Democrats will ‘differ’ from junta: Abhisit

By THE NATION

 

Abhisit and Chuan

 

PARTY WILL UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, LEADER SAYS

 

DEMOCRAT LEADER Abhisit Vejjajiva marked the party’s 72nd anniversary celebrations yesterday by highlighting liberal democracy as its continuing core value and he also distanced himself from the junta that is looking to remain in politics.

 

Democrats will compete with both the Junta and the Pheu Thai Party, he said.

 

“The Democrat Party’s way will differ from others. While the National Council for Peace and Order centralises power to a bureaucratic system, we aim to decentralise it,” Abhisit said.

 

“And Pheu Thai – they focus on populism but we think about sustainability, welfare and rights.”

 

With the political climate today centred on emerging young new players who pledge to bring fresh ideas to the table, the former PM said the younger members of the Democrat party would work alongside the older ones. The Democrat Party also needed to make some changes, he admitted. Abhisit also predicted a constitutional amendment could be possible after the upcoming election.

 

Due to impractical clauses that led to the failure of reform and graft fighting, the people would pressure the junta-appointed Senate to agree to make amendments, he said.

 

However, Abhisit said politicians also needed to prove themselves in order to boost people’s faith in them.

 

A large number of party members attended yesterday’s anniversary celebrations. Among them were prominent Democrat Party leaders Akanat Promphan and Nattapol Teepsuwan, who turned up to reaffirm their allegiance amid uncertainty over whether those who had led the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) would form a new party to support the junta or return to their former base. PDRC head Suthep Thaugsuban, who had vowed not to return to politics, did not attend the event, although he had been a Democrat key member as well as Abhisit’s deputy prime minister.

 

Ex-party leader and Democrat patriarch Chuan Leekpai stressed the country needed to move forward, following criticism that the Party had often been attacked for not playing by the rules and siding with the military.

 

“We know that a crisis has been caused by the business of politics but we must uphold democracy, with the monarch as the head of the state, as well as with the parliamentary system,” Chuan said. In response to the junta head PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s remarks that politicians were bad, Chuan said some soldiers were bad, too. He urged politicians to stand up against such insults. There were both good and bad people in every profession, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30342655

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-07

9 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Democrats will ‘differ’ from junta: Abhisit

well he couldn't very well say:' we are the same', now could he ?

I find it interesting how... insignificant the Dems seem to be these days and how diminished Abhisit has become.

 

Having followed the political development of Thailand for many years, I find it difficult to accept that the Dems are a spent force, but I really do not see (at the moment at least) how they can generate excitement for their ideas and/or party.

 

Democratic? It is difficult to take them seriously based on their boycotting of elections when they clearly were going to lose; being Democratic means fighting an election WITHOUT a guarantee of victory. 

 

Decentralization? Can anyone name a Dem policy on decentralization? I can't and I am a bit of a political junkie. Anyone?

 

Rights? See Democracy above. Anyone?

 

General policies? I can't name a policy that would be a 'signature' policy for the Dems. Anyone?

 

Civilian government/rule? Sorry, but there has been too much support for the military over the last decade or two; the PDRC/Suthep was the Dem party with extra money for mob-renting. A policy for civilians? A policy to lessen the role of the military in Thai politics? Anyone?

 

The current Dems seem to be like an (excuse me) old 'working girl' who still retains a few of her old customers but doesn't realize that she will have no new ones. She will be on stage for a while, however...

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

21 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

There were both good and bad people in every profession, he said.

 

It's so hard to find a good white-washer these days.

He has his work cut out. Dems and the Junta parties will share the same voters the Dems had previously. Hard to see many PT voters switching sides.

Easy win for PT is my prediction followed by judicial coup within 4 years for not following the 20 year roadmap.

The Dems and PT joined forces and swept the vote. Their first actions were to remove all past amnesties and then drastically reduced the power of the military for ever.

 

Then I woke up.

Surely he is as tainted by the past as the "other side" - he should resign and make way for someone new who is not tainted by the red/yellow era.

Abhisit old and tired.

Go home!

So......not boycotting another election again??

 

Next election results:

 

PTP = first in a landslide (more than 220 seats)

Junta cronies = distant second (50-80 seats)

Democrats = just one of the multitude of minor parties (less the 30 seats)

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“We know that a crisis has been caused by the business of politics but we must uphold democracy, with the monarch as the head of the state, as well as with the parliamentary system,” Chuan said. In response to the junta head PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s remarks that politicians were bad, Chuan said some soldiers were bad, too. He urged politicians to stand up against such insults. There were both good and bad people in every profession, he said.

