limbo Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 BURNING ISSUE What is Chamlong really up to? The Nation 20/02/2006 He was Thaksin?s mentor. Now he wants PM to ?put the genie back in the bottle? Is Chamlong Srimuang a saviour or Satan? After all, he has displayed a Jekyll and Hyde personality since he brought down General Suchinda Kraprayoon?s regime in 1992. But what is he up to this time? Yesterday, he dropped a bombshell, demanding that his protege Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra step down. Thaksin has lost his political legitimacy and should resign rather than face the wrath of demonstrators in coming weeks, Chamlong said. Chamlong?s close aides said the former leader of the Phalang Dharma Party felt he had no choice but to come out blazing against Thaksin because ?he was the one who let the genie out of the bottle?. ?Now he must put him back,? they said. Top party leaders, including Chaiwat Sinsuwong and General Arun Promthep, had been extremely unhappy with Chamlong?s attitude and had been threatening to disassociate themselves from him since as early as last month. At that time, the anti-Thaksin movement had surged, moving from the tranquillity of Lumpini Park to the Royal Plaza. Chamlong tried to pre-empt critics in his party by issuing a letter to Thaksin urging him to pay taxes of about Bt26 billion from the Bt73-billion tax-free sale of Shin Corp. His move, however, was scoffed at as an attempt to find a way out for Thaksin. Even worse, Chamlong?s protege ignored it. When the anti-Thaksin groups began to form a coalition on February 4, Chamlong told close aides he was ready to join it in order to put pressure on Thaksin. However, the leaders of the coalition ? comprising 28 civic groups ? were somewhat wary of him. Then, Chamlong?s ultimatum yesterday set a benchmark and served as a confidence-building measure for the coalition?s partners. As a Cabinet secretary-general under the Prem government from 1980-87 and with his close ties to the top military brass, Chamlong said he was speaking out on their behalf as they were troubled by the recent attacks on Prem?s integrity by the now-disgraced Samak Sundraravej. Samak, a former Bangkok governor turned television personality, had criticised Prem on a talk show. Chamlong is expected to hold a press conference this week to announce how he will be associated with the anti-Thaksin movement. ?He will not be the leader as in the 1992 uprising,? said a source close to him. ?He must be willing to be part of the broader coalition.? Chamlong is a staunch ideologue. He is one of the leaders of Santi Asoke, a Buddhist sect with a few hundred thousand followers across the country. His pledges to bring some of them ? possibly tens of thousands ? to the streets may prove to be the death knell for Thaksin. Recently, Chamlong led the crusade to prevent the company that brews Beer Chang from listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. It was a high-risk political game that he was willing to play due to his personal convictions and political aims. Pundits see Chamlong?s latest move as an effort at self-redemption. He guided Thaksin into the political arena. Public expectations have been mounting over the past few months for him to take a clear stand on the fate of the political force he helped bring to life ? a politician who leaves his critics with little room to wiggle. Your comments are welcome. Contact the Political Desk at poldesk@nationgroup.com. Kavi Chongkittavorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limbo Posted February 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Thai Rak Thai?s PDP alumni ?disappointed? The Nation 20/02/2006 Former Palang Dharma Party (PDP) members who now belong to the Thai Rak Thai Party say they oppose their previous leader Chamlong Srimuang?s call for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra?s resignation. They also oppose Chamlong?s decision to lead his supporters to this Sunday?s anti-Thaksin rally at Sanam Luang. Thai Rak Thai party-list MP Arisman Pongruangrong said he was disappointed with Chamlong?s decision. It would have been better for Chamlong to sign the petition launched by university students to impeach the premier as the street protests to oust him could hurt the tourism industry and deter foreign investment, Arisman said. If Thaksin resigns who will replace him, Arisman asked. He also said cited the 60th anniversary of HM the King?s accession to the throne as a reason to end political infighting. ?This year is an auspicious year, we should stop fighting and be grown ups. Please think of the Father?s [His Majesty the King?s] mind. If we do not fight each other this year, we can fight next year or another, can?t we?? Arisman added. He alleged that Chamlong was associating with people who were upset because they had failed to receive benefits from the government. Chamlong?s presence would please these groups, but he would not be able to prevent violence or clashes at Sanam Luang, Arisman said. Thai Rak Thai Bangkok MP and deputy government spokesperson Sansanee Nakpong said former Palang Dharma MPs that have joined the ruling party would neither join nor obstruct Chamlong?s campaign. However, people should consider the situation carefully to prevent any damage to the country, she said. Kesinee Jaikawang The Nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 << Former Palang Dharma Party (PDP) members who now belong to the Thai Rak Thai Party say they oppose their previous leader Chamlong Srimuang's call for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's resignation >> What a surprise! :: << He alleged that Chamlong was associating with people who were upset because they had failed to receive benefits from the government. >> But Arisman DID benefit, so he supports Thaksin? Or is that different. p.s. Chamlong is a retired major general. He is also a "born again" Buddhist who dresses simply, sleeps on a mat on the floor and eats just one vegetarian meal a day. When he was Bangkok's governor, he refused to accept his salary -- saying he had his Army pension and didn't need any more money. I remember the shock at his election, with businessmen saying "How can we bribed someone who won't even accept his own salary?" I'd say Chamlong is getting involved out of regret that he got Mr T into politics in the first place. Also, for all of his "holiness", Chamlong does seem to enjoy being in the spotlight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Chamlong looks like a Chamaelon since many years to me. His flag is going with the wind. But this is normallly in LOS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jitagawn Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 I feel Chamlong is a person with a rather high sense of integrity.I have met him through Thai friends and spent a fair amount of time chatting with him informally (as well as eating at his restaurants.) He is simply trying to do the right thing. Can you imagine that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 jitagawn said:He is simply trying to do the right thing. Can you imagine that? Yes, same as a said, all Thai veteran politicans doin' this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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