Sonthi warns crisis likely in May

[younghusband]

sriracha john is consistently the most informed on the politics of thailand and i agree with his sentiments. i would REALLY like to see jdinasia study his history some more and read more articles to educate himself. Others too.

I have had a quick look at your posting history which gives me a very thorough understanding of your background knowledge of Thai history, culture and politics and why you have posted as in the quote above.I was wondering whether you have any specific articles you would like to recommend, preferably in relation to the topic.However if you have recommendations of a more general nature on Thai politics, perhaps you would be kind enough to identify them.I'm still struggling with the complexities and it's not often one gets the opportunity to tap into the intellectual resources you so obviously possess.Many thanks in advance.

[Plus]

Chamlong had huge influence though, and his final defection has sent shock waves, as he has been the person that has brought Thaksin into politics.

At the time there were many speculations going on about mass defection, and might have also happened if Thaksin had not ...

Many people have left TRT after snap elections but no one followed Chamlong into PAD.

Chamlong's defection didn't send any waves anywhere, he was a nobody in TRT, a freeloader without any position or a job. An old uncle gone nuts, must try not to make fun in public.

[ColPyat]

Chamlong had huge influence though, and his final defection has sent shock waves, as he has been the person that has brought Thaksin into politics.

At the time there were many speculations going on about mass defection, and might have also happened if Thaksin had not ...

Many people have left TRT after snap elections but no one followed Chamlong into PAD.

Chamlong's defection didn't send any waves anywhere, he was a nobody in TRT, a freeloader without any position or a job. An old uncle gone nuts, must try not to make fun in public.

I think you have a serious lack of understanding on how the patron client system in Thailand works, especially regarding seniority. And Chamlong may be many things, but not an "old uncle gone nuts". Definitively not.

[jdinasia]

sriracha john is consistently the most informed on the politics of thailand and i agree with his sentiments. i would REALLY like to see jdinasia study his history some more and read more articles to educate himself. Others too.

LOL ... did you find your beauty school? Oh wait in that thread you were Thai ... later you weren't etc etc ...

Now run along and play and let the adults talk <or contribute something useful ... but that would take .. an education ... some experience ... or at least some wit >

[sriracha john]

The PTV boasted a couple of weeks ago that if they couldn't fill Sanam Luang with protestors on May 31 they would give up rallying.

Time to honour your words boys.

Were they really niaive enough to say that? I missed it. That is quite a claim considering how little support they get. I think it takes 200,000 or so to fill Sanam Luang.

Yep... straight from the donkey's mouth:

PTV plans legal action against Sonthi for failure to act against corrupt officials

Jaruporn also challenged the junta to accept his offer. He said PTV would stop its activities if its mass rally planned for May 31 could not attract enough demonstrators to fill up the whole of Sanam Luang.

However, the CNS generals should step down if the rally gathered enough people, he added.

- The Nation

The above excerpt from:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1296240

So long, PTV...

I know since you guys are all honorable men, you will fulfill your promise.

[Plus]

I think you have a serious lack of understanding on how the patron client system in Thailand works, especially regarding seniority. And Chamlong may be many things, but not an "old uncle gone nuts". Definitively not.

Do you want me to find quotes where Chamlong, living in free shack in the govt compound as a "human development advisor", laments that Thaksin has stopped listening to him?

How many TRT MPs joined Chamlong against Thaksin's Liverpool lottery plan? How many TRT MPs attended Chamlong's blockade of listing Chang on Stock Exchange ?

None.

He was clearly a loose cannon there.

I can't see any logic or any grounds for your argument that Thaksins feared mass exodus of MPs because Chamlong had joined PAD, so he dissolved the parlament.

I know you can argue until cows come home without producing any evidence, but, really, you either produce something substantial or just drop the subject.

There was no threat to TRT's parlamentary stability, Thaksin dissolved the parlament to protect his own skin in the matter not related to law making in any way. MPs were elected to serve and represent the people and Thaksin dismissed them in one swoop.

It's even more sinister if he did it so that they couldn't perform their constitutional functions, like scrutinising the govt and the PM.

The Trubunal line of reasoning that the party was Thaksin's own personal tool and showed no concern for their proclaimed ideology of working for the people is dead solid.

