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  1. #851
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    Quote Originally Posted by SteveCM
    Veteran politician Chalerm Yoobamrung has insisted that the Pheu Thai Party's campaign for amnesty to people affected by the coup of September 2006 is not aimed at benefiting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra alone.
    this is quite shameful actually,

    the abuses by the reds and the military must be exposed and punished, it's not negotiable

  2. #852
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    http://www.bangkokpost.com/multimedia/vdo/238500/exclusive-yingluck-shinawatra-interview

    Multimedia > Videos

    Exclusive: Yingluck Shinawatra Interview

    Published: 23/05/2011

    "I'm a clone in terms of logical thinking... but I will make my own decisions," Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra tells the Bangkok Post ahead of July 3 election."


    [A bit over 5 mins - interview conducted in English]
    .

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

  3. #853
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    Quote Originally Posted by SteveCM
    but I will make my own decision

  4. #854
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    Thai-ASEAN News Network

    Top Pheu Thai Candidate to Let Party Decide on PM Race

    UPDATE : 23 May 2011

    Pheu Thai Party's top party-list MP candidate says the decision whether to nominate her for the premier post solely rests with the party's decision.

    Pheu Thai Party's number one party-list MP candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said she could not confirm whether she will be nominated as the prime ministerial candidate if her party wins the election and added the matter should become clear after the poll.

    She said if Pheu Thai wins more than half of the House seats, the party will be entitled to nominate one of its MPs for the prime minister post.


    Her prospect of becoming the country's first woman prime minister became uncertain after her brother Thaksin Shinawatra suggested she might not be nominated for the post.

    Yingluck maintained that Pheu Thai did not go against Thaksin's wish by naming her its prime minister candidate as it is still not certain if the party will successfully form the new government.

    If the group emerges the House's largest party, it should be allowed to do try and form the new administration first.

    Yingluck added she believed the army will not stage a coup if she is elected prime minister given that no one wants such scenario.

    Asked about Thaksin's suggestion that she is his political clone, Yingluck responded she has always followed her brother's steps.

    Yingluck said the meaning of Thaksin's clone is the understanding and the recognition of his ideas, but she makes her own decisions.
    "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. #855
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    Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
    Pheu Thai Party's number one party-list MP candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said she could not confirm whether she will be nominated as the prime ministerial candidate if her party wins the election and added the matter should become clear after the poll.
    is she resigning already ? unfuckingbelievable, is that even legal ?

  6. #856
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    Thai-ASEAN News Network

    Chat Thai Pattana Stresses Reconciliation

    UPDATE : 23 May 2011

    The Chat Thai Pattana Party has kicked off its election campaign, leading with efforts to restore national unity as it believes the country cannot move forward if political polarization still exits.

    Chat Thai Pattana's key figures today introduced the party's campaign policies which emphasizes national reconciliation.

    Party leader Chumpol Silpa-archa said the group will move ahead with its plans for social unity presented by chief adviser Major General Sanan Kajornprasart.

    Chumpol said his party will represent the symbol of national harmony.


    It will begin campaigning for its reconciliation policy in Bangkok and nearby provinces.

    Chumpol asked all parties to support his group's policies and pledged it will heed the advices by the National Reform Committee to ease social dispute.

    Meanwhile, Sanan said he has met with several political parties, including ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra, over the past eight months and they agreed with his reconciliation plan.

    Sanan stated the effort will take time, but the first step is to raise awareness.

    He suggested that social disunity will severely hurt post-election politics.

    Party key man Pradit Pattharaprasit said restoration of national unity must be the top priority as the existence of conflicts will hinder the country's economic development.

    Pradit then suggested red-shirt leaders' call for supporters to refrain from disturbing election campaigns by opponent political parties conveyed a good sign for national reconciliation.

  7. #857
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    I bet Chalerm is the real candidate, speak of an election trick

  8. #858
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    Quote Originally Posted by SteveCM View Post
    Thaksin: "Matichon has published the interview today which I gave on May 14 ... thus if the PM would be voted directly I'd chose Yingluck!"
    7 minutes ago
    Would be interesting to know what Matichon has to say about this.

  9. #859
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    Quote Originally Posted by SteveCM View Post
    Exclusive: Yingluck Shinawatra Interview

    Published: 23/05/2011

    "I'm a clone in terms of logical thinking... but I will make my own decisions," Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra tells the Bangkok Post ahead of July 3 election."


