Page 31 of 175 FirstFirst ... 2123242526272829303132333435363738394181131 ... LastLast
Results 751 to 775 of 4361
  1. #751
    Thailand Expat
    Mid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,411
    that's the rub ain't it ,

    why is he asking them to stop doing something there is no report of them doing in the first place .


  2. #752
    Thailand Expat
    SteveCM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    A "non-existent" Thai PsyOps unit
    Posts
    4,550
    Quote Originally Posted by Mid View Post
    More people will vote for the Pheu Thai than for the Democrat Party in the party list or proportional representation system, Suan Dusit Poll revealed on Sunday.

    The poll was conducted between May 19-22 on 3,584 eligible voters throughout the country.

    Asked which party they would vote for in the party list system, 41.22 per cent said they would vote for Pheu Thai, 36.88 per cent for the Democrat Party, 3.88 per cent for Bhumjaithai, and 9.27 per cent still undecided.

    Bangkok Post : Poll:Most people to vote for P.Thai

    Usual caveats - report of Thai opinion poll that prompts more questions than it provides answers e.g. what were the questions, where exactly it was conducted, demographics etc. Seems we'll again have to wait for Bangkok Pundit to give a valid analysis.

    Still, it's a relatively large sample and at first sight, it looks very good for PT - particularly with the increased number of "list" seats up for grabs this time round compared to 2007. Back then, the PPP vs Dem list votes split was virtually even with a corresponding seat allocation. Albeit crudely

    That said, in terms of a parliamentary voting block, I guess we have to assume that BJT's reported 3.88% can arguably be added to the Dems' 36.88% - thus narrowing the lead of PT's 41.22%. But, that said, with BJT's well-earned reputation of being the ever-ready mobile "block for hire", this further poll indicator can't be happy reading for Abhisit & Co with their ever more imaginative predictions of taking 50+/60-odd list seats.

    Long way to go and all that...... and, yes, that nearly 10% "undecided" factor. Incidentally, no mention of "no vote"? The reported %'s come to 91.25 - is the 8.75% balance all for minor parties?
    Last edited by SteveCM; 22-05-2011 at 05:02 PM.
    .

    “.....the world will little note nor long remember what we say here....."

  3. #753
    Thailand Expat
    SteveCM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    A "non-existent" Thai PsyOps unit
    Posts
    4,550
    Red shirts on Pheu Thai list mocks peace talk

    EDITORIAL

    By The Nation
    Published on May 22, 2011



    Leading reds are charged with being party to terrorist acts last year; ranking them highly is a provocation

    If Yingluck Shinawatra's "We come to fix" election campaign theme was serious, sceptics were given a boost and even supporters did not want to talk about it on Thursday, when political camps including hers unveiled their party lists.

    Red-shirt leaders featured in the Pheu Thai Party's list, ironically on the first anniversary of the Ratchaprasong bloody crackdown and rioting. Whether or not their inclusion in the party list is the right thing is debatable, but what it will do to Yingluck's reconciliatory gesture two days earlier seems more obvious.

    In the political context, however, it's simply impossible to envision Pheu Thai dropping red leaders from its party list. Whether or not the party is sincere about reconciliation is another issue. The red-shirted presence in its party list simply serves to remind everyone that any suggestion about a quick solution to the Thai political crisis should be discarded.

    Most of the key red leaders in the party list are in the so-called "safe zone", that is, the top 50. That means they are very likely to get elected, and may get Cabinet posts if Pheu Thai emerges victorious from the July 3 election and becomes the core of the next government. Again, the moral question regarding red leaders in Parliament or Cabinet will have an inclusive answer. But such scenarios will not be conducive to Pheu Thai's proclaimed reconciliation agenda.

    The opposition party had faced a big dilemma regarding the red shirts, who form its enormous support base. Leaving the red shirt leaders out of the party list would have been political suicide. But now that they have been included in the list, the party's election campaign is looking provocative all of a sudden. When combined with the mooted amnesty plan for all "political" crimes that have been committed over the past few years, the red dominance in the party is making the future political road look quite precarious.

    The Pheu Thai leadership - be it Thaksin Shinawatra or his youngest sister Yingluck - did not have much choice. Like it or not the party still needs to utilise the loyalty of the red-shirt people, without whom the party will never win the election. Reconciliation, therefore, is just a nice word for everyone to say in the run-up to July 3. Abhisit Vejjajiva cannot achieve it, neither can Yingluck, or Banharn Silapa-archa, or Sanan Kachornprasart.

    The nation can only hope the political trouble does not get messier. Some of the Pheu Thai party-list candidates are accused of terrorism by the out-going Abhisit government. Only last week, top red-shirted leader Jatuporn Promphan had his bail revoked by the Criminal Court. What will happen if or when political power changes hand is the underlying question as a divided Thailand edges toward election day.

    Again, Pheu Thai's problem is just part of a bigger trouble, which all concerned parties have been contributing to but trying to distance themselves from. Even Abhisit's version of political peace sounds self-serving. Vote Democrat and you'll get more stability, but if Pheu Thai wins, its amnesty plan will bring back street trouble, he said. Normally a cautious speaker, Abhisit was risking stereotyping more than 10 million voters.

