Pheu Thai To Field Pongsapat In Bangkok Governor Race

[webfact]

Pheu Thai to field Pongsapat in governor race

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a deputy national police chief who also serves as secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board, has agreed to run as the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming Bangkok governor's election, according to party sources.

He was approached by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted the media-savvy officer to represent Pheu Thai in the contest for the Bangkok governorship, the sources said.

Thaksin, now in self-imposed exile overseas after fleeing imprisonment for an abuse of power conviction, is believed to be pulling the strings behind the ruling party.

The latest development at Pheu Thai comes amid uncertainty within the Democrat Party about who to field as a candidate in the election early next year. Incumbent Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, a Democrat, has publicly announced his intention to seek a second term. "So far, MR Sukhumbhand is the only Democrat to have announced his intention to contest the election," said Charoen Kanthawong, a senior Democrat figure.

There has been no clear decision from the Democrat Party's executive board. Some sources said it was likely that the party would field 60-year-old Sukhumbhand for fear that he would otherwise run as an independent candidate. That would split Democrat supporters and could result in the party's loss in the election. "To prevent a possible conflict and election loss, the party may field MR Sukhumbhand," the source said.

However, another Democrat source said that with Pheu Thai set to field Pongsapat, the Democrats might have to reconsider their candidate. The source noted that the incumbent governor has come under attack following a decision by Fifa, world football's governing body, not to endorse the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's just-completed Bangkok Futsal Arena for use in the ongoing Futsal World Cup tournament.

If the Democrats opt for another candidate, party elders may be asked to persuade Sukhumbhand not to contest the election, according to the source.

Deputy Democrat leader Korn Chatikavanij, a former finance minister and current Bangkok MP, is a likely candidate, the source said. Pheu Thai has opted for a non-politician as its candidate to boost its chance of winning, said a party source. Pongsapat's image and reputation are also expected to win him considerable support from Bangkok voters, the source added. Those qualities led Thaksin to favour Pongsapat in the first place, according to the source, who noted that the deputy police chief has been close to the city's residents and communities since he served as the Royal Thai Police spokesman, and has remained so as Narcotics Control Board chief. "If Pheu Thai fielded a politician in the Bangkok governor race, we would lose 100 per cent. But with Pongsapat as our candidate, we will have a chance of winning," the source said.

Political parties linked to Thaksin do not have strong support in the capital. No Bangkok governor has come from a Thaksin-linked party.

Pongsapat, 56, came top of his class at the Police Cadet Academy and was the first in his class to reach the rank of major-general, at the age of 40.

He is seen as a prominent candidate for national police chief in the future. It is possible he has received assurances that his chances of gaining that position will be improved in exchange for his contesting the governor's election. Earlier, he dismissed reports that he had been approached to become the Pheu Thai candidate.

Although Pongsapat will have to resign his post before contesting the election, he can return to the police force if he fails to get elected.

-- The Nation 2012-11-16

[asiawatcher]

Thaksin's sticky little fingers yet again manipulating the Govt and Thailand. But he is finished with politics, just ask him.

[Jaivin2011]

Is the Pheu Thai giving a free card to the Democrats to win the BMA Governor elections???? Use your brains, nobody would longer vote in a Policeman for the job knowing that most cops are corrupted.

[Buchholz]

Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a Deputy National Police Chief has agreed to run as the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming Bangkok governor's election

He was approached by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted the media-savvy officer to represent Pheu Thai in the contest for the Bangkok governorship, the sources said.

But, but, but, it's not about Thaksin....

Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen

The "media-savvy" bit comes from his days as National Police Spokesman

for example,

Massive plumes of smoke were billowing from Central World, one of Southeast Asia's largest shopping centres, which was at the centre of anti-government protests

National Police Spokesman Lieutenant-General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the first three floors of the multi-storey building had been gutted and that the fire continued to rage, though nobody was inside.

AFP

http://www.arakaninfo.net/2010/05/bangkok-on-fire-troops-moving-in.html

,

[MikeOboe57]

Is the Pheu Thai giving a free card to the Democrats to win the BMA Governor elections???? Use your brains, nobody would longer vote in a Policeman for the job knowing that most cops are corrupted.