    [A bit over 5 mins - interview conducted in English]
    "Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - he can give us the suggestion of the idea", did she forget former?

    Her English isn't too good, it's difficult to get an idea what she means, like when she talks about being a clone.

    The journalist really let's her off the hook on the WOD, he doesn't have the balls to push.

    The Abhisit interview is just as bad. Yingluck is trying to say something, but it's incomprehensible. Abhisit is crystal clear - but he has nothing worthwhile to say.

    Thai journalism is of a high school standard, the politics is filthy. This is why I have trouble with the red supporters, they talk the election strategies and policies up, but really it's just about thugs and money.

  10. #860
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    Thida: reds seen booing Abhisit while campaigning were probably the FAKE reds.Some party hired them to protest, to frame reds.(via [at]Cake_NBC)
    Last edited by StrontiumDog; 23-05-2011 at 10:43 PM.

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    http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255405230021

    Thaksin tweets 5 reasons to vote for Yingluck


    BANGKOK, 23 May 2011 (NNT) – On his Twitter page, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has boasted five reasons for the public to cast their votes for his younger sister and Pheu Thai candidate Yingluck Shinawatra as the next prime minister.

    Mr Thaksin stated in his latest Twitter message that he would vote for Ms Yingluck as the new leader of the country if he had the right. He then persuaded his followers to choose his sister in the upcoming election and gave five reasons for doing so.

    The ex-premier claimed that being a female with no political baggage would serve as an advantage for Ms Yingluck in the effort to reunite Thai people. He also said her 20-year experiences in a wide range of positions within a public company would help her tackle the prevailing economic problems while her family background and education would allow her to adapt to the political arena in no time.

    Lastly, Mr Thaksin expressed confidence that the aforementioned qualities would allow the Pheu Thai contender to develop a sound understanding of all people, from the grassroots population to entrepreneurs, as well as trade practices with foreign partners.

    At the same time, the former Prime Minister admitted some weaknesses of his sister in the areas of law, government system and military. However, he assured that there would be no problems if capable individuals were recruited to oversee related tasks.

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    Amnesty 'aimed at both sides' : Chalerm

    Amnesty 'aimed at both sides' : Chalerm

    By PRAPAN JINDALERT-UDOMDEE,
    PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
    THE NATION
    Published on May 24, 2011


    Veteran politician Chalerm Yoobamrung insists that Pheu Thai Party's campaign to seek an amnesty for people affected by the September 2006 coup is not aimed at just benefiting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

    Chalerm said yesterday that after the July 3 election, Pheu Thai would seek an amnesty for all sides involved in the drawn-out political conflict and would help push an amnesty law if the party became part of the next government."We will have to look into the details of what can and cannot be done. We will not resort to preferential treatment and won't prevent any other group from benefiting. The yellow shirts who are qualified for amnesty will get it," Chalerm said.

    "We are not doing this for the Pheu Thai Party alone. Whether this is done through a public referendum will be decided after we win the election. However, our election victory is a referendum by itself," he said.

    "Thaksin is one of the people affected [by the 2006 coup]. We have to find out if what he suffered can be corrected by legal means such as an amnesty or pardon. Everything should be in line with the law and legal principles."

    The veteran politician said he did not think there would be any opposition to the idea of an amnesty if Pheu Thai won the election.

    "We are not solving Thaksin's problem, we are aiming to solve the entire country's problem, for the majority of people. Those who are guilty should be regarded as the guilty party, but those who are innocent and persecuted wrongly should get justice," he said.

    Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger sister and Pheu Thai's candidate for prime minister, has given Chalerm the job of leading the push for an amnesty.

    Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile overseas, to escape a two year jail term handed down by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders in 2008, after being convicted of a conflict of interest over a major land deal.

    Assoc Prof Somchai Preechasilapakul, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Law, said yesterday that he expected a lengthy discussion on who would benefit from an amnesty, adding that a degree of public opposition to an amnesty would be a key factor.

    "The question is whether the red- and the yellow-shirt people who face criminal cases will be considered for an amnesty," the lecturer said.

    Piphob Dhongchai, a co-leader of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, said yesterday that PAD leaders disagreed with the idea of an amnesty.

    "Though we are facing more legal cases than those on Thaksin's side, we don't want an amnesty. We want all the sides to go through the legal process," he said.

