Thread: Thai elections 2011-Thai PM sets stage for tough election

"Abhisit marches into North"

Headline from today's State Media.

Wow....Marches into North......Damn I'm impressed.

Must be an analogy here somewhere.

I'm sure the more creative ones on this Board can think of better one's than I can.

Draws up images of Napoleon, doesn't it?

Who comes up with this stuff. Native speakers or Thai writers at the Bkk. Post?

Originally Posted by DroversDog

I bet the miserable English bastard didn't eithen take his money out of his pocket and buy some of the shite she was selling.

Well, if he had then he PT would have charged him with vote buying, that's for sure.
You would have loved that wouldn't you?

Originally Posted by DroversDog

So why fire at the red-shirt protesters and not at the black-shirts? No black-shirt was shot or killed during time of the protests. Are they that good to dodge bullets?

They were Ninjas, obviously.

Originally Posted by Mid

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

What? I spent the time and energy to correct some errors in understanding he obviously had, but you feel the need to criticise?

The criticism is for your belly aching about the time and effort .

And it is not the first time you have aired such a belly ache .

It is your choice to utilise your time in this manner , no-one is forcing you to .

So if kudos comes for doing so , then well and good .

However when you continue with veiled references to your so called time and effort , up to the point of suggesting you deserved mod powers at one point then rest assured you will be told to get over yourself.

But I hadn't mentioned time and effort in my original post.

I wrote

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
I hope my taking this time to explain a few things to you has helped you to understand.

If I'd written,

"I hope my posting this it has helped you to understand"

Or

"I hope that in producing this reply to you, you are able to more fully grasp the fundamentals of what the balance of trade actually means"

Or......or .......or .........

Now do you see where you have erred?

Also, I never said I deserved mod powers, and that is yet again another of your bizarre interpretations that isn't based in reality. I appreciate the written word can be difficult at times to interpret accurately, as such nuances as tone are missing and for reasons of brevity we are all guilty of writing short replies, when a longer one was probably needed (yes, I am offering you some excuses for your poor interpretive skills), but really Mid, some of the conclusions you draw are just plain weird. And I mean that with the greatest of respect and without any intention to insult or offend.

Bangkok Post : Abhisit marches into North

Abhisit marches into North

Pulls crowd of 4,000 in Pheu Thai stronghold

• Published: 2/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday strode into the Pheu Thai stronghold of Phayao province to canvass for votes, drawing a crowd of about 4,000 on the first day of his northern campaign.

Addressing a rally at a municipal sports stadium in Muang district, he said his party was ready to work with everyone equally, including those who do not choose the Democrats.

In its more than two years in power, the government had been patient in running the country and tackling national problems.

He said the party's promises of public welfare policies would be delivered and that reconciliation would forge cooperation that is essential for smooth execution of future policies. He said he had proven a lot of people wrong when the government kept the unemployment rate low.

Mr Abhisit was accompanied by leading Democrats, including Industry Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat and PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey.

The Democrats took turns to criticise Pheu Thai's rice mortgage policy, which they said would benefit wealthy intermediaries rather than poor farmers. They also slammed Pheu Thai's rice mortgage programme as impractical, saying that only 20% of farmers would benefit from the scheme which would be open to abuse by intermediaries such as rice millers.

Mr Abhisit and his team helped campaign for three Democrat candidates running in three constituencies in Phayao - Mallikar Boonmeetrakul in Constituency 1, Anucha Musika in Constituency 2 and Thanasan Thammasorn in Constituency 3.

After the campaign, Mr Abhisit was due to travel to nearby Lamphun province to spend the night at Wat Nong Ngeuk in Pa Sang district.

Many local residents were delighted after hearing the Democrat leader would stay at the temple.

Mr Sathit yesterday said Mr Abhisit's campaign trail in the North met with obstacles from the red shirts.

He claimed some leading red shirt members had asked residents not to attend the Democrat leader's campaign rally in Chiang Mai's Hot district. This forced the campaign team to change the itinerary, said Mr Sathit.

Mr Abhisit and his team decided to campaign in Mae Rim district instead, where Democrat candidate Duentemduang na Chiang Mai is running in Chiang Mai's Constituency 7.

Before leaving for the North, Mr Abhisit campaigned in Bangkok's Silom business area, where he was warmly received by vendors, businesspeople and office employees.

