Thread: Thailand : PM to Decide on House Dissolution in 4 Months

MPs troubled by Thaksin's involvement

PUEA THAI SOURCE SAYS EX-PM 'TOO CLOSE'
17/04/2011

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's increased role in politics has ruffled some feathers at the Puea Thai Party, said a party source.

Several Puea Thai MPs feel Thaksin is getting too close for comfort when it comes to running party affairs, given his five-year ban from politics and the criminal charges he faces, said the source.

Thaksin routinely phones in to address both red shirt demonstrations and party meetings.

He reportedly discussed future political strategies for Puea Thai in a phone call with party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong at a recent Puea Thai meeting. Mr Sanoh plans to dissolve his party and join the opposition.

Moreover, there is a report that Thaksin is to name Puea Thai's candidate for the premiership in the upcoming election. One of the potential candidates is his younger sister, Yingluck.

According to the source, there is a strong feeling among some MPs that Thaksin has failed to honour his promise to keep the red shirt movement and Puea Thai apart and to allow the party to manage the election effort.

"The latest plan is that he will lead the presentation of the party policy. This is inappropriate because he has a [political] ban," said the source.

The source said Thaksin's intervention in party affairs, coupled with the involvement of a number of party MPs in the red shirt movement, will put Puea Thai in a very difficult situation, especially in the election, which is expected to be held in June.

A number of party MPs, including Jatuporn Prompan, Wichean Khaokham and Apiwan Wiriyachai, have attended red shirt rallies in which political opponents claim remarks seen as offensive to the monarchy were made.

The source said about 30-40 MPs, including those led by Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who has designs on Puea Thai leadership, have considered defecting.

Mr Mingkwan's group, which includes about 10 MPs, reportedly met with Mr Sanoh during the Songkran festival last week to discuss its concerns.

The Thaksin issue is also expected to be raised at the meeting of the party's strategy committee soon, the source said.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samuttarak said he expects Puea Thai to unveil its prime ministerial candidate next week.

He said the voters would likely want to know Puea Thai's candidate for the premiership before the MP candidates are announced.

Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart said yesterday that he wished to see the Democrat and Puea Thai parties form a coalition after the next elections.

He said smaller parties like his are willing to be the opposition.

He also said there is a chance that Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit will join Chart Thai Pattana after he resigned as secretary-general of the Ruam Chart Pattana Party.

According to Maj Gen Sanan, Chart Thai Pattana will unveil its candidates for the party list system on April 21.

bangkokpost.com

^The usual internal power struggles.

Bangkok Post : Candidates unveiled

News > Politics

• Published: 17/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The general election is expected to be fiercely contested in Bangkok constituencies with the Puea Thai Party and Democrat Party fielding new candidates.



Puea Thai yesterday unveiled two new contenders to run in Bangkok _ Wan Yubamrung, son of former Puea Thai chief MP Chalerm, and Anuttama Amornvivat, daughter of Pol Maj Gen Sombat, former Department of Special Investigation chief.

Puea Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said the party has already chosen candidates to run in all 33 Bangkok constituencies.

The party will wait for the Election Commission to finish drawing the constituencies in the capital before deciding who will be fielded where.

Mr Wan said he has long aspired to enter politics and that he admired former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now the de facto party leader.

He said he would run for a seat in a constituency covering Bang Bon and Nong Khaem districts, where he expects strong voter support.

Mr Wan is known for past controversies, having been charged in connection with several altercations in nightlife spots.

Ms Anuttama has a raft of academic achievements. She has an international relations bachelor's degree from Chulalongkorn University's faculty of political science and two master's degrees from the United States _ one in international business from Boston University and one in international economic policy from Columbia University.

She worked at the government's Department of Export Promotion, before becoming a lecturer in international marketing at Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities. Ms Anuttama is also an adviser to a House committee on international affairs.

Meanwhile, Democrat spokesman Buranat Samuttarak yesterday said the party may field new candidates to run in constituencies not currently represented by the party. The new faces include Akanat Promphan, stepson of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, and television host Taenkhun Jit-issara. The 24-year-old Oxford graduate in engineering, economics and business administration is now a secretary to Mr Suthep.

