Will Yaowapha dare take over as party leader?
Now that the seat for the ruling party's leader is vacant, former deputy transport minister Kittisak Hatthasongkroah has proposed that Yaowapha Wongsawat, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's sister, take over.
This suggestion does not come out of the blue. In fact, it’s very reasonable, especially taking into account Yaowapha’s influence in Pheu Thai and the fact that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is her younger sister.
Yaowapha, who is referred to as “Sister Daeng” by party members, is known to be very close to her younger sister “Poo”. Their love for each other was evident when they were seen huddling over bowls of “kuay chub” noodles at a restaurant in Chinatown on the night of October 4.
It is believed that Yingluck loves and respects her older sister, who treats her younger sibling like one of her own children. Yaowapha has reportedly helped Yingluck every step of the way since she took over as prime minister.
Hence, it is not surprising that all roads seemed to lead to Yaowapha’s house, because most politicians know that she is directly connected to her sister. After all, as everybody knows, Yaowapha steps in to rescue her little sister every time there is a problem.
Yaowapha started building her political influence while her brother Thaksin was the country’s leader, and this influence became stronger when her husband, Somchai Wongsawat, took over as prime minister. Now, with her younger sister at the helm, her influence is even stronger.
Yet, despite her strong sway, it might be difficult for Yaowapha to stand at the forefront as the ruling party’s leader, especially now that the authorities are closely looking into several controversial government deals, including the rice-pledging scheme and flood-alleviation budget.
Also, Yaowapha has reportedly caused problems for her sister’s government, especially in relation to annual reshuffles. Her name always comes up when controversial transfers come to light.
For instance, Yaowapha was reportedly behind the promotion of General Thanongsak Apirakyothin to the position of Defence Ministry permanent secretary from assistant Army chief.
Thanongsak is the younger brother of Lt-General Pong-ek Apirakyothin, a Phayao MP who belongs to Yaowapha’s faction. She reportedly had Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat back Thanongsak’s promotion. However, the defence minister met strong opposition from then permanent secretary General Sathien Permthong-in, who wanted to place his deputy, General Chatree Thati, in the position on grounds of seniority.
This conflict prompted Sukampol to move Sathien to an inactive position before his retirement, which led to a lawsuit. Previously, problems like this did not occur because military leaders and senior government figures could negotiate transfers and reshuffles.
Later, Yaowapha publicly denied having anything to do with Thanongsak’s promotion, saying the issue had been cooked up to discredit her and Pheu Thai.
Yet, she was also said to have been involved in the reshuffles of senior officials in several other ministries, including director-generals of the Interior Ministry and provincial governors.
Also, when speculation of a new Cabinet reshuffle was rife, it was reported that Yaowapha had demanded that another Cabinet seat be added to her quota. She allegedly wants to keep Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom in place and is seeking a position for Warathep Ratanakorn, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Apparently she wants to put Warathep in charge of a ministry that deals with economic issues.
Therefore, with all these controversies surrounding her, it would be interesting to see if Yaowapha actually chooses to step out and stand in the limelight as next Pheu Thai leader.
