POLITICS

Chumpol's death could lead to wider Thai Cabinet reshuffle

Piyanart Srivalo,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The death of Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silpa-archa has renewed a fight among coalition partners for his coveted tourism and sport Cabinet post and is also likely to lead to a reshuffle of some ministers.

Both the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the coalition Palang Chon Party have been keen to take the tourism position from Chart Thai Pattana while Chumpol's brother Banharn wants to keep the lucrative post with his party.

Banharn, who is Chart Thai Pattana's patriarch, has decided on a successor to replace his late brother, a party source said yesterday. It was likely that the successor would be an outsider because Banharn has only a few close and trusted allies. He and the former members of the now-defunct Chart Thai Party are banned from politics for five years.

Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome from the Palang Chon Party is said to be unhappy with his current post. He reportedly met former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over the New Year holiday to lobby for the tourism and sport seat.

Key Pheu Thai members and coalition partners also met Thaksin in London last week, sources said.

Banharn's party gained the upper hand when it joined the coalition in exchange for better ministerial quotas than other parties. The tourism and sport post has been held by Banharn's people under three previous administrations linked to Thaksin.

But now the situation has changed. Yingluck Shinawatra's government is more stable and other small and medium parties like Bhum Jai Thai of Anutin Charnvirakul and its Matchima faction led by Somsak Thepsuthin are prepared to support and join the Pheu Thai-led government. So the support of the Chart Thai Pattana and Palang Chon parties is less crucial.

"If we can really take the post back from Banharn, why do we have to give it to Sonthaya? Isn't it better to keep it with us? We always want to supervise the ministry because it can generate high revenue to the country," a source from Pheu Thai said.

The source said Pheu Thai may ask Banharn to swap the tourism post for labour or education.

Another source from Pheu Thai also revealed that the party is considering reshuffling some ministers in the economic posts, with Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom among those targeted. Deputy Interior Minister Chatt Kuldiloke is likely to go over his failure to perform in a no-confidence debate last November, the source said. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk could be targeted as well.

The reshuffle will likely occur after the Constitution Court ruling on February 1 over whether Prime Minister's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn is qualified to take the Cabinet post, the source said. Varathep was sentenced to a two-year suspended jail term in September 2009 over the lottery scandal in connection with his role as deputy finance minister in the Thaksin government.

-- The Nation 2013-01-22

related topic:

Thai deputy PM Chumpol Silpa-archa dies at 72

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

I would say that Thaksin being seemingly free to travel whereever he wants, including countries such as US and Japan which have clear policies regarding visas for convicted criminals, shows pretty clearly how law and order in Thailand is perceived internationally.

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse.

Not all that surprising, however. Cabinet positions are decided upon by Thaksin as all the previous politicians running off to talk to him before reshuffles attest to.

That in this particularly distasteful case it involves the son of a fugitive convicted murderer running off to plead his case with another fugitive is also not surprising.

.

Edited January 22, 201313 yr by Buchholz

wants to keep the lucrative post with his party

One of the main problems with Thai politics and Thai politicians.

Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome from the Palang Chon Party is said to be unhappy with his current post. He reportedly met former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over the New Year holiday to lobby for the tourism and sport seat.

Key Pheu Thai members and coalition partners also met Thaksin in London last week, sources said.

Anyone here still going to deny that Thaksin is running the Govt from afar? Or that Yingluck is running the Govt all by herself cos she's such a clever girl and such a great businesswoman?

PT want to consider offering Barnhard the education ministry instead of tourism ??? <deleted> are they thinking ? Education is too important to be shopped around by these fools and into the hands of a mafia don like the buffet king !

But, but, but, didn't we already have three or four reshuffles? One maybe excused to wonder where our PM keeps finding all those 'knowledgeble', 'capable', 'full of potential', 'suitable' people to (re)people her cabinet.

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

Just a thought but it may be as well to take anything reported by the Nation as being from a "source" especially with regard to Thaksin, the UDD or the present government, with a pinch of salt.

Or you could believe its the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth which judging by your post is really what you want to hear. Anyway as they say in Thailand "up to you".

"The tourism ministry can generate high revenue to the country".

Not to mention all the pigs salivating around the trough.

PT want to consider offering Barnhard the education ministry instead of tourism ??? <deleted> are they thinking ? Education is too important to be shopped around by these fools and into the hands of a mafia don like the buffet king !

