Thread: Somsak: "allowed parliament to become the political tool of Thaksin"

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Strange, I seem to recall a poll not long back, that indicated most Thai's weren't terribly clued up on the contents of the Charter. Never mind. You obviously went door-to-door seeking opinions, while I just read the news

I don't recall saying anything about how clued-up people were on the contents of the charter. What I said was that charter change was a major aspect of PT's election campaign, which it was - that's a matter of public record. As for going door-to-door, during the election campaign I traveled all over Northern Thailand with PT electioneering groups. I spoke to a great many people and attended a large number of meetings where people questioned and discussed PT policies. I wouldn't say that charter change was the most important issue for most people, the economy and political stability was, but it was certainly an issue they were aware of (to make it more clear to you, very few cared about the content of the charter, what they cared about was its legitimacy and how it came to be) and one that they believed was of importance for the future political development and stability of the country.

So, what was the agreed premium the average village received in return for their secured vote?

It's not often one hears from the horse's mouth who evidently has his nose to the grindstone and ear to the ground. I'm sure your account would be quite illuminating. I can only base my own knowledge through the prism of one moo baan and so would be quite interested in learning if my kith and kin were short changed in exercising their suffrage.

Chtulhu heres some reading for you to get started

National Assembly of Thailand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

Originally Posted by DrB0b

I may very well be wrong. However, lacking either the psychic powers or boundless arrogance required to see into the minds of the Thai electorate I can only go by stated policies and electoral results. "Repeatedly pointing out" is no guarantee of truth, it is only a guarantee of repetition.

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Many of them are getting clued in, that might be one of the few positive results of this whole sorry mess.

Agreed, and this could be interesting.


I find the disparity of the political divide interesting the bargirl demographic. The ones that have gone to various schools, are invariably opposed to Thaksin and voted Democrat. Their parents and families back in the villages staunchly voted Thaksin, I mean, PT.

Until the Democrats crack that stronghold, this will continue - as *those* particular men and women in the villages are not aware of what is really going on in politics.

The Democrats tried to do something by their various populist policies, which many villages are still benefiting from, but which these same villages were not aware came from Democrats.

I hate to point out the obvious, but Abhisit would score more votes if he used his time between elections to troll the North East with large bags of money and handed out 500 Baht notes. (no law making that illegal when there's no elections, right?)

Yasojack Red'ded me for this comment. I must really be doing something right.

(Oh, and your Google "search" would be wrong, as I'm not a "teacher", like you. )

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

[B]
- Seek the dissolution of Pheu Thai for being under the command of Thaksin, who is banned from politics.[/I]

... this would seem the Msg obvious, considering the PT election slogan, it's quite obvious who they have admitted to be pulling their strings. Not much "investigation" needed.

I've done nothing wrong, Somsak insists - The Nation

I've done nothing wrong, Somsak insists

Kanittha Thepjorn,
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation July 7, 2012 1:00 am






Speaker says he isn't taking orders from Thaksin, confirms stance on bills

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont insisted yesterday that he had done nothing wrong by discussing political issues with his Pheu Thai Party members, a recording of which was leaked by pro-Democrat Blue Sky Satellite TV channel earlier this week.

"Democratically, every political party and party member is eligible to discuss political issues. I openly discuss issues, such as reconciliation bills, with party leaders," he said.

The House Speaker, who is also a Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen, said the Democrat Party's accusations were false because he did his job without taking orders from fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra. He added that he was not worried if the Democrats decided to use the tape to try to impeach him for partisan behaviour.

Somsak admitted that the voice in the widely circulated recording was his, and that he had indeed discussed the issue with people close to him at a private gathering.

He said the tape confirmed his stance on the charter amendment bills - that he wanted to wait for the Constitution Court's ruling on whether the charter amendment bills were unconstitutional or not before voting on a third reading.

The House speaker also admitted that he had discussed the issue with the ruling party's strategic committee, and it appeared that they were likely to agree with his suggestion. However, he said, it still depended on how the rest of the Pheu Thai members decide on the issue.

In the tape Somsak is heard saying that on August 1, when the House is scheduled to reconvene, the reconciliation bills should be withdrawn and put up for public deliberation in every square inch of the nation. The bills are at the top of the agenda when the House opens next month.

Meanwhile, Somsak testified as a defendant at the Constitution Court yesterday - the second day of the trial against proponents of the charter-amendment bills.

The plaintiffs tried to ask Somsak several questions about the recording, but he refused to answer saying it was irrelevant. The judge finally told the plaintiffs to stop asking questions about this because they will not get an answer.

When asked if Thaksin had issued any orders on the charter-amendment bills, Somsak said no. He had earlier told the court that he hailed from a small village and would not have risen this far if he did not live in a country with a democratic monarchy.

"I have never thought to hurt the monarchy in any way, so the accusation of 'treason' is unacceptable," he said during cross-examination. He added that he did not think anybody was able to control a Speaker of the House, no matter which party he hailed from.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Because even though the entire country (other than, apparently, the English-Language media in Thailand and certain TD posters who are consistently amazed by their recurrent rediscovery of this widely-known fact) knows that PT is almost entirely under Thaksin's control and, in fact, that this was one of the primary reasons for PT's election victory. An actual admission of the fact that Thaksin is the real leader, either by Yingluck or a member of the PT executive, would provide Prima Facie grounds for a party dissolution, hence the wriggling.

