Ferangled

Is there something, I am missing here?

Basically everybody I know, said before this election, that the voters-structure in Bangkok is totally different from the volters structure in - let's say - Isan.

So how can this election have a "national message"?

Personally I think the national message this sends is that PT are gaining popularity in Bangkok, a traditionally staunch Democrat stronghold. They have nearly doubled their votes since the last time Sukhumbhand was voted in.

Can't hep but wonder if all the Northern Thais working in Bangkok were permitted to vote what effect that would have on the results...

Bangkok is fickle, don't forget Samak won by a big margin not long ago and he was no friend of the Democrats. The councillors are mostly Democrat as are the MPs. Only Yingluk helping Pongsapat every day helped boost their figures.

Echoes of a line from Gladiator there! Still can't help but wonder if Yingluck alone managed to boost their votes by c 500,000 what effect the numerous Northern workers in the capital would have had if eligible to vote...

Is there something, I am missing here?

Basically everybody I know, said before this election, that the voters-structure in Bangkok is totally different from the volters structure in - let's say - Isan.

So how can this election have a "national message"?

Personally I think the national message this sends is that PT are gaining popularity in Bangkok, a traditionally staunch Democrat stronghold. They have nearly doubled their votes since the last time Sukhumbhand was voted in.

Can't hep but wonder if all the Northern Thais working in Bangkok were permitted to vote what effect that would have on the results...

Why does transliteration always make a mess of things? Did Thais transliterate his name, or was it farang? Transliteration (from Thai spellings to Roman letters) is to assist farang, it's not for Thais. The man's name, when taken from Thai spelling, is Sukumpen. How did the media get it as Sukhumbhand?

It's like the screw-up with Bkk's new airport's name, which should be transliterated as Suwanboom.

Incidentally, the re-elected gov's pet name (as he's referred to in Thai newspapers, at least) is 'Dear Pig.'

On a political note; this election result is a set back for the scoundrel-in-exile.

But ! the greatest scoundrel in Thai politics, Khun Suthep is not in exile yet.

He's not a coward like Thaksin or Kamnan Po.

Well that's just cool then, given your assertion of Suthep's bravery he should be free to plunder Thailand as he sees fit. Only those that Siripon deems cowards should be held accountable for their actions...

.

In the case of those convicted and having done time, for Thailand, the number is zero in the House and zero in the Senate.

Section 102.

A person under any of the following prohibitions shall have no right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(4) having been sentenced by a judgement to imprisonment and being detained by a warrant of the Court

Section 115.

A person having the qualifications and having no any of the prohibitions as mentioned below has the right to be a candidate in an election or selection of senators:

(7) being disfranchised under section 102 (1), (2), (3), (4)

.

Actually given the extremely low incident of wealthy Thais actually being arrested or convicted for any crime, that's not too surprising! Politicians in general have a habit of wriggling out of taking responsibility for their actions and there's a fair few that should be serving hard time in most Governments I'm sure.

If we took the "convicted" part out and focused purely on those that had actually committed criminal acts I expect it would be a different story... and that comment goes for both "sides" in the Thai equation.

Seriously now ! What great things did he do for Bangkok the first term he had .

I think your question is best answered by the previous post... I'd expect more of the same!

that will mean, new villa's, mercs and mia nois

The last thing we want is this 'empowerment to women' - no more Thatchers please!!!!

SICHONSTEVE welcomes us all back to the 1800's.

Well done, that man!

A statement any Dem supporter would be proud of... substitute women for majority populace and it's actually their main political aim!

Bangkok Governor Elections

2009 4,150,103 voters, 2,120,721 votes cast
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		934,602		45.47%
2. Yuranun P.		PT		611,669		29.72%
3. ML Nattakorn		Indep.		334,846		16.17%
4. Kaewsan A.		Team KTP	144,779		7.03%

2013 4,244,465 voters, 2,715,640 votes cast (63.98%)
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		1,256,231	46.25
2. Pongsapat P.		PT		1,077,899	39.63
3. Seripisut T.		Indep.		166,582		6.13
4. Suharit S.		Indep.		78,825		2.90

All data on 2013 preliminary (of course)

So! Landslide confirmed for the Democrats then

One thing it does show is that there are still over a million duped/gullible idiots in Bangkok if they think that PTP are capable politicians, this is despite the fact their experience in politics is 'next to nothing' mostly - just look at Yingluck!!!