Mr Abhisit led his team on a campaign in Soi Salaisap yesterday morning. He was accompanied by Apirak Kosayodhin, the Democrat Party's election director in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, back at the (promised) election.....

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

A Thai woman talks to caretaker Prime Minister and leader of Democrat Party Abhisit Vejjajiva after presenting him a garland during his election campaign rally at a business district in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, June 1, 2011.

<snip>

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Abhisit faces 2 red-shirt women in at Silom

1 June 2011

By The Nation



Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Wednesday met two red-shirt women while he was campaigning for his party on Silom Road.

Abhisit received warm welcomes from shoppers and vendors on Soi Lalaisup when he campaigned at there at 11:30 am.

Then he noticed two women carrying the Voice of Thaksin magazine whose cover showed the people killed during the crackdown on May 19 last year.

Abhisit walked to talk to the women to talk to them. The women said they wanted to demand for justice for the people killed during the crackdown.

Abhisit replied that the loss of lives occurred because the men in black attacked troops.

But the two women argued by asking the prime minister why he did not order the troops to stop shooting.

Abhisit replied that the troops were ordered to stop but they could not pull out because they were surrounded by black-shirt fighters.

Abhisit said the authorities had no reason to harm the people.

He added that the people killed in the Pathum Wanaram Temple were not killed by troops because the protest had already stopped.

Abhisit said not only red-shirt people were killed but also the authorities and he was sorry for the loss.

The women appeared calm down following the talk and said they did not want to see Thais kill one another.

Clearly the same woman and the same event - different camera angle. Very different descriptions.....

Not much election news today from the Bangkok Post....here's their other story, which is covered by earlier posts.

Yingluck not closing door on Bhumjaithai

02/06/2011 : Pheu Thai's top party-list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra has refused to close the door on the possibility of her party and Bhumjaithai joining forces after the election.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

There's nothing wrong with my ability, as my posts prove

You are aware, aren't you, that 99% of your posts are written by other people?

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

There's nothing wrong with my ability, as my posts prove

You are aware, aren't you, that 99% of your posts are written by other people?

It's probably more around 90%, but I post the news, so shockingly enough, the news is what I post....

I can see why such simple logic would be difficult for you to comprehend.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13595328

2 June 2011 Last updated at 00:00 GMT

Thai military's political past looms over elections

By Rachel Harvey
BBC News, Bangkok


Soldiers moved in one year ago to clear anti-government "red-shirt" protests in Bangkok

Thailand goes to the polls on 3 July in the first electoral test of the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva. But given recent political history, will the outcome be solely dictated by the will of the people?

Standing in the commercial heart of Bangkok, with its gleaming shopping malls, towering office blocks and habitually congested traffic, it is hard to imagine that just five years ago tanks rolled down the streets, and a coup was under way.

Last year, soldiers were back on the same streets, this time under orders from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to crush an increasingly violent and protracted anti-government protest.

Thailand has been convulsed by bouts of political turbulence since the bloodless putsch of 2006 ousted the populist, and now fugitive, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra.

The military has long played a central role in Thai politics.

So with the country facing a general election, many here are asking whether the generals really are, as they say, now prepared to sit back and leave things to the civilian politicians.

Tune in to any of the many television and radio stations controlled by the military, and, alongside the news and game shows, you may well be treated to a special programme extolling the virtues of the armed forces.

Chris Baker, a long-time Thai resident and political analyst says the military's image of itself is deeply rooted in history.

"The military ran politics in Thailand for half a century from 1932. During that time they put around the ideology that they really had a right to rule because they were a very special institution and had a special relationship with the monarchy," he said.

Even though they were pushed out with the rise of parliament from the 1980s onwards, Mr Baker believes the Thai armed forces have never entirely given up the idea they have at least a right to intervention, "to correct if things go wrong and in particular to control politicians and political corruption".

Behind the scenes

That instinct was seen very clearly in the coup of 2006.

The public reasons given for removing Mr Thaksin were that he was corrupt and failed to show sufficient loyalty to the <redacted>. He had also interfered in military promotions and established a strong power base, which was perceived as a threat to the established status quo.

Two years later, the military peddled its political influence again.

This time the evidence suggests the army worked behind the scenes, helping to broker a deal that led to a new pro-establishment anti-Thaksin coalition, led by Mr Abhisit.