What we have had put to now was speculation as to the nature of yinglucks government and the role of thaksin in government, fuelled by a great deal of denial what went well beyond what was necessary to keep PT safe. What we have now is evidence from someone who is in a position to know what's going on, speaking in private with little reason to lie, probably not enough for a real court... but enough to remove any speculation or doubt from the debate.

As for what PT's priorities. I think its clear thaksin sees PT and the UDD as limbs of his patronage network. The people have show him their loyalty, he will, like any patron, look after his own interests first and then deal with the interests of those in his network later... remembering that what he gives them he looses for himself.
That's why they are prioritising election commitments they made during the election that benefit thaksin; and as drbob said non of this was a secret during the election, anyone who voted PT expecting them not to do this was simply not paying attention.

You may find that, if it was not for the People of the North and north east, central Thailand could not and would not function. LOL

Stupid me there all working as bar girls in Bangkok.

Somsak owns up to audio clip comments | Bangkok Post: news

Somsak owns up to audio clip comments

• Published: 7/07/2012 at 03:16 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont has admitted he was the speaker in the controversial audio clip about the ruling Pheu Thai Party's charter amendment and reconciliation bill strategy.

He insisted what he said was in the interests of the public.

Mr Somsak was speaking to reporters for the first time after the audio clip was distributed on Tuesday night.

At the Constitution Court yesterday, he said the voice clip contained his conversation with people close to him in a private party and that its release surprised but did not worry him.

Mr Somsak denied an accusation from the opposition Democrat Party that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra exerted influence over his work as the parliament president.

In the clip, Mr Somsak referred to Thaksin's apparently hasty push for the charter amendment and reconciliation bills but he himself strongly suggested that the legislation attempts be postponed for three to six months pending attempts to woo public support.

"You may remember that before the third reading of the constitution amendment bill, I said I would decide in the national interest and I have kept my word by delaying the third reading of the charter amendment bill. The words in the clip clearly prove that I kept my word," Mr Somsak said.

He is not worried about the Democrat Party's plan to use the audio clip to back an impeachment bid against him for allegedly being a "biased parliament president". He said the issue was trivial and groundless.

The Democrat Party, meanwhile, is pondering its next move against the Pheu Thai Party in connection with what Mr Somsak said in the audio clip.

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said yesterday what Mr Somsak said in the recording showed Thaksin was behind the efforts to amend the charter and push the reconciliation bills through parliament.

The spokesman said the Democrat Party was considering asking the Office of the Ombudsman to probe Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's ethics; seeking the removal of Mr Somsak as parliament president on ethical grounds; establishing if Thaksin had interfered in the cabinet; and seeking the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party for being under the command of Thaksin, a fugitive on the run from a 2008 corruption conviction.

In the clip, Mr Somsak noted that it was good for Ms Yingluck to leave hot-button political issues with parliament.

Democrat and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday demanded Mr Somsak maintain his political impartiality as befitting the parliament president and explain himself.

Mr Abhisit also criticised Mr Somsak's remark suggesting Ms Yingluck distance herself from political issues and leave them to parliament.

He said the remark destroyed the principle of responsibility and that the prime minister had to take responsibility for what happened in the country, especially when it came to the outcomes of the actions of her government and then Pheu Thai Party.

Mr Abhisit said Mr Somsak's recorded comments showed efforts were ongoing to whitewash Thaksin's wrongdoings.

He said this was evident in Mr Somsak saying the government should spend the next three to six months convincing the public to support its reconciliation and charter amendment bills.

This suggests the government is looking to rethink its strategy on bringing Thaksin back from self-exile overseas and is waiting for the right time to do so, Mr Abhisit said.

Hard to keep a headliner down | Bangkok Post: news

PM Yingluck hits the warpath

No one wants to be seen living in someone else's shadow forever and it is usually only a matter of time for the right moment to crop up before they assert their authority.

Supporters have lauded Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for exhibiting exceptional tolerance in the face of persistent, merciless remarks that she is her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra's figurehead.

However, it has become noticeable of late that the prime minister is making efforts to deflect criticism that she rallies public adoration from the face that she puts on but not from the substance she brings to the table.


Yingluck: The buck stops here

Ms Yingluck, according to government insiders, is adamant about showing that it is she who is in charge of the business of government.

Until very recently, it did not appear as though Ms Yingluck was taking much notice of the unkind comments directed at her.

But at the last cabinet meeting, Ms Yingluck finally had her ''right moment''. Without blinking an eye, she gave a piece of her mind to those political post holders and MPs who have bypassed her authority in favour of directives from Dubai, a government source said.

She bluntly told the cabinet ministers and senior officials that it is now time her role as prime minister is acknowledged.

Outwardly frustrated, she said a lot of cabinet members and government politicians had made a point of travelling to Dubai and briefing her brother on the progress of government projects and seeking his advice on political matters.