    All signs are pointing to more time of uncertainty and instability. Either a Democrat-led government or a Pheu Thai-led coalition will not bring about much-craved political peace. Even if "No" (abstention) votes are cast in a number big enough to draw attention, Thai politics is unlikely to calm down.

    All of these potential problems were expected. The first week of election registrations just confirmed them. It will be very hard being a Thai voter on July 3, but it's citizens' ultimate responsibility that must be carried out and fulfilled while they keep hoping for the best.

  4. #754
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Quote Originally Posted by Mid View Post
    Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai party-list candidate, Sunday called on red-shirt people to stop trying to disrupt the election campaigns of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

    Natthawut calls on red shirts to stop disrupting Abhisit's election rallies

    Anybody show me a link where this disruption is reported ?
    Well, here is Suthep spouting off about something, but no evidence...

    Suthep warns Red Shirts to stop disturbing Democrats election campaign : National News Bureau of Thailand

    Suthep warns Red Shirts to stop disturbing Democrats election campaign

    BANGKOK, 22 MAY 2011 (NNT) - Democrat Secretary-General Suthep Thuagsuban said he is not worried about red shirts trying to stir up a disturbance while the Democrat party is campaigning as it would affect the image of Pheu Thai party instead. He added that there will be no change of election campaign plan.

    Democrat Secretary-General Suthep Thuangsuban said if the Red shirts continue to cause trouble or create any disturbance to any political party during the election campaign, Pheu Thai party image will instead be affected as many of the Red Shirt leaders are registered as an MP candidate in the Phue Thai party.

    Speaking of democracy, Mr. Suthep said these types of actions are unacceptable, instead all parties should be able to campaign freely without any restrictions, disturbance or threats.

    Furthermore, Mr. Suthep added that the Democrat party is not in need of changes in the election campaign plan but will continue their original plan for the people.
    "Slavery is the daughter of darkness; an ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction; ambition and intrigue take advantage of the credulity and inexperience of men who have no political, economic or civil knowledge. They mistake pure illusion for reality, license for freedom, treason for patriotism, vengeance for justice."-Simón Bolívar

  5. #755
    Thailand Expat
    Mid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,411
    indeed and that's the point , there is no indication of the so called infraction taking place so what is Natthawut Saikua game ?

  6. #756
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    38,456
    Why all the big deal about PT having red shirts on their party list? The current deputy PM and Foreign minister was a yellow shirt, and took part in the occupation of the airport.

  7. #757
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    38,456
    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    Suthep warns Red Shirts to stop disturbing Democrats election campaign
    So far, it is only a PT MP that has been shot, and a PT electioneer that has had a grenade lobbed at her house.

  8. #758
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255405220010

    Democrat: Pheu Thai must show budget for Red Shirt rally


    BANGKOK, 22 May 2011 (NNT)-The Democrat Party is calling on the Election Commission to enforce electoral law on the Red Shirt rally while demanding that Pheu Thai is keeping records of their expenses as proof as over 20 Red Shirt core leaders reportedly have applied for Constituency MPs.

    Deputy Democrat Spokersperson MD Warong Dejkitwikrom explained that since there now existed a solid link between Pheu Thai and the anti government group, he cited the need for the Opposition to produce an expense statement not only when there is a political campaign but also each time the Red Shirt holds a rally.

    Meanwhile, another Deputy Spokesperson Ms. Karndee Leawpairot said the campaign in Siam square today was focused on new generation with policies on rooting out narcotics, teen pregnancy, violence, education, 3G technology and establishing grounds for Thai youth to engage in recreational activities.

  9. #759
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Red Shirts reappear ahead of poll | The Brunei Times

    And slightly longer version http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55728

    Red Shirts reappear ahead of poll


    Kwanchai Praipana, a red shirt anti-government leader, raises his fist as thousands of cheering demonstrators occupy the Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok's central shopping district, to show their defiance and mark the first anniversary of the 19 May 2010 crackdown in Bangkok last Thursday. Picture: EPA

    Marwaan Macan-Markar
    BANGKOK

    Sunday, May 22, 2011

    THAILAND faces a new phenomenon on the road leading to the July 3 polls: an informal union between a strong opposition political party and a formidable street protest movement that may reshape this year's political campaign.

    "This is a first in Thai history," said Pitch Pongsawat, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. "We have not seen such a fusion of a street protest movement and mainstream politics during an election campaign.

    "They have grown larger and stronger and more determined," Pitch said, describing the anti- government 'Red Shirt' protesters who have been challenging this South-east Asian kingdom's conservative political establishment since they made their presence felt in 2008. "These people will never give up their fight for truth and justice." Signs of this new alliance were visible on May 19. The day began with 26 political parties registering their candidates for the poll, yet ended in the evening on a different note: the return to the streets of the Red Shirts, who enjoy wide support among the country's urban and rural working class.

    It was more than a coincidence that thousands of protesters, wearing their signature red shirts, held a rally at a junction in the heart of an upscale shopping area in Bangkok that night.

