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

Originally Posted by Calgary

I understand that the UDD is conducting seminars around the country informing its' members how to monitor polling stations to try and head off inevitable manipulation of ballots and ballot boxes.

Absolutely right and hopefully will negate ongoing attempts to manipulate the election and or make threats to the electorate.

Originally Posted by Calgary

The attempts of these people and their sponsors to manage this election is ongoing and more pervasive than is generally known it appears. This includes that ostensible drug control thing.

Very true despite what some would want / have us believe!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

I really don't care who wins, I just hope that the election result is respected and that Thailand can enjoy a period of stability afterwards.

Agree with your post.

The last paragraph, the one I quoted is ambiguous though. What does respecting the election result mean?

As stated above in your post a lot goes on that looks like manipulation of the election result. Should a doctored result be accepted?

A not unlikely result of manipulation would a win of PT but not a clearcut majority and then some arm twisting again to form a Democrat government. It's unlikely that would go down well, you stated as much in your post.

Definitley got my support, very refreshing compared with the usual dried up boring two faced lying political so called democratic prunes, despite what "pupa" believes!

"Gen Prayuth fumed on Thursday over an alleged attempt by a Pheu Thai election candidate to obstruct the 315 anti-drugs task force's work in Bangkok, saying he would flood the area with soldiers to assist the government in its drug crackdown"

This country is and has been increasingly awash with drugs for several years much of which is being imported in very large quantities.

This "neutral" general speaks about him supportng this governments drug crackdown, it's sooooooooo strange that ever since the house was disolved this drugs crackdown suddenly gathered momentum at an alarming pace especially in the North?

Recent drug arrests... many of these have come about through external customs intelligence, pure luck and stupid drug dealers with no brains..for example one man getting drunk and wandering into someone elses house.

This increased activity has little or nothing to do with a supposed drug crackdown and much more to do with the current election process.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255406120010

PM: Thais to choose between amnesty for Thaksin or social issues on election day

BANGKOK, 12 June 2011 (NNT)-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Election Day, 3 July 2011, will be the day for Thai people to decide whether they would like to grant amnesty to former Prime Minister, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, or not.

In response to the media, Mr. Abhisit said the amnesty could only be granted to those who had been prosecuted by law; however, Mr. Thaksin had not even come to hear his charges, so this was irrelevant to the amnesty.

The Prime Minister further expressed his opinion that on 3 July 2011, the Thai people would make a decision whether they would rather dwell on the amnesty issue or pay attention to how the new government would solve problems for the country.

^ Another fine example of what I was talking about earlier.

Lame, vacuous and negative.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

I really don't care who wins, I just hope that the election result is respected and that Thailand can enjoy a period of stability afterwards.

Agree with your post.

The last paragraph, the one I quoted is ambiguous though. What does respecting the election result mean?

It means that the new government should be left to get on with governing and no interfering or dubious legal moves should suddenly appear (as is suggested/suspected at this time). The peoples will/choice should be the only thing that influences both the election outcome and what happens after.

I am sick to death of all the crap from the various factions here. It is time for the people of Thailand to make their choice, for good or ill. But the choosing is the important part.

Like I have said many times. I don't care who wins. I just want to see some stability and then progress. Maybe I am dreaming. But if this election is interfered with or the democratic progress is somehow hindered/manipulated, expect to see me on the streets with a red shirt on some time soon . A whisker under 2 metres tall farang with a red shirt should be easy enough to spot .

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog
I really don't care who wins, I just hope that the election result is respected and that Thailand can enjoy a period of stability afterwards.

You're softening your stance and you're going to piss off "pupa" big time! No more chocolates and roses from "pupa" for you "SD"!

Originally Posted by Takeovers

Agree with your post.

Obviously...but...

SD occasionally gets a little confused and he's already sort the support of "pupa" the know nothing yellow belgie imperialist idiot on here and that doesn't bode well for asking SD's opinion about anything. However....

