Pheu Thai, Future Forward relishing roles in opposition

[webfact]

Pheu Thai, Future Forward relishing roles in opposition

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

KEY OPPOSITION parties Pheu Thai and Future Forward are bracing for drawn-out fight against “the establishment” both in and outside Parliament now that the junta has successfully re-arisen as an elected government dominating the House.

 

Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai posted on Facebook yesterday about future plans as leader of the opposition, a tumble in expectations given its strong showing in the March election.

 

Pheu Thai will be fighting both inside and outside Parliament, he said.

 

The veteran politician said it would be Pheu Thai’s duty, as the party with the most MPs and thus leading the opposition, to apply checks and balances as needed to the government. 

 

The fight in Parliament will be difficult due to rules and regulations in place that he said give the government advantages.

 

The challenge ahead gives the party its second mission, Phumtham said, which is to ensure its support network is fully participating in efforts to reach long-term goals.

 

A network of pro-democracy people should have an aim to support constitutional amendments that benefit democracy and the country in the long term, he wrote.

 

“This mechanism is necessary alongside the work in the parliament,” he said. “The goal is to coordinate and create mutual understanding on not only the Constitution as legislation but also its essence – human-rights violations and inequality.”

 

Plan to strengthen base

 

He said the party also planned to broaden and strengthen its base in both rural and urban areas as well as online, and position itself as the champion of justice.

 

Phumtham said Pheu Thai was seeking to become an even stronger political institution.

 

“The party must be able to serve the public interest continuously and in the long term,” he said. “It won’t just live during the election campaign and the opening of Parliament. It will be strong and by the people’s side always.”

 

Future Forward, with 80 MPs the second-largest party in the opposition bloc, celebrated its first anniversary on Saturday with indications of similar moves ahead. 

 

At the “Walk with Me, Talk with Me” event, party leaders made clear the main focus was to be much more than an opposition party. They want to strengthen it as a political institution and build massive support outside Parliament.

 

Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said he was currently barred from Parliament over legal issues, but there were 79 other MPs ready to represent the public interest in the lower house.

 

And, although the pro-junta bloc with its solid Senate backing will dominate Parliament, Thanathorn said, Future Forward still had faith in parliamentary politics as a peaceful means to resolve conflicts and achieve national goals.

 

Future Forward’s plans outside Parliament, he said, entail growing stronger as a political institution and gaining more offline supporters. 

 

“The party must be financially independent, so one day, if Thanathorn has changed [his views], Future Forward could kick him out and replace him,” the wealthy leader said, referring to himself. “This party must be bigger than Thanathorn and [other party leaders]. It must be everyone’s party.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30370801

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-10

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[bannork]

Thanathon, Piyabutr and Chor of FFP really give me hope for the future, participatory politics. 

 

 

[Thailand]

Keep winding up Prayuth, shown it is easy to do. Chip away at disgruntled mp's who sold out to the junta, sure to be quite a few particularly in the smaller parties. And carry and refer to the opposition manual " Animal Farm" at all times.

 

[JAG]

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

Keep winding up Prayuth, shown it is easy to do. Chip away at disgruntled mp's who sold out to the junta, sure to be quite a few particularly in the smaller parties. And carry and refer to the opposition manual " Animal Farm" at all times.

 

The one thing which really must disturb the sleep of Prayut and the Dinosaurs (a phrase I heard used by a Thai friend of mine the other day!) is the thought of a large opposition bloc made up from Pheu Tai - the rural masses from the North and North East, and Future Forward - young, metropolitan, educated and media savvy. These two parties have many different policies, but if they can maintain an effective alliance in parliament, that will worry the junta - and next time...

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

The one thing which really must disturb the sleep of Prayut and the Dinosaurs (a phrase I heard used by a Thai friend of mine the other day!) is the thought of a large opposition bloc made up from Pheu Tai - the rural masses from the North and North East, and Future Forward - young, metropolitan, educated and media savvy. These two parties have many different policies, but if they can maintain an effective alliance in parliament, that will worry the junta - and next time...

They are the hope of the country's 99%.  It will be great to watch them enrage the little general whose only military credits are turning guns in civilians.  Watching him lose his temper will be great fun and good for the country.

[MRToMRT]

So we are back where we started. One clique against another. But both sides having the common factor of massive corruption joining them at the hip.

 

This is NOT about "democracy" its about power and influence and ultimately money. 

 

[Artisi]

It is probably to the advantage of Thailand's future that Napoleon is now the leader, with the passing of time, more and more who backed the junta will come to understand what a farce the rigged election was and will tend to drift off into other parties -  the junta has more than likely with the devious scheming made a rod for their own backs. 

