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Lets see what happens in the next election TH.
We will soon see how satisfied the voters are with the hijacking of their previous Thaksin, Samak, Somchai Governments
I'm sure you and I both hope the election (if it occurs) is transparent, fair and equal.
Shutting down radio stations en-masse is not encouraging however, never mind all the other censorship of opposition communication channels, while the State media waltzes along unaffected
From Twitter (citing report in Thai-language newspaper Matichon):
Rajprasong_News Rajprasong_News
Yaowapa reveals Mingkwai has not resigned from Peauthai Party, still one of the candidates as Prime Minister!... "
2 hours ago
From Twitter:
TAN_Network TAN News Network
Yellow shirts storm New Politics' executive board meeting causing party to postpone vote on fielding candidates to next week
35 minutes ago
Second-to-last House session collapses
29 April2011
By The Nation
The parliamentary session collapsed Friday due to lack of quorum in the second-to-last meeting before anticipated House dissolution next week.
House Speaker Chai Chidchob adjourned the session following attendance checks and rescheduled a vote on the draft bill on the formation of an autonomous organisation for environment, natural resources and health to Wednesday.
Poor attendance meant the session convened at noon, hours behind schedule. MPs emptied out of the chamber after hearing a report summing up their legislative work.
Under the present government from January 21, 2008 to Friday, the House convened 216 times and saw the passage of 66 pieces of legislation.
About 138 bills were in various stages of preparation before reaching the House floor for a first reading.
The House approved six organic laws, passed four pieces of legislation initiated by the people, endorsed six executive decrees and acknowledged five reports.
Eight motions of censure were filed and debated. MPs lodged 4,206 query motions, 3,597 of which reached the House floor.
For the question-and-answer sessions, the government replied to 221 queries on the House floor and another 675 replies were published in the Royal Gazette.
for democracy to work, monkeys shouldn't vote, it's that simple
NPP postpones decision on poll boycott
By SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
THE NATION
Published on April 30, 2011
The New Politics Party's executive board yesterday postponed its final decision on whether to contest the upcoming general election amid a severe rift threatening the party's unity, a source said.
The meeting, chaired by party leader Somsak Kosaisuk, failed to reach an accord after five hours. The participants agreed to put off their decision until a meeting next week, to be scheduled later.Eighteen of 20 party executives attended yesterday's meeting.
The NPP - viewed as the political arm of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), or the yellow shirts - has seen a tug-of-war between two factions in conflict over whether the party should field candidates in the next election.
Many PAD leaders, particularly Sondhi Limthongkul, are campaigning for eligible voters to boycott the election on the grounds that it will only allow corrupt politicians to return to power.
They want the party to join the boycott by not contesting the election.
However, many NPP figures, including party leader Somsak, want the party to field candidates. Somsak is backed by heads of the party's branches.
The NPP executive board is split between Somsak's backers and those supporting a boycott.
Somsak called yesterday's meeting after NPP members on Sunday resolved not to field any candidates in the election. The party leader regarded the decision as mere comment by party members, with no legal binding effect. He said such a decision should be made by the party's executive board.
Somsak noted that on March 22, the party's executives and branch heads had resolved that the NPP would contest the election, according to the source.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255404300004
Banharn: New poll to take place
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
BANGKOK, 30 April 2011 (NNT) – Ex-Prime Minister and Chart Thai Pattana Party Chief Advisor Banharn Silapa-archa has voiced his belief that the next general election will definitely take place, but the political conflicts will remain.
Upon the opposition’s concern that there would be no election, Mr Banharn expressed his confidence that a new election was definite since Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had already given a promise to dissolve the House in the first week of May.
The former prime minister added that the military had also responded positively to the upcoming election. He however noted that the new election would not be arranged if a war broke out -- a situation which is unpredictable.
Mr Banharn also believed that the upcoming election would be fiercer than ever because all conflicting sides show no compromise to their standpoint. He predicted that political conflicts would remain after the election as it was difficult to bring the two conflicting sides to reconciliation.
