Thailand's first female PM skewered by courts and family ties

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Thailand's first female PM skewered by courts and family ties
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, May 7, 2014 (AFP) - Ultimately undone by Thailand's courts, Yingluck Shinawatra laboured under claims she was a stooge for her exiled brother. Yet the kingdom's first female prime minister also displayed unexpected resilience during a turbulent stay in office.

Propelled to power in July 2011 by her family's electoral base in the poor north and northeast, Yingluck was pilloried by foes as a political lightweight armed with little more than a winning smile and a hotline to her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra -- who once referred to her as his "clone".

Thaksin, a divisive billionaire tycoon-turned premier, lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail in Thailand for corruption convictions, and is widely believed to be the guiding force behind his sister.

He was ousted by an army coup in 2006, which opened a seemingly unbridgeable chasm between his supporters and enemies.

Yingluck's premiership was scuttled on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court which ruled that she abused her power in transferring a top security official shortly after she came to power.

For her first two years in office, the outlook seemed very different.

The photogenic former businesswoman charmed many of her critics and -- keeping a public distance from her brother -- maintained the peace across Thailand's bitter political divide.

The 46-year-old reached out to the military -- who after ousting Thaksin then helped unseat two subsequent pro-Shinawatra governments, and then led a deadly 2010 crackdown on her family's "Red Shirt" supporters.

She also appeased political opponents within the Bangkok-based establishment, which loathes Thaksin and wants to curb the Shinawatras' 13-year influence on Thai politics.

But the uneasy truce collapsed in November last year after a failed bid to pass an amnesty bill which would have enabled Thaksin's return.

The move outraged government opponents who flooded the streets for months of rallies, which were pock-marked by violence that left at least 25 people dead and hundreds wounded.

Although Yingluck did not campaign publicly for the amnesty, the fiasco exposed her government as "a Shinawatra family affair", according to Paul Chambers of the Institute of South East Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University.

- Mild-mannered but doomed -

Protesters demanded Yingluck resign, occupying government buildings and forcing her to conduct cabinet meetings at secret locations. But the premier dug in.

She gambled on new elections to bolster her battered administration, although those February polls were later annulled by the courts, trapping her in a caretaker role.

Yingluck became the focus of caustic -- and often explicitly sexist -- tirades by protest leaders.

The mother-of-one refused to joust with her detractors and held off on a violent crackdown of the sort that quelled her brother's supporters in 2010.

But the pressure told and on more than one occasion she was reduced to tears in public -- once after her young son was harassed by anti-government supporters.

" History will give Yingluck great credit for her conduct since November," said Michael Montesano at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

"She has scrupulously avoided the use of state violence... maintained the dignity of her office and displayed humanity rather than arrogance while under great pressure."

Her premiership also saw an extension of the populist "Thaksinomics" of her brother favouring the rural poor, including a generous rice subsidy scheme.

The bungled rice subsidy became a lightning rod for anger among protesters and also saw her fall under the glare of anti-graft officials, who are still mulling whether to indict her for negligence -- which could lead to a five-year ban from politics.

Yingluck, who graduated in political science before earning a master's degree in business administration in the United States, spent much of her career working in her brother's business empire.

Rising from trainee status, she eventually became president of the mobile telephone unit of Shin Corp., the telecoms giant founded by Thaksin that was at the centre of a tax scandal over the sale of the family's shares in the group in 2006.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-07

[star kicker]

hopefully she will state that she respects, even if she disagrees with, the decision of the court and appeals to her supporters for calm. hopefully.

[marko kok prong]

Regardless of Politics she is a very attractive woman.

[jaidam]

I would not want to be Dr.Thaksin today. His blower will be ringing off the hook. Your bluddy amnesty and recompensation bill. Your 4am timing strategy. Your blooming invisible water pumps. You made me hire there morons. You made me do this bla bla bla. Do they even sell valium over in Dubai?

Just think, if it wasn't for his overwhelming greed and arrogance, he would still be the de facto PM. He'll be sorry, but only when it hits his wallet.

