Thailand : PM to Decide on House Dissolution in 4 Months

**Mid** · 31-10-2010, 06:51 AM

Chalerm warns of violent protest if polls not called soon
October 31, 2010

Senior Pheu Thai politicians yesterday warned the government that unless a general election was called soon and power returned to the voters, the country might witness a "violent protest".

Chief Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung said during a meeting of party MPs from the northeast in Chiang Mai that he believed the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration was preparing for an election, judging by the promotions of senior police officers nationwide.

"Although the government has got a lot of support from many elements, they are unable to please the grass-roots people. The country is not at peace now because the Democrat Party is trying to repeat the previous mistakes and putting pressure on the people. If the government fails to return power to the people, a new round of protests could become violent if people express their discontent," he said.

Chalerm said the party was ready to tell the electorate that ousted and fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will return if Pheu Thai wins the next election. He added that the tables will be turned against the government if the World Court accepts the cases of nine deaths at Wat Pathum Wanaram on May 19.

He said that would in effect make the current government leaders unable to travel abroad freely as they would be wanted by the world court.

The veteran politician said double standards in Thai politics continued "repeatedly" and more and more people now recognise that this government wasn't "truly elected by the people" while whatever Thaksin or red shirts do is regarded as wrong.

Chalerm said Pheu Thai would win 135 seats in the 17 northeastern provinces if elections were held now and urged former premiers Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Somchai Wongsawat to steer the party forward.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the leader of the ruling Democrat Party, has said there "will definitely be" a general election next year and that he will not stay on until his term is completed in early 2012.

At the same meeting, Chavalit told the MPs that a democratic change was needed to solve the current political problems. He said the four committees appointed by the prime minister would fail to achieve results within the three years mandated by the administration.

Chavalit said yesterday that the party would continue to gain support from the people because Thaksin "cares for the poor".

"The situation is close to election time. We must prepare many things. The party is already making a move ... It's noted that our opponents accuse Pheu Thai Party of being disloyal to the throne and the severity of the allegation has intensified, as many big men have begun talking about it.

Also there's the thing about [the allegation of being] terrorists," Chavalit said.

"Today, many brothers and sisters who demanded democracy are still in jail and feel very uncomfortable. Today, the DSI [Department of Special Investigation] or the security organs have already given the OK sign but they haven't been granted bail. I see this as the worst violations of rights and liberty," he said.

Chavalit added that the anti-monarchist allegation was unfounded as the party is made up of former prime ministers, including three former Army chiefs, who have sworn oaths of allegiance to the throne.

nationmultimedia.com

**StrontiumDog** · 31-10-2010, 05:05 PM

Ahhh, Mr "Untouchable" is back....threatening violence for a change....

**StrontiumDog** · 31-10-2010, 05:22 PM

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...peace-in-place

PM: Election when peace in place

Published: 31/10/2010 at 11:02 AM
Online news: Local News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his “Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit” weekly programme on Channel 11 on Sunday morning that the general election will take place only after peace is in place.

Mr Abhisit did not say whether the fresh election is to be held early or late next year.

“It depends of the political situation. If the country does have peace and order, all political parties reach agreements on election rules and anti-government groups stop movement, the election will definitely take place”, he said.

**StrontiumDog** · 31-10-2010, 05:24 PM

So Abhisit says an election when it is peaceful....Chalerm says violence if no election.....

I see a strange connection here...!

**Mid** · 31-10-2010, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

anti-government groups stop movement

so an election without an opposition

**Panda** · 31-10-2010, 06:14 PM

I guess Abhisit doesnt realize its not up to him when to call an election.

Sounds like he wants out. But he has been put in such a position as the mouthpiece of the elite ruling class that if he bails out on them by calling an early election that they cant win, it would effectively be changing sides.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Abhisit get assassinated if he dumps on his minders. Of course it would be branded a red plot and so elections would have to be postponed indefinitely until the violence settled down.

Abhisit has a choice of being remembered in history as either a dictator or a martyr. I reckon he will choose life and stop talking like he actually cares about the people, democracy and the future of the country.

**corvettelover** · 31-10-2010, 06:25 PM

need a poll on november court ruling if democrats will be disolved
1. maybe april gathering more evidence
2. maybe july democrats legal team appeals on how evidence gathered.
3. Twelth of never

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2010, 11:56 AM

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1036805

PM: National Security Key to Setting Election Date

UPDATE : 2 November 2010

The prime minister has reiterated his intention to dissolve the House and call for a new election some time next year, but that the coalition government may serve its full term if political instability continues.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed his intention to dissolve the House and call for a new election next year. However, he also said that it will depend on the security status of the country.

The premier said that once the violence has subsided, a new election will be scheduled. On the other hand, if some groups continue to create unrest in the country, the government has no choice but to stay in power to keep security until the end of its term.

When asked whether the imminent Cabinet reshuffle will take place before or after the court has ruled in the Democrat Party's dissolution case, the prime minister responded by saying that he cannot predict what the verdict will be.

Regarding former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who resigned to run in a by-election in Surat Thani province, Abhisit did not say whether Suthep will return as a deputy prime minister after having won the by-election.

Suthep was in charge of national security affairs before resigning in early October to qualify as a candidate for a by-election in Surat Thani province.

**Rural Surin** · 02-11-2010, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

So Abhisit says an election when it is peaceful....Chalerm says violence if no election.....

I see a strange connection here...!

Imagining that they're both on the payroll, yes?

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2010, 01:23 PM

^ Ha! Now, what a fine conspiracy that would make!!!

**Butterfly** · 02-11-2010, 02:10 PM

they don't need a new election, why reward the red monkeys when all they can do is throw shit if they don't get what they want

spoiled little terrorists,

**Rural Surin** · 02-11-2010, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Butterfly

they don't need a new election, why reward the red monkeys when all they can do is throw shit if they don't get what they want

spoiled little terrorists,

Terrorists. A very fine line of difference.

**Panda** · 02-11-2010, 05:46 PM

Yellows conduct a prolonged political protest involving illegal activities and they get a military coup to overthrow a democratically elected government. The Reds conduct a prolonged political protest involving illegal activities and they get shot and locked up.

Not hard to see how the political deck is stacked and by who.

**Panda** · 02-11-2010, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Butterfly

they don't need a new election, why reward the red monkeys when all they can do is throw shit if they don't get what they want

spoiled little terrorists,

Yea. Bugger that democracy thing hey Butters. It aint fair! The people with the most votes always win.

**Butterfly** · 02-11-2010, 05:53 PM