Living up to his convictions: Suthep Thaugsuban

[Lite Beer]

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Living up to his convictions
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Sunday Nation

Members of Suthep

BANGKOK: -- Leader of the anti-government protests Suthep Thaugsuban talks about the need to "reveal the truth"

Anti-government protest leader and former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban has called for one million people to turn out and join the Rajdamnoen rally today to decide the future of the Yingluck Shinawatra government. It's a brave call and one that could well seal his fate.

If the number of demonstrators falls short of the million mark, the fight on the streets will inevitably come to an end.

The Surat Thani native started his career at the age of 26 as a village headman, albeit one with the rare qualification of a Master's Degree in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University in the US. That history has continued to precede him and even today, he's still occasionally dubbed the "kamnan of tambon Tha Sathon", a reference to the village in Phunphin district where he was born and raised.

Now 64 and with 35 careers of political experience to his credit, Suthep has been a Democrat MP for 12 consecutive terms, 10 of them as the member for Surat Thani. He's also served twice as a party-list MP, and been a member of the cabinet on four occasions.

Deputy Prime Minister during the Abhisit Vejjajiva government from the end of 2008 to 2011, he says he realised his time in the House was running out when the Pheu Thai Party won the 2011 election.

"I realised that once the Yingluck government came to power, it would try to whitewash the wrongdoings of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. I prepared myself to move against that and when the amnesty bill was brought before parliament, I initiated 'Reveal the Truth' rallies in every one of the country’s provinces," he says,

The first of those rallies took place on August 7 while the House was deliberating the first reading of that amnesty bill under which Thaksin could return home a free man. He then waited for the bill to pass all three readings before "blowing a whistle" to launch the mass rally on October 31.

"I have never thought I would end my 35-year political career on the road. But once I decided to resign as an MP, I knew there could be no going back," he says.

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician, he was nonetheless one of the reasons why former Democrat PM Chuan Leekpai was forced to dissolve the House in 1995 when Palang Dharma Party's withdrew from the then government coalition before the censure debate vote.

At that time, Suthep was accused of helping the rich in Phuket obtain Sor Por Kor 4-01 documents for land intended for distribution to the poor. He later resigned from his post.

It is a stigma that he has been forced to carry ever since, though it didn't stop him from achieving his goal of playing a supporting role in the rise to the premiership of Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"I was so proud to do that. Abhisit is a politician who has faith in democracy and incorruptible. I knew many Thais wanted him to be a leader. So I put all my energy into supporting him," he says.

Abhisit and Suthep, in his former capacity of deputy prime minister, are currently facing murder charges for ordering security forces to crack down on the 2010 protests, leading to the deaths of red-shirt protesters.

But Suthep says he isn't feeling any pressure. "I will fight the bad guys through the legal process. I recently set up a new law firm, Patcharawit Advocates, that has 20 to 30 lawyers ready to defend my case as well as the officers who have been charged with murder in connection with their operations in 2010," he says firmly.

But he admits that he has no idea about the outcome of the case, just as he really doesn't know what will happen next. Right now, he just dresses in black and heads out from home every morning to the Rajdamnoen rally site where he greets protesters, meets with the other protest leaders and speaks to the demonstrators in the evening.

His wife Srisakul Promphan and other family members have also adapted their daily routine, going to the Democracy Monument in the evenings to encourage Suthep rather than enjoying dinner together at home.

"Suthep is very serious and dedicated about this fight. He's prepared to die on the stage," says a member of the Thaugsuban family.

The former politician is the first to admit that that he has no experience in organising a big gathering. One family member says wryly that the 25 days of his current fight feel longer than his 35 years in the House.

Asked what he considers the worst-case scenario, he shrugs.

"I may end up in jail or get injured. Either way I don't care," he says.

Nor is he afraid of death. "The day I am killed will be the last day the government is in power," he concludes.

Today is crucial to both the Yingluck government and Suthep. Both sides will be hoping it is not the last

-- The Nation 2013-11-24

[arthurboy]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

[Thainy Tim]

Wow!

When I get to his age, I want to be a political activist.

Look at the birds you can pull.

[rijb]

He's right. He should be convicted with all the rest of them ... both sides.

[smutcakes]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

I look forward more to him honoring this quote about him being finished as an MP!

"I have never thought I would end my 35-year political career on the road. But once I decided to resign as an MP, I knew there could be no going back,"

[Thainy Tim]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

In his 40 years in politics, he has done nowhere near the amount of damage that Thaksin has in the past 3 years alone, and that is while he is OUT of politics.

