Abhisit's new stand: We go for broke in next election

It wasn't a big story in the local press. But it was nonetheless a very significant political story because Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader the Democrat Party, has for the first time made clear his next political strategy.

He told a party meeting recently that the only way to "detox" the "Thaksin Effect" would be for the Democrat Party to win the next election.

He was quoted as telling his party members in a serious tone: "And if we don't win (the next election), I will not form the next government again. And if we form the next government without winning the elections, I won't accept any position -- and the party should pick a new leader to replace me..."

In other words, Abhisit has declared a "Go-for-Broke" strategy. A tall order. But still a challenge that can't be ignored.

British paper concentrates on her "style."

Daily Mail, India, says Thai Premier Yingluck is "suay, ruai, keng" (pretty, rich and smart) as described by some Thais. When she landed in New Delhi the other day, the Indian correspondent for Daily Mail did a "style" story on her.
Here is the link to the story:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2091376/Coating-Thai-PMs-stylebook-Chic-Yingluck-Shinawatra-touches-Delhi.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Yingluck at Taj Mahal

Premier Yingluck in front of the Taj Mahal in India. She arrived in New Delhi yesterday for a three-day visit that will include taking part in India's National Day Parade.

The premier says she is hoping to double the two countries' investment and trade during talks with India's leaders during the trip as part of the "strategic partner" arrangement.

The Thai prime minister will also attend the World Economic Forum in Davos after the India visit. A "Thai Night" event is to be held in Davos where about 1,600 dignitaries including 40 government leaders will be taking part in the annual forum. The European debt crisis looms large as the main topic this year.

Fireworks explode in Supanburi, at least 3 dead, scores injured

New defence minister wants to be govt-armed forces link

Premier Yingluck in the Air Force gear for the first time yesterday, flanked by the new defence minister, ACM Sukampol, and the RTAF commander-in-chief, ACM Ithiporn, once arc-rivals, and now seemingly having patched up.

The new defence chief officially took over the post today at the Defence Ministry where all the top brass were keen to demonstrate their "being together." ACM Sukampol reiterated that he wasn't trying to move the generals around. He has avoided commenting directly on whether he will push vigorously for the amendment to the current Defence Council law that deprives the defence minister of the aboslute authority to hire and fire senior military officers.

"I want to play the role of the middle man between the government and the armed forces," the usually blunt-talking general said.

How he will fulfill that self-imposed role as a negotiator will decide how long he can stay in the post.

PM Yingluck in her air force gear

Premier Yingluck in her Air Force gear for the first time this morning -- at Chaibadan District of Lopburi province -- for the Royal Thai Air Force's annual "Air Power Show."

All the top brass, except for Army Chief Gen Prayuth Em-Ocha who was busy with another assignment in Lampang, were there. Deputy army chief Gen Daopong stood in for Gen Prayudh.

It was also the first official function for the new defence minister, ACM Sukampol Suwannathat (second from left in the picture tweeted by Post military affairs reporter Wasana Nanuam), who was formerly with the RTAF as well.

Immediately to the PM's left appears to be Gen Yuthasak Sasipracha, the defence minister who has just been "kicked upstairs" to the post of deputy prime minister.

The new defence minister has said he will be working closely with military leaders in all the branches. He has avoided commenting directly on speculation that his main item on the agenda is to rewrite the current law that gives the authority of hiring and firing of senior military personnel to the Defence Council instead of politically appointed defence minister.

He will have to walk a tight rope over this highly controversial issue. So far, he has adopted a soft approach despite his reputation as a tough-talking, no-nonsense sort of military officer.

Gen Boonlert talks about a coup....again

Here is someone who would talk about a coup without any hesitation.
Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, former rebel who had been jailed for taking part in a failed coup over a decade ago, is now a retired general. He is president of the Cadets College Alumni Foundation. He feels strongly that the current comments from certain quarters that he sees as being insulting to the monarchy shouldn't be tolerated by the military.

"If such comments don't stop, I think the military will have to do something," he said on FM1005's "Lab Luang Prang" weekly radio programme hosted by Wasana Nanuam and Patchara Sarnpimpa.

Wasana asked him whether by "doing something" he meant a military coup. The response was prompt. "Yes, I mean a military coup would be inevitable if the trend continues," Gen Boonlert said.

This, of course, wasn't the first time that the retired general had urged the military to take power when he sees that things didn't go as he wanted.

He had said it once, he would say it twice. "But I can't do it myself because I don't command any troops," he admitted.

The generals who are in a position to take that kind of action would never talk about it. Only those not in a position to do so can talk about it so daringly.