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

^

Originally Posted by The Nation

The People's Alliance for Democracy and the Heaven and Earth Party on Wednesday unveiled a second batch of 5,000 billboards designed to promote the "no vote" campaign in Bangkok.

Isn't it amazing that their collecting-tin donations run to paying for all this?

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

It does not say much for the democracy of the Pheu Thai that such a political greenhorn was shoehorned in as leader without debate, election or murmur.

So those weeks of "who's it going to be" talk with so much internal back-biting and yakking about PT being rudderless/divided are "without debate..... murmur". Right.....

And the election that took place, of course, wasn't an "election". Right.....

You mean the one where she received a unanimous vote? Democracy in action, Thaksin style!

From Twitter today:

bangkokpundit bangkokpundit

1. Increasing war of words between ASTV/Sondhi L & Dems. SL says Dems r behind Tul & Kaewsan who want perjury charges against Yingluck

2. Abhisit responds by saying he wants to ask SL whether he is back in Thaksin camp now

3. Suthep then states Sondhi now supports Yingluck

4. MD of ASTV tweets that Dems r spreading rumours that 'vote no' campaign is funded by Thaksin [BP: Politics for u...]

3 hours ago


[Note: Links removed for legibility here]

Originally Posted by SteveCM

^^ It gets better (if no clearer).....



Police to probe Bt10 billion vote-buying fear: Suthep

BREAKINGNEWS »

7 June 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday voiced concern about the Bt10 billion cash taken out of circulation and believed to destine for buying votes.

"I want police to track down and arrest the culprits involved in campaign spending violations in order to preserve the sanctity of the law," he said.
Suthep said he read about the vote-buying fear from news reports and that he expected police to get to the bottom of the matter.


The Nation

BOT Chief Dismisses Report On Cash Flown Out

BANGKOK, June 7 (Bernama) -- Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul affirmed on Tuesday that he had not informed the Royal Thai Police of any disappearance of some 10 billion baht (about RM994,007) from the country's formal financial system over the past two weeks, as rumoured, and had not received reports from officials concerned on any irregularity either.

Prasarn acknowledged, however, that it is technically difficult to detect the disappearance of a sum of some 10 billion baht, if any, as it accounts for only about one per cent of Thailand's overall cash circulations of over one trillion baht in the formal system, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

The BOT chief said if given any tip-off at any specific location, the Thai central bank would be able to find out more easily whether there was any irregularity, insisting that the BOT, which oversees all financial institutes in the country, would be cooperating well with authorities concerned and any of those who provide tip-offs on inspecting any commercial bank or financial institute in any targeted area regarding the suspicious cash outflow of the formal system.

The BOT governor also dismissed as irrationality reports that the suspicious 10 billion baht cash was remitted from overseas, saying that there had been no evidence to back the speculation although there was a total investment fund of about 11 billion US dollars flowing into the Thai economy in the first five months of this year.

The Thai central bank chief declined to give any comment over any possibility of someone's spreading such rumours as a political ploy in the run-up to the country's upcoming general election on July 3.

bernama.com

Radio Australia:Connect Asia:Story:Thailand's Puea Thai party woos farmers for votes

Updated June 8, 2011

With Thailand's ruling Democrat Party and the opposition PueaThai Party running a close race in opinion polls for next month's general elections, the race is definitely heating up.

In a bid to win the rural vote, Puea Thai says if it wins the July election, it will buy rice directly from the farmers at a high price. But what will that mean for Thailand's position as a rice exporter?

Reporter: Kanaha Sabapathy
Speakers: Dr Andrew Walker, Senior Research Fellow, Australian National University; Chookiat Ophasewongse, Honorary President, Thai Rice Exporters Association; Rice trader

Chookiat Ophasewongse the honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association says Thailand is already loosing its market share to other rice producers like Vietnam, Burma and Pakistan. He says its would be better for any party that comes into office to let the market decide the price of rice.

SABAPATHY: Mr Ophasewongse says under the Puea Thai party's proposal tax payers money will be wasted. He says under the scheme the govenment can expect to stockpile some 6 to 7 million tons of rice annually, a product which would deteriorate over time if buyers cannot be found.


Puea Thai is not the only political party to be focusing on farmers in the upcoming election. Infact some 6 political parties including the ruling Democrat Party say their top priority would be to boost farmers' income. Dr Andrew Walker, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University says the focus on the rural voter is not new.


