indyuk

For all the pessimists I point out that Thailand is still the largest Rice Exporter in the word by tonnage, including this year, and will most likely be so in 2014. I suspect that this government is good for Thailand even though unpopular with the minority.

Alwyn is either a juvenile who knows no history, or just frustrated that he himself is not American. Please do tell us what perfect country you are from?

In my most unbiased opinion...

Rule number 1. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 2. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 3. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 4. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 5. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

You missed the most important line out........"History is written by the victorious"

Dear Thailand you have a peoples government. Democracy basically means a government that is elected by the people to care for the people. There can be no other definition of a people's government in a Constitutional Monarchy.

Seeing that the DSI is in the PTP pocket, those judges are going to be found guilty!

And they'll also link it abhisit to boot!

Either you don't understand or you are not thinking clearly. Abhisit is not at issue in this particular matter.

She can't resign.

To do so would trigger a new election which PTP may win, but with a much smaller majority (mandate) which would make any controversial legislation impossible to push through. This situation is clealry not acceptable to Taksin

Her only card left is to try to wait it out, which is real a non starter, so its stalemate.

I hope the military stay put, and i think they will. They must let politics take its course and remain impartial observers.

and if the margin is smaller coalition partner may side with the Democrats.

You assume Suthep will be victorious. What Abhisit and Suthep are doing is no more welcome that the Military Driving Thaksin from office or the courts convicting Thaksin of corruption for supporting his wile by countersigning a contract for her. In civilised countries women have equal rights with men a therefore a husband doesn't have to countersign her legal documents. For doing what many of Thai men have to do every time their wife want's to buy an asset.Thaksin received a two year prison sentence for that anomaly in Thai Law. It's out of the dark ages of the abuse of women and needs fixing in Thailand by giving women full juristic rights.

"That's right"

What an inspiring leader!

I'm glad that you got something correct today.

The country is in crisis and Yingluck has obviously been spending her time watching Pirates of the Carribean. She should stick to Jar Jar Binks impersonationlack heart Jai s.

Well I suppose there is now reason why you shouldn't confirm your black heart 'Jai Dam'. But I sense you are a foreigner posing as Thai. If this is so your 'Black' remarks are not welcome in Thailand, perhaps you should go home.

Funny how the figure get twisted and lied about to suit the slant, only 90,000 anti-government last night and only 30,000 protesters marched today, whereas there were 50,000 pro-government out last night.

Looking at the TV last night easy to see far more than 90,000 anti-government at the rally and the only shot I saw of the pro-government at the stadium appeared - not to put too finer point on it, next to no one.

It really doesn't matter 30,000, 50,000, 90,000 they are all minnows following a leader known to be corrupt who is trying to recover political dominance over the nation on behalf of the wealthy families that play him like a violin. The rally mass does not even approach the current government mandate.

The whole thing is quasi criminal in the sense that yet again there isn't a shred of evidence to suggest that what they are rallying for has any basis in fact.

​Just a bit more hooliganism by patriarchal thai men.

I wonder how Thaksin is reading this at the moment? Would he be happy about Thida using the expression "people's revolution"? I think this "revolution" as it is manifesting, is worrisome for him as he is not in control of it. If that's the case, then what option is he weighing up? Continue on the same path and risk a coup? That might win him a modicum of sympathy, but as he is not the elected PM in the eyes of the world, he won't be able to play the sympathy card on the world stage - true, many emphathised with him after 2006, but that was then, and this is now. Does he risk a House dissolution and a new election? That would depend on the signals he is getting. If he feels the odds are still with him, then that might be the way to go. The question is, are the odds with him? I think the emotions in the anti-government/anti-Thaksin movement are spreading too far for his liking - at the moment, at least.

What the people want if for the government to to govern Thailand, not the handful of elitists that pull your chain and that of all of your anti-democracy protests, rallies with a sprinkling of Suthep brainless sheeps thrown in for good measure.

perhaps the PTP and the Red shirts need to do a little research as to what democracy actually is before trying to defend it, this seems to be a large part of the problem as they simply think if they win an election then they are free to do exactly what they want - unfortunately that is not how it works

Perhaps education is the key to all this, maybe start to run some education programs on prime TV to help the people understand how it is all supposed to work and expose how so many are getting it wrong

It would seem that it is the Democrats that need to be educated in democratic principle and behaviour. Having both served as the government and as the opposition in the past ten years and failed miserably each time.

I would be the first to compliment the Democrats if they had driven Thailand's economy forward when they were the government.

Right now I wish they had the knowledge and skill to mount a credible and respected opposition, but they don't know how to do that either, Do they?

Long Live the King!

I Pray that his Majesties Constitution Monarchy bloom and prevail for eternity.

Long Live the King!

I Pray that his Majesties Constitution Monarchy bloom and prevail for eternity.

