Thread: Suthep ups the ante for 'final battle'

Suthep ups the ante for 'final battle'
5/04/2014

Anti-government protesters have been asked to prepare for the "final battle" to be triggered by the removal of Yingluck Shinawatra from office by either the National Anti-Corruption Commission or the Constitutional Court, whichever comes first.

"When the day comes, we will seize the ruling power immediately based on the constitutional provision that the sovereign power belongs to the Thai people," Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, said after a meeting with his allies on Saturday.

He asked the PDRC's allies to prepare for the important day by registering healthy people to reduce the burden on medical staff.

Those who cannot join are asked to send supplies and clothes because the fight will last at least 15 days, he said.

The signal will come from Mr Suthep himself and will hinge on one of the two scenarios, whichever comes first.

The first scenario is when the National Anti-Corruption Commission charged Ms Yingluck with dereliction of duty for her involvement in the rice pledging scheme.

The other is the Constitutional Court's ruling to impeach her for transferring National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri.

bangkokpost.com

What a sick old corrupt golden-nutsack sucking ass Suthep is. The military should lock him away right now but of course they too like those golden balls.

Originally Posted by Mid

When the day comes, we will seize the ruling power immediately based on the constitutional provision that the sovereign power belongs to the Thai people,

Carte blanche . . .

So, where are his TD supporters now?

Where are those who protect the nation from treasonous souls? Suthep should be jailed. If what he says were to happen a lot of political people and their families will be threatened or will probably be killed. The bodyguard businesses in Thailand must be booming for the wealthy. Suthep deserves no mercy at this point. He's insane and dangerous like a mad dog.

Neither side is worthy of political bias.

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Neither side is worthy of political bias.

Agree but we need something to argue about.

Government presses army on Suthep
9/04/2014

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and government supporters have called on the army to respond to plans by anti-government protesters to "reclaim sovereign power".

Suthep Thaugsuban, self-appointed leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), declared on Saturday that "the people" would regain sovereign power and he would personally seek endorsement from His Majesty the King for a new prime minister.

The move would follow pending rulings by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Constitutional Court which threaten to strip the caretaker government of its powers.

But Ms Yingluck on Tuesday stressed the need for the PDRC to obey the law.

"If no one obeys the law and anyone can establish a cabinet or a legislative assembly as they please, the country will not gain international recognition," she said.

Mr Yingluck also spoke about the political stance of army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

"I believe the army chief should have his own position. Actually, he should be aware of how he should comply with his duty. Those involved in security operations must treat people equally," she said.

"There is no need to ask. I think he already has an answer in mind."

It is understood the caretaker premier was referring to a case in which the army had previously decided to pursue legal action against key red-shirt leader Wuthipong "Ko Tee" Kachathamkhun for allegedly inciting separatism.

Mr Wuthipong, who admitted to hanging a banner in Don Mueang district which some construed as promoting separatism, said he hung it in jest to highlight military "bias" in favour of anti-government demonstrators.

An army source said armed forces leaders would be reluctant to respond to Mr Suthep's plan, seeing as it was merely an announcement and there are no concrete signs at this stage that he will follow through.

When several red shirts had expressed a desire to separate the country, the army also took no action since the comments were only made on a rally stage, the source noted.

Authorities were compelled to take action against Mr Wuthipong, however, because his actions were tangible and the army is duty-bound to file police complaints against those allegedly involved in separatism, the source added.

Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister and UDD co-leader Nattawut Saikuar said Tuesday he believed the public would reject Mr Suthep's sovereign power declaration.

It is important that the armed forces leaders clarify whether Mr Suthep has the backing of the military when he makes such a declaration, Mr Nattawut said.

The answer by the military leaders will have a significant impact on the country's political climate, he added.

"Will the army chief agree to Mr Suthep establishing himself as the sovereign power as announced, and will he then report to Mr Suthep?" Mr Nattawut asked.

The Pheu Thai Party yesterday issued a statement condemning the PDRC's plan to reclaim sovereign power.

