- Published: 17/09/2012 at 12:00 AM
- Writer: Nattaya Chetchotiros
Mr Chalerm told the Bangkok Post in an exclusive interview that if he manages to remain in his post for the next three years, until the end of the government's first term, he will have reached the age of 68 _ and that is the right time for him to bow out of politics.
He said he had spent many years in politics and held many key government positions, and believes he has reached the pinnacle of his political career. The deputy premier said that in his final chapter of public service, he wants to achieve something that will cement his legacy.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned him to oversee the national campaign against corruption and tackle illicit drug trafficking and he has promised to work to the best of his ability to accomplish his tasks.
Known for his sharp tongue and oratory skills, the outspoken politician is famous for his especially entertaining performances during House censure debates, and is always one of the highlights on the House floor.
Mr Chalerm admitted he was not sure if his son, Wan Yubamrung, would follow in his footsteps as an MP. Mr Wan ran for a Bangkok MP seat in the last general election but lost.
''Securing a political post depends partly on luck and fortune,'' he said.
He told the Bangkok Post that Ms Yingluck will not come under any pressure to reshuffle the cabinet in the near future.
The deputy premier said he was confident Ms Yingluck would not reshuffle the cabinet any time soon, partly because no new cabinet members are needed to help with the government's work.
All cabinet ministers are measuring up to their tasks, he said. None have been linked to corruption, he added.
Since coalition parties have not made pressing demands, and the government enjoys public support, a reshuffle is not on the cards, he concluded.
He also expects the Yingluck government to complete two consecutive four-year terms in office, but believes it will be in the government's best interests to be careful about the charter amendment and reconciliation bills.
Mr Chalerm cited a recent Abac poll that showed 83% of respondents still want to give the prime minister a chance to continue her work.
He said 80% of the Abac poll respondents also wanted to see justice for ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra _ a factor he believes will contribute to the government's longevity in office.
''When the government does not have corruption problems, it is likely the government will complete its first four-year term and then another four years in office,'' Mr Chalerm said.
The deputy PM also warned that the 111 former executive members of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party who are trying to claim their share of the government's administrative power should stop seeking media attention.
''You may have to wait until after the next election before you return,'' he said.
Mr Chalerm stressed the need for the government to proceed carefully and slowly in efforts to push through the charter amendment bill.
The government may be pressured into dissolving the House of Representatives or petitions may be lodged with the Constitution Court to rule on the charter change process, he warned.
The four reconciliation bills pending deliberation in parliament could also land the government in trouble, he said. The opposition Democrat Party has argued the bills are financially motivated, as their passage could lead to 46 billion baht in seized assets being returned to Thaksin.
Mr Chalerm said his proposed reconciliation bill, which was not put forward by the Pheu Thai Party, steered clear of the asset return issue. His proposal would help Thaksin return home as a free man, he said.
''Any bill that would allow assets to return to Thaksin cannot succeed,'' he said.
Mr Chalerm said politics could heat up next month because Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and the party's MP for Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsuban face the prospect of being prosecuted for their role in the crackdown on the red-shirt protesters in 2010.
The two men, who were in charge of directing the state response to red-shirt demonstrators, are accused of being responsible for the deaths of 91 protesters and soldiers.
A highly-placed Democrat Party source admitted that Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep may have to face these allegations when the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) completes its probe into the case.
The DSI would find that Mr Abhisit's and Mr Suthep's orders to security forces to disperse the red shirts were illegitimate, and this would provide grounds for the prosecution to indict the Democrats, the source predicted.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 18/09/2012 at 08:19 AM
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Maybe early retirement. he could be as useful having a foundation (redschool)
- Discussion 2 : 18/09/2012 at 08:10 AM
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Mr Chalerm admitted he was not sure if his son, Wan Yubamrung, would follow in his footsteps as an MP. Mr Wan ran for a Bangkok MP seat in the last general election but lost.
''Securing a political post depends partly on luck and fortune,'' he said.
Sure he will buy that seat(ministry) for his son.
- Discussion 3 : 17/09/2012 at 03:37 PM
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"All cabinet ministers are measuring up to their tasks, he said. None have been linked to corruption", GULP!
- Discussion 4 : 17/09/2012 at 02:25 PM
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Am I dreaming or do I remember someone else saying he had washed his hands of politics?
- Discussion 5 : 17/09/2012 at 12:53 PM
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Don`t touch me , i`m retiring soon anyway ?
- Discussion 6 : 17/09/2012 at 12:41 PM
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Known for his sharp tongue which got stuck in his cheeks.He even can't speak one sentence without hacking it in pieces.
He will be famous for trying desperately to get Thaksin back. Now he was only 3 years left to catch corrupt politicians . Good luck.
- Discussion 7 : 17/09/2012 at 12:32 PM
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Where is the five point plan? Isn't that the campaign promise twelve month ago?
- Discussion 8 : 17/09/2012 at 12:27 PM
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"Chalerm Yubamrung has revealed for the first time that he will wash his hands of politics". That is going to take some heavy duty detergent.
- Discussion 9 : 17/09/2012 at 12:22 PM
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Chalerm is saying the right things here. Hopefully he is sincere and means it.
- Discussion 10 : 17/09/2012 at 11:50 AM
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we have to wait that long????