[Prbkk]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

[Scamper]

" ... maintained the dignity of her office and displayed humanity rather than arrogance while under great pressure. "

Unfortunately, that wasn't entirely the case. The arrogance surfaced when she became known for calling into question the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, by not cooperating with them, stalling the process, and simply not showing up. And those are the things that unfortunately leave a lasting impression. But to be sure, she had horrible advice - from her " cabinet " from her " lawyers " and from Thaksin. She was a prime minister surrounded by male minders, and from the moment she entered office never quite convinced that she was the captain of her own ship.

[Basil B]

"Thailand's first female PM skewered by courts and family ties"

Ties, was that a Freudian slip?

Why is it when ever I hear of Yingluck I think of Sandie Shaw?

[Jingthing]

Regardless of Politics she is a very attractive woman.

Irrelevant.

[Local Drunk]

Regardless of Politics she is a very attractive woman.

Irrelevant.

I agree Jing... I don't see two trillions worth in that figure anywhere.

[HooHaa]

"Thailand's first female PM skewered by courts and family ties"

Ties, was that a Freudian slip?

Why is it when ever I hear of Yingluck I think of Sandie Shaw?

No, Skewered was though.

[kratiam]

Regardless of Politics she is a very attractive woman.

Irrelevant.

Irrelevant.

[djjamie]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

The best PM in Thai history that didn't actually fulfill one election promise successfully and nearly brought the country into civil war by trying to absolve her brother of corruption charges.

You certainly have low expectations for a PM.

[rubl]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

That's your opinion. Mine is that she has done great damage to the position of and respect for the Prime Minister. She's been more of a touring-around royal than a 'first amongst equals' in the House. Her status of ''big brother's clone" and all of big brothers interviews made her worthless as PM. Seldom in parliament, constantly voicing meaningless statements, etc. So-called leading her government for the good of the country while trying to help Thaksin.

Difficult for anyone to be worse, although k. Somchai wasn't much better.

[moonao]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

agree, she was a great PM and really suprised me, i didnt expect she could step up but she did.

her standout and defining moment, apart from her excellent election campaign, was how she handled the protesters. patiently she waited them out, eventually they lost supporters every week and finally there was hardly any left.

compare that to Abhisit and Suthep who gave the order for live ammunition .... and killed almost a hundred.

also the way she dealt with some pretty ugly, fanatical, hate filled opposition groups in the public.... when she responded it was with grace, dignity, unlike the ugliness from her opponents. and im sure some of that will be on display again in the responses to this post.

anyhow, well done Yingluck....

Edited May 7, 2014 by moonao

[mrtoad]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

This must be painful for you.........

Thank you three times

[Showbags]

Skewered..

Nice thought.

[Scott]

Off-topic, inflammatory posts and replies have been deleted along with posts with messed up quotes.

Please address the OP and not other posters.

If you are going to make claims, then you should be prepared to back such claims up with a link to a credible source.

[GeckosDiving]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

agree, she was a great PM and really suprised me, i didnt expect she could step up but she did.

her standout and defining moment, apart from her excellent election campaign, was how she handled the protesters. patiently she waited them out, eventually they lost supporters every week and finally there was hardly any left.

compare that to Abhisit and Suthep who gave the order for live ammunition .... and killed almost a hundred.

also the way she dealt with some pretty ugly, fanatical, hate filled opposition groups in the public.... when she responded it was with grace, dignity, unlike the ugliness from her opponents. and im sure some of that will be on display again in the responses to this post.

anyhow, well done Yingluck...

---------------------------

Yup best thing to happen to Thailand she got her sorry ass of an excuse kicked out of being a PM my brick wall has more brains than her. Lol

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[TVGerry]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

She did her job well, I'll give her that.

Every order that came from Dubai, she carried it out as best she could. As puppets go, Yingluck is one of the best I've seen.

[chotthee]

Suthep final battle has bear fruit.

Now he and the monk can all home as a winner.

I am sure the Eton boy Mark will be the next Prime Minister.

[marko kok prong]

Regardless of Politics she is a very attractive woman.

Irrelevant.

Irrelevant.

Can i join in too-Irrelevant,but i bet you would not turn her down on a dark and stormy night?

