bannork

Here's an extract from a TDRI report. Somchai Jitsuchon, research director for macroeconomic development at the Thailand Development Research Institute, meanwhile, expressed concerns about how the money was being spent and what impact it was really having despite the so-called promise of a low-interest loans for poor people. Instead, he said, the government was in a better position to explain why so many funds were needed and what tangible benefits they had. He also questioned whether those seeking SML loans truly represented the local community as he cited research that less than half of the villagers seeking loans had truly benefited over the past decade. Somchai also questioned the 5-per-cent NPL figure, asking how non-performing loans were calculated. For instance, he said, some villagers borrowed from loan sharks to pay what they owe the village fund – a move that would keep the number of NPLs artificially low and allow them to become eligible for a government loan the following year. “The real NPL figure is most probably between 30 and 40 per cent,” Somchai said, as he called on people to monitor various government funds and find out how they are being used and repaid.

Hang on, after May the senators remain in power until May but from then on they lose the power to vote for the PM. Whoever comes to be PM, there should be enough votes from MF, PT and other coalition parties or outside, to push for a new constitution written by elected officials Of course the elite may dissolve MF first but that's another story

Thaksin hobnobbing with dictators, is that what the doctor ordered? 'Mr Thaksin, your blood pressure is too high worrying about your accomodation on your return to Thailand. I recommend you find a strongman to relax with, someone who has no problems about democracy. Mr Putin? No, you won't be happy eating dinners 10 metres away from each other, too much shouting. Someone closer to home, a man of your own heart.' Pass the sick bag (again), Alice.

Exactly, and his vision of turning sor bor kor land documents that legally have to be passed down through family lines, into chanote, full land deeds. What would happen? The poor would sell their land to speculators, for sure.

Worth a read. Would the authorities really dissolve MF with more serious legal ramifications than that of FF's dissolution? And would the manure really hit the fan then ?

Okay Owl, that's enough rain. Is it 6 or 7 continuous days now? Are your ponds full now? I know the Thais have an ancient rite to ask the gods for rain in a drought, namely put a cat in a cage, parade it round the village as people throw water at it. But what to do when asking the gods to stop the rain? Apparently one has to find a virgin who must plant lemon grass at all 4 corners of one's house. Now assuming a virgin means a chaste woman over 18 years old, I have to say there are none in my village. The opposite in fact, there were rumours a 13 year old was up the spout last month. Not surprising with the kids driving motorbikes from 10 years onwards. Anyway Owl, if you know any virgins with some spare time, give me a shout

Fairport rocking with Sandy's unique voice the icing on the cake

Thaksin has just announced he won't be back on the 10th but he'll definitely be back before the 24th. 100%, definitely, absolutely no doubt, as sure as the sun rises, promise, honestly, trust me, no, really, not joking this time, deadly serious, look you know me, I would never lie to you, cross my heart. Apologies, just had a spot of delirium as Chuwit did... Okay now The reason he's delayed coming back is, to quote Thaksin, he has to see the doctor for a check up first. Perhaps he means he's going for a lie detector test

Sweet, sweet guitar playing from Garcia.

You can't keep a good man down

Yes, he was cunning, for example the 1 million baht fund per village from state coffers. Thaksin wins votes from this grassroots policy .Who distributes this fund? A village committee, ( village head, friends and family).Funds were limited, I e. 10,000 baht a head. That's not enough to start a business but hey! It's perfect for buying one of those new phones owned by AIS, at that time owned by Thaksin. Thaksin makes money! Drinks all round! .

Very funny, your last word applies so much to Thaksin.

Why do you think that? His party was in power for several years whilst he fled from Thailand but he never came back then. Perhaps he knew it was impossible to receive a full pardon then, but as there have been a change at the top, so maybe he got his hopes up. But we don't know what's happening behind the scenes. Maybe advisors thought the popularity of the institution would be enhanced by the return of the working classes' hero, especially if he was tamed and kept on a tight leash, as it were. But maybe thinking has changed amongst the elite. We don't know. Is it worth it to let Thaksin back? There could be a lot of boos, protests if PT has joined hands with the junta boys. Thaksin could be vilified by many. Is it worth it, it's not going to be seen to unite the country as originally thought, there's these 14 million oranges to think about, plus disaffected reds and PT supporters. 'Nah! Let him stay away', may be their thinking. Toni, counting the grains of sands in Dubai 1,2,3... ' I'm up to 20 now!'

