Wanted: Yes-Man To Be Thaksin's Next Fall Guy

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Wanted: Yes-man to be Thaksin's next fall guy

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Excitement over the naming of Pheu Thai's new leader is much overrated - given it's largely a matter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra choosing one "yes-man" over others.

The only reason Thaksin has yet to pick his favourite is because he wants to cushion the blow to allies who would then become the unchosen ones.

In order to put the Pheu Thai leadership into context, it is essential to factor in two party dissolutions involving Thai Rak Thai and People Power.

The Thai Rak Thai disbandment had a huge impact on 111 top-notch party executives, including Thaksin, while the People Power dissolution triggered the collapse of the Somchai Wongsawat government and saw the removal of 37 party executives.

The Pheu Thai charter has been written in such a way as to avoid the catastrophic consequences inflicted on Thai Rak Thai and People Power.

Unlike other Thai political chiefs, a Pheu Thai leader is supposed to serve three key functions - to take the fall in lieu of the prime minister and government in the event of the party being dissolved by the courts, to ensure the party's day-to-day running, and act as Thaksin's henchman to sort out factional differences.

Yongyuth Wichaidit was installed as the first Pheu Thai leader, with Thaksin's blessing, at the party's plenary session in December 2008. Thaksin picked him over other favourites like Chalerm Yoobamrung, Apiwan Wiriyachai and Mingkwan Saengsuwan.

Even though Yongyuth was party leader, Pheu Thai opted to endorse Pracha Promnok, then leader of Puea Pandin, to vie for the position of prime minister in 2008. The House eventually voted for Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

It is clear Pheu Thai has no tradition of nominating its leader for the position of prime minister or other key appointments.

Following the 2010 election victory, Yongyuth became the senior-most deputy prime minister simply because he had proved himself a trustworthy right-hand man serving Yingluck in her campaign to be premier.

The true legacy of Yongyuth is not his leadership quality but his devotion to serve and protect the Shinawatra family. He has even agreed to strip himself of all positions in the party, government and legislature in order to foil a Democrat move to seek a judicial review of his job status.

His departure from the ruling party and government seems to have left minimal impact. He was not indispensable and the Shinawatra family will merely replace him with another trusted ally.

Under the party charter, Thaksin will have until the Pheu Thai convention at the end of this month to make up his mind on the party's new leader.

Yet, key party figures continue to float names as potential candidates for the job as if the next Pheu Thai leader could emerge today or tomorrow.

They may harbour a secret hope that Thaksin and Yingluck will allow the next party leader to concurrently become the senior-most deputy prime minister.

It seems futile to fight over party leadership when Thaksin is the only true voice in Pheu Thai. But becoming a designated successor to Yingluck may be something worthwhile.

For the time being, Viroj Pao-in has been named as caretaker leader and tasked with organising the party convention to elect the next leader and executive board.

Thaksin is likely to reveal his decision on who will lead Pheu Thai at the last minute. He may opt again for a lesser known but trustworthy ally, such as Kanawat Wasinsungworn or Phumtham Wechayachai, like when he picked the then unknown Yongyuth.

-- The Nation 2012-10-09

[asiawatcher]

Irrespective of who he picks, a convicted crim still runs the country. Only in Thailand.

[Roadman]

When one reads that no bull crap assessment I would defy anyone to call Thailand "democratic". The true democratic "what can I do for my country" is replaced by the Thaksin populist dictator creed of "what you will do for the Shinawatra Dynasty". And the Red tinted glass wearers apply the hypocrisy that Thaksin's 2010 terrorist attack on Bangkok was to remove the elite.

[JurgenG]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

Edited October 9, 2012 by JurgenG

[virtualtraveller]

And to think, so many people regard Puea Thai as a real party, that functions like a real party and is going to lead this country in the early 21st Century. Peua Thaksin party is a farce, a private family business in the best Asian ruling tradition. Anyone who thinks otherwise should compare their charter and structure to a normal political party.

[Thaddeus]

They are all puppets.