The last thing we want is this 'empowerment to women' - no more Thatchers please!!!!

A good glimpse of the typical Democrat mindset... "empowerment of women"... christ whatever next, they'll probably even be allowed to vote soon... what is the world coming to?!

Bangkok Governor Elections

2009 4,150,103 voters, 2,120,721 votes cast
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		934,602		45.47%
2. Yuranun P.		PT		611,669		29.72%
3. ML Nattakorn		Indep.		334,846		16.17%
4. Kaewsan A.		Team KTP	144,779		7.03%

2013 4,244,465 voters, 2,715,640 votes cast (63.98%)
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		1,256,231	46.25
2. Pongsapat P.		PT		1,077,899	39.63
3. Seripisut T.		Indep.		166,582		6.13
4. Suharit S.		Indep.		78,825		2.90

All data on 2013 preliminary (of course)

Interesting the different conclusions being drawn from this.

In contrary to what many are claiming surely this shows that PT support in a traditional democrat stronghold has soared since 2009. They collected nearly twice as many votes, 611,669 up to 1,077,899 - a figure which would have secured the position for previous candidates.

In comparison the Democrats strong voter base in the capital has risen more modestly, from just under a million to 1,256,231. A clear vote of confidence for the Dems but against a backdrop of rising support for PT in Bangkok.

One does wonder what it would take for a Democrat Governor to lose this position given recent history but I guess this reaffirms the belief that to the electorate it's better the devil you know...

He is a criminal so he cant be in politics, full stop.

Obviously not that well acquainted with politics then Waza... christ the House of commons in England is full of convicted criminals; 3 members have done time for assault, 29 accused of spouse abuse, 7 arrested for fraud, 9 accused of writing bad cheques, 14 arrested on drugs related charges, 8 arrested for shop lifting, 71 can't get credit cards due to bad credit ratings, 84 arrested for drink driving (in the last year alone) and 21 are currently defendants in lawsuits... out of 635 members that's quite a rap sheet.

I'd venture the opposite; as a convicted criminal Thaksin is ideally suited to a career in politics!

If anyone could compile a similar list of shame for the Thai Government I'm sure it would make interested reading...

@Gemini 81...You're flat out lying. He is a COWARDLY CRIMINAL who fled his country. He is NOT in exile. Exile means barred. No excuse why a foreigner with any education would support and defend the Shinawatra family. Sad man you are.

Defending the Shinawats? Now clearly I'm not, I've been pretty up front about my feelings there on this very thread in fact, but it doesn't stop certain intellectually challenged critics leaping on my posts in the assumption that I must be pro Thaksin to be critical of the deliberate BS spouted by articles like this. Say Thaksin enough times and it wipes the slate clean for all those families that have raped Thailand for centuries does it?

Sad? No, quite content with my existence and optimistic that one day people will start thinking for themselves rather than conforming to neat little boxes or trying to simplify every situation to either pro / anti, black & white. If only the world was so simple then even the stunningly un or badly educated amongst us, foreign or native, would probably be a bit clearer in their view of the world around them...

When all unscrupulous, monopolistic families in Thailand are treated the same perhaps? When one family isn't singled out as an upstart by the more established power brokers and the same rules are applied fairly to all perhaps? This would be a good starting point. This article is like Dawn French accuse Jennifer Saunders of being fat, it's a joke.

Thaksin is undoubtedly a rich, morally corrupt, scheming b'stard but he pales in comparison to some of the more established families here who escape public scrutiny, indeed most seem completely above it. The fact that charges have actually been brought against Thaksin is a good indication that he is not among the favoured elite here, who remain above any and every offence and are untouchable by the legal system. A conviction shows that he has trod on some very powerful toes, when else would anyone of his financial standing be held accountable for anything in this country?

Well you are correct on one point Thaksin is not a nice man. For every thing else you have your feet planted very firmly in mid air.

