Tag: Chang Arena

The sons of a convicted murderer, a rural "don" who has spun a fortune from football and gun-loving provincial bigwigs -- as elections near, Thai junta leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is cosying up to "influential figures", a group he vowed to expunge from politics with his coup four years ago. But the 64-year-old is suddenly changing tune as he looks to complete a stunning metamorphosis from dictator to elected leader at polls promised for 2019. The retired general has been coy on formally announcing a run for office. On Monday Gen Prayut rolls into Buri Ram, the northeastern province dominated by Newin Chidchob -- an ex-politician turned sports mogul whose shape-shifting alliances have made him a key political "kingmaker". After endless politician-bashing, "now Prayut and the (junta) are using many of these same corrupt politicians to build a political party." What Mr Newin might get for backing Gen Prayut remains unknown. But his counterparts in eastern Chonburi province already appear to have been rewarded. "They talk about positions in government," he told AFP. Although such horse-trading is nothing new, politicians are chafing at the head start taken by a regime that continues to bar all other parties from holding meetings. Chaturon Chaisang, a veteran Pheu Thai politician, added that some politicians may be coerced into supporting the junta in a political culture defined by personality and power rather than ideology.