Prem Tinsulanonda: Difference between revisions
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Prem's role in the coup and the subsequent junta was harshly criticized. Thitinan Pongsudhirak of [[Chulalongkorn University]] noted that "General Prem has been compromised. He can’t have it both ways. He got so involved [in politics] and now he wants to be untouchable. But we are in a big mess and people want to know who is responsible... It’s dangerous for some anti-Thaksin people and pro-Prem people to be brushing aside criticism by saying if you criticize General Prem, you are paid by Thaksin. It’s very dangerous. People are frustrated, and they have the right to be mad at the master."<ref>Asia Sentinel, [http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=439&Itemid=31 Could Thailand be Getting Ready to Repeat History?], 2 April 2007</ref> The military junta took legal action against Prem's critics and those calling for him to resign. A junta spokesman claimed that Prem was not behind the coup.<ref>Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=117854 CNS to take action against Prem's critics], April 2007</ref> Thai police Lieutenant-General Theeradech Rodphot-hong, head of the Special Branch, cautioned that the appeal was improper as it could involve the King in political conflict. He also urged the activists to drop their campaign as it could stoke conflict in the country<ref>Asia Media Post, [http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southeastasia.asp?parentid=67001 Petitioners cautioned that appeal improper], April 2007</ref>. |
Prem's role in the coup and the subsequent junta was harshly criticized. Thitinan Pongsudhirak of [[Chulalongkorn University]] noted that "General Prem has been compromised. He can’t have it both ways. He got so involved [in politics] and now he wants to be untouchable. But we are in a big mess and people want to know who is responsible... It’s dangerous for some anti-Thaksin people and pro-Prem people to be brushing aside criticism by saying if you criticize General Prem, you are paid by Thaksin. It’s very dangerous. People are frustrated, and they have the right to be mad at the master."<ref>Asia Sentinel, [http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=439&Itemid=31 Could Thailand be Getting Ready to Repeat History?], 2 April 2007</ref> The military junta took legal action against Prem's critics and those calling for him to resign. A junta spokesman claimed that Prem was not behind the coup.<ref>Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=117854 CNS to take action against Prem's critics], April 2007</ref> Thai police Lieutenant-General Theeradech Rodphot-hong, head of the Special Branch, cautioned that the appeal was improper as it could involve the King in political conflict. He also urged the activists to drop their campaign as it could stoke conflict in the country<ref>Asia Media Post, [http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southeastasia.asp?parentid=67001 Petitioners cautioned that appeal improper], April 2007</ref>. |
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[[Image:ProtestPrem'sHouse.jpg|thumb|left|An anti-Prem protestor after a violent mob |
[[Image:ProtestPrem'sHouse.jpg|thumb|left|An anti-Prem protestor after a violent mob attacked unarmed police, 22 July 2007, outside of Prem's house.]] |
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In [[22 July]] [[2007]], thousands of protestors demonstrated in front of Prem's house, calling for him to resign for his role in the coup and the junta. The government violently cracked down on protestors, wounding several, and arrested several protestors, including an interim National Human Rights Commissioner and a former Chief Justice of the Criminal Court.<ref>Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120389Bangko Six protesters held], 23 July 2007</ref> Afterwards, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin visited Prem to apologise for the protests on behalf of the government. One day later, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, along with 34 members of his Cabinet, went to Prem's house to apologize to Prem for "apologise for failing to take good care of him." Surayud accused the protestors of trying to "bring down the highest institution of the country."<ref>The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/25/headlines/headlines_30042335.php PM says sorry to Prem over mob violence], July 2007</ref>. Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalap said Gen Prem has categorically denied the UDD's allegations that he was behind the Sept 19 military coup which toppled then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The accusations, Gen Prem said, were repetitive, baseless and provocative, according to the government spokesman.<ref>The Bangkok Post [http://www.bangkokpost.com/250707_News/25Jul2007_news01.php PM: UDD aims to damage monarchy], 25 July 2007</ref> |
