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SPECIAL REPORT: Former PM logs into Skype to lecture cabinet
Kan det snart blive mere tydeligt ??
Cabinet members from the Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday were called to a meeting at the Pheu Thai Party's head office for a Skype date with Thaksin, who remains a fugitive overseas.
A Pheu Thai source said Thaksin had found that messages he had tried to convey to the ministers through Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, his younger sister, were not getting across.
Therefore, he had to call "a cabinet meeting" via Skype to make sure he could communicate more directly and more effectively with the ministers.
Given that she is a political novice, Ms Yingluck might not be brave enough to prod her ministers into action, particularly those who are seasoned politicians, the source said.
The communication failure could hurt the government's performance so Thaksin decided to step in and point out and correct mistakes in the way the government runs the country, the source said, adding that such meetings attended by Pheu Thai ministers and chaired by Thaksin will be held every Monday.
The source said Thaksin was concerned that the Pheu Thai-led government is plagued by many problems and its popularity could be at risk.
It appears that Pheu Thai's failure to honour many of its election campaign pledges has started to backfire.
The source said the ministers squirmed uncomfortably in their chairs as Thaksin acted like a teacher "lecturing" some of them who failed to measure up at the tension-filled meeting which lasted for more than two hours.
Thaksin focussed particularly on Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa as he was in the midst of a case alleging that more than 200,000 bullets had been used during the dispersal of red-shirt protesters last year.
Thaksin told the defence minister not to sign any documents confirming the use of the ammunition as an investigation was ongoing.
Thaksin also stressed the need for Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap to try as hard as he can to push for the 300 baht minimum daily wage and the starting 15,000 baht salary for university graduates.
He pressed the minister for the details on policies and wanted to know when they will be implemented.
The former prime minister was also unhappy that the government's rice mortgage scheme had yet to meet the target, the source said.
Thaksin then explained at great length to Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol, who has little experience on the matter, on how the minister should approach the policy.
However, some Pheu Thai MPs, particularly those who are now pursuing reconciliation efforts, were dismayed by Thaksin's Skype video call, the source said.
They felt that Thaksin's move was unnecessary because it could sow further distrust among military brass, which could have adverse repercussions on the Pheu Thai government, the source said.
Prime Minister Yingluck yesterday rejected outright suggestions that her elder brother was attempting to meddle in or dominate the government's work.
She insisted that it was not a cabinet meeting and Thaksin had contacted the ministers via Skype only to provide moral support for the government's work.
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Govt reconsiders Thaksin's passport
Surapong says ex-PM is entitled to Thai identity
NEW YORK : Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul wants to return ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ordinary Thai passport, revoked two years ago after he made inciting remarks during the red shirt rallies.
Mr Surapong said the former premier deserved to carry an ordinary Thai passport. The return of his diplomatic passport was also being considered.
"A passport is like an identity card. Even prisoners in Thailand still hold their ID card. I would like Thai society to think on this basis," Mr Surapong said in New York where he is leading the Thai delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
"I would like Thaksin to get his ordinary passport back before thinking of the red diplomatic passport." http://www.bangko...n-passport
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