A recent seminar between noted figures of rival political movements gave the pundits something interesting to talk about at a time when politics is in a void.
It was the first time Akanat Promphan, the secretary-general of the Muan Maha Prachachon Foundation, and Jatuporn Prompan, a co-leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), had sat down together on the same settee, although each at the far ends.
This session, which took place last Sunday, was arranged to gather input from major political players on national reconciliation and reform. In normal times, it would have been a showdown between two rival camps, but of course the military is in charge of the country and is insisting on politicians offering up only constructive opinions on political matters.
Mr Akanat, a former core member of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which held Bangkok to ransom while fighting the Yingluck administration up until the May 22 coup, was not prepared for the feedback to his comments and views expressed at the session.
The young British-educated former MP made news when he was reported to have made a statement to the effect that he accepted the possibility of the PDRC working with UDD on issues that might help to restore harmony.
Akanat: Young man in a hurry?
The PDRC, now functioning under the rebranded Muang Maha Prachachon Foundation, and the UDD are like oil and water and any suggestion of them playing for the same team was bound to upset the PDRC faithful, according to political sources.
That displeasure could only be exacerbated by such a suggestion, whether direct or implied, being made by a PDRC kindred soul, the sources added.
Many social media commentators went ballistic, attacking Mr Akanat in the belief that he had indicated support for a possible alignment of the PDRC movement and the UDD, something they could never come to terms with. Among the critics were the who's who of the PDRC and its strongest supporters.
The sources, however, said Mr Akanat’s statements at the session may have been misquoted or misconstrued. In any case, his appearance at the event did not work in his or the foundation’s favour.
But before the issue could spiral out of control, the foundation chairman Suthep Thaugsuban stepped in and reiterated the foundation’s stance, which is not to forge an alliance with the UDD, while affirming that Muan Maha Prachachon will give the government its full support in national reforms.
Later, Mr Akanat personally called the key supporters of the PDRC to explain his position. The phone calls were intended to contain ill feelings by the supporters that were made public.
Some critics said Mr Akanat should have known better than to join a session with Mr Jatuporn, who is more experienced as an orator and public speaker.
One of the key supporters Mr Akanat phoned was well-known political caricaturist, Chai Ratchawat, according to a source close to Mr Akanat.
The call was made after Chai wrote a message on his Facebook berating Mr Akanat over his statements delivered at the Sunday session. After the two had talked, Chai posted a comment on his Facebook saying the air had been cleared.
The source said Mr Akanat was busy for many hours placing calls in order to lessen the damage.
Counsel for the defence
A new figure has emerged from the police investigation into the Erawan shrine bombing: lawyer Chuchart Kanphai who officially represents Adem Karadag, the first suspect arrested in connection with the Aug 17 attack.
Emerging from over five hours of discussions with his client who is being detained at the 11th Military Circle, Mr Chuchart denied Mr Karadag had anything to do with the massive explosion that killed 20 people and injured 130.
Mr Karadag was arrested on Aug 29 at a rented room at the Pool Anant apartment building in the Nong Chok district of Bangkok where a large quantity of bomb-making materials and equipment were confiscated. Dozens of passports were also seized during the raid.
According to Mr Chuchart, his client, who is also known as Bilal Turk and is a Turkish national, has nothing to do with the bomb-making materials found at the apartment. The only allegation Mr Karadag has admitted to is that he entered the kingdom illegally.
Also known as Bilal Mohammed, Mr Karadag intended to become a driver in Malaysia, according to the lawyer.
Born in China, he migrated to Turkey in 2004 with his family. He travelled through Vietnam and Laos before entering Thailand on Aug 24 with the help of a broker named Abdullah Abdulrahman. The broker took his client to the Pool Anant apartment and told him to stay in the room.
That Mr Chuchart has stepped in to represent a foreign suspect in a national security-related case has the public frantically searching for his background. It turns out that he is no ordinary lawyer and is not so popular with a certain group of people, if one is to judge him based on his client base.