Let me give you a clue the charges against Thaksin were because he was guilty of committing them. As a holder of the office of PM honesty was and is expected from him more so than these nameless supposed mysterious elite.

You like all the other clueless posters refer to these nameless families. the reason you don't name them is because you don't know any thing it just helps you promote your favorite morally corrupt scheming bastard.

Please do not try to imply that it would be a libelous act to name one of these families. The Shinawatras (Trashiness) have been named countless times and there is no charges against people for doing that.

Ah the voice of Thaivisa reason...

Devoid of any fact or point and the one you've tried to make is mute; There are plenty of people who have been had up on charges for libel in relation to the Shinawatras and other more established families in Thailand. I personally have received thinly veiled threats via PM on TV for mentioning one such family specifically in relation to a dubious land deal. If you have a point to actually make try making it without resorting to childish insults and better still, try making a point that actually has some basis in reality, your last statement is complete BS.

You wish

I guess that answers the Saturday morning troll question! I wish that there were people on libel charges in Thailand?! Do you live in a cave? Do you not recall HM's deliberate jibe at Thaksin all those years ago directly relating to the ridiculous use of the defamation law by politicians?

You don't even have to make a false statement. A true statement which is deemed to have tarnished the reputation of an individual or company is enough grounds for the charge to stick in Thailand.

Hellodolly: Well following your posts it is easy to see you are out of touch with the reality of things. Now you are implying that Burmese and Lao workers be given the vote.

Sorry Off Topic, but why has the quoting system been altered on Thaivisa? It was a pain in the @rse to edit previously whenever you got that "maximum quote" warning, now it seems impossible to actually specifically reply to a post and remove the peripheral quotes.

When all unscrupulous, monopolistic families in Thailand are treated the same perhaps? When one family isn't singled out as an upstart by the more established power brokers and the same rules are applied fairly to all perhaps? This would be a good starting point. This article is like Dawn French accuse Jennifer Saunders of being fat, it's a joke.

Thaksin is undoubtedly a rich, morally corrupt, scheming b'stard but he pales in comparison to some of the more established families here who escape public scrutiny, indeed most seem completely above it. The fact that charges have actually been brought against Thaksin is a good indication that he is not among the favoured elite here, who remain above any and every offence and are untouchable by the legal system. A conviction shows that he has trod on some very powerful toes, when else would anyone of his financial standing be held accountable for anything in this country?

Well you are correct on one point Thaksin is not a nice man. For every thing else you have your feet planted very firmly in mid air.

Let me give you a clue the charges against Thaksin were because he was guilty of committing them. As a holder of the office of PM honesty was and is expected from him more so than these nameless supposed mysterious elite.

You like all the other clueless posters refer to these nameless families. the reason you don't name them is because you don't know any thing it just helps you promote your favorite morally corrupt scheming bastard.

Please do not try to imply that it would be a libelous act to name one of these families. The Shinawatras (Trashiness) have been named countless times and there is no charges against people for doing that.

Ah the voice of Thaivisa reason...

Devoid of any fact or point and the one you've tried to make is mute; There are plenty of people who have been had up on charges for libel in relation to the Shinawatras and other more established families in Thailand. I personally have received thinly veiled threats via PM on TV for mentioning one such family specifically in relation to a dubious land deal. If you have a point to actually make try making it without resorting to childish insults and better still, try making a point that actually has some basis in reality, your last statement is complete BS.

When all unscrupulous, monopolistic families in Thailand are treated the same perhaps? When one family isn't singled out as an upstart by the more established power brokers and the same rules are applied fairly to all perhaps? This would be a good starting point. This article is like Dawn French accuse Jennifer Saunders of being fat, it's a joke.

Thaksin is undoubtedly a rich, morally corrupt, scheming b'stard but he pales in comparison to some of the more established families here who escape public scrutiny, indeed most seem completely above it. The fact that charges have actually been brought against Thaksin is a good indication that he is not among the favoured elite here, who remain above any and every offence and are untouchable by the legal system. A conviction shows that he has trod on some very powerful toes, when else would anyone of his financial standing be held accountable for anything in this country?