Pokin Polakul, a member of the party's strategic committee, read the statement, saying Mr Suthep's attempt to seize power violates the constitution because he is not part of the legislative, executive or judicial branches.

The move to claim sovereign power is tantamount to treason and "tearing up the constitution", Mr Pokin said, adding that the public has the right and the duty to oppose such a move and to safeguard the democratic system.
Mr Pokin called on the public, state officials and agencies to oppose Mr Suthep's plan and to pursue legal action against the PDRC leader and his supporters, rather than becoming their tools.

He said independent organisations and the Constitutional Court must not cooperate with or support the PDRC leader, adding that the only way to exercise sovereign power legally is through an election.

The Election Commission and the caretaker government must discuss the issuing of a new royal decree to stage a fresh general election as soon as possible, Mr Pokin said. The Feb 2 poll was voided last month by the Constitutional Court for violating the charter.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Monday the party would file a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) against anti-government leader Suthep for treason.

Mr Prompong said the protest leader's comments had violated Section 113 of the Criminal Code, which relates to insurrection.

He said he planned to lodge the complaint with the DSI yesterday, arguing the issue is a threat to national security.

Some of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's former classmates in Class 10 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School also yesterday issued a statement calling on armed forces commanders to clarify their positions on Mr Suthep's remarks.

Gen Traisak Intarassamee read the statement, saying armed forces leaders should make clear their stance and comply with the law so as to allay public doubts about their positions.

Mr Suthep had previously accepted the role of the Senate in appointing a neutral prime minister under Section 7 of the constitution, but his statement on Saturday recanted that position in favour of him making the selection personally.

He is now pursuing a "people's revolution" approach, whereby the PDRC lays claim to sovereign power to initiate a process to establish a new government and a "people's council" by itself.

The protest leader last night reiterated that he, as the nominee of "the people", would declare ownership of sovereign power on behalf of the people.

That is because the PDRC would not allow Ms Yingluck or the government to defy the court's ruling to keep themselves in office or the UDD to declare that it owns the sovereign power of the people.

If the court rules against Ms Yingluck and the caretaker government, Mr Suthep said that means sovereignty would return to the people and he would declare ownership of sovereign power and then do what the people wanted him to do.

bangkokpost.com

Army: Arresting Suthep 'not our job'
9/04/2014

If People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban's plan to "reclaim sovereign power" is illegal it is the government's duty to take legal action against him, not the army's, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Wednesday.


Suthep, left and Gen Prayuth
(File Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

"We'll have to look into the law to see if (reclaiming sovereign power) can be done.

"If it's against the law or inappropriate the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) can arrest the wrongdoers along with those who commit lese majeste and who want to separate Thailand," the national army chief told reporters.

He insisted the armed forces do not side with either Mr Suthep's group or the pro-government group led by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman Jatuporn Prompan.

If either side violated the law then the CMPO and police were duty bound to make the arrest, not the military.

Gen Prayuth said he did not want people to accuse the military of interfering in all issues.

"The military has no authority to arrest anyone. If you can't arrest Mr Suthep, then don't tell us to do the job for you. that's not right," he added.

On Tuesday night, Mr Suthep announced at the Lumpini stage that the PDRC would reclaim sovereign power for the people as soon as "Yingluck Shinawatra's status as caretaker prime minister is terminated by the Constitutional Court".

"If Ms Yingluck refuses to follow the court's ruling, the people will drag and pull her down from power," the protest leader declared.

bangkokpost.com

CAPO seeks legal action against Suthep for attempting to overthrow government

BANGKOK, April 8 - Thailand's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) said it is collecting evidence to bring charges against the leaders of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for unconstitutionally attempting to overthrow the country's democratic system.

CAPO said today that it will use last Saturday's comments of PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban, which are deemed as breaching Section 113 of the Criminal Code, in evidence to file insurrection charges against Mr Suthep and another 57 protest leaders.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said that he has instructed concerned officials to transcribe and translate Mr Suthep's remarks and distribute them to all embassies in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he has submitted a recording of Mr Suthep's remarks to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Director-General Tarit Pengdit seeking agency to bring criminal charges against Mr Suthep and the other leaders for rebellion.

