Thaksin Calls Urgent Meeting Of Thai Rak Thai Members

[george]

Thaksin calls urgent meeting of Thai Rak Thai members

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Tuesday called an urgent meeting of Thai Rak Thai Party core members following reports that seven Cabinet members held meeting on Sunday to discuss political situation.

Thaksin called leading members to a secret meeting at 2:30 pm.

Those attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Interior Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana, Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Defence Minister Thamarak Isarankura, PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, Somchai Sunthornwut, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat, Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana, Tourism and Sports Minister Pracha Maleenont, and PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva.

Reports had it that seven Cabinet members held a discussion on political situation at an Italian restaurant on Sunday.

--TNA 2006-07-18

[jdinasia]

Hmmmmm

7 Cabinet level folks met without inviting Thaksin? Interesting times indeed!

[John K]

The theme from “The Godfather” suddenly popped into my head.

Perhaps Thaksin plans to make them an offer they cant refuse.

[Pattayaman]

Maybe the rats are starting to jump the sinking ship

[Chang_paarp]

Thaksin calls urgent meeting of Thai Rak Thai members

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Tuesday called an urgent meeting of Thai Rak Thai Party core members following reports that seven Cabinet members held meeting on Sunday to discuss political situation.

Thaksin called leading members to a secret meeting at 2:30 pm.

Those attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Interior Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana, Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Defence Minister Thamarak Isarankura, PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, Somchai Sunthornwut, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat, Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana, Tourism and Sports Minister Pracha Maleenont, and PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva.

Reports had it that seven Cabinet members held a discussion on political situation at an Italian restaurant on Sunday.

--TNA 2006-07-18

Someone can't keep a secret.

Maybe they were hoping the waiters would not understand them , or recognise them .

[John K]

Unofficial Transcript from the meeting minutes Thaksin called;

Thaksin: It looks like there may be some job openings soon. Who want’s to be a Minister put your hand up.

Edited July 18, 2006 by john Krukowski

[lannarebirth]

Unofficial Transcript from the meeting minutes Thaksin called;

Thaksin: It looks like there may be some job openings soon. Who want’s to be a Minister? Bidding starts at 100 million.

[salween]

This sounds more realistic than his claims of assassination plots, but then again, he could just be stirring the pot even more.

[John K]

Key ministers have exit plan

Embattled caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra addresses a gathering of thousands of local administrators at Wat Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani yesterday.

'Prominent people' have told Somkid, others, to ditch Thaksin, but they say they have to wait for right time: sources

Key Cabinet members of the caretaker government are waiting for the right time to jump ship or revamp the Thai Rak Thai Party, if leader Thaksin Shinawatra loses his grip.

Political sources said some prominent people have asked Somkid Jatusripitak, deputy prime minister and commerce minister, Surakiart Sathirathai, deputy prime minister, and Suranand Vejjajiva, PM's Office minister, to desert the Thaksin administration.

However, given the gravity of the political situation, these key ministers have to bide their time until a suitable opportunity comes along before they can make a move, because Thaksin has vowed to fight for his political life until the bitter end, the sources said.

Rumours about the departures of Somkid, Surakiart, Suranand and Education Minister Chaturon Chai-sang have been circulating in local newspapers ever since Bowornsak Uwanno and Wissanu Krea-ngam bailed out last month.

Recently, Suranand admitted that he was feeling very uncomfortable with the political situation and that he would like to keep his options open if matters continued to deteriorate.

Matichon newspaper reported yesterday that on Sunday, Somkid, Surakiart, Suranand, Chaturon, Labour Minister Somsak Thepsu-thin, Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat and Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana met at Paesano Restaurant on Soi Tonson in downtown Bangkok to discuss politics over dinner.

Details of the get-together were not revealed, but the key Thai Rak Thai members appeared to agree that the political wind was not blowing in favour of the caretaker government.

This was particularly true after Thaksin challenged "a person with reserved power" he said was trying to overthrow his government. Most people believe the person Thaksin referred to is General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council.

