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

^ Steve, yet again you have posted a dupe..

^
Care to look at the timing of both posts? There was nothing else there when I posted mine - but I'll be a gentleman and delete it. Happy now? You can get back to posting tweets from people whose status is completely unknown.

^ Try learning Thai. Then you'll know who they are from. In the meantime, continue to complain....it isn't my problem.

Never a problem for you - just others. So - who are they? This is an English-language forum

^Click on their names. You use Twitter. They have information on their Twitter pages.

Yes, you may have noticed that I posted the English language....clever chap aren't you...

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Care to look at the timing of both posts? There was nothing else there when I posted mine - but I'll be a gentleman and delete it. Happy now? You can get back to posting tweets from people whose status is completely unknown.

you keep fucking up, don't you ?

Bangkok Post : Cabinet braces for longest meeting before dissolution

News > Politics

Cabinet braces for longest meeting before dissolution

• Published: 3/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The cabinet will today discuss about 120 issues during its last meeting before the House dissolution later this week.

Among the topics to be discussed is the proposal for a 3.82-billion-baht budget for next month's general election from the Election Commission (EC).

Another proposal is a 1.3-billion-baht budget for the assistance of people affected by the southern floods, a cabinet source said.

As Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is set to dissolve the House of Representatives on Friday, the meeting today will be the last of the current administration.

Many have anticipated it will be the longest cabinet meeting of the Abhisit government.

Other issues that will be tabled for cabinet approval today include budget proposals from various state agencies, such as the Defence Ministry, the Transport Ministry and the Labour Ministry.

Apart from budgetary issues, the cabinet will also make a decision on the controversial plan to open and close the Pak Moon Dam in Khong Chiam district of Ubon Ratchathani province at certain times, the source said.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the National Flood Relief Coordination Committee will today seek cabinet approval for an additional budget of 1.3 billion baht to cover assistance for flood-affected people in each province, and another 70 million baht for the maintenance of damaged tap water systems.

However, Mr Sathit said the government had already approved almost 10 billion baht for flood assistance. State agencies' surveys showed that the recent flooding damaged 830 homes in the South.

Last year, 116 homes in Songkhla province and 24 houses in northern and northeastern provinces were damaged by storms as well.

Altogether, about 1,000 homes nationwide have been severely damaged by natural disasters over the past two years.

The government will spend more than 100 million baht of money donated by the public through various free television stations on the repair and the reconstruction of these homes, Mr Sathit said.

The reconstruction of those homes, which will cost 190,000 baht for families with up to three members and 240,000 baht for larger families, is expected to be completed in three months, Mr Sathit said.

In the meantime, a military source revealed the cabinet will approve a budget of 7 billion baht for the army to purchase 54 T-84 OPLOT54A tanks from Ukraine, and 920 million baht for the purchase of ammunition from China to be used in the army's operations along the Thai-Cambodian border.


Writer: Pradit Ruangdit and Wassana Nanuam

Bangkok Post : Free elections are necessary

EDITORIAL

Free elections are necessary

• Published: 3/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed he will soon dissolve the House of Representatives and call an election. The end of the current session of Parliament is expected to be this Friday. All indications point towards a general election on June 26, a Sunday as usual. The campaigning looks to be a rough seven weeks or so. But no matter - as it is vital to carry through with a free and democratic election.

The upcoming vote for 500 members of Parliament shapes up as a watershed event. The campaign, the actual election and the formation of the next government, all will determine whether the nation is truly committed to developing democracy.

Political events are already taking place in an inflammatory atmosphere. Prominent members of the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have won headlines with claims that the military is planning an imminent coup d'etat. Partly because of the fighting at the Cambodian border, and partly because of the high-profile allegations of lese majeste, the army has literally come out on the streets to boost nationalism and display support for the high institution.

It is unfortunate that one well-known group has given the thumbs-down to democracy. Ironically, the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy has called on authorities to cancel all plans for an election, abrogate the Constitution and appoint a caretaker government for a few years. In the view of PAD's core leaders such as Sondhi Limthongkul and Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, democracy has failed and only a so-called "national unity government" can hold the country together. This self-centred view of a one-time popular movement has been rightly rejected by Thai society, from top to bottom.

The PAD should reconsider its anti-democratic stance and work with the rest of the country on an election of unity.