So, if I understand the posts here correctly, all here agree not to give power to one family. That seems to include the Shinewatras and their political party Pheu Thai as well. At least those are part of the topic and we wouldn't like to stray, now would we

To suggest that the Shinawatras will hold a monopoly grip on Thailand seems quite farcical given the length of time that Thaksin has been in exile and the quite obvious role the real powers that be played in putting him there! You do understand that Thaksin is unable to actually even enter the kingdom at this time, don't you?

Incidentally for the conspiracy theorists, try typing Shinawatras and then right click for the spell check suggestions, there is only one... brainwashing...

"Thaksin is unable to actually even enter the kingdom at this time"

What is preventing him from returning home, apart from his own fear of outstanding arrest-warrants & jail-sentences & several further cases which await his presence in-court, to get started ?

After all, his own sister is PM, his own political-party is in firm control of the current government, his cousin is Foreign Minister, other family-members are senior police & military, his political-allies are trying to elect one of their own as Governor of Bangkok, the DSI appears to be doing his command, his propaganda/media-control is running nicely, many minor political-leaders afirm that they're committed to passing an amnesty to cover him ... oh dear, I rather seem to be spelling-out the case that he & his family are indeed back-on-track for a gradual-takeover of the country, aren't I ?

No, your just painting a very one sided twisted picture of the situation and displaying considerable ignorance of who really pulls the strings here, which led to Thaksin's exile and the current status quo. His sister was voted into office by the people of Thailand, her political party is currently in power and has been for a while now but still Thaksin is unable to come back to Thailand a free man. Generally when a people elect their PM fairly that is called democracy, the will of the people. Generally an elder sibling will hold influence and be in regular contact with their younger siblings, Yingluck just happens to be PM... as far as I am aware there is no law stipulating that Presidents/ Prime Ministers are forbidden to talk to their own family members, even if they happen to be in exile having been convicted of a charge as a result of a quite deliberate political agenda to do so.

I do understand the paranoia of the amart and their supporters; when you've held grip on a country and a people for so long it must be worrying to see the slow awakening of the general populace and the recognition that they actually hold some measure of power with their votes.

It's just laughable when they accuse the Shinawats of trying to do exactly what they have done for centuries... is that irony lost on you? If indeed this is their end goal then they have learnt well from their masters no?

What hypocritical tripe coming from those that represent the wealthy families that have held a monopoly grip on Thailand for centuries... more tit for tat BS.

How about a truly novel idea, a political party that represents none of the wealthy families and relies simply on people voting for them and not shady sponsors or behind the scenes power brokers? Sorry, stupid suggestion, clearly that would never work in a real democracy... let alone Thailand.

I agree! And how about the Thai people being able to vote where they live instead of having to return to their home province to vote? Or doing away with vote buying?

Really there is no problem with that at all - the voting is regulated as are most things by being registered on a Tabian Baan, so its just that many people from up country have not had their registration changed to be on a Tabian Baan at the house they live in, but are still registered up country. My family are registered at our home address in Bangkok, just a matter of having your registration moved to reflect where you actually live - in truth its not the governments fault in this instance (for a change).

I think the suggestion was that a large part of the electorate hail from the North but work low paid construction/ factory jobs in the south/ Bangkok. Many of these are unable to transfer to a local Tabien Baan and must return to their home province for certain tasks because of this eg voting. Most worker camps don't have a valid Tabien Baan for the workers to be registered on and most low income workers don't have the luxury of being able to pop home on a whim as they simply can't afford to.

Do you really think that the powers that be on Phuket for example, would allow the local labour to vote and have a hand in local politics?! There's such a massive amount of construction work going on and everyone doing any physical work on this island is either Burmese, Laos or a Northern Thai Thaksin supporter; I'm sure the reds would win a landslide here if the migrant workers actually got a local vote!

So, if I understand the posts here correctly, all here agree not to give power to one family. That seems to include the Shinewatras and their political party Pheu Thai as well. At least those are part of the topic and we wouldn't like to stray, now would we

To suggest that the Shinawatras will hold a monopoly grip on Thailand seems quite farcical given the length of time that Thaksin has been in exile and the quite obvious role the real powers that be played in putting him there! You do understand that Thaksin is unable to actually even enter the kingdom at this time, don't you?

