leader. "The party has had several bitter experiences as independent organisations appear to be unfair," he said.

Separately, Pheu Thai secretary-general Charupong Ruangsuwan said the party's executive board would meet on Monday to decide on Yongyuth's successor, not an acting leader. He said it was not necessary for people to submit their applications because the executives had possibly already decided who should lead their party.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said he had not been approached. "I don't think I am a candidate for the job, so please stop speculating," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-06

[Skywalker69]

When is this man going away, for good?

[moe666]

never

[jaidam]

"I understand that Thaksin has voiced regrets about Yongyuth's exit, but he has also commended him for showing his spirit to put the party's interests before his personal problems," he said.

This is a great line. Thaksin once again showing remarkable comedic timing. This personal problem of Yongyuth is due to Thaksin himself coercing Yongyuth to missapropriate temple lands for Thaksins personal enrichment. Thaksin has not yet showed any remorse for his role in the whole deal.

[Valentine]

"Noppadon insists former PM will not influence choice of party leader"

Does anyone actually believe what Noppadon is saying? Take out choice of party leader & the remainder of the words will have been spoken so many times in the past.

[Tatsujin]

I hope all those MP's going to Hong Kong are using their own money to get there, or will they use all the "leftover" money again?

[Buchholz]

"It is not necessary that the party leader be a politician, because Pheu Thai operates under given policies," he said.

and those policies were established by:

Thaksin Thinks.. Pheu Thai Acts..

laughable now that Thaksin's mouthpiece attempts to distance him from the Party...

"Pheu Thai, who?"

.

[whybother]

So, expect a new party leader to be announced on Monday after they return from their visit with Thaksin.

[steveyinasia]

So its yet another coincidence that everyone scurries off to meet the great untouchable just when another important party decision is to be made. If so, congratulations on the birth of a nation as you were all born yesterday.

[smedly]

you couldn'r make it up - it's like a christmas panto peformed by under 10's

[Orac]

When is this man going away, for good?

He is a hugely divisive character who is used by sides to mobilise extremists. Don't forget that a central plank of Abhisit's election campaign last year was built around getting people to vote against Thaksin not to mention the upcoming censure debate which, according to reports, will also question his control over the government. Though he is no doubt an expert self publicitist I can't help but feel that the media, particularly the english language press, play a huge part in his prominence same as can be seen here on TV where any excuse possible is used to inject Thaksin's name into a thread.

Bottom line is he is not going to go away until people stop giving him so much attention.

[Thaddeus]

Every time Noppadon opens his mouth I get a mental image of a puppy sitting next to a pile of pooh.

[SOTIRIOS]

............Land of Lies......

[bigbamboo]

Not quite sure who this is aimed at. Obviously no one with even the remotest understanding of Thai politics will take it seriously.

Maybe it's some of sort of PT code?

[BigBanana]

What's criminal is that the country's top politician has been vilified by a bunch of self-serving fascists, to the point where he has to run the country without being here.

[whybother]

What's criminal is that the country's top politician has been vilified by a bunch of self-serving fascists, to the point where he has to run the country without being here.

What he should do is come back and try and run the country from jail where he should be.

[metisdead]

Just a reminder that posts using derogatory nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be deleted. If you don’t want your post to be deleted, spell people’s names correctly.

[Ricardo]

you couldn'r make it up - it's like a christmas panto peformed by under 10's

Oh No It Isn't !

Oh Yes It Is !

[BigBanana]

What's criminal is that the country's top politician has been vilified by a bunch of self-serving fascists, to the point where he has to run the country without being here.

What he should do is come back and try and run the country from jail where he should be.

What, you mean for that trumped up charge for which he wasn't guilty?

[whybother]

What's criminal is that the country's top politician has been vilified by a bunch of self-serving fascists, to the point where he has to run the country without being here.

What he should do is come back and try and run the country from jail where he should be.

What, you mean for that trumped up charge for which he wasn't guilty?

No, for that charge where he signed for a sale of a piece of state property for his wife while he was PM.

[BigBanana]

What's criminal is that the country's top politician has been vilified by a bunch of self-serving fascists, to the point where he has to run the country without being here.

What he should do is come back and try and run the country from jail where he should be.

What, you mean for that trumped up charge for which he wasn't guilty?

No, for that charge where he signed for a sale of a piece of state property for his wife while he was PM.

Don't you realise that the central bank is independent for good reason?

[rubl]

In a totally unrelated news item it says

RT @RichardBarrow: 6 October - RT @ThaiAirways: This morning, THAI has operated its first A380-800 flight, TG 600 from Bangkok to Hong Kong

http://www.thaivisa....2/#entry5728923

[whybother]

No, for that charge where he signed for a sale of a piece of state property for his wife while he was PM.

Don't you realise that the central bank is independent for good reason?

It wasn't the central bank. It was the FIDF, and the government has been in charge of it and it's debt since 1997 (until it just recently palmed the debt off to the central bank).

[Buchholz]

What he should do is come back and try and run the country from jail where he should be.

What, you mean for that trumped up charge for which he wasn't guilty?

No, for that charge where he signed for a sale of a piece of state property for his wife while he was PM.

Don't you realise that the central bank is independent for good reason?

Congratulations.

A milestone is reached.

It's the 1,000th thread the issue has been rehashed.

.

[kirk0233]

Nappadon appears to know a lot about the actions of this fugitive on the run. Hopefully the police will interview him to get some leads on Thaksins whereabouts.

[whybother]

Nappadon appears to know a lot about the actions of this fugitive on the run. Hopefully the police will interview him to get some leads on Thaksins whereabouts.

Or they could just read the newspaper.

[BigBanana]

Congratulations.

A milestone is reached.

It's the 1,000th thread the issue has been rehashed.

.

Not nearly as many threads as TS has been abused, accused & vilified in then

[BigBanana]

No, for that charge where he signed for a sale of a piece of state property for his wife while he was PM.

Don't you realise that the central bank is independent for good reason?

It wasn't the central bank. It was the FIDF, and the government has been in charge of it and it's debt since 1997 (until it just recently palmed the debt off to the central bank).

At the time, Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula directly supervised the FIDF, not Thaksin. Section 29 of the Bank of Thailand Act of 1942 stated that the Prime Minister did not have jurisdiction to oversee the FIDF, because those managing the fund had sole authority for policies, control, oversight and regulations governing the agency. The Nation

[kirk0233]

Nappadon appears to know a lot about the actions of this fugitive on the run. Hopefully the police will interview him to get some leads on Thaksins whereabouts.

Or they could just read the newspaper.

Yes, someone should send them a copy. Many leads regarding his location and names of possible co-conspirators available that would be helpful in their investigation.

[whybother]

No, for that charge where he signed for a sale of a piece of state property for his wife while he was PM.

Don't you realise that the central bank is independent for good reason?

It wasn't the central bank. It was the FIDF, and the government has been in charge of it and it's debt since 1997 (until it just recently palmed the debt off to the central bank).

At the time, Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula directly supervised the FIDF, not Thaksin. Section 29 of the Bank of Thailand Act of 1942 stated that the Prime Minister did not have jurisdiction to oversee the FIDF, because those managing the fund had sole authority for policies, control, oversight and regulations governing the agency. The Nation

And that changed after the government took control of the FIDF debt after 1997.