bannork

When Future Forward were dissolved, and indeed Thaksin's parties before then, many of the banned politicians didn't disappear for the five or even ten year ban they were serving. Relatives or friends often replaced them as MPs and they themselves remained as advisors. Look at Thanathorn, Piyabutr and Chor from Future Forward, all three banned from political office for 10 years, yet still prominent in the media and closely associated with MF. Pita, as the man who should have been PM, could cast an even brighter glow. Like the fascination with stars who die young and in their prime, there could be an ' If only he had been allowed to be PM' fascination with him, constantly invited on to media programmes. His own demeanor, relaxed, calm, magnanimous even in the moment of dismissal, will help him. The authorities may dissolve MF but it will do no good, they should learn from the dissolution of Thaksin's parties. The harsher the powers that be suppress the rise of the young, educated and enlightened citizens, the quicker their downfall will ensure.

Settha's words to Pheu Thai supporters whilst on the campaign trail: “Do brothers and sisters want us to join them? Over the past eight years, that’s enough,” Mr Srettha told the crowd in Loei. “We have made clear that we will not join hands with the two parties that played a role in the military coup to plunder people’s sovereign power. “We are a big ship while they are small boats rowing beside us. We don’t want them to stay close to us. Go a different way. We will certainly not join.''

I agree with one of their chief strategists, Piyabutr, who prior the election, clashed with Pita regarding strategy. Piyabutr argued it was essential MF stick to their policies and not compromise. He argued the public know what they stand for, watering down their goals would only lead to disillusionment with the party. Even if the party is dissolved and the executives banned for years, they will rise again with a new party. Plenty of educated Thais want to be part of a party where merit counts more than your family connections.

Including the PPP and UTN will come at a very heavy price politically for PT. It will mean the end of any claims to be a party that is opposed to military interference in politics. I can see Thaksin going for it because he just wants to come home and never mind anyone else, but the progressives in PT like Natawut, Chaturon, etc, surely couldn't stomach such a move.

Actually that one shot scenario will be challenged as unconstitutional. Wan Nor as House Speaker, could have overridden the joint decision by the MPs opposed to Pita, along with the Senators, to vote down a second chance for Pita.

An interesting scenario but as both CTP ( Top) and Bhumjaithai ( Anuthin) have said they will not join a coalition with MF, it's hard to see how they could remain as leaders if that happened, even though Top is Banharn's ( black sheep) son. Are you saying Newin will overrule Anuthin?

And now the cancer may be coming back, holding hands with the watch collector

So they need their arch enemies to join too to have a majority in Parliament - The Democrats, Pravit's party, Prayuth's party. Yes, Pheu Thai, join with those military backed parties you swore you would never join. If you had an ounce of democratic backbone you would follow MF into the Opposition and let the military backed minority government fail at the first hurdle..But you can't, your owner wants to come back to Thailand so you'll work with the junta parties. What a weasley and sorry bunch PT are. Pass the sick bag, Alice

Where's the twist in this story that the headline proclaims?

He didn't say nobody, he said they .They being the elite who don't want MF because of its reformist agenda.

Too late bignok. The jumping, or rather pole vaulting, began at the words death and Koh Tao..

The Democrats stopped believing in democracy a long tine ago.

Many didn't even turn up.

The 112 issue is just an excuse to oppose him. The real reason the elite oppose him is his reforms: Reduce the size of the army, number of generals Cancel conscription Reduce the civil service End monopolies, I,e in the alcohol sector Reduce privileges for the elite Increase taxes on the rich

He disclosed the shares to the NAAC years ago.

They always refer to the security of the nation. The standard: 'patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel'.

Not so. The existing MPs have 60 days to join a new party, as FF MPs joined MF when FF was dissolved.

PT's leader is already starting to quote, ' the country must come first, it needs a PM to solve its problems'. Translation - ' We are abandoning MF and our ideals in search of riches and glory at the government trough.'

No use with the junta appointed senators still having a vote in selection of the PM.

If Pheu Thai betray the democratic alliance and join Pravit and Bhumjaithai to form a government, I'm not sure what sort of reception Thaksin would get if he returned. Apart from the junta supporters who will always hate him and despise him further for his willingness to abandon allies, he will have alienated many of his former supporters. Sure, they'll be die-hard red shirt grannies who'll still adore him but others?

That's true. They're out of a job next May or June.