Bangkok Post : Poll: 77.16% of voters to turn out

News > Politics

• Published: 17/04/2011 at 11:05 AM
• Online news:

More than 77 per cent of eligible voters polled recently said they would turn out to exercise voting rights at the coming polls for the betterment of the country, according to the results of Suan Dusit poll released on Sunday.

The pollsters surveyed 1,569 people nationwide on “people’s readiness for the coming election” from April 12 to 16.

Suan Dusit poll said 77.16 per cent of them said they were ready to turn out to cast their votes because they want to see a real change in Thailand and to get good people to run the country.

Asked about negative factors that could discourage them to turn out, the largest percentage of the respondents (34.47%) said the economic problems, followed by the natural disasters, the social division, the slandering each other by political rivals and the protests by various groups of people.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255404170017

Democrats praise Pheu Thai members who support election

BANGKOK, 17 April 2011 (NNT)-Democrat Party Executive Satit Pitutecha has expressed his agreement with some of the Pheu Thai Party members who show support for the election.

Mr. Satit has urged members of the Opposition to uphold national interests and show supports for the poll instead of opposing it. He added that they should not become too attached to their leaders, citing the election is the best solution for everyone at present.

He praised Pheu Thai member Mr. Prodprasob Surasawadee for agreeing with the idea to hold the election. Meanwhile, he pressed the Pheu Thai Party to explain to the public if their latest rally last Sunday was really to bring peace to the nation.

Mr. Satit said he was not worried over a new party “Phalang Chon” saying that its base was only in Chonburi province and it would not have much impact on the number of Democrat MPs in the East. He also cited the launch of the new party as an effort to strengthen the Bhumi Jai Thai Party as an ally.

Bangkok Post : PM urges senators to pass organic laws

PM urges senators to pass organic laws

• Published: 17/04/2011 at 12:38 PM
• Online news: Politics

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called on senators to rapidly pass the election-related organic laws in order to move forward to the election.

In his “Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit” weekly programme on Sunday morning, Mr Abhisit said he called for cooperation for the senators to pass the bills because he plans to dissolve the House of Representatives within the first week of May.

The prime minister said moving toward to the election will help create confidence among the general public, even though it is not the answer to all things.

He admitted that the election would not help resolve all problems but the government’s intention to move ahead to a general election will help restore confidence in Thailand among the international community.

“I am confidence that there will be political stability after the election. And the new government elected by the majority of people will be able to affectively settle the problems of people,” said Mr Abhisit.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Mr. Satit has urged members of the Opposition to uphold national interests and show supports for the poll instead of opposing it.

and which PT members are opposing the election ?

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Wan Yubamrung

AKA "Mr Happy Toilet"

Originally Posted by SteveCM

News > Politics GENERAL ELECTION * Published: 16/04/2011 at 12:00 AM * Newspaper section: News The Democrats will officially unveil their 25% minimum wage increase on Wednesday, spokesman Buranat Samuttarak said yesterday, while deriding Puea Thai's 300 baht a day wage promise. A policeman takes a photo of a Democrat Party campaign billboard put up on land rented by Puea Thai MP for Bangkok, Pairote Issarasereepong, in Nong Chok district of the city. Puea Thai has complained to the police about the billboard, which they say encroaches on their land. APICHIT JINAKUL

A new classic in pointing in this picture posted a page or two back. Charges coming soon, I hope.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Pheu Thai Party yesterday unveiled General Chaiyasit Shinawatra, cousin of former premier Thaksin, as its MP candidate for Ratchaburi constituency 1.

Didn't Thaksin promote him to commander-in-chief of the Army at one point?

"...............the protests by various groups of people"

A very short, but heavily laden agenda statement from one of the State Media newspaper articles above.

Referencing "various groups" is an attempt to try to bring the huge Red Shirt Democracy Movement rallies of tens-of-thousands down to the same level as the paltry protests that the elite are able to field.

Another blatant agenda is when the State Media calls a rally of tens-of-thousands a "group".

But most of you know this already.