    May 19 marked the first year anniversary of a bloody showdown, when Thai troops moved in to reclaim the streets at the Ratchaprasong intersection that the Red Shirts had taken over in mid-April 2010. This ritzy neighbourhood, boasting five-star hotels and shopping malls with designer clothing shops, had been converted into a Red Shirt protest site for weeks.

    The Red Shirts had attracted over 150,000 supporters at the height of their round-the-clock April rallies in Ratchaprasong, and weeks before, since mid-March, near the Democracy Monument in a historic neighbourhood of the Thai capital. But they took a heavy beating when the heavily armed Thai troops moved in.

    Human rights groups said 84 civilians were among the 91 people killed during the crackdown in April and May. The military, which ran gun battles with shadowy armed men firing from behind Red Shirt lines, reportedly lost seven men. Supharat Kongkuwee is still pained by the loss of her husband, Buntha, during last year's crackdown, Thailand's worst in nearly two decades. "He was killed on April 10," the 39-year-old mother of two said.

    "The gunshot hit his forehead."

    "The government has done little to answer the questions we have: Who killed him? How is the inquiry going," said the rice farmer from the north-eastern province of Chaiyaphum, who stood out in the sea of Red Shirts at Thursday's rally. She was cradling in her arms a framed picture of her 47-year-old husband wearing a red shirt, with the words "Brave Hero" written in white text on top. Her search for answers is not an isolated one. Other women, some of them wives and sisters who also came for the Red Shirt memorial rally at Ratchaprasong, shared similar sentiments. This longing for justice was featured prominently in the messages scrawled on white boards and red sheets unveiled around the many small shrines, with lit red candles, that dotted the streets around the main stage.

    "In plain view, government forces shot protesters and armed militants shot soldiers, but no one has been held responsible," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), when the global rights lobby released a report this month on the crackdown in Bangkok. "Those who were killed and wounded deserve better than this. The government should ensure that all those who committed violence and abuses, on both sides, are investigated and prosecuted."

    The Red Shirts' rage is directed at the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose Democrat Party faces a tough challenge from the opposition Phue Thai party. The latter is expected to profit from this anger, given the strong ties that have bound some Phue Thai politicians with the Red Shirts movement.

    It is a link also stemming from the political patron behind both: the fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption charges slapped on him after he was deposed in a September 2006 military coup, the country's 18th putsch since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Thaksin's popularity among Red Shirts grew out of his innovative pro-poor policies to ease debt, provide universal health care and improve the grassroots economy during the five years he was premier, beginning in 2001. The Phue Thai party has pledged to implement similar policies.

    Red Shirts supporters like Nawarat Bangsrabunwit, who was at Thursday night's rally, is typical of others gearing up for the polls as an avenue to take on the country's anti-democracy pillars - the powerful military, the aristocracy, and the conservative bureaucratic and political elite. Other Red Shirts protesters are looking to the July election, described by some analysts as a watershed moment at a time of political acrimony, as an occasion to reclaim political power after being disenfranchised twice. Two pro-Thaksin political parties that many Red Shirts had supported in the 2005 and 2007 polls were dissolved.

    The incumbent Democrat Party, which formed a coalition government in December 2008 with the backing of the country’s powerful military, is expected to face the brunt of the unprecedented twin challenges.

    "The Red Shirts and the Phue Thai party are two legs of one movement," says Weng Tojirakarn, a Red Shirts leader who will be contesting under the Phue Thai banner for a seat in the 500-member legislature. "One will fight for change inside parliament and the other will do so outside parliament, but legitimately."
    Last edited by StrontiumDog; 22-05-2011 at 08:22 PM.

  10. #760
    I'm in Jail
    Butterfly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-06-2021 @ 11:13 PM
    Posts
    39,832
    The Red Shirts == Mussolini Black Shirt

  11. #761
    Thailand Expat
    SteveCM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    A "non-existent" Thai PsyOps unit
    Posts
    4,550
    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    Meanwhile, another Deputy Spokesperson Ms. Karndee Leawpairot said the campaign in Siam square today was focused on new generation with policies on rooting out narcotics, teen pregnancy, violence, education, 3G technology and establishing grounds for Thai youth to engage in recreational activities.
    More Dem MPs who are "spokespersons" - albeit "Deputy"? Just how many do they have? Surprising that they even want to mention "3G technology" given the continuing monumental balls-up its (non-)introduction has been. It can be really tough campaigning on your record.....

  12. #762
    Twitter #BKKTS
    Tom Sawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    27-08-2023 @ 10:33 AM
    Posts
    9,222
    Another great piece by Marwaan.

  13. #763
    Thailand Expat
    SteveCM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    A "non-existent" Thai PsyOps unit
    Posts
    4,550


    [at]Abhisit_DP
    meets with teenagers at Centre Point in his election campaign

    http://yfrog.com
    /h289xovcj #thaielection via [at]nationphoto


    ......


    Gee, it was so worth going to Eton and Oxford.... check out the gravitas.

    And, yes, that is what politics produces - and, yes, there will also be equally squirm-making pics of Yingluck and others.