A policeman endorsed by a fugitive criminal - in Thailand a ticket to run on.

[ratcatcher]

http://soclaimon.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/pongsapat-wont-run-for-governor/

http://tweetbuzz.us/entry/129396373/www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/315305/pongsapat-denies-running-for-bma

Pheu Thai to field Pongsapat in governor race

Will he won't he? Maybe, possibly, not sure, might, could?

[OzMick]

"If Pheu Thai fielded a politician in the Bangkok governor race, we would lose 100 per cent."

The trick of course is to find someone who meets PTP standards of corruption and venality without actually being a politician. The obvious place to look is the RTP.

"Pongsapat, 56...... was the first in his class to reach the rank of major-general, at the age of 40."

This achievement may have been due to his outstanding intelligence, being totally incorruptible, and his inspiring police work. That would be a first for Thailand, and the odds are against it.

Which brings us back to the first point - the ideal candidate.

[Buchholz]

Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a Deputy National Police Chief has agreed to run as the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming Bangkok governor's election, according to party sources.

What hasn't been agreed upon is whether or not the Pheu Thai Party is going to choose Pongsapat to run for the governorship.

There's a rift in the Party in that many want former Thai Rak Thai bigwig and previously failed Bangkok Governor candidate Sudarat to run in the election.

Those pushing for her candidacy include Bangkok MPs of the Pheu Thai Party, city councillors and district councillors, while other MP's and Chalerm are backing Pongsapat.

The first group are preparing a letter to Yingluck and Party executives to seek their backing of Sudarat in the race. If that fails, they want assurances she will be the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming by-election for Bangkok Pheu Thai Party MP and Red Shirt Leader Karun, who was red-carded out of Parliament.

.

Edited November 17, 2012 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Whoever the Pheu Thai Party finally decides to be their candidate, today, the Bangkok City Clerk announced the tentative date for the Bangkok Governor election will be on February 17, 2013.

.

[Buchholz]

Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a Deputy National Police Chief has agreed to run as the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming Bangkok governor's election

He was approached by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted the media-savvy officer to represent Pheu Thai in the contest for the Bangkok governorship, the sources said.

But, but, but, it's not about Thaksin....

Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen

Police General Pongsapat has a back-up if he's not chosen to run for Governor or if he is and loses.

Good cash earner is his being a member of the Board of Directors for the MEA (amusingly referred to as "Independent")

http://www.mea.or.th/aboutus/board.php?l=en&tid=2&mid=250&pid=92

Had to chuckle at his alma mater in the bio.

Seems he's actually Police General Doctor Pongsapat Pongcharoen as he's listed as having obtained the same degree (PhD) at the same university as Police Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Thaksin (Sam Houston State University).

What a coincidence for the "independent".

.

[Buchholz]

Interesting article in today's other paper regarding the turmoil of selecting Pheu Thai Party's candidate.

There's reiteration of the contradiction to the thread title in that the Party has not decided yet who "to field in the Bangkok Governor Race"

There is mounting efforts to get Sudarat to accept the candidacy even though she has repeatedly said in the past she won't run. There's definitely a softening of that stance in the newest article. There's also mention of possibly fielding former National Police Chief and Thaksin cousin, Priewpan, as PTP's candidate.

It also reflected resentment within the Party during the Party meeting held the day before in which former PM and still-banned-from-politics Somchai made the declarative statement that the Party was going to select the OP's Pongsapat for the election, even though it had not yet been agreed upon by Party members.

Rather understandable as running roughshod over a meeting he shouldn't be attending in the first place is over the top.

.

[smutcakes]

Despite the headline sounding rather definite, all this article is, is mindless speculation.

a 'source' said this etc, 'Thaksin endorsed' etc etc

Why is this piece even published? Its not news. Cant they just wait until the PTP actually announce something?

