Yingluck starts her job as defence chief

[webfact]

DEFENCE MINISTRY
Yingluck starts her job as defence chief
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who also holds the post of defence minister, will start her first working day at the ministry today where she will appear with the military top brass for the first time since a controversial audio clip was leaked. The clip allegedly features a plot to bring back former PM Thaksin Shinawatra using military support.

Yingluck will start her day with worshipping at the City Pillar Shrine before paying respects at the spirit house in the Defence Ministry compound. She will then be welcomed to the ministry by a guard of honour before having lunch with high-ranking military officials.

The premier will hold a press conference, in which she might be asked about the audio clip featuring two voices that sound like Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin discussing the country's political scene and the promotion of top brass who are pro-Thaksin.

Meanwhile about 100 anti-government protesters staged a rally outside Royal Thai Army Headquarters yesterday, calling on Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha to stage a peaceful coup against "parliamentary dictators who were attempting to bring the Army under their control".

Protest leader Samarn Sringarm, a veteran of campaigns against the Thaksin government, submitted a letter addressed to Prayuth, urging him to battle the "parliamentary dictators" who it said were plotting to sabotage the country's pillars of power and take charge of the military.

The letter asked Prayuth to stage a peaceful coup for the sake of national stability and to prevent any group from bringing His Majesty's military under its control.

The group also presented a bouquet of flowers to military guards at the headquarters as a symbol of moral support.

Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimakorn and other military top brass will join the National Police Chief today on a visit to the Royal Thai Armed Forces' annual joint training exercise in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow sub-district.

Thanasak is expected to give the top brass's response to the ongoing controversy surrounding an audio clip in which it is alleged Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin Shinawatra discussed a plot to bring the former prime minister back to Thailand.

Anti-government protesters led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong and the Pitak Siam group will today rally at the Defence Ministry to call on Yuthasak to step down following the leaking of the audio clip.


-- The Nation 2013-07-11

[Thait Spot]

"The premier will hold a press conference, in which she might be asked about the audio clip featuring two voices that sound like Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin discussing the country's political scene and the promotion of top brass who are pro-Thaksin."

........ and the PM might either refuse to answer or just walk away......

Edited July 11, 2013 by metisdead
Overly large font reset to normal.

[MaiChai]

She will just say she has instructed an investigation into it. She never answers directly or offers an opinion. Then later there is no follow up.

Edited July 10, 2013 by MaiChai

[Robby nz]

"The premier will hold a press conference, in which she might be asked about the audio clip featuring two voices that sound like Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin discussing the country's political scene and the promotion of top brass who are pro-Thaksin."

........ and the PM might either refuse to answer or just walk away......

It would seem that Thaksins son has said "yes that's dads voice" but some bits have been cut from the conversation.

Only one way he could know that, talked to dad.

The Deputy Minister of Defense still denies it is him.

[chainarong]

The Past "T" Party Prime minister will need to tread very carefully, with the daunting task of trying to convince a group of top commanders, who are not amused, what really happened , It would help things along a bit ,if the two gentlemen concerned on the tapes become honest citizens and tell the truth, however knowing what cowards they are this wont happen in the short term, so the top brass will be left with no option but to doubt anything said at this meeting and any future one's .

[MaxLee]

DEFENCE MINISTRY

Yingluck starts her job as defence chief

"Hello Thailand, hello South,... goodbye, I'm going in an urgent diplomatic shopping trip overseas,... bye bye!!!!" Edited July 11, 2013 by MaxLee

[NongKhaiKid]

It's being reported that the son is definite it's dad's voice but the tape had been heavily edited. He will be taking a copy of the tape to Beijing next week when he goes to meet him as Mr. T has been " too busy " to listen to it so far. The Deputy Defence Minister is still adamant he's not the other voice.

[noitom]

This is quite a circus show. Three rings at that.

[simple1]

"The premier will hold a press conference, in which she might be asked about the audio clip featuring two voices that sound like Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin discussing the country's political scene and the promotion of top brass who are pro-Thaksin."

........ and the PM might either refuse to answer or just walk away......

It would seem that Thaksins son has said "yes that's dads voice" but some bits have been cut from the conversation.

Only one way he could know that, talked to dad.

The Deputy Minister of Defense still denies it is him.

Today's BKK Post has an article stating that Thaksin's son has confirmed it was Thaksin on the recording, but the recording does not cover the entire conversation.

[nachiket]

Conspiracy is cooking here.

Just wait for 6-12 months, truth will come out.

[thhMan]

Social engineering at its best...

[aechzen]

why she no work as woman monk ?

[OzMick]

Reading the headline, I was thinking what will be on the agenda today, lunch perhaps?

"She will then be welcomed to the ministry by a guard of honour before having lunch with high-ranking military officials."

Before that she will have a little pray, and after one would suppose a post-prandial nap, followed by coffee and biscuits, and then it's time to clock off.

The National Security alert status is now firmly in the green.

BTW when does Oak become a general?

Edited July 11, 2013 by OzMick

[Neilly]

Yingluck will start her day with worshipping at the City Pillar Shrine before paying respects at the spirit house in the Defence Ministry compound. She will then be welcomed to the ministry by a guard of honour before having lunch with high-ranking military officials.

