Thaksin Loses Royal Duty

[sabaijai]

Thaksin loses royal duty

Privy Council said to have replaced PM with Prem as organising committee head due to political concerns

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is no longer tasked with the chairmanship of the organising committee to commemorate HM the King's 60th year on the throne, The Nation has learned.

A source said the unpublicised decision by the 19-member Privy Council on March 8 was reached after extensive debate on the political situation. The council voted 15-4 to make its president, General Prem Tinsulanonda, the new chairman. He will be responsible for welcoming kings and queens and their representatives for the celebration of the anniversary of the world's longest-serving monarch.

With Prem in charge it can be expected that whatever political circumstances prevail there will be a respectable leader to represent Thailand and His Majesty.

The source said that both Thaksin and Dr Surakiart Sathirathai knew of the council's decision but they continued their preparatory meetings. The latest round, chaired by Thaksin, was carried out on Thursday at the Foreign Ministry.

Thaksin, on his return from an election campaign swing upcountry, decided not to enter Government House, which was besieged by tens of thousands of protesters, and instead met top officials in charge of the royal event at the Foreign Ministry.

In fact, Thaksin has not entered Government House since the peaceful siege began last Tuesday morning. Official excuses have failed to prevent the building-up of a lame-duck image, which many analysts believe will linger beyond the planned snap election on April 2 if he remains head of the government.

The royal celebration is scheduled to begin in June. Observers don't expect political stability to have returned by then, especially if Thaksin uses the results of the April election, which is being boycotted by the entire opposition bloc, to justify his return to power.

In a recent interview on Channel 9, Thaksin defended the need for an early date for the election by saying the next government had to prepare for the royal celebration, one of the biggest the Kingdom has ever planned. But while the Thaksin camp may use the event to boost his chances of surviving the political crisis, some analysts see the upcoming royal schedule as a factor that adds to his troubles.

"Before Songran Day everything should return to normal so that the country can look forward to celebrating this world important event," a European ambassador said.

"You will have monarchs from all over the world coming to Thailand. The international media will also be here. So the crisis cannot be allowed to go on until then."

Government supporters yesterday used the royal programme to pressure the anti-Thaksin alliance, which is staging a sit-down protest outside Government House with tens of thousands of demonstrators.

"I beg for the public to put pressure on the mobs so they will accept the snap election and its outcome so our country can enter into the celebration of His Majesty's 60th year on the throne," said deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan.

Prem himself has been drawn into the political turmoil. A bomb exploded in front of his Si Sao residence on March 9, slightly injuring two foreigners but drastically heightening national tension. Then last Wednesday, he issued what looked like an impatient plea to those involved in the confrontation to put the country before themselves and quickly defuse the crisis.

source: The Nation, Mon, March 20, 2006

[marquess]

Let's hope that he gets the message, it will certainly be a loss of face for him. And might give some of those farmers, food for thought!

[English Noodles]

Let's hope that he gets the message

He's far more likely to get a massage.

Edited March 20, 2006 by English Noodles

[Hermano Lobo]

Stripped of Office ! the dog !

[Maejo Man]

I think that the Privy Council just kicked his soapbox away. What a severe loss of face

[frodo]

A major loss of face for Thaksin. Last week when Gen Prem addressed the issue of finding a solution to the crisis, both sides claimed that Prem was speaking on their behalf. From the looks of it, it wasn't Thaksin.

[boppia]

In the end we may see the truth about this. Remember who you've backed.

[TAWP]

In the end we may see the truth about this. Remember who you've backed.

Myself.

Who are you backing?

[britmaveric]

I'm sure its probably written that caretaker PM can't perform this duty. So doubt it has any reflection to current political mess.

[cclub75]

What an amazing blow in his face ! Wonderfull, brillant.

He must be... totally enraged.

Maybe he even won't get an invitation at the party in june.

