Thread: Thai elections 2011-Thai PM sets stage for tough election

Yes, congratulations to the UDD. Eternal vigilance is certainly required in this country- in fact it has been said eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

Originally Posted by Buksida

Originally Posted by DroversDog

Originally Posted by lom

Originally Posted by DroversDog

Until you can get information out of the army and the minutes of the CRES meetings we will not know who ordered what. There is a huge amount of information missing of what was going on behind the scenes.

It would be much simpler if Jatuporn told us, he knows who and why, he was gonna tell a month ago but suddenly got very cold feets which may be related to the laws here in LOS.

I look forward to a PT government continuing the investigation and telling us all what happened.

It will be interesting to see what happens. It hopefully will be a change from the total BS Mark and Suthep have been spewing out. Eithen SD can occasionally see through them.

I've no doubt it will be as thorough as any other govt investigation.

PT don't give a fuck, they want to move and move in.

Yes they are spineless creatures with no principles who will do anything to be able to get in power.
Their bigger-than-yours gifts under the xmas tree will calm a majority of their voters, something which they are good at, but there is still a big group that won't be satisfied only by a democratic election and a few bread crumbs.
It is not on any party's program to change Thailands institutions or challenge its current power centers and the last evidence that nothing important will change was Yinglucks kiss up with Gen Prayuth.
He was the main reason for UDD not accepting Abhisits offer for a November election, a guy they painted as extremely dangerous and who was believed at that time to become the new army boss so the election had to be done before the army top reshuffle.
Oh how quick they can change their minds when they smell the food in the trough!

Originally Posted by sabang

what sort of a retard would favor them now?

the one who believe in the lesser of evils

Originally Posted by sabang

Anyway, the plaintive bleat of the sore loser in the corner is nothing new or unique to yourself, Thailand, or any democratic nation.

how is that relevant ?

Originally Posted by sabang

Rather than repeating that ad infinitum on an expats chat board, why don't you take to the streets and tell them yerself?

I didn't see you at the reds gathering when I was there in April 2010 ? too busy debating with your Leo bottle ?

Originally Posted by lom

Oh how quick they can change their minds when they smell the food in the trough!

shameful, isn't it ?

IMO opinion many expats like the Dems due to memories of Chuan, who would have to be the cleanest Thai PM ever. Thais didn't have much respect for this and his humble nature, instead they prefer arrogant, aggressive leaders like Samak and Thaksin.

The Dems these days are a joke, a high school marketing student could have come up with a better campaign.

They were just as useless during the
Thaksin years. A credible opposition is vital for democracy, something those cheering for a PT landslide don't seem concerned about.

Originally Posted by lom

It would be much simpler if Jatuporn told us, he knows who and why, he was gonna tell a month ago but suddenly got very cold feets which may be related to the laws here in LOS.

It would be much simpler if the law allowed freedom of speech.

Originally Posted by tomta

Originally Posted by lom

It would be much simpler if Jatuporn told us, he knows who and why, he was gonna tell a month ago but suddenly got very cold feets which may be related to the laws here in LOS.

It would be much simpler if the law allowed freedom of speech.

Sure and that would also had made it simpler for Abhisit to explain what happened, he is silenced by the same law..
But that will change if PT wins the election, right?

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by sabang

what sort of a retard would favor them now?

the one who believe in the lesser of evils

Originally Posted by sabang

Anyway, the plaintive bleat of the sore loser in the corner is nothing new or unique to yourself, Thailand, or any democratic nation.

how is that relevant ?

Originally Posted by sabang

Rather than repeating that ad infinitum on an expats chat board, why don't you take to the streets and tell them yerself?

I didn't see you at the reds gathering when I was there in April 2010 ? too busy debating with your Leo bottle ?

I am also curiuos how many of the googling, blogging red zealots witnessed the gathering? I dropped by a few times. SD was posting from there daily. Which seemed to upset newspaster Mid, as he was overshadowed.

