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

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255406020003

UDD wants to set up election watchdog group


BANGKOK, 2 June 2011 (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has planned to set up its election watchdog group in order to make sure that the election in 90,000 polling stations throughout the country is carried out transparently.

Acting UDD Chairperson Thida Thavornsret said the UDD wants to see a fair and corruption-free election. She announced that some UDD key figures on Thursday at 10.00 hrs will travel to the Election Commission (EC) to seek clarification on some irregularities alleged to have been in progress ahead of the upcoming election.

The chairperson pointed out some irregularities found in the election preparation such as the excess number of printed ballots; she also questioned the EC for its lack of adequate public relations regarding the advanced election.

Moreover, Ms Thida continued that the UDD will ask the EC about the agency's plan to transport ballot boxes and to count votes, as well as call for the EC to take action against the partiality of some state-run news agencies given they have been publicizing biased information and attacking some political parties.

The chairperson added that the group will seek permission from the EC to send its observers to all polling stations to ensure that the election is fair and corruption-free. She also announced that the UDD will establish press centres in Bangkok and other regions to monitor the July 3 election.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

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.

DrB0B reminds me a black ninja, lurking in the shadows, stalking his enemies, then launching a condescending attack when one makes a grammatical error or historical inaccuracy.

Originally Posted by Buksida

then launching a condescending attack when one makes a grammatical error

lunk?

A couple of Bangkok Post updates

Reds reporting to DSI postponed to July 7
02/06/2011 : The Department of Special Investigation on Thursday agreed to postpone the reporting of 19 red-shirt leaders to hear lese majeste charges from June 2 to July 7, department chief Tharit Pengdit said.

PM campaigns in Lamphun
02/06/2011 : Democrat leader and caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday morning led party members on the campaign trail in Lamphun, where red-shirt supporters in the northern province promised not to interfere.

Thai Rice Prices Seen Rising 50% as Thaksin Seeks Rural Votes | G7Finance.com - Finance News & Personal Finance Resources

Thai Rice Prices Seen Rising 50% as Thaksin Seeks Rural Votes

Posted by businessweek
on June 2, 2011

June 01, 2011, 8:49 PM EDT

By Supunnabul Suwannakij and Daniel Ten Kate

June 2 (Bloomberg) — Thai rice prices, a benchmark for Asia, may jump 50 percent by the end of the year under a plan by the party favored to win the July 3 election to buy the grain directly from farmers, according to millers and traders.

Yingluck Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai party plans to reinstate a policy introduced by her brother, fugitive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, to buy unmilled rice at 15,000 baht ($496) per metric ton, twice the current level. That would raise costs for exporters and boost the price of shipments to about $750 per ton from $500, according to a survey of eight millers and traders.

Rice has lagged behind gains in foodstuffs such as corn and wheat over the past year and the grain may be “the commodity which is separating us from a food crisis,” the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said in March. A jump in prices in Thailand may boost demand for cheaper grain from Vietnam, the second-biggest shipper, and India.

“If this measure is taken, world prices will definitely increase as Thailand represents one-third of world trade and cannot be ignored,” said Mamadou Ciss, chief executive officer of Singapore-based broker Hermes Investments Pte, who correctly predicted in 2006 that prices would double. “In the past, these programs had a direct effect on the market. Of course there will be resistance from the buyers, but at the end of the day it’s rice or no rice.”

Rough-rice futures in Chicago have climbed 28 percent in the past 12 months to $15.060 per 100 pounds as corn more than doubled and wheat rallied 72 percent. Thai rice-export rates have dropped 10 percent this year, with the benchmark 100 percent, grade-B variety set at $499 per ton on June 1.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

They were Ninjas, obviously.

Actually there is a striking resemblance

The difference of course is the AK-47.

Originally Posted by lom

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?

Oh the irony..... Don't worry he has to win the election or go back to being a pom.

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Foreign Minister Kasit challenges Thaksin to debate after Thaksin slammed Thailand for invading Cambodian territory

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Foreign Minister Kasit challenges Thaksin to debate

What's the matter Kasit ,

Thaksin not getting enough publicity ?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Foreign Minister Kasit challenges Thaksin to debate after Thaksin slammed Thailand for invading Cambodian territory

Does Kasit really think he could debate Thaksin without Kasit chucking one of his tantrums?

^ But it is a debate I'd love to see!

However, I guess it would need to take place in Dubai....

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Pheu Thai Officially Announces There Is No Possibility of Alliance with Bhum Jai Thai

UPDATE : 2 June 2011

The Pheu Thai Party has officially announced that there is no possibility that it will join hands with Bhum Jai Thai Party in setting up the new government coalition.

