Hardliner 'Ko Tee' has been cut adrift: Thai analysis

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NATION ANALYSIS
Hardliner 'Ko Tee' has been cut adrift
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation

Pheu Thai Party sees red shirt as a liability after his alleged anti-monarchy remarks

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party looks to have decided to isolate pro-government hardliner Wuthipong Kottham-makhun after he allegedly made remarks offensive to the monarchy.

The Thaksin camp's legitimacy has long been discredited due to allegations that people connected to Pheu Thai were involved in an alleged plot to topple the monarchy.

It is too risky to side with Wuthipong, who is known as Ko Tee, even though Pheu Thai wants to use hardcore red shirts to its advantage in certain situations.

The party had earlier ignored the outspoken red shirt's sensitive campaign involving the monarchy.

But if the offence is too obvious, the party, which cannot afford to forgo its allegiance to the monarchy, has no choice but to severe ties with pro-government groups like that led by Wuthipong.

There are several types of reds. If the level of their ideological fervour is rated by the intensity of the colour, they range from pale to medium to bright red.

Each group comes together when they share the same goal and are ready to split when they encounter conflict among themselves.

Leading a small group of red followers, Wuthipong has made a name for himself with his recent high-profile political activities.

Behind several clashes

He was allegedly behind several clashes between red shirts and an anti-government group led by Phra Buddha Issara and the notorious shooting at Lak Si that involved the so-called "popcorn" gunmen on the eve of the February 2 election.

His controversial billboards promoting separatism prompted the military to take a tough stance against him. The lese majeste charge against him has resulted in police launching a manhunt for him.

Wuthipong did not hide his anger in his latest interview, in which he said the caretaker government had "butchered the donkey after it finished its job on the mill''.

"The person who signed the order to have me arrested is Yingluck, because she wants to kow-tow to courtiers," he said.

"She has been duped into killing the person that loves and has faith in her."

Wuthipong said the police had also chosen sides because of the changing political situation.

He said National Police Chief General Adul Saengsingkaew and his deputy General Aek Angsananont had frequently dined at the homes of influential figures, and yellow-shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

"Thaksin is now having heartache that his sister is kow-towing to courtiers,'' he said.

The red shirt hard man sounds desperate, apparently because there is a slim chance Pheu Thai will rescue him.

Political observers agreed with this, saying that Ko Tee is not a key member of Pheu Thai or the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship. He also does not lead a large group of followers and is not close to Thaksin.

The offence he appears to have committed is too heavy a burden for the party to shoulder.

The controversy surrounding Wuthipong reflects the reality that the red shirts are far from united, because of group's different outlooks.

However, when the time comes for them to join forces to fight for the same goal, it is likely they will - but Wuthipong will obviously not be included.


-- The Nation 2014-04-15

[jaidam]

Did Thaksin cut his own son adrift for saying a similar thing? Is it a total coincidence that Ko Tee and Thaksin's offspring have alluded to the same outcome? Or is it a careful plan that wasn't ready to be unveiled at the present time, and hence furious backpedaling.

[NongKhaiKid]

The saying ' when thieves fall out ' comes to find and last week Jatuporn said Ko Tee was on his own but as suggested how much of this is a ploy ?

If there's any truth in this major split I'd say to Ko Tee to watch his back as the real danger could come from within.

[slapout]

There are plenty of canidates for ''cutting adrift'' in the PTP organization, doing so would depleat their ranks to a mini bus load. Ko Tee is considered a liability but he is just one of many. Many hold appointed positions in which they are tasked and sworn, to work for the welfare of the country and its people. But when the one making the decision to ''cut off'' is as bad or worse than the cannon fodder, gene pool improvement is not going to happen.

[issanaus]

The saying ' when thieves fall out ' comes to find and last week Jatuporn said Ko Tee was on his own but as suggested how much of this is a ploy ?

If there's any truth in this major split I'd say to Ko Tee to watch his back as the real danger could come from within.

If it a ploy then her will make an appearance in BKK when the CC hands down its decision

If its not a ploy and he wants to live then he had better find way to surrender to the head of the armed forces - I would bet that he will do every thing within his power to protect Ko Tee's life. Look at the thread where the General asked Ko Tee to surrender and read between the lines.

[noitom]

His black book must be very rich.

[ramrod711]

It is too risky to side with Wuthipong, who is known as Ko Tee, even though Pheu Thai wants to use hardcore red shirts to its advantage in certain situations. He also does not lead a large group of followers and is not close to Thaksin.

Thaksin and PTP were walking a tightrope enlisting guys like this. It should be clear to monk beaters that Thaksin has no loyalty to them, only money and power. I have no sympathy for Ko Tee, he deserves the worst, others should take note of his fate. Once you are of no use to the Shins, they cut you loose.