I must admit, ThaiHome, I was puzzled by the configuration of that post by Mordechai with the signature TH at the bottom. I initially responded to a post by BettyBoo. I think I later responded to Mordechai's response, not quite sure at the time if it was Mordechai or you. So I used neither name in the response.

My response though was what i thought about the comment not the commentator.

I just want to make it clear that I'm not part of any conspiracy and I think you're quite right to be pissed off if your name has been used in vain.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

^ Now that is a whole new level of crazy! How would the people manning the election booths know that the person is going to be a Pheu Thai voter? Or is it vanishing ink for all and then armies of ballot fillers are going to write in the X later? Could you imagine the amount of people needed for such a task!!! Utter madness. And people believe these imbeciles.... Next, Natthawut will be saying there is going to be a violent incident at the Democrat rally, that will lead to the imposition of emergency law and the election will be halted....

The tweet was by Tulsathit, completely reliable Nation "reporter". Not Nattawut. You believe everything, don't you?

Originally Posted by Butterfly

whoever is feeding those rumors to the reds must be having a field day

The confirmed source of the rumours is Tulsathit of the Nation.

Originally Posted by Buksida

A credible opposition is vital for democracy, something those cheering for a PT landslide don't seem concerned about.

Agree totally with the first part.

Don't agree with the second part, because anything less than the majority of all seats is too easily stolen from them, again. Driving the PT from governing the country with more than 250 votes will make the cheating obvious.

Also with one party able to rule alone they are the only ones to blame if they fail.

Originally Posted by sabang

Quote: Originally Posted by StrontiumDog few have noticed that not a single party has even touched on the important matter of freedom of expression, or more specifically, freedom of the press. Quote: Originally Posted by StrontiumDog An important issue very much overlooked in the mass of populism. Indeed- and neither has education been a policy platform of either party, sadly. Imo, the main issue & message this election will send is one that can only really be mentioned by inference- for the Military (& soulmates) to stay out of bladdy politics and political meddling.

They can't. Not yet. Any discussion of freedom of the press has to include lese majeste and that's just too complicated and touchy to deal with in election mode.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"I have reached out to people who oppose me ... But they instead have accused me of ordering the killings," he said. "My eyes were filled with tears on seeing the casualties of both military officers and fellow citizens."

It's OK Baby. Suthep said that you weren't involved in the crackdown. He was.

Originally Posted by lom

Sure and that would also had made it simpler for Abhisit to explain what happened, he is silenced by the same law.. But that will change if PT wins the election, right?

Maybe it will.

'No policy to give Thaksin amnesty'

'No policy to give Thaksin amnesty'

By THE NATION
Published on June 25, 2011


Pheu Thai accuses Democrats of false accusation; Suthep says they're lying

The Pheu Thai Party yesterday clarified it has no policy to give amnesty to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra or return him his seized assets of Bt46 billion, as claimed by the rival Democrat Party.

In a statement released yesterday, Pheu Thai rejected the allegations made by Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and other key Democrats during their campaign rally at the CentralWorld shopping mall on Thursday night.

"Abhisit and the Democrat Party intentionally made the false allegation. The Pheu Thai Party has no such policies," the statement said.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday disputed Pheu Thai's denial. He said the idea of offering an amnesty to Thaksin had been floated by many Pheu Thai figures, including Chalerm Yoobamrung.

"What they said was heard by media people. But today they lie about it. It's just a lie. They keep changing their words," Suthep said.

Pheu Thai's three-point statement also it was a political institution that served people all over the country, and not just any particular individual. It promised to adhere to the rule of law if it was elected and formed the government.

The statement was obviously aimed at countering the Democrats' allegation that Pheu Thai was looking after Thaksin's interests instead of those of the public.

Pheu Thai also said in the statement that it would focus on campaigning constructively by proposing policy platforms and solutions for the people and the country.

Thaksin yesterday sent a Twitter message calling for reconciliation and unity. He offered an apology for upsetting people in the past and said he forgave those who had hurt him with their words.

"We have to overcome the past to bring the country forward together. We must not go backwards or stay put," he said through his ThaksinLive Twitter account.