Wassana Nanuam has been writing about the Thai armed forces for the best part of two decades.

She is sure that if the current opposition Pheu Thai party - which is in effect controlled by Mr Thaksin - were to win the next election, the military would intervene again.

"The army will try all means to stop Pheu Thai from being the next government. But they can't do it explicitly. I don't think there will be another coup. Things have changed," Ms Wassana said.

She thinks the military is most likely to make its move after the election if the result does not go the way they would like.


General Prayuth Chan-ocha says the army's duty is to protect the country, monarchy and people

"If the opposition wins, but not an outright majority, the army could for instance lobby potential coalition parties to discourage them from joining the government," she said.

Others suspect the military's hand may have been at work even before a vote has been cast.

In early May, a prominent opposition MP and leader of the anti-government "red-shirt" movement, Jatuporn Promphan, was imprisoned after being charged with making comments deemed to be disrespectful of the <reacted> - a very serious offence in Thailand.

Mr Jatuporn was already facing charges of terrorism in connection with last year's political violence, but had been out on bail awaiting trial.

The latest case against him was prompted by a complaint from the head of armed forces, General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Speaking to reporters, the general categorically denied any political motive.

"The army's duty is to protect the country, to protect the monarchy and to take care of the people," he said.

"I want everybody to understand that I'm not doing this to take sides, or to benefit any particular political party. I'm doing this for the monarchy."

'In the frame'

The military insists it is staying out of politics. Yet the rumours persist. The defence minister was recently forced to issue the latest in a series of public denials that the army was plotting another coup.

There is, however, another factor which might be making the army nervous - its leading role in the operation to end last year's anti-government protests.

The operation ended in bloodshed with casualties on both sides. Many of the protest leaders are now standing as opposition candidates in the election. If they win, might they be tempted to seek revenge?

"The military is definitely in the frame," according to Brad Adams, Asia director of the campaign group Human Rights Watch.

"Now the military may say ultimately it was the government which gave them the orders but in Thailand it doesn't always work that way.

"Most observers think that the military is stronger than the civilian government and when there is a disagreement between the two the military seems to get its way in Thailand."

The army turned down requests for an interview, saying it would be inappropriate for the military to give interviews during an election campaign.

So it is hard to know what the men in khaki are thinking. But their list of achievements since the last coup may give a clue as to what is at stake.

"They have managed to increase the military budget by more than 50%," said Chris Baker.

"They reintroduced an internal security act which had pretty much lapsed and they've been using it very actively ever since. They are right back in the centre of the political world again, and I think they like it, and I don't think they want to be pushed out again," he said.

Every politician running for office on 3 July will be acutely aware of that.


Hear more on The World Tonight programme at 2200BST on 2 June on BBC Radio 4.

Bangkok Post : Military wary of changes under a Pheu Thai victory

Opinion > Opinion

FROM THE BARRACKS

Military wary of changes under a Pheu Thai victory

• Published: 2/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

A big question mark hovers above Army Commander-in-Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha. The general's future hangs in the balance - if Pheu Thai Party wins the election next month.

General Prayuth is on the opposite side to the red shirts' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and he played a part in the military coup on Sept 19, 2006 which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from the premiership.

Thus, his fate could be uncertain if the Thaksin-orchestrated party comes back this time. Coincidentally, another position - that of supreme commander - will be left vacant this year due to the retirement of Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara. That might just be perfect, as far as key Pheu Thai members are concerned, for Gen Prayuth's new but less powerful position.

In addition to Gen Prayuth, other key commanders involved in the dispersal of red shirt protesters on May 19 last year will probably face the same fate. But the focus of attention remains on the army's top officer.

Moving the army's No.1 man away from his present post would not be easy, however. Even certain officers loyal to Pheu Thai have several reasons for the party to leave him "untouched" till he serves out his term in 2014.

As an officer of the Queen's Guard, the general has made clear his position that he is working wholeheartedly for the country and the monarchy. Touching him could underline the public's concern that those opposing him are against this highly respected institution. Putting him and other key officers in inactive posts could unnecessarily make Pheu Thai "an enemy" of the military.

"For politicians, Gen Prayuth remains kind of untouchable. Instead they should treat him well in order to make him comfortable and talk him over to their side," an army source said.