[rametindallas]

Ko Tee should have been disowned by PTP when he went public with his secession plans. Not cut off for the plans so much as speaking publicly about them. He was an embarrassment then and his latest interview made him intolerable as an ally. The real problem is that what Ko Tee speaks in public is what the UDD speaks in private. His sin was to speak in public things best not revealed. He is a 'loose cannon' and. for his continued good health, he better not know too much of the inner workings of the UDD or he could bring the whole organization down. It's strange he still displays his loyalty to the Shinawatra family saying Ms Yingluck was 'duped' into disowning him. He really is too stupid to see how much trouble he has caused the caretaker PM and the PTP and UDD. He had better keep quiet and lie low or he may be 'disappeared'.

[Tatsujin]

Did Thaksin cut his own son adrift for saying a similar thing? Is it a total coincidence that Ko Tee and Thaksin's offspring have alluded to the same outcome? Or is it a careful plan that wasn't ready to be unveiled at the present time, and hence furious backpedaling.

I've said before that Oak was starting to be more obviously "groomed" from afar, he'll play a much larger role when he grows up just a little bit more and follows the script better.

With Ko Tee, he's served his purpose which was to gauge public opinion on the idea of secession, so now he's cut adrift and left to his own devices (or more likely will be quietly disappeared, Thaksin's good at that).

[thesetat2013]

Knowing how the reds dont usually follow any logic or regard for law and authority it would surprise me if they didnt use Koh Tee to show they support law and order and respect the monarchy. But it would only be a ploy. The reds have long held the belief that Thaksin should be their king. This all may have been a plan by the reds to make people look the other way. The people and leaders of the reds with their talk of secession and protecting YL in the north if she loses her position here. Its more than likely that Koh Tee is still being protected by the reds and will be used by them when they need him

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[rabas]

I mentioned elsewhere that there was a massive gun battle just behind the Constitution Court about a week ago before the recent calls for Goh Tee to surrender and his "disappearance". It lasted about one hour, involved several types of guns from various locations and eventually Army troops. There was at least one fatality including a head security guard at the Court. I was later told by local security people that the story was under a news blackout and it was never reported.

I often trust Thai views in such matters and some have speculated it must have involved Goh Tee, so perhaps the recent push against Goh Tee was triggered by the shootout at the OK Court coral, and the video and LM charges are just a legal approach.

The question remains though whether he was really cut loose or his is being protected while preparing for another appearance at the Constitutional Court on judgment day.

The Chaengwatthana site and its massive defense perimeter around the Constitutional Court really makes one wonder if the original protest planners knew from the beginning that the final scenes of the battle would be played out at the Constitutional Court.

Edited April 15, 2014 by rabas

[chainarong]

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Ko Tee should have been disowned by PTP when he went public with his secession plans. Not cut off for the plans so much as speaking publicly about them. He was an embarrassment then and his latest interview made him intolerable as an ally. The real problem is that what Ko Tee speaks in public is what the UDD speaks in private. His sin was to speak in public things best not revealed. He is a 'loose cannon' and. for his continued good health, he better not know too much of the inner workings of the UDD or he could bring the whole organization down. It's strange he still displays his loyalty to the Shinawatra family saying Ms Yingluck was 'duped' into disowning him. He really is too stupid to see how much trouble he has caused the caretaker PM and the PTP and UDD. He had better keep quiet and lie low or he may be 'disappeared'.

Disappeared is the key word here

[issanaus]

I wonder if we are going to be give the spin line that "he is a fake red shirt"

[skorchio]

I wonder if we are going to be give the spin line that "he is a fake red shirt"

Not fake, original copy na

[blazes]

It is too risky to side with Wuthipong, who is known as Ko Tee, even though Pheu Thai wants to use hardcore red shirts to its advantage in certain situations. He also does not lead a large group of followers and is not close to Thaksin.

Thaksin and PTP were walking a tightrope enlisting guys like this. It should be clear to monk beaters that Thaksin has no loyalty to them, only money and power. I have no sympathy for Ko Tee, he deserves the worst, others should take note of his fate. Once you are of no use to the Shins, they cut you loose.

"the Shins, they cut you loose".....how does this nugget of historical intelligence differ from a million other situations in all walks of life, where, if you don't cut it, the bosses get rid of you??????

Your name could be Roberto Mancini or Jose Mourinho or Carlo Ancelotti or various mafia bankers or Maria Miller or the CEO's of failing enterprises or some of Hitler's henchmen or Stalin's Red Army officers....history is full of such occurrences.

And what about Henry 8, he of six wives, who did not scruple to cut the missis out when it suited him......one could go on and on and on.....

[SOTIRIOS]

...not good enough.....

...the reds put him in the limelight...gave him a microphone and media.....

....they blame anti-government supporters for singing, dancing or blowing whistles....

...prosecute them...or kill them...then lay bogus charges on the anti-government party leaders....

....this scum bag called for the murder of __________!!!