[lukamar]

PM: I still chair organising panel

POST REPORTERS

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday denied he had been replaced as chairman of the organising committee for celebrations of His Majesty the King's 60th year on the throne, saying the report was unethical. ''I instructed the government spokesman to check with the Office of His Majesty the King's Principal Private Secretary and Privy Council and found the story had been fabricated, causing considerable damage to the planned celebrations. Such a report is unethical,'' Mr Thaksin told reporters while on an inspection trip in Chiang Rai province.

He insisted he is still chairman of the organising committee and had signed letters to invite heads of state from other countries to join the celebrations.

In Bangkok, government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee dismissed the report as groundless and demanded The Nation daily take responsibility.

''The [caretaker] government will send a letter to the editor of The Nation to insist they show responsibility. A letter will also be sent to the Press Council of Thailand, asking it to investigate the ethics of the newspaper since such a report could be picked up by foreign media agencies, causing negative consequences on event preparations and the country. The government confirms that The Nation's report is false,'' said the spokesman.

The newspaper quoted a source as saying the 19-member Privy Council had voted 15-4 to make its president, Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, the new chairman of the committee organising the celebration, replacing Mr Thaksin. The decision, the daily said, was reached on March 8 after extensive debate about the current political situation.

Mr Surapong said many foreign media reporters yesterday asked him about the report. He then sought clarification from the Privy Council secretary-general, who said the matter was not raised at the council's meeting

=======================

From the Nation

=======================

Privy Council: PM still in charge

'Nation' report that Prem set to supervise grand commemoration 'absolutely not true'

The government and the Office of His Majesty's Privy Council yesterday strongly denied that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would no longer be in charge of organising the Kingdom's commemoration of the beloved monarch's 60th year on the throne.

The Nation yesterday reported that an unpublicised decision had been made on March 8 by the 19-member Privy Council that its president, General Prem Tinsulanonda, would replace Thaksin as the organising committee's chairman because of the current political uncertainties.

Inchan Buraphan, secretary-general of the Office of His Majesty's Privy Council, said

the report was "absolutely not true". He also expressed concern that such a report could be misinterpreted as evidence of a political conflict. "We all are working for His Majesty, and it has been clear from the beginning that, for this very important national event, that the government would act as host while General Prem would serve as top adviser," Inchan told The Nation.

Prime Minister Thaksin also insisted he remains in charge and lambasted the "fabricated" report as being damaging to the national image.

"I signed all the invitation letters to foreign monarchs and the replies have all been directed to me as host. This report is very damaging," he said.

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee vowed to lodge a complaint with the Press Council of Thailand against The Nation and demanded the paper issue a public apology.

"The government denies the report and is asking The Nation to show responsibility for publishing the false report that referred to an anonymous source without verification with the related agency," he said. "The Office of the Government Spokesman will send a letter to the editor to take responsibility.

And we will send a letter to the Press Council of Thailand to examine the newspaper's ethical standard as the publicised information could have an impact on the event in June. It will also hurt the country as the news was published in one of only two English-language newspapers in Thailand with news that foreign media can redistribute."

Touching on the issue again later in the day, Surapong threatened to sue The Nation unless it revealed who the source for the story was.

Nation editor Tulsathit Taptim, reacting to the government's charges, said the editorial department cross-checked the information with several sources before publishing the report. He said the paper was ready to defend its decision to publish.

The Nation's sources said that with Prem in charge it could be expected that whatever political circumstances prevailed there would be a respectable leader to represent Thailand and His Majesty. The national celebration, to be joined by foreign monarchs, begins in June and will be in full swing by the end of that month.

Political uncertainties have raised questions about the national preparations for the event. But Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam last night insisted during an interview with the host of a news talk programme on Channel 11 that it was the "government's duty" to organise national celebrations for His Majesty. And as head of the government, Thaksin remains fully in charge of the all-important event, he said.

"The line is clear as to who is responsible for what regarding the grand commemoration," said Wissanu.

==================

Seems the loss of Face is for "the Nation Group" and their extensive anonymous sources this time.

Edited March 21, 2006 by lukamar

[pomchopkao]

^so the question is:

is T and his minstrels in charge of the upcoming royal celebratory matters yes or no?

