Thaksin's niece happy to remain out of political limelight

[webfact]

INTERVIEW
Thaksin's niece happy to remain out of political limelight
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation


Chayika

BANGKOK: -- Young members of the Shinawatra family have shown little interest in entering politics, preferring to play roles behind the scenes.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's son, Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra, recently turned down a suggestion by Pheu Thai politicians that he become a party MP candidate and Thaksin’s political heir. His regular Facebook writings have been highly praised by the ruling party's politicians.

Another young member of the family, Chayika "Sand" Wongnapachant is playing a behind-the-scenes role as part of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's social media team. She is the daughter of Yaowares Shinawatra, who is Thaksin's younger sister and Yingluck's elder sister. Chayika has adopted her father's surname.

This 35-year-old niece of Thaksin is a political appointee at Government House. Her Facebook profile says she is not a politician, but rather "just another person who works in politics".

She is part of the group that runs the prime minister's official social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She has spent much of her career in politics monitoring mainstream media and following the views of opposition opponents on social media. She keeps a close eye on the Facebook pages of five leading opposition Democrat Party figures, including Abhisit Vejjajiva, Korn Chatikavanij, Korbsak Sabhavasu, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, and Alongkorn Ponlaboot.

Chayika tries to connect Yingluck with the middle class and younger generations by reporting regularly about the PM's work. Her ultimate goal is creating a good image for the PM, but sometimes mistakes made by her team do occur - something she was not keen to talk about.

"I realise that my job is important. Aunt Pou [Yingluck] told me that we are here and we have to do better than others. If we do well, it's fine. But if we make a mistake, we will be attacked hard," she said.

Chayika says she is aware that people may realise she has reached this point because she is the PM’s niece.

"It's not the first time I have worked with Aunt Pou. Actually, I worked with her for 10 years at SC Asset Corporation. When she entered politics, I followed to be part of her support team," she said.

One lesson Chayika has already learned on-the-job is that when in politics, you must be patient and careful, because the public is "monitoring" you at all times.

She often discusses politics with Yingluck, PM’s secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva, and Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai.

"They are my political teachers. My mum told Auntie that she should not give me special treatment and that if necessary, she should admonish me the way she thinks best," Chayika said.

Although she works in an important area of politics that could pave the way for her to one day become an MP, the young woman says she has no political ambitions. "I enjoy working as a member of the PM’s staff. I don't want to be in the middle of any war of words. If I could choose, I would say that I don't wish to be a politician," Chayika said.

Her cousin Panthongtae said recently he was not interested in entering politics and had already become more involved in political activities than his parents had wished for.

When asked about her more limited role in politics compared to that of Panthongtae, Chayika said she had learned to set her own limits. "I think he [Panthongtae] will not jump into the political arena. For me, I know that mum loves me and wants me to do good things, but we should all be able to decide our own careers," she said, adding that presently, she just wants to become an expert and learn more.

When asked about what she thought was her best work, Chayika was unable to say. "I have been criticised by some people and that hurts sometimes, but I try to do my best," she said.

On bad days Chayika cheers herself up by listening to her favourite songs - shutting herself away from the world of social networks.

She said during family gatherings, younger members of the family often avoided political topics. "At family gatherings, we do not talk about politics much. We share ideas on general topics, such as movies and [film] stars. It’s no different from other people of similar ages," she said.


-- The Nation 2013-10-19

[Bluespunk]

"When asked about what she thought was her best work, Chayika was unable to say. "I have been criticised by some people and that hurts sometimes, but I try to do my best," she said."

Unable to say is clearly a family trait.

[Bluespunk]

"Thaksin's niece happy to remain out of political limelight"

Then why are you giving out interviews?

[whybother]

"If I had a choice ...".

Isn't that what Yingluck said?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JoeThePoster]

Aunt Pou

Spell it any way you want, but it don't change nothing.

[kurnell]

Crikey, I am guessing there is a Krispy Kreme near her office

[BangkokHank]

I'm also staying out of the political limelight, but you don't see anybody writing about THAT, do you?

[mrtoad]

Crikey, I am guessing there is a Krispy Kreme near her office

Call her what you want, but never call her late for dinner.