[Eligius]

'The fight in Parliament will be difficult due to rules and regulations in place that give the government advantages.'

And there we have it: a major plank of the junta's plan to muzzle and stifle the Opposition. 'Rules and regulations' will constantly be invoked to slap down and silence - even eject from the Chamber - any M.P. who dares to speak out forcefully and pertinently against the militarists. Those 'rules and regulations' will be totally elastic - and always bent in favour of the junta; indeed, effectively, new 'rules and regulations' will miraculously be introduced which magically favour - EVERY time -  the militarists and never the democratic forces.

 

I do not see how this whole hijacked, faux-government can survive very long. Even the Thais (some of them) will not put up with this nonsense forever ...

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

The one thing which really must disturb the sleep of Prayut and the Dinosaurs (a phrase I heard used by a Thai friend of mine the other day!) is the thought of a large opposition bloc made up from Pheu Tai - the rural masses from the North and North East, and Future Forward - young, metropolitan, educated and media savvy. These two parties have many different policies, but if they can maintain an effective alliance in parliament, that will worry the junta - and next time...

More nightmares for Prayut when the FFP gain control of the local politics and win the tambon, municipal and province elections. They should avoid street demonstration that play into the hands of the junta. Judging from social media, they are winning to hearts of the people. 

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

'The fight in Parliament will be difficult due to rules and regulations in place that give the government advantages.'

And there we have it: a major plank of the junta's plan to muzzle and stifle the Opposition. 'Rules and regulations' will constantly be invoked to slap down and silence - even eject from the Chamber - any M.P. who dares to speak out forcefully and pertinently against the militarists. Those 'rules and regulations' will be totally elastic - and always bent in favour of the junta; indeed, effectively, new 'rules and regulations' will miraculously be introduced which magically favour - EVERY time -  the militarists and never the democratic forces.

 

I do not see how this whole hijacked, faux-government can survive very long. Even the Thais (some of them) will not put up with this nonsense forever ...

 

Yes, those pesky rules and regulations. Much better when you can send the opposition home believing the vote will be held tomorrow and then vote in the early hours when they've gone! Or get cronies to vote for several colleagues illegally as the colleagues had something better to do!

 

PTP never been good at following rules, even their own and their boss's

[robblok]

21 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Yes, those pesky rules and regulations. Much better when you can send the opposition home believing the vote will be held tomorrow and then vote in the early hours when they've gone! Or get cronies to vote for several colleagues illegally as the colleagues had something better to do!

 

PTP never been good at following rules, even their own and their boss's

So true, but the junta does exactly the same thing bending the rules to suit themselves.

 

The only one i see as a lil bit good is FFW (unproven but i think there are good intentions)

 

So far all governments have done exactly the same things use rules against their enemies and bend them for themselves. 

 

Would be so nice to see a government not doing this. I doubt it will ever happen here even in the west you see bias, but here its far more extreme. This really creates resentment on both sides and that is part why Thailand won't go forward. Both sides want total control for their own benefit.

 

I can only hope that future forward is a bit different.

[GarryP]

3 hours ago, yellowboat said:

They are the hope of the country's 99%.  It will be great to watch them enrage the little general whose only military credits are turning guns in civilians.  Watching him lose his temper will be great fun and good for the country.

Most certainly will be interesting, providing that FFP is not disbanded by the Constitutional Court. Still many pending cases. 

[bannork]

21 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Most certainly will be interesting, providing that FFP is not disbanded by the Constitutional Court. Still many pending cases. 

Thanathon's loan to the party may be the weapon used to dismantle FF

[GarryP]

4 minutes ago, bannork said:

Thanathon's loan to the party may be the weapon used to dismantle FF

I too think that will be the party's downfall. They can't get him on the shareholding issue as they would also have to apply the same standard to other MPs, and most of those affected are members of Palang Prachachart. It would be too obviously biased if only Thanathorn was found guilty while other MPs got off or were ignored. People would be up in arms about the double standard. However, the Baht 110 Million loan is another matter altogether. As far as I am aware no other party has received such a loan from any benefactors, so the Constitutional Court could go to town on this charge without being seen to be biased and the only party to be damaged is FFP.

 

I hope that is not the case, but I cannot see the authorities not trying to clip the wings of or disband FFP. It is becoming to popular for the establishment to ignore.      

[Cadbury]

6 hours ago, Thailand said:

Keep winding up Prayuth, shown it is easy to do. Chip away at disgruntled mp's who sold out to the junta, sure to be quite a few particularly in the smaller parties. And carry and refer to the opposition manual " Animal Farm" at all times.