It's interesting discussing the reasons yellow shirts joined MF but sadly at present it's beyond open discussion in Thailand. Regarding a new government, it was all ready to go but the senators blocked it. Their fault. Secondly, PT. When Pita was rejected, all they had to do was announce they would go into Opposition with MF as the senators had no business selecting the PM. Then let the pro junta parties form a minority government. They refuse or fail, then a new election is called. At least it would be blindingly obvious to the Thai people the whole cause of the cluster fluck is the senators But no, PT want power and most importantly the paymaster, the owner, wants to come home. But he can't do that without joining with the junta lovers in a secret deal which will in itself cause a large loss of support for PT as the deal will surely see PT ceding important ministries to Pravit's party and others for it's Thaksin whose desperate for this deal, not them

Why would many yellow shirts, Royalists, become MF supporters and thus support reform of 112? The anger directed at PT will also come from its own supporters if PT team up with Pravit.

Paetongtan left looking very silly after she called Chuvit delirious or more politely, deluded, for doubting Thaksin would come back on the 10th. Yesterday I watched a clip from a PT rally prior the election where she works up the cheering crowd, proclaiming if PT took power: ' We'll switch off the senators' power. We'll not accept the three Ps- (Pravit, Prayuth and Anupong).' Really? If you want Daddy home you'd better change your mind.

Oh there may well be reasons for delay. The upcoming promotions of civil servants, army and police are due in August and September, and guess who remains in charge of those until there's a new PM? Yes, Mr Prayuth. I advise all posters to read Thitinan's excellent article published today in the paper that cannot be named.

PT aren't anti establishment. Only anti coups

I'm glad you're not defending his words, I remember them at the time. An utter disgrace and a carte blanche for the authorities to behave with impunity. He may not have been in control of the army but as Prime Minister he should have spoken out against such abuses, manslaughter and murder. Back to the topic, Thaksin's return. He's not coming back on the 10th, he's not coming back till he's absolutely sure he'll get pardoned for the three crimes he was found guilty of. Not easy, 'case 1 mmmm, okay you're pardoned, now case 2 mmmm, not sure, there have been some official objections to this pardon, you'll have to stay in jail until this is worked out. ...' So how can Thaksin try to ensure he doesn't spend one day in jail? Bring Pravit into the government, preferably as PM. But then if Thaksin returns the boos may outnumber the cheers, not something he anticipated. I can't see him coming back.

115 was just an excuse. Other policies were unpalatable to the elite too- abolishing conscription, breaking up business monopolies in the alcohol sector, increasing taxes on the rich, decentralisation.

In a word, MF. The elite fear MF so what better way to hold onto power than offer to bring Thaksin home in exchange for PT's loyalty to the elite. That must surely include at least Pravit with a befitting cabinet post.

Thaksin's callous remarks regarding Tak Bai and the disappearance of the Muslim lawyer Somchai certainly fuelled an air of impunity amongst Thai authorities. At Tak Bai scores of Muslim youth protesters suffocated whilst being transferred to an army camp from Tak Bai. Hands tied behind their backs, they were placed like logs, one on top of each other for the journey. Thaksin remarked, ' They were weak, fasting, it was Ramadan'. Sure, they were young, strong men Regarding Somchai, taken off the streets in broad daylight in Ramkhanhaeng and never seen again, Thaksin said, ' He probably had an argument with his wife and wanted a few days off.' Thaksin, not known for his empathy

Well worth listening to.

Seripisut, the one MP party leader and ex police chief, who caused controversy last week when he suggested MF leave the coalition, has done it again. At a press conference he condemned the protesters who burnt effigies at the front of PT's HQ, saying they could get up to 8 tears jail each. Then he talked about Yok, the girl barred from her school for refusing to wear a uniform. 'If she was my daughter, I'd kill her and dispose of the body.' Whoa!

I hold a more cynical view of PT than you do. I think PT leadership resent being usurped by MF in the election. They assumed, somewhat complacently, they had the youth and working class vote in their hands, their constant talk about landslide victory shows that. Now, I see they're claiming if they can form a government, they will support same sex marriage, abolish conscription and alcohol monopolies. Haven't they lifted these straight out of MF's election pledges? So, imo, PT see this as a golden chance to win over the youth from MF, plus keep the working class vote with their 10,000 baht promise for every adult Thai. But it's a rocky road ahead for PT, their partners include the Democrats, their enemy for decades, Bhumjaithai, corruption galore, how many of their MPs are still not ratified? If I remember right it's 20 or more who could face yellow or red cards. Then there's a myriad of small parties to please, a headache with a thin majority of 261. Now MF said they will not vote for Settha on Friday so PT must rely on the senators who have all been chosen by Prayuth or Pravit Yet PT want to exclude their parties from their coalition!! I can't see Settha getting the votes under this formula