    However, the PAD co-leader would not say if the yellow shirts would take to the streets to protest against the proposed amnesty law.

    Two red-shirt supporters - picked at random - were unenthusiastic about the amnesty plan floated by Pheu Thai, saying it was important to bring those responsible for the 92 deaths and the thousands of injuries last year to justice. This, they felt, was more important than Thaksin being given an amnesty.

    "I don't agree with an amnesty. Those who committed wrong must be punished accordingly," red-shirt activist Jittra Kotchadej said. "Those responsible for the burnings and killings [last April and May] need to be brought to trial. If we keep granting them amnesty, then when will the military - who I believe were behind the killings - be made accountable?"

    Jittra also believed the corruption verdict on Thaksin's Ratchada land deal was politically motivated and he should get an amnesty because of that.

    Pratchayaa Surakamchonrot, 25, a red-shirt supporter and social-science researcher, said he partially agreed with the policy, especially when it came to granting amnesty to those convicted under a "political court" after the military coup in 2006. Pratchayaa was referring to the Constitution Court and the Supreme Court's section for political-office holders, which he suspected were biased.

    As for those responsible for the suppression of both the red and yellow shirts, he said they should not be granted an amnesty, but brought to trial.

    "It should be handled according to evidence," Pratchayaa said.

    He said while the proposed amnesty was controversial, it was unlikely to sway those who either support or oppose Pheu Thai because their minds were already made up. "Those who hate [Thaksin and Pheu Thai] will continue to hate and vice versa," he said.

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    Democrats unveil their candidates for Bangkok

    Democrats unveil their candidates for Bangkok

    By KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI
    THE NATION
    Published on May 24, 2011


    With applications for people seeking to be constituent MPs opening today, the Democrat Party yesterday unveiled 33 contestants for Bangkok, where fierce competition is predicted for many seats.

    The venue was Arena 10, a soccer pitch in Thonglor Soi 10, which has the same number that the party got for this election. "We are the first to stop economic management that keeps wages low," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said. The Democrats' main opponent, Pheu Thai Party, which has the number 1, unveiled its Bangkok MP roster earlier this month.

    Rivalry is expected to be much hotter after the electoral system was changed to one MP per constituency. Bangkok, with a population of some 10-12 million, also has the most MPs in the country.

    While Pheu Thai has declared it could win at least 22 of the 33 seats in the capital, Democrat leader Abhisit said his party would take all 33 seats. That means it aims to keep the seats it won in the last election and snare all the new seats.

    In the 2007 election, the Democrats scored 30 out of 36 constituencies. The six other constituencies went to Pheu Thai, whose MPs were Karoon Hosakul, Danuporn Punnakanta, Anudith Nakornthap, Anusorn Panthong, Pairoj Issaraseripong and Vicharn Minchainant.

    One of the most eye-catching contests is Constituency 12 covering Don Mueang, except the airport. The Democrats are pitching a brand new candidate, Tankhun Jitt-itsara, a TV personality with a "moral-minded" character, against Karoon, who has claimed the constituency as his stronghold for many years.

    Businessman Charnwit Viphusiri is expected to challenge Vicharn in Constituency 17, which covers Min Buri.

    In Bang Kapi, the Democrats will have political heir Nat Bantadtan, son of party adviser Banyat, up against Pakdeehans Himathongkham for the Constituency 15 seat.

    Akanat Promphan, the adopted son of Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, is back to compete with Pheu Thai's Sawang Rerkcharan.

    The young, pretty girl with a famous family name, Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, will square off with Pheu Thai's Leelawadee Watcharobol, a former Miss Thailand and TV star who has failed in the two previous elections but is still trying.

    Although it is the second time around for Vittayen Muttamara, now with work experience in the Democrat-led government, he believes he can triumph over Pheu Thai's Anusorn.

    In Constituency 11, the battle is between candidates with good backup. Former MP Sakoltee Phattiyakul is the son of former Council for National Security secretary-general Winai, while Surachart Thienthong is the son of Pheu Thai and Pracharaj veteran Snoh.

    Pheu Thai also hopes its new faces will snatch seats from the Democrats. Wan Yoobamrung, son of Pheu Thai veteran Chalerm, will take on the Democrats' Samart Muangsiri in Constituency 28, which covers Bang Bon. In Constituency 30, covering Bang Khae, Lt Sunisa "Muad Jeab" Lertpakawat, will spar with former MP Orn-anong Klainok.

