REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Abhisit's memoir: fighting fears with hopes

Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's 174-page memoir revealed the young leader's gripping fears of losing innocent lives and the hopes that kept him alive to fight another days. "Truth has no color," was on sale early this month, contained simple thoughts

Indeed, this tell-it-all will become parts of his political legacy of episodes occurred at the Headquarter at 11th Army Regiment where the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order was located during the siege of April/May 2010. It included intimate look of his thoughts and surroundings along with his close aides and soldiers who guarded him.

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries. The only serious mistake, he reiterated, was to be a government that could not be dictated by Thaksin Shinawatra. He also revealed that he seldom talked to his protagonist. During the time of the first Thaksin's administration, his relations with Thaksin was superficial and restricted to not more than "ten sentences" of conversations. He pointed out that whenever a parliament session was in recess, Thaksin and him would avoid meeting face-to-face in the Parliament's canteen knowing full well their personal chemistry did not work well.

On page 65, he pointed that in April 2009, Thaksin tried to allege that he ordered to kill during the earlier demonstrations as part of the strategies to inculcate hatred among the Thai people against him. "But the majority of the society knows the truth, so this issue failed to set fire," he emphasized. Throughout the memoir, Thaksin's figure roamed large because any decision from his opponents could only be possible with his consent. For instance, the televised negotiation between the representatives of Abhisit's government and opponents, he noted, was a publicity stunt for the opponents even though he thought the government could reach agreement with them. But the leader in exile would not concur. Abhisit proved to be a resolute leader when it came face to face with Thaksin.

Learning from past mistakes from the previous year, his opponents, as Abhisit described it, no longer relied on peaceful demonstrations as they decided to step up pressure against the government through violence and deployed armed elements. He also named several persons as parts of militant wings that caused casualties on the streets.

"Having listened to liars long enough, I asked for opportunities to speak the truth" was the blurb used on the back cover. "Records from the heart, never ever changed," run the sub-headline in the front cover. His version of the 69 days during the April/May 2010 turbulence with some flash back to the April 2009 crisis was contained in the 44 brief chapters related to specific events and personalities with photos illustrations taken by journalists from various newspapers.

Throughout the book, he cited April 10, 2010 as the most precarious day for Thailand and him. "It was the saddest days of my life as prime minister" he said. It was the day when precious lives were lost as his opponents clashed with authorities. He said that the authorities followed the rule of laws and were careful with the counter measures being deployed. He explained how the Headquarters works and rules of engagements that are being used. He emphasized repeatedly nobody above the law, as perpetuated by his opponents, was involved in the crisis. "If there is any mistake, I am responsible," he emphasized.

The soul-searching memoir portrayed the prime minister as a concerned leader constantly fearing bloodshed and tried to prevent the loss of lives. Living in a military headquarter, Abhisit and his aides were well protected but isolated from the scenes. They relied on reports and information gathering from the military, police, intelligence units and concerned citizens through personal contacts and messages. He also shows his strength and decency in placing the lives of innocent ahead in any decision to ensure that Thailand would not become a failed state. In that sense, he has never made any improvisionary decision. Apparently, some of his decisions were transmitted through his opponents. The decision to apprehend Arisaman Pongruangrong was leaked, enabling him to escape from a hotel on a board day light.

It was clear from his recollection that his government was losing the information war on all sides. The opponents were able to reign in with loads of accusations, especially over the cabled TVs and cyberspace providing the public with false information. It was interesting to note that with all the propaganda that went on against the government, Abhisit and his team were not able to counter them efficiently and sufficiently.

On the lighter side, he spent the last three pages on his personal aides: Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Sirichot Sopha and Theptai Saenpong. The latter two are the MPs from Songkha and Nakon Srithammarat respectively—the media called them his "wallpapers" as they were often seen with the prime minister.

During the crisis, he was astonished that Panitan, the government's spokesperson, had never slept. "I even joked that it is time for all of us to go to bed. We should not be worried because Panitan is awoken all the time," he quipped. To the former prime minister, Sirichote was a hi-tech wizard who knew the online world and IT gadgetries. He often briefed Abhisit about the opponent's thoughts and plans culled from their websites and chat rooms.

Theptai, as the spokesperson to the party's leader, was considered a warrior to ward off all verbal attacks against Abhisit. "I did not choose him. The party did," he disclosed. He said he just wanted a spokesperson who can disseminate and elaborate on government policies without spending their times shouting back at opponents.

For the present and future generation, the memoir coupling with the report of National Truth and Reconciliation Commission shed lights on what went on and transpired during the darkest chapter of Thai history. Abhisit's account of the event is a required reading on the missing narratives over the April/May crisis.

-- The Nation 2012-10-29

I for one, will look forward to reading this. Glad to see he has published as not many people really want to listen to rhetoric anymore. Good move. Now we will wait for the Reds and PTP cronies to cry foul and start dumping sh*t on it.

It was struggle to read this article. Just wish they had proper proof-reads at The Nation.

It does come off as thinly veiled praise for Abhisit.

this tell-it-all

this tell-it-all

A shameless liar , that's what Mark is.

this tell-it-all

A shameless liar , that's what Mark is.

