Thinnapan, 81, says he is healthy enough to lead reform steering panel

[webfact]

Thinnapan, 81, says he is healthy enough to lead reform steering panel
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- CAPTAIN Thinnapan Nakata was yesterday selected chairman of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) with no challenge.

NRSA member Chai Chidchob, as the most senior member, was selected to chair the meeting to choose the NRSA chairman and deputies.

General Thitiwaj Kamlang-ek suggested that Thinnapan be among the chairman candidates.

Before the selection proceeded, NRSA member Withaya Kaewparadai urged the assembly to postpone the selection to allow the members to get to know each other first during a two-day seminar before deciding the most suitable leaders.

NRSA member Kasit Piromya agreed with Withaya, saying candidates should at least be given the chance to promote their vision. However, other members believed postponing the selection would be a waste of time. They felt they knew enough about each other from reading bio data on social media.

Chai said he had no authority to postpone the selection and since no other candidates had been put forward, Thinnapan was appointed chairman without the need to call a vote.

NRSA member Alongkorn Ponlaboot was selected first deputy chairman and Walairat Sriaran was selected second deputy chairwoman, neither member was challenged.

Thinnapan, 81, said reform could be achieved if everyone was united and worked in the same direction. He told the assembly that though he was elderly, he was fit and healthy as he swims and can stand for 12 hours when he is teaching. He said the members would get to know him better during the seminar.

Thinnapan graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy with a bachelor's degree. He received a master's degree from Thammasat University and master's and doctorate degrees from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

He taught at the National Institute Development Administration (NIDA) and was later appointed Dean of NIDA's Graduate School of Public Administration.

He joined the charter writing panels for the 1973, 1975 and 1991 charters. He was appointed chief adviser to the PM in 1980 and Senator from 1988 to 1991 during the Suchinda Kraprayoon government.

Alongkorn, 59, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Thammasat University and a master's degree in Public Administration from Chulalongkorn University.

He has worked in the media for several Thai newspapers, such as Siang Puang Chon, Ban Muang and Naewna as business editor and local news editor. He set up a company to produce news programmes for Channel 5 and was deputy director of Khao Sod newspaper.

He embarked on a political career in the early nineties and won an MP seat in 1992 and 1995, 2001, 2005 and 2007.

He was appointed deputy leader of the Democrat Party and deputy Commerce Minister during the Chuan government and Energy Minster during the Abhisit government.

Alongkorn left the Democrat Party after he called for reforms within the party and was ignored.

He was a key member of the People's Democratic Reform Committee and, after the May 22 coup, he was appointed a member of the National Reform Committee.

Walairat, 65, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Thammasat University and a post-graduate diploma from Cambridge University. She achieved a Master of Art (Public Policy and Administration) from the Institute of Social Studies in the Netherlands.

Walairat embarked on a career at the Budget Bureau and rose to the rank of director. She sat as director and chairman of the board of the Expressway Authority of Thailand.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Thinnapan-81-says-he-is-healthy-enough-to-lead-ref-30270825.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-14

[arthurboy]

I'm sure that Thinnapan's experience serving Suchinda's government during Black May in 1992 will come in very handy.

[deckape]

^^ the same tired old faces.

[cumgranosalum]

How hard can it be? So long as he has the strength to lift a rubber stamp he'll be fine.

[klauskunkel]

However, other members believed postponing the selection would be a waste of time. They felt they knew enough about each other from reading bio data on social media.

Facebook profiles are real!

Just ask any Thai lady who is in an online relationship with a foreigner!

[Srikcir]

CAPTAIN Thinnapan Nakata was yesterday selected chairman of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) with no challenge.

The oldest member will be selected as chairman. Unless Thinnapan exagerated his age, there wouldn't be a challenge. If another member was older than 81, Thinnapan would not have been selected. So much for equality of all Thais under the Interim Constitution.

[Jimbo2014]

Nothing like a little fresh blood pumped into the system Mr. General. Good choice! - this is really likely to lead to the necessary reforms

[Somtamnication]

Glad to see younger blood in politics!

[Just1Voice]

Another dinosaur relic that should have been put out to pasture a long, long time ago. And then LEFT THERE!

[jayboy]

The issue is not his age.The issue is his close association with Suchinda which should automatically disqualify him for the role intended.

[Praematura]

He used to be at the NIDA that produces those bogus poll results about how great the pm is? At 81 he probably doesn't know what he had for breakfast. In the pic the guy needs help on both sides to stand, yea he's healthy...

[jerojero]

Ya right! One bloody foot in the grave.... Give it up man, your just showing how stupid you are... Just retire and be happy! Idiot.

[sawadee1947]

healthy? On the photo they have to hold him just not let him struggle...

[speedtripler]

healthy? On the photo they have to hold him just not let him struggle...

They dug this guy out of the ground for a photo shoot... I'd be surprised if he could put his own shoes on never mind lead the country into a reform...

[englishoak]

Great an expert of defunct charters, should fit right in.

[sawadee1947]

healthy? On the photo they have to hold him just not let him struggle...

They dug this guy out of the ground for a photo shoot... I'd be surprised if he could put his own shoes on never mind lead the country into a reform...

Yeah, looks like the "Walking Dead"

[manhood]

Let younger persons do this "Job" who are not always reflecting on the past and who are really interested in bringing forward all the necessary things and who not glue to the old standards and who want to change things that are all needed to be changed!

[speedtripler]

healthy? On the photo they have to hold him just not let him struggle...

They dug this guy out of the ground for a photo shoot... I'd be surprised if he could put his own shoes on never mind lead the country into a reform...

Yeah, looks like the "Walking Dead"

If they let go of his hands he'd probably collapse backwards and hit the ground wondering what happened lol...

What other country would put an 81yo relic in charge of leading them into the future?...

Would be surprised if he still buys eggs by the dozen...

Edited October 15, 2015 by speedtripler