[jerrysteve]

Nothing worse than an ARSE kisser in my view... Edited October 9, 2012 by jerrysteve

[scorecard]

And to think, so many people regard Puea Thai as a real party, that functions like a real party and is going to lead this country in the early 21st Century. Peua Thaksin party is a farce, a private family business in the best Asian ruling tradition. Anyone who thinks otherwise should compare their charter and structure to a normal political party.

Agree, but I suggest there's another way to describe this 'party'.

I call it a 'get rich quick club', membership qualifications: scaly history, no morals, no values, no respect for the law, no real capabilities, no hesitation to say 'yes' as demanded by the get rich quick club owner, no hesitation to accept brown paper bags no questions asked.

Edited October 9, 2012 by scorecard

[whybother]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

[ratcatcher]

This topic should probably read "Wanted: Yes-man to be Thaksin's fool guy"

Throughout history there have been cases of men playing the jester, fool or second-fiddle, to characters who were 'larger than life".

Thaksin, (and it does seem that he's made himself larger than life) needs a fool guy to replace Yongyuth. Chalerm is already overburdened with his role as master-fool.

The irony is that IMHO Thaksin is more like a captain of a "ship of fools."

[JurgenG]

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Come on, we both know that Abhisit doesn't lead anything. Where was he during the dark hours of the coup in 2006 ? He was hated for his lack of leadership during the 2010 riots and we both know he was not the one who gave the order to the army to shoot at the crowd, meaning he wasn't in charge when the country was in desperate need of a leader. Even for his short tenure as PM, he didn't owe it to the electors but he was chosen for his total lack of spine. At least this one won't rock the boat the people behind the scene thought at that time.

Abhisit is the favorite amongst housewife between 25 and 65 years old. If he wasn't a politician, he would have been the heartthrob in a Thai soap opera. A leader ? You should be joking

[AleG]

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Come on, we both know that Abhisit doesn't lead anything. Where was he during the dark hours of the coup in 2006 ? He was hated for his lack of leadership during the 2010 riots and we both know he was not the one who gave the order to the army to shoot at the crowd, meaning he wasn't in charge when the country was in desperate need of a leader. Even for his short tenure as PM, he didn't owe it to the electors but he was chosen for his total lack of spine. At least this one won't rock the boat the people behind the scene thought at that time.

Abhisit is the favorite amongst housewife between 25 and 65 years old. If he wasn't a politician, he would have been the heartthrob in a Thai soap opera. A leader ? You should be joking

Abhisit represents the kind of politician the country needs, so of course the gangsters and their fans have been carrying a systematic character assassination (when not actually making attempts at his life) for a long time.

[whybother]

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Come on, we both know that Abhisit doesn't lead anything. Where was he during the dark hours of the coup in 2006 ? He was hated for his lack of leadership during the 2010 riots and we both know he was not the one who gave the order to the army to shoot at the crowd, meaning he wasn't in charge when the country was in desperate need of a leader. Even for his short tenure as PM, he didn't owe it to the electors but he was chosen for his total lack of spine. At least this one won't rock the boat the people behind the scene thought at that time.

Abhisit is the favorite amongst housewife between 25 and 65 years old. If he wasn't a politician, he would have been the heartthrob in a Thai soap opera. A leader ? You should be joking

Where should Abhisit have been during the coup?

[scorecard]

And to think, so many people regard Puea Thai as a real party, that functions like a real party and is going to lead this country in the early 21st Century. Peua Thaksin party is a farce, a private family business in the best Asian ruling tradition. Anyone who thinks otherwise should compare their charter and structure to a normal political party.

Agree, but I suggest there's another way to describe this 'party'.

I call it a 'get rich quick club', membership qualifications: scaly history, no morals, no values, no respect for the law, no real capabilities, no hesitation to say 'yes' as demanded by the get rich quick club owner, no hesitation to accept brown paper bags no questions asked.

Plus:

Agree, but I suggest there's another way to describe this 'party'.

