New Political Party Ready To Launch

[Jai Dee]

Samak elected People Power leader

Samak Sundaravej was Friday elected as the new leader of the People Power Party.

He was elected with 80 votes, beating the other candidate, Karn Thiankaew, who received 33 votes.

Samak was elected during a party assembly held at the Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza.

During the assembly, the party also elected its new executive board as following:

Party leader: Samak Sundaravej

Deputy leaders:

1) Yongyuth Tiyapairaj

2) Karn Thiankaew

3) Chaiya Sasomsup

4) Somchai Wongsawat

5) Sompong Amornwiwat

6) Ruangroj Mahasaranont

7) Samphan Lertnuwat

8) Prasong Burnapong

9) Supaporn Thiankaew

10) Suwat Wansirikul

Secretary-general: Surapong Suebwonglee

Deputy secretary-generals:

1) Chusak Sirinil

2) Noppadol Patama

3) Anusorn Wongwan

4) Sukhumpong Ngonkham

Treasurer: Songkram Kijlertpairoj

Spokesman: Kuthep Saikrajang

Party executives:

1) Srimuang Charoensiri

2) Sutha Chansaeng

3) Mongkok Kimsoonjan

4) Waipoj Arpornrat

5) Songsak Thongsri

6) Samarn Lertwongrat

7) Nisit Sinthuprai

8) Thirachai Saenkaew

9) Wirapol Adireksarn

10) Suthin Klangsaeng

11) Itthi Sirilatthayakorn

12) Malinee Phutasueb

13) Piyarat Thiankaew

14) Saranya Saengwima

15) Manaspreeya Phutaseub

16) Karnnicha Taemdee

17) Kittikorn Lohsunthorn

18) Boonlua Prasert Sopha

19) Pichet Tancharoen

Source: The Nation - 24 August 2007

[Tony Clifton]

Yesterday's politicians for today's Thailand are saying forget about tomorrow.

[Plus]

What a lousy choice for Thai people : crooks, crooks and crooks.

Nice outcome for a coup, supposedly staged to rid Thailand of corruption.

Huh?

All the crooks mentioned in this thread, including the new leader Samak, are set to lead anti-junta, "democratic" TRT rump that was ousted by the coup.

Or do you mean they all should have been jailed right from the start and never allowed to go public again?

The junta is too soft for that.

[Mid]

not green JK

Sorry, it was the first one I found. Your preferred color?

[hammered]

Samak elected People Power leader

Samak Sundaravej was Friday elected as the new leader of the People Power Party.

He was elected with 80 votes, beating the other candidate, Karn Thiankaew, who received 33 votes.

Samak was elected during a party assembly held at the Centara Hotel at Central World Plaza.

During the assembly, the party also elected its new executive board as following:

Party leader: Samak Sundaravej

Deputy leaders:

1) Yongyuth Tiyapairaj

2) Karn Thiankaew

3) Chaiya Sasomsup

4) Somchai Wongsawat

5) Sompong Amornwiwat

6) Ruangroj Mahasaranont

7) Samphan Lertnuwat

8) Prasong Burnapong

9) Supaporn Thiankaew

10) Suwat Wansirikul

Secretary-general: Surapong Suebwonglee

Deputy secretary-generals:

1) Chusak Sirinil

2) Noppadol Patama

3) Anusorn Wongwan

4) Sukhumpong Ngonkham

Treasurer: Songkram Kijlertpairoj

Spokesman: Kuthep Saikrajang

Party executives:

1) Srimuang Charoensiri

2) Sutha Chansaeng

3) Mongkok Kimsoonjan

4) Waipoj Arpornrat

5) Songsak Thongsri

6) Samarn Lertwongrat

7) Nisit Sinthuprai

8) Thirachai Saenkaew

9) Wirapol Adireksarn

10) Suthin Klangsaeng

11) Itthi Sirilatthayakorn

12) Malinee Phutasueb

13) Piyarat Thiankaew

14) Saranya Saengwima

15) Manaspreeya Phutaseub

16) Karnnicha Taemdee

17) Kittikorn Lohsunthorn

18) Boonlua Prasert Sopha

19) Pichet Tancharoen

Source: The Nation - 24 August 2007

Aghh Yuth "dooyen" as deputy number 1. Wonder how the family business is going up north? Now what happened to that degree he was going to do in Canada? Did the family ever get the compensation following Yuth's little raid that earned him his nickname.

