Thaksin Aide Tests The Water

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin aide tests the water

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has dispatched his personal secretary to Thailand to discover how many former Thai Rak Thai MPs are still loyal to him.

Padung Limcharoen is in Bangkok to find out how many former MPs are still willing to stick it out with the party.

There has also been some speculation that the Constitution Tribunal will likely not order the dissolution of the party, but will punish individuals involved in bribing small, little-known parties in April to help Thai Rak Thai circumvent electoral regulations.

A source said Thaksin appeared to be happy that Chaturon Chaisang had decided not to abandon the party and had assumed the leadership. Chaturon is believed to be close to Privy Council President Prem Tinnasulanonda.

It is also believed that Prem wants Thai Rak Thai to continue to exist, but without the abusive handouts the party made to win rural electoral support.

Meanwhile, security sources revealed that after a survey of Thai Rak Thai popularity in rural areas, they discovered the party still enjoyed support despite the coup.

One of its conclusions was that dissolving the party may lead to social upheaval, as many former MPs still with the party have extensive links with the rural populace.

However, a swift way of dealing with Thaksin was to remove him from future political involvement, it said.

Source: The Nation - 22 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thai Rak Thai puts stress on policy

More important than leader, says Chaturon

Thai Rak Thai's acting party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng sees an opportunity for the party in these difficult times, saying its survival hinges on making policy matter more than the party leader. Salvaging the party, reduced overnight to a political wreck by the Sept 19 coup, is not a mission impossible, said Mr Chaturon who assumed the leadership only after other fellow deputy leaders refused to replace the toppled party boss Thaksin Shinawatra.

Although Thai Rak Thai's future is far from rosy, the party takes comfort in the thought that it did not ''invite'' the military coup. By that logic, Thai Rak Thai can be trusted for standing by democracy.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Heng]

IMO there's a bit too much focus on the brand name. I guess that's what happens when you have business people and effective marketing.

Saying Thai Rak Thai is finished is like saying Chavalit is finished because the New Aspiration party will never make a comeback.

[astral]

An interesting title in this time of flooding.

[Jai Dee]

Ousted PM’s legal consultant says Thaksin might give up politics

The ousted Prime Minister’s legal consultant says the ex-premier tends to give up politics if the present political situation remains unchanged.

Noppadol Pattama (นายนพดล ปัทมะ), legal consultant to the former PM Thaksin Shinawatra reveals that he had a telephone conversation with the ex-Thai Rak Thai Party leader who did not express any concern about the party after Mr Chaturon Chaisang (จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) becomes the party’s caretaker leader, the selection made by the party members and key persons who were in the country.

When asked if Mr Thaksin is likely to be the party leader again, Mr Noppadol says if the political situation remained unchanged, Mr Thaksin would disappear from political scenes permanently.

Besides, the ex-premier could not say anything about his political future until the new constitution becomes effective and the general election date is set because right now no one knows what the new constitution will look like, especially in terms of people’s right to freedom of expression.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[teepruksa]

I wonder what it will take to keep Taksin quiet?

He's like a petulent child with the 'look at me, look at me' syndrome. Perhaps some kind soul will send him a year-long dummy.

[Tony Clifton]

I wonder what it will take to keep Taksin quiet?