Thaksin's nephew to stand in Thai polls

[tomacht8]

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.

I guess that you have confused it with Chalerm Yubamrung.

Taksins best friend is Nr. 6 on PT Party List

He has 3 sons.

One killed/executed a police officer in a disco.

Now he is a high ranking police officer!

The other son is a director of the Public Warehouse Organisation

He takes care of the rice stockpile!

6. Mr. Chalerm Yubamrung

Just googled his name.

out come: Twenty Club discotheque

out come: Drunk

out come: The cabinet yesterday (13.12.2011) approved the appointment of an associate of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's son as director of the Public Warehouse Organisation.

http://tastythailand.com/was-thailands-chalerm-drunk-what-do-you-think/

http://bangkokdave.blog.com/2012/08/07/chalerm-son-still-the-untouchables/

http://www.asianews.co/chalerm-drunk-in-malaysia/

[1ma]

They will never learn.

Yeah, winning, winning and winning elections, time after time after time. Will they ever learn how to stop being democratically elected.

[ginjag]

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.

Draw a line at if you have been banned, any crime record, or similar to be barred from entering politics for life.

Anyone involved in bribes/paying for votes to be sacked from their positions-and or fined/jailed.

Any village openly declaring a village (a colour/belonging to a party) persons involved jailed/fined.

government officials involved in any form of corruption sacked and jailed--no fine.no bail.

A massive shake up of the police force, strongly monitored, NO money to be retained by the police, all fines to be treasury money.

[Emptyset]

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.

This is the Democrat Party that got over 700 million baht in donations in 2010 compared to PT's 15 million baht? Donations by some of the richest families in Thailand, I might add. I'm sure they'd be willing to put as much money in as required if they thought that would beat PT, but as Korn himself said, money is no longer the determining factor in elections. And former Democrat executive Alongkorn said that they spent more money than PT in the last election, and he doesn't want to hear anything more about money again.

As for this 'militia' thing? I suppose you're referring to some isolated incidents where Abhisit had things chucked at him and people shouted? I don't think that's the Democrats per se. It's Abhisit*. This is more a product of the polarisation and violence of the last few years than anything else. But in any case, do you think it'd be any different if PT campaigned down South? They can't even get the polls open in some provinces, never mind about campaign.

*Plus many PT seats are won in the N/NE by over 60% of the vote, Democrats have no chance in many of these constituencies atm, so they don't even bother campaigning or challenging these seats.

[Briggsy]

Politics is inexorably linked to culture. Thai culture puts family ties ahead of everything else, or they don't really trust anyone outside family. It is perfectly natural to link politics to family. Every single Thai would think it is completely normal. The overwhelming majority of posters are subconsciously overlaying their Western prejudices on a process a very long way removed from latter-day Western culture.

[Emptyset]

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.

Draw a line at if you have been banned, any crime record, or similar to be barred from entering politics for life.

Anyone involved in bribes/paying for votes to be sacked from their positions-and or fined/jailed.

Any village openly declaring a village (a colour/belonging to a party) persons involved jailed/fined.

government officials involved in any form of corruption sacked and jailed--no fine.no bail.

A massive shake up of the police force, strongly monitored, NO money to be retained by the police, all fines to be treasury money.

Sounds good to me, although I'd say you only should be banned for life if you're fairly banned. The vast majority of MPs banned in the last few years have been banned because of the actions of another member of their party executive. They didn't necessarily have anything to do with it, nor even knowledge of it. It's a form of collective punishment which is damaging to the country as many competent people are banned, leaving second and third raters (including family members) to take their roles.

Also how can you stop a village declaring itself red (or blue even) if it wants to anyway? It's practically meaningless in real terms. Just symbolism. But OK, let's say I go along with it. As things stand, none of this would stop PT from winning, and we all know that's the only objective of Suthep's reforms.

[Thait Spot]

Thaksin couldn't have any more contempt for the Thai people if he put his cat in to stand or a frozen sperm.

I don't think even the red shirts could stomach this

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[GAZZPA]

What's the problem?

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

Because, as with most democratic countries. The simpleton masses are easily pandered too by deceitful charletons and are simply unable to make an astute choice for what is best for the country, only whats best for themselves. The prime reason representative democracy is a failed system that never favours the people, but rather corporations.

You haven't thought this through.. democracy is not a failed system.

Firstly, not sensible to refer to people as the "simpleton masses". Who exactly are these simpletons, are you one? Is your best friend one? Or are there hundreds of "secret" towns and cities out there where only Dumbass people live and you and everyone else reading this are the elite intellectuals who of course can not be "conned" by this failed democracy debacle.

If a parties political agenda appeals to an individuals circumstance then yes, they may be persuaded to vote. If the political parties agenda attracts another person and then another and another etc, then this will reflect a collective response hopefully resulting in the majority liking what they hear then that party wins the election, and the "majority" view has elected the new government,, voila! democracy works.