 

Yes, keep winding him up is the way to do it. The precious little petal hasn't got the fluency or the eloquence to defend himself in a civil manner. Barking orders or threatening people with a punch in the mouth is more his style.

Ultimately his temper will take over and he will explode into a frothing rage then people will be able to see him for what he is.

[JAG]

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Yes, those pesky rules and regulations. Much better when you can send the opposition home believing the vote will be held tomorrow and then vote in the early hours when they've gone! Or get cronies to vote for several colleagues illegally as the colleagues had something better to do!

 

PTP never been good at following rules, even their own and their boss's

You know, if the Archangel Gabriel appeared  in the sky over Bangkok, and accompanied by great trumpet blasts announced the day of judgement, you would manage to make a post linking it to Thaksin!

 

If nothing else your creativity is astonishing, and your sheer persistence quite remarkable!

????

[blazes]

This thread is interesting, since it raises a question that has been posed in the history of so many countries in the last 100 or more years.

That is, what is the best way forward?  This question dominated the politics of Great Britain and Russia in the first few decades of the 20th century.  Was it to be via revolution? or via a gradual winning over of the electorate to the "progressive" point of view?

Russia answered the question in 1917.  GB toyed with it strongly in 1926 when the General Strike almost brought the country to a Soviet-style solution.  It wasn't till after WW2, and the landslide election of a Labour government, that the question was (finally?) answered in GB.

 

Now, Thailand must decide whether it can go the route of revolution as was the case for China and Vietnam.

I am pessimistic....the FF movement is hopeful, but I am really sceptical as to whether all the young millennials who are so energised by Thanathorn would really be willing to abandon the safety and comfort of their cell phones for the really HARD work of either revolution or even just gradual reform.

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, bannork said:

Thanathon's loan to the party may be the weapon used to dismantle FF

If they don’t get him on the loan case which I respectfully think that this is a weak case, they will get him on a number of other charges. He has been charged with sedition (section 116 of the criminal code), helping a suspect escape (section 189) and assembling of more than 10 causing unrest (section 215). It was to be trial by the military court. Not sure about that now with elected government. Besides he was charged for cypercrime for criticizing the junta. The reason why I think the party loan case is weak is because there are no specific law in the Political Party Act regarding loan. 

    

[sjaak327]

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Yes, those pesky rules and regulations. Much better when you can send the opposition home believing the vote will be held tomorrow and then vote in the early hours when they've gone! Or get cronies to vote for several colleagues illegally as the colleagues had something better to do!

 

PTP never been good at following rules, even their own and their boss's

They have proven to be much better at following the rules as the junta, that much is absolutely certain. So tired of your attempts to deflect. 

[robertson468]

The other night, my Wife (Thai) and I watched the Film "Animal Farm".  At first I thought just a well presented cartoon type film, but slowly (in my case very slowly) I began to relate what was going on in the film as to what is going on in Thai Politics!  Would strongly recommend it to TV Members.  You may also end up wondering if the present Government will end up the same way as the film..........I am sure there are many Thai Opposition Members will be hoping so!

[GarryP]

2 hours ago, Cadbury said:

Yes, keep winding him up is the way to do it. The precious little petal hasn't got the fluency or the eloquence to defend himself in a civil manner. Barking orders or threatening people with a punch in the mouth is more his style.

Ultimately his temper will take over and he will explode into a frothing rage then people will be able to see him for what he is.

How much for ringside seats? 

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

If they don’t get him on the loan case which I respectfully think that this is a weak case, they will get him on a number of other charges. He has been charged with sedition (section 116 of the criminal code), helping a suspect escape (section 189) and assembling of more than 10 causing unrest (section 215). It was to be trial by the military court. Not sure about that now with elected government. Besides he was charged for cypercrime for criticizing the junta. The reason why I think the party loan case is weak is because there are no specific law in the Political Party Act regarding loan. 

    

They may try to link it in with the ceiling on donations to political parties, although I personally don't see it as such. I too believe it a weak case, but when has that been a problem with the Constitutional Court? I don't think the sedition charges will stick because his actions were clearly not seditious and the international community is watching this. 

 

The cyber-crime case is another silly charge which has been filed against him. 

 

The bottom line is that they will do what they can to hinder/dissolve FFP with as little collateral damage as possible. If that means making ridiculous judgments so be it.

 

The party is already suffering from what the party spokesperson (Panika) posted on her facebook page. And while I personally do not find what she posted offensive, many Thais do. When your facebook page is open to the public you need to keep it clean, especially when you play an important role in a new political party.  She is being panned on social media at the moment. 

