PAD falling into disarray:
Elections or more time for the NLA to finish their job?
By Jon Fernquest[Introduction|Article]
[Reading Questions|Answers]
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Prime Minister Surayud and NLA leader Prasong dove into a no holds barred, catch as catch can, war of words yesterday.
It's so easy to get distracted by all the verbal fisticuffs.
One forgets to probe a bit and find out what is really happening behind the scenes.
What exactly is going on in Thai politics anyway?
Why is everyone arguing with each other?
Yesterday's Bangkok Post commentary by Veera Prateepchaikul, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, provided the answers and background to these important questions.
no holds barred - without rules, anything goes
catch as catch can - a form of wrestling with fewer rules (See Wikipedia on catch-as-catch-can-wrestling)
distracted - something causing you to lose your focus and concentration
fisticuffs - fighting by hitting each other with fists
Reading Questions
Here are some questions to guide your reading (See answers at end):1. Why would Thaksin probably laugh about the current political situation in Thailand? (Express your opinion)
2. How does what PAD members are now doing to themselves, resemble what they did to Thaksin a year ago?
3. What did PAD do during the pre-coup period last year?
4. Is PAD still a viable force in Thai politics?
5. What might happen if disunity leads to the end of PAD?
(Use inference)
6. Who are the hardliners within PAD?
7. How are PAD hardliners unhappy with current government policies?
8. What was the event that finally caused a complete break between PAD hardliners and the government?
9. How do the stances on Thaksin of the two generals Saprang and Anupong differ?
10. Why did PAD hardliners prefer Saprang to head the army?
11. What strategy are PAD hardliners taking to delay the elections?
12. Why do PAD hardliners wish to delay the elections?
What are they going to accomplish with this extra time?
(Express your opinion)
13. Why did General Anupong reshuffle the military?
14. What was the result of this reshuffle?
15. What major political party underwent a split in leadership recently?
Bangkok Post Article October 08, 2007
COMMENTARYPAD falling into disarray
Veera PrateepchaikulFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may be having a great time these days, laughing his head off as he ponders the unfolding political drama - or circus, to be more exact - going on a continent away from his retreat in London.
He might even feel vindicated that the same people who more than a year ago harangued him in public rallies, demanding his ouster, are now at each other's throats or stabbing each other in the back.
"Sanook chib hai!" (What great fun!) he might be exclaiming to his young and beautiful friends.
But to me, the latest political developments are pathetic and hopeless.
laughing his head off - heavy laughter
ponders - thinks about, reflects on
retreat - a quiet place to relax and renew your energy
feel vindicated - feel that events have proven them to be correct
harangue - make a emotional speech to force people to change their opinion
public rallies - public protests to gather support for a cause
at each other's throat - intense fighting between people
stab in the back - hurt someone who trusted you
exclaiming - speaking very loudly and emotionally
pathetic - weak and helpless (creating feelings of sorrow and pity for them)
The Disintegratin of PAD
The loose anti-Thaksin alliance under the auspices of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which spearheaded the civil disobedience movement against the Thaksin regime, now looks like a spent force which is steadily disintegrating.
The rift among the key players, many of them sworn enemies of Thaksin, is so wide that it is doubtful PAD will be able to muster the same clout it once had and, thus, prevent the return to power of the old power clique of Mr Thaksin.
It is an open secret that the hardliners within PAD, among them media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul and Prasong Soonsiri, are extremely unhappy with what they see as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's use of "neutral gear" in his government's treatment of the ousted prime minister and his cronies. No action has been taken against state agencies, among them the Finance and Interior ministries, the central bank and the Financial Institutions Development Fund for their alleged foot-dragging in cooperating with the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) in its probe into the various alleged irregularities committed by Thaksin, his family and cronies.
After one year of hard work, the ASC has managed to wrap up only two cases so they can proceed toward the judicial process.
spearheaded - lead
a civil disobedience movement - as a protest refusing to follow the government or laws considered unjust
a spent force - no longer have any power or influence
a rift - disagreement and division
sworn enemies - extreme enemies (an oath to be enemies forever)
muster - gather
clout - force
an open secret - not really a secret
hardliners - a group that strictly follows a fixed set of ideas without compromise
a tycoon - a very rich person
neutral gear - when a car is in this gear the wheels don't move (and it can't go forward)
cronies - friends who benefit from your political power
foot-dragging - delaying, making things go slow
probe - investigation
irregularities -
wrap up - finish
Strategy of Grilling on Ethical Issues
But the last straw, which shattered the relationship between PAD hardliners on one side and Gen Surayud and Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the former army chief and CNS chairman, on the other, appears to be the appointment of Anupong Paochinda as new army chief and the transfer of Saprang Kalayanamitr to the post of deputy permanent secretary for defence, widely considered a demotion. The hardliners wanted Gen Saprang, a fierce Thaksin opponent, given the top post in the hope that he would finish off the old power clique.
