Chalerm for PM?

So Chalerm is tipped to be the next PM? Is that going to help the country? Chalerm is, of course, the father of this man.

Read the article. By the way, he was found not guilty.

Nepotism

I'm at a loss for words for this one, so I will simply let the reports speak for themselves.

Bangkok Post:

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Tuesday he has signed permission for Duang Yubamrung to return to the army, less than seven years after he was cashiered over accusations he was involved in the night club murder of a policeman.

"I do not know which office he will return to, but I already signed the approval," Mr Samak told reporters Tuesday. "It is effective now."

Duang, formerly known as Duangchalerm, is the son of Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. He was dismissed from the army in October, 2001, after the murder of a policeman inside a Ratchadaphisek night club.

He was removed from his post and stripped of his rank after he failed to report for work within 15 days.

He fled to Malaysia to avoid murder charges. After almost a year on the run, he surrendered for trial. He was acquitted of the murder charge by the Criminal Court.

After his acquital, police did not seek another suspect, and there have been no other arrests. Several witnesses who testified said they had received threatening telephone calls to warn them not to tell what they had seen, and no direct testimony ever was admitted.

"He was a soldier. Now his (criminal) case is over so there is no problem for him to return to the army," Mr Samak said.

Duang's brother Wan, previously known as Wanchalerm, also got permission from Mr Samak to take a posotion in the new government, where his father is a minister. Public Health Minister Chaiya Saosomsab promoted him to be Mr Happy Toilet, to teach Bangkokians how to use the loo.

Together, during the 1990s, the Yubamrung brothers were well known to, and openly reviled by Bangkok society for a series of violent confrontations in night clubs. Cases brought to trial always wound up with lack of witnesses.

And from The Nation:

Supatra Rodwimut, wife of murdered Sergeant Suwichai Rodwimut, said she was shocked. "I have no words to describe how I feel. I'm just an ordinary woman. I have no power to fight. I hope one day the sin he committed will catch up with him."

Supreme Commander General Boonsrang Niampradit declined to comment, saying he has yet to be informed.

There is more about the history of the saga here (H/T Bangkok Pundit).

So what has been happening?

Apologies for my lack of blogging as of late. There have been rumours - I can nether confirm nor deny them - that this is due to my second purchase of an Xbox360.

• Chalerm has given a job to one of his charming sons.
• Yongyuth "the refrigerator" Tiyapairat has been charged by the ECC for vote buying.
• Thaksin is due to return now that the undermining of the judicial system has begun.

Note that the 'old money' elite have been deafening by their silence during all of this. This is not due to their love of democracy or patience with the PPP. This is simply waiting for a chance to strike. Anupong Paochinda's call for everyone to allow Thaksin to return simply echoes of Sondhi's promise that there would not be a coup.

Also of note is Pracha Prasopdee's threat to drive PAD leaders out of Thailand if they protest again. Prasopdee says this would be done for "stability", his verdict is an interesting contrast to the constitution's promise that people can protest peacefully, weather Prasopdee likes it or not.

The sort of people involved in Thai politics

A short while I go I mentioned the news that Chalerm Yoobamrung was threatening to leave the PPP if they did not allow his sons to run for election.

The significance of the names involved escaped me at the time, but Bangkokpundit has refreshed my memory. Chalerm's sons are well known and one of them is almost legendary (I want to use another word but it may get me in trouble) for being acquitted of shooting a policeman outside a night club.

For anyone who wants a straight forward, real look at the sort of people and mentality involved in Thai politics, read Pundit's article right now. There is no opinion involved, there is none needed. The facts speak for themselves.