[pornprong]

Let us hope they do relish the role, and do it properly, holding the government of the day to account whilst simultaneously developing the policies that they will take to the next election.

 

Just imagine where Thailand would be today had Abhisit and the Democrats done the same, remaining faithful to democracy, instead of always seeking shortcuts to power via the barrel of a gun.

[scorecard]

10 hours ago, JAG said:

The one thing which really must disturb the sleep of Prayut and the Dinosaurs (a phrase I heard used by a Thai friend of mine the other day!) is the thought of a large opposition bloc made up from Pheu Tai - the rural masses from the North and North East, and Future Forward - young, metropolitan, educated and media savvy. These two parties have many different policies, but if they can maintain an effective alliance in parliament, that will worry the junta - and next time...

Nice point, but I wonder if the PM thinks / believes he is so special he can just yell at everybody as before and everybody should say 'yes sir' and do as they are told.

 

looking forward to the first time FF (inside or outside of parliament) really challenges the specifics of something tabled by the Junta group, and with strong logic easy to understand by the populace, which makes the junta offering look unprofessional, lacking in taking the country forward, lacking in democratic principles etc. 

 

[pornprong]

2 hours ago, GarryP said:

They may try to link it in with the ceiling on donations to political parties, although I personally don't see it as such. I too believe it a weak case, but when has that been a problem with the Constitutional Court? I don't think the sedition charges will stick because his actions were clearly not seditious and the international community is watching this. 

 

The cyber-crime case is another silly charge which has been filed against him. 

 

The bottom line is that they will do what they can to hinder/dissolve FFP with as little collateral damage as possible. If that means making ridiculous judgments so be it.

 

The party is already suffering from what the party spokesperson (Panika) posted on her facebook page. And while I personally do not find what she posted offensive, many Thais do. When your facebook page is open to the public you need to keep it clean, especially when you play an important role in a new political party.  She is being panned on social media at the moment. 

Hold up there cowboy.

What exactly do you mean by many?

A small minority of ultra nationalist do not represent the entire 70+ million Thai.

 

What exactly is the Facebook brouhaha?

 

"a 2010 graduation photo which shows her looking at a photo of King Rama IX while a classmate points at him".

 

And how does the ultra-nationalist Parina respond?

 

“‘E Chor’ nuk paen din,” Parina wrote.

The saying, “nuk paen din,” roughly translated as “scum of the earth” or “burdens on the country,” 

 

Classy hey?

 

And what do the crazies who think like Parina post?

 

Here's an example of the inanity.

 

“From what I’ve heard and read, everyone in the Future Forward party is evil and a danger to the country, religion and monarchy,” wrote Wichuda Kongnakorn. “I’m so worried that young people won’t be able to see through their smoke and mirrors.”

 

Uninformed, ignorant, brainwashed nonsense.

The past.

So even though Panika may be getting panned on social media, the important question is by who.

An date answer, nutters, that's who.

Braindead nut sacks who think dictatorship is awesome and democracy the pits.

These zombies are of no use to FF.

Ignore them and carry on rescuing the country.

 

Let us not also forget that FF has "many" supporters as well.

 

"But on liberal Twitter, the top-trending hashtags on Monday #EChorNukPaenDin and #SavePannika were filled with messages of support for the Future Forward MP".

 

Regardless what Thanathorn does or does not do, the courts are going to disqualify him.

It is an inevitable as Prayuth's coalition falling to pieces.

What happens after the courts overplay their hand is going to be what determines Thailand's immediate prospects.

One gets the feeling that Thaksin sees his best avenue to returning to Thailand lies with Thanathorn as PM.

Thaksin and Thanathorn v Prayuth and a bunch of zombies who think the masses are "scum of the earth".

Lay down misere.

 

BTW - fascinating article in today's Washington Post regarding Thailand. Can't post a link, 112, but a good read for those nonetheless.

 

 

 

[scorecard]

13 minutes ago, pornprong said:

Hold up there cowboy.

What exactly do you mean by many?

A small minority of ultra nationalist do not represent the entire 70+ million Thai.

 

What exactly is the Facebook brouhaha?

 

"a 2010 graduation photo which shows her looking at a photo of King Rama IX while a classmate points at him".

 

And how does the ultra-nationalist Parina respond?

 

“‘E Chor’ nuk paen din,” Parina wrote.

The saying, “nuk paen din,” roughly translated as “scum of the earth” or “burdens on the country,” 

 

Classy hey?