WALKER: In Thailand the move of population out of agriculture has been somewhat slower than it has been in other developing countries. And so as we have had the development of more democratic and more electorally responsive forms of government for the last few decades its becoming important for governments to woo that rural population.

SABAPATHY: But Dr Walker does agree that Puea Thai's proposal to buy rice directly from farmers at fifteen hundred bhat a ton is not only very generous but is an election game plan.

WALKER: To some extent I suspect this policy might be pitched most directly at the big rice growing areas in central Thailand and in a sense this is where the upcoming election is going to be won or lost. North and the north east of Thailand are solid Puea Thai but its central Thailand where in our term there is alot more swinging seats.

SABAPATHY: While Puea Thai's plans may please the rice growers it is raising the concerns of the Thai Rice Exporters. Currently Thai rice is selling at around US 500 dollars a ton on the international market. But if Puea Thai party wins office and implements its promise Thai rice could jump to as high as 870 dollars a ton making it less competitive.

OPHASEWONGSE: You know leave the price to the market and government can choose to use another method like income support to reduce the cost for the farmers. That is a valid thing that they should have done for sustainable business for the long term.


But a rice trader, who requested not be identified, says Thailand won't necessarily loose its buyers nor its leading market role except for the normal white rice.


TRADER: Thai rice is a kind of rice that finds its way because of its unique characteristics and not because its very price competitive for example your par boiled because people want to buy par boiled rice. I don't thing there are too many other options or origins who will. There will be some competitiveness or competition loss to other origins like Vietnam or Pakistan. But people who want to buy specific grades of Thai rice will have to buy Thai.

SABAPATHY: Puea Thai's policy platform may please the farmers but what about the middle class and the urban poor who will have to pay a higer price for their rice? Will Puea Thai be alienating this group of voters? Mr Chookiat Ophasewongse.

OPHASEWONGSE: If you put the price of rice so high then I think the government will have another problem, dealing with inflation.

SABAPATHY: Dr Walker admits higher rice prices will impact on the middle class and the urban poor but says its not going to be a major factor in how this section of population votes.

WALKER: As Thailand has become a much more developed country and has moved into a middle income status rice itself is now a relatively small part of people's overall consumption budget.

From Twitter today:

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Army files complaint against Pheu Thai MP candidate in Nongjok Pairoj for threatening narcotics eradication team with a gun

14 minutes ago

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Harassment is not an Exercise in Democracy

UPDATE : 8 June 2011

Election related headlines in the past few weeks have surprisingly been dominated by phrases such as “PM fears escalation as aggressors encircle campaign”, “Market vendors derail electioneering with taunts” as well as “Yingluck shut down by detractors in provinces”. The freedom to express ones opposition to the platforms and actions of politicians is a sacred right of democratic rule, but harassment and aggressive accosting are a completely different behavior.

These different behaviors have had their lines blurred in modern Thai society. While the Kingdom struggles to gain its footing on the democratic foundation, the act of political harassment has shown just how flawed the country's political culture still is. Whether or not these episodes of bedevilment are initiated by rival parties themselves or not is besides the point, democracy is system that requires mutual respect and maturity.

If constituents are moved to express their displeasure when their most loathed candidate is present, it is of course within their privilege to do so, but lines must be drawn. Forming gangs with the purpose to hinder the peaceful campaigning of politicians and most importantly attacking them are unacceptable expressions of opposition.

Though it was said that political parties cannot be blamed for the actions of their supporters, they can be held responsible for not addressing the deplorable practice and not creating forums for displeasure to be more constructively voiced.

In the case of daily electioneering, it has become common practice for candidates to surround themselves with per-fabricated cheer groups and supporters, insulating themselves from even those that may want to question them about their platforms. This is not conducive to the democratic process and only sets up circumstances for opposers to clash with party fans.

The mature and respectful method to both meet with supporters and listen to opposers would be set up Q&A sessions, or even engage in debates and town hall meetings. Most importantly for modern Thailand, however, is to make it known that harassment is not an exercise in democracy.


Bangkok Biz News, June 8, 2011

Translated and Rewritten by Itiporn Lakarnchua

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

Originally Posted by SteveCM

From Twitter today:

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Army files complaint against Pheu Thai MP candidate in Nongjok Pairoj for threatening narcotics eradication team with a gun

14 minutes ago

Interesting...does this relate to the earlier complaints of the 315 unit's existence?

