Eric Loh

11 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Please enlighten me on these episodes -- was this in civilized Thailand? Or in the Muslim provinces? There's not much the civilized world can do about Muslim insurgency, to include Thailand. Prayut's record is neither better, nor worse, than Yinglucks in dealing with this problem. Thaksin had a real blood bath with these insurgents -- to the applause, I'm sure, of the Peua Thai faithful.

 

No, the Muslim problem is an outlier. So, back to the blood in the street you mention -- was this in a major Thai city, at least a major Thai city in "real" Thailand?

Is the Deep South provinces part of Thailand? Your claim that there is no blood on the streets is factually wrong. Sorry you can’t cherrypick to make an argument. So the fact remains that Prayut with all the promises could not even reduced the violence in the south. 

Back to the blood on the streets, you avoiding the 8 bombings incidents. And the peace that you talking was achieved with a lots of human right abuses.

So Jim why Prayut is scared of seeking the endorsement from the people and rather seek the comfort from his appointed senators.

51 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hillary got robbed of the US presidential election because of the electoral college outcome (she won the popular vote). So, the mechanics of how democratic elections are held can seem flawed. It is what it is. And the latest Thai attempt at a democratically elected prime minister has so many twists and turns that, one can only shrug. Nevertheless, I feel it was a valiant attempt to re-introduce democracy to Thailand. And, as part of the Asian somewhat democratic scenario (Singapore, Malaysia -- forget Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Burma), Thailand is now part of the peculiar "managed democracy" we saw Lee Kuan Yew introduce.  Does this p*** off the Human Rights crowd? Sure. But please address the man on the street in Thailand -- does he now feel his daily activity and rights have been suppressed? No, not unless he's been to a Peua Thai rally, where he can only accept , but not evaluate, the political diatribe tossed at him.

 

So, let the youngsters piss and moan. They'll get another chance. Meanwhile, Praytuth, who really didn't do too badly in his time as coup prime minister, will, I'm sure, continue to lead Thailand. He's smart, he has shown no indication of corruption (what kind of car does he drive?), and he has hired some of the best brains to manage this government and economy (e.g. Somkid). I only expect more of the same.

 

Anyway, things seem just fine since the coup. No blood in the streets in four years; folks seem relaxed and positive; and now, with the election in the rear view mirror, those of us without political agenda can move one.

 

Oh, yeah -- having a general in charge: Best 8 years in America (economy growing, plus NO wars) was under Eisenhower. Washington didn't do too badly either. So, put your military prejudices aside when assessing the character of the man in charge.

Intriguing post. Tell me Jim if Prayut is as praise worthy as you put, why he is not seeking the people’s endorsement in the election but rather seek the alternative path of an outside nomination. And why he need to put his own people in the upper house to secure his selections. By the way, you forgotten that there were 8 bombing incidents and there were blood on the street that you conveniently forgot and the south is still fighting. 

47 minutes ago, newatthis said:

Ok we know Prayut was selected as Prime Minister but please explain to this ignorant old man:

1. What does Prawit have to do with the new Parliament?

2. What party is Somkid a MP or list MP for?

Thanks

It will fun if Prawit and Prayut face the electorate and legitimately represent the people. Took the coward route of remaining as cabinet minister; likely unchallenged Defense Minister. 

Somkid is one of the 3 heavyweights Sammitr group that join PPRP. If I am not wrong, he got the party list seat. Stand corrected. 

46 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Why should the unelected non-MP Prawit have anything to do with the selection of the cabinet.

Both are unelected  MPs. Both don’t have the fortitude to ask for the people’s mandate. Both are in positions that are not accountable to the people. 

1 hour ago, Fex Bluse said:

I agree but it's not only him who will have issues. 

 

Thai culture of conflict avoidance and excessive subservience will prevent any ability to argue issues.

 

Thailand is effectively China but with people who pretend, mostly for vanity, that they can do Democracy. 

 

The only system that can work in Thailand is a single person rule. It is what Thais are socialized for from birth. Whoever is the "biggest" most important person makes the rules and the servants obey. 

 

You mean like the warlord era. 

16 hours ago, candide said:

Well, according to the same article and other sources, the Senate can also join in the budget voting and other activities when it is a matter of national interest. Of course a matter of national interest can be anything they want. Laws will be more difficult to pass but the NLA has hurriedly voted hundreds of laws before elections.