Originally Posted by Takeovers

As stated above in your post a lot goes on that looks like manipulation of the election result. Should a doctored result be accepted?

SD probably subconsciously hopes for a "yellow democratic" election win although he will not admit that to either us or himself.

Depsite what "pupa" and "SD" would like you to believe PT aren't stupid buffaloes and already many provinces are overseeing and making clear the election process to their supporters and voters so hopefully this will work and a fair and representative result will be produced in the next election will even less manipulation than the norm.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

A not unlikely result of manipulation would a win of PT but not a clearcut majority and then some arm twisting again to form a Democrat government. It's unlikely that would go down well, you stated as much in your post.

Hopefully, this result will not be manipulated any more than is the usual in Thailand...attempts at vote buying, the odd murder etc. all of which happens.

So their (the elite's) only hopes are two fold...judicial and military interference after the result and the majority of the Thai electorate here are sick of both!

p.s. For once "SD" I'll agree with your sentiment at the beginning of this post and add my additional and original thoughts to your sentence...justice, a better education for all, much less corruption, a fair prosperity for all and of course less violence!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

BANGKOK, 12 June 2011 (NNT)-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Election Day, 3 July 2011, will be the day for Thai people to decide whether they would like to grant amnesty to former Prime Minister, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, or not.

More Abhishit BULLSHIT!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

n response to the media, Mr. Abhisit said the amnesty could only be granted to those who had been prosecuted by law; however, Mr. Thaksin had not even come to hear his charges, so this was irrelevant to the amnesty.

If that's true then how can be an election issue on July 3rd of has something got lost in the translation?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The Prime Minister further expressed his opinion that on 3 July 2011, the Thai people would make a decision whether they would rather dwell on the amnesty issue or pay attention to how the new government would solve problems for the country.

Like they have over the past four - five years or so? maybe he meant fixing the coffers of the elite here?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Like I have said many times. I don't care who wins. I just want to see some stability and then progress

Don't remember you saying that many time but if you have then fair play to you!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Maybe I am dreaming.

Hope not!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

But if this election is interfered with or the democratic progress is somehow hindered/manipulated, expect to see me on the streets with a red shirt on some time soon

Can't see "pupa" being there but I'll come with you complete with genuine Red shirt of course!

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

This country is and has been increasingly awash with drugs for several years much of which is being imported in very large quantities.

This "neutral" general speaks about him supportng this governments drug crackdown, it's sooooooooo strange that ever since the house was disolved this drugs crackdown suddenly gathered momentum at an alarming pace especially in the North?

Recent drug arrests... many of these have come about through external customs intelligence, pure luck and stupid drug dealers with no brains..for example one man getting drunk and wandering into someone elses house.

This increased activity has little or nothing to do with a supposed drug crackdown and much more to do with the current election process.

Actually, that's not strictly true....most of these threads and posts (and some are many pages long) are from 2010 or early 2011, before the election was announced. I agree that the operations have definitely stepped up lately and yes that may be suspicious, but the increase in activity has been going on for quite a while now. I was of the opinion that the increase in busts was the Democrats actually trying to appear to be doing something about the problem, having done very little in the early part of their term. A vote winner if you like...which appears to have backfired.

However, I can see that the army attending to and being part of this recent uptick could be interpreted by some as a concern. But I'd make the point that yes, the army are more involved but so what? What does that actually mean? What are they doing that is of concern? People have mentioned intimidation. Where are the reports of this intimidation?? The effects of it? The results of it? (it was amusing that this was suggested of the red shirts, the very people you would expect to not be intimidated by the army..!) No one seems to have explained this, except for the rather vague and suggested intimidation allegation, but they didn't explain how this manifested itself. Only that peoples names and occupations were taken down (but no actual proof of this, just hearsay, gossip and rumour and to what end????? So they have your name and then what....?)....well, that is nothing to worry about as far as I am concerned and happens in the "open" democracy of the UK all the time (try attending an anti-government rally in the UK, you get video taped, details taken etc etc) and it doesn't dissuade people on the whole. Unless you are a very timid person, frightened of their own shadow!