That is what every election should be. And this is where the main difficulties of Election 2011 are likely to occur. It is absolutely necessary that cool heads prevail. There are two extremely dangerous potential problems to overcome. The first is that all candidates must have full freedom to travel, to campaign and to speak anywhere in the country. During the past five years, there have been unacceptable, violent protests against politicians in certain provinces. From the prime minister on down to the freshest candidate, all must be allowed a free platform.

The second serious flashpoint could occur on election night and the following day. Unless all parties - political, civil and social - agree to abide by vote counts, there will almost certainly be trouble. The Election Commission must provide a highly credible result tally. It is important that outside observers, both domestic and foreign, be able to stand behind the vote and the counting as fair and honest. Both tradition and the Constitution are clear on the procedures to be followed after that.

The party with the highest number of MPs will get the first chance to form a government. Any interference with this long-accepted procedure must be exposed as the anti-democratic action it surely will be.

Democracy is not only about free elections, but democracy cannot long flourish without fair, widely recognised polls. Every Thai - and even foreign friends and observers - has a stake in these important polls. It is vital to nurture a free election. It is only then that the country can take the necessary steps to continue the unity movement.

tulsathit tulsathit

Constitution Court review of organic electoral laws, process that could drag on to nxt week, might affect PM's plans to dissolve the house.

tulsathit tulsathit

Mingkwan re-emerged at a Pheu Thai meeting for first time in days yesterday, further weakening speculation about defection.

Bangkok Post : Pheu Thai selects new executives

Pheu Thai selects new executives

• Published: 3/05/2011 at 05:32 PM
• Online news:

The Pheu Thai Party on Tuesday appointed 10 new party executive members to replace those who quit to avoid being banned from politics if the party is dissolved.

Pol Gen Sumeth Phomanee, Gen Warawit Chinanawin and Pol Lt Gen Virote Pao-in were elected deputy party leaders.

Deputy party leader Jarupong Ruengsuwan becomes party secretary-general while Wimol Janjirawutthikul has been chosen as deputy secretary-general.

Preecha Thanannant, Pol Lt Gen Chalong Sonjai, Phakin Sommitr, Wim Rungwattanachinda and Chakrapong Saengmanee have been selected to the executive committee. M
Most of the new executive members are list MPs or non-MPs.

Former executive members who resigned are MPs in the constituency seats. They stepped down from the executive to avoid being banned from politics for five years if the party is accused of electoral fraud in the coming election, a charge that could lead to its dissolution.

Bangkok Post : Last joint sitting of parliament ahead of the polls

Last joint sitting of parliament ahead of the polls

• Published: 3/05/2011 at 05:40 PM
• Online news: Politics

The House of Representatives and the Senate held their last joint sitting on Tuesday.

The joint sitting was ordered closed after approving the cabinet's request to withdraw eight documents drawn up with foreign countries and earlier forwarded to parliament for approval under Section 190 of the constitution.

The documents are on the following subjects:

- an action plan under a United Nations convention on climate change;
- a convention of international labour organisations on labour rights to negotiations;
- an Asean joint agreement on qualifications of personnel in tourism-related businesses;
- a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Australia;
- an MoU between Thailand and Burma on air services;
- an agreement between Thailand, Laos and China on land transport;
- Minutes of Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meetings; and
- a treaty for the Asian Institute of Technology.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul said since Section 190 of the constitution has been altered by parliament and is awaiting consideration by the Constitution Court before going into effect, the government wanted the eight documents withdrawn from the agenda of the joint sitting of parliament for reconsideration later in line with the amended charter.

Parliament President Chai Chidchob ordered the closure of the last joint sitting at 12 noon.


Prime Minister's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul (left) and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

He said after the dissolution of the House of Representatives, which is expected to come next week, the senate speaker will assume the duties of parliament president - an ex officio position held by the house speaker.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said earlier this morning that since the Constitution Court had tentatively scheduled examination of the bills on amendments of three organic laws for Monday, May 9, the House dissolution earlier expected in the first week of May might have to be delayed.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would today forward additional explanations of the three bills to the Constitution Court for consideration as requested, he said.

"Even though the House dissolution may be delayed for a time, I believe there will not be any problems or complications. The House of Represenatives will be dissolved anyway," Mr Suthep said.

The cabinet also held its last meeting at the parliament building and approved a range of payouts.

One important approval was for a proposal that the Government Housing Bank (GHB) make available 25 billion baht for loans for first-time homebuyers.

