Thai junta chief tipped to become PM

[webfact]

Thai junta chief tipped to become PM

BANGKOK, August 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's coup leader is expected to be picked as prime minister by the kingdom's new army-dominated national assembly, junta sources said Wednesday, cementing the military's hold on power in the politically turbulent nation.

Army Chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha is likely to be the sole candidate for the premiership when the 197-strong appointed assembly convenes on Thursday to select a new leader for the Southeast Asian country, the sources told AFP.

"It was difficult to find people to become prime minister other than General Prayut. If it's not him, who else should it be?" one junta official said on condition of anonymity.

"He staged a coup. He has to be responsible for solving all the problems by himself. By becoming prime minister, he will have full power," the person added.

Another member of the junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said Prayut was set to be chosen because he is "suitable for the job".

"According to polls, he enjoys public popularity and people also admire the NCPO's work," said the source, who also asked not to be named.

Prayut seized power from an elected government in a bloodless coup on May 22, shortly after Yingluck Shinawatra was dismissed as prime minister in a controversial court ruling.

Thailand has been riven by political divisions since Yingluck's elder brother, the former billionaire telecoms tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled as prime minister in a coup in 2006.

Thailand's army rulers say they want to introduce political reforms before holding a general election late next year.

They say their power grab was necessary to end a months-long political crisis and related street violence that left nearly 30 people dead and paralysed the former civilian government.

Critics see the move as an attempt to purge Thailand of Thaksin's political influence, which has already been undermined by a purge of his allies in government, state industries and the police.

The junta has vowed to remain in place in parallel to the future government, which will be nominated by the new prime minister.

Prayut, who is due to retire as army chief in September, is seen as a staunch opponent of Thaksin and a fervent royalist known for bluntly stating his opinions.

He gave a hint of his apparent political ambitions when he swapped his uniform for a suit and tie to appear in parliament on Monday to oversee the approval of the national budget, which was waved through with no opposition.

Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 to avoid prison for a corruption conviction that he insists was politically motivated.

Yingluck, who was indicted for dereliction of duty a day after she was removed from office, could also face criminal charges linked to a loss-making rice subsidy scheme.

Thaksin, who clashed with the royalist establishment before his overthrow, lives in Dubai but remains a hugely divisive figure in his homeland.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-08-20

[EricBerg]

As in the article: Prayuth very recently had his picture takenin parliament in a civilian suit. That will have been an indirect announcement of becoming PM. I can't see anyone else taking the position now.

"Thaksin"... "lives in Dubai but remains a hugely divisive figure in his homeland." Nice moderate way of putting it...

Edited August 20, 2014 by EricBerg

[Cuchulainn]

Hopefully the best PM this country will ever have!!

Fingers crossed.

This is Thailand's last hope for a transparent, fair and clean government. If the army fails, we're back to the clowns and the circus is back in town with its trick cyclists, shenanigans and skullduggery..

[Basil B]

Presume there will be only one name on the ballot paper.

[ginjag]

Presume there will be only one name on the ballot paper.

And is anyone saying no ?? there is no way out of this only this way. What alternative do we have??, what parties are there out there that would woo the voters, PTP never again-----Dems and the others we do not know. this is why elections are a no go at this time.

Thaiand now has to give Prayuth a chance, but all you splinter members----how about Jutaporn...Chalerm....All this sort of tribe are out to grass.

[webfact]

Prayuth will not show up for NLA meeting Thursday

BANGKOK: -- Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will not show up during the National Legislative Assembly meeting Thursday when he is likely to be elected as the interim prime minister.

A source said Prayuth will join the anniversary celebration of the 21st Infantry Regiment in Lop Buri and return to carry out his works at the Army headquarters.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-will-not-show-up-for-NLA-meeting-Thursday-30241352.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-20

[slipperylobster]

The man does get things done.

Ok, running for office with no competition kind of makes me wince, nonetheless.

[Thailand]

The man does get things done.

Ok, running for office with no competition kind of makes me wince, nonetheless.

Yes, the vote will certainly be unanimous.

Spoiled ballot papers/no votes not withstanding.

[JAG]

This has come out of the blue has it not? A complete surprise. I am flabbergasted!

[worgeordie]

Just hope he can get everything done to clean the Country

pass laws that put an end to corruption,nepotism,and greed

that has prevailed in the past,MPs would never do it ,would

be like sh%tting in their own nest,really tough laws need to

be put in place,before they are let loose on the country again.

regards Worgeordie

[96tehtarp]

I think congratulations are in order.

[tbthailand]

Hopefully the best PM this country will ever have!!

Fingers crossed.

This is Thailand's last hope for a transparent, fair and clean government. If the army fails, we're back to the clowns and the circus is back in town with its trick cyclists, shenanigans and skullduggery..

you have an excellent point there.

I had completely forgotten that military dictatorships are famous for transparency and good governance.

[DiamondKing]

Sounds more like North Korea by the day

[janpharma]

...Wishing the General All the Best!...

