Ban On Political Party Activities Lifted

[Mid]

PM'S FULL SPEECH

Our Nation today: The choices we face

An address to the Nation by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont

10 June, 2007

snip

But for democracy to work, in addition to all of use accepting that we have a responsibility to fully participate, utilizing our best judgement as to which political party and which representative best reflects our own view of our society - the way we want things to be - there is a second condition which must be fulfilled, namely, each of us must agree to a bide by the rule of law.

The rule of law means that all men and women are equal in the eyes of the law. Justice is available to all. No matter how rich and powerful you are, or how poor, the law will protect or punish you equally. There is one law for all.

For me this is the most important challenge our society faces today. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit the rule of law hardly exists in our country today - and without it democracy, this system of political organization we are trying to make work cannot possibly function properly. If there is no justice, there can be no equality and certainly no democracy.

snip

[lukamar]

snip

the rule of law hardly exists in our country today - and ...... If there is no justice, there can be no equality and certainly no democracy.

snip

That's what I just said... and I should add that there is no Separation of Power in Thailand.

Edited June 10, 2007 by lukamar

[Mid]

i did narrow it down , however you did pick the sentence that pertains .

cheers

mid

cleaning edit

Edited June 10, 2007 by Mid

[sriracha john]

111 former Thai Rak Thai executives to discuss future

The 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party will meet Monday at the party's former headquarters on Phetchaburi Road to discuss their political future.

The executives' voting rights were revoked following the dissolution of their party for electoral fraud.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

New political parties’ movement

Following the lift of the ban on political activities, many political groups are preparing for the imminent general elections. The strategy includes approaching well-known scholars to join the camps.

Former Democrat member and Deputy Premier Supachai Panitchpak denies reports that he was invited to lead a political party, although he admits he was approached even before the administrative change, but declined the offer.

Supachai is currently the secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development or UNCTAD. He says that working at a UN agency is a platform form which he can contribute to the country.

The former politician says his recent trip to Thailand is to join a special address held by the National Legislative Assembly. Supachai also praises the government for maintaining the situation well despite the turmoil, but states that clarity on politics and democracy is urgently needed.

Also making headlines in the political movement is doctor Boon Wanasin, owner of the Piyavej Hospital chain. The businessman-turned-politician serves as the leader of a scholar faction in the Matchima group.

Doctor Boon admits that he has urged the team to ask Surapol Nitigraipoj, the president of Thammasart University, to lead the new party, which will be named the Matchima Party, and will promote education as a national agenda.

He said the group had considered several people for the party chief position, all former deputy prime ministers in different administrations, such as Purachai Piemsomboon, Supachai Panitchpak, and Somkid Jatusripithak, but their decisions changed with the evolving situation in the country.

Meanwhile, Privy Councilor Professor, doctor Kasem Wattanachai says the main cause of crisis in Thailand is failure in the education system management, and agrees that education needs to be a national agenda.

During his keynote address in a seminar on the education system, the privy councilor pointed out that Thai educators face problems such as decreasing quality in teaching. They also have a hard life and accumulate debts because of low salaries.

He says that if every sector in the society joins hands to tackle the problem, the collaboration will help ease the country's tension and boost its competitiveness with neighboring nations.

- Thailand Outlook

[John K]

111 former Thai Rak Thai executives to discuss future

The 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party will meet Monday at the party's former headquarters on Phetchaburi Road to discuss their political future.

The executives' voting rights were revoked following the dissolution of their party for electoral fraud.

- The Nation

Safer than McDonalds I guess. We need to think of a nickname for this bunch. Any thoughts?

[ando]

111 former Thai Rak Thai executives to discuss future

The 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party will meet Monday at the party's former headquarters on Phetchaburi Road to discuss their political future.

The executives' voting rights were revoked following the dissolution of their party for electoral fraud.

- The Nation

Safer than McDonalds I guess. We need to think of a nickname for this bunch. Any thoughts?

A truly sophisticated post from an intellectual.

Reminds me of the schoolyard stuff we did in primary school.

[blaze]

111 former Thai Rak Thai executives to discuss future

The 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party will meet Monday at the party's former headquarters on Phetchaburi Road to discuss their political future.

The executives' voting rights were revoked following the dissolution of their party for electoral fraud.

- The Nation

... We need to think of a nickname for this bunch.

Why?

[Jai Dee]

Matchima Group ready to form political party

Core figures of the Matchima (มัชฌิมา) Group affirm they are ready to form a new political party. They add that former members of parliament and other members of the group have requested to apply for MP candidates of constituencies in Buriram Province.

Leader of the Matchima Group Somsak Thepsuthin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน) visited Buriram to meet with about 1,000 residents at the residence of a group’s member Sophon Phetsawang (โสภณ เพชรสว่าง). Other core figures of Matchima accompanying Mr Somsak include Dr.Anek Lhaothammathat (เอนก เหล่าธรรมทัศน์), Wirat Rattanaset (วิรัตน์ รัตนเศรษฐ์), Anongwan Thepsuthin (อนงค์วรรณ เทพสุทิน), and Chuchai Mungcharoenphon (ชูชัย มุ่งเจริญพร).

Mr Somsak appeared on stage to announce the group’s policies focusing on promotion of agricultural jobs, promotion of meat cow farms, and fighting cock raising. He also affirms the group will further improve the 30-baht health scheme which is the policy initiated by the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

The group’s leader told the press after his visit in Buriram that the group will definitely set up a political party although he is banned from politics for five years due to the verdict of the party dissolution case. However, he admits that he has a leader in mind and will propose this person to other members of the group.

Mr Somsak said further that he did not set the target of the amount of MPs for the general election and did not expect that the group will sweep seats in the Northeastern region. He stressed that the group hopes to be another option for Thai people and calls on them to take its policies into consideration.

The Matchima leader added that he has yet decided to have MP candidates run in all constituencies. The candidate list will be revealed after the group has finished assessing their qualifications and popularities among people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 June 2007