[Tatsujin]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

[Tatsujin]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

In his 40 years in politics, he has done nowhere near the amount of damage that Thaksin has in the past 3 years alone, and that is while he is OUT of politics.

So being "less" of a thief is better or more honorable somehow?

[Robby nz]

Has he really said that one million will be in BKK or has he said will come out in protest?

I ask this because most people from outside the city cant travel and will be holding their own protests where they live.

Where I am there is one such rally being held today.

If the last one I went to look at is any indication there will probably be about a thousand there.

I will go take some more photos today.

Not many in the great scheme of things but for a small place with a red MP a reasonable indication of how people feel.

If this sort of thing happens all over the country with bigger turnouts in bigger places then the total could well be over the million.

[smutcakes]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

In his 40 years in politics, he has done nowhere near the amount of damage that Thaksin has in the past 3 years alone, and that is while he is OUT of politics.

Jesus give it a rest, this thread is about Suthep not Thaksin. So replacing one crook with one slight lesser crook is the way forward! Great news.

[smutcakes]

Has he really said that one million will be in BKK or has he said will come out in protest?

I ask this because most people from outside the city cant travel and will be holding their own protests where they live.

Where I am there is one such rally being held today.

If the last one I went to look at is any indication there will probably be about a thousand there.

I will go take some more photos today.

Not many in the great scheme of things but for a small place with a red MP a reasonable indication of how people feel.

If this sort of thing happens all over the country with bigger turnouts in bigger places then the total could well be over the million.

Yes he said the protest at Dem Monument would grow to a million by today.

He has made a similar claim and deadline before which obviously passed.

[h90]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

on that land titles, in my (limited) understanding: They gave land titles to people without titles who stay on on the land for a long time already. And it happens that also some wealthy families stayed on some land since a long time. You can't make a law and exclude everyone with xxx.000 Baht on the bank account. How about PTP gave tax free cars to rich families?? That first car initiative also gives a tax break for rich people the same as for poor.

And no court found something wrong with Suthep in these land cases.

If that is all Suthep did wrong than he would be the cleanest politician of Thailand.

[fiberman]

Has he really said that one million will be in BKK or has he said will come out in protest?

I ask this because most people from outside the city cant travel and will be holding their own protests where they live.

Where I am there is one such rally being held today.

If the last one I went to look at is any indication there will probably be about a thousand there.

I will go take some more photos today.

Not many in the great scheme of things but for a small place with a red MP a reasonable indication of how people feel.

If this sort of thing happens all over the country with bigger turnouts in bigger places then the total could well be over the million.

I don't know about the rest of the country but a lot of people from our village in NST have been travelling to BKK over the last few days for the rally. If this is repeated across the country the numbers could be huge.

[Sunisalom]

Corruption, money, vote-buying, you name it - all these go together as a part of the political culture in Thailand, and always have done, and in all parties. It is a long way off before it is rid. This is Thailand, so please remember that. Therefore, it is a fact that nearly all, if not all, politicians have been in some bent in their course of duty. And so, it is relevant to make comparisons of how actually bent politicians are, and how low they have actually stooped.

So Suthep made a few bob from some land. Part and parcel of the position - historically and nowadays. Things aren't going to change that dramatically, hence stop looking at it with a western view. Suthep never killed anybody, nor ordered many to kill thousands. As a result, he has every right to call down the PTP and Thaksin, as they have committed much worse atrocities that any Democrat.

-mel.

[assayer]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

on that land titles, in my (limited) understanding: They gave land titles to people without titles who stay on on the land for a long time already. And it happens that also some wealthy families stayed on some land since a long time. You can't make a law and exclude everyone with xxx.000 Baht on the bank account. How about PTP gave tax free cars to rich families?? That first car initiative also gives a tax break for rich people the same as for poor.

And no court found something wrong with Suthep in these land cases.

If that is all Suthep did wrong than he would be the cleanest politician of Thailand.

Can anyone on here tell me of a politician in any country who has helped only the poor people while they were in office???

I think not, I say bring back Abisit and Suthep!

[Thai at Heart]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

In his 40 years in politics, he has done nowhere near the amount of damage that Thaksin has in the past 3 years alone, and that is while he is OUT of politics.

So he indirectly set the scene for Thaksin? I mean honestly. Going down the 'he's less criminal than the other guy", really isn't much of an arguement. He may prevail, but he really is a yukky bloke who sums up the cess pit that Thai politics is perfectly.