Wonder if she'll get to play with some guns in the garden after lunch

[slapout]

DEFENCE MINISTRY

Yingluck starts her job as defence chief

"Hello Thailand, hello South,... goodbye, I'm going in an urgent diplomatic shopping trip overseas,... bye bye!!!!"

I can hear it now, The PM schedules a internation 4 day trip to review the proposals of the MO's between the suppliers and the Thai military. You know those things that go "boom boom", ok I will retract that. Maybe..

[DLock]

Really?

How do all those minions and pee-ons around her keep a straight face when she takes on a role like this? How can she look at herself in the mirror with all those little colored patches and medals and take herself seriously? How deluded do you have to be to think you are in any way qualified to handle this? How do the career military people feel about a housewife pretending to be Defense Chief?

Seriously, Defense Chief?

It would be interesting to see her at a worldwide security summit discussing Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, North Korea, Afghanistan, let alone the problems in her own company country.

She would be so far out of her depth, it would be awesome to watch.

Idiocy.

[OzMick]

I await the MoD to issue a Churchill-like soul-stirring speech in the country's time of trial. Perhaps she could even plagiarise, in the spirit of Thainess.

The one beginning "It will be long........" should get a warm reception.

[Farangth]

She will just say she has instructed an investigation into it. She never answers directly or offers an opinion. Then later there is no follow up.

They will put it on the hi-so monk now I know why they add sth on his back daily , what's next? Maybe he'll be owning a yacht as well to do the headline and forgot abt PM stuffs going on

[Nickymaster]

"The premier will hold a press conference, in which she might be asked about the audio clip featuring two voices that sound like Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin discussing the country's political scene and the promotion of top brass who are pro-Thaksin."

........ and the PM might either refuse to answer or just walk away......

or smile

[waza]

Yingluck starts her job as defence chief.....

Now if they could just get her to start her job as Pm as well we might see some action.

[SICHONSTEVE]

"The premier will hold a press conference, in which she might be asked about the audio clip featuring two voices that sound like Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Thaksin discussing the country's political scene and the promotion of top brass who are pro-Thaksin."

........ and the PM might either refuse to answer or just walk away......

It would seem that Thaksins son has said "yes that's dads voice" but some bits have been cut from the conversation.

Only one way he could know that, talked to dad.

The Deputy Minister of Defense still denies it is him.

Then he is a liar, just like so many of these politicians!!!

.......and please don't quote this 'innocent until proven guilty' BS as he is clearly not an innocent lamb in all of this!!!

[GentlemanJim]

Yingluck will start her day with worshipping at the City Pillar Shrine before paying respects at the spirit house in the Defence Ministry compound. She will then be welcomed to the ministry by a guard of honour before having lunch with high-ranking military officials.

Wonder if she'll get to play with some guns in the garden after lunch

"eerrr that's no gun Madam Defence Secretary, I'm just happy to see ya" !

[bigbamboo]

Yingluck will start her day with worshipping at the City Pillar Shrine before paying respects at the spirit house in the Defence Ministry compound. She will then be welcomed to the ministry by a guard of honour before having lunch with high-ranking military officials.

Wonder if she'll get to play with some guns in the garden after lunch

Don't mention playing with guns in Thailand.

[kimamey]

What's she going to say at a press conference for goodness sake? 'Hello I'm here. I'm off on a trip abroad. See you soon.'

Edited July 11, 2013 by kimamey

[Lite Beer]

PM at first day at defence ministry amid anti-government protesters
By English News

BANGKOK, July 11 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra started her first day of work as defence minister with a warm welcome from Thailand's top brass, but amid anti-government protests at the ministry.

The premier, as Thailand's first woman defence minister, entered the ministry's compound today. She was warmly greeted by deputy defence minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa, Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapakorn , Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, Navy Chief Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom and Air Force commander-in-chief Air Chief Marshal Prachin Chantong.

Before the premier's arrival, anti-government groups gathered outside the compound urging the military not to meddle in politics. The demonstrators showed their opposition to the premier's concurrent position as defence minister.

Multi-coloured group leader Tul Sitthisomwong claimed that the premier's taking the defence ministerial post must be considered political interference which entangles the armed forces with politics.

Other groups including the so-called "White Masks" and the "Thai Patriots Network" also turned up amid tight security with 900 police officers to prevent any untoward incident.

Thai Patriots Network leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said his group rallied at the defence ministry today to obstruct the first day of work of the premier and her deputy minister following the controversial audio clips of a purported conversation in which Gen Yuthasak appears to discuss with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra the political and military situation in Thailand, including in the deep South, as well as the upcoming military reshuffle and a plan to help the fugitive Thaksin return to Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-07-11

[theblether]

I feel safer already.

[theblether]

To be fair though, she does suit the uniform.

[GentlemanJim]

Well my Professor always said 'an empty desk is an empty head'

[DLock]

I'm certain that deputy defence minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa, Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapakorn , Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, Navy Chief Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom and Air Force commander-in-chief Air Chief Marshal Prachin Chantong are suitably impressed with her credentials and experience of their new Defense Chief....

...to make blueberry muffins.

Chumps.

[annabel]

She will just say she has instructed an investigation into it. She never answers directly or offers an opinion. Then later there is no follow up.

Nah... Set up a committee to analyse and and decide is what she will say !! And maybe even repost Chalerm as the top guy to head the so called committee //.. This would be on her Short term memory loss phase