    "In some constituencies, we will see a neck-to-neck race between people of the new generation," Pheu Thai candidate Anudit Nakornthap said. His party's candidate for Constituency 7, covering Huai Khwang and Wang Thong Lang, is Anuttama Amornwiwat, daughter of a former Department of Special Investigation director-general, while the Democrat is Putthipong Punnakanta.

    Abhisit, his deputy Korn Chatikavanij and MP candidate Apirak Kosayodhin explained the party's platform to woo Bangkok residents.

    The highlights are 15 years of free education, construction of extensions and new mass transit routes, eradication of crime and drugs, price caps on food and diesel to alleviate people's cost of living, and a wage hike of 25 per cent within two years.

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    Absolving Thaksin will put heat on Yingluck

    ANALYSIS


    Absolving Thaksin will put heat on Yingluck

    By TULSATHIT TAPTIM,
    SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
    THE NATION
    Published on May 24, 2011


    Yingluck Shinawatra is selling like hot cakes. In fact, she may be so hot it is beyond even the initial imagination of her big brother Thaksin, who in an interview given before she was officially launched as a new political product expressed ambivalence about marketing her this way.

    The interview, published by Matichon yesterday, was given before all poll results embraced her as the next big thing. Expressing uncertainty as to whether he should allow his sister to become Thailand's first female prime minister, he said he should have known from the very beginning that his political rivals would bear down on her like a pack of wolves."I pity her," Thaksin told Matichon. He essentially confirmed The Nation's recent analysis that even though Yingluck was No 1 on Pheu Thai's party list, other high-ranking party-list candidates could take her place as prime-ministerial contender if need be. The names of Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and the disgruntled Mingkwan Saengsuwan were mentioned.

    But can Pheu Thai backtrack on Yingluck's nomination after putting her photos on all campaign billboards and posters and already having her received on rally stages as "Thailand's first female leader"? Theoretically speaking, if the party were to score a comfortable election victory, it could do anything, including switching the prime-ministerial nominee.

    Now that early signs have shown Yingluck to be more than capable of leading Pheu Thai to a significant triumph, has Thaksin's apparent anxiety about her well-being eased? In normal circumstances, it would be a no-brainer to let her be and make political history. The reality, however, is complicated, demanding - and probably dangerous.

    A prime minister Yingluck would almost certainly have to see through an amnesty bill, which is purportedly intended to bring back peace but which could inadvertently create a new political storm. She has managed to deflect a little of the attention concerning the amnesty issue to Chalerm Yoobamrung, but with Thaksin among the beneficiaries of the bill, Yingluck would sooner or later find herself under fire.

    Yingluck has been a sensation over the past few days, but that has a lot to do with the fact she's a newbie. With the right promotion, being a new face helps in a political campaign. She has been a much-sought-after interview subject, and doubters within Pheu Thai have begun to feel thankful she's the flag bearer. When real political life begins, though, experience counts and a lack of it could kill.

    Thaksin confirmed through Twitter yesterday evening that the interview had been given before Yingluck was officially nominated on the party list. He seemed concerned that his ambivalence would be taken out of hand or interpreted as direct political interference. His tweets seemed to signal that there was no way back for her at the moment. The realities involving Yingluck, however, have not changed.

    She has been giving basic answers to expected questions. "Who will be the government or the prime minister is for the future." "Our country has suffered enough and all I want to see is a clean and fair election." "I am my brother's clone in terms of his visions and thinking." "My job is to play by democratic rules, rules I hope others will respect."

    In a way, she has sounded like her rival Abhisit Vejjajiva, who could testify that such lines barely work when the going gets extremely heated. While he tried to downplay the latest poll results, which pointed toward the possibility of role reversal after July 3, in one corner of his mind Abhisit may have already started thinking about how to blunt those remarks.

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    July 3 polls a defining moment for Jatuporn

    BURNING ISSUE


    July 3 polls a defining moment for Jatuporn

    By Avudh Panananda
    The Nation
    Published on May 24, 2011

    Electoral candidate Jatuporn Promphan might be an outspoken member of the Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt movement, but his remarks could cost both his party and the movement very dearly.

    Despite the legal wrangling, Jatuporn appears to be a shoo-in to win a party-list seat even though he will have to campaign from his remand cell. His political survival has never been an issue, but the question is, how many voters will he repel just to attract new ballots? For the red shirts, Jatuporn is an iconic figure. Many outside the movement look at him with suspicion and disdain, considering him either a troublemaker who incites riots or a rude figure who regularly takes swipes at the country's revered institution.