In [[22 July]] [[2007]], thousands of protestors demonstrated in front of Prem's house, calling for him to resign for his role in the coup and the junta. The government violently cracked down on protestors, wounding several, and arrested several protestors, including an interim National Human Rights Commissioner and a former Chief Justice of the Criminal Court.<ref>Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120389Bangko Six protesters held], 23 July 2007</ref> Afterwards, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin visited Prem to apologise for the protests on behalf of the government. One day later, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, along with 34 members of his Cabinet, went to Prem's house to apologize to Prem for "apologise for failing to take good care of him." Surayud accused the protestors of trying to "bring down the highest institution of the country."<ref>The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/25/headlines/headlines_30042335.php PM says sorry to Prem over mob violence], July 2007</ref>. Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalap said Gen Prem has categorically denied the UDD's allegations that he was behind the Sept 19 military coup which toppled then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The accusations, Gen Prem said, were repetitive, baseless and provocative, according to the government spokesman.<ref>The Bangkok Post [http://www.bangkokpost.com/250707_News/25Jul2007_news01.php PM: UDD aims to damage monarchy], 25 July 2007</ref> |
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Revision as of 05:39, 29 July 2007
Prem Tinsulanonda เปรม ติณสูลานนท์ | |
|---|---|
| 16th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office March 3 1980 – August 4 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Kriangsak Chomanan |
| Succeeded by | Chatichai Choonhavan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 26 1920 Songkhla Province, Thailand |
General Prem Tinsulanonda (Template:Lang-th, born August 26 1920) is a former Thai military officer and was Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to Aug 4, 1988. He now serves as the chief advisor of the king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej. He played a key role in the 2006 Thailand coup that overthrew the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra.[1] Prem also played a role in the appointment of the post-coup legislature and Interim Government of Surayud Chulanont.[2] However, the military junta that overthrew the Thaksin government denied that he had any political role.[3]
Education, military, and political career
Born in Songkhla Province, he attended the Maha-Vajiravut Secondary School in Songkhla, and the Suankularb Wittayalai School in Bangkok. In 1941 he joined the Royal Thai Army Academy (later renamed the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy), and after rising in the military hierarchy he joined politics in 1959, when he became member of the Constitution Drafting Committee.In 1968-71 he was Senator, 1972-73 Member of Parliament and in 1976 he became member of the Advisory Council of Prime Minister Tanin Kraivixien. Under Prime Minister Kriangsak Chomanan he was deputy Interior Minister in 1977-78 and Minister of Defence 1979-81.
Prime Minister of Thailand
After the resignation of General Kriangsak, Prem became Prime Minister himself in 1980. Until 1986, he was also Minister of Defence. Prem led three governments, and often shifted coalition partners.[4]
- 42nd Government (March 12 1980 - March 19 1983)
- 1st Cabinet (3 March 1980 - 11 March 1981)
- Coalition partners: Social Action Party, Chart Thai, Democrat, Chart Prachachon and Siam Democrat
- Major opposition: Prachakorn Thai
- 2nd Prem Cabinet (11 Mar 1981- 8 Dec 1981)
- Coalition Partners: Democrat, Chart Thai and a number of smaller parties including Siam Democrat, Ruam Thai and Social Democrat
- Major oppposition: Social Action and Prachakorn Thai
- 3rd Prem Cabinet (9 Dec 1981-30 Apr 1983)
- Coalition Partners: Social Acion, Democrat, Chart thai and a number of smaller parties
- Major opposition: Prachkorn Thai
- 1st Cabinet (3 March 1980 - 11 March 1981)
- 43rd Government (April 30 1983 - August 5 1986)
- 4th Prem Cabinet (30 Apr 1983-11 Aug 1986)
- Colatition partners: Social Action, Democrat, Prachakorn Thai and National Democrat (replaced by the Progressive party in Sep 1985)
- Major opposition: Chart Thai
- 4th Prem Cabinet (30 Apr 1983-11 Aug 1986)
- 44th Government (August 5 1986 - April 28 1988)
- 5th Prem Cabinet (11 August, 1986-28 April, 1988)
- Coalition partners: Democrat, Chart Thai, Social Action, Rasadorn
- Major opposition: Prachakorn Thai, United Democratic, Ruam Thai, Community Action, Progressive
- 5th Prem Cabinet (11 August, 1986-28 April, 1988)
Privy councilor
After political unrest, Prem dismissed the parliament in 1988 and resigned. He left politics, and became member of the Privy Council of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in which he became the successor of Sanya Dharmasakti.
Educational activities
Prem is involved in many charities, including the Prem Foundation, as well as establising the Prem Tinsulanonda International School, which opened in August 2001 in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The campus is 90 acres, and the student body numbers over 400 with over 36 nationalities represented.