Seriously how old are those people?......12?

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Democrats will ‘differ’ from junta: Abhisit

Yeah sure.....'

You silly fools created the junta....by boycotting elections......and your old friend Suthep roaming the streets paving way for the coup.

Sorry to tell you...No credibility left...!!

46 minutes ago, JOC said:

Yeah sure.....'

You silly fools created the junta....by boycotting elections......and your old friend Suthep roaming the streets paving way for the coup.

Sorry to tell you...No credibility left...!!

 

46 minutes ago, JOC said:

 

Yes, Abhisit should be regarded as a person of no valuable contribution to progressive politics or national freedom. He betrayed the Thai people more than once.

 

And have you seen his young (English-educated - again) nephew (also involved in Thai 'Democrat' politics)? He is like a collapsable pocket-version of his uncle! Looks the same, speaks the same as Abhisit - and the same old weasel words and lack of passion, fire and commitment to a noble goal (justice and freedom). If one starts off pretty mild and un-passionate in one's youth, what hope is there for when one is much older and (perhaps) holds the reins of power in some form? I can tell you the result: CONFORMISM TO THE POWERS THAT BE (and that is Abhisit too - at the end of the day).

 

I personally have not the slightest interest in what Abhisit has to say. Ultimately, the man has very soiled hands ...

 

 

Edited April 7, 20188 yr by Eligius

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

PARTY WILL UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, LEADER SAYS

How many will trust his words now. His political career as leader of Dem is doomed. His party face threats from internal fractions, externally threatened by new parties and the north and northeast have not forgotten Rajaprasong.

 

If he care for the party, he really have to step down and allow a new leader to be chosen. Can’t understand why the party persist with him as party leader. Banyat was asked to resign after 1 bad election while Ahbisit still around after few poor showings and the military linked connotation is a dead weight to the party.

 

Changing a new leader is more effective to announce changes and get back to their roots of being a strong opponent to the military; the Dem Party that people know in the past. 

Hmmmhhh, Democrat? Just another unelected prime minister...

 

There should probably be a law defining the status of "PM Caretaker", and the duration of their mandates. Reckon caretakers should probably be prevented to mingle into politics.

Edited April 7, 20188 yr by KiChakayan

2 hours ago, pornprong said:

So......not boycotting another election again??

 

Next election results:

 

PTP = first in a landslide (more than 220 seats)

Junta cronies = distant second (50-80 seats)

Democrats = just one of the multitude of minor parties (less the 30 seats)

Clearly not a conclusive result for anyone, so the Senate, to avoid conflict, appoints an "outsider" as Prime Minister. A certain General Prayut. 

 

Happiness is returned and traditional polyester costumes all round...

Edited April 7, 20188 yr by JAG

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Democrats will ‘differ’ from junta: Abhisit

... because we wont have guns

5 hours ago, Thailand said:

The Dems and PT joined forces and swept the vote. Their first actions were to remove all past amnesties and then drastically reduced the power of the military for ever.

 

Then I woke up.

 

It will be the only way that the Democrats under their current leadership will get any chance of being in government and probably the only way to break the grip that the cuurent government has.

 

It would also be great if the leadership of the Democrats including Abhisit resigned and let a young new leadership take over. People no older than 55 would do it.

4 hours ago, Eligius said:

Ultimately, the man has very soiled hands ...

As well as blood on his hands for the 2010 killing of unarmed 90 civilians. Hardly what one can call a sustaining policy and concern for people's rights.

2 hours ago, grumbleweed said:

... because we wont have guns

But we may have the Abbot who commands armed guards.

10 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Abhisit and Chuan

Not sure how he'll get that polo in his mouth !

5 hours ago, JAG said:

Clearly not a conclusive result for anyone, so the Senate, to avoid conflict, appoints an "outsider" as Prime Minister. A certain General Prayut. 

 

Happiness is returned and traditional polyester costumes all round...

Thaksin predicts PTP will be within touching distance of the required 251 seats to select their own PM.

One or two small parties joining a coalition and it's bye bye Prayuth.

This is the most likely outcome of any election - the longer the Junta delays, the more votes the drive into Thaksin's camp.