  14. #764
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Pheu Thai takes early lead: poll

    Pheu Thai takes early lead: poll

    By The Nation
    Published on May 23, 2011


    Surveys show Yingluck starts well while PM Abhisit's leadership rating may have slipped

    Pheu Thai Party's candidate to be premier, Yingluck Shinawatra, was tipped by opinion polls to be the front-runner to take the top job in the next government, while Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's approval rating was on the decline at the end of the first week of campaigning.

    The Pheu Thai polled 41 per cent, while the Democrats won backing from just under 37 per cent, according to results released by Dusit Poll yesterday.

    Yingluck's leadership rating was on the way up while Prime Minister Abhisit was on the slide, according to an Abac poll released yesterday.

    The Abac Poll showed Abhisit's leadership index had seen a drop in all aspects, especially in the view of the 'new generation', from 42.8 to 36.

    Yingluck's leadership index, in contrast, had risen in all aspects such as tolerance and control of emotions - from 9.7 to 16.2; politeness - from 13 to 21.9 per cent; international acceptance - from 11.3 to 17.7; a good role model - from 9.8 to 15.9, generosity - from 13.1 to 20.6; leadership - from 12.9 to 20.4; and competence - from 10.9 to 16.7.

    However, the pollsters said that results of the survey on leadership between Yingluck and Abhisit showed no significant difference as the poll allowed an error margin of plus or minus seven points.

    The Dusit Poll entitled: "Which party will you vote for from on the party list?" was conducted with 3,584 respondents from May 19-22, after all 26 parties drew lots on May 19 to get a number that will represent their party in the party-list system.

    An Abac poll of 2,300 respondents from May 16-21 in 17 provinces across the country indicated that Yingluck had swayed votes in her favour from people who had been undecided. They seemed to have made a decision after getting more information about Yingluck.

    Of the total, 59 per cent wanted to see a debate between Abhisit and Yingluck so they could have more information on which to make their decision. They also wanted to know the vision of the prime ministerial candidates, to judge who is more quick-witted and more competent to solve the country's problems.

    The survey suggested Yingluck could get more votes if she followed the model of her brother - fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra - by living in a tent at Art Samart district in Roi Et to hear complaints from rural villagers. Thaksin's popularity rating skyrocketed after conducting a virtual reality show at the village.

    Pheu Thai Party's deputy leader Kanawat Wasinsangworn said it was rare for a new politician to get such a high approval rating at so early a stage. The poll results reflected the fact people were ready to accept Yingluck as their leader, he said.

    "The party made the right decision in choosing Yingluck as the top candidate in the election," he said.

    Of 400 respondents to a Twitter poll by The Nation - [at]jin_nation - 49 per cent voted for Abhisit, 34 per cent for Yingluck, six per cent for Love Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit and three per cent for Rak Thai Party's Purachai Piumsomboon. Of the respondents, 8 per cent said they would cast a 'No' vote in the July 3 election. The poll was open for seven hours for vote via Twitter.

    The Nation's Facebook poll (Thai Election 2011), which was conducted from May 13 until yesterday, showed 601 respondents voting for Abhisit and 1,821 voting for Yingluck as the next prime minister.

  15. #765
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    'Hard to prove reds, Pheu Thai are one'

    'Hard to prove reds, Pheu Thai are one'

    By Kanittha Thepkajorn,
    Olarn Lertrattanadamrongkul
    The Nation
    Published on May 23, 2011

    Democrats complain to EC that reds give rivals an unfair spending advantage

    Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn said it was not easy for the Democrats to prove that the red shirts belonged to the Pheu Thai Party or that they were from the same organisation.

    The ruling Democrat Party has cried foul over the red shirts rallying to help Pheu Thai in its election campaign. It called on the EC to strictly check Pheu Thai's campaign spending by including election spending incurred by the red shirts as part of Pheu Thai's outlays.

    "There are many political groups - yellow, red. They may be related but they are not in the same group,'' Suthiphon said.

    He said campaign spending could only be checked after the election had been held and it was different from electoral fraud, which it could check before and after the poll.

    The Democrat Party, which faced possible dissolution over a complaint about election spending, won legal cases late last year to avert such a threat.

    Democrat deputy spokesman Warong Dejkitwikrom spoke at a press conference calling on the EC to strictly check Pheu Thai's spending after the royal decree to dissolve Parliament went into effect on May 10.

    He said it was believed that Pheu Thai and the red shirts were one. Therefore, the EC must enforce the law to prevent the red shirts from carrying out any activities that would benefit Pheu Thai, otherwise the party would have an unfair edge over its rivals.

    "The EC must take action to prevent other parties from using rallies or other activities to help them win the election," he said.

    Meanwhile, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, Natthawut Saikua, a Pheu Thai party-list candidate, said he would talk to DAAD leader Thida Tojirakarn to rein in the red shirts after reports that they had been harassing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during campaigning by holding placards with messages to oust him.

    "I want the red shirts to stop harassing Abhisit as the country should have a good election climate," he said. "If the red shirts go to Abhisit's rally stage to oust him, they may face negative consequences as Abhisit can file complaints accusing us of blocking his election rally.