As an aside.........interesting being at a funeral yesterday where 2/3 of attendees were in red, 1/3 in black. One is accustomed to only seeing black at Thai funerals.

"Meanwhile, he (Democrat Party Executive Satit Pitutecha) pressed the Pheu Thai Party to explain to the public if their latest rally last Sunday was really to bring peace to the nation"

They are trying reeely hard to present themselves as a normal administration with the assistance of the Media they control, and hoping reeely hard that people forget where and how they arrived at where they are. Anyone questioning and challenging this attempted veneer is being 'unpeacefull"?????

No comments on Chalerm's son being nominated Calgary?

The Untouchables - TIME

The Untouchables

The prime minister said moving toward to the election will help create confidence among the general public, even though it is not the answer to all things.

He admitted that the election would not help resolve all problems but the government’s intention to move ahead to a general election will help restore confidence in Thailand among the international community.

Very difficult to right the wrong of subverting Democracy with coups, of which he was the primary beneficiary. But better late than never.

^ Yes, we do. I agree fully on that point.

I'd be interested to hear of that list your friend mentioned...or at least some of it. Sounds most interesting!

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Wan Yubamrung

AKA "Mr Happy Toilet"

Is this the guy that some Mod on TV used to post photos of with his head in a urinal - e.g. the new name of duangchalerm?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

^ Yes, we do. I agree fully on that point.

I'd be interested to hear of that list your friend mentioned...or at least some of it. Sounds most interesting!

If you can dreg up 10 year-old history condeming the Phua Thai side of the political divide, I'm sure you could do the same for the other side....that is if you wanted to. But when one is an apologist for that side, that wouldn't do.

Besides, I have a Stanley Cup play-off NHL hockey game to watch in 30 minutes.

But if you insist, I will look at it in the future...My source would know, believe me!

Originally Posted by Mid

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Mr. Satit has urged members of the Opposition to uphold national interests and show supports for the poll instead of opposing it.

and which PT members are opposing the election ?

Ditto. Unlikely there'll be an answer to that. Messrs Satit, Thepthai and Buranaj with their creations make Jatuporn look a rank amateur.

From the blog world.....


Thailand Election Preview | ASEAN Beat

By The Diplomat
April 17, 2011



Image credit: Nate Robert


The Diplomat's Wei Lit speaks with Rosheen Kabraji, Asia Programme Manager at Chatham House, about what elections in Thailand this year could hold.

The last time the ruling Democrats came to power with a popular mandate was in 1992. If previous election results are anything to go by, an electoral victory for the Democrats is perhaps unlikely. Could there be any change of fortunes for the Democrats in this year’s election, in spite of the current divisive climate?

The Democrat party is in a very different situation today than it was in 1992. It’s working within a coalition, and until Prime Minister Abhisit dissolves the lower house of parliament -- reportedly likely in early May -- and a date for the election is set, recent polling data and analysis suggest the race between the Democrat Party and the Puea Thai party is too close to call. Given that the political climate in which these elections will take place is different to previous ones, the role of small-to-medium sized parties like the Bhum Jai Thai party will be significant if the main parties have to rely on coalition partners to draw in key votes and form a new government.

Broadly speaking, the Thai economy has weathered the political crisis relatively well, with the World Bank revising its forecast for economic growth in 2011 from 3.2 percent to 3.7 percent. The Thai government has also been instituting economic reforms that have been labelled pro-poor populist policies and which are aimed at appealing to a broader rural base that former Prime Minister Thaksin has traditionally drawn much of his support from.


What do you think about the electoral prospects for the New Politics Party (NPP) that was founded by the People’s Alliance for Democracy? Would they divide the support for the Democrat party?

A survey by the Asia Foundation in 2010 found that Thais are not as politically divided along colour lines as widely reported, with 76 percent claiming they had no strong colour attachment. Given the New Politics Party’s ability to contest the elections hasn’t yet been confirmed, the limited colour loyalty would suggest they are unlikely to draw away a large number of votes from the Democrat party’s current strongholds in the south and centre of the country. The PAD’s recent focus on the tensions with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple on the border hasn’t garnered mass popular support they had hoped for, but has revealed their diverging views with the ruling Democrat Party as well as the fragmentation of the ‘yellow-shirt’ coalition.