That is why former army leader Chaiyasit Shinawatra - a cousin of Thaksin who is running in the polls as a Pheu Thai candidate from Ratchaburi province - has already stated that "Gen Prayuth will not be moved elsewhere" if Gen Chaiyasit gets to become defence minister. "I will take care of the armed forces and give them all the support for all the right things," Gen Chaiyasit said.

Gen Chaiyasit's stance comes despite a message from Gen Prayuth sent to him through the former's close aide: "It's okay to move me. I'll still keep on working."

Another issue worth looking at is who the defence minister will be in a government led by Pheu Thai. Gen Chaiyasit wants to take this position but an army source said the armed forces wanted a say in this matter too, because the military would prefer a defence minister acceptable to the soldiers while also having the ability to compromise with all the factions instead of stirring the pot further.

"Rather than having someone whose last name is Shinawatra, we hope for someone with neutrality to be the new defence minister. That would make us much more comfortable," an army source said.

The same source added that negotiations had started between caretaker Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and key figures of Pheu Thai, on the future of the army under Pheu Thai. The army reportedly promises to wash its hands off politics if Pheu Thai returns to power - on the condition that it would not challenge the monarchy or exact revenge on army officers.

Up till now, however, it seems Thaksin has shown little trust in the army, although the army leaders have promised not to interfere in the election. The former prime minister has said time and again that the army must be neutral and should not make any move to disrupt the polls.

He has called his Class 10 friends from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School who are either active or retired, and other soldiers siding with the red shirts, to convey the message to army leaders that "all soldiers should be free to vote for anybody", as he is concerned that they might be forced into casting the ballot for the Democrat Party.

While many of the top brass do not want a new defence minister who is closely associated with Thaksin, and Thaksin remains suspicious about the army leaders today, a compromise might be the best bet.

In addition to Gen Chaiyasit, Pheu Thai still has Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapha, a former permanent secretary for defence and a deputy defence minister when Thaksin was in power. Another is ACM Sumeth Phomanee, former chief of the air force's Security Forces Command.

Other "outside" choices include Thaksin's two classmates: ex-army leader Anupong Paochinda and Gen Songkitti. Although the two have as yet shown no ambition to be cabinet minister, they might have no choice if the call by soldiers for them to protect the army grows.

But despite all of the above anxieties, it would be wrong to say that the army under the helm of Defence Minister Prawit and Gen Prayuth, has already thrown in the towel to Pheu Thai and now is waiting for the party to administer the country. Gen Prawit has met with Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart, the deputy prime minister and chief adviser of Charthaipattana Party, who is cultivating support for himself to be the prime minister and break the political impasse in the wake of the election. The army's favourite choice for government obviously remains the Democrat Party, but it's not making the call now. "The army cannot select its choice. If it could, the Democrats would be at the top, because that would have no effect on the army," said another army source. Under such a scenario, the defence minister would still be Gen Prawit.

The army may not have the pick of the winning party, but it can still meddle in the polls. The Internal Security Operations Command and some key commanders are undertaking a secret mission to closely follow Pheu Thai, in the hopes of coming up with evidence it could then send to its political rivals. That includes information for the Election Commission that could land Pheu Thai's winning candidate with a red card of disqualification.

Another operation is the joint effort of soldiers, police and anti-narcotics officers under the 315 special taskforce. This force is at work in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces with the implicit mission of putting pressure on political candidates to vote for its favoured party, although army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Sunday that the taskforce was concentrating fully on drug suppression. "We're trying the best we can, in a low-profile manner. But if we fail and the majority of voters goes for Pheu Thai, then that's the destiny of this country," the army source concluded.

Wassana Nanuam reports on military affairs for Bangkok Post.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Also, I never said I deserved mod powers, and that is yet again another of your bizarre interpretations that isn't based in reality

No, the forum software didn't like the file-name and of course being a nobody I couldn't edit the file-name, I don't have the permissions. Great being a nothing here.

https://teakdoor.com/world-news/86360...ml#post1669279 (Egypt says to shut down Al Jazeera operations)

Originally Posted by Mid

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Also, I never said I deserved mod powers, and that is yet again another of your bizarre interpretations that isn't based in reality

No, the forum software didn't like the file-name and of course being a nobody I couldn't edit the file-name, I don't have the permissions. Great being a nothing here.

https://teakdoor.com/world-news/86360...ml#post1669279 (Egypt says to shut down Al Jazeera operations)

Yes, and that proves I was having a whinge, it doesn't mean that I was asking for or seeking anything.