Mr Prompong said he will also petition the Constitutional Court within this week.

After receiving the complaint Mr Tarit said that DSI investigators, the National Police Bureau and the Office of Attorney General have closely monitored the PDRC movements.

He said that last Saturday, there was not only Mr Suthep, but also a number of other key protest leaders who were behind the moves.

Mr Tarit said that CAPO is meeting today to consider the issue.

pattayamail.com

Suthep makes clear of his declaration of sovereign
April 9, 2014



People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said the people will “drag and pull” caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra down from the prime minister seat if she again rejects ruling by either the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and continues to stay in office citing her own “democratic system”.

Suthep’s remark came amid growing criticism of his self proclaimed “sovereign” to seize power from the caretaker government and the ruling Pheu Thai party is filing complaints with the police and Department of Special Investigation with call to impose “treason” charge on him.

But Suthep played down treason charge saying he cared nothing as he already faced treason charge already.

However he pledged to turn himself in to the police to face the charge once he has accomplished the important task to bring down the Thaksin regime and the country is back to real constitutional democracy.

He then explained why he has to declare sovereign.

He said there is clear indication that Ms Yingluck and her Pheu Thai party would not accept the ruling of the court and the NACC, citing the current attempt of her party to discredit both the court of justices and the graft buster.

He said Yingluck’s legal advisor has petitioned the NACC seeking the replacement of the chairman of the NACC’s inquiry subcommittee Vicha Mahakhun reasoning that he was biased and unfair with her.

They also discredited the Constitutional Court by asking why the court has to accept the petition of the senator to rule Yingluck’s premiership status over the transfer of former national security council chief Thawil Pliensri despite the fact that the Supreme Administrative Court has a ruling and the former chief has been reinstated on court’s order.

Suthep said Yingluck and her followers even questioned the Constitutional Court and asked that she should not be treated in a double-standard manner.

The PDRC said all these attempts by Yingluck and her followers indicated they would not accept the rulings by both independent organizations under the Constitution if the ruling is a disadvantage to her.

In anticipation of her stubbornness, disobedience and defiance of the justice system, Suthep stressed there is no choice but to get the people ready on the day when either ruling is handed down.

“Once the court rules her premiership status has terminated, and she rejects, the people will unset her with push and pull.”

He said he declared sovereign just to demand sovereignty back to the hands of the people.

When she loses the right to stay in power, and right to hold sovereign power, then the right for sovereign power must be returned to the people as the Constitution states clearly that sovereignty belonged to the people.

He said what he declared was made within the scope of the Constitution while Yingluck and her followers are real defiant of the Constitution.

He said when Ms Yingluck is removed, reform could then start and no politician be allowed to involve in the reform as they still have conflict of interest and therefore should be kept off until reform is accomplished.

He added that Ms Yingluck has repeatedly stressed to keep the law, respect the law and ready to comply with the law, but what she said and did was different when she rejects the rulings of the Constitutional Court and the NACC.

englishnews.thaipbs.or.th

Originally Posted by Mid

But Suthep played down treason charge saying he cared nothing as he already faced treason charge already.

And this is the problem . . . he is seemingly untouchable and believes he is more so every time he gets away with more of his unbelievable antics

Tavorn: Returning sovereign power to the people is a stepping stone
Chaite Naasiri

BANGKOK, 10 April 2014 (NNT) - Tavorn Senniem, a co-leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has spoken to the press about his views on establishing sovereign power.

According to Mr. Tavorn, the idea of such a move would be just a stepping stone to pave the way for the country’s reformation. He said it is a legitimate proposal because, should the Constitutional Court issue a ruling to remove Prime Minister Yingluck and her cabinet from office, then power could be returned to the Thai people.

Regarding the PDRC Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban’s claim to propose a new prime minister and seek royal endorsement, Mr. Tavorn said it is only an idea that is not yet confirmed. He also stated that at this point, the PDRC and its members would have to wait for the Constitution Court to decide whether to impeach the premier or not, as she faces two legal cases that could see her removed from office. From there, the PDRC would have to gather information, and listen to ideas from all sides on how to proceed next.

