Two-headed birds inside Puea Thai
- Published: 23/02/2009 at 12:56 PM
- Online news: Breakingnews
Puea Thai de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra has admitted there are still several "two-headed birds" in the party. But his reluctance to get rid of these elements is seen as a testimony of his declining power in the party.
by Veera Prateepchaikul
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra appears to be still very embittered with his once right-hand man, Newin Chidchob, who led the defection of the Friends of Newin faction from the Puea Thai party to join the Democrat-led government.
At a meeting held over the weekend in Hong Kong with some Puea Thai MPs, Mr Thaksin reportedly told his loyalists that Mr Newin has a big ambition and wants to be the prime minister himself. He also admitted that the defector had left behind within the Puea Thai party several traitors whom he called “two headed birds”. But he would not get rid of these traitors for fear that it might break up the party but he believed that once he was able to solve the “big problem” “these two headed birds” would switch side and return to the party.
Mr Thaksin’s admission of his reluctance to get rid of Mr Newin’s remnants in the Puea Thai party, numbering about 12, for fear that it will hurt the party already hard-hit by factionalism and leaderless sounds sensible. But, at the same time, the admission clearly shows his declining influence in the party in the face of the open defiance by the Friends of Newin faction. How can Mr Thaksin be assured that these rebel MPs would not turn against him and stab him in the back before he is able to solve the “big problem”? These rebels will pose a thorn in the flesh for the Puea Thai party. Imagine a scenario in the parliament following the censure debate against the government when these rebel MPs vote for the government. It will definitely render a big blow to the opposition Puea Thai party and especially to Mr Thaksin’s ego. That may sound outlandish, but it is not impossible.
The Puea Thai party will have a field day grilling Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and some of his cabinet ministers in the upcoming censure debate due in the middle of next month. Heading the onslaught against the government is maverick MP Chalerm Yubamrung whose nomination to assume the task was endorsed by Mr Thaksin.
But the chance that the opposition will be able to topple the government is very remote despite their claim of a “knock-out” punch. It remains to be seen whether the scandal involving the 250 million baht donation money claimed to be given to the Democrats by Prachai Leophairatana, former owner of TPI Polene Corp., will deliver the “knock-out” punch.
Meanwhile, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is expected to intensify its street politics to put pressure on the government and to gain media attention. The planned protest tomorrow which is likely to last a couple of days was timed to coincide with the Asean Summit with the hope that the protest will attract the attention of foreign media. Although UDD leaders assured that the group would not stage a protest in Hua Hin and Cha-am where the summit is to be held, some splinter red-shirt group may hold their protest there. This will be just another show of force by the red shirts for publicity sake. Like the censure debate, the UDD leaders are well aware that the street politics stands little chance of overthrowing the government.
About the author
- Writer: BangkokPost.com