[mikemac]

PTP/redshirt/Shin regime supporters should be the last ones to complain about this situation.

It was, after all, the crooked, corrupt, craven, criminal mob of scammers who they so faithfully follow who got Thailand into this mess.

Hopefully this entire debacle will be the benchmark when we talk about low points in Thai political history in years to come, compliments of the Shinawatras.

[tartempion]

What a surprise....

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Amin, Mugabe, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, Prayut.

The world hall of fame is never ending.

Edited August 20, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[See the bears]

PTP/redshirt/Shin regime supporters should be the last ones to complain about this situation.

It was, after all, the crooked, corrupt, craven, criminal mob of scammers who they so faithfully follow who got Thailand into this mess.

Or perhaps it was the PRDC being explicitly supported with a supply of weapons & foot soldiers.

[HKBKK]

Amin, Mugabe, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, Prayut.

The world hall of fame is never ending.

Don't forget General Aladeen

[Basil B]

Sounds more like North Korea by the day

Not forgetting the assembly of Iraqs, Ba'ath party leaders on 22 July 1979 and the fate of 80 odd high ranking delegates who were in the way...

[Eric Loh]

PTP/redshirt/Shin regime supporters should be the last ones to complain about this situation.

It was, after all, the crooked, corrupt, craven, criminal mob of scammers who they so faithfully follow who got Thailand into this mess.

Hopefully this entire debacle will be the benchmark when we talk about low points in Thai political history in years to come, compliments of the Shinawatras.

Funny the low point started on the first day the government took office in 2011 when plans were on Line culminating to the appointment tomorrow.

[Thanet]

Presume there will be only one name on the ballot paper.

And is anyone saying no ?? there is no way out of this only this way. What alternative do we have??, what parties are there out there that would woo the voters, PTP never again-----Dems and the others we do not know. this is why elections are a no go at this time.

Thaiand now has to give Prayuth a chance, but all you splinter members----how about Jutaporn...Chalerm....All this sort of tribe are out to grass.

All Basil was are doing was commenting on a new item.

All you are doing is shouting over him by telling them that "this is the way it is".

Some people like to intelligently question things in the news. You are not one of these people, so why try to stop others having a discussion with these shouting posts?

[Halion]

One thing is for sure in the murky waters of Thai politics is that you can not be sure about anything.

[Thanet]

Amin, Mugabe, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, Prayut.

The world hall of fame is never ending.

Don't forget General Aladeen

Wasn't he the one with the long beard who styled himself on Gaddafi and ended up running off with a feminist tree-hugger on a trip to the USA?

[HooHaa]

The man does get things done.

Ok, running for office with no competition kind of makes me wince, nonetheless.

No competition and a stacked legislature.

Like a boss.

He ain't giving up power easily. Just you watch.

[Thanet]

Amin, Mugabe, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, Prayut.

The world hall of fame is never ending.

Right - and most of those started out as as self styled 'saviours'. They used a stand against corruption and repression as an excuse to snatch power.

Sarit needs to be added to the list. Prayuth's role model.

[HooHaa]

The man does get things done.

Ok, running for office with no competition kind of makes me wince, nonetheless.

No competition and a stacked legislature.

Like a boss.

He ain't giving up power easily. Just you watch.

[ginjag]

PTP/redshirt/Shin regime supporters should be the last ones to complain about this situation.

It was, after all, the crooked, corrupt, craven, criminal mob of scammers who they so faithfully follow who got Thailand into this mess.

Hopefully this entire debacle will be the benchmark when we talk about low points in Thai political history in years to come, compliments of the Shinawatras.

They all know this mate, It's got to be this Agenda--ha .....or who in their right mind would condone that lot, and with no other choice condemn this guy who has the country at heart. These apologists will scoff at this but who cares about a splinter group who are out on TVF to try to disrupt and refute anything.

The rest of us vary a bit but we do not come on TVF everyday to bait and decry near every move, most of us are prepared to move on and give it a go.

[JAG]

Ginjag, you are on TVF continuously baiting, decrying and generally bellowing incoherently at anyone who does not follow your line. I'm seriously starting to wander whether, if you did not have the internet, you would spend your evenings in the garden howling at the moon! Give it a rest for goodness sake.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JAG

[ikke]

Presume there will be only one name on the ballot paper.

And is anyone saying no ?? there is no way out of this only this way. What alternative do we have??, what parties are there out there that would woo the voters, PTP never again-----Dems and the others we do not know. this is why elections are a no go at this time.

Thaiand now has to give Prayuth a chance, but all you splinter members----how about Jutaporn...Chalerm....All this sort of tribe are out to grass.

All Basil was are doing was commenting on a new item.

All you are doing is shouting over him by telling them that "this is the way it is".

Some people like to intelligently question things in the news. You are not one of these people, so why try to stop others having a discussion with these shouting posts?

Try to stop others from having intelligent discussions are quite normal if you are not in the same level ! I don't even read his comments anymore.