Prime Minister Abhisit, responding to Thaksin's latest message, said Thaksin should accept the court rulings against him. "That is a good step if he is sincere about reconciliation," he said.

Abhisit said he remained unsure about what Thaksin actually meant when he asked for the relevant parties to "overcome the past". He wondered if the ex-premier would come to terms with the court-ordered seizure of Bt46 billion of his assets.

Suthep yesterday expressed optimism that the Democrats would get more voter support after the party's rally on Thursday that presented its version on last year's political unrest.

"I think the Democrat Party will win at least 27 House seats in Bangkok or possibly 30," he said, adding he also expected the Democrats to win 10 out of the 11 House seats from the three southernmost provinces.

There are 33 seats up for grabs in the capital.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa yesterday expressed relief that there was no incident during the Democrat rally at Central World, which is close to the centre of last year's anti-government rally by the red shirts at the Ratchaprasong intersection.

Banharn, who is chief adviser to the leader of the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, said he did not think the Democrat rally was good for reconciliation efforts.

Abhisit's 'special treatment' at forum upsets other participants

Abhisit's 'special treatment' at forum upsets other participants

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation
Published on June 25, 2011


A people's forum at Rangsit University held to press issues to be adopted by various political parties turned nasty yesterday after representatives of two political parties complained that the Democrat Party leader, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, was given preferential treatment as he showed up late but was whisked to address the crowds before many of the others had done so.

As Abhisit finished speaking and began walking away from the stage, New Politics Party representative Sombat Benjasirimongkol reprimanded him from the podium in front of the thousand or so participants. Abhisit was "taking advantage of others by not being punctual, and then leaving after speaking. If we are this farcical, we cannot solve the country's problems," said Sombat, party-list candidate No 5 for the New Politics Party. "Abhisit is using his privilege as prime minister to be above us. Advanced society must have principles and respect others' rights."

Abhisit did not take any notice or pretended not to hear as he enjoyed being mobbed by many grass-roots participants, mostly female, who visibly adored him and wanted to touch him or take a picture with him. Even a female organiser with a non-governmental organisation was seen trying to take a picture of the PM.

When Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasob Suraswadi got his turn at the podium after Sombat, he also lambasted Abhisit for his behaviour.

"What has just happened cannot be allowed to occur again in Thailand. I hope the organisers will take note."

Earlier, the organisers, comprising representatives of 40 grass-roots organisations and NGOs mostly aligned with Prawase Wasi, chairman of the Abhisit-appointed National Reform Congress, announced on-stage that for fairness, all parties would draw lots to determine which one would address the crowd first.

That arrangement apparently changed and Suriyan Tonghueid, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy and one of the co-organisers, told The Nation that the Democrat Party had made a request, and he defended Abhisit.

"He didn't cut the queue. They told us in advance that that's all the time they had," Suriyan explained.

The forum got representatives from at least five parties to listen to their demands, without the Democrat Party, which came late.

The demands covered nine issues, including land reform, tax reform, a better social welfare system, greater access and rights for people with disabilities, discontinuation of hydroelectric-dam construction, greater rights and information for people who seek bank loans, ending of prosecution of villagers allegedly encroaching on national parks and more.

Some participants said they did not expect much from any political party.

On-stage, a male organiser warned in vain before the arrival of politicians that they should concentrate on making political demands and making policy proposals.

"Don't adore them or ask for their signatures. After July 3, they will treat us differently. You should ask them what they can or cannot do and not try to hug them. It's useless, as it won't resolve land issues, or the problem of being stateless."

EC alleges vote-buying in Buri Ram

EC alleges vote-buying in Buri Ram

By THE NATION
Published on June 25, 2011

With clear evidence of vote-buying in Buri Ram, the Election Commission chairman has ordered provincial EC members to proceed with the case as soon as possible.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond also said the commission would consider on Tuesday whether to disqualify an MP candidate in Si Sa Ket.

Apichart said pictures received from police clearly showed money distribution in Buri Ram. The evidence is more explicit that that of the alleged case in Si Sa Ket.