'Mark' has got a dam_n cheek. Yingluck isnt responsible for these anti democratic demonstrations - his own deputy, that thug Suthep Thaugsuban is responsible.

Very sorry but, if the PTP hadn't tried to subvert almost everything legal in this country to suit their own ends, and only their ends, this situation would not be happening.

She's supposed to be in charge of the PTP, so it is her ultimate responsibility, unless she wants to kick it upstairs to her brother.

That is everything legal according to the deeply undemocratic 2007 constitution which gave undemocratic powers to unelected bodies such as the constitutional court that by their very nature are staffed by the ruling elite. and established a senate that the political parties are precluded from standing in, and which has a significant percentage of its members appointed by the ruling elite. That's the REAL issue here: who runs Thailand? The elected government or the myriad QANGO's established under constitution railroaded through by the military backed, unelected Sulayut government

At last a commentator that is able to be rational about the disastrous rewrite of the constitution that spawned political road blocks to lawmakers in Government.

The schedules and milestones of procedure and precedence between the Monarchy, the Constitution, the Senate and the parliament are out of sync which will ensure continual obstructions to Lawmakers, in the future, whichever party is in office.

In essence the elite and their institutions, with the help of the Army, created the 2007 constitution.

The 2007 constitution gives the Thai Elite the ability to block legislation on account their whimsical expectations, at any time, thus putting their elitist families above Thai Law.

Embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today called on protesters to jointly find a resolution for Thailand but insisted she will neither resign nor dissolve Parliament.

It seems that the majority have a resolution to the problem. And that is that Ms Shinawatra resign. The only thing she will not do. How selfish is she ? Runs so strong in the family.

There is no evidence to support what you write. Therefore it is your own personal opinion.

How you can form such opinion of a woman of courage, an able lawmaker and a well educated woman that has confidence in her wisdom and tireless work for the people of Thailand.

Even you guys on the street are safe because she is the prime minister and will do everything in her power to keep you safe from an aggressive response to your own ignorance and misconduct.

If you guys get off on your testosterone driven assumptions that you actually think you know what is right for the people (all of them) then you need to get help.

Best of luck, here's hoping to the end of The Convicted Criminals Governemnt

The Thai business sector is virtually begging for the end of this administration.

Or just an end to the divisive machinations from the Democrat Party and their backers, and an end to the political protests designed to oust an elected government by undemocratic means. Which would be a far easier and a less detrimental solution.

Let the electorate decide at the ballot box in 2015 or before.

Of course, keen observers will note that the Thai political landscape remains tainted by those opposed to democracy, and throughout Thai history Thaksin remains the only PM to be re-elected, and the only PM to serve a full term in office.

History also shows the cycle of coups and ousting of governments outwith a democratic and fair practice has been harmful to Thai economic progress and is the reason we find ourselves at the current impasse. What is it now? 9 coups and however many judicial coups?

Dear Farrangtalk, please don't try to mislead the poster with your unsubstantiated red spin, no where in the entire topic were the Dems mentioned. When in fact they quite categorically state that, " to solve this problem, the best option for the government would be to dissolve the Parliament or introduce some change. The private sector is ready for change if it can promote better growth. The ongoing disorder will only destroy growth and the Thai economy could contract next year."

Why is this? They explain that, "the government needed to adjust its key populist policies, particularly the rice-pledging scheme as it would create a huge debt for the country. The government can either directly pay the farmers or subsidise production rather than distorting the market mechanism." and "."The current government was unable to promote growth as it only concentrated on solving political problems. Schemes like waiving tax for first-car buyers and its rice-pledging project have destroyed consumer spending power and made economic expansion sluggish."

All that are down solely down to the Thaksin, the convicted criminal's, proxy government and their corrupt policies. That would be the same Thaksin that said, Democracy is not my goal".

PS: We are in this impasse solely because the convicted criminal Thaksin's proxy government is selling the farm to pay for their populist policies and instead of administering the country in a responsible and professional manner they have neglected their duty to railroad the Thaksin agenda, ileagally and unconstitutionally through the parliament.

If you truly believe that Thaksin and his policies were corrupt your Democrat friends should have impeached him. If Thaksin had been impeached none of the current problems would exist.

The whole point of impeachment is that it neutralises the power of the impeached at home and in the international arena too.

However this is Thailand and many are dragged down on a whim by those that want their victim to be cut by many a sword stoke. Does the Democrat craving for revenge in blood satisfy. No their injured pride demands more and more blood.

Now it is happening all over again. Further revolt is being choreographed by the same same felonious men as before.

Sometime when you are beaten it is better to be gracious in your defeat and build to win when the victor calls the next election.

However the Democrat loser continues to lick his wounds, and plan revenge while his political party disintegrates.

