Pheu Thai's Hopes Rest On Yaowapa

[webfact]

POWER PLAY
Pheu Thai's hopes rest on Yaowapa
The Nation


Yaowapa

Yingluck's big sister is expected to use her clout and keep MPs in line

BANGKOK: -- Yaowapa Wongsawat, already a powerful figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, will take on the additional role of overseeing its MPs and their parliamentary work if she is elected as Chiang Mai MP in next month's by-election, party sources revealed yesterday.

With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May, Yaowapa will be able to step in as an MP to help Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra control the situation in the House, which should heat up this year with several debates.

She is also expected to closely supervise the MPs and ensure that House meetings no longer end prematurely due to a lack of quorum. An absence of coalition MPs, usually those from the ruling-Pheu Thai Party, has been blamed for several embarrassing incidents.

The ruling party's executive committee yesterday resolved to field Yaowapa in the April 21 by-election to fill the seat of Chiang Mai's Constituency 3 MP left vacant by Pheu Thai MP Kasem Nimmolrat.

Kasem, who is close to Yaowapa's family, had won the by-election in June last year to replace Yaowapa's daughter Chinnicha, whose election victory was disqualified.

Yaowapa, a sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck, has been wielding power from behind the scenes as a faction leader for several years now.

If she becomes an MP, she will have greater influence in controlling party MPs in relation to their parliamentary work, a Pheu Thai source explained.

The source said a recent phone-in by Thaksin during a Pheu Thai weekly meeting was not sufficient, especially since the prime minister appears to be uninterested in parliamentary affairs.

"If Yaowapa becomes an MP, the MPs' problems will be heard and cooperation within the party will become better," the source said.

Yaowapa leads a group of Pheu Thai MPs in the North and has reportedly been trying to get Bhum Jai Thai Party's Matchima faction, led by Somsak Thepsutin, to join and bolster the Pheu Thai coalition.

Cabinet members from her faction are Science Minister Woravat Auapinyakul, PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom.

But if Yaowapa re-enters the political limelight as an MP, she will find herself being pushed to live up to her profile as a powerful woman.

Pheu Thai MPs have said they want Yaowapa in the House because the coalition needs a senior figure who is respected by both Pheu Thai MPs and lawmakers of coalition partners and can thus control political games and log-rolling in Parliament.

Before her five-year ban, Yaowapa had been both a constituency-based and party-list MP and also chairperson of the House Committee on Industry, though she rarely spoke in the House.

She has never held a Cabinet seat, but was an adviser to the prime minister during the second Thai Rak Thai government.

Pheu Thai MPs also expect Yaowapa's presence to help ease political manoeuvrings by the coalition on the House floor. Especially since the coalition plans to enact several crucial bills, including the 2014 fiscal year budget, a bill to allow the government to obtain Bt2 trillion in loans, a constitutional amendment bill and an amnesty bill in the near future.

Pushing these bills safely through Parliament will require someone with enough charisma and clout to coordinate with all sides.

However, some observers wonder whether Yaowapa is up to the task, especially in light of

negative reports on her role in alleged irregularities in various projects.

A coalition source said Yaowapa is also needed to help the coalition push for the implementation of water-management mega-projects and the enactment of bills necessary for the launch of comprehensive transportation projects.

She will also be tasked with helping Yingluck answer tough questions on controversial projects such as the rice-pledging scheme.

Yingluck is being pressured to clarify several issues over the past year and Yaowapa is no doubt expected to help relieve this pressure.

After all, Thaksin once reminded Yaowapa that she was fortunate to be related to three prime ministers of Thailand - her brother Thaksin, her sister Yingluck and her husband Somchai Wongsawat.


-- The Nation 2013-03-20

[Robby nz]

Are not all the things she is said to be going to do the job of the party whips?

Would seem they have not been doing their job.

Having her big sister in the house could mean that Yingluck wont have to go at all.

[Moruya]

Two sisters, one a dominatrix, the other subservient. Ruled by an elder brother, exiled in darkest Arabia, with an iron rod. Both sisters have their role to play in the pantomime.