Not sure if the Simpletons will understand this though.

[daboyz1]

They have to be running out of family members. Soon the family dog will be running in an election.

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

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!

LOL@unfairly banned.

Good joke.

[ginjag]

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.

Draw a line at if you have been banned, any crime record, or similar to be barred from entering politics for life.

Anyone involved in bribes/paying for votes to be sacked from their positions-and or fined/jailed.

Any village openly declaring a village (a colour/belonging to a party) persons involved jailed/fined.

government officials involved in any form of corruption sacked and jailed--no fine.no bail.

A massive shake up of the police force, strongly monitored, NO money to be retained by the police, all fines to be treasury money.

Sounds good to me, although I'd say you only should be banned for life if you're fairly banned. The vast majority of MPs banned in the last few years have been banned because of the actions of another member of their party executive. They didn't necessarily have anything to do with it, nor even knowledge of it. It's a form of collective punishment which is damaging to the country as many competent people are banned, leaving second and third raters (including family members) to take their roles.

Also how can you stop a village declaring itself red (or blue even) if it wants to anyway? It's practically meaningless in real terms. Just symbolism. But OK, let's say I go along with it. As things stand, none of this would stop PT from winning, and we all know that's the only objective of Suthep's reforms.

The point -"unfairly banned" this would be a no no with an fair non corrupt court. that would be in operation with the heavy jail for corrupt practices.

No OTHER family members in prominent government rolls.

The village party colour declaration is unfair as not all the villagers would be that clan. That should not be known-discouraged- village headman serving the village not the government in power, he wouldn't be in that role because this dictatorial village stance would be unlawful.

The right for every voter is private, and should therefore not be intimidated.

Your point about not stopping PT from winning would be entirely different if my points were chosen. they would be severely affected.

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

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

Nepotism isn't particular to the Shinawatra family.

They're just the worst abusers of it.

[GAZZPA]

Politics is inexorably linked to culture. Thai culture puts family ties ahead of everything else, or they don't really trust anyone outside family. It is perfectly natural to link politics to family. Every single Thai would think it is completely normal. The overwhelming majority of posters are subconsciously overlaying their Western prejudices on a process a very long way removed from latter-day Western culture.

Do you really believe this? I understand the cultural differences but I think you are in danger of underestimating the Thai people.

I personally think that Thailand needs a break from this family. I do not know who will replace them or even if they will be much better but that's my view based purely in what I have seen and read (which is pretty much how everyone else will be forming their opinion).

I think the Thai people will judge in the same way. If they like the current PM (caretaker PM) and what she has done then they will vote for her, if they don't like what she has done then I don't believe they will vote for her anyway because they liked her brother's politics nearly 10 years ago.

Nepotism can be dangerous and in politics can easily be seen as abuse of power, I think Thai people can see this, I don't think that their culture makes them blind.

I know that the views from my Thai work colleagues on Yingluck are not too good right now, this is purely based on her, I have heard very little about her brother and I have certainly never heard anyone say "don't like her but liked her brother so vote the family in".

Lastly, I don't see this as my "subconscious Western prejudice" talking, it's my observation of the Thai people around me that I work with everyday.

[hellodolly]

The arrogance of this family is unbelieveable.

I am not standing, said Yaowapa, partly to defuse talk that her family, but my son is standing in my place.

Why don't they go the whole hog and make him number 3 in the party list and some other member of the family to stand in for her?

Wish she could make up her mind is it out of the country or take their influence away. We all know getting them out of the country dosen't stop them from meddling in the Government. Two completely different animals.

"Khun Suthep says he wants to get Thaksin and Yaowapa and Yingluck out of the country," she recounts, referring to protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban's vow to rid Thailand of her clan's influence.

the article also says

Billionaire Thaksin helmed Thailand from 2001 till 2006, when he was deposed by a military coup. In 2008, he was convicted on corruption charges which he says were politically motivated.

Is he saying that corruption is OK if it is not politically motivated?

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

The vast majority of MPs banned in the last few years have been banned because of the actions of another member of their party executive. They didn't necessarily have anything to do with it, nor even knowledge of it. It's a form of collective punishment which is damaging to the country as many competent people are banned, leaving second and third raters

ALL of the MP's banned were members of Executive Committees for their respective parties. As such, they are jointly held accountable for the actions of the Executive Committee members, much like RICO Act in the USA works.

The only damaging aspect to the banishments is that it lacks the teeth to truly ban the offender's involvement in politics, as has been seen countless times.

[hellodolly]

They have to be running out of family members. Soon the family dog will be running in an election.

I think he is a citizen of Montenegro.

[mumjokmok]

Thaksin couldn't have any more contempt for the Thai people if he put his cat in to stand or a frozen sperm. I don't think even the red shirts could stomach this Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I'd vote for the cat!

