Tuesday, August 30, 2011

More red-shirts get political positions

Published: 30/08/2011 at 03:19 PM
  • Online news:


The cabinet has appointed more red-shirt core members to political positions, explaining it is the best way to assimilate them into the conventional political system.
The cabinet on Tuesday appointed red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leaders as advisers to and secretaries and assistant secretaries to several ministers.
The appointments were seen as a move to appease the red-shirt camp, as none of its members were given  ministerial positions.
Chinnawat Haboonpad (top) and Aree Krainara
The UDD leaders appointed today are: Chinnawat Haboonpad (adviser to Transport Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat); Rak Chiang Mai 51 group leader Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul (adviser to Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat); UDD red guard chief Aree Krainara (secretary to Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit); Yoswaris Chuklom (assistant to the interior minister's secretary); and Gen Chongsak Phanitchakul (adviser to Defence Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa).
Wan Yubamrung, son of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, was also appointed as assistant to Deputy Transport Minister Kittisak Hatthasonkroh's secretary.
They join about 10 other key red-shirts who have already been appointed to political positions.
Government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng said that it is hoped that giving political posts to the red-shirts would assimilate them into the conventional political system, which should benefit the country.
Deputy government spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said political appointees do not need to be experts or specialists in any particular areas.
As for the appointment of Mr Aree, the red guard chief, Mr Anusorn said Mr Aree had previously been an MP   several times and once served as an adviser to the interior minister.
"Don't worry. These political positions cannot bring about [significant] changes to the country.
"In fact, they should make contributions to the country,'' Mr Anusorn said.
He expected colour-coded political divisions would gradually vanish over four to five years.

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