Nice to see the PPP havent forgotten their military allies with a nice entry at deputy number 6 for former supreme commander Ruengroj.

Also nice to notice former PPP leader Supaporn make an entry at deputy number 9. Hopefully her financial position will have improved dramtcially after the little party takeover by a group of interlopers.

There was a time when the Wongwan clan would have commanded a higher status than number 3 Deputy Secratary General, but I guess Anusorn must be happy. Wonder how their family business is faring these days,. it must have been such an embarrassment for the family when it precluded old and dear departed Narong from getting the PMship all those years ago.

Oh and just below at number 4 deputy secretary general we finf bad suit man. Wonder who he represents, and wionder hwere he gets the money that traditionally all secretary general and deputies need in Thai politcs to support the largesse and the 10-15-20 ratio or whatever it is these days?

Now I am not noticing the treasurer is one of the dodgy Samut Prakarn boys am I? Payback for all that nice new airport stuff? No of course not.

No surprise spinmeister Kuthep gets the spokeperson role although he may find himself relatively underworked wit motor mouth Samak heading up the PPP.

Agh yes and at number one executive position we see Srimuang Charoensiri one of themain offenders in the bought senate from before. Yes what a reward for TRT's attack poodle from the former senate.

And at number 5 executive if my memory is not failingme we see a Newin proxy. What a surprise and boost for the faltering godfather of the lower Isaan.

And at number 9 executive we see the Adireksan family represented. Once they too like the Wongwans would have merited a higher position.

At numebr 10 exec we get another of th attack poodles. Suthin the master of the fanciful speech is well rewarded with this nice little bone by his masters.

And at number 19 exec we get the Tancharoen's representative no doubt Suchart wil be hoping ichet follows in his footsteps although the rest of us may be hoping for a change.

Agh yes lets sit back and take a long look at the new line up of Thai politics.

[John K]

Yesterday's politicians for today's Thailand are saying forget about tomorrow.

Actually what I am saying the lack of new faces is highly unusual. It almost seems like there is a wall that is keeping them out. I must admit the though did cross my mind of some far less than democratic means to keep new faces out of what appears to be a private club known as upper politics.

[nothingleftbutfaith]

What a lousy choice for Thai people : crooks, crooks and crooks.

Nice outcome for a coup, supposedly staged to rid Thailand of corruption.

Huh?

All the crooks mentioned in this thread, including the new leader Samak, are set to lead anti-junta, "democratic" TRT rump that was ousted by the coup.

Or do you mean they all should have been jailed right from the start and never allowed to go public again?

The junta is too soft for that.

plus ,

I wrote " supposedly"....

I think we all know what the real motive of the coup was...

[Plus]

I'm afraid there's a disagreement there.

But yes, all the coups and commissions couldn't stop these people.

In fact, judging by anti-junta party line up, a little genocide would significantly decrease corruption overnight.

They are not even pretending to be clean.

[blaze]

In fact, judging by anti-junta party line up, a little genocide would significantly decrease corruption overnight.

Uhhm- recall a similar attitude towards drug dealers- and look where that ended up. But of course, you're just joshin'. Right?

I know you're just joking- but these kind of joke are usually common in neighborhoods where some idiot gets it into his mind to burn down a crack house- or declare a war on drugs.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's new party picks right-winger as leader

BANGKOK — Supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday picked a pugnacious conservative, who has backed coups in the past, to lead their new party into general elections promised for December.

Samak Sundaravej, 72, a former minister and Bangkok governor, will lead People's Power, until recently a fringe party, but now boasting 270 members of Mr. Thaksin's disbanded Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party.

Mr. Samak, elected Bangkok governor in a landslide in 2000 but unpopular when he left the post four years later, told reporters after winning the leadership in an 80-33 vote that the People's Power party would fight "military dictatorship".

"I won't answer your question whether I am a Thaksin nominee, but I've decided to return to politics to strengthen this party and to resurrect democracy," said Mr. Samak, who ran a radio campaign against pro-democracy student activists in the mid-1970s.

He supported a bloody crackdown on them in October 1976 which sent thousands of students — some later leading members of Thai Rak Thai and now of People's Power — to join the communist insurgency in the jungles.

Mr. Samak became a Thaksin ally last year as Bangkok's middle classes started a street campaign against him, and his election as People's Power leader showed he and the former leftists had a common enemy in the military.

The military, which ousted Mr. Thaksin last September, accused him of presiding over rampant corruption and showing disrespect to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a charge Mr. Samak said Mr. Thaksin was not guilty of.

