Devoted To The Reds And To Thaksin

[Lite Beer]

NEW PHEU THAI CHIEF

Devoted to the reds and to Thaksin

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Satien Viriyapanpongsa,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation on Sunday

Charupong

BANGKOK: -- Charupong also gives Pheu Thai a crucial link to the UDD

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan seems the perfect choice for the post of Pheu Thai Party leader. While not a Shinawatra family insider, he has worked for the party for some time, is trusted by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and is also a prominent member of the red shirts.

"The key qualification for being Pheu Thai Party leader is not the ability to turn left or turn right [as ordered], but the ability to turn 360 degrees to hear the voices of all groups, to see the big picture and be as transparent as a goldfish in a glass aquarium," he said.

Backed by Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, Thaksin's ex-wife, Charupong has gradually gained prominence in the party, and is now in the top position.

Charupong entered the political arena in the era of the People Power Party, the reincarnation of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party. He moved to Pheu Thai after the People Power Party was also dissolved.

Last May, he was voted the party's secretary-general. When Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was forming her government, Charupong played the role of "government manager", negotiating with the coalition parties.

In the first Cabinet reshuffle in January, he was rewarded with his first Cabinet post, as transport minister. Now he has been given the Interior portfolio, a position with no less prominence.

Charupong is really a connector; he is linked to both the Pheu Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, the main red-shirt group. He is one of the group's main speakers and also writes articles for the red shirts' magazine.

Charupong was voted in as new Pheu Thai leader a few days after being made interior minister. It seems he's following in the footsteps of Yongyuth Wichaidit, who also held both these positions, but Charupong tries to play this down.

"I haven't been appointed a deputy prime minister yet," he said with a smile, stressing that his two posts did not come in a package.

Charupong said he deserved the Interior Minister's post as he started on his career path at the ministry.

Now that he is minister, he plans to get MPs to work closely with governors, sharing problems raised by the public and working on them in the legislative and administrative branches.

He does not fear criticism that this approach is a way of using his position to build a political voter base. "The decision belongs to voters, and judgement day is election day. Doing this means we are working. If we don't do anything, people won't vote for us," he said.

Charupong said he was confident Pheu Thai Party was heading in the right path with its populist policies. In particular, he said the rice scheme would lift farmers' standard of living. Their incomes would increase so they can join the middle class, he said.

Despite the reduction of tax rates, the expansion of the middle class means more income for the government, as the number of taxpayers will increase, Charupong said.

He said the government would never abandon the rice scheme.

Looking serious and with a note of anger entering his voice, Charupong claimed that opponents of the rice-pledging scheme were people who had taken advantage of farmers for too long, and those who feared Pheu Thai would be in government for many years to come.

"If this [rice-pledging policy] succeeds, the success will be greater than the Bt30 universal healthcare scheme. We [Pheu Thai] will lead the government for a long time and the opposition will be the opposition forever," he said.

Known as an orator, Charupong showed many moods in less than an hour. Before the interview started, he was talkative, talking playfully and laughing a lot. He said that was his real nature. Nevertheless, before the camera, Charupong lowered his volume and changed the tone of his speech. When asked if a quality for the top Pheu Thai post was being able to take orders from former PM, Charupong said Thaksin was a great contributor to his party, and someone worth listening to.

"Is Thaksin a disgusting person that I should not listen to? I take phone calls myself. I answer journalists' phone calls. I listen to all people. Why can't I listen to Thaksin?" he said, before acknowledging he would try to secure Thaksin's return to the country within this government's term.

-- The Nation 2012-11-04

[Skywalker69]

I feel sick...............again.

[asiawatcher]

Another disillusioned brainwashed puppet claiming to be independent of such. I think his quip about being transparent is real enough. We know exactly what he is.

[lizardtongue]

I feel sick...............again.

Bet I feel more sick than you?...lol

[yoshiwara]

"Is Thaksin a disgusting person that I should not listen to?

Well since you're asking......

Edited November 4, 2012 by yoshiwara

[OzMick]

""The key qualification for being Pheu Thai Party leader is ........... the ability to turn 360 degrees..."