The bank will offer first-time homebuyers a mortgage loan at zero interest for the first two years if it is less than three million baht, with a full term of 30 years. Homebuyers with less than one million baht annual income can borrow up to one million baht.

The scheme is aimed at helping low and medium income earners at a time when interest rates are rising and the cost of living increasing.

The government will compensate the bank for the interest loss, at 450-500 million baht.

Borrowers will pay zero interest in the first two years, 0.5 per cent in years 3 to 5, and one per cent from year 6 onwards.

Homebuyers can submit loan applications from May 8 to Dec 31.

The cabinet also approved the Culture Ministry's proposal to declare February 6 of each year Muay Thai Day.

Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said naming Feb 6 after the traditional Thai martial art is intended to honour King Somdej Phra Sanphet the 8th, better known as Phra Chao Sua, of the Ayutthaya period, who history records as being renowned for his expertise in Thai martial skills.

Phra Chao Sua rose to the throne on Feb 6, 1702.

Another proposal approved in principle by the cabinet is an Interior Ministry proposal to set up 872 provincial branches of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department across the country, deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.

The Interior Ministry had been instructed to work with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission to fix details of the plan and then resubmit it to the cabinet for consideration.

The cabinet also approved in principle a request by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) for funding from the mid-year budget for special allowances for Isoc personnel on duty between Dec 22 last year and Sept 30, this year.

It also approved a request by the Interior Ministry to increase the monthly allowance for staff of the Provincial Waterworks Authority in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat from 2,500 to 5,000 baht.

The UDD is a vehicle to return Thaksin, he is their boss, not their enemy. People have tried to paint them as some kind of independent movement, but the phone ins disprove that. Thaksin has said distanced himself from them and then drawn them close when it suits.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

tulsathit tulsathit

Mingkwan re-emerged at a Pheu Thai meeting for first time in days yesterday, further weakening speculation about defection.

Mingkwan surfaces at Pheu Thai meeting

Mingkwan surfaces at Pheu Thai meeting

By The Nation
Published on May 4, 2011


MP Mingkwan Sangsuwan squashed rumours of his imminent defection by showing up at Pheu Thai Party's special meeting yesterday.

After declaring his ambition to become the opposition party's candidate for prime minister, Mingkwan disappeared from the political scene for few weeks and could not be reached by phone.

Speculation had ripened that the marketing guru-turned-politician might leave to form a new party or join an existing party if Pheu Thai rejected his bid for premiership.

In explaining his low profile over the past few weeks, Mingkwan said he took time off to regain his strength after feeling unwell.

Yongyuth Wichaidit, the party's non-MP leader, said at the start of the meeting that he hoped Mingkwan's recovery would give a morale boost to the party's politicians.

"My wish is for him to hardly get sick - and not too often. During his absence, the mass media enjoyed giving much coverage to him," Yongyuth said.

Mingkwan did not show any reaction to the leader's sarcastic jibe, as he was talking with another participant at the meeting.

Pheu Thai had called the extraordinary meeting to fill 10 seats on its executive board that were vacated by those who resigned to seek re-election.

Party executive Jarupong Ruangsuwan, who retired as permanent secretary for the Labour Ministry, was appointed secretary-general.

New party executives, included retired Army generals who were classmates of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, as well as little-known politicians. Thaksin is believed to be pulling the strings from abroad.

Unlike other parties, Pheu Thai's 22 executives - including the non-MP leader Yongyuth - have no plans to contest the upcoming general election.

PM denies seeking royal nod for house dissolution

PM denies seeking royal nod for house dissolution

By The Nation
Published on May 4, 2011

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday denied he had sought royal endorsement for dissolution of the House of Representatives - but also refused to say exactly when he would do so.

He said House Speaker Chai Chidchob might have had a misunderstanding when he told the media earlier yesterday that the prime minister had sought House dissolution.

Abhisit said he had merely submitted his testimony to the Constitution Court about three amended electoral laws being looked into by the court to determine their constitutionality.

Asked when exactly he would seek royal endorsement of his request for House dissolution, the prime minister declined to answer and walked away from the Government House reporters.

The prime minister has repeatedly said he would dissolve the House within the first week of May. He was expected to do so before leaving for Indonesia for an Asean Summit on Friday evening, Government Spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn had said earlier.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit expressed hope yesterday the Constitution Court would not reject the three electoral laws recently amended and endorsed by Parliament.