When is it pumpkin time?

[rubl]

"With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May"

The by-election will be held for Chiang Mai's constituency district three on April 21st. If her ban ends end of May how can she register and stand for the by-election on April 21st?

[Misterwhisper]

How many years old is that OP photo? It appears that in the meanwhile she's expanded like a bunt cake in the oven.

[AleG]

And when she gets elected for that constituency can we bury once and for all the tired old argument of how Thaksin has been a catalyst for a more aware and engaged electorate?

It's all the same patronage networks, this time working for a single, exceedingly corrupt and greedy individual and his clan.

[bushwacker]

Hmmm ... "Yes it is true that I was banned for 5 years for doing notty things, but now I am ready to step in as deputy PM, and can easily assume the role of PM before September, If it is so deemed ... are there any other questions?" ...

[Thaddeus]

"With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May"

The by-election will be held for Chiang Mai's constituency district three on April 21st. If her ban ends end of May how can she register and stand for the by-election on April 21st?

It was last May wasn't it?

[bigbamboo]

So now we have the prospect of seeing four different Thai prime ministers from the same family in less than a decade.

Now that IS amazing.

[dcutman]

"With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May"

The by-election will be held for Chiang Mai's constituency district three on April 21st. If her ban ends end of May how can she register and stand for the by-election on April 21st?

Time fly's,

On May 30, 2007, the postcoup Constitution Tribunal ordered Thai Rak

Thai to be dissolved for electoral fraud and deprived its 111

executives, including cofounder and exleader Thaksin Shinawatra, of

electoral rights for five years.

[Pimay1]

"With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May"

The by-election will be held for Chiang Mai's constituency district three on April 21st. If her ban ends end of May how can she register and stand for the by-election on April 21st?

It was last May wasn't it?

Yes it was.

On May 30, 2007, the Constitution Court disbanded the Thai Rak Thai Party for electoral fraud and banned its 111 executive members from political activities for five years.

[rubl]

"With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May"

The by-election will be held for Chiang Mai's constituency district three on April 21st. If her ban ends end of May how can she register and stand for the by-election on April 21st?

It was last May wasn't it?

Yes it was.

On May 30, 2007, the Constitution Court disbanded the Thai Rak Thai Party for electoral fraud and banned its 111 executive members from political activities for five years.

Ah, thanks for the correction to all who replied.

BTW I should have known of course that theNation would be a bit sloppy in their reporting

[Nickymaster]

If Yaowapa would become PM, her hubby would have more opportunities exercising his hobby.

You see, every cloud has a silver lining.

[siampolee]

There is also the possibility that there are enemies in the house.

The house in this case being the P.T.P. (Parasites and Ticks Party), perhaps all is not as the puppet master would desire from his marionette family of assorted political persuasions, thus bringing in another member of the tribe who is renowned for her bullying and ''fund raising'' tactics may well be a move designed to defend the Thaksin clan from a political putsch within his or rather their own party apparatus.

However it might be as well for Thaksin to study what has happened to a couple of political dynasties in this region over the years, The Bhutto clan, The Nehru clan spring to mind, the cost paid by some members of the aforementioned clans was and is totally indeed non refundable.

The enemy in the house is far more dangerous than the enemy outside of the house walls.

[billd766]

Are not all the things she is said to be going to do the job of the party whips?

Would seem they have not been doing their job.

Having her big sister in the house could mean that Yingluck wont have to go at all.

Ah, but lest you forget the party whips are not "The Family".

[Mungo85]

Interesting, if a little scary, opening line in the report.

Yingluck's big sister is expected to use her clout and keep MPs in line

From a British slang dictionary; clout, Noun. Vagina

[BrooklynNY]

Please not another female PM. Her โหงวเฮ้ง does not a have leadership look. She looks old, ugly and NOT trustworthy.

Edited March 20, 2013 by BrooklynNY

[kimamey]

'The source said a recent phone-in by Thaksin during a Pheu Thai weekly meeting was not sufficient, especially since the prime minister appears to be uninterested in parliamentary affairs.'