    On April 10, Jatuporn delivered a controversial speech at a rally held to mark the 2010 bloodshed on Rajdamnoen Avenue. Later, in an unprecedented move, the Army invoked its constitutional duty to safeguard the monarchy and charged Jatuporn for remarks deemed offensive to the revered institution.

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is the principal law-enforcement agency in charge of the case, and will make formal indictments on lese majeste and sedition charges next week.

    In related proceedings ahead of the indictments, the DSI was successful in getting bail cancelled for Jatuporn and red-shirt leader Nisit Sinthuprai on previous charges related terrorism and riots.

    Jatuporn is entitled to his defence under due process, but the court battle could take years. The voters will still have a say on his future when they cast their votes on July 3, long before the judicial review is completed.

    The red shirts and Pheu Thai supporters will definitely vote for him, but several undecided voters, particularly royalists, are expected to go against him. If a critical number of voters become spiteful, then Pheu Thai might see defeat.

    In about 40 days, Jatuporn will experience a defining moment - is he a vote magnet or excessive baggage for his party?

    Jatuporn has been a pro-democracy activist since his student days at Ramkhamhaeng University. He gained prominence by rallying the fleeing protesters after the May 1992 crackdown, and formed the Satthatham Party, a student movement to back up his activism.

    After graduation, he entered politics under the Palang Dharma Party banner, which was led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong. His student ally Watchara Phetthong chose to join the Democrat Party.

    In the waning days of Palang Dharma, Chaiwat became active in the yellow-shirt movement and activist Phumtham Wechayachai recruited Jatuporn for the Thai Rak Thai party.

    During Thaksin Shinawatra's reign, Phumtham became deputy transport minister and Jatuporn took over as party spokesman.

    After the 2006 coup, Jatuporn became an avid defender of the Thaksin camp, forming the red-shirt movement by riding high on the pro-Thaksin and anti-coup sentiment.

    When the red-shirt movement was beginning to take off in 2009, Jatuporn delivered a fiery speech at Royal Plaza attacking the ammat, which literally means "the king's men", for their part in the coup.

    This speech set the tone for subsequent speeches delivered by the red-shirt leaders, which made veiled attacks on figures they believed were behind the ousting of Thaksin.

    After last year's bloodshed, the red-shirt rhetoric shifted focus from the ammat to the victims of the crackdown.

    However, under the guise of attacking the crackdown, Jatuporn triggered an uproar among the royalists by coining the phrase "royally bestowed bullets". Is he just raising the level of slights heaped on the monarchy?

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    Yingluck's secret weapon: Nong Pipe

    Yingluck's secret weapon: Nong Pipe

    By NIPHAWAN KAEWRAKMUK
    THE NATION
    Phayao
    Published on May 24, 2011

    It was a good start for Yingluck Shinawatra, the first woman to be seen as a serious contender for the Thai premiership, on her first major election campaign in her home town of Chiang Mai this past weekend.

    The welcome was an overwhelmingly warm one, from both supporters and close relatives.It was not the first time that members of the Shinawatra family had appeared in public to offer moral support to their relatives. When former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other family members faced legal problems, or when they campaigned for an election, well-known members of the family were often seen accompanying them.

    This time, Yingluck was accompanied by her sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, her nephew Panthongtae - Thaksin's son - and her own nine-year-old son. Earlier, her closest family members were largely unknown because she wanted to shield her family from the glare of publicity, but she finally introduced her only son for the first time.

    A small voice said: "Please vote No 1 for my mum." It came from Nong Pipe or Supasek Amornchart, 9, the son of Yingluck's marriage to Anusorn Amornchart. Pipe helped to distribute Yingluck's flyers while his mother was campaigning in the North.

    He is in Grade 3 at Harrow International School in Bangkok, and enjoys playing soccer. His mother even had a 2,500-square-metre football pitch made at their house - just for young Pipe. He is a Chelsea fan and his favourite player is Frank Lampard.

    Pipe kept close to his mother during the weekend's campaigning. Normally, he goes to see movies with his parents during weekends, but from now until July 3, he will be helping his mother campaigning around the country for the upcoming election.

    However, a boy is always a boy. When asked if he enjoyed the campaign, Nong Pipe replied: "Sometimes I don't like it because the waiting takes too long, and sometimes the crowd mobs me."

