Yingluck Has Considerable Say In Reshuffle

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

Yingluck has considerable say in reshuffle

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- If the names mentioned in the Cabinet reshuffle speculations prior to the official announcement are any indications, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra seemed to have a considerable say in the make-up of her new Cabinet.

But it is another matter whether the new line-up would benefit the country or not.

First of all, the speculated line-up served to confirm the saying that Cabinet seats under the Pheu Thai Party's quota are for its core members to take turn to hold. It appeared that the reshuffles were not aimed at increasing the Cabinet's performance at all.

Among new faces in the Yingluck 3 Cabinet will be core members of the Thai Rai Thai or the so-called members of House Address 111, who have just exited their five-year political ban.

They include Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, who would become the energy minister, replacing Arak Cholthannon, an outsider who is a minister in the Yingluck 2 Cabinet under the Pheu Thai quota.

Pongthep Thepkanchana, another former Thai Rak Thai executive, would become a deputy prime minister and would concurrently hold the position of education minister, replacing Suchart Thadathamrongvej who has had conflicts with Pheu Thai MPs.

Warathep Ratanakorn, another House 111 member, would also win a Cabinet seat under the quota of Yaowapha Wongsawat, an elder sister of Yingluck.

Another interesting new face in the new Cabinet would be Government Spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong. She is expected to become a PM's Office minister. The speculation led to a question why Sansanee would become a minister now that she has been performing her duty as a spokeswoman very well and could coordinate with Yingluck and PM's Secretary-General Suranan Vejjajiva efficiently. And who would replace Sansanee as the Government spokesman as it is hard for to fine a right person for the job. Will she hold the two positions concurrently?

The rest of reshuffled seats were seen as changes for the sake of political harmony. For example, Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan, who is tipped to be the next Pheu Thai leader, is expected to become the interior minister, which was held by former Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit.

From the speculated list, nothing would be changed to key economic ministries. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat NaRanong would keep his positions although it has been reported that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been disappointed in Kittirat's performance. It was reported that Thaksin ordered his sister to remove Kittirat, who is very close to Yingluck, from the Cabinet or at least let him hold just one position.

However, Yingluck refused to comply with the wish of her brother. This seemed to indicate that Yingluck has developed her leadership up to a level and decided to have her own say instead of complying with all wishes of the brother.

Yingluck yesterday confirmed that she has sent her reshuffle list for a royal command and she boasted that her brother had nothing to do with the reshuffle.

In another example that indicated no changes in the economic policies was the speculation that Boonsong Teriyapirom would retain his position of the commerce minister. Boonsong, is close to Yaowapha and is in charge of the controversial rice-pledging scheme.

With Boonsong's presence in the new Cabinet, it indicated that Yingluck did not worry that the rice-pledging scheme would become a main weak point during the no-confidence showdown with the opposition. On the contrary, it indicated that the government would go ahead with the scheme.

If it goes as speculated, Pongthep would be the third education minister of the Yingluck government after the first one, Worwat Ua-apinyakul, and Suchart.

Another interesting new face would be Doctor Pradit Sinthawanarong, a specialist in the Thai tradition medicine and a member of the National Health Insurance Board. Pradit, the managing director of J&W Development, would become the public health minister. J&W Development is known to be a business ally of Settha Thawesin, the managing director of Saensiri Plc, who is very close to Yingluck.

Another example that showed that Yingluck now had a considerable say was that red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan would be left out of the new Cabinet.

It has been reported that Yingluck resisted the order from her brother to appoint Jatuporn to the Cabinet for fear that his presence would affect the government's image. Yingluck decided to exclude Jatuporn although the red shirts would be dissatisfied. Eventually, Jatuporn went on his TV programme on Asia Update satellite TV Wednesday night to confirm that he would miss a Cabinet seat.

The cases of Kittirat, Pradit and Jatuporn showed that Yingluck dare to stand up against the wish of her brother and would serve to reduce criticism that she was only a puppet of her brother. But it seemed the reshuffle would not increase the working efficiency of the government at all.

