EDITORIAL

One of the least divisive politicians leaves the scene

The Nation

These days, the country could use more politicians like Chumpol Silapa-archa, whose approach was to avoid outright confrontation

BANGKOK: -- The passing away of Deputy Prime Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa, who died a few days ago of heart failure, has deprived the volatile and deeply divided political scene of a rare veteran who admirers and critics have different opinions about. To one camp, his ability to remain a gentleman against all odds stood out. To the other, he was someone who didn't take great risks, whether for better or for worse.

However, if we were to come up with a list of "lesser" controversial or divisive political figures nowadays, Chumpol would be in the top 10. In Thailand's current political context, that is one remarkable achievement. Again, that might have more to do with the expedience that his political party is best known for, but at least his "quality" of being non-confrontational did Thailand one big favour once.

Throughout his life, Chumpol contributed to his country using his knowledge in various political positions. However, he will be most remembered as being associated with the birth of the 1997 "People’s Constitution", after heading a reform committee whose work - along with that of other panels - laid down the groundwork for the charter.

The process of creating that constitution was not without difficulty. Politicians clashed with reformists over key ideas, adding to the tension caused by the fact that mainstream politicians were all but barred from the writing process. Having Chumpol as a key representative of the political status quo, however, helped keep the situation from boiling over. His non-confrontational attitude went a long way toward making what could have been a potentially explosive process become something manageable.

Chumpol's contribution to the constitutional writing process was not really recognised at the time, probably due to prevailing ideological battles that his party were not known to specialise in. Many believed that his elder brother, ex-prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa, agreed to kickstart a constitutional revamp because he could no longer resist public pressure. If we look back, however, we will see that the decision to make Chumpol chairman of the Political Reform Committee in 1995 was a good one, at least under the circumstances. Chumpol was not aggressive, which meant a destructive clash between the status quo and the extreme reformists was avoided.

Chumpol worked as a civil servant and political-science lecturer at Thammasat University before entering politics in 1979. In 1986 and 1992 he was deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. From 1997 to 1998 he was minister for education in the Chuan Leekpai cabinet. In 1995 he chaired the Political Reform Committee, and after two years the "People's Constitution" was born. Chumpol was among the first group of senators elected under the 1997 Constitution.

He became leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party after the Chart Thai Party was ordered dissolved by the Constitution Court for electoral fraud in 2008. The dissolution also banished Banharn from politics, leaving Chumpol the only sensible candidate to lead Chart Thai Pattana, the reincarnation of Chart Thai.

When Chart Thai Pattana joined the Democrat-led government following the political turmoil of 2008, Chumpol became minister of tourism and sports under then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. At that time Chumpol made a famous - or infamous, to some - statement that political changes were out of his control because they were effected by an "invisible hand".

In 2011, Chart Thai Pattana sided with the Pheu Thai Party after the latter won the general election. Chumpol remained the minister of tourism and sports and was later appointed a deputy prime minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

Chumpol's death is a big blow to his party and to his brother Banharn, who has now lost his most trusted ally in politics. If the two brothers have both been associated with too much political expedience for people's liking, it was Chumpol who managed to garner praise for it. And both admirers and critics alike are in unison in their condolences and wishing for him to rest in peace.

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

Is this the same "gentleman" and top 10 "lesser" controversial political figures who last year claimed that the the girl in Krabi could not have been raped as she had dinner with the suspect.

These days, the country could use more politicians like Chumpol Silapa-archa, whose approach was to avoid outright confrontation

His approach was backed by the family and it was a financial approach to ensure a steady income flow from the state coffers to finance projects within the family fiefdom thus benefiting the family

However a nice gloss was applied to the tawdry system so as it appeared to benefit Mr.and Mrs Somchai the family on the street..

The head of the clan Slippery eel ensured the family party got the lions share of monies.

One of the least divisive politicians leaves the scene

The above should read

The most deceptive politician leaves the scene.

This is probably one of the most insightful discriptions of how the Thai's see a good politician. Basically a marshmellow, who does what he is instructed, by those in charge.

Some would see these types, as brainwashed, yes men, which this country seems to have a oversupply of. Again, the Thai way, copy some idea/title, but throw out what works and adopt the local way of increasing the personal/family bank balance.

Read "Sucks up to whoever is in power."

What did he ever do to promote Tourism in Thailand? Nothing. His biggest claim to tourism fame was claiming that a girl can't claim rape if she dines with her accused. He never was called on the comment and never apologized.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/No+peace+in+sight.-a0227328872

He was a former police officer. I say no more, and don't need to.

Well I do! He was no angel in his day, either!!!

-mel.

kick a man when he s down

...

in the ground

good job & carry on...

kick a man when he s down

...

in the ground

good job & carry on...

Actually, up in smoke. Stick to glossing over the crimes of the living.

kick a man when he s down

...

in the ground

good job & carry on...

Well hugo you might like to remember this advice yourself.

Is this the same "gentleman" and top 10 "lesser" controversial political figures who last year claimed that the the girl in Krabi could not have been raped as she had dinner with the suspect.

It is one and the same. The Nation's oversight in not mentioning the late gentleman's egregious insight into that alleged rape case and his consequent contribution to Thailand's amazing image as a safe tourist destination for women is entirely regrettable.

Analysing a political non-activists life after he has passed away is unhealthy. The fact that he is gone is a great contribution to allowing the country to lose a lesser person and karma will take care of what he did. Weak of character sometimes is simply a persons way of saying I don't want to be involved. Making stupid statement is of course, okay as I know the rest of us are faultless.

kick a man when he s down

...

in the ground

good job & carry on...

Well hugo you might like to remember this advice yourself.

you wanna tell me i beat up on people who r dead - show me