We knew it all along, now it has been legalised.

[ColPyat]

How many TRT MPs joined Chamlong against Thaksin's Liverpool lottery plan? How many TRT MPs attended Chamlong's blockade of listing Chang on Stock Exchange ?

None.

He was clearly a loose cannon there.

I can't see any logic or any grounds for your argument that Thaksins feared mass exodus of MPs because Chamlong had joined PAD, so he dissolved the parlament.

There are many things you can't see.

The Liverpool plan was shafted, and so was the listing of beer Chang. Chamlong not just influences through open protests, he also has huge clout in military circles and behind the scene maneuverings. Read up on who his group of friends and comrades are, who he fought with during the volatile period of the 60s, 70s and 80s, who he was closely attached to throughout his career, and what they have done throughout the last decades.

Just because Chamlong belongs to a nutty religious sect, and might appear through western eyes a bit odd, does not mean that he is not still a factor to count with in Thailand's shady power politics.

[SiamSquare123]

These notions of Chamlong are both malicious and inconcievable. Furthor proof of the others motivation and lack of tact.

[ColPyat]

These notions of Chamlong are both malicious and inconcievable. Furthor proof of the others motivation and lack of tact.

Educate yourself, boy.

Chamlong was member of the Young Turks, and still counts characters such as General Pallop Pinmanee as his friends.

[John K]

TRT leaders may address rally

Caretaker Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang may join the PTV rally today.

Veera Musigapong, co-founder of the satellite broadcaster People's Television (PTV), said he had asked Chaturon and former key members of the Thai Rak Thai to make speeches at the rally, which will be held at Sanam Luang. - The Nation.

[Tony Clifton]

TRT leaders may address rally

Caretaker Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang may join the PTV rally today.

Veera Musigapong, co-founder of the satellite broadcaster People's Television (PTV), said he had asked Chaturon and former key members of the Thai Rak Thai to make speeches at the rally, which will be held at Sanam Luang. - The Nation.

There's talk of amnesty but I can guarantee you they will destroy their chances in no time by acting the way TRT always does, which is to never listen and quickly forget. They haven't stopped their activities since the verdict and will go on, just watch them.

Where does this amnesty proposal come from???

Sonthi supports amnesty idea

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Saturday expressed support for the proposal to grant amnesty to 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to lift their political ban.

Sonthi said the proposal would go in line with the reconciliatory measures.

He said it would depend on the National Legislative Assembly to enact an amnesty bill for the executives.

The Nation

[ColPyat]

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Saturday expressed support for the proposal to grant amnesty to 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to lift their political ban.

Sonthi said the proposal would go in line with the reconciliatory measures.

He said it would depend on the National Legislative Assembly to enact an amnesty bill for the executives.

The Nation

That would be a wise decision - the first in this ongoing mess, and could defuse a potentially explosive situation.

[SiamSquare123]

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Saturday expressed support for the proposal to grant amnesty to 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to lift their political ban.

Sonthi said the proposal would go in line with the reconciliatory measures.

He said it would depend on the National Legislative Assembly to enact an amnesty bill for the executives.

The Nation

That would be a wise decision - the first in this ongoing mess, and could defuse a potentially explosive situation.

So the courts make a decision, and now it is going to be overriden? If this is the case, why was this taken to the courts to begin with?

[ColPyat]

So the courts make a decision, and now it is going to be overriden? If this is the case, why was this taken to the courts to begin with?

Don't ask me.

IMO this should have never been taken to the courts, but then, the coup should have never happened, the opposition parties should have never refused to participate in the elections, Thaksin should have never been given the chance to become Prime Minster by the opposition parties ignoring large sectors of society and therefore giving Thaksin an opening.

[Tony Clifton]

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Saturday expressed support for the proposal to grant amnesty to 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to lift their political ban.

Sonthi said the proposal would go in line with the reconciliatory measures.

He said it would depend on the National Legislative Assembly to enact an amnesty bill for the executives.

The Nation

That would be a wise decision - the first in this ongoing mess, and could defuse a potentially explosive situation.

So the courts make a decision, and now it is going to be overriden? If this is the case, why was this taken to the courts to begin with?