Turning 360 degrees is commonly referred to as spinning. He demonstrates this ability to the maximum when he suggests that the rice scam will lift farmers incomes to the middle class and "the expansion of the middle class means more income for the government, as the number of taxpayers will increase."

Any suggestion that income based on government subsidies will increase taxes and raise tax revenue is more than slightly bizarre, it's downright hilarious. Welcome to the world of Thaksinomics. No mention of the huge tax expenditure or the multi-billion baht losses, the almost absolute failure to deliver on the stated aim, the level of corruption involved, or the conflict of interest of the PTP insiders accepting rice scam payments.

Why? Because it buys votes (with other people's money).

[siampolee]

Known as an orator, Charupong showed many moods in less than an hour. Before the interview started, he was talkative, talking playfully and laughing a lot. He said that was his real nature. Nevertheless, before the camera, Charupong lowered his volume and changed the tone of his speech. When asked if a quality for the top Pheu Thai post was being able to take orders from former PM, Charupong said Thaksin was a great contributor to his party, and someone worth listening to.

Indeed a telling passage, it shows that this creature has all the dubious qualities of a professional con man who plays to the gallery yet serves the puppet master and in reality is not able to form his own ideas .

Thaksin and his wife and family have made this creature.

Beware Charupong, once your usefulness like Jutuporns is of no further value you will be cast aside on the political scrap heap. In the grand scheme of things if you're not family you're expendable.

You need a long spoon to sup with the devil

[philw]

Hilarious..........

[fareastguy]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

[Valentine]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The Dems never fail to disappoint. Their PR machine sucks compared to Thaksin's, they are not pro active in coming up with good sustainable policies & at the same time promoting them to the public, especially the in the NE where they can never hope for a majority unless they win them over. Having said that it seems the public are addicted to the quick fix, handouts based on the populist policies. Mr T has a solid game plan & although the parliament is littered with dinosaurs the ones inside the Dems seem to be holding them back.

[asiawatcher]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

Sadly I doubt it.

[Ricardo]

Love the cartoon !

And another prominent Red-Shirt receives his reward for loyalty, poor Gollum must be wondering, just what else he has to do in order to receive his own reward ? Sell his soul to the Big Boss Devil ?

[LindsayBKK]

And why do we need to know all this?

Seems to be a little over information to me. Some things are better not to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_to_know

[FOODLOVER]

As seen at the ethics convention. Note his affinity for Burberry.

Edited November 4, 2012 by FOODLOVER

[bigbamboo]

Transparent?

You mean we can see right through him!

[rubl]

Devoted to the reds and to Thaksin

Also known as For democracy and against unelected elite

[Pimay1]

My father told me many times "son never trust a beady eyed man who is smiling at you".

[Pimay1]

Known as an orator, Charupong showed many moods in less than an hour. Before the interview started, he was talkative, talking playfully and laughing a lot. He said that was his real nature. Nevertheless, before the camera, Charupong lowered his volume and changed the tone of his speech. When asked if a quality for the top Pheu Thai post was being able to take orders from former PM, Charupong said Thaksin was a great contributor to his party, and someone worth listening to.

Indeed a telling passage, it shows that this creature has all the dubious qualities of a professional con man who plays to the gallery yet serves the puppet master and in reality is not able to form his own ideas .

Thaksin and his wife and family have made this creature.

Beware Charupong, once your usefulness like Jutuporns is of no further value you will be cast aside on the political scrap heap. In the grand scheme of things if you're not family you're expendable.

You need a long spoon to sup with the devil

Indeed Charupong you had best gobble at the trough as fast and often as you can as your days are already numbered. You just don't know it yet.

[yoshiwara]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The PTP are pawns. What the PTP have so far failed to do is get Thaksin back. So now Thaksin puts in the more explicit 'Yes Sirs!' to have a go. And also make the organisation more his own.

They will still have the same problems as before however and increasing the bluster only goes so far.

[theslime]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The PTP are pawns. What the PTP have so far failed to do is get Thaksin back. So now Thaksin puts in the more explicit 'Yes Sirs!' to have a go. And also make the organisation more his own.