That was an interpretation by you.

Getting it yet?

If I wanted to be a mod, I'd ask DD.

As I have never done so, nor will I ever do so, perhaps you might want to reconsider your interpretation of events.

And yes, I know you wont.

And we will no doubt be revisiting this at some later date, because you seem to go around and around with this stuff, honestly believing you are correct and despite my words, I just must be fibbing....right? Got to be some alternative interpretation, right? I couldn't just be telling it how it is, right?

Really Mid, I have a lot of respect for you, but perhaps you might want to reconsider your opinion of me at some point. Your personal feelings colour your judgment (and yes I know that is a common human failing, but I'll say it anyway, knowing full well that it will make no difference).

Cheers.

ABC interviews Thaksin | Asian Correspondent

ABC interviews Thaksin

By Bangkok Pundit Jun 02, 2011 9:00AM UTC


On Tuesday, ABC (Australia) aired an interview with former PM Thaksin. A video and a transcript is available from here. It is a good, tough, but fair interview. Some comments below:

1. Thaksin hasn’t 100% ruled ever becoming PM again, but it seems unlikely in the immediate future. For now, he has control of things behind-the-scenes yet doesn’t have to put in the day-to-day grind of being PM.

2. Like with Yingluck, he is pushing “Reconciliation is the priority, not the amnesty” line, but will Yingluck be able to achieve amnesty? If Puea Thai win the most seats and it becomes difficult for the Democrats to form a government, will the medium and small-sized parties allow Yingluck to be PM? This is where the bargaining takes place. The question is, in exchange for reconciliation and more importantly amnesty, would Thaksin accept a non-Puea Thai person as PM? It depends how sweet the deal is and whether the military, yellow shirts, and the establishment buy-in on the deal. What kind of amnesty? For those who commit acts of violence? Or will it exclude this? So far the Puea Thai reference is quite vague aside from the setting up of a panel of experts to examine this? Thaksin will likely give up the money seized as long as he can get the rest back and be able to return to Thailand and not go to jail. For those who have been charged with terrorism, but did not physically commit an act of violence, and all those on protest charges etc will likely be included. For those who have committed acts of violence, well they need to be caught and identified first. Who were the black shirts? Will the individuals be identified? BP sees no chance the military will be prosecuted no matter how clearcut any evidence is, but will these actions be included in an amnesty?

Will there be a truth and reconciliation commission?* Sweeping everything under the carpet and hoping it will go away is unlikely to work and it may be a short-term fix only.

On who a non-Puea Thai PM might be, Chat Thai Pattana’s Sanan is the likely candidate – see here, here, and here – but the better Yingluck does in the election campaign and if she becomes more popular it may not be easy for Puea Thai to go to Sanan unless the carrot is very big. It is unlikely he will be giving inspiring speeches and amnesty/reconciliation could take months if not longer. Would the Democrats have brought into this compromise or would they be attacking him daily? Part of the deal makes sense, but the logistics of teeing up an amnesty will be difficult. No Yingluck, but if no Bhum Jai Thai in the coalition maybe more palatable for Puea Thai.

*Perhaps, Thaksin picked up some pointers from his visit to Mandela…

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

There's nothing wrong with my ability, as my posts prove

You are aware, aren't you, that 99% of your posts are written by other people?

It's probably more around 90%, but I post the news, so shockingly enough, the news is what I post....

I can see why such simple logic would be difficult for you to comprehend.

So then what ability do your posts prove other then the ability to post news cuttings?

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

There's nothing wrong with my ability, as my posts prove

You are aware, aren't you, that 99% of your posts are written by other people?

It's probably more around 90%, but I post the news, so shockingly enough, the news is what I post....

I can see why such simple logic would be difficult for you to comprehend.

So then what ability do your posts prove other then the ability to post news cuttings?

His posting 90% news, and the rest are his personal views. What proof of ability would you expect?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Who were the black shirts? Will the individuals be identified?

There were men in black filmed clearly on the BTS, was shown to be VIP red shirt guard, they'd even interviewed him earlier. He's chubby, with lots of amulets. Apparently he was wanted in connection with a massacre at t mosque in the South.

