Always with a splash, Chalerm back on top and going after Suthep

Guess who’s back, back again? Chalerm’s “fucking back,” he’s tellin’ friends.

Those were the words of former Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, a lightning rod of the Pheu Thai government who said yesterday he’s been asked to lead the monitoring ongoing protests.

“These people keep contacting me, asking me, brother, when will you be back in charge?” he said. “So I tell them now, I am fucking back!”

Labor Minister Chalerm, one of those larger-than-life stars from the constellation of Thai political personalities, lost his deputy-PM post last year.

Saying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asked him to bring his steady hand to the current political instability, “even though it is a bit late,” Chalerm said he’s now tasked with assisting the police.

“I didn′t offer my service because I′m drunk with power,” said the politician famous for zipping around Bangkok in a pink Bentley and enjoying some fine drinks. “But because I′m fed up with those who mobilise local district officials and the people in south to join the protests.”

Among his new, sobering responsibilities? Taking protest leader Suthep Thaughsuban into custody on already-filed charges of insurrection. To make that happen, Chalerm said he’ll give copies of the Suthep’s arrest warrant to the police, who can try to arrest Suthep if they see him. And if he doesn’t want to be arrested, the police can decide to arrest him or not arrest him, Chalerm said.

Apparently a little rebellion is nothing to get too serious about.

“Please come surrender yourself to the police,” Chalerm said. “I believe he would be granted bail in no time.”

Photo: Bangkok_2474

Chalerm also promised his work wouldn’t get in the way of police operations or other security efforts, Khaosod reported.

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