CNS Chairman Affirms Election To Be Held Despite Unrest

[hammered]

Shawn Crispin has a new piece out in the A-Times: Thai junta on the political offensive

Link: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IF29Ae02.html

As usual it seems more level headed and accurate than pieces by other writers. It should rank as a must read being written by the only writer who foresaw the inability of TRT to initiate any form of worthwhile protest.

[chinthee]

Shawn Crispin has a new piece out in the A-Times: Thai junta on the political offensive

Link: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IF29Ae02.html

As usual it seems more level headed and accurate than pieces by other writers. It should rank as a must read being written by the only writer who foresaw the inability of TRT to initiate any form of worthwhile protest.

Hammered, thanks for that well-written piece. As usual, Asia Times and as Mid's post from the Economist show, there is a world of difference between locally produced hyperbole and quality international journalism.

I agree that the Junta is finally hitting on all cylinders, and that is good for the economy provided elections get done.

[Jai Dee]

EC ready when day is set

The Election Commission (EC) is ready to organise elections simultaneously for the Senate and Parliament and will activate the electoral process as soon as election day is set by the government.

"Preparations for the elections have been on course, and the EC just needs to know the date for balloting in order to complete its job," EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said yesterday.

He said Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) chairman Noranit Sethabutr had confirmed to him that the referendum on the new constitution would take place on August 19.

"Given the referendum date, it would be possible to hold the elections as early as November 25, although I believe the vote should happen after the December 5 celebrations of His Majesty's birthday," he said.

Source: The Nation - 30 June 2007

[Mid]

PM, military at odds over polls

CNS chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said he discussed with National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan the possibility of holding Thailand's general election at the end of 2007.

snip

He was not sure that the polls could even be held this year.

The Post Publishing Public Co

[cclub75]

PM, military at odds over polls

Even better !

"Election could be delayed until 2008

Sonthi says NLA president fears poll schedule could be too tight"

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Jul2007_news02.php

And meanwhile...

"Doubt grew yesterday over possible delay in the promised general election when the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) controversially approved an extended deadline for the completion of the elections for both the House of Representatives and the Senate by another 60 days.

The earlier agreed 90-day deadline for holding the polls, reckoned from the day the organic bills on the election of members of both Houses come into force, was extended to 150 days. The bills can only be drafted after the promulgation of the draft charter. "

Nation

Damned ! It means we would have to wait before the "miracle elections" could erase all the problems in the country ? That's too bad...

[Mid]

well surprise , surprise ................

the gov is ready and apparently so is the EC ,

about the military ............................

[hammered]

well surprise , surprise ................

the gov is ready and apparently so is the EC ,

about the military ............................

They havent set their party up yet and dont want the Dems running the country.

[Mid]

They havent set their party up yet and dont want the Dems running the country.

1/2 the Senate is not enough ??

[hammered]

They havent set their party up yet and dont want the Dems running the country.

1/2 the Senate is not enough ??

this is serious business;)

[Mid]

and away we go ....................

Thai elections could be delayed to 2008: coup chief

Sun Jul 1, 2007 2:33AM EDT

"Several academics have voiced their concern that the general election could not be held as planned, so I will bring this to discuss with the prime minister," Sonthi said.

It remains a distinct possibility that the charter being drawn up to replace the 1997 "People's Constitution" torn up in last September's military coup would be rejected in a plebiscite, analysts say.

Reuters 2007.

[hammered]

and away we go ....................

Thai elections could be delayed to 2008: coup chief

Sun Jul 1, 2007 2:33AM EDT

"Several academics have voiced their concern that the general election could not be held as planned, so I will bring this to discuss with the prime minister," Sonthi said.

It remains a distinct possibility that the charter being drawn up to replace the 1997 "People's Constitution" torn up in last September's military coup would be rejected in a plebiscite, analysts say.

Reuters 2007.

and in the meantime the military will have their own party built on huge numbers of TRT defectors.

