Snub To Jatuporn Was A Wise Move By Pheu Thai Brass

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Snub to Jatuporn was a wise move by Pheu Thai brass

The Nation

Although Premier Yingluck and her brother need the red shirts, they were right to leave the movement's firebrand leader out of the Cabinet

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts' disappointment at the exclusion of their leader, Jatuporn Promphan, from the new Cabinet line-up has overshadowed other ministerial reshuffle news on the front pages. This may be the time to once again evaluate the relationship between one of the country's richest families and the poor masses of whom it proclaims to be the champion. But enemies of the Pheu Thai Party could be badly mistaken if they give too much importance to the current red-shirt dissatisfaction. The ironic relationship has been subject to frequent scrutiny and speculation about a break-up, and this often surfaces when cases like Jatuporn's materialise.

The red shirts' discontent is understandable. The mass movement, however, needs to look at the big picture. After Thaksin Shinawatra, Jatuporn is probably the second-most controversial figure on his side of Thailand's political divide. Having him in the ministerial line-up would do no one any good, including the man himself.

There were different pro-Jatuporn remarks after the latest Cabinet line-up was announced. Most of his supporters insisted that it was time Thaksin "paid back" someone who risked his life and wellbeing for him. Others, and Jatuporn himself, publicly at least, are of the opinion that a "true warrior" is not supposed to be rewarded.

Politically, the decision to shut Jatuporn out of the Cabinet means either the prime minister and Thaksin realised his appointment would jeopardise the already fragile "reconciliation" scheme, or they decided that Jatuporn's legal trouble was a package too heavy to carry. Being the top leader of the months-long red-shirt protests in 2010, which culminated in a bloody government crackdown and arson attacks on countless downtown properties, Jatuporn has faced serious charges. Putting him in the Cabinet would be a politically tall order, but to take him out, once in, would be an explosive affair.

Whatever the reasons, the decision to leave Jatuporn out of the Cabinet was a smart one. No matter how "upset" his red supporters must have been, they are unlikely to switch political allegiance. In other words, if an election were held next week or next month, the red shirts might not remain strictly loyal to Pheu Thai, but they would never vote for the Democrats, under any circumstances. Thaksin and Yingluck must have taken this into account before they concluded that everyone would be better off with Jatuporn kept out of the Cabinet.

It's been reported that some red-shirt factions were planning to confront the prime minister or her big brother over why Jatuporn was "cut loose". If this signals that a bigger change is in progress regarding the relationship between the red movement's top leaders and their followers, analysts believe such a change will take a long time. Moreover, any movement as massive as the red shirts is bound to have problems like this. Reports have become more frequent about some red shirts being in conflict with others. It only tells us that the movement is broadening and incorporating all kinds of people, not that it's breaking up.

The real issue, therefore, is how strong the ties between Thaksin and the red shirts remain. To say they remain solid might not be as accurate as saying the two still need each other. The red shirts know Thaksin's flaws -his wealth and how he got it is an elephant in their living room. But the movement has no one else to help it stay organised as a powerful political force. The reasons why Thaksin needs the red shirts are even more obvious. He simply cannot survive without them.

The Jatuporn case tells both sides that there's a price to pay for such a relationship to continue. Thaksin doesn't want to be too hawkish, whereas his hardcore red followers are more belligerent, seeing Jatuporn in the Cabinet not as a risky provocation but as a justified snub to political enemies. Thaksin has prevailed this time, but as things stand, both sides would rather move toward mending what is broken than let the damage spread uncontrolled.

-- The Nation 2012-11-03

[MEL1]

"Others, and Jatuporn himself, publicly at least, are of the opinion that a "true warrior" is not supposed to be rewarded."

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I seem to recall the oaf bragging about and, openly, displaying his rewards and his home only too recently, pertaining to them as 'gifts' for his service to the cause!

-mel.

[Ricardo]

"Gollum wanted his presciousss, but Kind Master couldn't, no ... he said he would ... but 'they' wouldn't let him, nasty 'unseen forces' and poor Master, so Gollum must wait longer, he will get it, yesss ..."

[noitom]

The newspaper is aggrandizing Thaksin as someone the red shirts "need." While for the past two years they were berating him as a "criminal" in exhile. I guess the newspaper know which side to play on. The newspaper is a travesty for the ideas of truth , commitment, and the public good. How can they shift around on support like this?

[asiawatcher]

Jatuporn has already been 'richly' rewarded financially. Putting a loose canon, who cannot control his mouth, in cabinet, would threaten the PTP's fragile hold, already struggling over mismanagement, scams, ridiculous policies and corruption. Keeping him out of parliament means he is open to prosecution and that is one, if not the only control, PTP has over him. Thaksin the crook, the puppet master, is a wily manipulator and has in this instance outwitted a loyal pawn, probably stroking his ego from behind with a few more wads of folding stuff to keep his mouth shut (for once). The truth of that will eventually come out as keeping a lid on Jatuporn is nigh on impossible.