An indication of how little value these fools put on education is having three different Education Ministers in a year and a half.

It matters little to them to have a fourth.

.

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

Just a thought but it may be as well to take anything reported by the Nation as being from a "source" especially with regard to Thaksin, the UDD or the present government, with a pinch of salt.

If it's not the truth, or even if it is, we can rest assured that Bang Saen Mafia Godfather's son would be Johnny–on–the–spot with a defamation lawsuit.

.

Edited January 22, 201313 yr by Buchholz

PT want to consider offering Barnhard the education ministry instead of tourism ??? <deleted> are they thinking ? Education is too important to be shopped around by these fools and into the hands of a mafia don like the buffet king !

How time flies in Thailand. Only 7 days ago we had

"Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana promised yesterday that he would not let politics interfere with the improvement of education in the country as his ministry was in the process of drafting a national education plan and strategy to enhance education and address current problems."

I can only assume and hope that the drafting of the NEP will not be interfered with by a possible new minister. Probably not, Ms. Yingluck only chooses capable people with knowledge and potential

Money grubbing parasites.

Ask PTP MPs and Ministers what they are doing for Thailand (nothing), ask what they are stealing for themselves (everything that isn't bolted down).

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

Just a thought but it may be as well to take anything reported by the Nation as being from a "source" especially with regard to Thaksin, the UDD or the present government, with a pinch of salt.

Or you could believe its the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth which judging by your post is really what you want to hear. Anyway as they say in Thailand "up to you".

If what you say is true and Thaksin is not running the government can you tell me who OWNS the PTP and whose sister became PM with NO political experience at all other than her family name?

I will give you a small clue. It isn't Abhisit but it is an ex PM and covicted criminal fugitive.

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

I would say that Thaksin being seemingly free to travel whereever he wants, including countries such as US and Japan which have clear policies regarding visas for convicted criminals, shows pretty clearly how law and order in Thailand is perceived internationally.

Yes - and also shows the sad state of the respect of law in these countries. The UK and US in particular, whose administrations are the first to lay the law down for others. But, happy to ignore someone elses when it suits.

Presumably they see Mr. Thaksin as a potential regional friend and ally in "their bigger picture". Politicians seem to be a breed apart - regardless of actual nationality.

Oddly, the travel point is much less relevant these days. He was prohibited and unwelcome when he was seen as actively interfering. Ironically with the election of his sister then the view was predominately leave him alone despite interfering even more [or at least more directly].

There were few realistic options to hold him let alone arrest him. This had little to do with the allegedly political nature of the conviction [which is not a persistent view] but the differing political landscapes both before and after the election.

It is tragic that the political class, such as it is, can only fixate on one man and not raise their eyes to the truly important matters that the country faces [and apparently desperately ignores]

Regards

Edit Typo

Edited January 22, 201313 yr by A_Traveller

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

I would say that Thaksin being seemingly free to travel whereever he wants, including countries such as US and Japan which have clear policies regarding visas for convicted criminals, shows pretty clearly how law and order in Thailand is perceived internationally.

Not sure what you are trying to say here. Thaksin is not a convicted criminal.

He has to go to trial before they can convict him.

But, but, but, didn't we already have three or four reshuffles? One maybe excused to wonder where our PM keeps finding all those 'knowledgeble', 'capable', 'full of potential', 'suitable' people to (re)people her cabinet.

She dosen't her brother does.

PT want to consider offering Barnhard the education ministry instead of tourism ??? <deleted> are they thinking ? Education is too important to be shopped around by these fools and into the hands of a mafia don like the buffet king !

An indication of how little value these fools put on education is having three different Education Ministers in a year and a half.

It matters little to them to have a fourth.

.

They feelm that they don't need a responsable minister they bought some of the kids a pad.

I love the way negotiation had taken place with Thaksin before his passing. The vultures attack before the corpse is in fact, a corpse. And with Thaksin? It really is proof of who is running this country - a bail jumping convicted criminal on the run. Only in Thailand... Obviously Thailand cares nothing about real law and order or how it is perceived internationally.

I would say that Thaksin being seemingly free to travel whereever he wants, including countries such as US and Japan which have clear policies regarding visas for convicted criminals, shows pretty clearly how law and order in Thailand is perceived internationally.

Not sure what you are trying to say here. Thaksin is not a convicted criminal.

He has to go to trial before they can convict him.

He has been convicted and sentenced to 2 years jail, and it has not been appealed.