    "I want every red shirt to keep calm and let everything go according to the rules,'' he said.

    Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said the red shirts did not commit any offence by holding placards calling for the PM to be ousted. "The act does not violate election laws as long as there are no physical assaults,'' he said.

    Natthawut denied allegations that the red shirts were rewarded en masse by being named as Pheu Thai party-list candidates. He said only three people - Dr Weng Tojirakarn, Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, and Shinawatra Habunpad - had benefited.

    Jatuporn Promphan and Kokaew Pikulthong had earlier been members of Pheu Thai from the beginning. Some had contested in elections. Some who faced political bans sent their wives or relatives to represent them.

    He also rejected reports that Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul, a leader of Love Chiang Mai 51 group, was upset that he was ranked No 86 on the Pheu Thai party list and threatened to order the red shirts in Chiang Mai not to vote against Pheu Thai.

    Natthawut said Petchawat were a bit upset but it was not a big issue. He will feel better in a few days and will not abandon the party.

  16. #766
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Yingluck cries again in Phayao

    Yingluck cries again in Phayao

    By The Nation
    Published on May 23, 2011

    Pheu Thai Party's candidate to be prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, shed tears again yesterday when asking for support from voters in Phayao.

    While campaigning for three Pheu Thai candidates in the northern province, Yingluck cried, saying the Shinawatra family had a debt of gratitude to the people.

    She asked for a chance to become Thailand's first woman prime minister, to revive the economic policies of her brother, former prime minister Thaksin, and "correct mistakes" of the Democrat government.

    On Saturday, just before campaigning in Chiang Mai, Yingluck wept while begging for a chance to become prime minister.

    Yesterday, Yingluck took part in a major campaign at a park in downtown Phayao. She was accompanied by Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and several Pheu Thai candidates - Chalerm Yoobamrung, Natthawut Saikua and Danuporn Punnakan.

    About 5,000 local people turned up for the rally.

    Yingluck said people in Phayao could help her become prime minister by electing Pheu Thai candidates in all the three constituencies.

    Meanwhile in Bangkok, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat Party leader, held a seminar for the party's constituency candidates at the Miracle Grand Hotel.

    Abhisit warned the candidates to be careful when taking part in election campaigns because rivals might use any tactics to try to win the poll.

    During the seminar, Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri told Democrat candidates to use "5 reductions and 5 increases" in their election campaigns.

    Trairong explained that the Democrats had policies to try to reduce education costs for the 15 years of 'free' schooling; to reduce cost of university study via soft loans to students; to reduce restrictions on free universal healthcare; to continue to reduce living costs for people by providing free water, power, bus and train services; and to reduce the cost of fertiliser for farmers.

    The five promised increases by the Democrats were: they would try to increase profits for farmers by 25 per cent, would increase minimum wages by 25 per cent in two years, would increase allowances for elderly people, would increase the fight against drug trafficking and would increase efforts to uphold the rule of law without granting an amnesty to wrongdoers.

  17. #767
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Major parties reach out via social media

    SPECIAL


    Major parties reach out via social media

    By Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
    The Nation
    Published on May 23, 2011

    It is not surprising at all that the Democrat Party, the oldest political party, is leaning heavily on social media to woo voters, especially from the new generation.

    The party plans to have its leader, caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, talk to the public via Livestream on his Facebook page.

    The party earlier launched the Future Thai Leaders project, aimed at winning support from youths and employing social networks to arouse a greater interest in politics among the silent majority.

    Now, most if not all new-generation people and city residents are familiar with Internet communities, especially Facebook and Twitter. And people seem to be so crazy about online life or have been so affected by "social networkism" that some offices have blocked access to Facebook.

    Several parties have moved to try to dominate the online communities and the two major parties - Democrat and Pheu Thai - seem interested the most in courting online users.

    The Democrats' tapping of social media as a new-age tool to win votes reflects the lead of some core members, including Abhisit, Korn Chatikavanij, Korbsak Sabhavasu and Satit Wongnontoey, who have jumped into cyberspace by opening social network accounts.

    Apirak Kosayodhin, the director of the Bangkok election campaign for the Democrats, said the party is providing a new channel for gathering support via social networks. Abhisit would speak live to some 600,000 fans every Sunday at 8.30pm via Livestream on Facebook, with the first broadcast last night, he said.

    The live broadcast can be accessed at the Abhisit.M.Vejjajiva Facebook page, which is known as Abhisit Ch.10, and the DemcoratPartyTH or DEM 10 Facebook page.

    The Democrats also offer an iPhone application democratTH, with feeds from the party's tweets to iPhone. iPhone users can hear audio clips of Abhisit by shaking the phone.

    The Pheu Thai Party is also looking to mine the social media for votes. The party's de-facto leader, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been using Twitter and Facebook for years to keep in touch with his supporters. Thaksin is seen as the Thai politician who is among the big-time social networkers.

    Kanawat Wasinsungworn, deputy leader of Pheu Thai, said the party has been unleashing election campaigns via social media.