Thus comes the move by some members of the National Legislative Assembly closely linked to PAD to grill the government, especially the prime minister, on ethical issues. The goal is to put pressure on the government to postpone the Dec 23 election - and if the prime minister chooses to resign during the debate in parliament, then so be it. In that case, a new government would have to be formed and the election would be automatically postponed.
the last straw, the straw that broke the camel's back - the final event that causes something to break (think of piling so much straw on a camel's back that it breaks the camel's back)
a demotion - appointed to a new position with lower rank and status (opposite of a "promotion")
finish off - put an end to, eliminate
a clique - a small group of friends (unfriendly to outsiders)
grill - ask a lot of difficult questions, interrogate
Divisions, Divisions Everywhere
Meanwhile, in the army, the relationship between Gen Saprang and Gen Anupong has not been the same, although the two are not expected to say so.
A deep sense of mistrust prompted Gen Anupong to order a major reshuffle of middle-ranking officers immediately after his promotion, which saw several commanding officers loyal to Gen Saprang shifted to less crucial positions.
In the political arena, two sworn enemies of Thaksin, Sanoh Thienthong and Prachai Leophairatana, who earlier joined together to contest the poll under the Pracharaj party banner, have parted company due to, according to Prachai, policy differences.
But the truth about the breakup more than meets the eye. Prachai was not content with being the party's advisory chairman and wanted to replace Sanoh as party leader. Sanoh's response was predictable. He would not budge despite the resignation of several other party members following in Prachai's footsteps. As a result, the Pracharaj party, which offered itself as an alternative, is crumbling.
Putting together these political pieces forms a picture of a disintegrating PAD, which is sad. But who else is to blame if not PAD itself?
In this case, Thaksin seems to be having the last laugh.
mistrust - do not trust, distrust
reshuffle - changing jobs and responsibilities of government officials or army officers (often to put loyal people in key positions)
the political arena - in politics (where politicians are competing for votes)
sworn enemies - extreme enemies forever (as if they have sworn an oath to be their enemy)
having the last laugh - meaning that someone laughed at him to begin with, but in the end he will laugh at them
Veera Prateepchaikul is Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Co Ltd.
Answer Key:
1. Why would Thaksin probably laugh about the current political situation in Thailand? (Express your opinion)
2. How does what PAD members are now doing to themselves, resemble what they did to Thaksin a year ago?
They argued very emotionally against Thaksin a year ago and are now arguing very emotionally against themselves.
3. What did PAD do during the pre-coup period last year?
They led the civil disobedience movement against the Thaksin regime.
4. Is PAD still a viable force in Thai politics?
No, as the members argue and feud with each other, the organisation splits into pieces and disintegrates.
5. What might happen if disunity leads to the end of PAD?
(Use inference)
There may be no force to prevent the return to power of the old power clique of (Dr.) Thaksin.
6. Who are the hardliners within PAD?
a. Sondhi Limthongkul (media tycoon)
b. Prasong Soonsiri (NLA leader)
c. Others (not mentioned)
7. How are PAD hardliners unhappy with current government policies?
They wish that Prime Minister Surayud'a government was taking quicker and more vigorous action against Thaksin and his associates.
("It is an open secret that the hardliners within PAD, among them media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul and Prasong Soonsiri, are extremely unhappy with what they see as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's use of "neutral gear" in his government's treatment of the ousted prime minister and his cronies. No action has been taken against state agencies, among them the Finance and Interior ministries, the central bank and the Financial Institutions Development Fund for their alleged foot-dragging in cooperating with the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) in its probe into the various alleged irregularities committed by Thaksin, his family and cronies.")
8. What was the event that finally caused a complete break between PAD hardliners and the government?
The appointment of General Anupong as new army chief and the demotion of General Saprang to a less desirable post.
9. How do the stances on Thaksin of the two generals Saprang and Anupong differ?
a. Saprang is a fierce Thaksin opponent.
b. Anupong is not.
10. Why did PAD hardliners prefer Saprang to head the army?
They wanted Saprang to finish off Thaksin's old power clique.
11. What strategy are PAD hardliners taking to delay the elections?
They plan to grill the government and Prime Minister Surayud.
12. Why do PAD hardliners wish to delay the elections?
What are they going to accomplish with this extra time?
(Express your opinion)
13. Why did General Anupong reshuffle the military?
General Anupong did not trust some soldiers and believed them to be loyal to General Saprang.
14. What was the result of this reshuffle?
Several high ranking officers loyal to General Saprang were shifted to less crucial positions.
15. What major political party underwent a split in leadership recently?
The leadership of the Pracharaj party split. Prachai Leophairatana who was provided financial backing wanted to replace veteran politician and power broker Sanoh Thienthong as party leader.
Unable to realise his goal, Prachai left the party beinging along with him several other party members. This has destroyed much of the party.