    However, he seems to have politics in his blood. Despite feeling a bit bored, he always smiles when supporters of all ages greet him with flowers or ask to have photos taken with him. And he instantly shows an index finger - meaning No 1, the Pheu Thai Party's election number - to the crowds.

    Pipe said he would be happy to let his mother be prime minister, although it would mean she would be busy and have little time for him.

    "It's OK because my mum intends to work for the people and the country," he said, bringing a big smile to his mother's face.

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    Reds in East demand local leaders be given a chance

    Reds in East demand local leaders be given a chance

    By THE NATION
    Published on May 24, 2011

    Red shirts from the Eastern Seaboard provinces of Rayong and Chanthaburi yesterday demanded that the Pheu Thai Party nominate their local leaders as election candidates.

    More than 100 supporters gathered at the party's headquarters at the OAI Tower on New Phetchaburi Road.They want the party's preferred choice for Chanthaburi Constituency 1 replaced by Samret Jongsuthi, and for Rayong Constituency 4 replaced by Pirom Srithat, but there was no report on whether their calls would be met.

    Applications for constituency candidates open today at designated centres around the country.

    Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said three teams of ex-MPs have been formed to campaign separately throughout the country.

    The teams are expected to address party faithful at least 240 times over the 40 days until the July 3 election.

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    Bangkok Post : Yingluck looks to end rifts

    SPECIAL INTERVIEW

    Yingluck looks to end rifts

    Pheu Thai plans to form a reconciliation panel

    A reconciliation panel open to everyone will be set up as a key mechanism of the Pheu Thai's proposed scheme to end rifts in society, says the party's likely prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra.


    Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra looks cheerful as she explains the party’s proposed reconciliation scheme in a special interview with the Bangkok Post at party headquarters on Phetchaburi Road. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

    When Pheu Thai wins the election and takes the helm of the new government, all stakeholders, including the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, along with all political parties, would be invited to participate in the panel to find a suitable formula for national reconciliation, Ms Yingluck said in a special interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday.

    She said the panel's task would be to review the political conflicts in the country that had taken place after the Sept19, 2006 coup which toppled the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

    The panel would find out whether regulations put in place and the general situation in the wake of the coup were based on the rule of law. If it found anything that did not comply with the law, the panel would find a solution.

    "I can't say whether a political amnesty will be granted. It depends on the conclusion of the panel in which all parties will take part," she said.

    Asked if this was a strategy to bring her brother, Thaksin, back to Thailand, Ms Yingluck said she would not do anything for a particular person but rather have the general public's interests in mind when making decisions.

    "We should leave the conflicts behind and push the country to move forward. With this panel all parties concerned will jointly set the reconciliation framework," she said.

    Personally, Ms Yingluck said, she believed several regulations put in place after the coup did not comply with the rule of law. But she declined to give any further details, saying that the conflicts should be overlooked for the time being and people should come together to talk with one another.

    She insisted that she was not a proxy for Thaksin.

    "I can make any decision by myself and he [Thaksin] has not given me any orders.

    "However, I am open to Thaksin's or anyone's good ideas which benefit the people and the country," she said.

    As a woman, she said, this could help her to talk and engage in two-way dialogue to make sure the country could move forward and find peace.

    She said she knew politics very well despite being a new face.

    "If you know my background, you will know that most people in my family - my dad, my sisters, my brother - are politicians. So in terms of my understanding of politics, I think I have understood it since I was young. The only thing I haven't done is to enter politics officially."

    Ms Yingluck also welcomed coalition parties in the outgoing Democrat-led administration to join the Pheu Thai Party in forming a new government if it wins the July 3 election.

    "If their policies are in line with those of ours and they can accept our commitments given to the people, we can join together," she said.

    Ms Yingluck yesterday responded to a report in Matichon newspaper which quoted Thaksin as saying the No.1 on Pheu Thai's party list might not be its candidate for premier. She said she was unaware of the remark.
    But Thaksin said on his Twitter page last night that he firmly supported Ms Yingluck as the Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, saying that the interview to the newspaper was made on May 14 before the party chose Ms Yingluck as its top party list candidate.

    He also gave five reasons why Ms Yingluck should be selected as prime minister: as a woman, it would be easier for her to approach all parties to talk about reconciliation; her management skills of more than 20 years; that she was a graduate in political science and had grown up in a family of politicians; her understanding of people's lives from the grassroots to business people, and her expertise in foreign trade.