I'm confused, which PM is this? If it's Yingluck it's not much of a recommendation is it? A PM who isn't interested in parliamentary affairs. I notice elsewhere that Yingluck has asked for understanding so she can continue doing her job.

[Buchholz]

Interesting, if a little scary, opening line in the report.

Yingluck's big sister is expected to use her clout and keep MPs in line

From a British slang dictionary; clout, Noun. Vagina

.

.

[khunken]

Isn't this the equivalent to sending in the 'heavy mob' to sort out the slightest sign of dissent in the ranks?

I find Yingluck's photos mostly attractive. If Yaowapa is shoe-horned in as PM, I'd like to petition Thaivisa to refrain from the photos.

[Roadman]

Isn't this the equivalent to sending in the 'heavy mob' to sort out the slightest sign of dissent in the ranks?

I find Yingluck's photos mostly attractive. If Yaowapa is shoe-horned in as PM, I'd like to petition Thaivisa to refrain from the photos.

Considering an untrained monkey could do the attractive puppets job I would have to agree.

[Locationthailand]

Obviously "With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May" a ban from politics does not mean a ban from politics. Just ask her convicted criminal brother. Both have been working 'politically' since their bans.

[ratcatcher]

It must be rather embarrassing for P.P.M. Yingluck to read these headlines (if indeed she does) and to know that she is dispensable quite easily on the outcome of a court decision.

It might be better if Yaowapa was introduced by P.M.Thaksin as someone "to put a bit of stick about".

Yingluck has had a lot of success due to her looks and personality whether the older sister can do as well is questionable.

[Crushdepth]

More nepotism....awesome

[MaxLee]

POWER PLAY

Pheu Thai's hopes rest on Yaowapa

The Nation

Yaowapa

Yingluck's big sister is expected to use her clout and keep MPs in line

BANGKOK: -- Yaowapa Wongsawat, already a powerful figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, will take on the additional role of overseeing its MPs and their parliamentary work if she is elected as Chiang Mai MP in next month's by-election, party sources revealed yesterday.

With her five-year ban from politics being lifted at the end of May, Yaowapa will be able to step in as an MP to help Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra control the situation in the House, which should heat up this year with several debates.

-- The Nation 2013-03-20

So when things go out of "Proxyn Shinawatra's", Thaksin has plan B in his other "Proxyn Shinawatra" who has been banned from politics for 5ive years.

And the moral of the story, is... no matter how many years corrupt politicians get banned from politics to delude the international Global public, they will keep coming back, because people in Thailand will forget about anything corrupt anyway...

So a political ban or arrest warrant won't mean anything, you get banned for a couple of years, and just get back to business as usual, because your under the table crimes have been white-washed by then.

This picture says everything: Get ready for "Porky Piggy" folks...

[GentlemanJim]

I am just on the brilliant series two of Battlestar Galactica, having never watched it before. I am convinced that there is a direct link between the Shinawatra's and the Cylons, it's two close for comfort in fact.

[lungmi]

Interesting, if a little scary, opening line in the report.

Yingluck's big sister is expected to use her clout and keep MPs in line

From a British slang dictionary; clout, Noun. Vagina

One of the most appreciated mushrooms in Thailand is "amanita vaginalis (latin)".

The Mps are ready to relish her. But the "destroying angel (sic)" is a near cousin of the

same family: you can relish only two times----the first and the last......

[khaowong1]

I am just on the brilliant series two of Battlestar Galactica, having never watched it before. I am convinced that there is a direct link between the Shinawatra's and the Cylons, it's two close for comfort in fact.

Maybe this was Khun T's inspiration. "Hey noboby watches this show in Thailand, they will never know."

[waza]

Well now the 5 year ban is over.............

Thaksin has another puppet,

but a more aggressive one, and a redshirt to boot

[rubl]

Although some thought here are very inspiring, personally I think either k. Thaksin just finished reading Animal Farm, or had someone quote the line "some animals are more equal than others". Of course I'm not saying anything here about pigs, even if the topic discusses Mrs. Yaowapa.

Uht, uht