They will still have the same problems as before however and increasing the bluster only goes so far.

Democracy is a Dream, Looks good on Paper but even the Greeks had to invade their fellow Greek Neighbours to feed themselves. The Amataya exploit Thailand, and is that okay? Taksin is an Outsider taking on the Established Corrupt Elite and I and a lot of People in Chiang Mai are sick of the Amataya, but not of Taksin.

[rubl]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The PTP are pawns. What the PTP have so far failed to do is get Thaksin back. So now Thaksin puts in the more explicit 'Yes Sirs!' to have a go. And also make the organisation more his own.

They will still have the same problems as before however and increasing the bluster only goes so far.

Democracy is a Dream, Looks good on Paper but even the Greeks had to invade their fellow Greek Neighbours to feed themselves. The Amataya exploit Thailand, and is that okay? Taksin is an Outsider taking on the Established Corrupt Elite and I and a lot of People in Chiang Mai are sick of the Amataya, but not of Taksin.

Makes sense. If you accept to be exploited, you'd rather have it done by a local of course

BTW it's Thaksin, the fugitive criminal, not the former king Taksin

[yoshiwara]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The PTP are pawns. What the PTP have so far failed to do is get Thaksin back. So now Thaksin puts in the more explicit 'Yes Sirs!' to have a go. And also make the organisation more his own.

They will still have the same problems as before however and increasing the bluster only goes so far.

Democracy is a Dream, Looks good on Paper but even the Greeks had to invade their fellow Greek Neighbours to feed themselves. The Amataya exploit Thailand, and is that okay? Taksin is an Outsider taking on the Established Corrupt Elite and I and a lot of People in Chiang Mai are sick of the Amataya, but not of Taksin.

It is always hilarious when the Thaksin apologists suggest that Thaksin is the clean outsider taking on the establishment rather than the split in the establishment which he actually is. Fighting corruption with corruption and led by a convicted criminal for, wait for it, corruption. Thaksin is nothing more or less than a one-man wannabe establishment. And what exactly is the demand here? Is it for a clean ruling class? (yeah, right) or is it for a socialist revolution? (don't make me laugh). Neither. Maybe Thaksin as Cyclops fits the mythological reference better.

[Valentine]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The PTP are pawns. What the PTP have so far failed to do is get Thaksin back. So now Thaksin puts in the more explicit 'Yes Sirs!' to have a go. And also make the organisation more his own.

They will still have the same problems as before however and increasing the bluster only goes so far.

Democracy is a Dream, Looks good on Paper but even the Greeks had to invade their fellow Greek Neighbours to feed themselves. The Amataya exploit Thailand, and is that okay? Taksin is an Outsider taking on the Established Corrupt Elite and I and a lot of People in Chiang Mai are sick of the Amataya, but not of Taksin.

So it was OK to work with the established corrupt elite to build a telecommunications empire & it is OK for the new elite to exploit Thailand.

[bigbamboo]

Love the cartoon !

And another prominent Red-Shirt receives his reward for loyalty, poor Gollum must be wondering, just what else he has to do in order to receive his own reward ? Sell his soul to the Big Boss Devil ?

I thought he already had.

[OzMick]

"He said the government would never abandon the rice scheme."

Because it's Thaksin's idea, and Thaksin owns the government. Now tell me why it is legal for members of this government (millionaires all) to be beneficiaries of a policy whose stated intent is to minimise income inequality and help the poor? Why are there no limits on eligibility?

In fact, for a government to enact a policy which benefits directly and indirectly members of that government, while failing to achieve its stated goals, is the definition of corruption.

[smutcakes]

"He said the government would never abandon the rice scheme."

Because it's Thaksin's idea, and Thaksin owns the government. Now tell me why it is legal for members of this government (millionaires all) to be beneficiaries of a policy whose stated intent is to minimise income inequality and help the poor? Why are there no limits on eligibility?

In fact, for a government to enact a policy which benefits directly and indirectly members of that government, while failing to achieve its stated goals, is the definition of corruption.

Which members of the Government are being directly benefited by the rice scheme?