Incidentally for the conspiracy theorists, try typing Shinawatras and then right click for the spell check suggestions, there is only one... brainwashing...

I really don't want to comment on this topic but feel compelled to. It is impossible at this stage for any of us to know if a rape did or did not take place. If it did then the men should be prosecuted accordingly but it's not unknown for women engaging in sexual activities that they wouldn't normally engage in if sober to have a change of heart the next day... what seems like a good idea when drunk often wasn't.

This is something I have personal experience of, in my youth a wild party, a certain girl usually very shy got out of control drunk and let's just say was very free with her affections... she didn't enjoy the reputation that fast spread following her activities and decided the best way to improve her image was to cry rape. People were arrested and much distress caused as a result, before the overwhelming evidence of consent was gathered and the CPS threw the case out before it got to court.

Again I am not saying this is the case here but we should hold off on our judgement of any involved unless we know the full facts.

To take advantage of a person who is incapacitated (drunk or

otherwise) and have sex with that person consensual or not, is indicative of a person

with defective moral character.

Permissive behavior by a person who is incapacitated is not be a green light to have your

way with the person, to the contrary it should be a red light to stop and find

help for that person.

And if both parties happen to be drunk... of course that never happens does it, the male of the species is a strictly sober predator looking to prey on drunken females...

I really don't want to comment on this topic but feel compelled to. It is impossible at this stage for any of us to know if a rape did or did not take place. If it did then the men should be prosecuted accordingly but it's not unknown for women engaging in sexual activities that they wouldn't normally engage in if sober to have a change of heart the next day... what seems like a good idea when drunk often wasn't.

This is something I have personal experience of, in my youth a wild party, a certain girl usually very shy got out of control drunk and let's just say was very free with her affections... she didn't enjoy the reputation that fast spread following her activities and decided the best way to improve her image was to cry rape. People were arrested and much distress caused as a result, before the overwhelming evidence of consent was gathered and the CPS threw the case out before it got to court.

Again I am not saying this is the case here but we should hold off on our judgement of any involved unless we know the full facts.

Actually it was 11.4 million and they voted for the party not abhisit. Personally speaking, after the events of 2010, I would imagine he would be unelectable.

"Personally" ?

It's clear enough isn't it?, whats your problem with the statement?

It just sounded much more like the standard red shirt propaganda mantra than a personal opinion.

"Personally" I find it very difficult to take foreign red shirt protagonists seriously after watching the esteemed Jeff Savage's temper tantrum. I've seen very little in the real world, Twitter, or this forum, to reverse that opinion.

What a bizarre take on it, seemed very accurate to me!

Recent history shows that the man is unelectable, following on from 2010 I think anyone in their right mind realises that the chances of him ever rising to power again, actually by the ballot, are slim to zero! What would make you rationally believe he could get elected after the events of 2010? Surely the Democrats must realise that to win the majority votes of the Thai people they must find a new candidate...

Back on topic, personally speaking I think Abhisit does his dubious credibility no favours by picking holes the 300 baht minimum wage policy and then claiming it was actually his own party's idea in the first place... "it's a really bad idea and it was our's in the first place anyway... sucks boo to you"... a bit toddlers playgroup don't you think? It's so much easier being critical than constructive...

Mince words much?!

The Government isn't taking action, that's the whole problem! What brave new measures have they put in place to deal with the Rohingya humanely?! None! The Government has enacted no policy change on the issue since Abhisit started his tow 'em and leave 'em to rot policy. That is inaction on the part of this Government and human rights breaking action on the part of AV... something he's become some what infamous for.

The authorities have acted with impunity under various Governments and with the number of military coups in Thai history your words are downright laughable. The military were acting under the control of the Government when they overthrew the PM in 2006?! It's not Government policy to sell the Rohingya as slaves either, but the more callous and enterprising among them have a track record of doing so.