Before Abhisit Vejjajiva was appointed prime minister, members of the Bhum Jai Thai faction, under the leadership of Newin Chidchob, were members of the Pheu Thai. However, they decided to abandon the party, set up Bhum Jai Thai and back Abhisit as premier.

For the discretion, Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai leadership have never forgiven Newin and his faction for betraying them.

^ No source on the story as yet....I presume the details will come later...

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

^ But it is a debate I'd love to see!

However, I guess it would need to take place in Dubai....

It could be done by video conference. Thaksin is familiar with that format. He did a video address to the FCC in Hong Kong.

That was after the Thai Government forbade Hong Kong from hosting a live appearance from him.

Bangkok Post : Suthep: Democrat's popularity growing

Breakingnews >

• Published: 2/06/2011 at 04:00 PM
• Online news:

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban thinks his party is building election momentum and that its popularity is growing, especially in the North - the political stronghold of its archrival, the Pheu Thai Party.

Mr Suthep said on Thursday that caretaker Prime Minister and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was getting a warm welcome from voters while campaigning in the North.

It was clear that a lot of northern people actually liked the Democrats, but over the past two years some people had tried to cause trouble for the party in the area. Key Democrats had therefore avoided visiting the region, to prevent undesirable incidents.

Asked about reports that key figures of the Pheu Thai Party are already discussing the formation of the next coalition government with other political parties, Mr Suthep said it was too early for such talks. Any such discussions would prove pointless if the Democrat Party wins the election.

Mr Suthep said that key Democrats had not met the leaders of other political parties because they were busy on the campaign trail, but their relations with other parties remained good.

Asked if he thought the Democrat Party would be able to attract other parties into forming a coalition government if the election outcome was close, even though there have been no talks, Mr Suthep said it would not be too late.

The Democrat Party could still approach other parties and he hoped that other parties would base their decision on the people's intentions as expressed at the ballot box.

Mr Suthep added he had not yet given his best effort to the campaign. He planned to help Democrat candidates campaign in Bangkok, the Central Plains and three southern border provinces.

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Mr Suthep added he had not yet given his best effort to the campaign.

Right..... . Maybe more palm oil crisis to [cough] "manage".....

Bangkok Post : Pheu Thai: Never with Bhumjaithai

Breakingnews >

• Published: 2/06/2011 at 04:27 PM
• Online news:

The Pheu Thai Party on Thursday issued a statement saying that it will definitely not align with the Bhumjaithai Party to form a government after the July 3 election.

The statement, issued by Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, ended speculation whether or not the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties could become partners in a coalition government after the polls.

"Since it has been reported by news media in a way that suggests the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties may become political allies and jointly set up a government after the election, the executive committee of Pheu Thai held a meeting to consider this matter," the statement said.

"It was agreed at the meeting that the Pheu Thai Party's ideologies and work methods are far different from those of Bhumjaithai.

"Therefore, the Pheu Thai Party has resolved not to work together politically or set up a government with the Bhumjaithai Party after the election," the statement said.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Surasawadee said at a press conference that the party's executive committee had passed a resolution on campaign guidelines.

Mr Plodprasop said the resolution was not binding at this stage because many of executive committee members were campaigning in widespread areas for party candidates.

Under the resolution, the executive committee members would not talk about the formation of a government anymore, because doing so might spoil the party's presentation of policies to the people.

The party would not talk about this matter until the election result was known.

However, candidates running in constituencies were free to reflect the people's voices on this matter, but what they said would be ed as personal opinion.

After the election and Pheu Thai was in the position to form a government, the party would invite other parties to join it as considered suitable for the efficiency of the country's administration.

However, the parties they refer to as possible partners must have the same line of thinking as Pheu Thai, the same ideology regarding the people, democracy and justice. Their leading figures must be acceptable to society.

Pheu Thai would decide which of the other parties it would invite to join a possible government only when the number of MPs from both the party list and constituencies system were clear, Mr Plodprasop said.

Kanawat Wasinsangworn, another Pheu Thai deputy leader, said this was the party's clear stance. It was not yet time to talk about a formula for the formation of the next government.

From the blog world.....

