ABOUT Politics
Nattawut doesn't sound confident .off the record - Chaturon's Chinese reinvention a hit on the music stage - There's a new sheriff in town... chasing out Udon Thani's underage drinkers
Prasong: Pipe-smoking
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An unguarded conversation between television anchor Tuangporn Assawawilai and deputy government spokesman Nattawut Saikua which was broadcast two days ago was an eye-opener for many.
The anchor asked how the government thought the situation would turn out and how to deal with it. However unbeknownst to the pair, they were already on air.
"No idea. We have to wait and see what Panlop and Prasong want," Mr Nattawut replied moments before the live show officially began on state-owned television station NBT on Tuesday.
Panlop and Prasong are Panlop Pinmanee, a close friend of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang, and charter drafter Prasong Soonsiri, also known as the "pipe-smoking devil".
The couple pop up on the government's radar every time the anti-government group makes a move. They are both opponents of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and a thorn in the government's side.
Sqn Ldr Prasong is also a bitter enemy of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
His close aide Praphan Koonmee has been criticising Mr Samak on the PAD's stage.
The relationship between Gen Panlop, Sqn Ldr Prasong and Maj-Gen Chamlong dates back to the Prem Tinsulanonda administration.
Then, Sqn Ldr Prasong headed the National Intelligence Agency, while Maj-Gen Chamlong served as secretary to the PM's Office.
Gen Panlop and Maj-Gen Manoonkrit Roopkachorn gave solid backing throughout Gen Prem's eight years and four months of government.
Mr Samak has repeatedly warned that "the government knows the gang behind the PAD's movements, particularly the charter writers".
Sqn Ldr Prasong was chairman of the 35-member Constitution Drafting Committee, which wrote the 2007 charter.
He stayed under the radar after the charter was put in place, but could not help commenting on the government's bid to amend it.
"The Samak government is like a dead tree. It could either fall down on its own, or have someone cut it down," he said.
Indeed, the government is fighting a tough battle. The PAD is comprised of former military, police and government officers, and businessmen.
The government also fights against shadow strategists such as "the pipe-smoking devil", not to mention "an alien in politics" (a reference which Mr Samak made to Maj-Gen Chamlong when he vied for the job of Bangkok governor).
A food fan like Mr Samak is finding the PAD hard to digest.
New career draws praise
The 2006 coup that overthrew the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) government may have sidelined key leader Chaturon Chaisaeng for five years, but it opened a new door for him as a singer.
The political veteran has become a minor celebrity after releasing two albums - one of Mandarin songs and one of Thai country (luk thung) songs - on Aug 19 at the Nanmee Building on Sathorn Road.
His singing captured the hearts of his audience, particularly China's ambassador to Thailand, Zhang Jiu Huan, who praised the former politician for his clear Chinese accent and deep understanding of the meanings of the songs.
Mr Chaturon was acting leader of the TRT before it was dissolved after accusations of electoral fraud.
He is one of the 111 former TRT executives suspended from politics for five years.
"The only benefit of the coup is that it freed up time for me to study the Chinese language, which I had wanted to do for a long time," he said.
Phayong Mukda, a famous songwriter who was in the audience, said he was amazed at the former politician's singing ability.
Mr Chaturon said he became interested in the Chinese language seven years ago when he was education minister.
He started to learn it on his own. But with so much work to do at the ministry, he was unable to study seriously. But that all changed in the coup that ousted the Thaksin Shinawatra government.
When the dust cleared, he hired a Chinese teacher to study at home. He later took Chinese courses at Beijing University. He spent almost two years studying Chinese and learning how to sing Chinese songs.
"I want to tell others that learning Chinese is not difficult. I chose to learn Chinese from songs, as I like singing. Now I can listen to, speak, read and write Chinese. I know about 1,000 Chinese words, which is enough to communicate with others," he said.
Chinese singing mentor Zhao Baozhen said she was intrigued by the pleasantness of Mr Chaturon's voice. Early on in his studies, his fluency in Chinese was poor, but his proficiency quickly improved, she said. In fact, she said, her student was talented enough to sing professionally.
The Chinese ambassador said Mr Chaturon's Chinese album was a good example of the effectiveness of learning Chinese through songs.
Ruangyos Pimthong, a music producer, said he often asked singers to correct their singing tones to suit the lyrics. Unlike other singers, Mr Chaturon asked to have his lyrics and tones corrected before his album was launched.
Krissana's crusade
Krissana Pholanant is working hard to prove he is worthy of his return to the post of secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
Before his reappointment, Pol Lt-Gen Krissana had been transferred to an inactive post by the government of then prime minister Surayud Chulanont because of his close connection to the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai party.
He is now focusing on tackling teenage drug and alcohol abuse by building cooperation between parents, teachers and police.
He announced the campaign's relaunch on Sunday night in Udon Thani. It had previously been in operation in 2003.
He then led his men on an inspection of nightspots around the city to see if they were operating legally and if any underage customers were being served.
None were found to have broken the law.
But he reminded teachers that they could play a greater role in preventing underage students frequenting nightspots in future, because they know their students well and see them regularly.
The students were afraid of being spotted by their teachers, who would be duty-bound to report their behaviour to their parents and schools, he added.
The idea of the parent-teacher-police network, initiated by former interior minister Purachai Piumsombun under the Thaksin government five years ago, has proved a success in Udon Thani.
The scheme promoted entertainment zoning and encouraged police officers to strictly enforce relevant laws that helped keep young people in order.
As a result, the number of underage students arrested has dropped from hundreds to scores over ensuing years, and all nightspots have obeyed the mandatory closing time of 1am as well as enforcing a ban on under-20s.
But the ONCB remains uncertain whether other provinces have similarly followed the campaign.
Pol Lt-Gen Krissana encouraged them to do so, holding up the success of Udon Thani as an example.
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