Sounds like an interesting guy. Does anyone remember or know what happened to him?

Thai Vote May Spur Inflation, Forcing Higher Rates as Thaksinomics Returns - Bloomberg

Thai Vote May Spur Inflation, Forcing Higher Rates as Thaksinomics Returns

By Suttinee Yuvejwattana - Jun 2, 2011 12:01 AM GMT+0700

Thailand’s election may force the central bank to add to seven interest-rate increases in the past year, as promises of higher wages and handouts by politicians threaten to spur inflation.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has pledged to raise the minimum wage by 25 percent, give cash to the elderly and guarantee farmers’ incomes to appeal to voters loyal to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The opposition Pheu Thai party, led by Thaksin’s sister, has promised tablet PCs, rice- price guarantee schemes, high-speed trains, dams, and a new city.

The policies promoted by both the government and opposition would put the onus on the Bank of Thailand to contain inflation that’s accelerated to a 32-month high. Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul raised the benchmark rate to 3 percent yesterday and the bank said it “stands ready to take necessary action” against inflationary pressures.

“With the economy on a strong footing over the background of high commodity prices, we already have inflation concerns for Thailand,” said Wellian Wiranto, a Singapore-based economist at HSBC Holdings Plc. “The ramp-up in government spending overall will not help the situation.”

Thailand’s benchmark stock index has risen 3.2 percent this year, outperforming those in Hong Kong, Japan, Shanghai, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, as companies including meat producer Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl benefited from economic growth. The one-year onshore interest-rate swap, the fixed cost needed to receive a floating payment, added one basis point to 3.17 percent after yesterday’s rate increase.

Rates Still Low

Borrowing costs remain “low” and “supportive of economic growth,” while the pace of rate increases is “still appropriate,” Bank of Thailand Assistant Governor Paiboon Kittisrikangwan said yesterday. The central bank is concerned that policies that focus on spending in the election will affect inflation and growth, he said.

The July 3 election in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will pit Abhisit’s Democrat party against allies of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and has lived overseas since fleeing a jail sentence for abuse of power. About 100 people have been killed following disputes over the last election in 2007.

Pheu Thai, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, blames Abhisit for rising costs, and has pledged a larger increase in the minimum wage than the ruling Democrat party.

Thaksinomics

Thaksin, premier from 2001 to 2006, introduced a debt moratorium for farmers, fuel and electricity subsidies as part of a set of populist policies dubbed “Thaksinomics” at the time. In April, he pledged to build dams and railways and raise minimum rice prices if the Pheu Thai party wins elections.

Abhisit’s government has capped diesel tariffs and applied price controls to items such as eggs and cooking oil to shield Thailand’s 67 million people from the impact of inflation, which surged to 4.19 percent in May. The current leader has mimicked Thaksin policies by offering free electricity, crop-price guarantees and minimum-wage increases.

“Thailand has come to a point where it is no longer possible for policy makers to ignore grassroots and the poor,” said Santitarn Sathirathai, a Singapore-based economist at Credit Suisse Group AG. “Regardless of who becomes the government, policy makers will be forced to essentially move towards a more welfare-state style of economic system with many of the election promises being followed through on.”

Nine Coups

The struggle to secure a mandate in a country that has had nine coups and more than 20 prime ministers since <redacted> may herald a shift toward more populist policies, putting pressure on monetary policy as well as government finances.

“Such populist policies will become addictive and will be difficult to reverse as it becomes the norm,” said Kobsidthi Silpachai, head of capital markets research at Kasikornbank Pcl in Bangkok. “It will strain the budget” while the subsidies and handouts will encourage excessive consumption, boosting imports, weakening the baht and pushing up inflation, he said.

Thaksin-linked parties have won the past four national elections on support in northern areas for cheap health care plans and microcredit policies.

The ruling Democrat party is “confident” it will win more votes in the northeastern bastion of ex-leader Thaksin because of the government’s policies to deal with rising prices, Prime Minister Abhisit said in a May 28 interview. The Democrat party won 20 of 208 seats allotted for individual candidates in the north and northeast regions in the 2007 election.

Efforts to boost pay and increase spending on health and education will change Thailand’s economic growth strategy from an export-led model to one that relies more on domestic demand, Santitarn said. That means monetary policy will gain importance as it controls domestic demand, he said.

