EDITORIAL
Prayut has everything to lose in a 'secret meeting'
The Nation November 8, 2014 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- Why do most generals have to deny a deal with Thaksin?

It's a myth. Within months of a coup, rumours will start circulating about a secret deal between the military generals and Thaksin Shinawatra. The latest senior military figure to be subjected to intense political gossip is Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, whose recent trip to China triggered all kinds of speculation.

Although Prawit went to China for private discussions with bureaucrats there, the trip was still semi-official - he was reportedly invited by the Beijing government. And, since both Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra were in China about the same time, it didn't seem to matter how "official" Prawit's trip was. He was immediately suspected of meeting the pair to negotiate a political deal, though the rumour-mongers have been unclear about the details.

Prawit joined a growing list of Armed Forces generals who've been deemed Thaksin's unwavering allies or foes-turned-secret-friends. Former Army chief Anupong Paochinda was never able to shake off deep suspicion about his possible connections with the exiled former premier. To a lesser degree, Gen Saphrang Kalayanamitr was subjected to similar doubt despite his tough attitude after the 2006 coup. That coup's leader, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is the first name on everybody's lips when it comes to a political U-turns. He decided to play parliamentary politics, sought to appease Thaksin's political party and became a staunch advocate of the divisive blanket political amnesty.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the leader of this year's coup, was quick to deny that Prawit had gone to meet Thaksin and Yingluck in China, saying legal charges could not be settled that way. But even Prayut is powerless to stop rumours about a pro-Thaksin secret arrangement. In fact, Prayut himself was subjected to similar suspicion only a few weeks after his coup in May.

A lot of today's developments may have to do with the interim Parliament's decision to start impeachment procedures against Yingluck. A guilty verdict from the legislature wouldn't land her in jail but it could see her banned from politics for five years. Yet the big question is what kind of bargaining is possible, since kick-starting the impeachment procedures doesn't give the interim Parliament many options. A "not guilty" verdict would render Prayut's coup all but nonsensical.

Then there is the issue of credibility. Evidence such as hidden-camera photos or secretly recorded conversations proving Prawit did met Thaksin would destroy domestic support for Prayut's coup. Whether or not half of Thailand backs Prayut, such evidence of even an attempt on Prayut's part to strike a deal would undermine his political stability and reform agenda.

In short, political logic doesn't call for Prayut taking such a risk. Political rivals routinely meet to hammer out deals, but having one of the most senior officials of his interim government sneak off to meet Thaksin - and then denying such a meeting took place - would be a gravely hazardous strategy.

These days, when a secretly taped conversation can go global in seconds, a Prawit-Thaksin meeting would be suicidal for the current premier and imperil the former.

The last thing Prayut needs is for his coup to be perceived - if not confirmed - as part of a power play. Prawit is the most senior of the three Burapha Phayuk (Eastern Tiger) "brothers" of the military hierarchy. A secret deal between him and Thaksin would devastate the Armed Forces.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Prayut-has-everything-to-lose-in-a-secret-meeting-30247241.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-08

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It was either that or a complete lack of urgency from the Nok staff

Quite possibly, but their scheduled turnaround time is 30 mins. Maybe they arrived early?

I got into Bangkok 40 minutes later than scheduled. The first time Ive used them for a long time so may have been a one off

In other words, your departure was delayed. Happens all the time to all airlines for a whole host of reasons.

I think the timing of those trips to China was interesting. Then we had Prayuths request to the media to not report on Thaksin. I;d say they need money for these infrastructure projects and China don't give shit about democracy , freedom of speech However they may not be very keen giving Billions to a government that has stated its own rule will be over next year. The Chinese may see Thaksin and his supporters as the future.

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Interesting that there has to be a denial of something that the Nation says could not happen?

They should stop to congregate with a known criminal.

They should stop to congregate with a known criminal.

Isn't it just a gathering of the clans, birds of a feather etc. ?

Why not be more transparent and meet Thaksin and hammer out a deal with both sides not losing to much face.

It's a fact that the Thais are still very supportive of the shins and that support is here to stay so maybe a compromise could be reached and tone down the tension .

Thaksin would be a fool to meet with the current government, they are doing opposition work for him, he only needs to sit back and watch....

It would seem hardly likely that any meeting was held , in this day n age you can do very little without someone either blabbing of their mouth or the YOUTube , FaceBook social media gossip coming to a smartphone near you , trips from parliamentary officials are booked well in-advance and knowledge of Thaksin's movements either bowl or travel would not be a highlight on the lips of General Prayuth, or the Administration , to put it bluntly Prayuth has more on he's plate than secret meetings and gossip.

Methinks they doth protest this a little too loudly.

It's clear - and not uncommon knowledge in media circles, including one would imagine, the editorial writer in a paper that is known to be in bed with reactionary forces - that conversations with Thaksin have both taken place and are ongoing. Neither heavily manipulated and politicised faux convictions (the reason for the endless but idiotic criminal fugitive rants) nor the Orwellian removal of his name from history books will change the fact he still has massive support in Thailand, especially in the north and in parts of BKK.

Revoke that Thai passport he got under the previous administration.

That would certainly signal that the general has no ongoing deal with the Shins.

Now I understand General/PM this is bringing happiness to the people. Secret meetings, ongoing martial law, interrogation broken promises even with the menial of tasks (lottery tickets), threats intimidation and lies and excluding the people from any input or say on national interests. Best of luck when the people have finally had enough of you sir.

it is outrageous to suggest there would be any deceit, I mean he never said he would not have a coup right?