[chinthee]

and away we go ....................

Thai elections could be delayed to 2008: coup chief

Sun Jul 1, 2007 2:33AM EDT

"Several academics have voiced their concern that the general election could not be held as planned, so I will bring this to discuss with the prime minister," Sonthi said.

It remains a distinct possibility that the charter being drawn up to replace the 1997 "People's Constitution" torn up in last September's military coup would be rejected in a plebiscite, analysts say.

Reuters 2007.

and in the meantime the military will have their own party built on huge numbers of TRT defectors.

That does appear to be the game doesn't it?

[Mid]

Reuters India featuring the story now ,

wonder how that will go down with the PM's trip ???

[Mid]

CNS chairman concerned that public may reject charter

Sunday 1 July 2007 03:31:45 PM (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) - Dismissing rumours that the Council for National Security

(CNS) wants to cling on power because of a possibly delayed general election, Thailand's CNS chairman Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said Sunday he is concerned that the draft constitution could be rejected during the forthcoming referendum.

no , I didn 't write it ,

and

yes , some lessons in punctuation wouldn't go astray ,

or , is it Sigmund at work ............................

[thaigene2]

So...let's see if I understand this correctly...

The One-Party State may delay the election that would have resulted in a different but allegedly 'democratic' One-Party state. This will have the net effect that the present One-Party state may or may not continue in office as it had a limited 'mandate' (or 'military-date'!) of around a year.

Therefore a new One-Party state will need to be formed to allow more time for eletions next year that may or may not result in a one-party ....yikes...

[Mid]

PM: Exact date of general election can't be fixed

Sunday 1 July 2007 05:49:17 PM (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) - Thailand's interim Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont said here Sunday that it was still too early to fix the exact date of the general election, because the draft constitution must first be approved by referendum.

If possible, the election will be held November 25, but if it is delayed it could be conducted either on December 16 or 23, according to Gen. Surayud, who added that he personally wanted to have the election this year so that he can keep his word.

Responding to requests made by Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva that the government should fix an exact date for the election, Gen. Surayud said it was impossible because the draft charter must first be approved by the public in a referendum.

He did not say which constitution would be used in case the draft charter is rejected by the electorate, saying that it was against the policy of the current interim constitution. (TNA) - E111

MCOT Public Company Limited

perhaps a mod would like to correct the threads headline .........................

[Mobi]

PM, military at odds over polls

Even better !

"Election could be delayed until 2008

Sonthi says NLA president fears poll schedule could be too tight"

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Jul2007_news02.php

And meanwhile...

"Doubt grew yesterday over possible delay in the promised general election when the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) controversially approved an extended deadline for the completion of the elections for both the House of Representatives and the Senate by another 60 days.

The earlier agreed 90-day deadline for holding the polls, reckoned from the day the organic bills on the election of members of both Houses come into force, was extended to 150 days. The bills can only be drafted after the promulgation of the draft charter. "

Nation

Damned ! It means we would have to wait before the "miracle elections" could erase all the problems in the country ? That's too bad...

OK the timing of my predictions have been a bit out, but so far every prediction I made back in May has come true

1. The TRT will be found guilty and disbanded. CORRECT

2. The Democrats will be found not guilty. CORRECT

3. The elections will be delayed until 2008. CORRECT

If you look hard back through the threads in this forum you will find the remainder of my predictions, and don't forget that last year I also predicted the first coup, and yes, there is still another coup to come.

Who needs a Thai fortune teller when you have a frang seer like Mobi in your midst?

Maybe Gen Sonthi should seek an audience?

[sriracha john]

About a month back, I predicted a second coup would happen in the next couple of months or so, and I now believe this more than ever.