Addressing the Red Shirt rally in March, Thaksin said that, ‘If you vote (for Puea Thai Party) to win by a landslide, I would come back to solve Thailand's economic problems and make the country boom again within six months.’ Nevertheless, parties that were linked to Thaksin have faced forced dissolution in the past. Would you agree that the association of Puea Thai Party with Thaksin is bound to spell its doom?

Thaksin’s role and association will be divisive if the Puea Thai Party doesn’t win an outright majority and needs to form a coalition. Within the party, there would be individuals loyal to Thaksin and those who wouldn’t want to be associated with the violence last year, even though they may agree in principle with the party’s manifesto.

Although Thaksin remains popular, particularly in his strong-hold of the north-east, questions remain over a leader who would be able to unite all the disparate elements within the Puea Thai Party, the UDD and Red Shirts in the run up to the election and maintain that cohesion afterwards. Thaksin is the de-facto leader of the Puea Thai party, and unless the party wins the election outright it’s difficult to envision a scenario in which he will be able to return to Thailand without resistance from the military, which could lead to further confrontation. It will be important to watch how the military and elite respond to the events that unfold over the next few months.


Organising an election in such a dangerously polarised environment could suggest violent clashes are inevitable. What can the Election Commission, or any other relevant parties, do to ensure the upcoming election is peaceful and seen as legitimate?

The Election Commission will need to facilitate the elections under a tense environment and as such ensuring transparency, accountability and legitimacy for the next government will be crucial. However, given the contentious atmosphere since last year’s protests it would be surprising if there’s no violence, regardless of the outcome, by UDD or PAD supporters. The Election Commission and security forces will be hoping that the clashes don’t escalate into mass violent protests, particularly in Bangkok. Thailand has so far rejected international election monitors, although in the past it has allowed the Asian Network of Free Elections to work in the country. The likelihood of violence would increase if there’s a close election outcome and a doctored result afterwards.


Some believe the February release of the Red Shirt leaders and the early elections are gestures towards national reconciliation by the Democrat government. Should we be optimistic that this election could be a big step towards healing the current political division?

Although the election is a very important step towards national reconciliation, as it would enable all Thais to exercise their opinion through the ballot box, it’s also seen by some as a ‘Red-Shirt’ demand. This is why there have been calls from within the PAD to boycott the election. This has also led to rumours about a coup, which the military has categorically denied, and that article 7 of the Constitution might be invoked, which would allow for a royally-appointed government. Both these post-election scenarios would undoubtedly lead to violent clashes. Whether the Thai nation gets even more polarised will depend greatly on how the election campaigns are conducted and whether the party with the largest majority (if either does indeed get the majority) will be able to form a government that the opposition would accept as legitimate.

Regardless of the outcome, more hard-line factions within the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts are likely to contest the outcome. <snip>* It’s difficult to see how at this stage the election is going heal the deep-rooted grievances on either side as political uncertainty will remain, But it could still enable Thailand’s politics to move forward through the ballot box rather than through violent conflict on the streets.

.......

* One sentence snipped in order to comply with TD policy. Click link above to see full article.

Pheu Thai aim to win a large chunk of 'silent majority'

ANALYSIS: EYE ON THE ELECTION

Pheu Thai aim to win a large chunk of 'silent majority'

By The Nation
Published on April 18, 2011

The opposition Pheu Thai Party has crafted a strategy to win over the "silent minority", which will be the pivotal factor in which political party will triumph in the upcoming general election.

Polls show that those who do not belong to any political colour or are undecided make up 32.7 per cent of all eligible voters.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Wim Rungwattanakit said yesterday that the party believes the silent minority does not care about voting because they are bored sick of politicians who deliver only lip service or do not keep their campaign promises.

The party believes that to win the hearts and minds of the alienated group, it has to come up with concrete policies that can be translated into action and address the problems facing the nation.