I call it a 'get rich quick club', membership qualifications: scaly history, no morals, no values, no respect for the law, no real capabilities, no hesitation to say 'yes' as demanded by the get rich quick club owner, no hesitation to accept brown paper bags with no questions asked / strong expectation that brown paper bags will come. Desire to formulatate & implement policies to take Thailand forward for the betterment of all Thais, to gain a good quality of life for all Thais through their own productivity not needed not allowed.

[Pi Sek]

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Come on, we both know that Abhisit doesn't lead anything. Where was he during the dark hours of the coup in 2006 ? He was hated for his lack of leadership during the 2010 riots and we both know he was not the one who gave the order to the army to shoot at the crowd, meaning he wasn't in charge when the country was in desperate need of a leader. Even for his short tenure as PM, he didn't owe it to the electors but he was chosen for his total lack of spine. At least this one won't rock the boat the people behind the scene thought at that time.

Abhisit is the favorite amongst housewife between 25 and 65 years old. If he wasn't a politician, he would have been the heartthrob in a Thai soap opera. A leader ? You should be joking

Where should Abhisit have been during the coup?

If he was a real democracy lover, he would have been sat in an elevated position with an M79 launcher rather than condemning the coup as 'undemocratic' on the national news.

On a more reasonable note:

- Yes, Abhisit could well have chosen to become a Channel 7 actor instead of a politician... but he didn't.

- Yes, Abhisit was probably at his least popular during April 2012.

The two partisan factions were at their most partisan and Abhisit was trying to represent a middle ground with ever-diminishing support. In the end, the middle ground became (even more) indifferent and drowned out by the two partisan sides, and Abhisit was flanked by some not representing the middle ground and others openly criticising him. It wasn't clear whether the Dems were representing one side, no side or every side - and the opposition had clearly chosen theirs. I guess this adds weight to any claim that he's not a leader.

And then there was the backlash from his closure of media spreading hatred towards and proven lies about him, but there you go...

- No, Abhisit did owe his election to his electors, probably not for his 'lack of spine' but because he was leader and PM candidate of the biggest party in the governing coalition. A lot of people would argue that he certainly doesn't have a 'lack of spine'... his performance as leader of the Opposition to TRT would suggest his spine is in perfect working order.

[smutcakes]

Sounds like some journalist has hump they were not invited to England.

[SICHONSTEVE]

This topic should probably read "Wanted: Yes-man to be Thaksin's fool guy"

Throughout history there have been cases of men playing the jester, fool or second-fiddle, to characters who were 'larger than life".

Thaksin, (and it does seem that he's made himself larger than life) needs a fool guy to replace Yongyuth. Chalerm is already overburdened with his role as master-fool.

The irony is that IMHO Thaksin is more like a captain of a "ship of fools."

If being a fool or buffoon is the requirement then look no further than 'Boris Johnson'!!!!!!

[hellodolly]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

He leads and that is exactly what JurgenG has against him.

That and he dosen't have to pay his followers.

[Bagwan]

Thaksin - the archetypal Eminence Grease.

[SICHONSTEVE]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

He leads and that is exactly what JurgenG has against him.

That and he dosen't have to pay his followers.

You forgot to mention that he is super intelligent, caring, a true politician and doesn't get some non-entity to answer any questions that are posed to him!!! Compare that to the 'queen of sub-committees' who chooses not to attend parliament, read reports or make a decision on anything and is clearly more at home shopping, getting her hair done or posing in front of the camera (after shopping and getting her hair done)!!!!.

Edited October 9, 2012 by SICHONSTEVE

[Thai at Heart]

Well, how on earth did they write it into the constitution that in a parliamentary democracy the leader of a sitting government i.e. PM isn't the party leader.

Problem solved. If you want to create accountability for the actions of a party, surely the buck should stop right at the top, and also go a long way to stopping someone from afar simply proposing a puppet PM, whilst the "legal" nominee leader can be sacrificed to protect the sitting PM.