Also, if you know much about the politicians and police here, you will also be aware that both the politicians here and the police are involved in every form of illegal activity going (and often help each other out). Just see the amount of stories of illegal goings on with "unnamed politicians" involved recently (the hitmen for hire piece in the Bangkok Post was most revealing...). You could also argue that the Thai police simply can't be trusted to conduct drug raids, as lets be honest, more than a few are involved in the drug trade.

So it may be 6 of one, half dozen of the other....

So I am not saying you are wrong, just explaining some other points of view. Just call me the devil's advocate.

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts (Big drug busts continue)

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts (Meth Worth Bt300 Million Seized in Phayao)

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts (Phuket Police Patrol Busts BMW Drugs Gang)

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts (Phuket Police seek high-tech solution to ya bah problem - GT200?)

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts (Phuket Police squash meth ring)

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts (Pattaya - Massive Bt5 Million Drug Haul Unveiled by Joint Taskforce)

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ght=drug+busts

Originally Posted by Butterfly

I mean Mid is brain dead, The Bold Rodney is a right wing fascist and a racist and proud of it, while Takeovers is just another BNP voter lost in Thailand

"pupa" our resident imperialist belgie pseudo frog...

You haven't anwered my post re the belgium congo, why not? You'll be having us think king leopold was your father...he wasn't was he?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

PM: Thais to choose between amnesty for Thaksin or social issues on election day

Chatthai Pattana: no amnesty for Mr. Thaksin has been brought up
NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT

BANGKOK, 12 June 2011 (NNT)-Chief adviser of Chat Thai Pattana Party,Major General Sanan Kajornprasart, has denied having a discussion regarding the amnesty to be granted to Police Lieutenant General Thaksin Shinawat, adding that more important issues now are the election and the new government.

Major General Sanan added that the amnesty issue should be discussed once the new government had been formed. He declined to comment on whether the Chatthai Pattana Party would accept the amnesty deal for Mr. Thaksin in an exchange for a place in the coalition should Pheu Thai emerge as the new government.

He explained that such a matter would be debated among his Party’s executives and that he, alone, should not speak for his Party regarding this issue. However, he expressed his belief that there was a possibility that Mr. Thaksin would be granted the amnesty, although it would be over a period of time given that Thai people consented to the move

thainews.prd.go.th

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Actually, that's not strictly true....most of these threads and posts (and some are many pages long) are from 2010 or early 2011, before the election was announced. I agree that the operations have definitely stepped up lately and yes that may be suspicious, but the increase in activity has been going on for quite a while now. I was of the opinion that the increase in busts was the Democrats actually trying to appear to be doing something about the problem, having done very little in the early part of their term. A vote winner if you like...which appears to have backfired.

Actually I understand what you say but I was referring more to the national news on Thai TV, several times a week now there's more and more news about another drugs bust being carried out. Coupled with that there's been a few incidents of shootings etc. hitman arrests etc. but the Army haven't been mentioned very much at all that I've seen?

I believe some of the increase in busts may well be a welcome spin off by increased police and army activity and as you suggest it may just be a coincidence, but for GP to make such a big deal about the incident in Bangkok and lose his cool appeared unusual bearing in mind he's been quite diplomatic lately. It was an example of mud slinging in my opinion and he must have been having a bad day. maybe he's tired of all the goings on too?

I agree with you that having your name taken either here or the UK doesn't matter to us (farangs) but many Thais don't see it that way and they are easily intimidated especially rural village Thais.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Also, if you know much about the politicians and police here, you will also be aware that both the politicians here and the police are involved in every form of illegal activity going (and often help each other out).

I know a fair bit about this and NOT all Thai police or politicians are seriously crooked or involved in serious illegal activities. Saying that of course most if not all work together for various business reasons and at the risk of upsetting people I understand and agree with the Thai reasons for this. And when I say not seriously crooked I don't mean they're incapable of dispatching someone when they have been wronged or double crossed, that's the Thai way.