[Thainy Tim]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

on that land titles, in my (limited) understanding: They gave land titles to people without titles who stay on on the land for a long time already. And it happens that also some wealthy families stayed on some land since a long time. You can't make a law and exclude everyone with xxx.000 Baht on the bank account. How about PTP gave tax free cars to rich families?? That first car initiative also gives a tax break for rich people the same as for poor.

And no court found something wrong with Suthep in these land cases.

If that is all Suthep did wrong than he would be the cleanest politician of Thailand.

Can anyone on here tell me of a politician in any country who has helped only the poor people while they were in office???

I think not, I say bring back Abisit and Suthep!

You can only do so much for the poor and when they make up a huge majority as in Thailand, it would bankrupt a country.

You can see this in what is happening now with the rice scam not able to pay.

That is only a tiny minority of the vastness of the poor. Those are not really the poor either. The poor are the farm labour, and they don't benefit from the subsidies, only the farm owner.

[pisico]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

Careful with historical facts! The truth hurts.

The wrath of anti-Thaksinistas and Suthepistas may fall upon you.

God knows that a Thai can do no wrong. God knows that a Democrat can do no wrong.

[Sunisalom]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

In his 40 years in politics, he has done nowhere near the amount of damage that Thaksin has in the past 3 years alone, and that is while he is OUT of politics.

So he indirectly set the scene for Thaksin? I mean honestly. Going down the 'he's less criminal than the other guy", really isn't much of an arguement. He may prevail, but he really is a yukky bloke who sums up the cess pit that Thai politics is perfectly.

For once, in a very rare blue moon, I have to disagree with you TAH. In Thailand, to even become close to being a politician one has to have used ignoble means to even get close. It is a part and parcel, as I said above, of Thai politics. Once in position, opportunities of using bent methods for personal gain are a norm, and, unfortunately, this is so in-depth it does apply to virtually, and if not, all. So they are all bent, and making money from deals pertaining to their own functions and departments. (Yes, we hope for change but that day is very far away from present). Thus, I believe we do have to compare bent actions, and who is the lesser evil or gratuitous.

Suthep may well be slimy, vicious even and wholly corrupt. However, when compared to what's on offer from the PTP, wouldn't you prefer Abhisit?

Suthep is not running for crowning glory as a leader of the Democrats, he is simply trying to erode what's left of the mess PTP has made for itself, and I fully support his role in this, even if he has defilement records against him - please tell me a member of the house who doesn't/ or hasn't engaged in bent actions for personal gain?

Suthep is a far cry from Nittiwit, Chaleropops, and Unlucky shopping, to name but a meagre few, - surely - when it comes to being bent and striking it rich from the very essence of the very poor?

-mel.

[Thai at Heart]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

In his 40 years in politics, he has done nowhere near the amount of damage that Thaksin has in the past 3 years alone, and that is while he is OUT of politics.

So he indirectly set the scene for Thaksin? I mean honestly. Going down the 'he's less criminal than the other guy", really isn't much of an arguement. He may prevail, but he really is a yukky bloke who sums up the cess pit that Thai politics is perfectly.

For once, in a very rare blue moon, I have to disagree with you TAH. In Thailand, to even become close to being a politician one has to have used ignoble means to even get close. It is a part and parcel, as I said above, of Thai politics. Once in position, opportunities of using bent methods for personal gain are a norm, and, unfortunately, this is so in-depth it does apply to virtually, and if not, all. So they are all bent, and making money from deals pertaining to their own functions and departments. (Yes, we hope for change but that day is very far away from present). Thus, I believe we do have to compare bent actions, and who is the lesser evil or gratuitous.

Suthep may well be slimy, vicious even and wholly corrupt. However, when compared to what's on offer from the PTP, wouldn't you prefer Abhisit?

Suthep is not running for crowning glory as a leader of the Democrats, he is simply trying to erode what's left of the mess PTP has made for itself, and I fully support his role in this, even if he has defilement records against him - please tell me a member of the house who doesn't/ or hasn't engaged in bent actions for personal gain?

Suthep is a far cry from Nittiwit, Chaleropops, and Unlucky shopping, to name but a meagre few, - surely - when it comes to being bent and striking it rich from the very essence of the very poor?

-mel.

He's an irksome little bloke, a true anti-hero, very much like Sondhi. He isn't doing this for some huge conviction to save the country. This is purely politics or personal gain.

