Eric Loh

The upside is no yellow shirts mayhem and coup for 4 years to implement economic policies and reforms.

The ministers get to work starting this week and will have to hit the road running. They have the luxury of a full 4 years term to implement and drive their policies. With export slowing, the best options for growth will fall on domestic consumption, tourism and attracting FDI. There is high hopes for Sretha's policy statement today that will be heavy on handouts like the 10k e-wallet, lower energy prices, debt payment moratoriums to boost the economy as well as further relaxation of visa requirements for specific countries to boost tourism. I look forward to a robust debates from the opposition parties as policies shaped up. After 2 decades that have more years of military government than civilian government that has rendered Thailand the moniker as the sick man of south ease asia, the next 4 years of civilian government is expected to make a difference. .

You don’t see that he is de-motivated. His attempt to bring the military under civilian control has failed and resulted in personal miseries. He has retreated from his political stance to challenge the military. His active political days are over.

He can only be released on a royal pardon and that will not be challenged. Politically the Dems especially the older Dems who have crafted Thaksin as public enemy will probably attack the preference treatment in Parliament. Just noise but will not make a dent as they don’t have the numbers in Parliament. The yellow shirts academics will continue with their attacks in opinion pieces but unlikely to influence their supporters. The architects of the anti Thaksin movement in last 2 decades are no longer around to choreograph big scale protests and coups. So far there are no protests on the streets with the change of demography and younger voters who didn’t experience nor understand past politics. I think most have move on and the color polarization has dissipated. The next round of challenge will be the next election.

As much as I like Pita and MFP, the fact remained that he was unsuccessful in his PM bid and it is not uncommon that the party that won the most seats didnt form the government. We now have a government who has royal endorsement. You really need to move on.

Very valid points. Amendment and even a complete re-write of the constitution will require majority of joint houses votes. MFP participation can make the senate votes redundant. I think portion of the senates can be brought over to a more democratic constitution but will depend on tough persuasion or benefits. Will have to see where MFP will stand on the issue of the charter versus their party stance to remain as opposition and abstain from voting on this issue.

Even among the rich and powerful, there are unequal justice. The uniformed and politically correct alignment will get you favor and blind eye from the prosecution.

The Senate Transitory Provision clearly state that the selection of Senators shall be taken which in legal terms meant that it is an imperative command indicating actions are mandatory upon term of service expiration. Further the NCPO which was tasked in the constitution for selection and appointment of senators have been dissolved. An amendment is legally required but in what form is everyone guess. By the way, the senators stay in office until a arrival of the new senators.

You may not like how the government is formed but equating that to a coup is ludicrous. There was no "government' that was taken over and the formation of the government was lawful in full accordance with the constitution. It may not be popular with the voters but no law was broken lest a coup.

Some truth is your assertion if your export customers don't import their raw materials and shipping cost is based in Baht.

I think Thaksin will give himself a wide berth away from his party. His reputation as a pro-democracy figure has crumbled. His party is seen by some to have betrayed the voices of the electorate and have become a center right party. He still have the appeal and support in the North and North-East but will not do well in a general election if the election was to be held before the full term of the current government. Thaksin may well keep away from governance matter and leave that to Sretha's team. No family members even Paetongtarn was given Government House position. He is a politically savy and know his enemies will find ways to link him to the goverment which will further damage the chance of rehabilitate the party's image. He will have to keep his head low and improve his public image through charity and philanthropy work.

At a glance, the cabinet line-up is definitely more qualified and competent than the previous. The next 4 years will certainly better than the last 9 years.

Buying a car is tax deductable for personal or even business tax? Need to learn from the expert.

Is this an attempt by an ex-PAD leader to stir up yellow shirts sentiments? K Prinya must be dissappointed that no yellow shirts demonstrated when Thaksin returned to Bangkok and no demonstration henceforth. Prinya must come to terms that the yellow shirts are passe. He should reflect on his role that threw the country into a decade of colour polarization, suffering for the general public and 2 coups. He is a public figure and should be more guarded in his allegations.

You got a lot to prove that your government is trustworthy till the next election.

Really no toss up between Sretha and Paetongtarn for PM candidacy. The party formally nominated Sretha as candidate number 1 and given him the support up till the voting stage. Paetongtarn had stated categorically that she backs Srethta. Thaksin spoke on his birthday that he preferred his daughter to work for the party while Sretha work at the Government House. She hold no Government House's position. So much for speculation.

Remembered him well for his active role as a leader of the PAD. I see he is still active with his controversial allegation lapped up by free thinking members here.

Perhaps the political situation can better described as an uneasy truce between the civilian and the military. The new army chief is a member of the elite red-rim KIng's Guard and have the capability to stage yet another coup if told to. The truce will hold as Thaksin and PT are basicially no longer the arch enemy of the consertvative elites. As long as the estabishment elites are not threatened, Thailand will endure a longer period with no coup.

The royal gazette wrote Thaksin was a prime minister has done good for the country and people. That kind of rubbished your conjectured rant.

Rules of Procedures of the House of Representatives required a qourum of not less than one-half of the existing members to convene the proceedings. So it seem that the representatives walk out before MFP asked for a quorum check or they left early after clocking in.

Think you meant no hope for prison time for him and the fat toad. Others not align to the elites will get their political life truncated or forced into exile.

The 2 tier justice system allow coup leaders to grant their own pardon while others will have to apply for one.

Don't think the grassroots who love Thaksin and his populist policies are red shirts. Past misconception of the Red Shirts being a part of TRT and its reincarnation parties have been dispelled in the election. The Red Shirts got behind TRT etc because they believed that see injustice against the people. They have their ideological principle that is their struggle to secure power for the people. They will vote for any party that shares their beliefs and the shifting of support to MFP is evidence that they are not devoted to any single party. I agree with your ratio.

Nothing to do with the constitution. Jurisdiction for assets declaration is with the NACC and fat chance of getting Prayut and Prawit to declare. Using his special executive power, he and members of this cabinet were exempted.

That’s true but the economic challenges are quite similar. One factor for 1997 meltdown was the pegged Baht against USD which was a coup government legacy. Prayut government suffered from his incompetency and also due to the 19 parties coalition government with only a narrow 4 seats majority.. Investors were put off by the political risks. GDP growth were dismal and covid spending came with high economic costs which required more borrowings. If Sretha has a full 4 years term, his team can tackle the challenges and improve the economy.