The EC will disqualify can?didates according to evidence, he said.

Election campaigns become family affairs

Election campaigns become family affairs

By THE NATION
Published on June 25, 2011

In a rare occurence, Pimpen Vejjajiva, wife of Prime Minister Abhisit, and their daughter Prang yesterday joined him for a campaign appearance at Chulalongkorn University.

The participation of the low-profile members of Abhisit's family took place after Abhisit revealed at a major rally at CentralWorld on Thursday that Pimpen was the one who gave him words of wisdom and moral support when he cried and suffered from the death of people during the April 10 political turmoil last year. "She [Pimpen] told me that day, 'When things happen in a way that was not our intention, the only choice is to bear, to solve the problems, not to escape or run away from the problems'. I must face the problems and solve them," Abhisit said at the rally.

Pimpen is a mathematics instructor, and Prang a Fine Arts student at the university. The Democrats drew strong support from people shopping at a flea market at the university on Fridays. The family also had lunch together at the university's cafeteria.

The public appearance of Abhisit's family came after Yingluck Shinwatra, Pheu Thai's top party-list MP and prime minister candidate, joined her family at her birthday celebrations early this week. Family members included Anusorn and Supasek Amornchat - Yingluck's husband and son.

Also yesterday, all three children of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra joined the election campaign for Pheu Thai's Bangkok candidate Anuttama Amornwiwat in the Huai Khwang area.

Pinthongta, Thaksin's first daughter, sent a message to him via Twitter that all the people she had met during the election campaign were missing him.

Thaksin in talks with smaller parties: Suthep

Thaksin in talks with smaller parties: Suthep

By THE NATION
Published on June 25, 2011

Two parties and Yingluck deny efforts already being made to forge a Pheu Thai-led coalition

Suthep Thaugsuban, the Democrat Party secretary-general, revealed yesterday that fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had approached smaller parties to join a Pheu Thai-led coalition after the July 3 general election."I heard [yesterday] that Thaksin had called different party leaders to ask them about their conditions for supporting Pheu Thai," Suthep said.

"He [Thaksin] also said that he suspected there would be cheating at the elections. He appears to have come up with an excuse in case his party loses. He will say they were cheated if they lose."

Suthep, however, said he was unconcerned about Thaksin's reported lobbying. "I am not worried. It all depends on the election result."

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said he too was not concerned about the ex-prime minister's reported moves: "The voters will make their decision."

Thaksin is believed to be pulling strings behind the Pheu Thai Party. His sister Yingluck Shinawatra is contesting the upcoming election as Pheu Thai's top candidate.

Yingluck dismissed Suthep's claim, saying Thaksin had nothing to do with wooing allies for Pheu Thai. She added that it was "too early" to seek coalition partners.

Key figures from two coalition partners denied Thaksin had approached their parties to join a Pheu Thai-led coalition.

Chumpol Silapa-archa, leader of the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, said he had never been approached by any political party or individual. He added that such talk would happen after the election.

The economic chief of the coalition Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party, Goanpot Aswinvichit, said that his party had not been approached by Thaksin.

Suthep, who is also deputy prime minister, acknowledged that the Democrat Party had a plan to support amnesty for politicians involved in political cases, but not criminal or corruption cases. Among those who would benefit were party executive members who had been banned from politics for five years after their parties were disbanded by a court order for electoral fraud.

He said an amnesty law or changes to the Constitution might be needed to offer amnesty to such politicians.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

EC alleges vote-buying in Buri Ram

EC alleges vote-buying in Buri Ram

By THE NATION
Published on June 25, 2011

With clear evidence of vote-buying in Buri Ram, the Election Commission chairman has ordered provincial EC members to proceed with the case as soon as possible.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond also said the commission would consider on Tuesday whether to disqualify an MP candidate in Si Sa Ket.

Apichart said pictures received from police clearly showed money distribution in Buri Ram. The evidence is more explicit that that of the alleged case in Si Sa Ket.

The EC will disqualify can?didates according to evidence, he said.

Although they didnt say, its a BJT MP i take it