[sriracha john]

OK Guys, seeing as I’m feeling charitable tonight, I’ll give you the full, unexpurgated Mobi Prediction:

On May 30th, the constitutional tribunal will find both political parties guilty.

incorrect

On May 30th certain key figures in TRT – all strong Thaksin supporters – will be taken into protective custody.

incorrect

On or around 30th May, Gen Sarayud will resign as prime minister.

incorrect

On or around 30th May, another General will be installed as the new PM. Probably Gen Sonthi.

incorrect

prognosticating is no easy task....

[ThaiGoon]

Khun Sriracha John.

[Plus]

we have multiple Mobis here - Mobi, Mobi D, Mobi D'Ark, maybe next will be Mobi Super, and finally Mobi Plus.

If it's the same person than it's against forum rules to hold multiple accounts. I used to have Plus+ myself and gave it up.

[Mid]

we have multiple Mobis here - Mobi, Mobi D, Mobi D'Ark, maybe next will be Mobi Super, and finally Mobi Plus.

If it's the same person than it's against forum rules to hold multiple accounts. I used to have Plus+ myself and gave it up.

interesting point , may explain why a PM recriptant expressed surprise at the topic ...................

[Mid]

well surprise , surprise ................

the gov is ready and apparently so is the EC ,

about the military ............................

They havent set their party up yet and dont want the Dems running the country.

Democrat, Chart Thai plans for July campaign

Parties set sights on election

The Democrat and Chart Thai parties are gearing up for early election campaigns in an attempt to gain the upper hand over their political rivals despite having no clear idea of when the general election will be held.

The two parties, which are predicted to win the largest number of seats, are each rolling out new policies designed to appeal to the public.

The Post Publishing Public Co

[hammered]

well surprise , surprise ................

the gov is ready and apparently so is the EC ,

about the military ............................

They havent set their party up yet and dont want the Dems running the country.

Democrat, Chart Thai plans for July campaign

Parties set sights on election

The Democrat and Chart Thai parties are gearing up for early election campaigns in an attempt to gain the upper hand over their political rivals despite having no clear idea of when the general election will be held.

The two parties, which are predicted to win the largest number of seats, are each rolling out new policies designed to appeal to the public.

The Post Publishing Public Co

There are now far more tha 2 sides in the developing political drama. The miltary dont want the old rump TRT under a new name (obvious reasons) and they dont want the Dems (they have history with the military and are hard to totally control) They want the TRT defectors and maybe CT would be acceptable too. An election very soon suits the Dems I would guess (Wonder who early elections Surayud favors? and the implication of that is big especially when thinking back to the dissolution case and the run up to it). So we basically have three sides: the rump TRT, the TRT deserters close to the military and the Dems, and a bunch of swingers: CT, Mahachon, Suwats gang and Phinijs gang. Coaltion talks after the next election could get right tricky.

The shame is the country now needs a governemtn with long term policies. The best chance of getting that right now is probably through a fairly unfettered Dem government (highly unlikely) as they seem to actually have some policies even if they werer going through a period of renewal and didnt expect to be in government for a bunch of years and the polices may not be fully formed. The rest seem at best to have a vague idea of some post-TRT populist vote winning polices but little else with some not even able to decide what party to be in let alone what policies to have, and of course they cant eevn set the party up right now but it is probably atleast time to be decisdng on who and what. Only today CT announced its big policy of one indebted farmer one hundred trees. Great for winning votes but where is the education policy or....

Sadly in the great charge to fill the power vacuum we probably and realistically at best are going to get a government that tries to be nice to people but doesnt really do anything that needs doing, and of course it will also be corrupt.

[chinthee]

well surprise , surprise ................

the gov is ready and apparently so is the EC ,

about the military ............................

They havent set their party up yet and dont want the Dems running the country.

Democrat, Chart Thai plans for July campaign

Parties set sights on election

The Democrat and Chart Thai parties are gearing up for early election campaigns in an attempt to gain the upper hand over their political rivals despite having no clear idea of when the general election will be held.

The two parties, which are predicted to win the largest number of seats, are each rolling out new policies designed to appeal to the public.