This Government needs to take action and change the previous Government's policy of leaving the authorities to tow them out to deep water and leave them to die, if they don't they are just as culpable as AV and the Dems in the Thai's tragic handling of these people. Please twist that however you see fit but hopefully at some point in your life you will realise that other people have an opinion on this and other subjects, are entitled to it and it may not always match your own.

To say that the previous government was taking an action in towing people out to sea and leaving them to die, but this one is somehow not because they didn't initiate the policy, is a complete and utter nonsense. No twisting going on besides your struggling attempts to in some way differentiate one government's culpability versus another's, with the exact same practice going on now, that was going on before. You are the one politicizing this whole issue. Just a quick look at your last half dozen posts on the subject illustrates that.

As for you being entitled to your opinion, where have i said otherwise? Just because i think it's complete nonsense, doesn't mean i deny you a right to speak it. Don't be so precious.

Actually that was aimed at your rather overly dramatic attack on another poster that cared to voice his opinion. For some reason you felt the need to defend Abhisit over his handling of the Rohingya while I felt it was misplaced given his clear and verified track record on the subject.

Abhisit stands out for many in regard to this particular issue and the fact that you seem completely unable to acknowledge this speaks volumes about your own loyalties rather than pointing to any understanding of the actual issue or the obviously nationalistic leanings of AV's mentors and hence his rather callous approach. Your sole input seems to run along the lines of "all PM's share equal blame on the issue and it's not fair to single out poor AV for his part in it!"!!! Precious?! If the cap fits...

I believe that currently all Thai Governments have failed on this issue but for me Abhisit's handling of the situation was monumentally and tragically poor. That said Yingluck certainly hasn't improved the situation... to date...

How is it that a "suspect", not guilty yet, is forced to apologize?

Very good point, I would hazard a guess that it's the exact same way that they are forced to confess...

There's no defending any inaction on the part of the current Government and I certainly haven't tried to but inaction does not equate to deliberate and calculated orders to contravene human rights.

Towing people out to sea and leaving them for dead, as you yourself describe the process, is certainly not inaction. Quite the reverse.

It's up to this Government to take action and show the military and the police that what was policy under Abhisit is now not acceptable under their watch... The current inaction by this Government leaves the authorities continuing to act in the inhumane manner they were taught to by the Dem poster boy. Abhisit made it policy to tow them to their deaths, now it's up to Yingluck to change that perception.

The government is taking action. Authorities work under under the governments control, and authorities are, to use your words, towing people out to sea and leaving them for dead. Which government first implemented a policy makes no difference to a government's responsibility, in terms of taking blame, just as it makes no difference when it comes to accepting praise.

Mince words much?!

The Government isn't taking action, that's the whole problem! What brave new measures have they put in place to deal with the Rohingya humanely?! None! The Government has enacted no policy change on the issue since Abhisit started his tow 'em and leave 'em to rot policy. That is inaction on the part of this Government and human rights breaking action on the part of AV... something he's become some what infamous for.

The authorities have acted with impunity under various Governments and with the number of military coups in Thai history your words are downright laughable. The military were acting under the control of the Government when they overthrew the PM in 2006?! It's not Government policy to sell the Rohingya as slaves either, but the more callous and enterprising among them have a track record of doing so.

This Government needs to take action and change the previous Government's policy of leaving the authorities to tow them out to deep water and leave them to die, if they don't they are just as culpable as AV and the Dems in the Thai's tragic handling of these people. Please twist that however you see fit but hopefully at some point in your life you will realise that other people have an opinion on this and other subjects, are entitled to it and it may not always match your own.

There's no defending any inaction on the part of the current Government and I certainly haven't tried to but inaction does not equate to deliberate and calculated orders to contravene human rights.

Towing people out to sea and leaving them for dead, as you yourself describe the process, is certainly not inaction. Quite the reverse.

It's up to this Government to take action and show the military and the police that what was policy under Abhisit is now not acceptable under their watch... The current inaction by this Government leaves the authorities continuing to act in the inhumane manner they were taught to by the Dem poster boy. Abhisit made it policy to tow them to their deaths, now it's up to Yingluck to change that perception.