bradiston

It always looked to me like Chonlanan was right behind the new coalition. But it could all be bluff. I hope he sees the light and goes into opposition with people he knows he can trust, unaligned with all the military BS, that's BackStabbing and BullSxxx, and fight a massive guerilla war from there.

I tried putting this in the internet and communication forum but it's greyed out. I am currently with a company whose feed has become tiresomely erratic. Movies freeze, have the wrong audio, and the wrong subs (Burmese or Roumanian). Every day. They sort it out eventually but I have to Line them every time it happens. I'm in a condo in Pratamnak so it may be I don't have a lot of choice, but does anyone out there have a decent cable feed? This one used to be good. Its initials are T**T, (* to avoid defamation).

Sure, and I found numerous articles all of which appear to suggest there is nothing legally binding in any of the agreements made between the coalition parties, including the MoU. But we haven't seen the written agreements, and they'd be in Thai, so I guess case closed from my point of view. Maybe Pita has an ace up his sleeve. Who knows? Still intrigues me to know how PT would break up the coalition. He'd be burning all his bridges. Supposing he gets shafted by his new found "friends". BJT and the woeful "Democrats" I thought were PT's sworn enemies, along with all the other military connivers. PT - sold out to the lowest bidder.

Looking where?

What, so PT just says that's it, you're out? They're not even the majority party. Do you have any reliable sources for this? What about the MoU?

It's not at all clear how the MFP could exit the coalition. I don't see them jumping, and I don't see how PT could push them out. Nobody seems to have an answer to this question. Can PT end the coalition without the MFP's agreement? I really don't think so. The MFP should absolutely stand it's ground and not leave. No way can PT as the minority partner, force MFP out.

I think maybe I didn't make myself clear. At the same time as having some sympathy for this guy, I in no way agree with his opinion on what Pita should or shouldn't do. But, he is still in the coalition, and an ally of the MFP. Every seat counts.

The 2016 referendum gave the draft constitution 16,820,402 for. 10,598,037 against. It was rejected in the north east. It was completely bent. It would be 3 years until elections were held. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Thai_constitutional_referendum

It's not a fait accompli. The EC has referred the case, brought by screwball Ruangkrai Leekitwattana concerning the ITV media shares, to the (Un)Constitutional Court. Pita was given 15 days to respond. He has about 10 days left I think. It's not over. Neither is his second nomination for PM, but MFP seem reluctant to challenge the unconstitutional vote taken in parliament that attempted to prohibit the vote, as they have been urged to do by one of the lawyers who drafted the 2017 constitution. They have to do this as a matter of urgency. Neither is it clear the exact procedure PT could employ to expel MFP from the coalition. If I was Pita, I'd absolutely refuse to budge. One for all, all for one. They'd be better off, all of them, going into opposition. They'd be masters of their own destiny, and an extremely powerful faction in parliament, having well over a majority of seats. No kowtowing. No compromise. No fraternising with the enemy. And then there's the case MFP has brought against the EC that Pita was treated unfairly. All to play for!

Were you? Were you able to tell everybody around you how bad it was? I doubt it, because doing so would have landed you in the jug.

Dinner pale?

Sorry, I've made some edits in between posting and your reply. Yes, he's a police general. I don't know what difference it makes. I guess there are fewer of his kind around than the military sort. But he has willingly joined a coalition containing a party that has on its manifesto something that has the Bentstate screaming blue murder. I admire him for that. He's made up his own mind. He's the sole surviving MP from his party, the Thai liberal party. They got hammered in the election. Lost 9 out of 10 seats. Give him a break! Pita is capable of making up his own mind about what to do next (I hope!)

Grossly unfair. The man is breaking ranks with his peers, the other generals and big wigs. He's voluntarily in a coalition with the object of the whole Establishment's derision and hate. Credit where it's due. Ok, I don't agree with his suggestion about MFP leaving, but I thought he came over as a very sympathetic man. I think he was one of those that got up and gave Pita a big hug on Pita's exit from the chamber the other day. Not all bad by any means. Did you read the whole article?

The full article is an exemplary piece of journalism. Thank you Jo O'Connor.

I totally agree. A brilliant no fuss, no frills solution. Any unpopular move the minority government made the majority opposition could just stamp on. In fact, the opposition could effectively run the country, bringing in any amount of legislation which the pitiful minority government would be helpless to prevent. And the Bentstate don't get to vote on parliamentary bills (I dont think).

I'm interested to know exactly how a member of a coalition is expelled? They have an MoU. I believe that's some sort of legally binding document. I have one with an incredibly nasty neighbour, witnessed by the deputy chief of a provincial police force. We're to cease trying to murder and otherwise annoy each other. There's no way either of us can just walk away from it. So.... Any clues anybody?

Yours, I think

Great idea. No vote until after the deadbeats in the Bentstate are gone. Prayuth's reign of terror will go down as the biggest disaster in the history of Thailand. No wait. The history of Thailand and Siam.

Yes, MFP needs to refer this to the CC ASAP. But they don't seem very interested. Maybe they will eventually. They need some real strong, experienced parliamentarians in their party. Pita is sadly just getting his butt kicked from here to wherever. It's a pity Chuwit isn't on the board, so to speak! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuwit_Kamolvisit A CV to die for! He could probably empty the Bentstate overnight with his research team's revelations. But I agree, the speaker looks sadly out of his depth. If he was put there for exactly that reason, it has hopelessly backfired. Som nam na! They need a real strong man or woman to stand up to the Senators and the anti MFP MPs. Wokenote Chances of a woman getting the job, with only 5% in the parliament, the lowest anywhere in ASEAN I believe, are remote.

Here's a tv screen shot put up very soon after the election of 3 possible variations. You can discount the first. The second is without MFP. The 3rd is without MFP and PT. If you can't read Thai, sorry, but it's a woke requirement.

Looks just the ticket!

You've made several errors in your comment. There were intense negotiations over the speakership if you remember. PT wanted it in exchange for backing Pita for PM. But MFP wasn't having it, so there was deadlock, until this guy, an apparent neutral, as is proper, got nominated and accepted by all. That was the furore I was talking about. And it did initially look heartening, to me at least, that the parties managed to overcome their differences in a civilized manner. I think PT got the deputy speaker position in exchange, IIRC. I agree he doesn't in hindsight look up to the job. He got bullied into allowing an obviously loaded vote on Pita's second nomination, but has already been taken to task for that. There's a remedy which neither PT nor MFP seem to be interested in taking up. Hopeless.

The details of the proposed amendment have been published. Anybody who thinks this is all part of a conspiracy to overthrow democracy is a complete fool.

A very good question. And when? How will it be adopted? Where are the laws relating to drawing up and implementing a new constitution?

Same in any democracy. In fact, in any political system. You appoint the guy who's going to do what you want, or who at least is a party member. What seemed heartening about his appointment was, it overcame the political differences the parties have. A consensus was arrived at between all members of the house. Quite an achievement if you think back to the furore over his appointment.