[marshbags]

Despite the headline sounding rather definite, all this article is, is mindless speculation.

a 'source' said this etc, 'Thaksin endorsed' etc etc

Why is this piece even published? Its not news. Cant they just wait until the PTP actually announce something?

Perhaps you should ask those putting it out. ( source )

The mindless speculation of course is provided by Thaksin and / or his messengers to confuse / test for the reactions ect. ect.

A typical PT aka Thaksin ploy

Then go for the one that attracts the most favourable reactions / appears to have the most potential, vote wise.

marshbags

Edited November 18, 2012 by marshbags

[Buchholz]

Despite the headline sounding rather definite, all this article is, is mindless speculation.

a 'source' said this etc, 'Thaksin endorsed' etc etc

Why is this piece even published? Its not news. Cant they just wait until the PTP actually announce something?

Perhaps you should ask those putting it out. ( source )

The mindless speculation of course is provided by Thaksin and / or his messengers to confuse / test for the reactions ect. ect.

A typical PT aka Thaksin ploy

Then go for the one that attracts the most favourable reactions / appears to have the most potential, vote wise.

marshbags

Indeed, the "source" could just have easily been:

Former PM and still-banned-from-politics Somchai made the declarative statement [at the Party meeting] that the Party was going to select the OP's Pongsapat for the election

which, agreeably, could be considered "mindless speculation" on his part at this juncture.

When in reality, we see now various factions from Thaksin's TRT buddy Sudarat being pulled back from her jai dee mission to Nepal (she was trounced in her last try for BKK Governor) to Thaksin's cousin and ex-top cop Priewpan to Thaksin's alma mater chum Pongsapat.

Whatever the speculation, there's a connecting tie in all of them.

.

[philw]

Despite the headline sounding rather definite, all this article is, is mindless speculation.

a 'source' said this etc, 'Thaksin endorsed' etc etc

Why is this piece even published? Its not news. Cant they just wait until the PTP actually announce something?

Perhaps you should ask those putting it out. ( source )

The mindless speculation of course is provided by Thaksin and / or his messengers to confuse / test for the reactions ect. ect.

A typical PT aka Thaksin ploy

Then go for the one that attracts the most favourable reactions / appears to have the most potential, vote wise.

marshbags

Indeed, the "source" could just have easily been:

Former PM and still-banned-from-politics Somchai made the declarative statement [at the Party meeting] that the Party was going to select the OP's Pongsapat for the election

which, agreeably, could be considered "mindless speculation" on his part at this juncture.

When in reality, we see now various factions from Thaksin's TRT buddy Sudarat being pulled back from her jai dee mission to Nepal (she was trounced in her last try for BKK Governor) to Thaksin's cousin and ex-top cop Priewpan to Thaksin's alma mater chum Pongsapat.

Whatever the speculation, there's a connecting tie in all of them.

.

Even more naked, is your agenda.

[Buchholz]

Despite the headline sounding rather definite, all this article is, is mindless speculation.

a 'source' said this etc, 'Thaksin endorsed' etc etc

Why is this piece even published? Its not news. Cant they just wait until the PTP actually announce something?

Perhaps you should ask those putting it out. ( source )

The mindless speculation of course is provided by Thaksin and / or his messengers to confuse / test for the reactions ect. ect.

A typical PT aka Thaksin ploy

Then go for the one that attracts the most favourable reactions / appears to have the most potential, vote wise.

marshbags

Indeed, the "source" could just have easily been:

Quote:

Former PM and still-banned-from-politics Somchai made the declarative statement [at the Party meeting] that the Party was going to select the OP's Pongsapat for the election

Unquote.

which, agreeably, could be considered "mindless speculation" on his part at this juncture.

When in reality, we see now various factions from Thaksin's TRT buddy Sudarat being pulled back from her jai dee mission to Nepal (she was trounced in her last try for BKK Governor) to Thaksin's cousin and ex-top cop Priewpan to Thaksin's alma mater chum Pongsapat.

Whatever the speculation, there's a connecting tie in all of them.

Even more naked, is your agenda.

Easy there, Phil.

All ages read the forum.

.