-- The Nation 2012-10-25

[TomTao]

From what is reported in this article, it looks like the PM is staring to stand up to big brother and is begining to make her own decisions, it shows she is now confident in her own ability and is comfortable with surrounding herself with her own circle in favour of her brother's former inner circle. Good for her, can't be too good for big brother. Good to see Jutaporn left out as an MP, he can no longer use his position as an MP to avoid any charges that may be pending.

[rubl]

However, Yingluck refused to comply with the wish of her brother.

Just for a moment imagine that a Western PM had a fugitive criminal as relative and the press would report 'refused to comply'. Of course all would just say 'hear, hear, be yourself'

[bigbamboo]

Hands up anyone who believes this headline.......!

[whybother]

From what is reported in this article, it looks like the PM is staring to stand up to big brother and is begining to make her own decisions, it shows she is now confident in her own ability and is comfortable with surrounding herself with her own circle in favour of her brother's former inner circle. Good for her, can't be too good for big brother. Good to see Jutaporn left out as an MP, he can no longer use his position as an MP to avoid any charges that may be pending.

Actually, Jatuporn is no longer an MP.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/556026-constitution-court-disqualifies-red-shirt-co-leader-jatuporn-of-mp-status/

BANGKOK, May 18 – Thailand’s Constitution Court on Friday disqualified Jatuporn Prompan, a key leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), as a Pheu Thai party-list member of parliament.

...

The EC last year ruled that Mr Jatuporn lost his party membership for failing to exercise his right to vote in the July 3 election because he was in jail weeks before the general election.

[LuckyLew]

Hands up anyone who believes this headline.......!

Not a chance do I believe the article

Not a snowflakes chance in HE-double hockey sticks

The fact that TRT 111 members are getting positions tells me who is in charge

[Skywalker69]

From what is reported in this article, it looks like the PM is staring to stand up to big brother and is begining to make her own decisions, it shows she is now confident in her own ability and is comfortable with surrounding herself with her own circle in favour of her brother's former inner circle. Good for her, can't be too good for big brother. Good to see Jutaporn left out as an MP, he can no longer use his position as an MP to avoid any charges that may be pending.

The taste of power must be sweet.

[siampolee]

In another example that indicated no changes in the economic policies was the speculation that Boonsong Teriyapirom would retain his position of the commerce minister. Boonsong, is close to Yaowapha and is in charge of the controversial rice-pledging scheme.

Good to see that Thaksins bag lady still is in place no interruption to the money flow by the looks of it.

Another interesting new face would be Doctor Pradit Sinthawanarong, a specialist in the Thai tradition medicine and a member of the National Health Insurance Board. Pradit, the managing director of J&W Development, would become the public health minister. J&W Development is known to be a business ally of Settha Thawesin, the managing director of Saensiri Plc, who is very close to Yingluck.

Bit of an enigma there,

Either there is a business link via supplies etc along with the exclusion of Jutuporn, Or perhaps after getting that first tantalizing tingle from the power she has seen and felt among the people she has mixed within the international political circus circuit Yingluck is standing up to her brother by starting to surround herself with loyal people, thus weakening the influence of her obnoxious overbearing brother.Time alone will tell on that theory

Edited October 25, 2012 by siampolee

[lizardtongue]

She has not been in power that long, and now finds the need to have a cabinet reshuffle?

If it goes as speculated, Pongthep would be the third education minister of the Yingluck government after the first one, Worwat Ua-apinyakul, and Suchart.

Surely these people must be 'up for the job' before being appointed? Either they were appointed on the say so of big brother or because of the 'old boys' network? Whatever the reason it highlights just how insignificant education is to the Gov.

If the Gov. were really concerned over education one would have thought that a correctly qualified minister would have been appointed at the start of her term as PM, at least then they could have a reasonable amount of time to tackle the education problems plaguing the country.

Yingluck yesterday confirmed that she has sent her reshuffle list for a royal command and she boasted that her brother had nothing to do with the reshuffle.