[lukamar]

^so the question is:

is T and his minstrels in charge of the upcoming royal celebratory matters yes or no?

Mr.T is in still chairman, Yes..... Anonymous sources have confirmed that the false report in the Nation was to give Anti-Thaksin members of TV an Adrenalin rush, for the day, so they could fight on.

[Maejo Man]

Mr.T is in still chairman, Yes..... Anonymous sources have confirmed that the false report in the Nation was to give Anti-Thaksin members of TV an Adrenalin rush, for the day, so they could fight on.

Well it certainly achieved that objective However, as it has been published by overseas agencies, it makes Thailand look even more infantile in the eyes of the international media. Red faces at the Nation??

[lukamar]

Mr.T is in still chairman, Yes..... Anonymous sources have confirmed that the false report in the Nation was to give Anti-Thaksin members of TV an Adrenalin rush, for the day, so they could fight on.

Well it certainly achieved that objective However, as it has been published by overseas agencies, it makes Thailand look even more infantile in the eyes of the international media. Red faces at the Nation??

There is enough strange news around without this happening. I read between the lines of all the Nation articles lately anyway. Now when you see the word "anonymous" in an article you really have to ask if it actually has any credibility or truth, be it the Nation or elsewhere.

No matter what group you side with, you don't like to see things like this happen. It easily could have insited a riot. Hopefully all the news agencies will show some restraint when it comes to reporting items quickly in the hopes of scooping their competition or using sensationalism to sell their product.

[Plus]

Yesterdays' gain is today's loss. Taksin has regained the ground he lost on Monday.

However, we haven't seen the end of the story yet. If The Nation really comes up defending its decision to publish it will be very hard pressed to reveal its sources. Then it will be a major loss of face for those who set them up.

If, however, it turns out that the story is only partially true - the meeting took place, the vote was held, but it was The Nation's interpretation that was totally wrong, they'll have to bite the bullet.

Bangkok Post quickly fired the editors who let the crack story slip, and there was a big turmoil at their offices and the editors are suing the paper for wrongful dismissal, and there was just a little tiny bit of news that the crack story was planted by TRT assosiates.

Let's see how The Nation will handle it. Generally they have more integrity than bosses at the Post.

And I wouldn't put it past Taksin to frame The Nation for all the negative coverage he recieved from them.

[lukamar]

And I wouldn't put it past Taksin to frame The Nation for all the negative coverage he recieved from them.

I wouldn't put it past the other side to feed false information to the Nation either. One thing is for certain - You wouldn't want to be the one fingered for feeding a false or misleading story that may have embarrassed the Privy Councilors to the press.

[billd766]

For those among us who can remember pantomime,

All together children;

Oh no he's not

Oh yes he is

[billd766]

For those among us who can remember pantomime,

All together children;

Oh no he's not

Oh yes he is

[dan10400]

Bangkok Post quickly fired the editors who let the crack story slip, and there was a big turmoil at their offices and the editors are suing the paper for wrongful dismissal, and there was just a little tiny bit of news that the crack story was planted by TRT assosiates.

I thought the Post was recently exonerated for the original "runway cracks"

headlines. If so, they were a bit to hasty in their firings.

Regardless, the Nation needs to be quite a bit more carefull in what they

publish. Especially if it comes from unofficial channels.

[ilyushin]

Putting on the Ritz without Doc Tox?

[Jai Dee]

PM denied reports that govt change president of the organizing committee of the celebrations on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary of accession to the throne.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied reports that the government changed president of the organizing committee of the celebrations on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary of accession to the throne. He said the government has explained this issue clearly.

He has also warned the media to be careful about their reports as they can cause damage to Thailand.He insisted that the government will organize celebrative events according to the old schedule.

In addition, the premier said that as the current political situation is very sensitive, the media should be extra careful to prevent any possible damages that can be done to the country. As for concerns by many parties that the Election Commission (EC) will not be able to endorse election results in all constituencies, the Prime Minister said that the caretaker government can perform related duties before the EC announces all results.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 March 2006

[englishoak]

sounds like an early april fools joke to me

[Plus]

I thought the Post was recently exonerated for the original "runway cracks"

headlines. If so, they were a bit to hasty in their firings.