TRT did not see a problem in using the same court to accuse the democrats, but when the ruling turned against them, then it all became unfair. The usual TRT vision of being untouchable and above everyone else along with a severe case of Attention Deficit Disorder. Do they need to hear yet another speech from... ?

I assure you they will mess up any chance of possible amnesty faster than you can say PTV, and, IF they ever do get amnesty, please no, they will show us all quickly why it should have even have never been granted or even thought of in the first place.

Edited June 2, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[John K]

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Saturday expressed support for the proposal to grant amnesty to 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to lift their political ban.

Sonthi said the proposal would go in line with the reconciliatory measures.

He said it would depend on the National Legislative Assembly to enact an amnesty bill for the executives.

The Nation

That would be a wise decision - the first in this ongoing mess, and could defuse a potentially explosive situation.

So the courts make a decision, and now it is going to be overriden? If this is the case, why was this taken to the courts to begin with?

TRT did not see a problem in using the same court to accuse the democrats, but when the ruling turned against them, then it all became unfair. The usual TRT vision of being untouchable and above everyone else along with a severe case of Attention Deficit Disorder. Do they need to hear yet another speech from... ?

I assure you they will mess up any chance of possible amnesty faster than you can say PTV, and, IF they ever do get amnesty, please no, they will show us all quickly why it should have even have never been granted or even thought of in the first place.

It sounds a bit conflicting if you consider he wanted both the TRT and Democrats to be dissolved. I would wager this is a misquote. If it is not then this will be a significant test to see if the Junta truly does plan to relinquish power at the end of the year. I am very aware that the longer anyone stays in power the more it consumes them.

[ColPyat]

Now i really hope that there is going to be a compromise, such as granting an amnesty to all the 111 banned TRT executive members. Today's demonstration has an attendance of more than 10 000 people. If we don't want to see another round of huge crippling demonstrations there has to be a solution found very soon.

[hammered]

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Saturday expressed support for the proposal to grant amnesty to 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to lift their political ban.

Sonthi said the proposal would go in line with the reconciliatory measures.

He said it would depend on the National Legislative Assembly to enact an amnesty bill for the executives.

The Nation

That would be a wise decision - the first in this ongoing mess, and could defuse a potentially explosive situation.

So the courts make a decision, and now it is going to be overriden? If this is the case, why was this taken to the courts to begin with?

Just remember it was taken to the court before the coup. It wasnt a military tactic. However, what nobody should miss is apart form the amnesty offered when TRT execs are in a position of weakness which is a smart politiclas manouvre the dissolution was importnant in that it means TRT do not exist with an election coming quite quickly. They have no members, no staff, no executive, no assets and no name. All this has to be sorted out before any residual TRT group can run in an election. This is all to the backdrop of many MPs who wont want to be left out in the next election. Even if 108 are given an amnesty ( I cnat see Thammarak, Pongsak who are both guilty gettuing off and Mr. T?) there will be a lot smaller "whatever they will be called party" than TRT and there will be many in the new pro-military party.

Interesting that Sarayud is not so gung ho about the idea as Sonthi who really wants the Somkid-Somsak-military alliance.

[John K]

Thaksin tea money?

PM is still undecided on amesty for TRT politicians

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Saturday he is still undecided on an idea to grant amnesty to banned executives of now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party.

His personal idea is that it is not the right timing to propose amnesty for the TRT politicians.

Surayud said Council for National Security's chief Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin raised the idea with him during a meeting on Saturday morning.

"He asked me whether it is ok if he told the public about it. I told him that it is fine because it is still an idea and his own idea," Surayud said in a news talk television programme.

In an unexpected move Gen Sonthi said CNS support an idea to grant amnesty to TRT executives whom the Constitutional Tribunal banned them from politics for five years.

The Constitutional Tribunal disbanded on Wednesday their party and banned all 11 party's executives.

The Tribunal based its bans on the executives on the CNS's orders issued after the coup d'etat that ousted Thaksin last year.

Sonthi said the CNS supported the amnesty wanted to promote reconciliation in the country.

He claimed in the interview that Surayud supported the idea.