On a positive note it may well be that initially she was being lead by big brother and is now questioning his advice?

The bottom line some how sums it all up!

The cases of Kittirat, Pradit and Jatuporn showed that Yingluck dare to stand up against the wish of her brother and would serve to reduce criticism that she was only a puppet of her brother. But it seemed the reshuffle would not increase the working efficiency of the government at all.

[rubl]

As the original cabinet was handpicked by PM Yingluck after careful consideration and using 'knowledge', 'capabilities' and 'potential' as criteria, I can only assume that over time even more capable candidates have become available. I'm really surprised that the article ignores that and instead lists family connections and the like as reasons. Surely that can't be correct

[whybother]

She has not been in power that long, and now finds the need to have a cabinet reshuffle?

<snip>

Her third.

[ratcatcher]

Is it at all possible that Yingluck, having breathed the same rarefied air as world leaders, is now coming to the conclusion that wearing the pants of leadership is more than just being able to stand up and pee.

She has had a year or more in charge and I am beginning to sense that she might just one day say to her elder brother " Thaksin dear, why don't you drive out into the desert and go 'Donald Duck' yourself, I am managing here at home quite well thanks."

[asiawatcher]

"... have her own say instead of complying with all wishes of the brother. Yingluck yesterday confirmed that she has sent her reshuffle list for a royal command and she boasted that her brother had nothing to do with the reshuffle."

Maybe she has just started sprouting some goolies... but then having the Thai Rak Party people now back in the seat, she's not 'really' going against the crim in the sands now is she?

[WhizBang]

Yingluck has considerable say in reshuffle

Well, if you believe that, then I have a lovely plot of land in South Florida I would like to sell you.

The only really good news is that the big mouth terrorist (Jatuporn Promphan) got left out in the cold.

It has been reported that Yingluck resisted the order from her brother to appoint Jatuporn to the Cabinet for fear that his presence would affect the government's image.

Yah Think?

[dickyknee]

it seems from the other media the UDD aren't happy with the reshuffle.

[whybother]

it seems from the other media the UDD aren't happy with the reshuffle.

[givenall]

this must be a typo. they mean Thaksin has considerable say.........

[jerrysteve]

Those Chairs in Parliment must be getting calluses. It makes you wonder how many people in parliment have farted on those same chairs just passing thru.

Edited October 25, 2012 by jerrysteve

[jbrain]

If the names mentioned in the Cabinet reshuffle speculations prior to the official announcement are any indications, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra seemed to have a considerable say in the make-up of her new Cabinet.

And if my aunty had balls it would be my uncle.

[hellodolly]

She has not been in power that long, and now finds the need to have a cabinet reshuffle?

If it goes as speculated, Pongthep would be the third education minister of the Yingluck government after the first one, Worwat Ua-apinyakul, and Suchart.

Surely these people must be 'up for the job' before being appointed? Either they were appointed on the say so of big brother or because of the 'old boys' network? Whatever the reason it highlights just how insignificant education is to the Gov.

If the Gov. were really concerned over education one would have thought that a correctly qualified minister would have been appointed at the start of her term as PM, at least then they could have a reasonable amount of time to tackle the education problems plaguing the country.

Yingluck yesterday confirmed that she has sent her reshuffle list for a royal command and she boasted that her brother had nothing to do with the reshuffle.

On a positive note it may well be that initially she was being lead by big brother and is now questioning his advice?

The bottom line some how sums it all up!

The cases of Kittirat, Pradit and Jatuporn showed that Yingluck dare to stand up against the wish of her brother and would serve to reduce criticism that she was only a puppet of her brother. But it seemed the reshuffle would not increase the working efficiency of the government at all.

Well it does show signs of standing on her own two feet.

It does not show signs in a change from inept to capable.

The seats are being filled to pay off political debt's.

We still have a finance minister who says it is OK to lie to the public.He should have been thrown out of the cabinet a month ago.

