CNS Chairman Affirms Election To Be Held Despite Unrest

[Edonista]

there is no doubt that elections will be held in december, but the year has not yet been fixed.

I bet a little before the fixed date there will be new bombs in Bangkok, forcing the CNS to postpone elections for "security concerns".

[think_too_mut]

the ones who are most worried are the TV members that will have nothing to whine about if the elecetions will be on time.

but i am sure they will find something wrong at any case.

Oh, they will, as a collateral damage.

No elections (or no return to democratic government) would have dire implications. Those that are just being held back while watching what is happening would pack up their scheduled investments (foreign companies) and then the dominoes will start their fall.

Not even junta (which basically hated T and his too soon "world here" attitude and all they did was to get him for some tax money) would want to see more of this.

Good or bad, they may retreat and still not ensure T is not back or some other "worldly Thai" does not take over.

Then, we go again.

[Edonista]

the ones who are most worried are the TV members that will have nothing to whine about if the elecetions will be on time.

but i am sure they will find something wrong at any case.

I think the most worried are Thai businessmen for whom the elections are the last hope for sales to stop their inexorable decline.

Anyway, don't even think elections will solve the apocalictic mess the CNS did in these months, I can assure you there will be still a lot to whine about even after the elections (assuming that they will be held and not further "postponed")

[highdiver]

the ones who are most worried are the TV members that will have nothing to whine about if the elecetions will be on time.

but i am sure they will find something wrong at any case.

I think the most worried are Thai businessmen for whom the elections are the last hope for sales to stop their inexorable decline.

Anyway, don't even think elections will solve the apocalictic mess the CNS did in these months, I can assure you there will be still a lot to whine about even after the elections (assuming that they will be held and not further "postponed")

its good that we know its whining..

[tijnebijn]

For sure ,economically it should be better that the election came as quick as possible.Many businesses are feeling the heat,local spending is very meagre at the moment(including my wifes business).So for me and all of Thailand We will be happy when this muppet show comes to an end.

[sriracha john]

Democrat Party leader asks CNS Chairman to adhere to rationale and science

reality is ,

he's off to the soothsayer .................................

he's not, but Thakin's wife, Pokemon, went.

[Jai Dee]

Poll says people fear general election may procastinate

A Suan Dusit poll suggests that 34% of the respondents are afraid that the election may be postponed while 29% are concerned that chaotic incidents might occur and lead to another coup d’État.

The poll also finds that 44% of the sample believe that the election will take place after December this year. 41% think the election will be arranged as planned while 6% think it will come sooner.

As for reasons of a possible delay in the election date, 48% think it is due to political chaos, especially demonstrations by various groups of people. Other reasons include a coup, a change of the prime minister, and a denial of the new constitution by the public.

In addition, the poll says the majority of people want the government to expedite solution to political conflicts in order to bring peace to the country as soon as possible. Most of the respondents also call on all sides to reconcile and say the government and the Council for national Security should work honestly.

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

[Jai Dee]

EC affirms its readiness for public hearings and the general election

EC announces its readiness to organize public hearings and the general election.

Election commissioner Mr.Praphan Naikowit (ประพัน นัยโกวิท) says the Election Commission (EC) has set up a center for people to voice their opinions concerning the first constitution draft on the nineteenth of August. He affirms the EC is ready in its preparation to hold public hearings while speeding up the general election, hopefully in the month of November.

The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA will consider the charter draft amendments today and will be finalized by July 6th. He says the new parties could register one month before the general election and hold campaigns without the set up of party branches.

Hence, Mr.Praphan insists the EC's readiness in organizing a general election so as to promote democracy.

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

[think_too_mut]

And, it has spilled down to my very home's doorstep. My wife and kid could not come back from the Makka Bucha holiday for 4 days. The junta ordered all minivan and non-scheduled buses to stop their trade. Not to bring more T's supporters into BKK.

Today's BKK Post explains how it works:

Special Branch keeping eye on van operators

SUNTHORN PONGPAO

Ayutthaya _ Special Branch police are keeping a close watch on about 5,000 illegal passenger van operators who are expected to rally in Bangkok today, in case they join anti-government protests in the capital.

Natthaset Sariman, a Special Branch superintendent, said operators of unlicensed passenger vans in nearby provinces were expected to gather in Bangkok today to demand that police ease the pressure on them.

''Police are following the movements of some of these people in many provinces, especially in Ayutthaya, as some of these key figures actually neither drive a passenger van, manage any van queue nor engage in any van business,'' Pol Lt-Col Natthaset said.

''Some of these key figures have stood in elections in the past and are politicians. Possibly they have received orders from a political party to make their move.''

The van operators, who take passengers between Bangkok and central and eastern provinces, plan to gather at the Royal Plaza and at the police headquarters in the Pathumwan area and demand that acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej be more lenient.