You may recall Pheu Thai suggesting the army were monitoring them via satellite.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Bangkok Post : P.Thai wants halt to drug bust

P.Thai wants halt to drug bust

• Published: 26/05/2011 at 01:15 PM
• Online news: Local News

The Pheu Thai Party on Thursday submitted a petition with the Election Commission saying that the ongoing drug suppression operation being conducted by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) has caused fear among the local people and this may cause them to waver in casting votes in the forthcoming election.

The petition was filed by Vicharn Meenchainant, the party's chairman of Bangkok zone.

He asked the EC to order the caretaker government to suspend the Isoc's drug suppression operation being conducted in many parts of Bangkok including Min Buri, Khanna Yao, and Lat Phrao.

He said in the operation, Isoc had set up a command centre with a satellite dish to monitor the movementns of core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Moreover, the people were queried about their occupations and told to put their names on a survey form.

The people in those areas were living in fear because of the crackdown. This could cause them to become uncertain how to vote July 3 elections.

During the lead-up to the election, the drug suppression operation should be focused on border areas, not in Bangkok, Mr Vicharn said.

Curiouser and curiouser.....

They seemed to want the drug folks to be away from Bangkok....

I wonder if they'll be a more complete report later, which clears up these rather glaring issues.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Originally Posted by SteveCM

From Twitter today:

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Army files complaint against Pheu Thai MP candidate in Nongjok Pairoj for threatening narcotics eradication team with a gun

14 minutes ago

Interesting...does this relate to the earlier complaints of the 315 unit's existence?

You may recall Pheu Thai suggesting the army were monitoring them via satellite.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Bangkok Post : P.Thai wants halt to drug bust

P.Thai wants halt to drug bust

• Published: 26/05/2011 at 01:15 PM
• Online news: Local News

The Pheu Thai Party on Thursday submitted a petition with the Election Commission saying that the ongoing drug suppression operation being conducted by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) has caused fear among the local people and this may cause them to waver in casting votes in the forthcoming election.

The petition was filed by Vicharn Meenchainant, the party's chairman of Bangkok zone.

He asked the EC to order the caretaker government to suspend the Isoc's drug suppression operation being conducted in many parts of Bangkok including Min Buri, Khanna Yao, and Lat Phrao.

He said in the operation, Isoc had set up a command centre with a satellite dish to monitor the movementns of core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Moreover, the people were queried about their occupations and told to put their names on a survey form.

The people in those areas were living in fear because of the crackdown. This could cause them to become uncertain how to vote July 3 elections.

During the lead-up to the election, the drug suppression operation should be focused on border areas, not in Bangkok, Mr Vicharn said.

Curiouser and curiouser.....

They seemed to want the drug folks to be away from Bangkok....

I wonder if they'll be a more complete report later, which clears up these rather glaring issues.

Isn't it plain enough for you what the army is trying to do in what is labelled "Drug Suppression". Questions about voting don't normally have anything to do with illegal drugs.

"You mean the one where she received a unanimous vote? Democracy in action, Thaksin style!" (Buksida)

Breaking news Buksida. There was an earthquake in Zimbabwe today, and guess what. Thaksin was visiting there. He did it, the asshole!

So when have you ever seen a leadership campaign, convention and election in Thailand. How did your friend Abhisit become Democrat leader?

So you condemn "Y' for becoming PT leader via this normative route.

Some day I will explain "double standards" to you.

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Moved tohttps://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ml#post1778530

The thread for and by Thaksin haters

PT lays charges against Kaewsun, Tul (Bangkok Post, affectionately called "The State Media)

Mr Prompong said if the two men had no ill intentions they should have done all this before the election, or waited until after it.

Mr Prompong said Mr Tul and Mr Kaewsun also wanted to discredit Pheu Thai.

He said he would on Thursday file a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division against Mr Kaewsun and Mr Tul, alleging defamation and violation of the Computer Crime Act.

Trust the State Media to use every opportunity to give oxygen to these Kaewsun/Tul dirty tricks, trying to legitimize them.

From Twitter today:


veen_NT veena T.

Election Commission rules (by 4-1) votes to order the removal of "Vote No" campaign billboards. via [at]jin_nation

1 hour ago

Originally Posted by DroversDog

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Originally Posted by SteveCM

From Twitter today:

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Army files complaint against Pheu Thai MP candidate in Nongjok Pairoj for threatening narcotics eradication team with a gun

14 minutes ago

Interesting...does this relate to the earlier complaints of the 315 unit's existence?