Aside from anything else, i would suggest that if the government of the day wants to go ahead and reform the constitution, they do so by making sure that all voting procedures and debating are carried out correctly. I mean honestly, when the Court can point out quite obviously that MP's have been using multiple voting cards, it shows that the system is completely sick.

So before they moan about a constitutional state, I suggest they admit that the entire process wasn't carried out in accordance with the expected rules. Once that is done, then they can moan about the conduct of the court, and about how the government can or cannot go about changing the constitution.

No problem the law makers can, and should, change the voting rules to be applied to any legislation, or preferably to a voting requirement that requires all members to be present in the house when voting on any Bill, Count or Issue.

You really need to learn more about tax, and the likely outcomes of increasing/decreasing the various taxes in society! You really think its as simple as increase the upper tax limit bracket from say 40 to 50% will suddenly increase revenue from tax? What has the 2 trillion loan got to do with tax???? What are you talking about, I could be the richest man in the world but take a loan to buy a new house as it makes financial sense to do so. You appear to have no clue about finance/tax etc Just because someone takes a loan, does not mean they cannot afford to pay it themselves if they wanted to. Why would i spend my own money which is invested in shares getting 6%, when i can borrow from a bank to buy it at 3%??

Or get the taxpayer to borrow it for you, and then steal it.

Corruption, money, vote-buying, you name it - all these go together as a part of the political culture in Thailand, and always have done, and in all parties. It is a long way off before it is rid. This is Thailand, so please remember that. Therefore, it is a fact that nearly all, if not all, politicians have been in some bent in their course of duty. And so, it is relevant to make comparisons of how actually bent politicians are, and how low they have actually stooped.

So Suthep made a few bob from some land. Part and parcel of the position - historically and nowadays. Things aren't going to change that dramatically, hence stop looking at it with a western view. Suthep never killed anybody, nor ordered many to kill thousands. As a result, he has every right to call down the PTP and Thaksin, as they have committed much worse atrocities that any Democrat.

-mel.

Dictators do not leave office voluntarily. They need to be escorted to the door and have their head bounced off the pavement, in this case multiple times.

PM asserts charter amendment proceedings legally sound

BANGKOK, 23 November 2013 (NNT) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has that asserted the government's proceedings to amend the charter was legally sound, and the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court did not have precedent.

According to Ms. Yingluck, the Office of the Council of State has been tasked with studying the court verdict. Regarding the Phuea Thai Party's announcement it will not accept the authority of the Constitutional Court, Ms. Yingluck said it was the right of each person to make such an expression. However, she noted that the power to amend the charter rests with the legislative branch, and so she would like to have some time to study what has happened. The prime minister added she believes the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which is considering a petition calling for the removal of 312 members of parliament, will deliberate the issue justifiably.

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng on Friday wrote in his facebook that the Constitutional Court did not have the power to rule on charter amendment to start with. He asserted it also did not have the power to audit Parliament's law amending process or rule on Parliament's regulations.

-- NNT 2013-11-23

Is it legally sound for members of Parliament to fraudulently vote with other members cards?

Pathetic.

If she's worried about social divisiveness she could just stop doing socially divisive things.

Too hard?

These are sad and worrying days. It is truly a tragedy that the Thai people are being robbed of the future that they voted for so convincingly. Are democrat politicians unable to comprehend the orderly process of being professional parliamentarians in opposition within Parliament?

One thing that seems odd. Coalition MPs are caught on video illegally using colleagues ID cards and voting "on their behalf". The speakers refused to allow opposition speakers time to debate the bills.

Yet 3 judges still think the process was legal?

If the government and its parliamentary and senate supporters declare they will not accept the court ruling, then anarchy will follow.

Cheating to get the 2.2 trillion bill through, cheating but failing to get the whitewash bill through, cheating to try and get the charter amendment bill through. So don't follow the rules, ignore the law and cheat - its o.k. as long as you win. If you get caught, don't worry, ignore it and try again, but be more deceitful next time. Now, whose modus operandi does that sound like.

PTP will follow instructions and cling on to power as long as they can, by any means, especially now the 2.2 trillion is nearer their grasp.

In any real democracy, a PM suffering such embarrassing defeats and exhibiting such behaviour would resign and a general election would follow. Here, it back to the drawing board and let's start scheming again

PM Yingluck must fight on. The verdict underlines the fact that the constitution is floored.

It must be Legal Day on Thai Visa... Can someone point me to a site (in English) where I can read about the prerequisites under the law for impeachment of MP's in Thailand?

Impeachment[edit]

The Constitution allowed individual justices to be the subject of impeachment proceedings with the vote of one fourth of the members of the House or with 50,000 approval of petitioners. A vote of three fifths of the Senate is required for impeachment. Earlier drafts had required votes of only 10% of the combined House and Senate to call for a vote of impeachment, and votes of three fifths of the combined Parliament to dismiss a justice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Court_of_Thailand