The Chart Thai Pattana chief advisor also confirmed the readiness of his party to run in the next election. He said he had suggested the party that it should not issue many populist policies as they might harm the country in the long run.
Meanwhile, Chart Thai Pattana Party Spokesperson Watchara Kannikar announced that his party has improved its policies, which do not focus on just populist projects, but emphasize on agricultural aspects such as water resources and agricultural land.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255404300003
EC busy preparing election
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
BANGKOK, 30 April 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that a new general election will take place since it is an exit for the country amid the political conflicts and frequent rumors of coup d’état.
Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit admitted that the EC had been busy after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced to dissolve the House in the beginning of May; however, he was quite surprised to hear frequent coup rumors confusing the public.
Mr Prapan said he personally believed that the new election would certainly take place since it was the democratic way globally accepted. He admitted speculation was high that the upcoming election would be fierce due to differences in political opinions in the society.
As for the Thai-Cambodian border clashes, the commissioner said the issue would not affect the general election arrangement. He added that there was no need to defer the election date because the situation was affecting only some areas, and polling stations could be relocated to safer venues.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255404300014
Ex Deputy PM Suwat: border dispute no impact on the election
BANGKOK, 30 April 2011 (NNT)-Former Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop expressed his confidence that the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia would have no impact on the next general election.
He also expressed concerns over the fights which continue to persist, saying that there were many factors to be considered in formulating a solution for the matter.
Mr. Suwat added that the general election would be a way out of political divides for Thailand. The economy will be better as well as the unity in the country. He hoped the election would be carried out in transparency and that it would be fair to all parties.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255404300015
Pheu Thai: Gov spends too much on public image
BANGKOK, 30 April 2011 (NNT)-The Pheu Thai Party has appointed a committee to examine the government’s spending particularly expenses coming from the Prime Minister's Office before the House dissolution takes place.
Pheu Thai Deputy Spokesperson Jirayu Huagnsap alleged that many Ministers had spent over 10 million THB altogether to promote their image through television and billboards. He then urged the Election Commission of Thailand to investigate and bring justice to the Pheu Thai Party
There should be a referendum on the military too. They wouldn't dare though
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...leTabs=article
Thai Prime Minister to Call Election
- APRIL 30, 2011
By LEIGH MURRAY, JAMES HOOKWAY and ALMAR LATOUR
BANGKOK—Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he plans to dissolve the House of Representatives by Friday and call what he described as a landmark election for the Southeast Asian country, which has been plagued by deep and sometimes deadly political divisions.
"This is a real opportunity for Thailand to get out of this cycle of violence," he said in an interview Friday at Government House in Bangkok. "For too long I think we've been held back."
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2011/04/3942.jpg
Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talked about the upcoming election and the challenges facing the Thai economy, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
Mr. Abhisit said despite persistent political uncertainty—including monthslong protests in central Bangkok last year that left 91 people dead in some of the worst political violence in Thai history—the country managed to come through the global economic crisis strongly, adding that the momentum of the recovery is continuing.
However, he said that challenges remain and that high oil and commodity prices present threats to the outlook for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
Going to the polls now might provide Mr. Abhisit with a fresh mandate to pursue fresh policies to help buttress the country's economic progress, analysts say, and he is choosing to call the election several months before the end of his term in December in order to provide Thailand with a firmer sense of direction and to remove the shadow of uncertainty that still hangs over the country.
Oxford-educated Mr. Abhisit, 46 years old, was elevated to power by Parliament in December 2008 after a Thai court dissolved a government that was backed by former populist Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra because of vote buying. The ruling came amid intense political pressure on the existing government, including protests by conservative demonstrators that forced the closure of Bangkok's international airport for nine days.
Political analysts believe the planned election will be a close race and opinion polls suggest the main government and opposition parties are neck-and-neck. Mr. Abhisit's return to power will be complicated by the still-lingering appeal of Mr. Thaksin, a 61-year-old telecommunications mogul who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and who now lives abroad to escape imprisonment on a corruption conviction that he describes as politically motivated. Mr. Thaksin's supporters among the Red Shirt protesters who staged last years often-violent protests may also ramp up their rallies during the election campaign.
