bamnutsak

Even if they limp through this crisis, either with a PTP/MFP coalition, or a PTP/BJT/Senate coalition, there is a looming constitutional crisis next year with the Senate (repeal, or replace). It "feels" like there will be a Prayut-continued (his 8 year ticker still has some time left) care-taker government which will be allowed to appoint another new batch of Senators, and then calling for another election. PTP and MFP will have been disbanded and all members not imprisoned will be banned for at least 10 years. That's my hot-take/over-reaction for today.

Also known as 7:00 PM, on the Thai Political Clock.

The Old Guard would have come up at least four or five other spurious "charges" which the pliant Election Commission would have forwarded to the Administrative Court or the Constitutional Court. Ruangkrai has filed additional charges, and has threatened to file more. I think that Pita, and his legal team, thought that they had the iTV shares issue covered and were (and still are) well positioned to defend it. They assumed they could defend it in front of the EC first. Thai "law" is very flexible, it can be used for or against anyone by those above in the Thai Social Pyramid. It's baked into the Thai Social Contract.

This is probably the most important aspect of this story. One has to wonder what other Ministerial decrees will get Gazetted into Law in the coming weeks. IMO, this should have been lodged with House Speaker Wan Noor for debate in Parliament.

Abhisit Vejjajiva was born in the U.K., holds British citizenship and graduated from Eton College, Oxford University. He was PM. Quite a few of the early PMs were educated in the U.K. The President of the Senate, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, is a Harvard grad. Prince Mahidol is a Harvard grad. "Trojan Horse"? Seriously? Maybe keep workshopping this conspiracy theory. It's pretty lame.

113,560 per month. Plus five (5) "staff" AKA the "friends and family" plan. I thought that they get 60,000 per month each.

Yes, but he is the (caretaker) Minster of Defense, so the RTA reports directly to him. As (caretaker) PM, the Royal Thai Police also report directly to him. Plus he's got the coup experience.

On the plus side he didn't say that "There will not be a coup". Yet. He's itching to get the band back together.

I'd argue that he doesn't "own" the shares, just as Prawit doesn't "own" the watches. The iTV shares are/were "owned" by Pita's father. He is the shareholder of record. If those shares exist now, they exist within a trust. Next I'd ask how Pita could have distanced himself from these shares as there is no market for them? Burn them? Bury them" Transfer ownership, somehow? Finally, the Court must accept that owning media shares implies that the firm is active. If it is not, then no benefit comes from owning them. Did iTV give Pita free coverage and advertising? It will be interesting to see the Constitutional Court ties themselves into knots arriving at a guilty vote. I think it took them ~ 9 months to clear Thaksin back in 2001 by an 8-7 vote.

That is the minimum I think? Approximately. 141 (PTP) + 71 (BJT) = 212 375 needed so a minimum of 163 Senators needed. That will be easy I think. There are 249 Senators I think.

Yes. They are. With 165 (from 250) Senators.

On the plus side he hasn't been arrested or sent to an Attitude Adjustment camp.

Then any proposed legislation modifying 112 would fail to pass. And, BTW, the Constitutional Court would strike down any changes within 24 hours were it to pass.

So ignoring the fact that MFP ran on monarchy reforms, you would ask Pita to now lie about his stance on 112 reforms, gain power, then turn around and push for reforms? That's crazy, I mean when you think about it. I'm not even sure a 112 Reform Act would even pass the lower house. That's why all this consternation and pearl-clutching is so weird. The honest truth: the Old Guard doesn't even want to discuss potential reforms, as they are frightened that if they give an inch, the people will want a mile, or more. But a strong institution can withstand changes.

So TV Channel 5 is owned and operated by the Royal Thai Army. TV Channel 7 is currently owned by the Royal Thai Army through Bangkok Broadcasting & Television. Perhaps anyone affiliated with the RTA should be excluded from holding or running for any office? You know, to avoid a conflict of interest. I'd submit that these TV stations give RTA-affiliated politicians immense power. Certainly more than some in-flight magazine (Thanatorn) or iTV shares.

Having a debate about 112 will benefit EVERYONE. And the relatively minor changes suggested by MFP may ultimately bring people together. And not discussing and debating this controversial issue will only further divide the Kingdom.

Probably should just publish a complete list of all ITV share owners of record. Any privacy concerns are over-shadowed by the political and legal ramifications. In fact any defunct "media company" from the past 200 years, which issued shares that are outstanding needs to be investigated. Who owns these shares now?

OK. I always receive an email, first when I submit the filing, and another when it is APPROVED (or REJECTED). My reporting office is CW. email from: [email protected] Subject: [TM.47] (PASSPORT NO : 0123456789) FORM FOR ALIEN TO NOTIFY OF STAYING LONGER THAN 90 DAYS HAS BEEN APPROVED PDF of Next Report Date slip attached.

Did you receive the APPROVED email? That should have the PDF attachment. Check spam/promotion folders.

You say "Devil may care", I say "Strength of character". What's the point of running on a platform, on issues, and then jettisoning those just to gain power?

Hopefully he does not have ambitions to launch his food vlogging career.

Agreed. Imm could make a video, they've done that before. They could also provide a few samples, with notes/addendum. No question the current procedure is better than the initial web page, and the mobile app, especially if you're on a run of successful filings and nothing has changed.

Quote from the article Miller, asked at a regular press briefing about the situation in Thailand, said Washington does not have a preferred outcome in the Thai election, but supports a process that reflects the will of the Thai people. Video and transcript...Thailand bit starts at 22:20 Department Press Briefing – July 17, 2023 https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-july-17-2023/ QUESTION: And just moving on to a slightly different issue, Thailand, last week the parliament was unable to – or didn’t approve Pita, the head of the Move Forward Party, to become the prime minister. I wondered – I know the U.S. has kind of spoken a little bit to the current sort of post-election environment in Thailand. But are you concerned that the party – Move Forward is the party that won the most seats in the elections in May – that a government could end up being formed without them being represented? MR MILLER: Let me say a few things. First, the United States doesn’t have a preferred outcome in the Thai election. We don’t support any particular party or politician. What we do support is multiparty democracy and a post-election process that reflects the will of the Thai people and supports a democratic and prosperous future for Thailand. We are very closely watching the post-election developments. That includes the recent developments in the legal system, which are of concern. We believe this moment is an opportunity for Thailand to demonstrate its commitment to democracy. QUESTION: Just you mentioned developments in the legal system that are of concern. I wonder if you could say a little bit more clearly, if Mr. Pita is disqualified from taking office or if the party is dissolved, does that represent a red line for the U.S.? MR MILLER: I don’t want to speculate about how we might react to events that have not yet occurred. I will say that we are watching it closely and the recent developments are of concern to us.

'Arrival Thailand Date' is longer than 'Stay Visa Expire'. However the red asterisk appears next to the former, and not the latter? My guess is that someone just forgot the red asterisk. How do you switch to Thai Language on this page?

I strongly support RFK Jr's right to share his opinions on any subject. More RFK Jr., every day.