Poll of Lower North shows Puea Thai in lead; Abhisit leads Yingluck | Asian Correspondent

By Bangkok Pundit
Jun 02, 2011


In the lead-up to the election, BP has blogged on a number of polls as follows:

• The E-san poll, as blogged about here and here, which surveyed all 20 provinces in the Northeast which looked at who those surveyed would cast their party vote for (Puea Thai 63.9%, Democrats, 20.7%, and Bhum Jai Thai, 9.1%),
  
  
• Nationwide NIDA poll which looked at who people would cast their constituency vote for (Puea Thai 23%, Democrats 20%, Bhum Jai Thai 3%, undecided 53%),
  
  
• Nationwide Suan Dusit poll which showed who people would cast their party vote for (Puea Thai 41%, Democrats 37%, Bhum Jai Thai 4% OR if you remove the undecideds and those who will vote no you get Puea Thai 45%, Democrats 41%, Bhum Jai Thai 4%),
  
  
• Bangkok-only DPU poll which showed that Puea Thai would win 19 constituencies, Democrats 5 and the rest were too close to call, and
  
  
• Nationwide Suan Dusit poll which showed who people would cast their party vote for (Puea Thai 43%, Democrats 37%, Bhum Jai Thai 3% OR if you remove the undecideds and those who will vote no you get Puea Thai 47%, Democrats 41%, Bhum Jai Thai 3%),

BP: BP has posted about the accuracy of Thai polls and the problem of using a single poll – hence why we have the above refresher which will be included and updated for future posts on polls. Polls may be poorly worded and not so reflective of those who will vote on July 3, but they are no data points and together with other information we can use them to evaluate.
There is a new poll of 9 provinces of the Lower North conducted by Naresuan University in Phitsanulok. The University website is abysmal and well can’t find the poll on the site, but multiple papers have the main parts of the poll.

From Matichon, we find out that they surveyed 1,828 people in 9 provinces in the Lower North between 29-30 May on who people would cast their party vote for. The results showed that Puea Thai would win 23.2%, Democrats 22.2%, 4.5% for other parties, and 50.1% were undecided.

For who people want to be PM, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva received 31.8% of the vote, Yingluck 29.6%, 7.3% for others, and 31.2% were undecided.
If the party that wins the most votes can form a government, can you accept that the PM is a leader of another party? Yes, can accept 37.1%, cannot accept 33.7%, and no opinion 29.2%.

Will there be increased vote-buying compared to previous elections? 52.2% say more, 24..8% are unsure, 15.9% say the same, and 7.1% say less.

If party doesn’t win most votes, but can form government, 50.1% can accept [no details on can't accept or no opinion, but regardless less than 50% between them].

BP: Can’t find it specifically mentioned in the article, but the 9 provinces of the Lower North are Phitsanulok, Tak, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kamphaeng Phet, and Phichit. While the North is considered Thaksin-country, this is not actually correct. It is the Upper North which is whereas the Lower North is more evenly divided. For example, for the 2007 General Election, below is how PPP (precursor to Puea Thai) and the Democrats did in these provinces for the constituency vote:

• Uthai Thani: Dem 34,587 ( 11.62%), PPP 32,694 (10.98%) - Chat Thai candidates won both seats
  
  
• Uttaradit: Dem 109,577 (17.39%), PPP 348,862 (55.38%) - PPP won all 3 seats
  
  
• Sukhothai: Dem 141,928 (27.17%), PPP 101,170 (19.37%) - Democrats won 2 seats, Chat Thai 1, and Matichima 1
  
  
• Phitsanulok: Dem 445,935 (46.04%), PPP 361,027 ( 37.27%) – Democrats won 3 seats, and PPP won 2 seats
  
  
• Phetchabun: Dem 217,089 (18.90%), PPP 512,211 (44.58%) – PPP won 4 seats, Democrats 1, Chat Thai 1.
  
  
• Tak: 379,520 (65.36%), PPP 99,318 (17.10%) – Democrats won all 3 seats
  
  
• Nakhon Sawan: Dem 243,698 (21.21%), PPP 185,887 (16.18%) – Democrats won 2 seats, Chat Thai 2, Pracharaj 1, PPP 1, and Matichima 1
  
  
• Kamphaeng Phet: Dem 313,008 (38.55%), PPP 336,750 (41.47%) – Democrats won 3 seats, and PPP won 2 seats
  Total 811,962
  
  
• Phichit: Dem 109,162 (22.63%), PPP 124,499 (25.81%) – Chat Thai won 2 seats, Democrats 1, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 1.

Note: Above is taken for EC figures and just added the constituency vote together.

BP: In total there were 39 constituency seats up for grabs in the lower North in the 2007 General Election. Democrats won 15 seats, PPP 12 seats, Chat Thai 8 seats, Matichima 2, Pracharaj 1, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 1. There were 6,591,281 constituency votes cast in Lower North in the election with the Dems winning 30.26% and PPP 31.90%. The smaller parties did quite well especially Chat Thai which partly explains why Pradit from Phichit of Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana has gone to Chat Thai’s successor Chat Thai Pattana.