Edited May 7, 2014 by marko kok prong

[ginjag]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

With your view --being completely biased, and ridiculous statement, You think she is better than Prem and others. You have now in my mind a pheasant flown away. This post is asking for problems--and it will make it, it is so stupid that is why I make this remark.

[rubl]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

agree, she was a great PM and really suprised me, i didnt expect she could step up but she did.

her standout and defining moment, apart from her excellent election campaign, was how she handled the protesters. patiently she waited them out, eventually they lost supporters every week and finally there was hardly any left.

compare that to Abhisit and Suthep who gave the order for live ammunition .... and killed almost a hundred.

also the way she dealt with some pretty ugly, fanatical, hate filled opposition groups in the public.... when she responded it was with grace, dignity, unlike the ugliness from her opponents. and im sure some of that will be on display again in the responses to this post.

anyhow, well done Yingluck....

Brilliant. Please give me some time, please go home, please let's talk, please, please, three times pretty please with sugar.

Dignity while being whistled at is a wee bit more easy than when an ugly red-shirt mob starts to demolish the car you're in.

Well, if that's your idea of a great PM, you may have her. Would look good in your country of origin?

[h90]

Suthep final battle has bear fruit.

Now he and the monk can all home as a winner.

I am sure the Eton boy Mark will be the next Prime Minister.

That would be a very bad idea.

Thailand would need a neutral PM who is willing to act. Abhisit wasn't so good when he had the chance and he isn't neutral.

[Jingthing]

I never really thought there was a there there ... in the brains department.

Know what I mean?

[LuckyLew]

Regardless of Politics she is a very attractive woman.

Irrelevant.

I will take her .... you can have her brother

[ginjag]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

agree, she was a great PM and really suprised me, i didnt expect she could step up but she did.

her standout and defining moment, apart from her excellent election campaign, was how she handled the protesters. patiently she waited them out, eventually they lost supporters every week and finally there was hardly any left.

compare that to Abhisit and Suthep who gave the order for live ammunition .... and killed almost a hundred.

also the way she dealt with some pretty ugly, fanatical, hate filled opposition groups in the public.... when she responded it was with grace, dignity, unlike the ugliness from her opponents. and im sure some of that will be on display again in the responses to this post.

anyhow, well done Yingluck...

---------------------------

Yup best thing to happen to Thailand she got her sorry ass of an excuse kicked out of being a PM my brick wall has more brains than her. Lol

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Responded on Facebook, from OTOP shop photo sessions, agree with you an ambassador of sorts-for TAT. that is her limit.

[Jingthing]

I will take her .... you can have her brother

Does he clean windows?

[Pralaad]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

Absolutely !!! She was so good that she hardly stepped foot in parliament or was present at any decision making meeting.

It takes a real politician to be able to run country in total absence and total ignorance of what is happening

[daveAustin]

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

She has been a far better PM than anyone from the opposing side...ever.

agree, she was a great PM and really suprised me, i didnt expect she could step up but she did.

her standout and defining moment, apart from her excellent election campaign, was how she handled the protesters. patiently she waited them out, eventually they lost supporters every week and finally there was hardly any left.

compare that to Abhisit and Suthep who gave the order for live ammunition .... and killed almost a hundred.

also the way she dealt with some pretty ugly, fanatical, hate filled opposition groups in the public.... when she responded it was with grace, dignity, unlike the ugliness from her opponents. and im sure some of that will be on display again in the responses to this post.

anyhow, well done Yingluck....

Brainwashed, the pair of you, just brainwashed.

You didn't expect she could step up? She didn't! She, through brother, have strangled this country and turned it into the complete shambles it is now in. She didn't 'handle' anything; more a case of inaction, lies and leaving things to fester through incompetence. And please check your thinking: who incited violence and then killed the soldiers?

That she was skewered is the first step in a long process, but that family and party must be eradicated absolutely from politics in this country for it to have a chance of thriving. If not, it will languish, though I think it is already destined for failure due to a selfish swathe of the populace having already been brainwashed and not wanting things to improve for anyone but themselves.