"Most of these 111 people weren't involved with what happened,'' he said, referring to the Thai Rak Thai executives who were barred.

The politicians who are considered not involved in the wrongdoings could be granted the amnesty, he said. However the government will propose it to the National Legislative Assembly for consideration and it will be issued as an Act.

Sonthi said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont supported the idea.

The government and NLA will jointly decide which executives should be given the amnesty.

Asked if the government will not propose the amnesty to the National Legislative Assembly for consideration, Surayud said for now the government has a job to study into the Tribunal's rulings to learn about their consequences and to know what to do next concerning the rulings.

The prime minister said it would be very difficult to known which the TRT's executives were involved or not involved in the wrongdoings.

The procedure of issuing amnesty, an NLA member will propose it to the government and the government will study it to know whether it is appropriate or not before it is forwarded to the NLA. The government could propose its own draft to the NLA for consideration.

The Nation

[John K]

I can’t really see anyone tinkering with the ruling seeing as HRH made it such a point to the Judges to do the right thing on more than one occasion. One can only wonder how tinkering would be received. If it were me I simply would let the ruling stand good bad or indifferent. There is simply too much unnecessary fallout to tinker with it.

[Tony Clifton]

Indeed, amnesty seems very strange just a few days after the ruling. Something fishy going on that has nothing to do with reconciliation, maybe renumeration.

[ColPyat]

Indeed, amnesty seems very strange just a few days after the ruling. Something fishy going on that has nothing to do with reconciliation, maybe renumeration.

The only thing fishy is the ruling, and common sense would dictate that it is high time to wipe the slate clean, start with new elections, if possible get rid off the the cold war remnants the junta introduced, and get the country finally back on course.

[mumbu]

Indeed, amnesty seems very strange just a few days after the ruling. Something fishy going on that has nothing to do with reconciliation, maybe renumeration.

It is all very simple. General Sonthi is navigating his way to PM position.

Would you want to retire in three month if you have basically unlimited power? And are guys ever stop talking about court decision and other bulshit? General Sonthi is currently in charge. He decides. All other stuff is just pure decorations.

[ColPyat]

Astonishing how the Nation underplays the number of the PTV demonstrations, while it has increased the number of the PAD demonstrations often by the double or triple.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/03...es_30035874.php

6,000 protest against junta

More than 6,000 people attended a PTV rally at Sanam Luang yesterday demanding the removal of the junta. Former Thai Rak Thai members of Parliament were present.

PTV leader and former MP Veera Musigapong said the rallies were now a "public movement" in which other pro-democracy groups were welcome to join.

He said its goals were clear - to oust the Council for National Security

(CNS). Supporters waved paper flags and banners calling for the CNS to "get out", while others raised photographs of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and called for his return to the country.

The former MPs attending included Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk, Pimpa Chanprasong and Waipot Arpornrat.

The Metropolitan Police yesterday warned PTV leaders that demonstrators were prohibited from the streets and sent 450 officers to the protest site.

PTV leaders reportedly planned to lead the rally on a march to Army headquarters about three kilometres away.

Yesterday's assembly followed another on Thursday near the Royal Plaza, to which 3,000 people came.

It demanded the removal of the CNS and criticised Wednesday's Constitution Tribunal decision to dissolve the Thai Rak Thai and ban its 111 executives from the electoral process for five years.

[SiamSquare123]

let them demonstrate. who cares? it is not as though they are demonstrating for a just cause. If TRT's members stay afloat - there was NO REASON to have a Military Coup!

[SiamSquare123]

Indeed, amnesty seems very strange just a few days after the ruling. Something fishy going on that has nothing to do with reconciliation, maybe renumeration.

It is all very simple. General Sonthi is navigating his way to PM position.

Would you want to retire in three month if you have basically unlimited power? And are guys ever stop talking about court decision and other bulshit? General Sonthi is currently in charge. He decides. All other stuff is just pure decorations.

people = children

government = father

the children should obey the father.

This is Thailand, not America friend.

[sriracha john]

It's now June 3rd. Perhaps rather than discuss the subject of amnesty (or the lack therof according to the latest reports) over 2 different threads... might we consider closing this "May" thread?

[sbk]

Excellent suggestion.

Topic Closed