General Admits Being A Friend Of Thaksin: Thai Cabinet Reshuffle

[webfact]

CABINET RESHUFFLE

General admits being a friend of Thaksin

Panya Thiosangwan

The Nation

Prin

BANGKOK: -- The appointment of General Prin Suvanadat as deputy transport minister in Yingluck Shinawatra's Cabinet was not a surprise. Prin was a highly trusted classmate of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra while they were in the Armed Forces Academies Prep School (Pre-Cadet) Class 10.

"I am a friend of (ex-) PM Thaksin (and so) I had a chance to be considered and offered this opportunity to work (as deputy transport minister)," Prin frankly admitted when asked whether the chance came due to his abilities or his connection.

"Many others are capable, knowledgeable and very smart. Cabinet reshuffling is the circulation of capable people to work for the country. Although others were not appointed a minister this time, they can wait for the next opportunity," he said in a message to those failing to get a post, including red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan and his supporters.

Prin was commander-in-chief of the First Division, the King's Guard, which are the main troops covering Bangkok. He was expected to be appointed one of the top five commanders of the Army. His life's turning point came with the coup on September 19, 2006 when he was sacked from an important post, just as many friends from Class 10 known to be close to Thaksin.

Prin came back as chief of staff and aide-de-camp to the Defence Minister just before his retirement in September. He said he did not feel pressured to take up the new position but proud and glad to get another chance after decades as a permanent government officer.

Although particular areas of responsibility have yet to be assigned, Prin said he was confident, given his experience, he would be able to do the job well.

"It's not too difficult. Everybody knows about the work (needed) on transportation, as all people have experience of it. They cannot go anywhere unless there is transportation," he said.

His work as a soldier was about transportation and logistics of the troops, by land transport, marine transport, by air and by train.

"All logistics needs planning. All strategists of a military agency must do the planning, so this is direct experience," he said.

Prin is a relative and studied in the same pre-cadet class as ACM Sukampol Suwannathat and now, like Sukampol, has come to work in the Transport Ministry. However, although Sukampol was a transport minister and is currently defence minister, he said he was not following in Sukampol's footsteps.

Prin is critical of claims of horse-trading for cabinet positions, or nepotism, saying such exchanges do no good for the country.

"I don't want anyone to instigate an issue as it would cause damage. The country desperately needs security since the September 19, 2006 coup. We need unity. Nobody should say something like, 'this person coming into the post is bad, the other one is better'. Reshuffles are needed to make the country prosper."

Prin said he wanted society to separate personal issues from his work - although one of his daughters is seeing Thaksin's son Panthongtae. "It's about the family, please don't mix it."

No matter how Prin reached this position, the important thing is how well he can work and contribute to the country.

-- The Nation 2012-10-31

[asiawatcher]

It's never about the ability of the person to do the job, it's purely who they know. How can a country be run like this? Short answer - it can't.

[nurofiend]

"It's not too difficult. Everybody knows about the work (needed) on transportation, as all people have experience of it. They cannot go anywhere unless there is transportation," he said.

[siampolee]

"Many others are capable, knowledgeable and very smart. Cabinet reshuffling is the circulation of capable people to work for the country. Although others were not appointed a minister this time, they can wait for the next opportunity," he said in a message to those failing to get a post, including red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan and his supporters.

Cronyism and nepotism ,corruption and deception . All the hallmarks of a Thaksin influenced action.

Prin said he wanted society to separate personal issues from his work - although one of his daughters is seeing Thaksin's son Panthongtae. "It's about the family, please don't mix it."

Fine words from a character who can afford his principles are they not ?

Edited October 31, 2012 by siampolee

[Buchholz]

.

Solidification of the Shin Dynasty along with all the other Army and Police Generals recently promoted or appointed calling Thaksin, "brother".

.

[Buchholz]

Prin said he wanted society to separate personal issues from his work - although one of his daughters is seeing Thaksin's son Panthongtae.

Daughter? Not a son?

.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Buchholz

[fareastguy]

Quote:

"Many others are capable, knowledgeable and very smart. Cabinet reshuffling is the circulation of capable people to work for the country. Although others were not appointed a minister this time, they can wait for the next opportunity," he said in a message to those failing to get a post, including red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan and his supporters.

In other words: Pee on the fire my toasts done !!

When did capability ever enter an equasion when you have friends in high places??

[scorecard]

"It's not too difficult. Everybody knows about the work (needed) on transportation, as all people have experience of it. They cannot go anywhere unless there is transportation," he said.

So, how about:

1. Some specific action to reign in the cowboy reckless minivan drivers who still drive very dangerously.

2. Some organization of bus stops on country roads so that passengers don't have to run across very busy freeways and stand in the midst of busy traffic: trucks, vans, cars, and in the rain, to wait for the bus.

3. The utter chaos behind Morchit bus station with hundreds, at times thousands of arrived passengers trying to get home.