    People could monitor the party's election platform and view photos of the party's activities on the party's Twitter and Facebook pages. The campaign schedule of Pheu Thai's prime-minister candidate, Yingluck Shinawatra, is also published on the party's Facebook page.

    Since their rivals the Democrats have an application, Pheu Thai cannot afford not to have one of its own.

    Pheu Thai will this week launch applications for iPhone, Android, Symbian and BlackBerry so the party can disseminate information directly to the people.

    "Although most supporters of the party are middle-class and lower-class people, we do not ignore other groups, who are new-generation members. These people are city dwellers with the lifestyle of using social media to communicate," Kanawat said.

    Chuwit Kamolvisit, the Rak Prathet Thai Party leader who wants to appeal to young voters, said his party would start campaigning on Facebook and Twitter and the party's website this week.

    But his party will need two more weeks to gather information before introducing mobile applications for campaigning. He admitted that the mobile applications might not be ready for this election.

    Social media would allow people to know what his party has been doing but he would seek to meet voters face-to-face to ask for their votes, he said.

    "I'll focus on visiting voters. I'll visit major provinces, where there are universities, such as Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai and Songkhla. I would like to tell university students there that they will have a chance to meet me in person," Chuwit said.

    While political parties have been campaigning on the Internet, the Election Commission has failed to come up with clear-cut regulations to control spending on social media and the scope of online campaigning. It is also uncertain how it can prevent electioneering from continuing after 6pm on July 2, like the prohibition of campaigns in the real world.

    An EC official said that since it is difficult to monitor campaign spending on social media, the EC would not control it at all.

    Candidates and their canvassers should not post campaign messages online after 6pm, as that would be illegal, the source said.

    If their supporters post messages after 6pm, that would be fine, but if the EC can prove that the campaign messages came from the candidates or their canvassers, they would face legal action.

    And if they pretend to be their rivals to post the messages, those found posting the messages will also face legal action.

    The EC cannot survey cyberspace for any violations of election laws so the candidates and parties must do their own surveillance, the EC source added.

    Politicians on Twitter, Facebook

    Twitter

    [at]democratTH: 4,183 followers

    [at]Abhisit_DP: 7,956 followers

    [at]PheuThaiParty: 5,345 followers

    [at]PouYingluck: 5,840 followers

    [at]bhumjaithai: 619 followers

    [at]New_Politics: 329 followers

    (As of yesterday)

    Facebook

    * Abhisit Vejjajiva | Facebook: 621,243 likes

    * www.facebook.com/DemocratPartyTH: 19,243 likes

    * facebook.com/pheuthaiparty: 8,325 likes

  18. #768
    Member
    Bettyboo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last Online
    Yesterday @ 05:39 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    34,272
    Quote Originally Posted by SteveCM
    Red shirts on Pheu Thai list mocks peace talk EDITORIAL By The Nation Published on May 22, 2011
    As Sabang noted, the Nation don't seem to worry about Kasit, or how about the army coup PM (Mr I am not involved in politics, never will be, just doing my bit for the country...)/privvy council guy Sondhi/Sonthi... Might as well have a go at Suthep for his multiple corruptions, or NPP guys who are up on charges... but, that wouldn't suit their perverted propaganda...

    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    Suthep warns Red Shirts to stop disturbing Democrats election campaign by being better than them and having a nicer looking head of party
    I thought my additions help the flow, and is more honest too.

    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    Democrat: Pheu Thai must show budget for Red Shirt rally
    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    Democrats complain to EC that reds give rivals an unfair spending advantage
    dems are really desperate, so early in the game too; can't see the election running the course because the PT are doing too well, time for the army to set off a few bombs around Bkk and call a halt to elections, bring in ISOC, etc...

  19. #769
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    ^ Check this out...

    Bangkok Post : 'Warriors' join mission to red-card Pheu Thai Party

    'Warriors' join mission to red-card Pheu Thai Party
    A former army captain who helped train security guards for the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy has set up a group that will monitor the Pheu Thai Party's election campaign.


    A Democrat supporter, right, shouts to ask people to vote for number 10 while a People’s Alliance for Democracy campaigner, left, shows a Vote No placard as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva campaigns at Siam Square in Bangkok yesterday. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

    Capt Songklod Chuenchuphol, 48, said on his Facebook and Twitter pages he was recruiting more "anonymous warriors" to join a "mission" to give red cards to Pheu Thai candidates in the July3 election.

    He and his group will monitor any activities by Pheu Thai candidates that could be deemed a violation of election regulations and will lodge complaints with the Election Commission (EC) to get those candidates disqualified.

    Capt Songklod said he had started the anti-Pheu Thai poll watch because several co-leaders of the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were on the party's list of candidates in the party list system.

    He said he was concerned that red shirt figures who had allegedly triggered political mayhem would gain power to govern the country through the election.

    "Anonymous warriors will serve as intelligence officers who will attend all election campaign events of Pheu Thai to gather evidence and later submit it to the EC," Capt Songklod said.

    He said he went to a Pheu Thai rally on Saturday and was warned by people he met to stop what he was doing.

    "That's why I have posted on my Twitter and Facebook that if something happens to me, it will be a result of the duty that I am doing," he said.