"I don't think there will be any problem. No clauses were found to be conflicting with the Constitution," he said, adding that the changes were done simply to be in line with the earlier constitutional amendments.

He added, however, that the Election Commission had a contingency plan in case the court did not endorse the amended laws before the election process began. Prapun said the EC was empowered to issue orders to regulate an election.

In a related development, another election commissioner, Somchai Juengprasert, said yesterday the EC would not prohibit election campaigning through the Internet or online channels.

He said the law does not forbid election campaigning through the Internet as the electoral law only covers campaigning through the traditional media such as television, radio, billboards, and publications. Somchai considers Internet campaigning environment-friendly and free from visual pollution.

Also yesterday, the two Houses convened their last joint meeting ahead of the imminent House dissolution. MPs and senators joined in a party after the meeting.

New Politics won't take part in poll

New Politics won't take part in poll

By The Nation
Published on May 4, 2011

A group of executive members of the New Politics Party yesterday issued a statement saying the party would not take part in the upcoming election.

The group, which consists of 10 out of the total 19 executive members, said the party had never resolved whether to field MP candidates in the upcoming election. However, they respect the resolution of the general meeting on April 24, which voted not to take part in the election.

The group, including party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila and the deputy leader and spokesman Samran Rodpetch, said they did not want conflicts in the party by their act of fielding candidates. At press time, there was no reaction from the other executive members, including party leader Somsak Kosaisuk who has announced he would run in the election.

Poll to cost Bt3.8 billion

Poll to cost Bt3.8 billion

The government has earmarked Bt3.8 billion budget to hold the early election as per the request of the Election Commission, Deputy Finance Minister Prasit Pataraprasit said on Wednesday.

The budgetary allocation was approved in the final session of the Cabinet held on Tuesday.

The Nation

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1043395

Bhum Jai Thai Believes Dissolution Date to be Postponed

UPDATE : 4 May 2011

The Bhum Jai Thai Party believes the prime minister may postpone the House dissolution date, as he waits for the Constitution Court to hand down its ruling on the election-related organic bills.

Bhum Jai Thai Chief MP Prajak Klaewklaharn commented on Newin Chidchob's statement that the House dissolution date may be postponed.

He said Newin was merely speculating on the basis that the Constitution Court has yet to hand down its final ruling on the three drafts of the organic laws.

The prime minister must wait for the Constitution Court to hand down its ruling.


The court is expected to finish its deliberation on the draft bills on May 9.

The delay in the ruling could see the House dissolution date, originally thought to take place on May 6, pushed back to after May 9.

As for speculation that Chai Chidchob may take a break from politics, Prachak said Chai may suspend his activities as the House speaker but will continue his duties as an MP of the Bhum Jai Thai party.

Bangkok Post : Suthep: Small delay before dissolution

Suthep: Small delay before dissolution

• Published: 4/05/2011 at 11:54 AM
• Online news: Local News

It's probable the House dissolution will be delayed a few days, from the previously scheduled first week of May, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday.

“The prime minister has to wait for the Constitution Court ruling on whether the three election-related organic laws comply with the amended charter,” Mr Suthep said.

Mr Suthep said the court is likely to give its ruling on May 9, which would allow a dissolution of the House of Representatives on May 10 if the court's decision is favourable.

He did not expect the small delay to cause any problems.

From the blog world (though note that the writer is a founder and editor of the Nation group).....


Suthichai Yoon's personal journal: Who is 'Y' who will head Pheau Thai's Party List?

Wednesday, May 4, 2011




Thaksin Shinnawatra says Pheau Thai Party will win 260 out of 500 seats in the House in the upcoming election. He will be ready to do "phone-in" campaign speeches for candidates in the party.

"Don't worry. I have consulted our lawyers. I won't be breaking the election law. I will say things that I can legally say," he told Pheau Thai MPs in a meeting yesterday through Skype.

Mingkwan Saengsuwan was there in the meeting room. But Thaksin made no reference to him. Nor did Mingkwan make any statement.

Payab Shinnawatra, Thaksin's brother, who was in the meeting as well, as a person
whose name begins with "Y" will be the chief candidate on the party list to be named premier after the election.

Who's "Y?" Payab said: "It's got to be someone in the family."

Thaksin's younger sister Yingluck has been cited as the most likely choice to head the new Pheau Thai-led government, if Thaksin's predictions so far prove to be true, that is.


Posted by suthichaiyoon at 11:03 AM