Will Yaowapha Dare Take Over As Pheu Thai Party Leader?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Will Yaowapha dare take over as party leader?

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Now that the seat for the ruling party's leader is vacant, former deputy transport minister Kittisak Hatthasongkroah has proposed that Yaowapha Wongsawat, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's sister, take over.

This suggestion does not come out of the blue. In fact, it's very reasonable, especially taking into account Yaowapha's influence in Pheu Thai and the fact that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is her younger sister.

Yaowapha, who is referred to as "Sister Daeng" by party members, is known to be very close to her younger sister "Poo". Their love for each other was evident when they were seen huddling over bowls of "kuay chub" noodles at a restaurant in Chinatown on the night of October 4.

It is believed that Yingluck loves and respects her older sister, who treats her younger sibling like one of her own children. Yaowapha has reportedly helped Yingluck every step of the way since she took over as prime minister.

Hence, it is not surprising that all roads seemed to lead to Yaowapha's house, because most politicians know that she is directly connected to her sister. After all, as everybody knows, Yaowapha steps in to rescue her little sister every time there is a problem.

Yaowapha started building her political influence while her brother Thaksin was the country's leader, and this influence became stronger when her husband, Somchai Wongsawat, took over as prime minister. Now, with her younger sister at the helm, her influence is even stronger.

Yet, despite her strong sway, it might be difficult for Yaowapha to stand at the forefront as the ruling party's leader, especially now that the authorities are closely looking into several controversial government deals, including the rice-pledging scheme and flood-alleviation budget.

Also, Yaowapha has reportedly caused problems for her sister's government, especially in relation to annual reshuffles. Her name always comes up when controversial transfers come to light.

For instance, Yaowapha was reportedly behind the promotion of General Thanongsak Apirakyothin to the position of Defence Ministry permanent secretary from assistant Army chief.

Thanongsak is the younger brother of Lt-General Pong-ek Apirakyothin, a Phayao MP who belongs to Yaowapha's faction. She reportedly had Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat back Thanongsak's promotion. However, the defence minister met strong opposition from then permanent secretary General Sathien Permthong-in, who wanted to place his deputy, General Chatree Thati, in the position on grounds of seniority.

This conflict prompted Sukampol to move Sathien to an inactive position before his retirement, which led to a lawsuit. Previously, problems like this did not occur because military leaders and senior government figures could negotiate transfers and reshuffles.

Later, Yaowapha publicly denied having anything to do with Thanongsak's promotion, saying the issue had been cooked up to discredit her and Pheu Thai.

Yet, she was also said to have been involved in the reshuffles of senior officials in several other ministries, including director-generals of the Interior Ministry and provincial governors.

Also, when speculation of a new Cabinet reshuffle was rife, it was reported that Yaowapha had demanded that another Cabinet seat be added to her quota. She allegedly wants to keep Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom in place and is seeking a position for Warathep Ratanakorn, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Apparently she wants to put Warathep in charge of a ministry that deals with economic issues.

Therefore, with all these controversies surrounding her, it would be interesting to see if Yaowapha actually chooses to step out and stand in the limelight as next Pheu Thai leader.

-- The Nation 2012-10-11

[jaidam]

The Shinawatra family must be absolute geniuses. Where else in the world (apart from N Korea) has a family shown such incredible talent, bravery, honesty and integrity to have been awarded the top position of every pillar of law, rule and government? What would we do without these kind patrons.

[Moruya]

AFS

[Buchholz]

Yaowapha, who is referred to as "Sister Daeng" by party members, is known to be very close to her younger sister "Poo". Their love for each other was evident when they were seen huddling over bowls of "kuay chub" noodles at a restaurant in Chinatown

It was also very evident when they attended Red Shirt Rallies together.

formerly banned for electoral fraud Yaowapha, her currently banned for falsifying asset declaration daughter Channicha, and the future Prime Minister Yingluck

.

Edited October 11, 2012 by Buchholz

[siampolee]

This Shinawatra family might do well to remember what happened to the Bhutto dynasty and the Ceausescu dynasty in the past. Let us not forget either the Kennedy and the Nehru dynasties either.. The prices paid for power have inded been costly in human lives .

