How odd, that no one mentioned the ascent of the former PM Abhisit.

Why does Abhisit get a pass? His father served the former military dictatorship in a cabinet position. His son was parachuted into politics. Abhisit never worked a day in his life in the private sector and avoided full military service and yet not a mention.

It is a lie - perpetuated by ceaseless repetition - that Abhisit avoided military service. Yes, I know there was a kangaroo 'committee' by the defence ministry that found him 'guilty' - but it was farcial.

He has no relatives in the party, has not promoted relatives to cabinet, military & police posts and has no convictions.

Oh yes he does have a relative in politics - in the PTP party.

BTW why is it odd that Abhisit is not mentioned in a thread about another Shin clan's rep?

Just so we know who the subject of this thread is.........

somchai.jpg......................Yaowapa_1.jpg..........................................yoda.jpg

The father, Somchai Wongsawat,....the mother Yaowappa Wongsawat,....the son Dr.Yodchanan Wongsawat

Dr Yodchanan is obviously a very intelligent person. I wonder why he chose to immerse himself in the cesspool of politics?

http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/asp/CMS/Events/2010/Thailand-Broadband/Bio_Yodchanan_Wongsawat.pdf

Helping to keep Thailand in the hands of the Shinawats for future generations..

The trough, and if you don't conform your out the will.

Really good to see the shinawatra's upholding traditional Thai family values and putting their family first for everything. Thumbs up to them for keeping with tradition and keeping it in the family.

Ahh ! I love the smell of sarcasm in the morning" !

Suthep and family hold three MP statuses before they all resigned. So if Suthep can do it why not the Shinawatra's.

How about if anyone canvassing against her son is beaten up?

In a 'normal' democracy, one doesn't canvass against the other partys' candidates. One canvasses to promote one's own party's policies

But it seems that these so-called Democrats don't have any popular policies nor candidates...

Simon

Absolutely ridiculous.

In many so-called 'normal' democracies the canvassing and politicking is as much, if not more, to blacken the name and then the policies of the opponents. I've watched hundreds of TV adds in both the US & UK & Oz that solely target the opposition and the more personal the 'better'.

The Democrat party doesn't have the money to compete with Thaksin's PTP, nor does it have a militia to intimidate opponents in some areas of the N & NE.

Now whos being ridiculous ?

Laughing at your own 'clever' comment?

I explained why the post was ridiculous. Have you got anything intelligent to say?

Just like the Kennedy of USA.

Or Mr. Lee of Singapore.

Or Bush, etc, power in the west also past within family.

Yes, but the families of the Kennedy, Lee and Bush, were not responsible for the murder of thousands their own citizens.

In a 'normal' democracy, one doesn't canvass against the other partys' candidates. One canvasses to promote one's own party's policies

But it seems that these so-called Democrats don't have any popular policies nor candidates...

Simon

Absolutely ridiculous.

In many so-called 'normal' democracies the canvassing and politicking is as much, if not more, to blacken the name and then the policies of the opponents. I've watched hundreds of TV adds in both the US & UK & Oz that solely target the opposition and the more personal the 'better'.

The Democrat party doesn't have the money to compete with Thaksin's PTP, nor does it have a militia to intimidate opponents in some areas of the N & NE.

Now whos being ridiculous ?

Laughing at your own 'clever' comment?

I explained why the post was ridiculous. Have you got anything intelligent to say?

No you claimed its a money issue, which is given the background and financial clout of the supporters of the democrats is ridiculous.

"I'm not here for my mother's sake," he stressed. "I decided on it myself."

Yep BS - the same as Yingluck except it's for her brother's sake.

What an obnoxious clan who haven't the honesty to admit that they have deeply polarised the country since 2001.

BTW I see that 'Phoenix' Sanoh has risen from the ashes and is on the party list, no doubt ready to sort out a few more judges and temple endowments

Tempole Endowments, are you taking about Alpine Golf Club and Resort?

Has Thai politics ever experienced anything like this before, I mean is there another comparable family from outside of Bangkok that has posed a challenge like this in the past?

I'd say for the PTP to keep it in the family just keeps Big T in the minds of the people. Thai's are most likely to love all the offspring of a revered figure and I'm sure the Shin's know this. Just keeps strengthening their position through controversy, persistence and strong will. No matter how nepotistic it looks to us it should work for them as they can always market their efforts as part of a "struggle" for power.

How odd, that no one mentioned the ascent of the former PM Abhisit.

Why does Abhisit get a pass? His father served the former military dictatorship in a cabinet position. His son was parachuted into politics. Abhisit never worked a day in his life in the private sector and avoided full military service and yet not a mention.

It is a lie - perpetuated by ceaseless repetition - that Abhisit avoided military service. Yes, I know there was a kangaroo 'committee' by the defence ministry that found him 'guilty' - but it was farcial.

He has no relatives in the party, has not promoted relatives to cabinet, military & police posts and has no convictions.