Mr. Tavorn said that should the Charter Court give a verdict to remove the premier from office, but find that she doesn’t abide by the court’s decision, then she would be failing to respect the rules of the justice system.

thainews.prd.go.th

Originally Posted by Mid

should the Constitutional Court issue a ruling to remove Prime Minister Yingluck and her cabinet from office, then power could be returned to the Thai people.

Oh, so another election? Yawwn.

Don't think Suthep is thinking about an election Sabang. More like him being ordained as the supreme leader of the Thai nation. He will intern ordain those most worthy to create a Thailand in his vision.

Originally Posted by AsGoodAsItGets

What a sick old corrupt golden-nutsack sucking ass Suthep is. The military should lock him away right now but of course they too like those golden balls.

The fact that he is still a free man is compelling evidence that someone extremely high up has given him the nod. And it isn't necessarily a bloke, either.

As I'm sure someone said, when the lion becomes old and toothless, monkeys grin as they pull his tail.

^ Nice quote.

Agree with your post wholeheartedly

Originally Posted by leemo

Originally Posted by AsGoodAsItGets

What a sick old corrupt golden-nutsack sucking ass Suthep is. The military should lock him away right now but of course they too like those golden balls.

The fact that he is still a free man is compelling evidence that someone extremely high up has given him the nod. And it isn't necessarily a bloke, either.

As I'm sure someone said, when the lion becomes old and toothless, monkeys grin as they pull his tail.

I believe this goes without saying, as intelligent and aware folks quite understand this - contemporary history will tell you that many other questionable "public figures" of his same stature have been protected and supported.

A truer reflection of Thai contemporary historiography.
And hasn't really changed for decades.
And some might suggest there is a clarion call of social, political, and institutional change. In reality.....that avenue is closed and struggles to open.

All the theories and punditry that cycles around about this and that.
Yet, the more things change the more it stays the same.

I'm amazed that Suthep isn't standing alone on an old crate spouting his complete nonsense. How can wnyone take this prick seriously? Nothing he says makes any sense whatsoever.

I think I have lost count but isn't this 7th final battle?

One Red Shirt I know said the Reds have won. She pointed to the location of their last rally and the powerful figure who lives nearby. Another pointed to the Bangkok Post editorial last week as evidence if victory where it officially withdrew all support for Suthep.

I'm not convinced. The Post could have been pressured into publishing that - or they could be hedging their bets. The second shoe is about to drop by the courts and the real big fight seems just around the corner. If my Red friend is right all court actions will go Yinglucks way and the EC and Dems will suddenly get all democratic again. Then we'll know who won behind the scenes

There was a quote by Suthep in the paper version of today's BKK post where is is saying it will all end this month. Why on earth would the BKKPost post this crap when he has said this for the past five months. Suthep should be known as a man of lies, forever. I certainly will make that know when his names comes up in discussion. The only fame he can achieve at this point is becoming a real martyr for his cause. If he were to take a bullet at least he would be able to clear his name of being a cowardly idiot.

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

One Red Shirt I know said the Reds have won. She pointed to the location of their last rally and the powerful figure who lives nearby. Another pointed to the Bangkok Post editorial last week as evidence if victory where it officially withdrew all support for Suthep.

the reds are as delusional as the Suthep supporters,

this is what happens when you live in a bubble and are incapable of understanding what other think outside your little tribes.

The Thai mentality in a nutshell,

PDRC to stage new rally on Thursday
Orapa Chueyprasit

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is set to re-mobilize on Thursday after taking a long break during the Songkran Festival.

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban is slated to discuss the group’s next moves with heads of major state enterprise unions, including the State Railway of Thailand and the Electricity Generating Authority. Later in the day the group will stage rallies to urge more people to join their cause.

Meanwhile, PDRC member Thavorn Senneam said the group is refraining from confronting members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, which is due to stage a demonstration on Friday.

The PDRC has been beefing up security near its Lumpini Park rally site, following the shooting of one of its security guards earlier in the week.

thainews.prd.go.th