Police began taking action against illegal passenger vans early this month after receiving a complaint from representatives of inter-provincial buses that the vans were taking passengers from them. Vans charge lower fares and their service is quick and available at crowded areas inside Bangkok, compared with passenger buses operating from terminals in outer suburbs.

Pol Lt-Col Natthaset said leaders of the passenger van operators included Samroeng Adisa, who was a close aide of a politician in Lop Buri province. Another is Sombat Thapprayoon, who previously led a rally of illegal passenger van operators in Ayutthaya province.

Songpol Phuangthong, also one of the leaders, said at a rally in Ayutthaya last week that his group had no links with any political party. He said that the van operators depend on their daily income and had never thought of transporting anti-government protesters from other provinces to Bangkok.

[Naam]

the ones who are most worried are the TV members that will have nothing to whine about if the elections will be on time.

and those who have no rights to vote will whine loudest

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

The national poll moved up to November 25 : PM

The national election will be moved up from December to November 25, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday.

Surayud was speaking after meeting with Election Commission Apichart Sukattanond and Constitution Drafting Committee Noranit Settabutr. The original date was set for December 16 or 23.

Speaking at the same press briefing, Noranit said the reason for the change of date has to do with the fact that the drafting of the new charter will be completed earlier than expected.

He said the drafting of charter is expected to be completed on July 6 and then be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly shortly afterwards.

The EC will then conduct referendum on August 19. A public approval to the draft would pave the way for a national election on November 25, Noranit said.

- The Nation

Edited June 20, 2007 by sriracha john

[Scott]

I hope the election goes the way the military wants it to go, otherwise there might be a problem.

[hammered]

UPDATE

The national poll moved up to November 25 : PM

The national election will be moved up from December to November 25, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday.

Surayud was speaking after meeting with Election Commission Apichart Sukattanond and Constitution Drafting Committee Noranit Settabutr. The original date was set for December 16 or 23.

Speaking at the same press briefing, Noranit said the reason for the change of date has to do with the fact that the drafting of the new charter will be completed earlier than expected.

He said the drafting of charter is expected to be completed on July 6 and then be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly shortly afterwards.

The EC will then conduct referendum on August 19. A public approval to the draft would pave the way for a national election on November 25, Noranit said.

- The Nation

It does beg the question of what if the public approval of the referendum fails to occur.

However, this is positive news.

[sriracha john]

Thailand May Bring Election Forward to Nov 25

Thailand's Election Commission (EC) said on Wednesday it may bring forward a promised December general election to November 25 if a post-coup constitution is approved quickly.

Commission officials have said they would like to see a referendum on the constitution held on Aug. 19.

However, it remains a distinct possibility that the charter being drawn up to replace the 1997 "People's Constitution" will not get through the plebiscite.

Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his disbanded Thai Rak Thai party are expected to campaign vigorously against it.

They are likely to be joined by a variety of groups, ranging from those who want Buddhism to become the state religion to human rights groups who say some clauses in the new charter are affronts to democracy and freedom.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, appointed by the army after the coup, said an early referendum and election were vital to defusing political tensions and restoring investor confidence.

"We will hold the election as soon as possible to lay the groundwork for the future," he told Japanese businessmen in Bangkok.

"Now it is a crucial turning point for the people. We are confident that Thailand can return to the forefront of democracy in Asia again," Surayud said.

The stock market rose nearly one percent after the Election Commission's comments, reflecting investor belief that a general election is likely to clear the political air and lift steadily sagging consumer confidence.

"The market received a boost from the news because the sooner the election is held, the faster confidence will come back," Thanachart Securities analyst Saengtham Jaranachaikul said.

- Reuters

[Mid]

clock is definitely ticking now .

[Jai Dee]

PM believes elections should be held at earliest possible date

The Prime Minister believes that elections should be held as soon as possible, while affirming that the government and the Council for National Security will not intervene in the election process.

Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont reports that the Chairman of the Council for National Security Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin's statement that only 2-3 large political parties will participate in the elections was contrary to the government's policy to allow free elections for all political elements, whether large or small, with no limitations. The Prime Minister denied rumors that the government and the Council for National Security will be intervening in the election process or the new administration.

Gen Surayud affirmed that the all relevant parties wished for elections to be held promptly. The Prime Minister affirmed that all political parties would receive equal rights to participate in the upcoming elections. He added that elections will be transparent, free, and open to all political groups.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 June 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC says general election could be held a month earlier than scheduled

The Election Commission (EC) Chairman, Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond, expects that the general election date could be shifted closer to November 25th this year if the constitutional referendum can be held within August 19th.

Mr. Apichart says if the constitutional draft is finalized soon enough that the constitutional referendum can be organized before August 19th, the general election date could be held a month earlier than anticipated. Presently, the general election date is scheduled on December 25th, 2007.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 June 2007

[Mid]

be interesting to get a time line on these statements ,

already we have moved to could be ...............................

[hammered]

be interesting to get a time line on these statements ,

already we have moved to could be ...............................