On the subject of justice and Thaksin I once asked a Thai ( avery good friend) about the Thaksin drug clean up campaign. I asked was it acceptable to kill some two thousand plus people. His answer was simple, straightforward and clearly Thai lthough it was half expected it was very undemocratic.

He told me that if 2,000,000 drug dealers here endangered the lives and welfare of some 50 million people, his answer was that Thailand's justice system would never be able to cope so the solution was simple... shoot them all.

Like you I'm tired of listening to the lies and seeing and hearing about the political corruption but NOT just here it's worldwide and to be honest I don't think it's that much worse here than it is is many places, it's just more culturally acceptable and far more blatent.

p.s. I have a spare (new) red shirt if you ever need one!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

In response to the media, Mr. Abhisit said the amnesty could only be granted to those who had been prosecuted by law; however, Mr. Thaksin had not even come to hear his charges, so this was irrelevant to the amnesty.

You get the distinct impression that politics aside , Khun Abhisit would never share a bacon sandwich with Khun Thaksin. I wonder why he dislikes him so much ? It seems very personal. Maybe Thaky kicked sand in his face on the beach or something. We'll never know.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

However, I can see that the army attending to and being part of this recent uptick could be interpreted by some as a concern. But I'd make the point that yes, the army are more involved but so what? What does that actually mean? What are they doing that is of concern?

They are visible, that is enough. After the history of last year between the army and the Red Shirts the only thing that could possibly help to not further damage the armys reputation would be to not be there, not be visible at all. To think otherwise, to believe army presence during the election campaign for whatever given or real reason could do any good in the present situation would only show that the army and political leadership are more out of touch with reality than I think possible.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

People have mentioned intimidation. Where are the reports of this intimidation?? The effects of it? The results of it? (it was amusing that this was suggested of the red shirts, the very people you would expect to not be intimidated by the army..!)

Yes believing intimidation would work would be a grave miscalculation but not as much as believing army presence could do any good. So what other reason could their presence have?
Agree that we don't have proof beyond some unconfirmed reports like questions about voting.

Originally Posted by Bangyai

You get the distinct impression that politics aside , Khun Abhisit would never share a bacon sandwich with Khun Thaksin. I wonder why he dislikes him so much ? It seems very personal.

It's laughable and well known by Thais that this personal vendetta carried out by Abhishit has wasted much political effort and time.

Can't think why he hates Thaksin as much if not more than "pupa' does?

You're right it is very personal and quite hateful, I don't think it's got anything to do with sand on the beach maybe he turned Abhishit's proposal down in the Sauna?

The PT fans complaining about how the govt is conducting it's anti drug campaign is a bit much. Would they prefer the death squads that roamed Bangkok during Thaksin's war?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

(it was amusing that this was suggested of the red shirts, the very people you would expect to not be intimidated by the army..!)

What nonsense! The redshirts are likely to be intimidated by the army because the army has killed over 80 of their fellows. They may face up to and overcome the intimidation but that is another question altogether.

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

Like you I'm tired of listening to the lies and seeing and hearing about the political corruption but NOT just here it's worldwide and to be honest I don't think it's that much worse here than it is is many places, it's just more culturally acceptable and far more blatent.

p.s. I have a spare (new) red shirt if you ever need one!

It's not worse... it's just more culturally acceptable...

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

Can't think why he hates Thaksin as much if not more than "pupa' does?

You're right it is very personal and quite hateful,

maybe because we actually care about the locals, unlike you racist kunt, and think that this man doesn't have the best of intentions regarding the welfare of these people.

Originally Posted by Buksida

the govt is conducting it's anti drug campaign is a bit much.

I know I shouldn't respond to you at all... but:

The government's anti-drug campaign would be great. The army's 'anti-drug' campaign during election time in very specific areas is rather different...

The army is showing more restraint than the police, they've killed less than 100 ppl in the last year.

The cops killed 1,000's in a few months.