Oh yes he does have a relative in politics - in the PTP party.

BTW why is it odd that Abhisit is not mentioned in a thread about another Shin clan's rep?

Typical response by gk, your garden variety red flag waver.

Looking forward to finding out why Abhisit was not mentioned in this thread, which is about yet another rotten apple of the Shinawatra barrel.

If you want to shut the Shiniwatra clan down and all of the votes that are purchased within Isan simply install proportional representation based on the regional contribution to the national GDP. This would totally destroy the parasitic stranglehold that the Shiniwatara's and Isan have in the Governance of the whole nation. Individual political parties would have to gain credibility over the whole country and not just the northern farm land and individual regions would be restricted to the number of MP's based on the regions GDP contribution..

If you want to shut the Shiniwatra clan down and all of the votes that are purchased within Isan simply install proportional representation based on the regional contribution to the national GDP. This would totally destroy the parasitic stranglehold that the Shiniwatara's and Isan have in the Governance of the whole nation. Individual political parties would have to gain credibility over the whole country and not just the northern farm land and individual regions would be restricted to the number of MP's based on the regions GDP contribution..

I think the 'proportional representation' part is a bit much for anyone here in power to contemplate. Can't we just keep fighting over the riches using the guise of partisan politics?

Hang on, that idea is so dangerous it might destroy the parasitic stranglehold for everyone involved.....

Now whos being ridiculous ?

Laughing at your own 'clever' comment?

I explained why the post was ridiculous. Have you got anything intelligent to say?

No you claimed its a money issue, which is given the background and financial clout of the supporters of the democrats is ridiculous.

I claimed it is a money issue - yes, and I claimed it is an intimidation issue as well.

The financial 'clout' of those who support the PTP is as big, if not bigger, than that of the Dems. Vote buying happens just about everywhere except possibly in Bangkok. There are arguments that all parties do it and while I cannot deny that, the worst of it is in Isan & the north.

Any election won by vote buying is a perversion of democracy. It urgently needs cleaning up particularly as PTP & the red shirts (& many shallow-thinking supporters) seem to think that winning elections entitles the winner to do what they like.

The Op piece in this thread also shows why the country needs to be rid of the one-clan ownership of power - another perversion of democracy.

The son of Madame 10%!

Madame 10% rofl.

With 10% the Thaksin clan could rule forever and no one would complain....

They should take example to the Marcos family, expel them all from the country

Shinawatras re-arrange these words into a well-known phrase or saying: ' Rag red bull to a.'

This announcement should bring another 100,000 out on to the streets of Bangkok.

The power game goes on. Any way at all to force a new political family dynasty(Dictatorship) on Thailand and its peoples along with getting their snouts into the trough of financial political swill.One is led to wonder what sort of gene pool this clan originated from .

Not quite the answer to your question but close enough. Try this http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/08/08/the-shinawatra-family-tree/

...sorry...but isn't enough enough.....???

Shinawatras re-arrange these words into a well-known phrase or saying: ' Rag red bull to a.'

This announcement should bring another 100,000 out on to the streets of Bangkok.

Re-arranged letters spell----I AWASH TRASH

What's the problem?

The voters will have choices, up to 53 in some cases. Why not let them choose?

Do u think the Thai voters are smarter then the American voters ? hahahaha

Just like the Kennedy of USA.

Or Mr. Lee of Singapore.

Or Bush, etc, power in the west also past within family.

Yes, but the families of the Kennedy, Lee and Bush, were not responsible for the murder of thousands their own citizens.

Ummm, do various false flags and spurious 'wars on terror' count?

All this nepotism has to end. It's only going to reinforce the opposition.

This is the opposition lead by Suthep who had two, or was it three sons, and one son in law, who were MPs? I'm sure they got there through sheer political talent and hard work. Wonder how Banyat's son got into parliament? Haven't heard he's done much except get caught watching porn. How did Chuan's son Pleum get appointed assistant to the Culture Minister? He didn't seem particularly well qualified.

Nepotism isn't particular to the Shinawatra family.

One of the reforms should be: no family member can join the cabinet until 5 years since a previous family member has left the cabinet. Maybe that should be expanded to MPs and senators? That should stop filling up the government with family members, corruption, nepotism, etc.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 5.1 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

All this nepotism has to end. It's only going to reinforce the opposition.

This is the opposition lead by Suthep who had two, or was it three sons, and one son in law, who were MPs? I'm sure they got there through sheer political talent and hard work. Wonder how Banyat's son got into parliament? Haven't heard he's done much except get caught watching porn. How did Chuan's son Pleum get appointed assistant to the Culture Minister? He didn't seem particularly well qualified.

Nepotism isn't particular to the Shinawatra family.

So glad to see your all for reforms. Just a note... Suthep has one son and two daughters : http://whoswho-thailand.com/listings/115-suthep-thaugsuban

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1388303741.919183.jpg Candidate Yodcharan is on the far right, to his left is sister Chinnicha (banned), to her left is dad Somchai (formerly banned), to his left is mother Yaowapa (formerly banned), and to her left is the last remaining non-politician in the family, sister Chayapa.