...all of those behind him at the time are guilty......and should be charged and prosecuted....

...this is sacrilege....and the Thai people should not stand for it.......!!!

Edited April 15, 2014 by SOTIRIOS

[tingtongteesood]

There have been rumours for years that what Ko Tee said was actually Thaksin's plan from the start. I wonder.....?

[than]

This report i a good analysis of the red shirt business, a lot of forumer has got the same analysis of this group since the past, different faction with different move, a group which include communism, nationalist,capitalist and others. a few of them are peaceful and other adept of violence. A group of people how normally they cannot get along with, the only link between them is not democracy but money and power. They found with Taksin the means to achieve their own goal.

In the beginning Taksin was enjoy to have these allies. But with years these allies become a problem for PT and Taksin himself... the first one was Seh Daeng, during 2010 riots he launched his followers to attack different place in Bangkok, to kill some civilian. But finally, he was eliminated, reds blamed authorities, but Seh Daeng became embarrassing for Taksin. now who profits crime ?

The second now is Kotee, is violent move doesn't affect PT, but his recent remark against the revered Highest Institution make them in trouble. PT had to distance themselves from Kotee because he become very dangerous for this political party and Taksin himself. the LM, accusation against Kotee can splotch PT, UDD and Taksin, and finally increase the disaffection of Thai people and mainly thier base voter from them.

PT and Taksin begin to understand that they play with fire to ally with UDD, now UDD must to clean themselves from all of undesirable members .

[siampolee]

The old style Mustache Pete's were removed by the up and coming mobsters because of their crudity and lack of intellect and that is what has happened to Ko-Tee.

Edited April 15, 2014 by siampolee

[Artisi]

The problems he brought on himself is just poetic justice. Lets hope the military catch up with him before the police as that could be terminal.

[AleG]

Awww.... it was all fine and dandy while he and his band of merry men were bombing and shooting anti-government protestors (and innocent bystanders) but now they made the UDD/PTP/Thaksin conglomerate look bad and that just won't do,

[Bangmod]

What a crap, he made the remarks a long time ago but the PT didn't bother, but now that a manhunt has started, the want to distance themselves.

Losers let by a looser

[Melyn]

Old Mongolian proverb

Never cut the donkey adrift when he can still bray

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[smileydude]

No problemo. Cut adrift with a huge severance payoff.

I'm sure he's living comfortably in Cambodia as Hun Sen's advisor.

Edited April 18, 2014 by smileydude

[pmugghc]

I wonder if we are going to be give the spin line that "he is a fake red shirt"

The silence on this topic from our TVF Thai Rouge members is deafening.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited April 18, 2014 by pmugghc

[bigbamboo]

So poor Ko Tee has been cut adrift.

I guess now he knows how the Rohingya felt.

[issanaus]

I wonder if we are going to be give the spin line that "he is a fake red shirt"

The silence on this topic from our TVF Thai Rouge members is deafening.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

That's because they can not use their favourite words - coup monger, fascist, elite ......

without those words they have noting to say - not that have anything but rhetoric anyway

[AleG]

Has anyone took notice that since Ko Tee has been put on the run and some of his Red Shirts were caught with war weapons after an attack on the NACC the regular grenade attacks around the city and shootings against anti-government protestors have stopped?

Coincidence? I think not.

[geriatrickid]

I had a good chuckle over this article. I have written similar descriptions as to the make up of the UDD and was insulted and attacked by the usual twits. Oh he thinks he's an expert they wrote, what does he know. And yet now, my long time description of the UDD being an umbrella group is repeated, and no one is calling the writer a fake, etc.

Hello, ding dong, reality is calling. Can you stop referring to the UDD and Redshirts as if they were some sort of unified homogeneous entity. The UDD is comprised of multiple groups all with different views on a broad spectrum of issues.

[northernjohn]

I mentioned elsewhere that there was a massive gun battle just behind the Constitution Court about a week ago before the recent calls for Goh Tee to surrender and his "disappearance". It lasted about one hour, involved several types of guns from various locations and eventually Army troops. There was at least one fatality including a head security guard at the Court. I was later told by local security people that the story was under a news blackout and it was never reported.

I often trust Thai views in such matters and some have speculated it must have involved Goh Tee, so perhaps the recent push against Goh Tee was triggered by the shootout at the OK Court coral, and the video and LM charges are just a legal approach.

The question remains though whether he was really cut loose or his is being protected while preparing for another appearance at the Constitutional Court on judgment day.

The Chaengwatthana site and its massive defense perimeter around the Constitutional Court really makes one wonder if the original protest planners knew from the beginning that the final scenes of the battle would be played out at the Constitutional Court.

There was at least one fatality including a head security guard at the Court.

Am I missing some thing here?

Now I could understand a security guard was killed with the chance of others being killed but that statement has me baffled along with the secretiveness of the whole situation.