The trial has been postponed. The Criminal Court asked the Constitution Court for clarifications.

In a tense situation like this it's easy for any media to slip up, especially if the story was deliberately planted.

[Plus]

Oh, and never in BP's history a senior editor has been fired for allowing a single mistaken report to slip through. The guy worked there for twenty years.

He was fired by a farang, btw.

[Plus]

Search results from The Nation:

BANGKOK POST: Journalists rally to save two editors from sack

Section: Date:Aug 23,2005

Meeting today to show support for colleagues after erroneous report Editorial staff at the Bangkok Post will hold a meeting today to discuss ways to protect two editors after an unconfirmed report that they will be sacked over the recent story about cr

‘Post’ staff support editors

Section: Date:Aug 24,2005

Bangkok Post editorial staff yesterday continued their drive to save two senior editors from possible termination over a flawed report about cracks on the runways at Suvarnabhumi Airport. A meeting of 54 editors and reporters produced a second letter t

’Bangkok Post’ news editor resigns

Section: Date:Aug 25,2005

The news editor of the Bangkok Post resigned yesterday despite efforts by the newspaper’s editorial staff to prevent him and another senior editor being sacked over a flawed report about cracks in Suvanabhumi Airport’s runway. After a one-and-a-half ho

‘Bangkok Post’ sacking leads to call for interim editor’s head

Section: Date:Aug 30,2005

In an unprecedented move, about 100 reporters and editors at the Bangkok Post yesterday demanded the resignation of the newspaper’s interim editor, David Armstrong. The move followed the paper’s editorial staff’s dissatisfaction with Armstrong’s decision

Interim editor calls ‘Post’ staff ‘cowards

Section: Date:Aug 31,2005

The battle of wills between the Bangkok Post’s editorial staff and its interim editor, David Armstrong, continued yesterday with the upset editor hitting out at the “cowards” who endorsed a letter calling for his head. According to a reliable source, d

[moonoi]

Interesting then that in our office building, all our elevators have POV TV with news from iTV still reporting the original story today and not the denial by Thaksin or the government.........

[raro]

Now who is Trailer Park Supervisor.....Ricky or Mr. Lahey?

..sorry...couldn't help it... there was too much similarity....

[lomatopo]

It sounds like the Privy Council considered and approved a motion that made for a future provision rather than an immediate change? And of course this got a bit misinterpreted or miscontrued.

How does the 15-4 vote match against the total members? Any abstentions? In the articles it seems like there are 19 members, so the motion appeared to have passed with a quorum?

It was probably something like, "In the event the PM resigns or is replaced, or the government is otherwise without a leader, then the President of the Privy Council would act as head of the Commemoration activities."

That's just my read, seems pretty simple and straigh-forward with no loss of face involved.

The reporting and editing on the Post and Nation are glaringly and unversally atrocious, an embarassment really. I'm guessing they do not have any ombudsmen? Most college daily newspapers in the U.S. are better written and edited.

The runway crack fiasco at the Bangkok Post required immediate action (replacing the editor rather than firing would have been a first option) as someone did not verify the information and sources ("Annonymous/unamed U.S. experts hired by PM say runways unusable and need to be 100% replaced", is my paraphrase of that situation.), or if they did then they should have provided more information about these experts, their experience and background, and should have presented other expert opinions to support or counter the reporting. The lack of detail and follow-up, endemic at both these newspapers, on this story indicated to me that they did not have a story to begin with.

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin supporters rally at Nation head office

Some 100 pro-government people rallied at Nation Multimedia Group compound Tuesday afternoon to protest what they called distorted reports by publications under group.

They carried a black wreath and called on the group to publish reports with accuracy especially when covering protests against the government.

Most of protesters were taxi motorcyclists. They arrived in a bus at about 4 pm.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - 21 Mar 2006