US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK2257

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002257 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV. HQ USPACOM FOR FPA (HUSO) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, TH, Thai Political Updates 
SUBJECT: THAI POLITICAL UPDATE -- MARCH 30, 2005 
 
REF: BANGKOK 2017 
 
1.  (U)  HOUSE SPEAKER'S PARLIAMENTARY PERFORMANCE HARSHLY 
CRITICIZED 
 
The opposition Democrat Party (DP) again walked out in 
protest of actions by House Speaker Bhokin Bhalakula.  The 
latest protest occurred on March 25 when Bhokin rejected a 
request by Democrat Party Chief Advisor (and former prime 
minister) Chuan Leekpai to clarify references made to him by 
Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanich.  This is the 
second walkout in less than two weeks (reftel).  Bhokin, who 
was strongly backed Prime Minister Thaksin and his wife for 
the House Speaker's position has been subject to ridicule 
even by some Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party colleagues, especially 
the Mod Dum (Black Ant) faction led by First Deputy House 
Speaker Suchart Tanchareon, for his clumsy performance as 
Speaker. DP MPs, of course, are scathing in their accusations 
that Bhokin is biased and prejudiced in a position that 
should be at the least nominally neutral.  Critics of a 
Thai-language daily even dubbed him "dictatorial Bho-Shin," 
sarcastically rhyming his name with that of the PM Thaksin,s 
Shin Corporation.  More serious commentators have criticized 
Bhokin but also chastised the DP for being so quick to walk 
and trivializing its role as the lead opposition party. 
 
2.  (U)  BUT THAKSIN DENIES BHOKIN ABOUT TO BE REPLACED 
 
Prime Minister Thaksin subsequently defended Bhokin's 
performance as House Speaker, saying that he was 
"straightforward" in his approach to the job but also 
suggesting that Bhokin could be "more compromising" in 
conducting House sessions and seek more cooperation from both 
Government and Opposition whips in settling any conflict. 
Thaksin denied any truth to widespread rumors that House 
Speaker Bhokin was about to be replaced, claiming that any 
new speaker would face the same challenges from Opposition 
members. 
 
3.  (U)  TRT FACTION LEADER SANOH REPORTEDLY SNUBS THAKSIN'S 
GOLF INVITATION 
 
Meanwhile, Sanoh Thienthong, leader of the TRT Wang Nam Yen 
faction, is apparently still smarting over Prime Minister 
Thaksin's "insulting" offer to appoint him as honorary chief 
advisor to the government whip.  He has spurned the Prime 
Minister's offer to join in a conciliatory round of golf. 
The invitation from Thaksin came after last week's strong 
public grumbling by Sanoh and his faction supporters over 
what they considered a paucity of positions allocated to 
their faction - the last straw being the offer to Sanoh of 
the honorary whip advisor's post -- a position that Sanoh 
described as "a joke."  Thaksin shrugged off the snub, 
telling reporters that he had not invited only Sanoh to play 
and besides that, The Prime Minister added, the only purpose 
of his game was "to have fun and relax." 
 
4.  (U)  CABINET MAKES NEW APPOINTMENTS 
 
On March 22, the Cabinet announced the appointment of a 
number of MPs and others to political posts. Some of these 
include: 
 
(1) Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Dr. Pracha Kunakasem (Party List 2) - appointed as the 
Foreign Minister's Advisor 
Mr. Pitiphong Temcharoen (Bangkok MP) - appointed as the 
Foreign Minister,s Secretary 
Mr. Phairot Tanbanchong (Phayao MP) - appointed as the Deputy 
Foreign Minister's Secretary 
(2) Dr. Phansak Winyarat - appointed as Chairman of the PM,s 
Policy Advisory Board. 
 
(3) Mr. Jakrapop Phenkhae (the ex-Government Spokesman) 
appointed as Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Surakiat 
Sathienthai,s Secretary. 
 
(4) Former Justice Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana appointed 
as Head Government Whip. 
BOYCE