The party will recruit MP candidates who are accepted and respected by the silent group. Pheu Thai also realises that the silent minority is not happy with the incumbent government's overspending while sending the country deeper into debt.

The party will tell them it will not borrow loans to manage the country and will tell them what the alternatives are.

It will also tell the silent minority, which is sick of political divisions, how to heal national rifts. The party will not promise that it can totally wipe out corruption but will keep graft manageable, Wim said.

If the silent minority hands Pheu Thai a landslide victory so that it can form a single-party government or needs little support from the second or third party, the party will have the power to keep corruption under control.

Pheu Thai also believes the silent minority is in favour of the high-speed train project as it will benefit the public and reduce the use of cars and the transport of goods by trucks, as well as cut the cost for road repairs.
A minimum daily wage of Bt300 is also one of the party's key election planks.

The party has already found a way to prevent businesses from passing rising labour costs onto consumers. The party will use the contributions that workers and employers already pay to the state to hike their wages, he added.

A source said Pheu Thai has admitted it was worried about the red movement causing the silent minority to shun politics and lose confidence in supporting the party. It plans to ask former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to rein in the red shirts and ask them to stage only a true democratic movement that does not cause further political turmoil.

The stakes are high and the party's ultimate aim is to form a single-party government. The public will have to wait and see if its strategy is successful in convincing the silence minority to help it achieve its goal.

Opposition keen to reassure Chavalit

Opposition keen to reassure Chavalit

By The Nation
Published on April 18, 2011

The opposition Pheu Thai Party is expected today to try to talk its chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh out of jumping ship due to his concern over an alleged campaign to offend the monarchy.

"Chavalit is a senior figure who will not leave Pheu Thai for the sake of his survival alone," party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

Chavalit might not be really leaving the party since only an aide and MP Chavalit Vichayasuthi had brought up the possibility.

The aide might have used Chavalit as a bargaining leverage with the party rather than communicated Chavalit's true intent.

He also ruled out any chance that Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong, a close ally of Chavalit, might suspend his plan to team up with Pheu Thai.

Following the aide's remarks on Saturday, speculation spread that Chavalit was poised to severe his ties with Pheu Thai after he reportedly was warned by security agencies of suspicious activities involving the party and the red shirts, which could be construed as disloyalty to the monarchy.

Red-shirt leaders made controversial remarks at their rally the Sunday before, prompting Chavalit to reconsider his association with the main opposition party, the aide said.

Chavalit was an Army chief who was awarded the Ramathibodi medal for valour. He had sworn an oath of loyalty to the monarchy in an ancient ceremony of drinking sacred water at the Royal Palace.

Following the rally on April 10, Chavalit and Snoh called former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Dubai to express concern about the alleged offensive, the aide said. Thaksin reportedly promised the two that he would intervene and ask the red shirts to stop referring to the monarchy in an insulting manner.

The aide claimed Chavalit had five reasons to split with Pheu Thai, including his allegiance to the monarchy, his risk of losing credibility since he has guaranteed Pheu Thai's loyalty, and worry about the flare-up of political violence.

Chavalit was alarmed by recent events, which could lead to a repeat of last year's bloody riots, the aide said.

Some Pheu Thai politicians are about to quit their executive positions to avoid punishment by party dissolution if they become entangled in campaign violations.

Suphon Fongngam is expected to resign as secretary-general this week.

The Pheu Thai executive board would be left with a skeletal staff of administrators to oversee routine affairs.

In regard to Saturday's trip to Russia by Yingluck Shinawatra, legal adviser Noppadon Patama said she flew off to join her brother Thaksin for the Songkran holiday, not to discuss her candidacy for prime minister.

"Any political talks were already ended in an earlier visit to meet Thaksin in Dubai," he said.

There was no reason to choose Russia for further consultations on the PM candidate, he said.

Thaksin is mulling his options on the candidates and has reportedly promised to make a decision after the House dissolution, expected in the first week of May.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1042795

PM Hints to Election in late June, early July

UPDATE : 18 April 2011

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjejiva has hinted that the next general election will occur in late June or early July at the latest. He reiterated that elections are the heart of democracy.