Role in political crisis and 2006 coup
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
Prem was involved in the Thailand political crisis 2005-2006 and played a key role in the subsequent September 2006 military coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra[citation needed]. Prem also played a key role in the appointment of Surayud Chulanont, his former Army subordinate and another member of the King's Privy Council, as Premier, as well as in the appointment of Surayud's Cabinet and Parliament. Critics claimed that the Parliament was full of "Prem's boys."[5][6][7]
Prem's role in the coup and the subsequent junta was harshly criticized. Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University noted that "General Prem has been compromised. He can’t have it both ways. He got so involved [in politics] and now he wants to be untouchable. But we are in a big mess and people want to know who is responsible... It’s dangerous for some anti-Thaksin people and pro-Prem people to be brushing aside criticism by saying if you criticize General Prem, you are paid by Thaksin. It’s very dangerous. People are frustrated, and they have the right to be mad at the master."[8] The military junta took legal action against Prem's critics and those calling for him to resign. A junta spokesman claimed that Prem was not behind the coup.[9] Thai police Lieutenant-General Theeradech Rodphot-hong, head of the Special Branch, cautioned that the appeal was improper as it could involve the King in political conflict. He also urged the activists to drop their campaign as it could stoke conflict in the country[10].
In 22 July 2007, thousands of protestors demonstrated in front of Prem's house, calling for him to resign for his role in the coup and the junta. The government violently cracked down on protestors, wounding several, and arrested several protestors, including an interim National Human Rights Commissioner and a former Chief Justice of the Criminal Court.[11] Afterwards, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin visited Prem to apologise for the protests on behalf of the government. One day later, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, along with 34 members of his Cabinet, went to Prem's house to apologize to Prem for "apologise for failing to take good care of him." Surayud accused the protestors of trying to "bring down the highest institution of the country."[12]. Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalap said Gen Prem has categorically denied the UDD's allegations that he was behind the Sept 19 military coup which toppled then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The accusations, Gen Prem said, were repetitive, baseless and provocative, according to the government spokesman.[13]
March 2006 bombing
On 9 March 2006, a bomb exploded outside Prem's residence in Bangkok. Two people were injured, including a passing tourist. Police said that the device had been hidden beneath a stone bench near to an unoccupied security booth at the entrance of the residence. The guards were inside the residence at the time. Three cars parked nearby were damaged by the blast. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denounced the attack.[14][15]
Pojaman visit
On Oct 26, 2006 Prem received ousted PM Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, who claimed the visit was only a social call. This created an outpouring of speculation, causing a media frenzy, to which Prem responded to the press, "Don't panic. Nothing is exciting!" It is claimed that Thaksin's wife offered donation to charity and sought Privy Council chief's backing for Thaksin's return, reveals source. Responding to her offer, Prem said he had no authority to make any agreement with her in this regard and he told her to talk with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Council for National Security[16].
Corporate roles
Prem was a director and advisor of numerous large Thai companies. In early 2007, he resigned from his position as chief adviser of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group in order to distance himself from a junta-led corruption investigation. The investigation concerned alleged bid rigging in a para rubber saplings supply contract granted during the Thaksin government while Prem had held his position at the Group.[17]
References
- ^ Asia Sentinel, Could Thailand be Getting Ready to Repeat History?, 2 April 2007
- ^ Former Thai PM Prem Tinsulanonda had key role in coup - analysts
- ^ Bangkok Post, UDD aims to damage monarchy, 25 July 2007
- ^ Suchit Bunbongkarn, "The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986", published by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1987.
- ^ The Australian, Thailand's post-coup cabinet unveiled, 9 October 2006
- ^ The Nation, NLA 'doesn' t represent' all of the people, 14 October 2006
- ^ The Nation, Assembly will not play a major role, 14 October 2006
- ^ Asia Sentinel, Could Thailand be Getting Ready to Repeat History?, 2 April 2007
- ^ Bangkok Post, CNS to take action against Prem's critics, April 2007
- ^ Asia Media Post, Petitioners cautioned that appeal improper, April 2007
- ^ Bangkok Post, Six protesters held, 23 July 2007
- ^ The Nation, PM says sorry to Prem over mob violence, July 2007
- ^ The Bangkok Post PM: UDD aims to damage monarchy, 25 July 2007
- ^ The Telegraph, British tourist injured in Bangkok bomb blast, 10 March 2006
- ^ Times Online, Thailand tourist alert after Bangkok bomb, 9 March 2006
- ^ "The Nation News Paper:POJAMAN'S 'OFFER' TO PREM: 'Seize assets' if they're illegal". Retrieved Oct 28, 2006.
- ^ Bangkok Post, Prem quits role at CP, 20 June 2007