    Nevertheless, Ms Yingluck said, solving political problems was not her main priority if she was selected by parliament to be the country's next prime minister.

    "The economic problems affecting households are the priority for me."

    She said the Pheu Thai Party was not only thinking about injecting money into people's pockets, but also the entire process of the value chain.

    For example, the party has a policy to boost the minimum wage to 300 baht a day immediately and guarantee the initial wage of an employee who has graduated with a bachelor's degree at 15,000 baht a month. To compensate employers for the burden of this policy, Pheu Thai would slash the corporate tax rate to 23% from 30% in the first year and to 20% in the second year.

    The party was also proposing a debt suspension scheme for banks' retail debtors to ease their financial burden.

    As for social development, she confirmed that her party would resume the war on drugs initiated by the Thaksin administration and would make it a success within 12 months.

  19. #869
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    She can end up with such a popular vote that she may decide khun T is better off left where he is, and move on to bring democracy back to the place

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    Quote Originally Posted by LooseBowels
    She can end up with such a popular vote that she may decide khun T is better off left where he is, and move on to bring democracy back to the place
    Don't be naive, blood is thicker than water and that is the sole reason why she is the Phue Thai leader/PM candidate.

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    I understand the crowds at Yingluck events are massive. As usual, severely downplayed by the State Media. If the Oxford Educated and specially anointed personage had a similar response, it would be crowed about by all the media.

    I certainly hope Yingluck doesn't fall into the trap of engaging in a debate with the "anointed one". Avoiding a debate in spite of charges of evasion, is not unusual in mature Democracy's. Why give the lesser light oxygen.

    Also, somebody very knowledgable about both western professional elections and leader debates, says that they differ significantly from what would happpen in Thailand.

    In Thailand she says, debates are focussed primarily on mud-slinging rather than promotion of policies. Some of this happens in the West to be sure, but not to the degree it does here.

    On top of that, The "anointed one" would be an extension of his roots, who are professional at making up stories which are then legitimized through their State Media.

    With the State Media being what it is, it would be a no-win situation for Yingluck.

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    ^ that's true; & PT won't give the dems air...

    The dems will just have to hope that their media outlets can sling enough mud; which they can't because the voters have been wise to it for decades...

    Thus, it'll be another dem coalition held together by the army enforcers.

    Failing that (not enough election corruption to grab a coalition foothold...), the army will try to use the courts; as before.

    If all that fails then the army will come in directly; I just can't see the army/bluebloods trusting a deal with the PT (although I'm sure the PT would be happy to make it); the mass murderous have too much to lose...

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    Your Posts are very pessimistic with respect to this election Bettyboo, but you may be correct on all counts.

    I am annoyed every time I see the word "coalition" bandied about. For those of you who have read my posts, know that I keep harping on about this.

    The word 'coalition" implies that ideological chasms have been negotiated over by political parties. These ideologoical chasms dont exist between all these lesser parliamentary social groups.

    Using the word coalition is just posturing by those who want to give this a veneer of parliamentary credibility and was used to legitimize in Western eyes the special appointment of the anointed one
    Last edited by Calgary; 24-05-2011 at 09:08 AM.

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    17 reds summoned to hear charges

    23/05/2011 : The Department of Special Investigation has sent summonses to 17 core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to appear to hear lese majeste charges against them on June 2, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said on Monday

    They really want to get the Nathawut's and Jatuporn's out of this election campaign....So just more of the same old, same old.

    Those two guys, as well as the others, scare the bejeebers out of them.

    Use the judiciary and LM as a political weapon according to the Democracy Movement.

    The difference between the previous and now, is that it is all blatantly obvious what they are trying to do, even to the most casual of observers.

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    Quote Originally Posted by LooseBowels View Post
    She can end up with such a popular vote that she may decide khun T is better off left where he is, and move on to bring democracy back to the place
    She is he big brother's proxy and will lose support PDQ if she fails to bring him back promptly. Rural Thai's won't take kindly to her screwing a family member over, especially when it is their hero.

    If PT do form a government after 3rd July this place is going to be a real mess with the Government bending over backwards to accommodate Thaksin and the elite supported by the military doing everything they can to stop it.

    Another coup would be inevitable, after which all hell would break loose.
    I see fish. They are everywhere. They don't know they are fish.

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