Edited October 25, 2012 by hellodolly

[Phatcharanan]

It has been reported that Yingluck resisted the order from her brother to appoint Jatuporn to the Cabinet for fear that his presence would affect the government's image.

Yah Think?

Yeah....we think.

Try to keep up with the latest news and comments from Jatuporn.

Edited October 25, 2012 by Phatcharanan

[MAJIC]

Hands up anyone who believes this headline.......!

Not a chance do I believe the article

Not a snowflakes chance in HE-double hockey sticks

The fact that TRT 111 members are getting positions tells me who is in charge

Yes! and the 111 were the Expelled/Banned members from Politics, of Thai Rak Thai, do they seriously expect anyone to believe that PM Yingluck would know who to choose from this bunch,it's highly doubtful she would have known any of them from 5 years past,let alone if they were any use or not.

Thaksins men from way back receiving their payoff,more like.

Edited October 25, 2012 by MAJIC

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

PM defies Thaksin on new line-up

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

Expected Cabinet reflects Yingluck's will but disappoints some in business

BANGKOK: -- If the names mentioned in speculation ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle are an indication, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra seems to have had a considerable say in the make-up of her new Cabinet.

But whether the new line-up will benefit is another matter entirely. First of all, the likely line-up serves to confirm the widespread opinion that the Pheu Thai Party's quota of Cabinet seats is rotated between its core members. It appears that reshuffles are not aimed at increasing Cabinet performance at all.

Among new faces in the Yingluck 3 Cabinet will be core members of the now defunct Thai Rai Thai Party - members of the so-called House Address 111 - who have just completed their five-year ban from politics.

They include Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, who is set to become the energy minister in place of Arak Chonlatanon, an outsider in the Yingluck 2 Cabinet under the Pheu Thai quota.

Pongthep Thepkanchana, another former Thai Rak Thai executive, is set for the post of deputy prime minister along with the position of education minister, replacing Suchart Tadathamrongvej, who has had conflicts with Pheu Thai MPs.

Warathep Ratanakorn, another House 111 member, should also win a Cabinet seat under the quota of Yaowapha Wongsawat, Yingluck's elder sister.

Another interesting new face in the new Cabinet will likely be Government Spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong. She is expected to become a PM's Office minister. This has led many to question why Sansanee would be given a minister's post when she has been performing well as a spokeswoman and coordinating with Yingluck and PM's Secretary-General Suranan Vejjajiva efficiently. And who would replace Sansanee in the sensitive job of government spokesperson? Will she hold the two positions concurrently?

The rest of the reshuffled posts are widely seen as changes for the sake of political harmony. For example, Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, who is tipped to be next Pheu Thai leader, is expected to become the interior minister, replacing former Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit.

The much-speculated list contains no changes to key economic ministries. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong will almost certainly keep his positions despite rumours that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been disappointed with his performance. It is said that Thaksin ordered his sister to remove Kittiratt, who is very close to Yingluck, from the Cabinet, or at least take away one of his posts.

Yingluck, however, refused to comply. This seems to indicate that Yingluck has gained in confidence as a leader and is willing to defy her brother's wishes and take decisions on her own.

Yingluck yesterday confirmed she had sent her new Cabinet list for Royal sanction and boasted that her brother had had nothing to do with the reshuffle.

Another indication that there will be no changes in economic leadership comes from strong speculation that Boonsong Teriyapirom will retain his position as commerce minister. Boonsong is close to the influential Yaowapha and is in charge of the controversial rice-pledging scheme.

Boonsong's continuing presence in the Cabinet would indicate that Yingluck is not worried that the rice-pledging scheme will become a critical weak point during the no-confidence showdown with the opposition. On the contrary, it would indicate that the government is ready to go ahead with the scheme.

If the speculation is correct, Pongthep will become the third education minister in the Yingluck government, following Woravat Auapinyakul and Suchart.