    Capt Songklod claimed no political parties or groups were behind his action. He said he had already dissociated himself from the PAD, although he had once been trained as a security guard for the movement.

    He said he would urge Bhumjaithai Party de facto leader Newin Chidchob to provide him with "strategic support".

    Capt Songklod said the failure of Pheu Thai candidates in the election would help Bhumjaithai candidates.

    Mr Newin should support him because his work would eventually benefit Bhumjaithai.

  20. #770
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Bangkok Post : Popular Yingluck sets the pace

    Popular Yingluck sets the pace

    Democrats 'must revise strategy' to catch up
    The Democrat Party needs to revise its election campaign strategy to catch up with the rising popularity of Yingluck Shinawatra, according to Abac Poll director Noppadol Kanikar.

    Ms Yingluck's leadership image has improved significantly since the Pheu Thai Party named her as its prime ministerial candidate last week.

    The youngest sister of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has dominated mainstream media coverage over the past week after she decided to run in the July 3 election as Pheu Thai's No 1 party list candidate.

    Ms Yingluck's election campaign in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district on Friday was warmly welcomed by local people, while her first upcountry campaign in Chiang Mai and other northern provinces that ended yesterday drew tens of thousands of supporters who greeted her like a superstar.

    The 44-year-old businesswoman-turned-politician has apparently overshadowed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party's campaign.

    "There are reasons for the Democrats to fear [Ms Yingluck], considering a sharp increase in her popularity in various aspects," Mr Noppadol said.

    Assumption University's poll centre interviewed 2,333 adults in 17 provinces from May 16-21 to gauge public opinion over the leadership images of Mr Abhisit and Ms Yingluck.

    The survey was divided into two periods _ before and after the nomination of Ms Yingluck as a candidate for prime minister.

    The result, released yesterday, showed that Ms Yingluck's leadership image improved significantly in all aspects, such as knowledge and capability, political ethics, honesty, vision, public acceptance and politeness, said Mr Noppadol.

    Before the nomination, only 10.9% of respondents said Ms Yingluck has leadership characteristics, but the figure jumped to 20.4% after May 16.



    Although Mr Abhisit's overall image was better than his rival's, his popularity has dropped in almost all aspects.

    For example, the number of respondents viewing Mr Abhisit as a new-generation politician dropped from 42.8% to 36%, while his public acceptance was down from 49.6% to 47%.

    Almost 60% of respondents said they wanted to see a debate between Mr Abhisit and Ms Yingluck.

    "Democrats should push for the debate to happen because it will help boost Mr Abhisit's popularity, especially among voters who based their decision on content rather than public appearance," said the Abac Poll director.

    The Democrat Party's key figure, meanwhile, shrugged off the poll's findings and vowed to press ahead with the election strategy.

    Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the poll showed that Mr Abhisit's leadership image was far better than that of Ms Yingluck.

    Mr Suthep said he gave little weight to the poll as respondents could easily change their minds.

    Korn Chatikavanij, the finance minister and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said it was a little surprising that Ms Yingluck's popularity had risen.

    He said the Democrats remained confident that voters would recognise the advantages in terms of experience and policy substance held by Mr Abhisit.

    "[For Ms Yingluck], the most important policy put forth is essentially to help her older brother," Mr Korn told the Bangkok Post.

    He said the personal qualifications of the two party leaders also offered a sharp contrast, with Mr Abhisit having a clear edge in terms of political experience over Ms Yingluck.

    Komsan Pokong, a law lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said the results of the poll could reflect that most respondents might be fed up with the current government and Mr Abhisit, who have failed to accomplish some policies since they came to power two years ago.

    Surichai Wun-gaeo, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said Ms Yingluck was being introduced to Thai voters as "a new product" in the political market.

    "So it is usual that customers are fond of that product without thinking deeply whether or not we will benefit from it,"said Mr Surichai.

    Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, director of Sripathum University's Policy Watch Centre, said it was too early to conclude that Ms Yingluck had better leadership skills than Mr Abhisit.

    Mr Somchai said Ms Yingluck's leadership image has significantly improved because she has made many public appearances since she was named Pheu Thai's PM candidate.

    Mr Somchai said public opinion towards Mr Abhisit and Ms Yingluck could change in the next two or three weeks after people listened more to policies from the two candidates.

    Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the poll showed that Ms Yingluck was becoming much more popular than Mr Abhisit.

    Ms Yingluck and the Pheu Thai candidates finished their election campaign in the northern provinces yesterday.

    At Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Ms Yingluck and Pheu Thai's candidates for constituency MPs addressed about 20,000 supporters.

  21. #771
    Member
    Bettyboo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last Online
    Yesterday @ 05:39 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    34,272
    ^^ Has he given a red card to Kasit too?

    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    He said he would urge Bhumjaithai Party de facto leader Newin Chidchob to provide him with "strategic support".
    Arhhh, so another PADite who is a true supporter of democracy; how can they hate MrT, but get on so well with MrN??? I thought he was the Cambodian witch doctor who was putting a spell on the nation's 'most important instituitions'...

  22. #772
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Other Bangkok Post election stories today...

