Kamnan Poh Arrest Changes Coalition's Dynamics: Thailand

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Kamnan Poh

'Poh' arrest changes coalition's dynamics

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The arrest of fugitive convict Somchai "Kamnan Poh" Khunpluem has a number of political implications for the ruling coalition.

The three-way tie-up of the Pheu Thai, Chart Thai Pattana and Palang Chon parties is about to take a new turn.

At issue is not Kamnan Poh's fate but the vulnerability of his son, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, the heir to his father's political legacy.

Sonthaya reportedly learned about the impending arrest only minutes before police commandos charged in to take custody of his newsjsfather on Wednesday. By then it was too late to intervene and abort the raid on the Ladkrabang onramp to enter the motorway to Chon Buri, seen as the family's stronghold.

What Sonthaya can and will do is to contain the damage triggered by any political back-stabbing.

He will definitely do everything in his power to prevent or limit the police investigation into the possible harbouring of a fugitive. If police are allowed to get to the bottom of the matter, he would risk losing his Cabinet seat and his family members might be going the jail for helping Kamnan Poh elude imprisonment.

Based on news reports, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Banharn Silapa-archa and Chart Pattana de facto leader Suwat Liptapanlop met in London earlier this month.

The three held exploratory talks about the re-allocation of ministerial portfolios within the coalition alliance, according to the reports.

Sonthaya was not invited to the meeting, even though he is a coalition partner pushing for control of the Tourism portfolio, which is presently assigned to the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Banharn and Sonthaya used to be allies. In fact, Palang Chon is a splinter group of the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

The two still maintain cordial ties, while Banharn is fighting a two-pronged attack to keep control of the Tourism Ministry.

Sonthaya has advanced two proposals - the Tourism portfolio should be made part of his Culture Ministry, or he should be allowed to take over the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

Thaksin's inner circle says Pheu Thai should oversee tourism in order to maintain an integrated management of the economy.

By accident or design, Sonthaya is in a most vulnerable position at a crucial stage of negotiations for Cabinet seats.

Banharn and Thaksin now have strong bargaining leverage over Sonthaya. If they so choose, they can make or break Sonthaya's political career by using the issue of possible fugitive-harbouring as a chokehold on him.

According to police, Kamnan Poh hid in plain sight at his residence in Chon Buri's Tambon Saen Suk for more than a year. In September, the Kunplome family members organised a birthday party for their patriarch "in absentia".

For the past decade, he has been receiving treatments at Samitivej Hospital on a regular basis.

The timing of his arrest will have a direct bearing on political and police developments. On the political front, the Palang Chon Party has been marginalised as a coalition partner. Sonthaya's political ambition will now be a secondary issue until he can clear his family of accusations of involvement in helping his fugitive father.

Sonthaya will have to fight in order to hold on to his Cabinet seat. The more vulnerable he becomes, the stronger the push is by the Somsak Thepsutin faction to oust him from the government.

The faction is lurking around the corner for an opportune moment to join the coalition bandwagon.

In the police service, Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Lt-General Pongpat Chayapan has emerged as a potential candidate for carrying the police's torch.

Before engineering the arrest of Kamnan Poh, Pongpat tried to get Thaksin's blessing to boost his career.

-- The Nation 2013-02-01

[tuky]

He will definitely do everything in his power to prevent or limit the police investigation into the possible harbouring of a fugitive. If police are allowed to get to the bottom of the matter, he would risk losing his Cabinet seat and his family members might be going the jail for helping Kamnan Poh elude imprisonment.

I know, this is Thailand and it goes without saying a Politician will do his/her best to intervene with justice. But really?

[Thai at Heart]

Has anyone ever been convicted of harbouring a fugitive in this country? does any politician in the country want this clan to spill their guts of what they know?

If they start convicting people of that, they should fire 99% of the police in chonburi for dereliction at a minimum.

[noitom]

The writer of this story thinks that this is going to be all about "political backstabbing." Rather than harboring a fugutive or obstructing justice.

"What Sonthaya can and will do is to contain the damage triggered by any political back-stabbing." - as written in the article.

[TomTao]

As I read it, the timing of this arrest had little to do with police work, more to do with political expediency.

[chatette]

`Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Phakdinaruenart, chief of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), Thursday indicated he might decline to take action against those who sheltered Somchai or doctors who treated him.

`He said doctors are duty-bound to treat patients while efforts by relatives or children to shelter their father are considered an act of gratitude in the Thai context.'- From today's BP front page.

So, harboring convicted murderers is an act of gratitude, according to our crime suppression chief.... Carry on.

[sbk]

As I read it, the timing of this arrest had little to do with police work, more to do with political expediency.

it would seem that way since he was "hiding in plain sight" at the family home for over a year.

[OzMick]

If they act against the Culture Minister, why not against FM Surapong? Too blatantly hypocritical even for PTP.

[NanLaew]

The writer of this story thinks that this is going to be all about "political backstabbing." Rather than harboring a fugutive or obstructing justice.

"What Sonthaya can and will do is to contain the damage triggered by any political back-stabbing." - as written in the article.

Yes, because the writer is a Thai and is writing from a Thai perspective where thumbing ones nose at law enforcement is par for the course for those moving... or aspiring to move in government circles. The fact that Kamnan Poh may have offed some local rival before his career fixing elections for the highest bidder took off is rather insignificant from a Thai point of view. Even the most despicable and reviled can reinvent themselves and get a seat in government. Thai justice is there to serve those with money and connections. But you should know this already.

[NanLaew]

As I read it, the timing of this arrest had little to do with police work, more to do with political expediency.

Spot on. Some skeletons are taken out of the cupboard, others remain hidden and still serve a purpose.

[stoffel45]

`Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Phakdinaruenart, chief of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), Thursday indicated he might decline to take action against those who sheltered Somchai or doctors who treated him.

`He said doctors are duty-bound to treat patients while efforts by relatives or children to shelter their father are considered an act of gratitude in the Thai context.'- From today's BP front page.

So, harboring convicted murderers is an act of gratitude, according to our crime suppression chief.... Carry on.

One should remember, that support and nurture for family related criminals who are also fugitives - is a national sport - reaching to the highest levels of political life.

[orang37]

As I read it, the timing of this arrest had little to do with police work, more to do with political expediency.

Do you entertain the thought that in this country, and in many others, that the institutions nominally responsible for "criminal justice," "law enforcement," "management of political corruption," etc., in all cases involving very wealthy people, and people who have financial power, political power, and/or political connections, are not, essentially, institutions in which "political expediency" will always be the determining factor in the outcome of: (all of) initiation (or deferral) of investigations; acts of arrest, and enforcement; and prosecution ?

~o:37;

[TomTao]

As I read it, the timing of this arrest had little to do with police work, more to do with political expediency.

Do you entertain the thought that in this country, and in many others, that the institutions nominally responsible for "criminal justice," "law enforcement," "management of political corruption," etc., in all cases involving very wealthy people, and people who have financial power, political power, and/or political connections, are not, essentially, institutions in which "political expediency" will always be the determining factor in the outcome of: (all of) initiation (or deferral) of investigations; acts of arrest, and enforcement; and prosecution ?

~o:37;

Yes, that is a commonly seen trait in many countries around the world, but not always as overtly as here.

[Kitbaikitmah]

The correspondent's article is excellent reading, providing great insight into Thai culture and 'mindset' (very similiar to the Chinese..from my western viewpoint).

Previous story postings were awash with very western-style linear analysis and rather 'crude' comments.

A gambit has been played...lets see how it rolls...the next couple months will provide insight into the last several years.

Mmmm...who needs to watch a TV?