The Post Publishing Public Co

There are now far more tha 2 sides in the developing political drama. The miltary dont want the old rump TRT under a new name (obvious reasons) and they dont want the Dems (they have history with the military and are hard to totally control) They want the TRT defectors and maybe CT would be acceptable too. An election very soon suits the Dems I would guess (Wonder who early elections Surayud favors? and the implication of that is big especially when thinking back to the dissolution case and the run up to it). So we basically have three sides: the rump TRT, the TRT deserters close to the military and the Dems, and a bunch of swingers: CT, Mahachon, Suwats gang and Phinijs gang. Coaltion talks after the next election could get right tricky.

The shame is the country now needs a governemtn with long term policies. The best chance of getting that right now is probably through a fairly unfettered Dem government (highly unlikely) as they seem to actually have some policies even if they werer going through a period of renewal and didnt expect to be in government for a bunch of years and the polices may not be fully formed. The rest seem at best to have a vague idea of some post-TRT populist vote winning polices but little else with some not even able to decide what party to be in let alone what policies to have, and of course they cant eevn set the party up right now but it is probably atleast time to be decisdng on who and what. Only today CT announced its big policy of one indebted farmer one hundred trees. Great for winning votes but where is the education policy or....

Sadly in the great charge to fill the power vacuum we probably and realistically at best are going to get a government that tries to be nice to people but doesnt really do anything that needs doing, and of course it will also be corrupt.

hammered, as usual I find myself agreeing with your good sense and analysis. I too, was hoping for a speedy election, assuredly won by the democrats, and slow multi-year difficult return to some semblance of the type of democracy many of us know. This would stop the economic slide.

If this continues, all bets on the economy are off.

[Mid]

Thai PM tries to gather support for constitution vote

Mon Jul 2, 2007 4:34 PM IST

By Chalathip Thirasoonthrakul

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont ordered top bureaucrats on Monday to help promote Thailand's post-coup constitution ahead of a referendum due in August, with present signs showing that it faces rejection.

The army-appointed parliament was also drafting a law to penalise anyone who obstructed the referendum, he said, as the government cranked up efforts to win approval for a draft constitution that is opposed by many groups for many reasons.

Reuters 2007.

[Jai Dee]

EC to call meeting between political parties next week

The Election Commission (EC) will hold a meeting between all political parties next week at the Prince Palace Hotel to discuss guidelines of the parties’ operation and resolve the problem of unclear number of each party’s members.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) reveals that all 40 political parties registered with EC are expected to attend the meeting during which EC will deliver operation guidelines for them, especially those concerning proper and legal political activities. EC will also clarify ways the political parties can spend a budget allocated to them from the election fund and listen to their opinions on the Political Party Act. However, Mrs Sodsri dismisses that the meeting will be held to set the election date.

The Political Party Act is aimed to improve the set up of a political party which is required by the Act to proactively arrange political activities for a year before it is allowed to register with EC.

Mrs Sodsri says she believes that all political parties want the general election to take place as soon as possible and they will not boycott the constitution draft. She adds that if the charter draft is failed to pass the referendum, the Council for National Security has a mandate to re-enforce any constitution in the past in order to arrange the election.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 July 2007

[hammered]

The government do now seem to have a lot more confidence that they can get the charter through and hold elections. I still personally wonder how they will get the charter through if their opponents go for the ultra-nationalist state religion ploy.

[Mid]

want the general election to take place as soon as possible and they will not boycott the constitution draft

nope , no shame , zip , narda , none ....................

[Jai Dee]

Sonthi says he will try to have election held within this year

Council for Nation Security chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said Tuesday that he would try his best to have the next election held within this year.

However, he said the final election date would also depend on decisions of the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

He said he supported the election date as proposed by the prime minister.

He explained that he earlier said the election could be delayed because he was responding to comments of academics who feared the election could be delayed if the draft constitution was rejected at public referendum.

Source: The Nation - 03 July 2007