[OzMick]

The newspaper is aggrandizing Thaksin as someone the red shirts "need." While for the past two years they were berating him as a "criminal" in exhile. I guess the newspaper know which side to play on. The newspaper is a travesty for the ideas of truth , commitment, and the public good. How can they shift around on support like this?

You base your comment on the concept that being someone the red shirts need is complimentary. I do not see it that way, nor do I see it in any way contradictory to his being a criminal, a status held by most of the red leaders.

[OZEMADE]

Jatuporn is not there because Thaksin told his sister not to put him there. He was becoming a pest and a thorn in both their sides and was really as they say not doing the party or himself any good. In other words wait your turn or get nothing. The only ones complaing are really the other members of the red shirts that thought through their lobbying, they would get him into Cabinet. By doing so their pockets would have been lined but it did not happen, so it's all about loosing face and saving face now?

[givenall]

"Others, and Jatuporn himself, publicly at least, are of the opinion that a "true warrior" is not supposed to be rewarded."

------------

I seem to recall the oaf bragging about and, openly, displaying his rewards and his home only too recently, pertaining to them as 'gifts' for his service to the cause!

-mel.

Yingluck will go down in the history as having her brother up her but controlling her like a puppet.

Her brother is always mentioned when she does anything

[siampolee]

Jatuporn is not there because Thaksin told his sister not to put him there. He was becoming a pest and a thorn in both their sides and was really as they say not doing the party or himself any good. In other words wait your turn or get nothing. The only ones complaing are really the other members of the red shirts that thought through their lobbying, they would get him into Cabinet. By doing so their pockets would have been lined but it did not happen, so it's all about loosing face and saving face now?

Like as the waves do make to the pebbled shore.

Like as the money washes to the puppet master.

So as Jutuporns minutes do hasten to his end

Thus Jutuporns self perceived power and importance is at an end.

Apologies to William Shakespeare for the adaptation of his Sonnet 60 in the above short 4 line passage.

[Thai at Heart]

He's hardly a model of the poor masses.

[GentlemanJim]

Do not underestimate this little weasel. We are not dealing with a western politician here who knows when they are done and will step out of the limelight, We are dealing with a Thai politician. They have a tendency to be nasty, self serving, egotistical power hungry individuals, who, like many Thai's, when they believe they have been slighted they will hold on to a serious grudge for decades. They will always serve revenge, even if it is a dish served ice cold. Simply take a look at what Thaksin is doing in a bid to get back at Sohndi and Thailand in general. Jatuporn will plot and plan to make sure he has his day. the very best place for him is where the 40 criminal charges against him should have him put...jail, for a long time.

[waza]

Remeber the REDshirt cabinet position is a rotating one, if he is good he will get another turn at the trough but first he has time on the bench. Basically your "Carrot and stick" approach to control.

[rubl]

The red shirts' discontent is understandable. The mass movement, however, needs to look at the big picture. After Thaksin Shinawatra, Jatuporn is probably the second-most controversial figure on his side of Thailand's political divide. Having him in the ministerial line-up would do no one any good, including the man himself.

Look at the big picture and concentrate on important issues. "We want Thaksin", but not un-elected feudalistic elite fascists or other rich people. Democracy now!"

[OzMick]

"Brass" is not a very nice thing to call the PM.

[rubl]

"Brass" is not a very nice thing to call the PM.

Really agree there, but 'golden haired' would not be correct either

[mrtoad]

"Brass" is not a very nice thing to call the PM.

But she is

[waza]

"Brass" is not a very nice thing to call the PM.

But she is

Whos the fool the puppet or the puppet master............

[hellodolly]

The newspaper is aggrandizing Thaksin as someone the red shirts "need." While for the past two years they were berating him as a "criminal" in exhile. I guess the newspaper know which side to play on. The newspaper is a travesty for the ideas of truth , commitment, and the public good. How can they shift around on support like this?

Easy that is where the money is. If enough people will buy there paper because it has proof that the moon is made of green cheese expect the headlines to say so.

There explanation will be that the man in the moon needs it for substance.

But that will be tomorrows head line.

[hellodolly]

"Brass" is not a very nice thing to call the PM.

Really agree there, but 'golden haired' would not be correct either

neither would Dizzy Blond

[kimamey]

The newspaper is aggrandizing Thaksin as someone the red shirts "need." While for the past two years they were berating him as a "criminal" in exhile. I guess the newspaper know which side to play on. The newspaper is a travesty for the ideas of truth , commitment, and the public good. How can they shift around on support like this?

There's nothing wrong with a newspaper publishing different views and in fact the Nation is usually criticised for just attacking the PTP government. Anyway what's contradictory about saying Thaksin is a criminal in exile, which he is but noting that the red shirts need him which I think they do.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if Thaksin removed himself from the situation in Thailand. The government seems unable to work without him but who knows, without him to divert all the energies of the government and opposition things might actually work better.