[SheungWan]

Thaksin couldn't have any more contempt for the Thai people if he put his cat in to stand or a frozen sperm. I don't think even the red shirts could stomach this Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I'd vote for the cat!

500 baht prize to the first forum boiler room red cheerleader who can put up an argument that this is not about Thaksin/the Shinawatras without everybody else pi**ing themselves laughing.

[Siripon]

They have to be running out of family members. Soon the family dog will be running in an election.

I think he is a citizen of Montenegro.

The family dog, a tanned bulldog with developing jowls, recently threatened to leave the family for its pursuit of the amnesty bill.

But when the family removed the the family pet from its TV station and threatened to cut off the bulldog's supply of 'Pedigree Chum', the dog soon recanted, and with its tail between its legs, declared it loved its owners regardless.

[monkeycountry]

What's the problem?

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

North Korea has elections too. Wikipedia has all the details.

[monkeycountry]

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

The democrats, or anyone else for that matter, could win an election tomorrow if they genuinely promised everyone 30,000 baht/ton of rice, and that is the problem.

[oldthaihand99]

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 think another Bush could ever be elected president, not after the last one, who, btw, sort of lived to do everything the opposite of his father in order to prove what a man he was. As for the Kennedys, I don't see any of them of presidential timber. Oh, and during JFK's term, there was considerable criticism and doubt placed on the appointment of RFK as attorney general. There are lots of political families in the US--don't forget the Gores, Rockefellers, Udalls, Browns, et. al. But eventually they all seem to peter out within a generation or two. Still, it's a big enough problem, just not comparable to the Shins.

How many hundreds of years did the Thai elites rule Siam?

The Shins are just the new kids on the block, for less than a generation.

[SheungWan]

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 think another Bush could ever be elected president, not after the last one, who, btw, sort of lived to do everything the opposite of his father in order to prove what a man he was. As for the Kennedys, I don't see any of them of presidential timber. Oh, and during JFK's term, there was considerable criticism and doubt placed on the appointment of RFK as attorney general. There are lots of political families in the US--don't forget the Gores, Rockefellers, Udalls, Browns, et. al. But eventually they all seem to peter out within a generation or two. Still, it's a big enough problem, just not comparable to the Shins.

How many hundreds of years did the Thai elites rule Siam?

The Shins are just the new kids on the block, for less than a generation.

By definition the elite is the ruling class. New wannabe ruling class members (Thaksin and Co) do not get a free pass. No sir. Have another go.

[bigbamboo]

Thaksin couldn't have any more contempt for the Thai people if he put his cat in to stand or a frozen sperm. I don't think even the red shirts could stomach this Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I'd vote for the cat!

What happened to the telegraph pole?

[oldthaihand99]

How many hundreds of years did the Thai elites rule Siam?

The Shins are just the new kids on the block, for less than a generation.

By definition the elite is the ruling class. New wannabe ruling class members (Thaksin and Co) do not get a free pass. No sir. Have another go.

The elites = backers of Suthep + the military, in opposition to the Shins/PTP ATM

Trace their "family tree" of power over the centuries, if you can.

[tingtongteesood]

I would very much like to see a list of names of everyone in the PT band of crooks and see just how many have not got some criminal conviction to their names - I bet it is a low percentage...? Apart from those who were banned for electoral fraud ( which appears to be a majority ) we also have the red shirt brigade who incited violence and are responsible for the burning down of 40 buildings ( though they were rewarded by being made MP's, I guess it is only a crime if it is against Thaksin, if it is for him then it is a public service it seems - oh the hypocrisy ! ) not to mention those who have committed other financial frauds and crimes as well as people like Tarit and Surapong who should have convictions for perverting the course of justice to help the puppet master ! . And these are just the ones we know about ! Such great role models for the kids !

[icare999]

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 ?

come up and live fro a while in a red shirt village and area and then tell me how ridiculous it is. People here are totally controlled by red thugs and god help any who dare raise a protest.

Is is you who simply are ridiculous and would I guess argue Hitlers brown shirts did not intimidate nor pol pots education squads or rest

your comment from one who lives daily amongst these red thugs make me puke

[aimbc]

I think this is the core of the problem. Trying to separate the nation. There is only one Thailand and one nation. Politicians will always turn to this tactic. Instead of uniting the country. So let's do away with the haves and haves not. Because even the haves will still complain the have not. So we are not going to go anywhere with that. Rather come up with possible solutions.

It is up to the citizens to keep government officials accountable. Sometimes we get too comfortable we forget it is part of our duty to monitor the government as well. This is good citizenship.

[noitom]

Argh, I lost a bet - I thought it was going to be Yingluck's son.

If you have a good time line on the bet, keep doubling down until you win.

[daboyz1]

Argh, I lost a bet - I thought it was going to be Yingluck's son.

If you have a good time line on the bet, keep doubling down until you win.

LOL. Has to happen at some point.