“The central bank is now in a vigilant mode,” said Thanomsri Fongarunrung, an economist at Phatra Securities Pcl, who forecasts the key rate will rise to 3.5 percent by end-2011. “They are acting preemptively on rising inflation pressure. They are quite concerned about rising wages.”

Originally Posted by Buksida

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

There's nothing wrong with my ability, as my posts prove

You are aware, aren't you, that 99% of your posts are written by other people?

It's probably more around 90%, but I post the news, so shockingly enough, the news is what I post....

I can see why such simple logic would be difficult for you to comprehend.

So then what ability do your posts prove other then the ability to post news cuttings?

His posting 90% news, and the rest are his personal views. What proof of ability would you expect?

Thanks Buksida.

DrBob....

If you look above this post, you'll see a news article from Bloomberg, which agrees with my predictions of inflationary pressures due to the populist policies adopted by Pheu Thai. Something I've posted about on several occasions.

If you look above that you'll see a blog post by Bangkok Pundit that agrees with my much earlier prediction that the military wont be prosecuted under a Yingluck/Thaksin government. Something I've posted about on several occasions.

So it appears other people, who are considered knowledgeable in their respective fields, share the same opinions as me. That's just 2 examples from today.

I guess you wont see that as proof of my ability though. Mostly due to the apparent hatred you have for me, which appears to affect your memory/judgment. A hatred that i have done nothing to foster, all of it is coming from you and about you (read up on projection, regression, affiliation, acting-out and displacement, which describes your current state of mind/behaviour to a tee!)

I actually comment a lot on many things in the news. Unlike yourself. All you seem to be interested in of late is insulting me or others.

I've made this plea before, but I'll do so again, why don't you try to be more constructive, rather than destructive? You have a lot to offer the forum, especially the news section. Get over your personal grievance, which comes from you, is about you and continues because of you (there this thing called individual responsibility you could also make some effort to read up on). This constant stalking is the behaviour of someone seriously disturbed. Now, I don't know you, so I am not saying you are not (you may be really screwed up) but at least have some common decency and demonstrate some self respect.

And yes I know you are trolling, but I'll reply to you nonetheless. For now.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Chart Thai Pattana Leader Defends Banned Politicians' Activities

UPDATE : 2 June 2011

The leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party defends the political activities of banned politicians, saying that everyone should be allowed to give their opinion on politics.

Leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party Chumpol Silapa archa said his older brother Banharn, who is the senior adviser of his party and is a banned politician, should be allowed to express his opinion on politics according to Article 45 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal political rights for all Thais.

Consequently, he said he is not worried of threats made by the Love Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit that he would file a complaint about the involvement of banned politicians with the activities of political parties.


Chuwit named three banned politicians and three parties, which are Banharn and his activities with Chart Thai Pattana, Suwat Liptapanlop and his involvement with the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin, and Newin Chidchob and his influence with the Bhum Jai Thai.

He added that although Banharn was deprived of his political rights five years after Chart Thai Party was dissolved, law does not bar him from taking any political position.

Chumpol also talked about the proposed draft amendment for Article 237 of the 2007 Constitution, which specifies that if a member of a party's executive board is found guilty of violating the election law, the party must be disbanded.

He said his party and seven other parties back an amendment to this article because it limits the rights of political parties.

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Pheu Thai MP Candidate Lie down in Coffin for Good Luck

UPDATE : 2 June 2011

Pheu Thai constituency MP candidates lied down in coffins ahead of the election, believing that it will bring them good luck and will protect them from any violence during the election campaign.

Pheu Thai Nonthaburi MP candidates, Nitad Srinon, Udomdetch Ratanasatien, Walaiporn Archariyaprasit, Montri Tungcharoentavorn, and Chalong Riewrang recently made merit at Takien Temple in Bangkruay Subdistrict in Nonthaburi Province.

All five MP candidates lied down in coffins, believing this will bring them luck in the general election scheduled for July 3.


They also asked for amulets to protect them from any violence that may break out during the election campaign.

Chalong said in an interview that making merit can get rid of ill fortune and provides candidates with moral support.

Many Thais believe that lying down in coffins signify being reborn, which will bring them a turnaround from bad to good fortune.