Ms Yingluck felt she was being pushed aside as the people in her government preferred to report directly to her brother. In times of administrative and political conundrums, they also turn to Thaksin for solutions.

But the prime minister asserted that it is she who is physically here to confront the problems and any repercussion from the government's undertakings.

She reminded the ministers they are answerable to her.

Ms Yingluck conceded she has no knowledge of some key issues which require her leadership to resolve because they had been communicated to Thaksin and not to her.

The source said Ms Yingluck asked cabinet ministers of the ruling Pheu Thai Party to help her ''save face'' by not ''skirting around'' her.

She thought it was wrong to pack problems into a suitcase and fly them to Dubai, thinking of getting them solved there.

Also, the source said, one of the latest visits by a leading Pheu Thai member to Dubai resulted in a change of Pheu Thai directors _ the seat previously occupied by Plodprasop Suraswadi, the science and technology minister.

The source said Phumtham Wechayachai, a former minister and a media strategist aligned with Pheu Thai, returned a few weeks ago from Dubai. Shortly after his return, he was named as Mr Plodprasop's replacement.

Mr Phumtham's foremost task has been to wage a media war with the government's opponents and stem any slide in Ms Yingluck's popularity.

Good strategy by the Democrats - trying to instigate a "Samak Moment"

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

She reminded the ministers they are answerable to her.

But the prime minister, reading from a prepared statement issued to her by Mr. Thaksin, asserted that it is she who is physically here to confront the problems and she is the one to be held responsible for any repercussion from the government's undertakings.

She reminded the ministers they are answerable to her - the ministers quickly checked with their Dubai source, before noddingly agreeing...

She's going to have her work cut out for her. No one will believe her, unless she really asserts herself, and she can only do so by going against Thaksin's wishes.

Its quite nice when shit like the OP, it gets confirmed and followed up with bits like post 90. Its a very rare insight into the byzantine world of thai politics.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Ms Yingluck finally had her ''right moment''. Without blinking an eye, she gave a piece of her mind to those political post holders and MPs who have bypassed her authority in favour of directives from Dubai, a government source said.

She bluntly told the cabinet ministers and senior officials that it is now time her role as prime minister is acknowledged.
Outwardly frustrated, she said a lot of cabinet members and government politicians had made a point of travelling to Dubai and briefing her brother on the progress of government projects and seeking his advice on political matters.

Ms Yingluck felt she was being pushed aside as the people in her government preferred to report directly to her brother. In times of administrative and political conundrums, they also turn to Thaksin for solutions.

But the prime minister asserted that it is she who is physically here to confront the problems and any repercussion from the government's undertakings.

She reminded the ministers they are answerable to her.

Nobody in their right mind would say stuff like this is they had the slightest idea they were a puppet, only someone who believes they should be in charge and are being sidelined would make this rant.

Perhaps I am wrong to suggest she is a puppet PM, clearly she wants to run the show and is annoyed that her subordinates are undermining her by getting their orders and policy instructions direct from Thaksin.

If she's been getting argumentative with her big brother it would rather explain why he has appointed Vinyaratn as his oracle/regent in the cabinet. One can just imagine the end of the next cabinet meeting.

PM: Well that wraps everything up, next week gentlemen.

Vinyaratn: PM could you shut the door on the way out, we have some boys stuff to discuss

(door slams with the sound of breaking glass)

Vinyaratn: right lads, this is what the boss told me to tell you.....



Poor lass... she's not a puppet PM she's a mascot and she has no idea

Maybe she is getting annoyed. What can she do about it?

Can she dismiss the MPs? Nominate her own choices? Dismiss the cabinet? Dismiss parliament and call for new elections?

;-)

Originally Posted by hazz

Perhaps I am wrong

And wrong you were.

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

Maybe she is getting annoyed. What can she do about it?

Can she dismiss the MPs? Nominate her own choices? Dismiss the cabinet? Dismiss parliament and call for new elections?

;-)

No, she is a democratically elected leader in a democratic country. You are thinking of the past, the good old days of military government you love, when everything was possible.

So, a democratically elected leader in a democratic country (hahaha!) isn't allowed or unable to get annoyed when her sub-ordinates are getting their marching orders from a different source than the democratically elected leader?

... because Yingluck was that leader you speak of, right?

So, back to my question, which you fail to answer: What can she do about it?

She certainly *can* dissolve the government .

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Otherwise the premiums were pretty much the same as they would be everywhere else, increased village funding, new schools, preference when choosing areas for new factories, better access to loans for small businesses and farmers, help with housing and jobs.

tablet computers , another 50% on top of the guaranteed paddy rice price

I thought they were the major platforms of the PT party during the last election ?

Originally Posted by baldrick

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Otherwise the premiums were pretty much the same as they would be everywhere else, increased village funding, new schools, preference when choosing areas for new factories, better access to loans for small businesses and farmers, help with housing and jobs.

tablet computers , another 50% on top of the guaranteed paddy rice price

I thought they were the major platforms of the PT party during the last election ?

And what is your angle? For keeping kids uneducated? Cheap labour for your garden. Or factory...