In addition, Mr. Thaksin is playing a key role in managing the election campaign of the For Thais Party, the main opposition group. He has pledged sharp increases in the minimum wage and tax cuts in order to breathe fresh life in Thailand's domestic, consumer-driven economy and reduce its dependence on volatile export markets.
In some ways, Mr. Abhisit's strategy is similar, though he says it is better thought out than Mr. Thaksin's plans. His campaign platform includes a proposal to increase minimum wages by 25% over the next two years to help poorer pockets of the country to cope with fast-rising prices.
The consumer-price index rose 3.14% in March and is expected to show further acceleration when data for April are released Monday.
Mr. Abhisit said without the increase in the minimum wage, "there is a real fear that this recovery would not be as strong as it should be."
"Clearly some of the wages would feed through to prices, but prices do not make up that big proportion of costs. And the fact of the matter is we need to help people to get through this crisis," he said.
Mr. Abhisit said his administration is also continuing to waive the bulk of the excise tax on diesel to ensure that the retail price is capped at 30 baht, or roughly $1 per liter. While this subsidy is costly for the government, he stressed that allowing prices to increase would do much more damage to the economy by pushing up the prices of all goods.
The Thai leader said his government has introduced a series of other measures to help strengthen the economy over the past two and a half years, including introducing free, 15-year education programs, providing income support for the elderly and also income guarantees for farmers. "We need to do more, and the people want more," he said.
^ Video of the interview at the link if you feel so inclined :)
Thanks SDQuote:
Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
There you go again. Who are the monkeys? I am most prob and anyone not thinking your way. Tell me again how much you lose if there is democracy in Thailand? Of course you lose, as in of way of getting "services" for low price, there might be no cheap providers when and if living standard and income level increases? Your illegal gains, employment benefit or pension plan would not cover your dream world?Quote:
Originally Posted by Butterfly
^
Don't feed the monkey grinder.
Thaksin buries differences with Mingkwan, Snoh
Thaksin buries differences with Mingkwan, Snoh
By Piayanart Srivalo,
Somchit Roongchamrasrasami,
Samrit Jiamcharoenpornkul
The Nation on Sunday
Published on May 1, 2011
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has succeeded in convincing Mingkwan Sangsuwan, Supol Fongngam and Snoh Thienthong to stay with Pheu Thai Party in the upcoming election, a party source said.
After reports of conflicts, and plans by a group of key members, including General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to join hands and form a new party, a source who asked not to be named said that a well-respected key member of Pheu Thai had succeeded in mediating between Mingkwan and Thaksin.
In March, Mingkwan led the opposition's censure debate against the government and announced he was ready to be a prime minister candidate. However, there has been no clear answer from Thaksin, the de-facto leader of the party, as to whom to propose for the post. Amid reports of conflicts in the party, Mingkwan in the meantime has kept a low profile and did not join the party meeting.
Through Uraiwan Thienthong, wife of Pracharaj Party leader Snoh, Thaksin agreed to accept all of Snoh's children into the Pheu Thai Party. The Pracharaj Party, in the meantime, would be kept as an alternative party in case Pheu Thai is dissolved, the source said.
Snoh early last month announced that he was joining hands with Pheu Thai but later said he had changed his mind.
In the first interview after the reports of the new party-forming plan, Supol - former Pheu Thai secretary-general and Mingkwan's close aide - denied the reports, saying internal conflicts are normal for members of a big party.
He denied reports that the Pheu Thai Party would not field him as a constituency MP candidate but it was up to his own decision.
The party's special meeting on Tuesday - when the new party executive will be selected - should give more clarity about the party's candidate lists, he said.
Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Thaksin would this evening speak through video link at the party's two rallies in Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya.
Party MPs such as Jatuporn Promphan, Apiwan Wiriyachai and Chinnicha Wongsawat yesterday joined a mass rally in Chiang Mai attended by thousands of people attended.
In a separate development, Industry Minister and Tak MP Chaiwuti Bannawat of the Democrat Party said he would again run in the constituency MP election as it was gave him a chance to be closer to people than being on the party list.