The only hope is that, in case it gets too messy, 'someone' may ask him to quit.....

I am not too sure about the senate play as regards to the budget approval. Previous constitutions placed Parliament to be responsible for approving the budget. 

The budget approval will be the first obstacle for the government. If the budget can’t be agreed and voted down, the normal process will be a new election. This is happening in Spain with the impasse on the budget and new election will have to call upon. 

47 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

Riiiight, huge error, cementing their coalition with the Democrats, rather than putting in a puppet. Oh wait, that's what PTP tried to do.

You seem upset. They just doing what they do best to get entice coalition parties by promising rewards. Only this time they make a mistake, 

2 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

Thank you for endorsing PPRP's first parliamentary act. He was installed by votes from their coalition.

No way they deserve any form of thanks but acknowledging their first mistake allowing Chuan to take the speaker role. 

4 hours ago, candide said:

From what I read in the BP a vote of no confidence does not necessarily lead to a dissolution of the house. If the information is accurate, Prayuth could be elected with the help of the Senate again, and another no confidence vote would not allowed before one year.

You right. The senate house will be again in the mix should there be a successful no confidence vote in Parliament. The combine houses will likely to re-appoint him as PM. However he will still be hamstrung by the lower house impasse. If the lower house play hardball, no bills and budget can be passed and the government can't function. Will need a coup or an election to break the impasse. If he step aside, it will also immensely help cool down the situation. 

18 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Dildos on Sukhumvit is a national security issue. This would be the same as the government is crumbling and needs to be reigned in. Yes the state of emergency would fall under national security.. If all else as is not best it would then be an orchestrated coup.

Large cache of war weapons found today in Sa Si Ket. Contrasting statement by generals with one saying that the weapons used last border war 40 years ago and other saying the arms are recent and used by red shirts. Looks like the planning has started all in the name of national security. 

13 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

1/ purchase isn't compulsory

2/ he also reduced the price being charged for tickets by vendors

One of many low hanging achievement. 

It has been silence on the ministerial positions for Defense and Interior. Does that mean the dastardly duo of Prawit and Anupong will continue to offend us. 

16 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Prayut may soon discover a whole new world of governance after he is sworn in as civilian elected PM.

 

Currently, Prayut has a four-seat majority lead in the House. If five seats flip, a simple majority of the House MP's can invoke a no-confidence censure debate against PM Prayut. Should there follow a simple majority vote for no-confidence, the MP's can remove the new Prayut government (PM Prayut and Cabinet)by placing it into "caretaker status" and call for new elections. Prayut then must dissolve the House in preparation for new elections.

 

However, (from what I have read) both the Senate and House can renominate Prayut back into the PM office and forestall censure debate for one year. I don't know whether a majority vote is required separately in each or in total. If 'in total' then the pro-military Senate will surely force Prayut's retention as PM. But the amount of political and personal pressure on Prayut during such a process no doubt will be personally uncomfortable. He may see an elected PM in a new light for which he might not desire.
 

You are right on both subjects. While the lower house has the constitutional rights to initiate a non confidence vote, a new prime minister will still have to be subjected to a combined house voting and the viscous cycle continue with Prayut as PM but the deadlock in lower house continue. Few things may happen; another coup, another election or Prayut replaced. It will happen; not how but when.  

Most countries will applaud their government for stopping illegal gambling by making it legal but here you get charged for malfeasance 16 years in the making. Those military and police syndicates must have lost lots of money scamming their fixed illegal gambling. 

Just now, candide said:

Unfortunately, Prayuth will likely remain PM, even if the coalition breaks. There are now all the necessary articles in the law to allow him govern with the help of the Senate, and without a house majority. It just makes it more complicated and less legitimate.

Because of the puppet Senate, Prayuth is the only one allowed to be the PM.

House majority can also initiate a vote of no confidence forcing an election. 

18 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

He can come back any time he likes.

He can send his lawyers to defend.

The alternative is to let wealthy fugitives wait the SOL. 

Thaksin is much much smarter than you. 

While the 3 main parties fight over the cabinet positions, the other 16 smaller parties can only watch and be shoved around doing unimportant portfolios. Worst than pulling down their trousers and waiting for their fate. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai junta chief vows to "do his best"

Nothing to show after 5 years with all the power in his grasp. His best will fall flat on his face when the reality of a slim majority in Parliament kicks in. Talking up wouldn't help much and we don't trust him with vows.