Red shirts split at seams

COMMENTARY

Published: 8/11/2011 at 02:16 AM
Newspaper section: News

Are the red shirts out there still alive and kicking after having successfully pushed Yingluck Shinawatra to become the country's prime minister? What's happened in Phayao and Phrae over the weekend is quite revealing.

The two were among several provinces where local elections were held on Sunday. In Phayao, Worawit Buranasiri won the battle for the Provincial Administration Organisation, leading his competitor and incumbent PAO chief, Pairat Tanbanjong, by 50,000 votes.

In Phrae, Anuwat Wongwan retained his position, comfortably winning the election by 37,000 votes over his closest rival, Woranujnan Pongsurang.

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About the author

: Writer: Saritdet Marukatat; Position: Opinion-Editorial Pages Editor

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johninbkk
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Discussion 22 : 11/11/2011 at 02:38 PM22
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spiceman D16 - The PAD received less than 3% of their 'no vote' during the 2011 election. The PAD channel ASTV was shut down for not paying their own bills. The PAD leader has been found guilty of defamation on several counts, and hence several years of suspended prison time. The PAD border war with Cambodia ended within weeks of PTP being elected. To me, that represents a political death-knell for the PAD.
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wvavin
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Discussion 21 : 09/11/2011 at 01:21 AM21
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Yes. What anoldman has said is true. Yingluck should watch her back because Jatuporn could probably plan for an internal uprising against her.
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hangover
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Discussion 20 : 08/11/2011 at 09:44 PM20
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Glad that Bangkok Post has quickly reported on the split of the red shirt movement. Please continue to do so because we Bangkok elites like to read this kind of stories. Please continue to downplay or even hide any split in the anti-red movement so we can sleep better every night.
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koolbreez
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Discussion 19 : 08/11/2011 at 08:20 PM19
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Take the big money away, and the people vote for who really supports their interests.

It is still a mystery why none of the big redshirt supporters received a cabinet position as promised? Could it be someone didn't really trust any of them?
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fungus
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Discussion 18 : 08/11/2011 at 04:08 PM18
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Ideally the need and support for yellows, reds, PAD and UDD will fade away and the voters will focus on the qualifications and performance of the candidates. All of the divisiness that has rocked the country resulted from the 2006 coup. We can only hope the military and their "invisible hand" masters have learned their lessons. The real losers in their play for power has been the Thai people themselves.

While Thailand was rocked with protests and instability investors fled to other countries and the Thai economy has faltered since the coup. With a strong post flood recovery plan the PM has a unique opportunity to heal many wounds and set the country on course for a bright future.
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howell
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Discussion 17 : 08/11/2011 at 03:53 PM17
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'The red shirts in Phrae have now lost faith in Mr Jatuporn and Pheu Thai.' Good start.

'...the red shirt group in Phayao decided to end all activities and affiliations with the UDD in Bangkok, apparently in protest against the "elite" red shirt members.' Hooray ! At last people are waking up that PTP MP's are as elite as any in the Dems.
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spiceman
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Discussion 16 : 08/11/2011 at 02:39 PM16
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Khun JohninBKK #12, PAD did not fade away but split itself from being part of Prachatipad Party after being double-crossed by AV during Preah Vihear's mess. AV lost the last election in a landslide because he lost PAD. So, all the players are still here, but unless Prachatipad can get PAD back under its wings, Thaksin with his PTP's majority is absolutely unbeatable!

Remember that "Quantity has a quality all its own." (Joseph Stalin)
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john49
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Discussion 15 : 08/11/2011 at 02:19 PM15
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The reds will sort it out as they think that in their PTP are going to keep all election
promises. They think it is better to rely on handouts paid for by others than prospering from their own endeavours.

Funny to see Jatuporn running from the floods and then running from his team up north.
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meme
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Discussion 14 : 08/11/2011 at 01:41 PM14
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The redshirts are too busy putting stickers with the fugitive's name on public flood donations.
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anoldman
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Discussion 13 : 08/11/2011 at 12:28 PM13
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Yingluck should watch her back. It looks to me as though Jatuporn is trying to organise a power base to try and take over her job.
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