You may recall Pheu Thai suggesting the army were monitoring them via satellite.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Bangkok Post : P.Thai wants halt to drug bust

P.Thai wants halt to drug bust

Curiouser and curiouser.....

They seemed to want the drug folks to be away from Bangkok....

I wonder if they'll be a more complete report later, which clears up these rather glaring issues.

Isn't it plain enough for you what the army is trying to do in what is labelled "Drug Suppression". Questions about voting don't normally have anything to do with illegal drugs.

Ah, so the Pheu Thai MP was simply telling people to get off his land, right?

I'm sure it is all innocent and just a terrible misunderstanding.

ok, more importantly, where is your avatar from????

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Ah, so the Pheu Thai MP was simply telling people to get off his land, right? I'm sure it is all innocent and just a terrible misunderstanding.

Did it happen on his premises?

Curioser and curioser. What would be the business of an Drug Suppressing Unit on the premises of an election candidate?

Not to talk about the strange coincidence of deploying army units in PT strongholds during the election campaign. Knowing how well the PT supporters get along with the army at any time.

Democrats and PAD - an alliance gone sour

ANALYSIS

Democrats and PAD - an alliance gone sour

By THE NATION
Published on June 9, 2011

The flare-up between the Democrats and People's Alliance for Democracy was long overdue. An intriguing YouTube video, a taunting question by Suthep Thaugsuban and a virtual olive branch from a PAD protest speaker to the red shirts have followed a long, tense period between the ruling party and the yellow-shirt movement. Both camps have burnt their bridges, but is there something deeper than that?

Democrat secretary-general Suthep tried to suggest there is. Yesterday, he all but asked Sondhi to come clean on where the PAD stands on the issue of Thaksin Shinawatra. "Sondhi led the street protests to oust Thaksin but today he appears to have taken Yingluck Shinawatra's side," Suthep said.The Democrats have been upset about the PAD's "Vote No" campaign, but now they are trying publicly to make it look suspicious. Since the ruling party and PAD have similar support bases -middle-class, inner-city people - the more voters mark abstention on their ballots, the more it can affect the Democrats' chances in the election. Now, the party is openly saying that the "Vote No" campaign will directly help Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party.

The PAD has been complaining that the Democrats let it down, and now the political party must share responsibility if Thaksin is to make a political return thanks to the "Vote No" campaign. The movement has always begrudged the Democrats getting all the political windfall without playing a major role in Thaksin's ouster. The "Vote No" campaign, the PAD said, was only meant to reflect its disillusionment with all Thai politicians.

The Democrats could claim they have cause for suspicion, though. The PAD's response to attempts by other groups - namely the "multi-coloured" movement and former members of the Assets Examination Committee led by Kaewsun Atibodhi - to scrutinise Yingluck's role in Thaksin's case of alleged ill-gotten wealth has been lukewarm at best. The PAD of old would have amplified the scrutiny and cried foul over the presence of several red-shirt "terrorist suspects" on Pheu Thai's party list, but the present PAD has been unwavering in its attacks on Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The Democrat-PAD-Pheu Thai intrigue has intensified this week following the posting of a video, broken in 12 pieces, on youtube.com, exposing a veteran telecom businessman acting as the middleman for a politician and CAT Telecom executive in a telecom deal. The video was posted to purportedly show the influence of the leading political figure in the state-supervised telecom industry.

The video was posted months after a bidder filed a lawsuit in the Criminal Court. SACT Co Ltd named nine persons for malpractice in violation of the Criminal Code and the law governing employees of state agencies. The case, observers say, underlined intertwined political and business interests in the telecom industry and the vulnerability of state officials to political strong-handed tactics.

From the yellow-shirt camp the other day, meanwhile, a leading speaker made a tantalising comment, pointing to the possibility of a yellow-red partial cooperation after the election. He said the "Vote No" campaign would create political repercussions big enough to warrant a major change after the election, and that the PAD would welcome support from like-minded red shirts to strengthen the drive.

It should be known soon if the apparent re-alliance is serious, or if Thailand's divided politics has become firmly three-pronged. Those questioning the possibility of a red-yellow "merger" only have to check out where PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul's loyalty lay just seven years ago.