The drama in Thailand is so exciting.

good luck

yingluck

As Yingluck with her son left Thailand already twice and came back, it is obvious that deal was made a long time ago.

Why not be more transparent and meet Thaksin and hammer out a deal with both sides not losing to much face.

It's a fact that the Thais are still very supportive of the shins and that support is here to stay so maybe a compromise could be reached and tone down the tension .

LOL

you know, this is a fight between elites and for them everything is already as transparent as it needs to be.

to be honest, I doubt very much that anyone in the fight is thinking about saving face or doing what is best for Thailand - as you say 'to tone down the tension'.

And Thaksin is going to stay out of the country for a while, too. No way that they let him back. Remember, it's a fight, it's not about face. And for sure it's not about doing the right thing for Thailand. (Historically, fights like this never have been for Thailand, despite the rhetoric)

who cares who he meets, he has 500.000.000 baht in assets, that we know of

They should stop to congregate with a known criminal.

Isn't it just a gathering of the clans, birds of a feather etc. ?

Yes, just like something from a Mario Puzo novel. Cue 'The Godfather' theme tune..

Why not be more transparent and meet Thaksin and hammer out a deal with both sides not losing to much face.

It's a fact that the Thais are still very supportive of the shins and that support is here to stay so maybe a compromise could be reached and tone down the tension .

Oh dear god no. Rock meet hard place = no hope.

As Yingluck with her son left Thailand already twice and came back, it is obvious that deal was made a long time ago.

Oh I dunno. In a country where criminals are routinely 'invited' to the police station and murderers automatically given bail - 'You will come back now nah?', I suspect allowing the reason for the coup and her progeny have been happily waved off with a 'Have a good trip and see you when you come back when you said you would nah!' was simply yet another example of the Thai Way.

This report is just What if this and what if that. What IF?? There is NO SUBSTANCE only more rumor mongering.

Will it really affect us expats or foreigners living here? NO! Life will go on as it always has here up and down dependent upon the moment

Why not be more transparent and meet Thaksin and hammer out a deal with both sides not losing to much face.

It's a fact that the Thais are still very supportive of the shins and that support is here to stay so maybe a compromise could be reached and tone down the tension .

How about because he is a convicted criminal fugitive with 15 more serious outstanding charges in the courts awaiting should he be brave enough (doubtful) to return. He has a 2 year sentence already, plus time for absconding.

What sort deal would you suggest? A blanket amnesty whitewash perhaps? They tried that, and it was a fact that Thais, for once wouldn't tolerate such deceitful behavior from their corrupt politicians,

Shin support is based on being able to grease palms and false promises. Many have wised up,

good luck

yingluck

Good luck bereaved families of farmers driven to suicide by Shin lies and families of those murdered by unpunished hired thugs.

The Nation seems to be getting quite bold in its criticism of the PM and the Junta of late

Revoke that Thai passport he got under the previous administration.

That would certainly signal that the general has no ongoing deal with the Shins.

Revoke the passport, issue warrants, apply for extradition, seize assets, arrest family members for assisting a known criminal fugitive.

Won't happen. Not allowed in the game rules of the Hiso Elite only version of Thai monopoly. There is no go to jail square on the board. Just remove snout from the trough.

good luck

yingluck

Good luck bereaved families of farmers driven to suicide by Shin lies and families of those murdered by unpunished hired thugs.

Rubbish reply, farmers always been suicidal who ever tuns the country

Nobody in Holywood would take it: Elliot Ness having a secret meeting with Al Capone, but TiT, reality surpassing imagination... But with the modern technologies, any, every thing can be arranged at a safe, discrete distance, without parties meeting in-the-flesh. So, having a high ranked executive, a General go to Chine to meet Thaksin, would have been too much like a Canossa trip, like the Junta kneeling in front of the devil himself. That deals, several, have already been made with the grand' master puppeteer seems quite clear, obvious to me, starting from even well before May 22nd, and, I'm afraid, recently multiplying... The proof of the green pudding will be... is it eddible: are there going to be impeachments, for the duo of comedians, for lil' princess Donnow, and for all their MPs and Senators, what legal actions will be taken about the cataclismic rice scam, jail for whom, how many Billions seized, and so on? Actions, facts, no more blah-blah and minutes-of-gloryglitter, the real stuff, as it suits men in green, a sabre is made to chop and cut on the battlefield, not to be paraded around in its scabbard, what reason would there be otherwise to have the military do civilians' jobs?

Why not be more transparent and meet Thaksin and hammer out a deal with both sides not losing to much face.

It's a fact that the Thais are still very supportive of the shins and that support is here to stay so maybe a compromise could be reached and tone down the tension .

LOL

you know, this is a fight between elites and for them everything is already as transparent as it needs to be.

to be honest, I doubt very much that anyone in the fight is thinking about saving face or doing what is best for Thailand - as you say 'to tone down the tension'.

And Thaksin is going to stay out of the country for a while, too. No way that they let him back. Remember, it's a fight, it's not about face. And for sure it's not about doing the right thing for Thailand. (Historically, fights like this never have been for Thailand, despite the rhetoric)

well, I agree with you. It's indeed a fight between high educated elites. And it's all about POWER. Thailand is only the battlefield

good luck

yingluck

Good luck bereaved families of farmers driven to suicide by Shin lies and families of those murdered by unpunished hired thugs.

Rubbish reply, farmers always been suicidal who ever tuns the country

Well, you outdid him. Maybe you missed the reason for many recent suicides was the fact that farmers had taken loans to grow as much rice as possible to take advantage of the inflated rice-scheme price. Then when it ran out of money, they had no way to pay back the loan sharks. Typical red-shirt denial ...