Thaksin's Loose Lips Made Problems Worse, Mps Say

Thaksin's loose lips made problems worse, MPs say

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may not believe it but MPs in his Thai Rak Thai Party think his popularity has dramatically ebbed because of his mouth.

Thaksin's clout was the topic of discussion among his advisers yesterday at a party meeting led by House Speaker Uthai Pimchaichon.

MPs said many of the problems the country faces have been made worse by comments by the PM. For instance, he branded terrorism in the South the work of "bandits" when violence first flared. His poor choice of words has challenged terrorists and resulted in more death and destruction in the South.

When lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit disappeared, Thaksin was quick to say it was a family affair. And during protests by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand workers, Thaksin said he would rather die than give in to demonstrators.

The advisory panel consists of 30 academics and politicians who were appointed in February.

They plan to tell Thaksin to be extra careful with what he says and to listen to related agencies first before saying anything.

Besides party MPs, Thaksin's wife Pojaman is also convinced her husband and the party need action to recover from the current "slump''.

--The Nation 2004-03-30