DSI ex-chief's daughter runs for Pheu Thai in Bangkok

DSI ex-chief's daughter runs for Pheu Thai in Bangkok

By THE NATION
Published on June 9, 2011

Anutama Amornvivat, a new MP candidate running under the Pheu Thai Party's banner in Constituency 7 of Bangkok, said she may be a new face - but she still wanted to help the country develop.

She may be a new face to the public but is more familiar on the political scene. Anutama, 34, is the daughter of Police General Sombat Amorn-vivat, who is former director-general of the Department of Special Inves-tigation. She is the niece of Sompong Amornvivat, a former deputy leader of the defunct People Power Party, and cousin of former Pheu Thai MP Chulaphan Amornvivat. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Chulalongkorn University, a master's in International Business from Boston University and a master's in International Economic Policy from Columbia University in the United States.

She had worked with the Department of Export Promotion before becoming a lecturer in Economics at Chulalongkorn University. She said that she aspired to become a politician to help people on a greater scale than teaching at university could achieve.

Anutama said that she had consulted with her parents about her decision to enter politics and that they agreed with her. "After I talked with them at home, I went to apply as an election candidate by myself," she said.

Anutama did not consider her newness in politics as a weakness, saying rather it would arouse interest among people. "Many successful politicians contested their first election when they were younger than me. So I don't think being a new face has much [negative] impact."

If elected, she would push for an education policy - probably because of her background in education. Also she would campaign on the party's policy platforms of improving the quality of life, reducing the cost of living and boosting income. She said if she loses, she will go back to teaching because she was proud of her work training the young to be good adults. Even if she becomes an MP, she plans to continue with teaching.

Thai poll worries World Bank

Thai poll worries World Bank

By WICHIT CHAITRONG
SIRIPORN CHANJINDAMANEE
THE NATION
Published on June 9, 2011

Thailand's state-run banks are under the scrutiny of the World Bank, especially ahead of the election, as they are widely used to implement economic policies.

Political parties are fighting hard for seats in Parliament, particularly with promises to boost consumption. Lack of long-term economic management policies and concern over political uncertainty after the election were cited as the main reasons for the recent fall in the Thai bourse.

The composite index yesterday tumbled 20.17 points, or 2 per cent, to 1,014.58, the lowest since March 18. Foreign investors turned to net sellers, with sells outpacing buys by Bt6.31 billion.

In response to a question whether the balance sheet of state banks might be adversely impacted by the populist policies, World Bank country economist Frederico Gil Sander said: "State banks would be closely monitored."

BALANCE SHEETS IN GOOD SHAPE

Sander said political parties' promises to have state banks extend loans to farmers and consumers could further increase these banks' outstanding loans. The loans increased sharply during the economic downturn in 2009, while commercial banks' lending activities just picked up last year.

Kirida Bhaopichitr, a World Bank senior economist, said the banks' balance sheets were in good shape now. The World Bank is working closely with the Finance Ministry on improving these institutions' management, she said.

Kirida is concerned more with inflationary pressure fuelled by government spending. Higher inflation would adversely affect the poor and the government should introduce measures to ease the cost of living of targeted groups, she said. She hopes the new government will uphold fiscal discipline.

"Thai governments are usually worried about their reputation on public finance matters. It's unlikely that the new government will borrow too much."

In the Global Economic Prospects report released yesterday, the institution urged developing countries to focus on tackling country-specific challenges such as achieving balanced growth through structural reforms, coping with inflationary pressure and dealing with high commodity prices.

In a teleconference from Washington, Hans Timmer, director of development prospects, said there was a chance for further rise in inflation in many nations as pressure from international markets was being passed on to domestic markets.

Despite risk factors, including slower growth in China and a sovereign debt crisis in Europe, the World Bank is maintaining its economic growth forecast of 3.7 per cent for Thailand. Sander noted that the growth rate could be higher if there was political stability after the July 3 poll, thanks to higher private investment.

Meanwhile, Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) president Charam-porn Jotikasthira admitted that domestic political uncertainties were putting pressure on the local bourse, aside from renewed concerns over the global economy, particularly the US and Europe, which are showing signs of a fresh slowdown.

However, he believes Goldman Sachs Group's decision to lower its rating for Thailand should have only a short-term impact on investment in the Thai stock market, thanks to strong earnings growth. He is hopeful that foreign investors will regain their confidence after the election.