 

Also remember, if military parties don't manage to win at least 126 seats in the lower house, the fully appointed rigged senate counts for naught (250+125=375 when 376 votes are required for an outsider PM).  The last election, 424 seats (PTP = 265 and Dems = 159) were split between PTP and the Democrats and just 76 went to other parties. It's tough to see how the Junta gets 126 seats - if they won 50% of the Dems seats and 50% of the third party seats then they would still only have 118... not enough.

 

Any election spells the end of Prayuth.

No election spells the end of Prayuth

 

Thaksin has played it out perfectly... sit back, relax and let the clowns fail all by themselves.

 

If you want any further proof that the Juntas days are numbered....look at how even the die hard fascist junta nut jobs on Thai Visa have all but ceased their incessant and ignorant cheerleading.

11 minutes ago, pornprong said:

Thaksin predicts PTP will be within touching distance of the required 251 seats to select their own PM.

One or two small parties joining a coalition and it's bye bye Prayuth.

This is the most likely outcome of any election - the longer the Junta delays, the more votes the drive into Thaksin's camp.

 

Also remember, if military parties don't manage to win at least 126 seats in the lower house, the fully appointed rigged senate counts for naught (250+125=375 when 376 votes are required for an outsider PM).  The last election, 424 seats (PTP = 265 and Dems = 159) were split between PTP and the Democrats and just 76 went to other parties. It's tough to see how the Junta gets 126 seats - if they won 50% of the Dems seats and 50% of the third party seats then they would still only have 118... not enough.

 

Any election spells the end of Prayuth.

No election spells the end of Prayuth

 

Thaksin has played it out perfectly... sit back, relax and let the clowns fail all by themselves.

 

If you want any further proof that the Juntas days are numbered....look at how even the die hard fascist junta nut jobs on Thai Visa have all but ceased their incessant and ignorant cheerleading.

I like what you write, Pornprong; but I don't think we should under-estimate just how nefarious the junta and their power-wielding backers are and what they can claim (invent/ concoct), in order to annul any result which goes against them. Remember: they will still hold effective total power until a new Government is approved from on high and sworn in. The junta may not be going anywhere soon. They always hold (ridiculous, it is true - but in Thailand effective) cards up their sleeves.

 

This is going to be a fight to the death ...

 

Edited April 7, 20188 yr by Eligius

6 minutes ago, Eligius said:

they will still hold effective total power until a new Government is approved from on high and sworn in. The junta may not be going anywhere soon.

And least not never underestimate the power of the Constitutional Court - Thailand’s traditional elite “Legal Control Tool.” - Terence J. Chulavachana, Thai Intel Group (April 8, 2013)

Sadly they are all thieves and the only 'difference' will be his lot not wearing uniforms !

43 minutes ago, Eligius said:

I like what you write, Pornprong; but I don't think we should under-estimate just how nefarious the junta and their power-wielding backers are and what they can claim (invent/ concoct), in order to annul any result which goes against them. Remember: they will still hold effective total power until a new Government is approved from on high and sworn in. The junta may not be going anywhere soon. They always hold (ridiculous, it is true - but in Thailand effective) cards up their sleeves.

 

This is going to be a fight to the death ...

 

When push comes to shove, the Thai people know what to do.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope Ahbisit will hold true to what he say and not give in to offer, influence or intimidation by the military as happened before. His party by virtue of being the 2nd largest party will made or break Prayut’s ambition. 

 

The pro Prayut parties would not win enough seats to form the majority in the lower house. Suthep incumbency in Nakorn Si-Thammarat and Surat Thani may take 15 seats for his pro Prayut party. Even if the mid size parties who will win big under the MMA system would only muster 80-90 seats i.e. all 3 mid size parties BJT, CTP and CTPP support Prayut. Big if. The smaller parties are pretty much insignificant in making up the majority. 

 

Dem holds the key to challenge PTP for a majority stake in the lower house. If they take 150 seats even losing seats in the above 2 provinces; they can be the majority but will mean going to bed with the military and getting support from the 3 mid size parties and Suthep. May happen but I hope he will not renege his promise. If that happen PTP will have the majority and no more Prayut. Good riddance and happy to see him go. 

Let’s just remind everyone of what party under what Family mafia hegemony cost the country billions in waste! Yes Poo Thai


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