Thaksin's comment about the person with reserved power added fuel to the already fiery political atmosphere.

A leak of Thaksin's letters to US President George Bush and leaders of the Association of Southeast

Asian Nations further eroded the

government's credibility. In the letters, Thaksin told world leaders about his political predicament and discredited those opposing his comeback.

A new election has been postponed indefinitely, while any proposal to reshuffle civil servants will not win royal endorsement.

Political sources said key members of the ruling party have been thinking hard about their political futures, as the party is not open to a successor to Thaksin.

But if Thaksin is no longer marketable, it is only a question of time before they isolate him, move on with their political careers or take over the party.

Suranand played down the Sunday dinner with other Thai Rak Thai members, saying it was meant to be a birthday party for Somkid, who was born on July 15.

Asked whether those attending the dinner were planning to resign, Suranand said, "No, we only wanted to have a meal together ... Naturally we had to discuss the political situation as five or six Cabinet members met together. We also had to lend support to Somkid ...We were not going into a huddle to do anything."

Thaksin has reportedly been fuming after he heard that Somkid, with support from other key party members, might try to succeed him.

Political sources said Somkid and other Thai Rak Thai executives have been complaining that they no longer have access to their leader, who is now more comfortable mingling with his inner circle of Prommin Lertsuridej, Newin Chidchob and Yongyuth Tiyapairat.

During yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Thaksin tried to hold a steady course, telling his colleagues that there were news reports that several Cabinet members were about to step down but only one of them so far had confirmed that he would not quit.

He told his Cabinet that the situation now is marred by unrealistic perceptions, with people guided by personal preferences rather than facts

"I do not cling to the premiership," he said. "But if I were to resign, democracy might collapse in my hand. If [people] want to reform the Constitution, they have to do it properly, through the Parliamentary system," he added.

Then Thaksin called an impromptu meeting of the Thai Rak Thai Party at its New Phetburi headquarters.

Somkid, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Kongsak Wantana, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Thammarak Isarangura, Newin Chidchob, Somchai Sunthornwat, Pongthep Thepkanjana, Phinij, Preecha, Pracha Maleenont and Suranand attended the meeting.

Somkid told the meeting that the ministers who attended the dinner on Sunday simply discussed the political situation.

He has no ambition to become prime minister or succeed Thaksin, he said.

Pinij and Somsak also said Sunday's dinner had no political implications.

[John K]

Unofficial Transcript from the meeting minutes Thaksin called;

Thaksin: It looks like there may be some job openings soon. Who want’s to be a Minister put your hand up.

Satire becomes reality.

Thaksin: You there with the broom, how would you like to be a Minister. (Sounds of a scream, broom falling to the ground and departing running footsteps)

[Sandstone Art]

Unofficial Transcript from the meeting minutes Thaksin called;

Thaksin: It looks like there may be some job openings soon. Who want’s to be a Minister? Bidding starts at 100 million.

That's a very Good one.

[Plus]

There was an opinion/analisys in yesterday's Nation, with quotes. Basically they say that the ministers are planning a coup against Thaksin. Leaving TRT now won't do any good as Thaksin would simply replace them and continue his "evil" ways. By staying they can keep him in check, counterbalance his inner circle (Promin et al), and strike at an opportune moment.

It makes enough sense and I wish it was true, but there's no way of knowing.

[hammered]

There was an opinion/analisys in yesterday's Nation, with quotes. Basically they say that the ministers are planning a coup against Thaksin. Leaving TRT now won't do any good as Thaksin would simply replace them and continue his "evil" ways. By staying they can keep him in check, counterbalance his inner circle (Promin et al), and strike at an opportune moment.

It makes enough sense and I wish it was true, but there's no way of knowing.

Mr. Thaksin does seem to speak about those who dont toe the party line a condescending or even humiliating way. Rememeber the "oh look you are still here" remark tothe government spokesperson. It would be ironic if it were his own nature that brought him down. We will see.