I would guess could be was what was said all along. The nuances of modals in the local reproting have let us down on more than a few occaisions. However.......

[highdiver]

be interesting to get a time line on these statements ,

already we have moved to could be ...............................

I would guess could be was what was said all along. The nuances of modals in the local reproting have let us down on more than a few occaisions. However.......

Thailand's military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday it is possible to hold a fresh general election earlier than the planned schedule.

After having a 30-minute meeting with relevant authorities, Surayud told reporters, "From general discussion we had, it is possible to accelerate the schedule for the election." He has pledged to hold the election either Dec. 16 or Dec. 23.

Suchart Sukhakkhanond, chief of the Election Commission of Thailand, said, "If a national referendum (on a new constitution) could be held Aug. 19, the general election could be held Nov. 25."

Noranit Settabutra, chairman of the constitutional drafting committee, was among the participants in the talks on a possible election date. Local media have reported that the drafting committee tried to wrap up their meetings by the end of this month. The six-month assignment is to end July 6.

the only one who has done evrything he set out to do is the PM

some of our darker visioned members must be having a realy bad day today.

[bingobongo]

sure, why not have elections, they will not be legitimate anyway, who cares that 16 million folks are disenfranchised and will be relegated to poverty for the forseeable future

those boys in green are doing a splendid job for the masses

[Plus]

16 million folks are not disenfranchised, they can vote for whatever party they like except those that have been dissolved for using undemocratic means to seize the power.

Show me any sign of acceptance from TRT that bribing small parties to set up fake candidates and tampering with official elections commission records is illegal. Show me one single reason why they woudn't do it again.

Not one single crook out of those banned 111 came forward and said:

"What we did was wrong".

Why should they be allowed to run? They are not qualified, both morally and legally.

[Mid]

Why should they be allowed to run? They are not qualified, both morally and legally.

agreed ,

now explain why the N/NE is expected to contest elections unrepresented ?

[Siripon]

Why should they be allowed to run? They are not qualified, both morally and legally.

agreed ,

now explain why the N/NE is expected to contest elections unrepresented ?

TRT had 111 executives banned, they had 374 MPs, I'm not sure how many of those executives were MPs, but either way they have plenty of ex- MPs who can run as MPs. If not them, their wives or relatives. That's the way it is upcountry, people vote for whom they know can do something for them. Note the last Senate elections, dubbed the 'relatives' election' as so many close relatives of incumbent MPs were elected to...... 'check on their relatives' !

Already 'Big Jiew',Chavalit Yongjaiyut, the retired 75 year-old ex- leader of NAP, New Aspiration Party, has said he will revive the party, previously dominant in the North-East before being bought by Thaksin, once elected it will no doubt pass a law granting an amnesty to its pals in TRT.

No need to worry about being 'disenfranchised'!

[cclub75]

16 million folks are not disenfranchised, they can vote for whatever party they like except those that have been dissolved for using undemocratic means to seize the power.

Show me any sign of acceptance from TRT that bribing small parties to set up fake candidates and tampering with official elections commission records is illegal. Show me one single reason why they woudn't do it again.

Sure they were crooks.

But this is the past.

Now for the next elections, what could be the situation ?

Democrat Party plus a bunch of small parties, and that's all ?

It would be the exact mirror of the elections of last april !

Or ex-TRT manages to form a new party... And they won the elections, what would you say then ?

Edited June 20, 2007 by cclub75

[jdinasia]

Why should they be allowed to run? They are not qualified, both morally and legally.

agreed ,

now explain why the N/NE is expected to contest elections unrepresented ?

Ummmm unrepresented? there are far more than just those 111 folks to choose from

There is nothing stopping any or all from stepping up to the plate and running! TRT said they would abide by the decision ... but that is NOT what we see happening.

[Mid]

unrealistic expectations to expect a new party to be formed between now and late Nov / early Dec ,

but hey , what does Bangkok care .

[jdinasia]

unrealistic expectations to expect a new party to be formed between now and late Nov / early Dec ,

but hey , what does Bangkok care .

BKK doesn't care ... if you mean the people living there! Neither does Phuket! So what?

Form a new party? why? Walk into an existing party ... say "Hi, we can deliver the votes and the $$, we'd like to join up!" Yu do not happen to think that there are only 3 or 4 political parties registered in Thailand do you?

[Mid]

BKK doesn't care ... if you mean the people living there! Neither does Phuket! So what?

what hope ?

last time I looked it was still one country , just

everyman for himself ain't that far away .

[jdinasia]

You seemed to have missed the substance of that post ... that nobody is disenfranchised.

Form a new party? why? Walk into an existing party ... say "Hi, we can deliver the votes and the $$, we'd like to join up!" Yu do not happen to think that there are only 3 or 4 political parties registered in Thailand do you?

well 111 people from TRT and a few from other groups are ... but then again .. they were found guilty!

Edited June 20, 2007 by jdinasia