POLITICS
'War room' advises Yingluck on strategy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Faced with anti-government protests for more than 80 days now, embattled caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra is being supported by top strategists advising her through the political showdown.

It's a situation in which one misstep could lead to serious political mishap and even defeat.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his ex-wife Pojaman Na Pombejra are in the commander-strategist team, which identifies the direction in which the government and the Pheu Thai Party should head.

Although Thaksin is the top decision-maker, he is said to lean lately more towards the opinion and suggestions of his sister Yingluck, who had earlier been described by critics as his puppet.

Yingluck often discusses issues with PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva, National Security Council secretary general Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabutr and Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Nipat Thonglek.

Sometimes she attends meetings with the government's so-called "war room" attended by top officials, though they are not regarded as strategists. These include caretaker Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and caretaker Deputy PM Pracha Promnog. And she usually calls in PM's Office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandransu, the Cabinet secretary-general, and the Council of State secretary-general, for their opinions.

Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, Bhokin Bhalakula and Phumtham Wechayachai are regarded as part of Pheu Thai's think tank, which scrutinises political and legal aspects of all pressing issues. Thaksin and Pojaman strongly trust the trio and always heed their opinion and advice.

Pojaman also has her brother Bhanapot Damapong, who follows up on details of the government and the ruling party's work and reports to her for decision-making.

The operation team is led by Thaksin's sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, who is backed by supporters such as caretaker Deputy Prime Ministers Pongthep Thepkanjana and Varathep Ratanakorn. Yaowapa's husband Somchai Wongsawat, neither a strategist nor an operator, is actually a lobbyist for the party and the government, thanks to his background and ties with courts.

The team responsible for "political tit-for-tat" moves takes orders from all three strategist teams, comprising former ministers and red-shirt leaders, Noppadon Pattama and Wichit Plangsrisakul. Though they are not policy-makers, they are an important component in filling the jigsaw.

-- The Nation 2014-01-22

Is this the mysterious "unelected elite" I read so much about on this forum?

Interesting article.

They sound like an effective team.

With all the names in the command and strategy positions can there be any doubt the Shin clan run the country ?

"Sometimes she attends meetings........."

Ah, bless.......that's good of her.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his ex-wife Pojaman Na Pombejra are in the commander-strategist team, which identifies the direction in which the government and the Pheu Thai Party should head.

Although Thaksin is the top decision-maker, he is said to lean lately more towards the opinion and suggestions of his sister Yingluck, who had earlier been described by critics as his puppet.

Is he leaning that way because he has finally realised that the people he was screwing are now screwing him?

Interesting article. They sound like an effective team.

Good doggy, are you hoping the next bone will have some meat on it?

Whenever I see the words "top strategists" or " think tank" in any way connected with politics in Thailand my mind drifts to...........

As they call it the "war room" and Somchai is a prominent leader in the new state of emergency one can only expect the worst. They probably plan to go down fighting. The protesters should step step up security for Suthep. He'll be their main target.

"Sometimes she attends meetings........."

Ah, bless.......that's good of her.

Nice One but please remember the poor dear is preoccupied with avoiding attending meetings she actually chairs.

Former-DPM & current caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm's name doesn't appear on the list, of those qualified to advise the caretaker-PM, how odd.

Former-DPM & current caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm's name doesn't appear on the list, of those qualified to advise the caretaker-PM, how odd.

BUT he is qualified to command the ' war room ' to control the emergency decree. A poisoned chalice ?

With all the names in the command and strategy positions can there be any doubt the Shin clan run the country ?

I didn't see Oak mentioned. What's he doing? Serving up coffee and M&Ms to the others?

Again this is all just speculation and gossip by a trashy tabloid on the workings of inside, they dont have a clue and nor do we. How does the Nation know who talks to who and when ? they sit in on the meetings and take minutes i suppose....

"Sometimes she attends meetings........."

Ah, bless.......that's good of her.

Again this is all just speculation and gossip by a trashy tabloid on the workings of inside, they dont have a clue and nor do we. How does the Nation know who talks to who and when ? they sit in on the meetings and take minutes i suppose....

Maybe just gossip. It reads to me more like a press release than a journalistic article. Its looks like the author just copied into the article what someone on the "inside" wanted him to.

Interesting article.They sound like an effective team.

I fear you are thoroughly mistaken old chap

Again this is all just speculation and gossip by a trashy tabloid on the workings of inside, they dont have a clue and nor do we. How does the Nation know who talks to who and when ? they sit in on the meetings and take minutes i suppose....

Unfortunately, we'll still be treated to people on the periphery offering their opinions on an speculative unsubstantiated article from a media outlet hostile to the incumbent government, that they have accepted as "fact".

With all the names in the command and strategy positions can there be any doubt the Shin clan run the country ?

I didn't see Oak mentioned. What's he doing? Serving up coffee and M&Ms to the others?

Dusting the table tops and other flat surfaces?

With all the names in the command and strategy positions can there be any doubt the Shin clan run the country ?

I didn't see Oak mentioned. What's he doing? Serving up coffee and M&Ms to the others?

Nor his sister Pingpongthai (spelling?) who also works for PT.

I guess we'll just have to wait for their undoubted political talents to emerge in the next generation of the glorious Shin dynasty.

"war room" ... how apt.

And as the song says, "it's a family affair ..."

Nor his sister Pingpongthai (spelling?) who also works for PT.

I guess we'll just have to wait for their undoubted political talents to emerge in the next generation of the glorious Shin dynasty.

Some are still waiting, to see "their undoubted political talents" emerge, in the current generation of the glorious Shin dynasty !

But I'm sure she does her very best, in spite of actually not wishing to be in-power, as she herself says.

The 'Top Strategists' in this country are normally employed dreaming up new ways to rob the Nations kitty, so now the kitty is empty i presume they will be asking the Banks and the EC for funds to support the 'War Room'. 130 Billion Baht should do it !

With all the names in the command and strategy positions can there be any doubt the Shin clan run the country ?

I didn't see Oak mentioned. What's he doing? Serving up coffee and M&Ms to the others?

He's probably preparing for his PM position ... the Red Bull heir will probably be his DPM

The best advise they can give the PM,have your bags packed,

waiting at the front door,ready for a quick exit ! stage left.

regards Worgeordie

"Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his ex-wife Pojaman Na Pombejra are in the commander-strategist team, which identifies the direction in which the government and the Pheu Thai Party should head."

So basically these unelected people are running the country.

And they control a "War Room". Speaks volumes.

This article in no small way explains why there are so many protestors in the streets.

Interesting article. They sound like an effective team.

Good doggy, are you hoping the next bone will have some meat on it?

NO, he get his monthly allowance already!

Again this is all just speculation and gossip by a trashy tabloid on the workings of inside, they dont have a clue and nor do we. How does the Nation know who talks to who and when ? they sit in on the meetings and take minutes i suppose....

Maybe just gossip. It reads to me more like a press release than a journalistic article. Its looks like the author just copied into the article what someone on the "inside" wanted him to.

You'll be naive to believe otherwise. It's the country versus the Shins and the Shins are going down fighting. Who said this was anything about democracy and elections.

War Room, !! made up of idiots who continuously shoot themselves in the foot. If brains or ability were dynamite, this group could not even blow their nose. They would serve both themselves and this country better if they started organizing their travel plans and furniture removal.