    Red shirts told to stop harassing Abhisit
    23/05/2011 : Red shirt leader Natthawut Saikua has told supporters to stop disturbing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva while campaigning, saying their actions might result in a legal backlash from the Democrat Party.

    Parties tout clean industry policy for East
    23/05/2011 : CHON BURI : The Democrat, Pheu Thai and Phalang Chon parties have unveiled their policies to develop industry, agriculture and tourism in the eastern region.

    Chavalit's son stands for New Aspiration
    23/05/2011 : Former Pheu Thai chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's son, Khuekpol, will stand in the July 3 election under the New Aspiration Party banner.

    Soldiers out in full force
    23/05/2011 : The army says it will provide high-level security in troubled Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and four districts of Songkhla for the election.

    Security tightened for PAO poll
    23/05/2011 : The election of Samut Prakan's provincial administration organisation president went ahead yesterday under tight security following the May 10 shooting of former Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee.
    Last edited by StrontiumDog; 23-05-2011 at 03:50 PM.

  23. #773
    Thailand Expat
    SteveCM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    A "non-existent" Thai PsyOps unit
    Posts
    4,550
    Thai-ASEAN News Network

    Top Democrat: Pheu Thai's Amnesty Will Deter Voters

    UPDATE : 23 May 2011

    The Democrat secretary-general is not worried about surveys that shows greater popularity for the Pheu Thai Party than his party.

    He adds that the Pheu Thai’s amnesty campaign policy will deter Thais from voting for the party.

    Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is also the Democrat secretary-general, noted that he is not worried about the greater popularity of the Pheu Thai Party’s PM candidate Yingluck Shinawatra over the Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

    He said the public will ultimately be the one to decide and Abhisit has proven himself as a politician in his dedication to the people.

    As for Yingluck, Suthep sees that she is joining politics now because it would benefit her business and help her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, from being prosecuted.

    On Pheu Thai’s campaign for amnesty for all politically-related cases after the 2008 coup, Suthep said voters may be deterred from voting for the party by the policy as it distorts democracy.

    He added that Pheu Thai is not fully democratic as seen by its decision to field red-shirt leaders as MP candidates.

    He claims doing so only gives immunity to the red-shirt leaders from prosecution.

    Suthep said the Democrat’s MP candidates have been asked to run a clean campaign rather than engage in mud-slinging against its competitors.

    The Democrat secretary-general refused to comment on the statement made by Thaksin that Yingluck is his clone.

    He further said that current coalition partners have not made any promises with each other so after the election, each party has its freedom to team up with whichever party it wants to.

    Earlier last week constituency MP candidates of the Democrat Party took part in a seminar at the Miracle Grand Hotel.

    Many topics were discussed such as campaign policies and how to prepare for campaigning.

    Abhisit, along with deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij, the party’s Bangkok election director Apirak Kosayodhin, and Bangkok Governor Mom Ratchawongse Sukhumbhand Paribatara, visited the Benjasiri Park yesterday morning to campaign and introduce the MP candidate for constituency 4 in Bangkok Anucha Burapachaisri.

    Abhisit told his supporters that every vote counts towards determining Thailand’s political future.

    He went on to say his Democrat Party has steered the country away from the worst global economic and political crises despite some losses of lives which he still deeply regrets.

    He added that for long-lasting peace, everyone must respect and abide by the law.

  24. #774
    Suspended from News & Speakers Corner
    Calgary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Last Online
    20-02-2013 @ 03:06 PM
    Location
    Severondonetsk, Ukraine
    Posts
    3,005
    Natthawut asks reds not to harass PM

    Ok, Natthahwut did his job.......now just harass away. It is lucky they only hold up signs to convey the truth and cut the through the BS being promulgated from the stage.

    Holding up signs is nothing compared to the harrasment perpetrated upon these people at Ratchaprasong last year. Signs dont draw blood.

    I had occasion to drive to Mahasarakham last week, and noticed that 3/4 of the Democrat signs with a large photo of the Oxford Educated personage were damaged. And the damage was quite consistent as to its nature.

    ".....the fact that one year after the military crackdown on the red shirts the government had made little progress in its investigations into the violent incident".

    It is not a question about 'lacking progress' but more a question of avoidance. This may no longer be tolerated after this election.

    "The red shirts wanted the government to answer who were responsible"

    Which would be impossible. The most responsible are also the most insulated against exposure.
    Last edited by Calgary; 23-05-2011 at 11:47 AM.

  25. #775
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030
    Bangkok Post : Democrat website hacked

    Democrat website hacked
    A website of the Democrat Party, set up to attract young people, was hacked on Sunday night.

    Reports said an anonymous hacker broke into "www.youngdemocrat.org" while Prime Minister and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was using social media for his party's election campaign.

    The hacker replaced the homepage with a black background with the message: "Don't Worry Admin! Your Files and Database Are Safe!!! I Just Wanna Tell You that Your Security Sucks!!!"

    The black background and the message were removed on Monday morning, but the website was still down.

Page 31 of 175 FirstFirst ... 2123242526272829303132333435363738394181131 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •