Thai court dissolves opposition party critical of military rule

[George Bowman]

12 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The Constitutional Court on Friday (February 21) ordered the Future Forward Party dissolved

Many of my former international school students were about nine years old the last time i saw them. Now they are getting close to 30 and the majority are either business owners or employed in well paying jobs throughout Thailand. This is not a scientific poll by any means, but if their Facebook posts are anything to go by, they are not happy. Everything may be swept under the carpet, but it is going to take a pretty big broom...

[rooster59]

Tears and ‘three-finger salutes’

By THE NATION

 

Gloom prevails over the party's headquarter after the court's verdict was read.

 

Supporters of the Future Forward Party were shocked by the Constitutional Court’s decision on Friday (February 21) to dissolve the party, but many were soon defiantly raising “three-finger salutes” in protest against the conservative establishment.

 

Supporters in tears and dismay.

 

Party headquarters in Bangkok was overcome by a sombre mood after the court’s verdict was read. There were tears and shouts of dismay, while others quietly jotted down their feelings on paper and otherwise avoided unseemly reactions in accordance with the party executive’s request. The court revoked the executives’ right to contest any elections for 10 years and prohibited them from registering a new party in that time.

 

Some quietly jot down their feelings on paper or ipad.

 

The court ruled that the money Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, party leader, dished out in loans represented a massive donation – illegal under Section 66 of the Political Parties Act, which limits donations to Bt10 million per year.

 

Holding back from unseemly reactions as advised by party executives.

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30382584

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-02-22

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

 

[Classic Ray]

If a new party is formed to take over the Future Forward agenda, they could solicit individual donations from the 5 million people who voted for them. The price of a lottery ticket, 80 baht, from each would give them a 400 million baht war chest to carry on the work.

[Grumpy John]

Will this be the watershed moment that sees Thailand revisit the goings on in 2014?  My guess is it could be far worse this time.  Prayut is about as popular as a barbed wire enima. A certain someone who cannot be named hasn't won the minds or hearts of the people....well those around here.  Dark days are on the horizon,  It's just how dark has to be determined.  

[paddypower]

Add this to the beginning of the perfect political storm: My favourite Peua Thai cowboy is riding to the rescue. Chalerm Yooboomruang wrote last month on Facebook that his party would target a land deal involving an alleged subsidiary of ThaiBev created just a day before it purchased Bangkok land from Prayut’s family for 600 million baht ($19.2 million), a sum he and others claim far exceeds the land’s underlying market value.   

Prayut has consistently denied any impropriety in the deal.

The deal has also raised eyebrows as it occurred just months before Prayut’s May 2014 coup, sparking speculation about whether ThaiBev executives, including billionaire founder and chairman Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, may have been tipped to the coup, after which ThaiBev’s businesses thrived under Prayut’s military rule. 

ThaiBev has not publicly commented on the allegations; the company’s chairman could not be reached for comment. Interestingly, acacording to today's article at Asia Times, the ThaiBev family has, since the coup emerged as the kingdom’s largest property developer and private land-owner, with an industry estimated portfolio of 630,000 rai including major commercial and retail buildings in the capital city.

They include the “One Bangkok” integrated development being built in league with the Crown Property Bureau, the multi-billion-dollar land-holding wealth arm of King Vajiralongkorn. The 120 billion baht ($3.5 billion) development, seen by some as Exhibit A of a new 1997-style property bubble, is the largest ever undertaken in the kingdom.

[FarFlungFalang]

42 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

If a new party is formed to take over the Future Forward agenda, they could solicit individual donations from the 5 million people who voted for them. The price of a lottery ticket, 80 baht, from each would give them a 400 million baht war chest to carry on the work.

They would just deem it as gambling and gambling is illegal same result.These are the law makers of Thailand they can and do make the laws that others must follow,that is the Thai justice system and that is where Steven100 is correct.If the Thai people want another system they need only take it,not by force but by numbers. 

[BestB]

Déjà Vu, only this party appears to be clean Just on the wrong side of the fence .

by the way , this is not Prayuts doing, orders came from above

Edited February 22, 2020 by BestB

[CLW]

2 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

They would just deem it as gambling and gambling is illegal same result.These are the law makers of Thailand they can and do make the laws that others must follow,that is the Thai justice system and that is where Steven100 is correct.If the Thai people want another system they need only take it,not by force but by numbers. 

Absolutely right. The current government will always find a way to suppress their enemies.

 

Founding a new party and soon they'll find another reason to dissolve them.

 

Go around the country and hold public gatherings, it will be banned as not allowed.

 

I see no other hope than civil disobedience and peaceful mass protests to get rid of this government.

[248900_1469958220]

1 hour ago, Canuck1966 said:

I hope the country sinks to depths never seen before.

It's the only way to get this apathetic nation to rise against these odious, despicable characters.

 

I have wondered when the straw that breaks the camels back will come for.....years. I do wonder whether this nation is now too pacified to act. There have been many, many times over the past decade AT LEAST where I thought the straw would drop....it never came. Your thoughts?

[Monomial]

1 hour ago, keith101 said:

Thai court dissolves opposition party critical of military rule .

Is this the main reason because 191 million baht given to a political party doesn't seem excessive to me IMO .

 

Are you being sarcastic or do you honestly think this?  Very difficult to tell sometimes on a forum. 191 million is an egregious amount of money for 1 person to give to a political party. That kind of money controls a political party, which is exactly what the law was written to avoid. Trying to get around the rules by calling it a loan was flagrantly against the intent of the law and just asking for trouble.

 

In any case, while legally the ruling was required given how obvious the offense was, I really wish they hadn't done it. The court has made horrible decisions for biased political reasons in the past. Couldn't they have seen their way to make a bad legal decision in this case also? Disbanding the FFP is hardly in the best interests of the country. I suspect if this had been Prayut's "donation" under investigation they would have found a way to look the other way.

[seajae]

looks like the pm is doing a hun sen, removing anyone/party that can challenge him, we may be in for a dictatorship for years to come looking at what the govt is doing, have to wonder how big the cake box sent to the court was, this does not bode well for Thailand

 

[FarFlungFalang]

30 minutes ago, Monomial said:

 

Are you being sarcastic or do you honestly think this?  Very difficult to tell sometimes on a forum. 191 million is an egregious amount of money for 1 person to give to a political party. That kind of money controls a political party, which is exactly what the law was written to avoid. Trying to get around the rules by calling it a loan was flagrantly against the intent of the law and just asking for trouble.

 

In any case, while legally the ruling was required given how obvious the offense was, I really wish they hadn't done it. The court has made horrible decisions for biased political reasons in the past. Couldn't they have seen their way to make a bad legal decision in this case also? Disbanding the FFP is hardly in the best interests of the country. I suspect if this had been Prayut's "donation" under investigation they would have found a way to look the other way.

You make a salient point,this decision shows up Thanathorn's inexperience in dealing with Thai politics he could do well to take a few pointers from the Health Minister and play his cards much closer to his chest.Who knows if he will now find himself as a neighbour of a couple of previous failed Thai politicians  in a country that is not Thailand.Does he have the tenacity to wait for ten years as well as a few years in gaol?

[justin case]

massive street protests ... the finale COUP to thailands tourism "milking foreigne's money" industry

[holy cow cm]

5 hours ago, steven100 said:

Thank you, justice has prevailed again. Kinda reminds me of the Australian guy, Clive Palmers united party, nothing but trouble and a waste of millions of dollars.

 

You know, it is not true justice, only a head cutting cull. If you remember correctly there have been way too many instances that the PPP and its army cronies looked to have stepped way way over the line. But rules and things have been rewritten or they had the law luckily interpreted in a way to favor them. To bring to instance was one fund raiser that got swept under the table.

 

This is a true travesty and injustice for Thailand and its younger generation who deserve better than this military charade in sheep's clothing. It is a sad day in Thai history once again and these big headed figures meaning their group are not fooling anyone in the world community or domestically with its people. I was hoping for a better future for the young Thai generation that includes my children, but all they got is a group who down grade freedoms by keeping power and keeping riches for their elite cronies and themselves. Time needs to change here Steven. Democracy is not suppression., 

Edited February 22, 2020 by holy cow cm

[miamiman123]

Cannot dissolve the cause only the party. 
 

[canuckamuck]

 

Something about leopards and spots comes to mind.

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, 248900_1469958220 said:

I do wonder whether this nation is now too pacified to act.

It's not rocket science, who controls the weapons of war control the country!

[ParkerN]

2 hours ago, 248900_1469958220 said:

I have wondered when the straw that breaks the camels back will come for.....years. I do wonder whether this nation is now too pacified to act. There have been many, many times over the past decade AT LEAST where I thought the straw would drop....it never came. Your thoughts?

Agreed. Sadly.

 

I also think they are too bullied and apathetic to ever kick these muppets out. I wish it were otherwise but I have come to the conclusion that it just isn't. Gepetto's dad and now Gepetto are the villains of the piece but if the Thais are Ok with it then I'm going to just carry on looking after number one too, and they can all go to biggery.

 

Thailand is a land of the exploited and the exploiters. Most of the exploited want to be exploiters one day anyway, so the motivation to improve society jut isn't there. Good luck to them but fair warning; the sound you will hear as the country flushes itself down the toilet will be the sound of me laughing and saying 'I told you so but you knew better'.

Edited February 22, 2020 by ParkerN

[metisdead]

Some inflammatory posts and replies have been removed:

 

25) No public discussion is allowed with regard to other forum members, as well as to advertisements or sponsors, or methods of blocking advertisements.

 

Posts using trolling memes or trolling videos have been removed. 
 

[248900_1469958220]

3 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

It's not rocket science, who controls the weapons of war control the country!

I agree however, that has been the case in many other countries in the past. Take a look at the people of Hong Kong, getting the <deleted> beaten out of them....and coming back for more.....a different breed perhaps?

[canuckamuck]

Thais are giving the three finger salute, but eventually they will just use the one finger.

[PatOngo]

1 minute ago, 248900_1469958220 said:

I agree however, that has been the case in many other countries in the past. Take a look at the people of Hong Kong, getting the <deleted> beaten out of them....and coming back for more.....a different breed perhaps?

Totally different breed, educated and motivated!

[FarFlungFalang]

8 minutes ago, miamiman123 said:

Cannot dissolve the cause only the party. 
 

They dissolved (seized) 181 million baht from the party apparently.

 

"The money in excess of 10 million baht, or 181.3 million baht, will also be seized and put in the Political Party Development fund.

[ParkerN]

Just now, PatOngo said:

Totally different breed, educated and motivated!

Yup. In generl, Thais just don't have the hardware.

 

They think they do, they think they have the best hardware in the world but they don't. It just doesn't work.

[ParkerN]

2 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

They dissolved (seized) 181 million baht from the party apparently.

 

"The money in excess of 10 million baht, or 181.3 million baht, will also be seized and put in the Political Party Development fund.

More thievery.

 

 

[PatOngo]

2 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

Thais are giving the three finger salute, but eventually they will just use the one finger.

I think they will FEEL the one finger as they continue to get shafted!

[PatOngo]

1 minute ago, ParkerN said:

Yup. In generl, Thais just don't have the hardware.

 

They think they do, they think they have the best hardware in the world but they don't. It just doesn't work.

A rogue soldier proved recently that it does work!

[Dario]

4 hours ago, paddypower said:

this aint over, is it?  The future belongs to the youth of Thailand. Since markets hate uncertainty, I suspect that this will start a decline in the Baht? If so, it will not matter to most expats, other than you will see an inprovement in the FX rate for your home currency.

The decline of the Baht got a re-start after the verdict came out. The Euro is up to over 34 Baht again. It is little, but the market reacted.

[klauskunkel]

6 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

the prime minister says a constitution drawn up during military rule is necessary to ensure

my immunity

[Dario]

8 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

They dissolved (seized) 181 million baht from the party apparently.

 

"The money in excess of 10 million baht, or 181.3 million baht, will also be seized and put in the Political Party Development fund.

Woaw, mind blowing! No further comments ... we are not allowed to say what we think.