Hate to say this, but he is not the only one, is he?

I can think of quite a few famous people in this country who are liars.

He's got nothing to fear but fear itself.

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries.

After a military coup and subsequent junta.

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries.

After a military coup and subsequent junta.

And two pro Thaksin governments...........brought down for breaking the law

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries.

After a military coup and subsequent junta.

Actually, it was after 18 or so coups ... and a few elections.

this tell-it-all

A shameless liar , that's what Mark is.

Welcome back even under a new name.

Does Thailand really need another Yellow Pages?

this tell-it-all

A shameless liar , that's what Mark is.

and you base this on what evidence exactly?

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries.

After a military coup and subsequent junta.

Ah the subsequent Junta you mean the governments of Samak and Somchai - Junta governments serving their master. Or am I wrong? they were elected after all? Or is this talk of junta just typical rhetoric to suit your political leanings which completely ignores the historical record of events??

He should never have gone to stay in the army barracks.

Politically crazy.

He should never have gone to stay in the army barracks.

Politically crazy.

Maybe he was more worried about his life than his politics.

He should never have gone to stay in the army barracks.

Politically crazy.

Maybe he was more worried about his life than his politics.

And he had good reasons for that!

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries.

After a military coup and subsequent junta.

Ah the subsequent Junta you mean the governments of Samak and Somchai - Junta governments serving their master. Or am I wrong? they were elected after all? Or is this talk of junta just typical rhetoric to suit your political leanings which completely ignores the historical record of events??

Just stating facts. Sorry you seem to have a problem with that.

He should never have gone to stay in the army barracks.

Politically crazy.

It was all a nice cosy arrangement at the time however to the detriment of the country's coffers which saw military spending soar to unprecedented levels, with only some fake 'bomb scanners', a useless hot air balloon and some un-seaworthy second-hand submarines to show for it.

And some people still think these imbeciles are a better option!

He made clear in the beginning that his premiership was legitimate and went through the parliamentarian approval as in other countries.

After a military coup and subsequent junta.

Ah the subsequent Junta you mean the governments of Samak and Somchai - Junta governments serving their master. Or am I wrong? they were elected after all? Or is this talk of junta just typical rhetoric to suit your political leanings which completely ignores the historical record of events??

Just stating facts. Sorry you seem to have a problem with that.

What facts have you stated?

Yes, the Democrats came to power after a coup, but the PPP were in government after the coup too. Do you have a problem with the PPP coming to power after a coup?

Politicians rarely tell the truth when they are in power, like they will then go and write a warts and all book destroying their perceiced legacy will they? Political autobiogrphies are like a long winded eulogy to themselves. I'd prefer a double root canal without anasthetic to reading any politicians reflections on their own greatness.

What facts have you stated?

Yes, the Democrats came to power after a coup, but the PPP were in government after the coup too. Do you have a problem with the PPP coming to power after a coup?

I have a problem with coups, and military juntas.

He should never have gone to stay in the army barracks.

Politically crazy.

It was all a nice cosy arrangement at the time however to the detriment of the country's coffers which saw military spending soar to unprecedented levels, with only some fake 'bomb scanners', a useless hot air balloon and some un-seaworthy second-hand submarines to show for it.

And some people still think these imbeciles are a better option!

Military spending was at the lowest level ever in 2006, and increased from the coup, through the PPP government, and then in 2009 increased to the same levels as about 1998 before dropping off again in 2010. http://www.google.co.th/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ms_mil_xpnd_gd_zs&idim=country:THA&dl=en&hl=en&q=thailand+military+spending

The bomb scanners have been used in Thailand since 2004 ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GT200#Users

What facts have you stated?

Yes, the Democrats came to power after a coup, but the PPP were in government after the coup too. Do you have a problem with the PPP coming to power after a coup?

I have a problem with coups, and military juntas.

Fine. What has that got to with the Democrats coming to power?

I beieve Khun Abhisit was the straightest and most well educated prime minister this country had seen for some time, and a great shame he did not have the neccessary support of the police and army.

And who is "Mark" ?

And who is "Mark" ?

Abhisit.

And who is "Mark" ?

born Mark A. Vejjajiva in Newcastle upon Tyne, with a silver spoon in his mouth, whose father was appointed Minister of Health by a military government and is now on the board of CP.

And who is "Mark" ?

born Mark A. Vejjajiva in Newcastle upon Tyne, with a silver spoon in his mouth, whose father was appointed Minister of Health by a military government and is now on the board of CP.

Ah, so you have a problem with superrich, over privileged people, too?

I beieve Khun Abhisit was the straightest and most well educated prime minister this country had seen for some time, and a great shame he did not have the neccessary support of the police and army.

At the risk of being vilified, I'd go out on a limb and agree with you. However, he was surrounded by corrupt & dodgy people.

The only other guy in Abhisit's league is Korn. They went to school together. I wish they got another chance to run the country.

Suthep should have been booted a long time ago. He could have started a new party with Newin and Banharn. The Super Corrupt Kleptocracy party.