Would also go along way to weeding out a lot of people dodgy history from floating on the surface of Thai politics.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[TheKrayTriplet]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Pass. I couldn't possibly comment.

[whybother]

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Pass. I couldn't possibly comment.

Yet, you did.

[Thai at Heart]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

He leads and that is exactly what JurgenG has against him.

That and he dosen't have to pay his followers.

If you can't see that he was placed into his PMship with a jerry-mandered coalition after the army intervened and compelled a few people to switch sides, you are blind.

[TheKrayTriplet]

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Pass. I couldn't possibly comment.

Yet, you did.

No, I used comment as a verb and by definition did not make a remark, observation or criticism, I merely posted that I couldn't do any of those actions and quite plainly didn't.

[Thaddeus]

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Pass. I couldn't possibly comment.

Yet, you did.

No, I used comment as a verb and by definition did not make a remark, observation or criticism, I merely posted that I couldn't do any of those actions and quite plainly didn't.

What do you mean? you used comment as a verb..... it is.

I think there is a thread over there with my name on it ........ bye.

[MAJIC]

It's going to be a difficult choice for Thaksin,considering they are all Yes Men.

[MAJIC]

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Come on, we both know that Abhisit doesn't lead anything. Where was he during the dark hours of the coup in 2006 ? He was hated for his lack of leadership during the 2010 riots and we both know he was not the one who gave the order to the army to shoot at the crowd, meaning he wasn't in charge when the country was in desperate need of a leader. Even for his short tenure as PM, he didn't owe it to the electors but he was chosen for his total lack of spine. At least this one won't rock the boat the people behind the scene thought at that time.

Abhisit is the favorite amongst housewife between 25 and 65 years old. If he wasn't a politician, he would have been the heartthrob in a Thai soap opera. A leader ? You should be joking

[Noistar]

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

Come on, we both know that Abhisit doesn't lead anything. Where was he during the dark hours of the coup in 2006 ? He was hated for his lack of leadership during the 2010 riots and we both know he was not the one who gave the order to the army to shoot at the crowd, meaning he wasn't in charge when the country was in desperate need of a leader. Even for his short tenure as PM, he didn't owe it to the electors but he was chosen for his total lack of spine. At least this one won't rock the boat the people behind the scene thought at that time.

Abhisit is the favorite amongst housewife between 25 and 65 years old. If he wasn't a politician, he would have been the heartthrob in a Thai soap opera. A leader ? You should be joking

?

[hellodolly]

This article is very interesting. We all agree that a "Yes Man to take the fall" is not a good thing as a party leader. And the author of this article confirms that it it is a consequence of the dissolution of the TRT, making just more obvious that the dissolution of the TRT was a desperate act and definitively not in the best interest of the country.

But a "yes Man to take the fall" isn't it just what Abhisit is ? Pheu Thai is becoming just like the democrats. Wasn't it the will of the people behind the coup ? No strong leader to allow backroom dealing between people of real influence. They are winning and now they are complaining. What's wrong with these people ?

The dissolution of TRT was supposed to be a deterrent to stop politicians and the parties breaking electoral laws. To get around that issue, PTP appoint nobodies to the executive so that the PTP politicians can continue what the previous incarnations were doing, without the problem of being banned for 5 years.

The banning of the TRT was in the best interest of the country. The only problem is the replacement politicians didn't get the message.

No, Abhisit isn't just a "yes man to take the fall". He is the leader of the party AND the party's candidate for PM. He goes to parliament to debate the issues. He doesn't hide behind others. He's not the "pretty face" mouth piece that doesn't read reports/policy that is going to voted on. He leads.

He leads and that is exactly what JurgenG has against him.

That and he dosen't have to pay his followers.

If you can't see that he was placed into his PMship with a jerry-mandered coalition after the army intervened and compelled a few people to switch sides, you are blind.

You are forgetful he was the third PM after the army intervened. If you can't see she is a piece of fluff to be placed into the position to install nation breaking financial popularity policies after the army interfered you are blind.