Would I really prefer Abhisit? The bloke with a dad who sits on the board of CP who is slowly monopolising the agribusiness market of Asia? I wrote somewhere else that getting rid of Thaksin is not going to solve the problem about the Thai farmer having been shafted for many generations. Which company do you think is front and centre of that business? CP. Ironically, who reportedly manipulates the palm oil and rubber business to his own benefit? Suthep.

So you see, even the apparently most honest broker of them all, has a big conflict of interest if he wants to reform the agricultural commodity business in Thailand. So you see, they are all bent, and to take the Suthep is better than Thaksin because he is a little bit less corrupt makes absolutely no difference. So great, get rid of Thaksin. And then what do we have?

Out of the frying pan, into another slightly smaller frying pan.....on the same fire.

What would I really like to see? The whole lot of these dinonsaur criminals removed from public office forever. If it means that there are only 10 honest MP's left, good, and let the country start all over again.

[scorecard]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

Careful with historical facts! The truth hurts.

The wrath of anti-Thaksinistas and Suthepistas may fall upon you.

God knows that a Thai can do no wrong. God knows that a Democrat can do no wrong. alt=whistling.gif width=19 height=18>

You stated ".....careful with historical facts...."

Then you say "....god knows that a democrat can do no wrong...."

Please share where any member of TV has stated that ".....a democrat can do no wrong......"

In fact plenty of TV members (me included) have commented frequently that neither side is squeaky clean.

[waza]

As this is Sutheps political swan song then its an apt opportunity to redeem himself from his past misdeeds with a selfless act that saves Thais from 2 more years of Thaksinomics.

[moe666]

hehehehehee all of the usual suspects have turned out in droves here to take a jab at Suthep. Where have you boys been when they needed the rice scam defended the last few days and explain it all away.

[Alwyn]

isn't this the chap facing murder charges?

[Ricardo]

isn't this the chap facing murder charges?

Yes.

Not that the government were trying to pressure the Opposition, into supporting a general-amnesty, which would coincidentally include their former-PM inspirational adviser.

[fab4]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

on that land titles, in my (limited) understanding: They gave land titles to people without titles who stay on on the land for a long time already. And it happens that also some wealthy families stayed on some land since a long time. You can't make a law and exclude everyone with xxx.000 Baht on the bank account. How about PTP gave tax free cars to rich families?? That first car initiative also gives a tax break for rich people the same as for poor.

And no court found something wrong with Suthep in these land cases.

If that is all Suthep did wrong than he would be the cleanest politician of Thailand.

Perhaps you should look at his sons land then. Or perhaps the Palm Oil Scandal of 2011. (http://asiancorrespondent.com/49900/thailands-palm-oil-crisis-mr-s-strikes-again/)6

[Baerboxer]

Great words, Khun Suthep.

I look forward to hearing you reveal the truth about your own business and political background.

I look forward more to him honoring this quote about him being finished as an MP!

"I have never thought I would end my 35-year political career on the road. But once I decided to resign as an MP, I knew there could be no going back,"

No doubt said with the same sincerity as the crook in Dubai who claims he was "finished with politics", then "just the PM/DM's caddy" to instructing PTP they must cling on to power at all costs, and personally selecting the cabinet.

Sadly, non of them would know the truth if it bit em hard!

They even make the likes of Bush, Blair, Brown, Berlesconi, and Putin look honest in comparison !!

[MobileContent]

Regarded as a generous and dependable politician . . .

1995 - Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 11 wealthy families

2009 - Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government and resigned to avoid being disqualified but continued as Deputy PM etc

The tip of the iceberg. A very honorable and dependable man. Not.

on that land titles, in my (limited) understanding: They gave land titles to people without titles who stay on on the land for a long time already. And it happens that also some wealthy families stayed on some land since a long time. You can't make a law and exclude everyone with xxx.000 Baht on the bank account. How about PTP gave tax free cars to rich families?? That first car initiative also gives a tax break for rich people the same as for poor.

And no court found something wrong with Suthep in these land cases.

If that is all Suthep did wrong than he would be the cleanest politician of Thailand.

And no court found something wrong with Suthep in these land cases.

Because the court was held in the South which is Democrat Party territory.

If Thaksin would have been charged in Chiang Mai for the Rachada land plot, he would be today a free men as well.

[bigbamboo]

If Thai justice was up to scratch most politicians would be living up to their convictions...... in a prison cell.

[StealthEnergiser]

has anyone a correct live blue sky you tube link to the rally ?