 

And what do the crazies who think like Parina post?

 

Here's an example of the inanity.

 

“From what I’ve heard and read, everyone in the Future Forward party is evil and a danger to the country, religion and monarchy,” wrote Wichuda Kongnakorn. “I’m so worried that young people won’t be able to see through their smoke and mirrors.”

 

Uninformed, ignorant, brainwashed nonsense.

The past.

So even though Panika may be getting panned on social media, the important question is by who.

An date answer, nutters, that's who.

Braindead nut sacks who think dictatorship is awesome and democracy the pits.

These zombies are of no use to FF.

Ignore them and carry on rescuing the country.

 

Let us not also forget that FF has "many" supporters as well.

 

"But on liberal Twitter, the top-trending hashtags on Monday #EChorNukPaenDin and #SavePannika were filled with messages of support for the Future Forward MP".

 

Regardless what Thanathorn does or does not do, the courts are going to disqualify him.

It is an inevitable as Prayuth's coalition falling to pieces.

What happens after the courts overplay their hand is going to be what determines Thailand's immediate prospects.

One gets the feeling that Thaksin sees his best avenue to returning to Thailand lies with Thanathorn as PM.

Thaksin and Thanathorn v Prayuth and a bunch of zombies who think the masses are "scum of the earth".

Lay down misere.

 

BTW - fascinating article in today's Washington Post regarding Thailand. Can't post a link, 112, but a good read for those nonetheless.

 

 

 

"One gets the feeling that Thaksin sees his best avenue to returning to Thailand lies with Thanathorn as PM.".

 

Why do you say this? Please share.

[pornprong]

59 minutes ago, scorecard said:

"One gets the feeling that Thaksin sees his best avenue to returning to Thailand lies with Thanathorn as PM.".

 

Why do you say this? Please share.

Three reasons.

 

1. Thanathorn has publicly stated that Thaksin should come back and face a new trial, and that it must be a fair trial presided over by an impartial judiciary. They've clearly negotiated a deal. A new trial = acquittal because the charges are nonsense, everyone except a few peanuts on TVF knows this. To me, Thaksin's biggest flaw has always been that he didn't want to end the status quo, he just wanted to have a leading position amongst the am-mart. They look down on him, new money. He was never really in it for the people. For him it was about legacy and status. Lee Kwan Yew wannabe. The people benefitted a lot from his Prime Ministership, but that was more a side affect than his main goal. My guess, he craves Prem's old position as head of the Privy Council. That ship has sailed so his next best option, facilitate Thanathorn's rise. Gets him a ticket back to Thailand. Thanathorn's assistance, as PM, solves Thaksin's legal woes.

 

2. Thaksin's willingness to take a back seat, give up all claims to the Prime Ministership and cabinet seats. This is of course incredibly selfish of him. The people involved in Pheu Thai don't want to win the most seats and then play second fiddle to FF, but that is what suits Thaksin so it will be interesting to see how that plays out. How many will abandon Pheu Thai rather than serve under Thanathorn? Thaksin returning during a Pheu Thai government is entirely different than him returning under a FF government - the former opens the door for cries of nepotism the latter can be sold as reconciliation.

 

3. They can't win without each other. Thaksin will, for the immediate future, own the populace north and north-east just a surely as the middle and upper classes of Bangkok will never vote for him. Enter, stage left Thanathorn. The missing jigsaw pieces fall into place. The children of the middle and upper classes adore him. Thanathorn brings in the urbanites whilst Thaksin lands the rice farmers - doesn't leave much for Prayuth, ex military and Suthep's goons from the south.

 

Thaksin is old and wants to come home and play with his grandkids and revel in the adoration of those toothless old ladies from the north we always see brandishing all manner of household goods adorned with his image. He also wants and end to the harassment of his family and for his sister to be able to return home.

 

Thanathorn is young, keen for the fight and a cleanskin relatively immune to junta propaganda.

 

Unless he ends up getting fished out of the Mekong, mutilated and encased in concrete, Thanathorn is the next PM of Thailand.

 

 

 

[chama]

Although it is rather un-Thai these parties better understand what they do now will dictate the support they get from the people in the future (elections).

[Wilsonandson]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

KEY OPPOSITION parties Pheu Thai and Future Forward are bracing for drawn-out fight against “the establishment” both in and outside Parliament now that the junta has successfully re-arisen as an elected government dominating the House.

A long fight indeed, but how long can the junta stay in power if Thanathorn keeps his position. He must have the junta very worried.

Nice Video clip of Thanathorn from a few weeks back explaining Thai democracy or lack of it.