Still head of the class

Still head of the class

Not every Democrat is happy with Abhisit, but a successor is hard to find - Forensics continues in a backseat role, much to the chagrin of Khunying Porntip - Gen Prayut is not timorous with the press, but is learning to control himself

The usually highly charged political atmosphere has been very subdued since the coup in May, and the hiatus may have given some political parties the chance to look inward and ponder internal changes.

While barely a whimper has been heard from the major political characters under the reign of the National Council for Peace and Order − with commentary about sensitive subjects that might reignite the colour-coded conflict being contained − some commentators nevertheless are still ready to give their opinions on the policies of the junta and its government.

Abhisit: Still has a clean sheet

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva occasionally speaks about current issues to the media while other political figures have largely disappeared from public view.

His opinions on political issues of the day have been noted and made reference to in newspapers and broadcast outlets at a time when comments and debate about the government's policies are otherwise hard to come by.

Experts say unlike most parties, the Democrats are more visible on the media stage these days thanks to Mr Abhisit's regular guest appearances on talk programmes on Fah Wan Mai (A New Day's Sky) satellite television channel.

However, his role in lifting the party's fortunes since the days of his premiership several years ago has been described by some of his critics as rather mediocre at best. They say that what he has said or done in the days since the coup has done little to convince people that he can lead the Democrats, the country's oldest political party, back to power anytime soon.

Mr Abhisit has also not scored terribly well in some of the choices he made in selecting people for key positions in the party. A case in point is his support for the reclusive Chalermchai Sri-on as the party secretary-general after the party's defeat in the 2011 general election. Mr Chalermchai has since been replaced by Juti Krairiksh.

The National Council for Peace and Order's coup comes as yet another test for Mr Abhisit as to whether he can find the balance between keeping up the Democrats' political profile and not crossing the line with excessive politicking that might raise NCPO eyebrows.

As the challenges are being thrown at Mr Abhisit, there has been talk of a succession plan in the Democrat Party.

Some analysts are already speculating on the direction of the party post-Abhisit.

But they have jumped the gun as it will not be easy to find someone to fill Mr Abhisit's shoes, according to a party source.

One of the names being bandied about is former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij. However, any mention of him being a possible successor to Mr Abhisit may not exactly thrill many in the party.

He may be seen as far from being a hands-on type with party affairs, and he may pale when compared to Mr Abhisit in terms of political astuteness.

The source said the scenario of Mr Korn taking over the party leadership has not gone down well in several quarters in the party. Members who disagree with Mr Korn as a future party boss are mostly in the faction loyal to Suthep Thaugsuban, now known by his clergy name of Phra Suthep Papakaro.

They think that even though Mr Abhisit may be perceived to have fallen short of taking the party to a meteoric rise, he has a clean sheet and commands respect from fellow party members. 

Feeling left out

There is a reason why Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) under the Justice Ministry, has defied Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya − although not openly − on her Facebook page.

Porntip: Facebook frustration

She was reinstated as the CIFS chief by the National Council for Peace and Order after she was shunted to the inactive post of inspector-general at the Justice Ministry by the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

The Yingluck government appointed Anek Yomchinda, who has close ties with former Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre secretary-general Pol Col Thawee Sodsong, as Khunying Porntip's replacement.

Upon her reinstatement, Khunying Porntip hoped to revive the CIFS's fortunes and the respect it enjoyed under the Abhisit Vejjajiva government when it played a key role in helping the military in the three southernmost provinces to collect DNA samples of suspected insurgents. The CIFS's work has resulted in the creation of a database on suspected insurgents in the area.

But the CIFS's work is not the only mission of the Justice Ministry. It is also tasked with administering justice in the southern communities.

The Justice Administration Centre's Forward Command has been established, with deputy permanent secretary for justice Charnchao Chaiyanukit in charge, while the the Special Case Operation Centre Region 9 under the Department of Special Investigation is also responsible for handling major security cases relating to the southern violence.