- Discussion 11 : 17/09/2012 at 11:35 AM
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Chalerm never went after any big drug connections only the little chaps, just like any bully. Looks like Mr. T finally got tired of this clown and wants him out of the way.
- Discussion 12 : 17/09/2012 at 11:27 AM
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Mr. Chalerm is sad, not about money, but because he cannot become PM. As PT grow from strength to strength over the years, other TAXSIN’s younger relatives will have come of age to take over all the other “heavy duty” posts. In Thai politic, “fortune” gets one elected as MP first. Then “Luck”, due to in fighting amongst PT factions, gets one a lucrative post and finally “Connection” with the “Man yonder” gets one a seat nearest the PM. By his own standards, of course no corruption within the PT party members as no one has out did him. As for his son, please follow proven formula; allow fortune to help him get elected as MP, then let daddy pull up some lucky tricks (files acquired) to bestows him a heavy-duty posts.
- Discussion 13 : 17/09/2012 at 10:57 AM
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"The deputy premier said that in his final chapter of public service, he wants to achieve something that will cement his legacy." He could bring peace to the south.
- Discussion 14 : 17/09/2012 at 10:49 AM
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''When the government does not have corruption problems, it is likely the government will complete its first four-year term and then another four years in office,'' Mr Chalerm said.
So I guess they are finished if this is true.
- Discussion 15 : 17/09/2012 at 10:42 AM
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The drug lords, dealers and pushers will sigh a round of relief knowing Chalerm will not be around to harass and cripple their operations.
- Discussion 16 : 17/09/2012 at 10:11 AM
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Quite a statement: We do not need any new member in the parliament (the 111 have to wait) we do not have problems with corruption (water management and rice mortgage scheme) and for the son all we need is some luck and a hell of a fortune.
- Discussion 17 : 17/09/2012 at 10:05 AM
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Super Zorro Chalerm to leave politic, that's a great new, but he has to bring his sons with him too... What did Chalerm for the country ? Nothing, nothing, nothing...in a few years nobody will remember him...
- Discussion 18 : 17/09/2012 at 09:58 AM
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l,m confussed that a politican who has been foung guilty of unual wealth some years ago and fled the country when facing the charges,is allowed back to have a trusted job as DPM and also heads the anti corruption agencey,its a mockery of thai politics
- Discussion 19 : 17/09/2012 at 09:21 AM
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Chalerm & Sutthep are the same time of politician, don't think that one is better than the other, both have familiy members in politics, Sutthep more than Chalerm still....but the question is why is it necessary to have this kind of unpleasant personalities at the top of politics ? Is it to do the bad cop good cop routine ? Abhisit/Sutthep and Yingluck/Chalerm ...just a thought .... is it just a big show in the end ?
- Discussion 20 : 17/09/2012 at 09:18 AM
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won't happen...
- Discussion 21 : 17/09/2012 at 08:52 AM
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it's about time. Thank you K'Chalerm
- Discussion 22 : 17/09/2012 at 07:54 AM
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Why wait, retire now and let someone with better political skills take over.
- Discussion 23 : 17/09/2012 at 07:30 AM
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"Securing a political post depends partly on luck and fortune" Never a truer word spoken about the machinations of Thai politics, but which comes first the luck or the fortune?
- Discussion 24 : 17/09/2012 at 07:07 AM
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"...he wants to achieve something that will cement his legacy."
Nothing easier than that: quit immediately and keep your entire family out of politics.
- Discussion 25 : 17/09/2012 at 07:06 AM
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First, on seeing the headline, I thought "At last!". But then I read on and found that Chalerm has finally realised what Thaksin realised some time in the past 2 or 3 years, namely: you don't have to be in office to wield power in Thailand. Why put up with pesky media and public who think that they have a right to know what elected officials get up to? Far better to pull the strings from behind, using your family members as proxies. Thailand's outlook just gets sadder and sadder.
- Discussion 26 : 17/09/2012 at 07:01 AM
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Khun Chalerm has said many things over the years - they rarely come true. I am confident that I will continue to get my daily fix of Chalermisms for many years to come
- Discussion 27 : 17/09/2012 at 06:09 AM
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After reading all this amusing material I am still looking for the paragraph with the list of all his achievements. But then I thought there is no point searching for that paragraph, there is a reason why it does not exist…
- Discussion 28 : 17/09/2012 at 05:20 AM
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"....if he manages to remain in his post for the next three years, until the end of the government's first term, he will have reached the age of 68 _ and that is the right time for him to bow out of politics."
I believe 65 would be a much better age for Chalerm to retire.
- Discussion 29 : 17/09/2012 at 04:57 AM
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"Mr Chalerm admitted he was not sure if his son, Wan Yubamrung, would follow in his footsteps as an MP. Mr Wan ran for a Bangkok MP seat in the last general election but lost.
"Securing a political post depends partly on luck and fortune,"he said.
The Yubamrung dynasty will continue on as father hands over to son,after all it's Thai politics where family matters more than ability,honesty and criminal past.Chalerm has plenty of "fortune" in the bank to ensure the dynasty continues.How unfortunate for Thailand.
- Discussion 30 : 17/09/2012 at 04:51 AM
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"Known for his sharp tongue and oratory skills" - all talk and no action. Still waiting for Chalerm to rid tourist areas of mafia-like influence. Remember? He promised to do it in 90 days - that was on June 23rd.
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