Another interesting new face is likely to be Dr Pradit Sinthawanarong, an expert in Thai traditional medicine and a member of the National Health Insurance Board. Pradit, the managing director of J&W Development, is set to become the public health minister. J&W Development is known to be a business ally of the firm Saensiri led by managing director Settha Thawesin, who is very close to Yingluck.

More evidence that Yingluck now has a considerable say in big decisions is that red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan will be left out of the new Cabinet.

It has been reported that Yingluck resisted an order from her brother to appoint Jatuporn to the Cabinet for fear that his presence would affect the government's image. Yingluck decided to defy red-shirt opinion and exclude Jatuporn. The news was confirmed by Jatuporn on Wednesday night, during an appearance on his TV show.

The cases of Kittiratt, Pradit and Jatuporn seem to show that Yingluck is daring to defy interference from beyond government and should serve to quell criticism that she is merely a puppet of her brother. Nevertheless, the reshuffle seems unlikely to increase the working efficiency of the government.

Senior business figures yesterday called on Cabinet members to work harder and contribute more to the economy.

Charoen Wangananont, chief adviser of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said that though he did not know who would be promoted, he did not think the reshuffle would have any impact on the tourism industry overall. What he wanted to see from the new Cabinet was a commitment to work more efficiently towards the progress of the country.

Buntoon Wongseelashote, a Board of Trade member and chairman of the committee monitoring trade issues, said the reshuffle would have no impact on private-sector confidence because its only aim was to serve political ambitions.

"The government needs to draw clearer policies to promote economic growth, as well as appointing more professionals to work for the country. In the past, the government has appointed some ministers in 'trainee' capacities. As soon as they learned how to do the job, the Cabinet was reshuffled, so their tasks were not achieved," he said.

Buntoon said the government needed to recruit experts or people with professional experience as key economic ministers in order to promote the economy's growth and efficiency.

-- The Nation 2012-10-26

[Valentine]

Dear sis, I have a cunning plan to make you look independent.

[MikeOboe57]

It is only in Hollywood movies that clueles failures raise to great challenges. In real life they remain what they are.

[FOODLOVER]

It's nice of Thaksin to give the PM of Thailand some say in these decisions.

[saltandpepper]

BS

The minute she will defy Pee Thaksin, her contract will be terminated. The real Boss is in no short supply of replacement

[somtumlion]

From what is reported in this article, it looks like the PM is staring to stand up to big brother and is begining to make her own decisions, it shows she is now confident in her own ability and is comfortable with surrounding herself with her own circle in favour of her brother's former inner circle. Good for her, can't be too good for big brother. Good to see Jutaporn left out as an MP, he can no longer use his position as an MP to avoid any charges that may be pending.

You really sure this is what the article says? lol

[Baerboxer]

It's nice of Thaksin to give the PM of Thailand some say in these decisions.

Or to make it look like she has! Helps improve her image and allows him to pretend to be disappointed about no seat for the red-shirt leader. Notice how the "clan" are always well positioned. The article makes reference to "taking it in turns" to hold cabinet seats. About right - no need to worry about skill, experience, knowledge, proven ability; it's your turn this shuffle, so take the position and just do as your told whilst you make a nice little earner.

An interesting asside. If your bored one day try researching the family histories of a selection of UK's current politicians. Some very interesting family dynasties around. And we think the West is different! Thailand is years behind in nepotism, cronyism, and political skulduggery.

[TomTao]

From what is reported in this article, it looks like the PM is staring to stand up to big brother and is begining to make her own decisions, it shows she is now confident in her own ability and is comfortable with surrounding herself with her own circle in favour of her brother's former inner circle. Good for her, can't be too good for big brother. Good to see Jutaporn left out as an MP, he can no longer use his position as an MP to avoid any charges that may be pending.

You really sure this is what the article says? lol

I drew my conclusion after reading the whole article, but my conclusion hinges on this brief paragraph,

'However, Yingluck refused to comply with the wish of her brother. This seemed to indicate that Yingluck has developed her leadership up to a level and decided to have her own say instead of complying with all wishes of the brother.'