Although the Justice Ministry has three agencies working in the South, it seems they operate independently of each other and fail to integrate their work properly, which often leads to "discord" simmering between agency heads at the ministry, a ministry source said. The row between Khunying Porntip and Mr Charnchai is a case in point.

The CIFS is required to submit forensic data and its action plans to security agencies in the South through Mr Charnchao, who is in charge of overseeing the work of the ministry's agencies assigned to the region.

But the CIFS's action plans have failed to reach security agencies, particularly soldiers, while the plans relating to the administration of justice have been given the priority, the source said.

This is probably because Mr Charnchao's career job has dealt mainly with legal affairs and community justice, but he may lack a proper understanding of the significance of the database on crime suppression. His unfamiliarity in this field could explain why the CIFS's work has not been given attention it deserves, the source said.

When Gen Paiboon was made justice minister, Khunying Porntip hoped the minister would focus more on the CIFS and its forensic work. She expects that the CIFS will have a role to play in the South again.

But Gen Paiboon is more interested in tackling corruption and drugs than forensic operations.

Moreover, Khunying Porntip has found that Gen Paiboon is accessible to other agency heads, including Mr Charnchao, but not to her.

Feeling that the CIFS has been given short shrift, Khunying Porntip has taken to her Facebook to vent her frustration, revealing an internal row inside the Justice Ministry.

A lot to do and say

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's outpourings of words are legendary in reporters' circles and beyond.

Prayut: Legendary outpourings

His press interviews take no less than half an hour on average. The lengthiest that has been recorded so far is 65 minutes.

"I need to talk a lot because there is a lot to say, to explain to the media and to the people. I'm exhausted too. I don't want to say much but it's necessary. Look at the previous governments. They didn't say enough, and what we saw was the people bickering," said Gen Prayut, defending his barrages.

The public also had a taste for the prime minister's verbosity. His weekly national address, Returning Happiness to the People, on Friday nights usually lasts about an hour, but is now being reduced to about 30 minutes after the audiences for prime-time lakorn series began to complain.

Gen Prayut, who is known for his quick temper, is reportedly cutting back on his media interviews after a number of incidents in which he has been less than calm.

His secretary-general, Gen Wilat Arunsri, who is his buddy from Class 12 at the Armed Forces  Academies Preparatory School, has stepped in to take charge of the prime minister's daily press briefings at Government House.

It's Gen Wilat who is behind the disappearance of the podium during press interviews, except on Tuesdays when the prime minister usually discusses affairs of state after a cabinet meeting.

The idea is that without a podium, reporters have to hold their tape recorders or microphones instead of placing them on the podium. The more uncomfortable they are, the shorter the press session.

According to a source at Government House, the less time Gen Prayut spends talking to the press, the better the chance he will avoid verbal clashes with reporters.

The prime minister has more than once failed to keep his composure when bombarded with questions he does not like. These days Gen Wilat will give him a signal to let him know it is time to wrap things up.

According to some observers, Gen Prayut seems to be in control of himself. He throws in some jokes to lighten up the atmosphere. If he loses his cool, he will find his way back quicker than before.

But it is hard for the prime minister to keep calm when asked about his brother's wealth.

In his assets declaration submitted to the National Anti Corruption Commission − as required from members of the National Legislative Assembly − assistant army chief Preecha Chan-o-cha and his wife revealed bank accounts containing 42 million baht and land worth an estimated 9.1 million baht. The wealth has raised numerous eyebrows.

"Feel free to investigate if you have doubts. If he has something to hide, he wouldn't have declared his assets. If he is in the wrong, he is. But if he isn't, you'd better watch out," Gen Prayut said.

"I can't stand those who report just one side of the story. I don't mind if they cover the other side," he stressed.

That he failed to clarify what he meant by "watch out" has stirred criticism. Some say he might have crossed the line. But in typical curt fashion, he simply said, leave the matter alone and do not spoil my good mood.

In contrast to his reserved and stoic image at Government House, Gen Prayut looks cheerful and totally approachable when out among the crowds. At public events, he does not mind signing autographs, shaking hands with people or saying cheese when they want to take pictures with him.

This has made his staff and personal security nervous.

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