POLL ADDS TO PRESSURE

"Despite the 20-per-cent earnings growth forecast, the Thai market is subject to selling pressure due to political concerns and high inflation," said Tientip Subhanij, head of the SET's Capital Market Research Institute. "This exacerbates the situation, as due to the fragile recovery in the US, investors worldwide are already selling equities and investing in commodities like gold as a safe haven."

Arpaporn Sawaengpak, head of research at DBS Vickers Securities (Thailand), said the Thai market yesterday plunged more than other regional bourses due to the "underweighting" recommendation from Goldman Sachs. Credit Suisse also lowered its rating of Thai shares to "neutral", driven by polls suggesting the Pheu Thai Party would win the next election, which could lead to political conflict and violence.

In May, the Thai stock market gained the most in Asia, second only to South Korea, as the composite index rose 3.98 per cent from the end of last year. Foreign investors were net sellers of Bt16.7 billion, compared with net buyers of Bt29.54 billion. However, they were still net buyers of Bt1.21 billion since early this year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011...-30157373.html

INTERVIEW

Political reform, not reconciliation, should be the goal: political scientist

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation
Published on June 9, 2011

With less than four weeks to go before the election, expectations are high and there are deep concerns about post-electoral prospects. The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk talks to political scientist Kengkij Kitirianglarp from Kasetsart University's Department of History about his expectations, fears and more. Kengkij is a rising star among young Thai political scientists and a self-professed red shirt. Excerpts.

What's the worst-case post-electoral scenario for you?

That the Pheu Thai Party, if it wins the election, will be dissolved through some kind of judicial ruling. We're already seeing some people pushing in that direction. I don't think there will be a military coup though.

Is national reconciliation really the most important and urgent goal all sides should aspire to achieve? Might it not be better in the long run to see the conflict reach its logical conclusion instead of a half-baked compromise and no genuine change in the political structure?

The issue is the conditions on which the talks for reconciliation will be based on. For the Democrat Party, it's about them continuing to run the government, nothing more. For Pheu Thai, it's about accepting electoral results and the amnesty, but we must ask further what such an amnesty entails. Does |it include granting amnesty |to those responsible for the deaths [last April and May]? There are many parties to the conflict who are not inside the government.

I don't see reconciliation as a goal. The discourse about reconciliation originated from the elite. What is needed is political reform under a democratic system. For example, judicial reform is something Pheu Thai should be discussing.

How can the military be kept at bay, away from politics?

The main task for people who support the election is to remind both the military and the Democrat Party that elections are how political conflicts are settled in a parliamentary system. The situation now is such that not all sides support the election or think it's the solution. Look at the "No" vote campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

We have yet to achieve a consensus regarding the role of elections.

What would you say to those expecting a political solution from the upcoming general election?

Personally, I do not want people to expect that all problems will disappear after the election. Though we must pay attention to it, it won't lead to immediate national reconciliation. We have to keep an eye on the role of the judiciary and the military.

What does the "No" vote campaign by the PAD reflect?

It reflects the lack of trust in politicians and elections. They believe that all politicians are corrupt. The move to restore royal power, with more than 100,000 signatures being collected [for a petition to the palace] is a move that says: "we don't want democracy in this society".

And what about the fact that the red-shirt movement has no visible impact or influence in helping form the political platform of the Pheu Thai Party, making it quite clear that it's still just Thaksin Shinawatra calling the shots?

It reflects the failure of the ex-communist insurgents within the red-shirt movement. Besides people like [Red Sunday faction leader] Sombat [Boon-ngam-anong] calling for people to go out and vote, what else did he say about the policies Pheu Thai should have? What about the role of Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) caretaker leader Thida [Thavornset Tojirakarn] in determining the party's policies?

What role did these so-called "progressives" play in forming policy? If none, then it would be akin to having Thaksin deciding everything and red shirts just providing support.

The last five years or so saw both poles of the political conflict unable to defeat each other due to their near parity of power and endurance. Do you think such a situation will continue for some time to come?

I think it will remain this way for a long time yet, especially as long as those in the top echelons of society do not yield to those below. The masses definitely won't give up and the number of red shirts is not decreasing.

The red shirts are playing a greater role in challenging the ruling class to change themselves and the challenge will intensify. As long as the elites refuse, the conflict will persist. If the elites refuse to reform the system, the change will come through a people's revolution from below, which will take some time to materialise. A compromised reform from above will definitely require less time to be completed.

^ Nice piece from The Nation. Agree with the guy 100%.