In Ayutthaya, Matubhum Party leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday visited Muslim people to promote the party. He said he did not hope to get constituency MPs but expected to get party-list MPs, especially with support from Muslims.
BANGKOK—Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he plans to dissolve the House of Representatives by Friday and call what he described as a landmark election for the Southeast Asian country, which has been plagued by deep and sometimes deadly political divisions.
"This is a real opportunity for Thailand to get out of this cycle of violence," he said in an interview Friday at Government House in Bangkok. "For too long I think we've been held back."
Thai Prime Minister to Call Election - WSJ.com
I never hated Abhisit. He was never in rule, but takes the hit, poor man
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mid
There is a members-only Teakdoor Poll running in the Teakdoor Lounge. Assuming the election goes ahead as promised, the question is whether you think the vote will be free and fair or rigged by the establishment/military to produce a status quo favorable to the elites and the amart system. There are various options to choose.
Link:
https://teakdoor.com/the-teakdoor-lounge/90645-poll-thai-general-election-will-rigged.html
Gen Sonthi claims Matubhum is not a Muslim political party : National News Bureau of Thailand
BANGKOK,30 April 2011(NNT)
The Matubhum Leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said his party was not a Muslim party due to his faith , adding that the Matubhum was just another alternative for Thai people from all walks of life.
Gen Sonthi said in a seminar concerning the role of Muslims in Thai politics in Ayutthaya province that his party harbored no high hopes in politics. He also believed his party would be a new choice for many Thai people who had grown tired and bored of the political system.
He added that the popularity of Matubhum would depend on the supports from the public. The Party’s executive members will identify which areas in the country could be the Party’s support base before launching a campaign to raise the awareness of the Party’s policy and introduce people to Matubhum Party.
Gen Sonthi further stated that Muslims living in Central Thailand had responded well to Matubhum with the policy aimed at raising the standards of living for Muslim communities. The policy has been developed based on the survey of Muslim people across Thailand.
Reporter : NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT
Allowing for the context of his speech, Sonthi (unsurprisingly) seems to want to have it both ways - that Mathubum is not just a Muslim-oriented party but yet its focus is plainly on where to find Muslim support. They clearly have ambitions for a bunch of seats in the three Southern province and are eying the Central region for more votes - at least list ones; depending on specifically which constituencies they decide to target, they could well siphon off votes that would otherwise be expected to have gone to Dems. How much that impacts Dem seat-winning prospects will obviously depend on how else the vote splits.
Yet another classic post from "pupa" you really are a brainless arrogant prick! :dnftt:Quote:
Originally Posted by Butterfly
Abhisit's last TV show: My wife doesn't like me in politics
Abhisit's last TV show: My wife doesn't like me in politics
By Suthichai Yoon
The Nation
Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva went on television for his last weekly "Have Confidence in Thailand" programme today with a large number of TV anchors who had interviewed him in the past two years. A total of 190 anchors have taken part in
He insisted that the party that wins the highest number of seats in the House should be given the first chance to form the next government. "If that fails, the second largest party would have the right to do so," he said.
Abhisit says he doesn't agree with the "Vote No" campaign although it's constitutionally legitimate. "A No vote would be a waste. At least, voters should cast ballots to choose the representatives who can improve things in the country," he said.
How does his wife think about his political role? The PM says: "If you really ask her, she would prefer that I don't get involved in politics. But she also says that since I am here,I must do my best. I am not sure whether she would cast her ballot for me."
He added: "One thing I can assure you is that I don't bring my problems in the office back to my family."
Bangkok Post : PM: Fighting won
PM: Fighting won’t hurt dissolution plan
The clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border in Surin province would not have any impact on the plan to dissolve House of Representatives, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted on Sunday afternoon.
- Published: 1/05/2011 at 02:41 PM
- Online news:
“The Thai armed forces are capable of protecting the country’s sovereignty. The House dissolution will take place next week, either on May 6 or 7, to pave way for fresh election as promised,” Mr Abhisit said.