bradiston

I've been hoping somebody would come up with some legal arguments, but none have appeared. I'm amazed no lawyer has stepped forward. Could be they already know he is blameless and just want Ruangkrai, the EC and the CC to make bloody fools of themselves trying to prove otherwise. I wish! I guess we'll find out in a fortnight.

Ultimately, votes aren't what count. It's seats in parliament. They already have a coalition which is made up of a majority of seats, 308, out of 500 in the House of Representatives. You don't need a parliamentary majority to put up a PM candidate, just 25 MPs. I guess Pita, rightly or wrongly, decided he wasn't the legal owner of the shares, or some other exempting clause. Foolish to allow there to be any doubt, I agree. The opposition are all over it.

I think you're wrong. What other ASEAN leader can they go to that isn't mired in corruption scandals, military dictatorships, one party states? He's a potential beacon in the gloom. Harvard educated. Somebody the West and it's allies, the Aussies and Kiwis, Japan, South Korea etc, can definitely talk with. And if he's smart, because they are, the Chinese too. (Forget Russia. They're complete <deleted>). He's for sure the future.

Thanks for that. I watched it on the TV. But now you've posted a translation it makes it much clearer. He left to a standing ovation and a lot of handshakes from some surprising quarters. I think he's won a lot of respect from all parties for the way he has conducted himself throughout what must be a really trying time. I really hope they see this guy is NOT A BAD GUY! In fact he looks to me a potentially huge asset, not just at home, but abroad. And he's surrounded by some really good supportive young MPs. Can only hope it all works out for him.

What happened about the section 41 complaint? Any update?

The bit about the company register...that is crucial.

It's been renamed Move Forward Party. Future Forward no longer exists.

I've googled the same question. Can an executor be a beneficiary? Yes, it's perfectly legal. But, the question of ownership is surely moot, as they are technically "owned" by his late father's estate, until released from probate, and transferred to Pita's ownership. They would have to be reregistered in his name with his signature on them. At that point, if he did sign for them, he became the owner. But somewhere along the line, they were transferred to other family members. Or so I believe. What really annoys me is the apparent complete absence of a legal team. I mean HELLO??? Here you are, repeating the same mistake your predecessor made, and you can't see it? At that point I really begin to wonder about his political savvy. And of all those around him. And Thanathorn who could have easily tipped him off. Like a lamb to the slaughter.

Also, they formed part of his father's estate, which, if in probate, would have been untouchable. Were they even transferred to Pita at the time? This is a job for lawyers, pure and simple. But Pita wasn't allowed to put his case to the EC before it went to the CC. Extraordinary legal procedure, and one over which the EC is now being sued by the MFP. They've removed his MP status while his case has yet to be heard. How is that possible? I guess while it's pending?

I think it's a mistake to imagine Thais aren't screaming out for a change to 112, albeit a silent scream. There are 2 streams of thought. The official one, and "the one that dares not speak it's name". When you have laws suppressing any freedom of expression, don't expect people to risk their liberty by coming out with their real feelings. There's a lot more going under the surface.

He's wrong, of course. Pita can still stand as PM. The Pheu Thai leader stopped Pita leaving the chamber, to advise him he didn't need to leave. Nothing like a common enemy to unite people. If ever there was a 5th columnist, he is right up there.

Badly advised is my only guess.

Oh ok. 2 confused icons. Repeat: I transferred both £ and $ to accounts in a bank in Europe. From Thailand. From my Wise accounts. Free. Now, what's confusing about that? (Wait for the next icon).

Do you think the American government can make a poor man rich? Just by stopping its overseas aid program to maybe people who are dying of hunger? America is not a socialist country. There's no "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" philosophy there. More's the pity, maybe. But applying a socialist critique to the leader of the capitalist world won't cut much ice. America's overseas interests are like all countries' overseas interests in the world. They're investments. The money goes where they consider it best spent. Political instability and corruption are not good for investment. A well served, industrious and relatively free populace might be.

Safe to ignore

He was unable or unwilling to produce any hard evidence to back up his claims. STI.

I already cleared up the misunderstanding.

At least the US makes the effort and takes the time to condemn the political interference in the Thai election. It might count for something amongst the military élite. I don't see China or Russia condemning the Myanmar generals, nor the North Korean/Syrian/Iranian dictators. They both actively support all 4. They block any criticism in the UN security council. Any opportunity to target the US, and up you pop. Is it maybe a personal thing?

Ok, confusing, but point taken.

Great article. Clarifies the confusion created by the previous one. The concern is for democracy, not the military!

How so? How does Pita fit the bill of the PM that nobody wants?

Oh dear oh dear. Why pick on the US? I thought you were against all governments everywhere. Or so you said. Is the US any worse than China? Or Russia? Where would you prefer to live? I don't see any queues to get into those two. You seem to reserve your criticisms and rants solely for the US. Where's the anti Putin rant? Or the anti Xi rant?

Is there any evidence, I mean hard evidence, for that claim?

This headline has been completely skewed. The US is concerned over the manipulation of the election result, not MFP policies. It's been rewritten so it looks like the US is concerned about Pita. When they say "2 separate complaints against the leader..." they mean the complaints to the EC. So they're concerned about the attacks on him by Ruangkrai and co.

And here they are in all their splendour... https://www.senate.go.th/view/1/Members/EN-US