Thanks for once again pointing out candidates that were unfairly banned. Just goes to show reform *is* needed!

Anyway, looks like Yodchanan has a PhD from the University of Texas and is (was) lab director at Mahidol University: http://www.bcilab.org/People.html

Surely one of the educated people that Suthep's group want to see in parliament? More nice guys like Yodchanan, fewer chair throwing ruffians like Shane Thaugsuban. That's what I hear the kon dee saying. Reform starts here. lol.

All this nepotism has to end. It's only going to reinforce the opposition.

What about Bush in America? Is there really any difference? Jeb may be the next president! And what about the Kennedy family? Nepotism?

I don't remember any of them being convicted criminals (on the run?), while controlling their home country. Other than they were family, where is the comparison?

All this nepotism has to end. It's only going to reinforce the opposition.

This is the opposition lead by Suthep who had two, or was it three sons, and one son in law, who were MPs? I'm sure they got there through sheer political talent and hard work. Wonder how Banyat's son got into parliament? Haven't heard he's done much except get caught watching porn. How did Chuan's son Pleum get appointed assistant to the Culture Minister? He didn't seem particularly well qualified.

Nepotism isn't particular to the Shinawatra family.

So glad to see your all for reforms. Just a note... Suthep has one son and two daughters : http://whoswho-thailand.com/listings/115-suthep-thaugsuban

Yes, sorry. Shane is Suthep's brother. I thought it was his son. His son in law Akanat, co leader of PDRC, was also a Democrat MP. Voranai said Suthep had four family members involved in politics before they resigned as MPs to support these protests. I thought his son Tan was also an MP but actually Tan is the one who Suthep wants to replace him in his seat.

I don't see how a reform that disallows family members would help. If it's not a family member, it's a close friend or associate doing your bidding. What would your proposed constitutional change be anyway? Only one member of any given family allowed in parliament? What if wife gets divorced, is she then allowed to stand?

The way I see it, this will change gradually as the public gets smarter and less beholden to the patronage system (assuming family members are really placed in MP positions due to nepotism - some may be talented, of course... RFK/JFK has been mentioned already). You can't just magically reform this stuff away.

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1388303741.919183.jpg Candidate Yodcharan is on the far right, to his left is sister Chinnicha (banned), to her left is dad Somchai (formerly banned), to his left is mother Yaowapa (formerly banned), and to her left is the last remaining non-politician in the family, sister Chayapa.

Thanks for once again pointing out candidates that were unfairly banned. Just goes to show reform *is* needed!

Anyway, looks like Yodchanan has a PhD from the University of Texas and is (was) lab director at Mahidol University: http://www.bcilab.org/People.html

Surely one of the educated people that Suthep's group want to see in parliament? More nice guys like Yodchanan, fewer chair throwing ruffians like Shane Thaugsuban. That's what I hear the kon dee saying. Reform starts here. lol.

Not to quibble, but that degree is not from the University of Texas, which usually denotes the main campus at Austin. It is from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), which is a couple of steps down the ladder from Austin in terms of faculty and student quality. Austin and, increasingly, the branch campus at Dallas (UTD) are the two top universities in the UT System. This is not to say his degree is bogus or suspicious in the manner of Yingluck's degree from Western Kentucky or wherever, because UTA does have a serviceable engineering school. But all the serious biomed/engineering is done at UTD or UT Southwestern Medical School.

"I'm not here for my mother's sake," he stressed. "I decided on it myself."

Yep BS - the same as Yingluck except it's for her brother's sake.

What an obnoxious clan who haven't the honesty to admit that they have deeply polarised the country since 2001.

BTW I see that 'Phoenix' Sanoh has risen from the ashes and is on the party list, no doubt ready to sort out a few more judges and temple endowments

Sanoh was on the party list last time. In fact he was number four. Then we heard nothing from him for over two years. And now he's slipped backwards to number six.

Just like the Kennedy of USA.

Or Mr. Lee of Singapore.

Or Bush, etc, power in the west also past within family.

Yet another "yes but what about the West" reply, yawn.... Why can't you just judge the topic it for what it is? No one has ever said or is ever going to say that there are no problems in the west, "the West is not perfect", there I said it. But that does not mean you can turn a blind eye to the obvious conspiracies here.

So what is your view on what is happening here?

Yes there have been some political families in the west but I din't recall one where the old PM is in self exile avoiding a jail sentence for fraud AND a second member of the family is banned from politics for 5 years for election rigging AND where the existing PM (now caretaker) has not once answered key questions about where the money has gone for flood prevention, rice pledging, personal expenses etc,,,,

I will be much more interested to know your views on these points and the topic above regarding Thailand,,

Personally I think Thailand needs a break from that family in their political arena.