Mr Chuchart is the lawyer who represents Phayao Akkahad, mother of Kamolkade who was killed at Wat Pathum Wanaram in the political violence of May 2010. He is also known to have applied for bail for suspects charged in connection with the 2010 political violence and for lese majeste.
According to some newspaper reports, he is on the legal team representing controversial Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi, accused of fraudulently changing documents ahead of the 2013 FAT election.
Despite all the controversies, the defence lawyer is perfectly comfortable with what he has been doing.
“Law is our profession, and lawyers should not be intimidated by allegations. But what really upsets me is that the anti-red shirt people love to make fun of me saying that I always lose in red-shirt cases.
“In fact, I’ve won a lot of cases [for red shirts] due to our solid arguments [presented in court],” he said.
Some observers say it takes guts to sign on to the Erawan shrine bombing case because it is very sensitive and could give the lawyers involved a bad name.
“The profession makes me bold. We are supposed to provide services and help people defend themselves. If they commit a crime, they will get punishment. We’ll let the facts decide,” Mr Chuchart said.
Mr Karadag is not the first Turkish national Mr Chuchart has represented.
The lawyer has spent 15 years providing legal services to Turkish people in Thailand who have been arrested and charged in connection with criminal offences, mostly credit card fraud.
He has lost some and won some. But Mr Karadag’s case is likely to be one of the most challenging for him.
Let the calm heads prevail
What sends Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over the edge? At least two people know where his temper switch is, the premier says.
They are his wife, Naraporn, and the latest head of the government’s economic team, Somkid Jatusripitak.
Gen Prayut may occupy the highest office in government, but at home the premier admits he must mind his p's and q's and let his wife have the last word, particularly about how he must leave his temper and the affairs of state at the door.
He said he is afraid of his wife, whom he describes as stern at times. Ms Naraporn is an associate professor in English at Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of arts and serves as the prime minister’s adviser.
Gen Prayut said he has respect for his wife as a person and as a teacher. She has made it clear to him that the home is where peace resides and there is no room for frustration, whether personal or work-related.
As he must stay calm and keep his mood in check at home, this might explain why the prime minister tends to let off steam and sometimes speaks at length to reporters or at forums, according to a source.
Ms Naraporn remains out of the limelight and does not appear inclined to indulge in the pleasure of getting media attention. She accompanies her husband to functions and on official visits overseas, but when Gen Prayut confronts the press, Ms Naraporn retreats into the background and quietly walks away.
Another person close to the prime minister who operates as a sounding board and who helps him to let off steam is Mr Somkid, the deputy prime minister in charge of the country's economic affairs.
Mr Somkid’s ties to Gen Prayut go back a long way. Following the May 22 coup last year, Mr Somkid was one of only two civilians appointed as members of the 15-strong National Council for Peace and Order. The other is former parliament president Meechai Ruchuphan.
At 63, Mr Somkid is two years Gen Prayut’s senior.
Gen Prayut holds Mr Somkid in high esteem, referring to him as "Pi Somkid" when addressing his more senior deputy.
“He’s cool, calm and collected. He is always helpful and reminds me to exercise patience and put a lid on my temper. He doesn’t want me to be stressed out,” Gen Prayut said.
The prime minister explained the main reason he invited Mr Somkid to join the cabinet was because of his capability in managing the economy, which needs lifting, and also because he has patience.
Gen Prayut said he made the right decision to place Mr Somkid in the top economic seat. He added he has not heard anyone complaining about his choice of Mr Somkid as the government’s economic team leader.
“I asked him to come on board to help the country. That’s all that it took for him to say yes,” the prime minister said.
Gen Prayut insists Mr Somkid has given him hope for revitalising the sluggish economy, which is an area where the government has scored rather low in opinion surveys.
Mr Somkid’s vital role in the cabinet has been confirmed by his assignment by Gen Prayut to oversee important economic ministries.
Gen Prayut noted Mr Somkid seems to have been spared jeering rants from critics and the media. “Or is this just the honeymoon period for the new cabinet?” Gen Prayut said.
Gen Prayut, right, with Somkid Jatusripitak, calmly enjoys a peaceful meal.