Unfortunately, BP has not seen individual province breakdown figures for the provinces of the Lower North for the party vote for the 2007 General Election. Back then provinces were divided in groups of provinces with Group 1 being Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Mae Hong Song, Lampang, Lamphun, and Sukothai with PPP winning 50% and the Democrats 36%. For Group 2, you had Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanoluk, Phetchabun, Lopburi, Uttaradit, and Uthai Thani where PPP won 46% and the Democrats 33%. The big difference there is the inclusion of the larger Khon Kaen province where for the constituency vote PPP won 54% to the Democrats 6% and that is with 2 million votes cast…

Hence, Puea Thai leading 23.2% to the Democrats 22.2% is probably about right. Who will the undecided vote for? Interesting also that Yingluck is only behind Abhisit by 2 points..

Somsak accuses Suriyasai of embezzling donation money

2 June 2011

NEW POLITICS PARTY

Somsak accuses Suriyasai of embezzling donation money

By The Nation



The rift inside the New Politics party has deepened with its leader Somsak Kosaisuk planning to file a complaint with police against its former secretary general, Suriyasai Katasila, for the embezzlement of Bt650,000.

Somsak said he would go to see Nang Lerng police tomorrow.He accused Suriyasai of embezzling the sum, which was donated from fund raising campaigns.

The party's legal team has already prepared the documents to file with police tomorrow. The Election Commission has already been already informed of the matter.

Somsak and Suriyasai were both leaders of the yellow shirts movement, which organised protests against exPM Thaksin Shinawatra. After they formed New Politics Party in 2009, the two were involved in several conflicts, resulting in Suriyasai's resignation.

One of the points of conflicts was Somsak's intent to take part in the upcoming general election while Suriyasai and other yellow shirts leaders held a different view.

However, the party's general meeting voted in favour of Somsak.

Lots of nice yellow boards out tonight with pictures of animals in suits; I thought these had been banned already?

Thai-ASEAN News Network



PM Seeks Votes in North

UPDATE : 2 June 2011

The Democrat Party leader is still in the North to seek votes from locals there.

He begins his campaigning early in the morning after spending the night at a temple in Lamphun's Pa Sang District.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, along with party executives Sathit Wongnongtoey, Chaiwut Bannawat and Lamphun MP candidates Kayan Wipromchai and Saman Chomputhep, left a temple in Lamphun's Pa Sang District where they spent the night.

The group visited a fresh market nearby and was warmly welcomed by locals who were shopping for groceries there.


One of the locals gave him a talisman made of cloth with magical letters on it and wrapped it around his waist.

The Democrat leader then joined residents in offering alms to monks and took part in rituals believed to help ward off bad luck and extend one's lifespan.

Abhisit told the media he had a good sleep last night and that he has no problem sleeping out in the open as long as there are no mosquitoes.

Abhisit and his team were scheduled to visit Chiang Mai's Hod District but changed their plan to seek votes in Mae Rim District instead.

There has been no report of red-shirt supporters showing up against the Democrats during their campaigning in Chiang Mai.

Meanwhile, deputy Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit was in Lampang Province to help the party's MP candidates Mattayom Nipakasem and Kanittha Nipakasem campaign for votes.

Jurin expressed confidence that the Democrats should win two out of four seats in Lampang after there has been no Democrat MP representing the province for the last 30 years.

The deputy Democrat leader believes that the party has gained more popularity from Lampang residents as its MP candidates have been visiting and working hard during the electioneering.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Top Democrat Alleges Red-shirt Threat

UPDATE : 2 June 2011

The Democrat secretary general has urged the election panel to scrutinize key leaders of the red-shirt group as their statements may be considered a threat which could violate the election law.

Secretary general of the Democrat Party, Suthep Thaugsuban, commented on his electioneering efforts, saying that he has been unable to fully help the party's MP candidates campaign due to his official duties as acting deputy prime minister.

Suthep stated that he intended to help Democrat MP candidates seek votes in Bangkok as well as other areas in the central and southern provinces.


Asked about Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's move to help poll campaigning in the North, Suthep said the party has received a positive response from locals upcountry.

The top Democrat went on to say that the Democrats have avoided traveling to the North because there has been a group of people trying to disrupt and stir chaos when Democrat members visited the area in the past two years.

Suthep pointed out that obstructing poll campaigning is against the law and the police must take responsibility in enforcing the law.

He called on the Election Commission, or EC, to scrutinize statements made by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua whether they are considered threats, which are against the electoral law.

Thaksin and Nattawut earlier announced that a mass demonstration will take place if the Pheu Thai Party wins the most MP seats in the election but does not get to form government.

Suthep said their comments can be considered a threat and noted that it is an undemocratic action.

The Democrat secretary general also confirmed strong ties with coalition partners and said Thailand's political future rests with the public's decision on July 3.