Democrats look to court Isaan

[StrontiumDog]

Democrats look to court Isan | Bangkok Post: news

Democrats look to court Isaan

• Published: 30/12/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The Democrat Party aims to tap into the Northeast voter base, which typically supports the ruling Pheu Thai Party, next year.

Party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on said the Democrats continue to fare poorly in Isan.

Therefore, the opposition party needs to boost its popularity there and in the Central Plains region, he said.

Mr Chalermchai said 33 Democrat political campaigns are planned for the Central Plains early next year, after which the focus will shift to the Northeast.

While the Northeast is a traditional Pheu Thai stronghold, Mr Chalermchai believes the Democrats are gaining ground there.

He said party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva plans to make frequent visits to the region in the coming year.

At the national level, Mr Chalermchai said the opposition will increase its scrutiny of the Pheu Thai-led government's performance.

He said the party is not against political movements on the street as long as they remain lawful and are agreed upon by the party's members.

Every party MP has the freedom to exercise their right to political movement, he said.


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Democrats to hold talks in Northeast in March - The Nation

Democrats to hold talks in Northeast in March

Atapoom Ongkulna
The Nation on Sunday December 30, 2012 1:00 am

The Democrat Party will hold a major seminar on its "blueprint" for the Kingdom in March, with further seminars to be held throughout the year. The party aims to attract more than 1,000 participants to each event, secretary-general Chalermchai Srion said.

He said the Democrats believe they are accepted by the people, and that party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva would be able to visit and stay overnight safely in any province in the Northeast.

The Northeast is the stronghold of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and of the red-shirt movement.

The seminar project is seen as a way of countering the government's plan for the Interior Ministry to hold talks on reconciliation and to promote a national referendum on charter change.

Chalermchai said that if the government proceeds with a vote on the third reading of the Constitution amendment bill that is still before Parliament without conducting a referendum, further political turmoil would occur. The people would protest and the law would have to be submitted to the Constitution Court again, he said, adding that the referendum was a way for the government to buy time.

[Mid]

rolling out Abhisit , him who is charged with murdering reds to court them on their home soil ,

yep that'll work ................................................

[Happy As Larry]

While the Northeast is a traditional Pheu Thai stronghold,

How long has the Pheu Thai party been in existence?

[Mr Lick]

^ Too long some might say

[Notnow]

While the Northeast is a traditional Pheu Thai stronghold,

How long has the Pheu Thai party been in existence?

Yeah, but the 'Hatred of the Bankok elite' party goes back at least 300 years.

[piwanoi]

While the Northeast is a traditional Pheu Thai stronghold,

How long has the Pheu Thai party been in existence?

Yeah, but the 'Hatred of the Bankok elite' party goes back at least 300 years.

From the feedback I am getting from the 3 senior Thai Schoolteachers I know who all speak good English the younger Thai's are becoming more and more aware that the real problem is Rampant Political , Military and Police Corruption that permeates all levels of the "system " from top to bottom ,as to how long it will take to "sink in" with the older population up here in Issan as to just who their real enemy is, is quite another question, and IMHO Thaksin and Co are playing them like violins . . and also IMHO should "the Ayatollah " ever return there will be buckets of blood on the street,s referendum or not!

[Rural Surin]

rolling out Abhisit , him who is charged with murdering reds to court them on their home soil ,

yep that'll work ................................................

If there's cash involved - people forget.

[Yasojack]

Didn't the Dems try to convince the Thai public before,with there constant media coverage of AV being the ever sensitive and caring leader

[gaysexbyproxy]

I agree with Rural Surin. All this will take is enough money and some populist slogans.

[melvin]

some scholars argue that the red-shirt/bkk elite conflicts are way older than Thaksin,
such conflicts have been on/off ever since the Siam king(s) conquered the kingdoms
in the NE and shuffled Lao people to Siam

[OhOh]

I agree with Rural Surin. All this will take is enough money and some populist slogans.

Wow, politicians bribing voters whatever next. It's called democracy

[Gerbil]

New Slogan: "One Farmer One Pickup Truck"


Guaranteed election win.


Delivering might be tricky, but that''s never really bothered politicians in the past

[piwanoi]

rolling out Abhisit , him who is charged with murdering reds to court them on their home soil ,

yep that'll work ................................................

If there's cash involved - people forget.

Yeah why not RS, it worked for Thaksin who got the best supporters that money can buy

[baldrick]

murdering reds

was he the top man in the country at the time ?

about time they put a bit more effort into canvassing up in the country - oust the tyrants and disband their armies of thugs

[piwanoi]

murdering reds

was he the top man in the country at the time ?

about time they put a bit more effort into canvassing up in the country - oust the tyrants and disband their armies of thugs

I agree, but turning the balance of power up here in Issan will take some doing ,Thaksin will do anything to stay in power ,the total disaster called the "rice pledging scheme" is a prime example ,he also has many Puu yai banns and Kamnans on his payroll who extol the undoubted virtues of "the chosen one" as and when they are instructed !

[corvettelover]

Didn't the Dems try to convince the Thai public before,with there constant media coverage of AV being the ever sensitive and caring leader

i seem to remember the same democrats stating that issan people shouldnt get a vote as they were buffaloes and didnt know who to vote for

[piwanoi]

Didn't the Dems try to convince the Thai public before,with there constant media coverage of AV being the ever sensitive and caring leader

i seem to remember the same democrats stating that issan people shouldnt get a vote as they were buffaloes and didnt know who to vote for

I would suggest you have Alzheimer's problems, is there any chance of you producing firm proof of your totally ground less allegations by way of an independent link that says Abhisits democratic party came out with the statement ,thank you in advance for your speedy reply (which you cannot supply)

[Rural Surin]

some scholars argue that the red-shirt/bkk elite conflicts are way older than Thaksin,
such conflicts have been on/off ever since the Siam king(s) conquered the kingdoms
in the NE and shuffled Lao people to Siam

There was heavy resistence and rebellion during those periods, as histotical documentation will suggest.

In the deepest heart of it, hasn't really changed.
The transgressions and activities have just modified towards a seemingly homogenous result.

[Rural Surin]

I agree with Rural Surin. All this will take is enough money and some populist slogans.

Wow, politicians bribing voters whatever next. It's called democracy

Within the more advance democratic systems, corporate will has a firm hand.

Referred to as Fascism/Corporatism.

[Butterfly]

The Democrats are the elite party, what should they bother courting monkeys ?

PT are a bit smarter, they feed peanuts to the monkeys

but at the end, you are still dealing with monkeys, much needed to entertain the general public in the zoo (aka Thailand Democracy)

[sabang]

I live in a Democrat constituency in Isaan, dunno how long the Dem's have held the seat but for at least the last two elections. I suppose that's why Mark visited our end of nowhere local village last year, not that I could be bothered turning up. So try telling our local MP that Dem's have no chance in Isaan. And try telling any pragmatic political observer what chance you have of winning a Thai national election if you ignore the north east (30% of the voting population) and the north (20% or so). That is even ignoring the fact that a certain segment of your party is arguing for people to be deprived of their vote, or openly denigrating provincial Thailand because of who they cast their vote for (ie, not them, 'I wonder why'). That must've been embarassing for them, because PT also won the central Thai vote.

If the Democrats actually want to engage in constructive politics at party level- rather than being perpetually churlish sore losers, obstructionists and Thaksin monomaniacs, they certainly have opportunities- as the saying goes, the only way is up. They have to make that decision first at party level, and act on it. Right now, the general perception in Isaan is that they are a pampered and corrupt bunch of urban chinese babies. But so is Thaksin when it comes down to it.