[jaltsc]

Is this YL's solution for eliminating the overstock of rice?

[Songhua]

She's the Skypemaster and expert in all things Facebook.

[MaxLee]

Just another Thaksin kid who doesn't have to work a lick in her life, because corruption money keeps flowing into her family via under the table...

Edited October 19, 2013 by MaxLee

[arthurboy]

PR fluff. Obviously, she's about to enter the political mainstream.

'On bad days Chayika cheers herself up by listening to her favourite songs - shutting herself away from the world of social networks.'

Bless.

[Robby nz]

Read somewhere that winning elections isn't about policies or who is the best to lead a country but about who has the most money to pay for the best PR.

Here we see the best PR tax payers money can buy.

Is tax payers money really supposed to be spent on promoting the prime minister and a convicted criminal coward on the run as in this latest of large banners that has appeared on Asia Rd close to where I live.

Sure it is supposed to be promoting the area but this can easily be done without the propaganda attached.

[AryanicAristocrat]

Oak Shinawatra, thaksin's son.....was that not the kid who cheated at his university exams sometime back?.......and to think that thai people would consider him going into Politics......Simply Unreal!.....

I now know in which country , the population of the "Missing Links" are in Darwin's Theory.

[mrtoad]

Oak Shinawatra, thaksin's son.....was that not the kid who cheated at his university exams sometime back?.......and to think that thai people would consider him going into Politics......Simply Unreal!.....

I now know in which country , the population of the "Missing Links" are in Darwin's Theory.

I'd imagine that what you have listed are prerequisites for selection under Shin theory.

[trainman34014]

They are not interested in any kind of work. Why would they be when the family billions keep accumulating?

Of course if 'Uncle Thaksin' came on the phone ordering someone to put on their best dress and get up front they would jump to attention....as Yingluck reluctantly did.

[NongKhaiKid]

They are not interested in any kind of work. Why would they be when the family billions keep accumulating?

Of course if 'Uncle Thaksin' came on the phone ordering someone to put on their best dress and get up front they would jump to attention....as Yingluck reluctantly did.

Yes not interested in politics etc but of course " if it's in the interests of the country... "

[bangkapi]

I'd roll her in the flour for a piece of the family business.

[gp2002]

NEWS FLASH!!

Thaksin IS NOT in Dubai.

His niece ate him.

[soi41]

Instead of entering politics, maybe she should consider entering a gym!!

[boggle]

I know this may not be in the best taste

But this is a very funny thread!

[dancep]

It would be interesting to see pictures of the posters who criticize her looks... surely they are all in the perfect shape they feel is so important.

[mrtoad]

Is this YL's solution for eliminating the overstock of rice?

Yeah, and once she has done that, they are going to use her to suck up all the flood water.

[Bakseeda]

Crikey, I am guessing there is a Krispy Kreme near her office

Call her what you want, but never call her late for dinner.

Who ate, Who ate, Who ate , Who ate, Who are ALL the Pies..........................

[GrantSmith]

Who ate, Who ate, Who ate , Who ate, Who are ALL the Pies..........................

Ooops.. Autocorrect fail...

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ratcatcher]

It would be interesting to see pictures of the posters who criticize her looks... surely they are all in the perfect shape they feel is so important.

That isn't the issue.

Here we have a picture of a member of the Shin dynasty telling her heartwarming little story to the papers. One cannot help feeling sorry for a person such as this who has been cossetted her whole life and probably has little grasp of the real world outside shopping for smart clothes and expensive phones and other novelties.

When you enter the political world, be prepared to be stripped naked and criticized. I am sure good ole Auntie Poo had prewarned little Chayika of the cruel comments that awaited her once she came out of the clothes closet.

.

[JoeThePoster]

Crikey, I am guessing there is a Krispy Kreme near her office

Not anymore. She ate it.

[gp2002]

It would be interesting to see pictures of the posters who criticize her looks... surely they are all in the perfect shape they feel is so important.

Absolutely!!

[mrtoad]

Crikey, I am guessing there is a Krispy Kreme near her office

Not anymore. She ate it.

What the whole shop?

[gp2002]

She's also in charge of telling AUNT POU when clothing and accessories sales are on in other countries so trips can be booked.