#2 and #3 should have been fixed 30 years ago.

[saltandpepper]

He admits being a friend of Thaksin

So he means that he has not got his position because of his skills, capability, or anything else that qualify him for the job? But rather as a reward for friendship?

No way, not with this highly recommendable PM......

[fareastguy]

"It's not too difficult. Everybody knows about the work (needed) on transportation, as all people have experience of it. They cannot go anywhere unless there is transportation," he said.

So, how about:

1. Some specific action to reign in the cowboy reckless minivan drivers who still drive very dangerously.

2. Some organization of bus stops on country roads so that passengers don't have to run across very busy freeways and stand in the midst of busy traffic: trucks, vans, cars, and in the rain, to wait for the bus.

3. The utter chaos behind Morchit bus station with hundreds, at times thousands of arrived passengers trying to get home.

#2 and #3 should have been fixed 30 years ago.

What your asking for is what would be a natural progression in a normal country.. but T.I.T

[Moruya]

Thaksin could put all his bedside teddy bears in the cabinet. Would anyone notice?

[rubl]

To be fair, the general's experience with logistics involved in rapid deployment of troops may well be useful at the Transport Ministry. Maybe he has some ideas on how to avoid morning rush hour traffic and still get people to work

[Soupdragon]

Thaksin could put all his bedside teddy bears in the cabinet. Would anyone notice?

Can a teddy bear open offshore bank accounts ????

[Thaddeus]

To be fair, the general's experience with logistics involved in rapid deployment of troops may well be useful at the Transport Ministry. Maybe he has some ideas on how to avoid morning rush hour traffic and still get people to work

Yep, order a pre-emptive rush hour an hour before the real one.

[Moruya]

Thaksin could put all his bedside teddy bears in the cabinet. Would anyone notice?

Can a teddy bear open offshore bank accounts ????

With a little help from their friends......

[Bagwan]

Thaksin could put all his bedside teddy bears in the cabinet. Would anyone notice?

During my life I have lived in Wimbledon, Solihull and Sutton Coldfied. In all of those constituencies the Conservative Party could have put up a little pink pussycat wearing a blue rosette and they would have been elected. Just saying, but Moruya is correct.

[longtom]

Reshuffles are needed to make the country prosper.

Reshuffles are needed to make space for another batch of pigs at the through.

[Thai at Heart]

The saddest thing is, he is probably as competent, if not more competent than the bunch of clowns sitting in the cabinet right now. I am not saying that the Thai army is the best, most well oiled machine in the world, but even if he ran an army camp, he has more experience of actually running something than most of the others involved in the cabinet.

Could he actually be less competent than Plodprasob for example?

[AleG]

So, in one hand we have Yingluck's promise to only appoint experienced, capable people to ministerial positions. On the other we have Thaksin's cronies.

Pretty clear who is really running the show.

[saltandpepper]

So, in one hand we have Yingluck's promise to only appoint experienced, capable people to ministerial positions. On the other we have Thaksin's cronies.

Pretty clear who is really running the show.

Well, I am surprised that you still believed whatever comes out of her mouth, or from any of these clowns mouth in general (no pun intended!!)

[bigbamboo]

At least the General is honest enough to admit that he was appointed to the cabinet due to his close friendship with Thaksin and not because Ms.Yingluck chose him herself or he is actually qualified for the job.

[h90]

It's never about the ability of the person to do the job, it's purely who they know. How can a country be run like this? Short answer - it can't.

well in the west, there aren't any minister who are actually an education in what they are doing. today foreign minister next year finance minister and than science minister.

Not different than in Thailand....Just much less corruption

[Skywalker69]

Yingluck are you sure your brother had no say in the reshuffle???

I Will from today call you liar.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Skywalker69

[seminomadic]

Somebody get this guy a dentist

Edited October 31, 2012 by seminomadic

[SICHONSTEVE]

Prin said he wanted society to separate personal issues from his work - although one of his daughters is seeing Thaksin's son Panthongtae.

Daughter? Not a son?

.

Yes, daughter!!

[nurofiend]

"It's not too difficult. Everybody knows about the work (needed) on transportation, as all people have experience of it. They cannot go anywhere unless there is transportation," he said.

So, how about:

1. Some specific action to reign in the cowboy reckless minivan drivers who still drive very dangerously.

2. Some organization of bus stops on country roads so that passengers don't have to run across very busy freeways and stand in the midst of busy traffic: trucks, vans, cars, and in the rain, to wait for the bus.

3. The utter chaos behind Morchit bus station with hundreds, at times thousands of arrived passengers trying to get home.

#2 and #3 should have been fixed 30 years ago.

i don't understand why you are quoting me there, when i am clearly laughing at the silliness of his comment.

[belg]

same as in any country with politics ruling the people : not the smartest or most appropriate gets elected, but the one who knows people in places

[Songhua]

Never let politics or competence get in the way of mateship.