I think it would be difficult under any Government to find a policy which does not in some way directly or indirectly benefit people in the Government.

[Pimay1]

In fact, for a government to enact a policy which benefits directly and indirectly members of that government, while failing to achieve its stated goals, is the definition of corruption.

SOP of the Yingluck (Thaksin proxy) administration.

[OzMick]

"He said the government would never abandon the rice scheme."

Because it's Thaksin's idea, and Thaksin owns the government. Now tell me why it is legal for members of this government (millionaires all) to be beneficiaries of a policy whose stated intent is to minimise income inequality and help the poor? Why are there no limits on eligibility?

In fact, for a government to enact a policy which benefits directly and indirectly members of that government, while failing to achieve its stated goals, is the definition of corruption.

Which members of the Government are being directly benefited by the rice scheme?

I think it would be difficult under any Government to find a policy which does not in some way directly or indirectly benefit people in the Government.

HTF would I know? But not one of them has stated a conflict of interest, recused themselves from a vote or otherwise decision making, or exempted their rice farms from receiving benefits.

More to the point, This is Thaksin's scheme, the Shinawatra family DO own rice farms, and are benefitting from this policy. WHY?

[ratcatcher]

While Thaksin & the PTP are maneuvering their pawns into position for the next stage of their battle I sincerely hope that the democrats have equally good counter moves & don't leave their game plan too late to be effective.

The PTP are pawns. What the PTP have so far failed to do is get Thaksin back. So now Thaksin puts in the more explicit 'Yes Sirs!' to have a go. And also make the organisation more his own.

They will still have the same problems as before however and increasing the bluster only goes so far.

Democracy is a Dream, Looks good on Paper but even the Greeks had to invade their fellow Greek Neighbours to feed themselves. The Amataya exploit Thailand, and is that okay? Taksin is an Outsider taking on the Established Corrupt Elite and I and a lot of People in Chiang Mai are sick of the Amataya, but not of Taksin.

Being a denizen of Chiang Mai and a fan of the Shin dynasty, you must be well aware of Thaksin's origins.

Quote Wiki:

" Seng Sae Khu had made his fortune through tax farming. Chiang Sae Khu/Shinawatra later founded Shinawatra Silks and then by moving into finance, construction and property development. Thaksin's father, Lert, was born in Chiang Mai in 1919 and married Yindi Ramingwong (a daughter of Princess Jantip Na Chiang Mai). In 1968, Lert Shinawatra entered politics and became an MP for Chiang Mai and deputy leader of the now-defunct Liberal party. Lert Shinawatra quit politics in 1976. Lert Shinawatra opened a coffee shop, grew oranges and flowers in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district, and opened two movie theatres, a gas station, and a car and motorcycle dealership. By the time Thaksin was born, the Shinawatra family was one of the richest and most influential families in Chiang Mai"

In most places that would be about as "amataya" as you can get. Anyone with a "Na" in their name has connections eg Potjaman Na Pombera

Thaksin is no outsider taking on the elite, he's just a much greedier and ambitious member of the elite taking on his fellow amataya.

Do try to spell his name correctly, since Taksin the Great was a king.

Thaksin Shinawatra merely aspires to be.

[smutcakes]

"He said the government would never abandon the rice scheme."

Because it's Thaksin's idea, and Thaksin owns the government. Now tell me why it is legal for members of this government (millionaires all) to be beneficiaries of a policy whose stated intent is to minimise income inequality and help the poor? Why are there no limits on eligibility?

In fact, for a government to enact a policy which benefits directly and indirectly members of that government, while failing to achieve its stated goals, is the definition of corruption.

Which members of the Government are being directly benefited by the rice scheme?

I think it would be difficult under any Government to find a policy which does not in some way directly or indirectly benefit people in the Government.

HTF would I know? But not one of them has stated a conflict of interest, recused themselves from a vote or otherwise decision making, or exempted their rice farms from receiving benefits.

More to the point, This is Thaksin's scheme, the Shinawatra family DO own rice farms, and are benefitting from this policy. WHY?

Oh okay, you are making sweeping assumptions. I thought you actually had some information on the situation.