P.T.P. ( Personal Thaksin Property )is not about serving the Thai people and Thailand's national interests, it's about serving one megalomaniac and his family in their never ending quest for absolute dictatorial and financial power., modeled on the past and current North Korea ideal.

[asiawatcher]

Nepotism is rife beyond all expectation. Does it really matter anymore - Red is Red and all this is about building the dynasty and coffers of them all.

[ratcatcher]

The PTP has often been referred to as a 'bunch of muppets',.

I am starting to recognize some faces.

Edited October 11, 2012 by ratcatcher

[DLock]

Won't happen.

She has a face like a smashed crab.

Let's face it, Yingluck got in because many believe she is an attractive woman.

Yaowapha would never have gotten in. Her only way in was through the back door.

[Rimmer]

Off topic bickering and nit picking posts removed

[whybother]

Won't happen.

She has a face like a smashed crab.

Let's face it, Yingluck got in because many believe she is an attractive woman.

Yaowapha would never have gotten in. Her only way in was through the back door.

Being leader of the party won't make her "the front man". She'll never be put up to be PM. The party leadership is effectively a token position for PTP. That's one of the reasons no one wants to do it.

[ballpoint]

It is believed that Yingluck loves and respects her older sister, who treats her younger sibling like one of her own children.

And other reports have the same comment about Thaksin treating Yingluck like one of his children. Therein lies her problem. Treated as the baby of the family. Coddled and spoilt her entire life. Surrounded by yes men too scared to correct her mistakes. Told where to go to school, where to work, when to go to number one on the party list, who to pick in the cabinet, what to (not) say to reporters... In the West she'd be the dizzy rich girl. A Paris Hilton type. Annoying but harmelss. Sadly for Thailand, here her dizzyness is anything but harmelss.

[tomross46]

All in the family. He brother was PM, her husband was PM her sister is PM and her daughter is going to be part of the Kamer Rouge. She should be the next PM, this is a family affair, just like Chicago.

[TheKrayTriplet]

memory

.

You missed quite a bit with your sniping sorry, snipping, especially the last sentence which you've obviously ignored.

"Search engines are a wonderful thing plus a memory for some of your more recent personal comments about government/PTP personnel. Remember your photos of Jen Dokjik and his wife, I do. Then there is the Arisman/Yingluck dancing picture, or in your mind something far darker. Seems to be a bit of a weakness of yours.

Come back when you have something of political interest to discuss - in the meantime I'll just ignore your version of photo "journalism".

[Pimay1]

It is believed that Yingluck loves and respects her older sister, who treats her younger sibling like one of her own children.

And other reports have the same comment about Thaksin treating Yingluck like one of his children. Therein lies her problem. Treated as the baby of the family. Coddled and spoilt her entire life. Surrounded by yes men too scared to correct her mistakes. Told where to go to school, where to work, when to go to number one on the party list, who to pick in the cabinet, what to (not) say to reporters... In the West she'd be the dizzy rich girl. A Paris Hilton type. Annoying but harmelss. Sadly for Thailand, here her dizzyness is anything but harmelss.

Yingluck, the Sgt Schultz of Thailand. I see nothing. I know nothing.

Edited October 11, 2012 by Pimay1

[Buchholz]

memory

You missed quite a bit with your sniping sorry, snipping

haven't missed a thing.

Post # 9 confirms.

Do you have anything on Yaowapha? The topic?

.

Edited October 11, 2012 by Buchholz

[ratcatcher]

Won't happen.

She has a face like a smashed crab.

Let's face it, Yingluck got in because many believe she is an attractive woman.

Yaowapha would never have gotten in. Her only way in was through the back door.

I seriously doubt that Mme Yaowappa does back doors, she strikes me as the kind of person who only enters through double front doors.

I liked your 'smashed crab' description. Her little sister is called Poo, presumably because that means crab in Thai (properly pronounced, of course.)

She also looks like the kind of person who doesn't take "No!" for an answer.

Edited October 11, 2012 by ratcatcher

[OzMick]

As the "face" of PTP she is an obvious choice, as both are as ugly as sin.

I am aware that beauty is only skin deep (it's all to apparent in the shallow PM's case), but ugly goes right to the bone. Anybody who could get one over that bush pig deserves a Viagra award.