"I am always loyal to the monarchy, protecting the royal family, especially during the communist suppression when I was on the same side as the military," said Mr. Samak, who also hosts a cooking show on television.

The path to elections expected on Dec. 23 was opened by the approval last Sunday of a constitution drafted by a panel appointed by the military in a referendum where the "Nos", seen as a vote for Mr. Thaksin, amounted to a hefty 41 per cent.

King Bhumibol signed it on Friday, putting into effect a constitution designed to prevent the re-emergence of a strong one-party government like Mr. Thaksin's and seen likely to mean a return to the revolving coalitions of the 1990s.

The election campaign is shaping up to be a race among three political groupings.

There is an alliance of anti-Thaksin parties led by the Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest, and another led by People's Power, neither likely to win an absolute majority.

Then there is a group of parties, some including former Thaksin members of parliament, floating in the middle and ready to join whichever of the other two comes out ahead.

The middle grouping is the expected landing pad for coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin in a run for an office after his mandatory retirement in September, analysts said.

Under the leadership of the abrasive Mr. Samak, People's Power is expected to weaken the prospects of the Democrats leading a coalition government, despite its emergence as the favourite of the business community, they said.

The Democrats raised 100 million baht in July alone in donations from firms, the Election Commission said. During the years in which Mr. Thaksin won two landslide election victories, the Democrats got little from companies.

Mr. Samak, however, is facing graft probes into large projects started while he was Bangkok governor. Agencies appointed by the coup leaders are looking into the cases.

"It is their ploy to stop me from returning to politics," Mr. Samak told reporters this week.

- Reuters

[sriracha john]

Veteran takes helm of People Power; key TRT figures also get party posts

Political veteran Samak Sundaravej yesterday said he did not mind being considered a nominee of Thaksin Shinawatra and vowed to restore the standing of the deposed prime minister after being elected leader of the People Power Party yesterday.

"I recognise the word 'nominee' positively because nominees have brought economic progress and prosperity to this country," Samak said.

"[in this case] I will be a nominee of Thaksin. I will make this party strong to restore the democracy of the country," he said.

Samak was elected by 80 votes to 33 at the assembly of the People Power Party, which recently admitted nearly 300 former MPs from Thaksin's now disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.

Samak thanked the party's members and said he came back into politics because the allegations against Thaksin that the junta gave as reasons for ousting him were unfair.

The coup-makers cited four reasons: rampant corruption, severe social division, interference in independent organisations, and acts of lese majeste. "The military attempted to do everything to eradicate Thaksin once and for all," Samak said.

Samak defended Thaksin against the lese majeste charge, saying it was a nonsensical allegation. He insisted Thaksin had never abused the monarchy, which was the reason he decided to help the deposed premier.

He also defended Thaksin against allegations of corruption. "Whoever accuses others of cheating should look at their own reflection. I am ready to counter whoever attacks me or the party," he said.

Samak said he wanted to help the People Power Party to win the election and lead the country's return to democracy.

"The party now has a new leader - me, Samak Sundaravej," he declared. "Now the party will campaign for the election under the law, the Election Commission can look into all of our actions and the people will judge us."

Former leading members of Thai Rak Thai who attended the party assembly at Centara Grand Hotel at CentralWorld included Surapong Suebwonglee, Newin Chidchob and Sora-at Klinprathoom.

The meeting was also attended by Thaksin's mother-in-law, Pojanee na Pomphet, and Noppadon Pattama, his legal adviser.

Surapong was elected party secretary-general and Noppadon his deputy.

Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who had kept a low profile since the coup on September 19 last year, caused a surprise when he was picked to be a deputy party leader.

The People Power Party plans to move headquarters from Don Mueang to the IFCT building, where the Thai Rak Thai had its offices. It is also adopting a new logo that is similar to Thai Rak Thai's logo.

People Power executive Suthin Klangsaeng said Samak gave party members "more spirit" because he was an outspoken character who dared to tell the truth when others might not. "It is an advantage for the party to have a person like Samak," he said.

Suthin admitted that some of the party executives elected yesterday were chosen by Thaksin. Former top Thai Rak Thai members sent a list of executives to Thaksin before the party assembly, he said.

"Yongyuth and Noppadon were approved by the former prime minister," he said.

Noppadon said he would help to draw up the party's policies for the election campaign. He also denied Samak was Thaksin's nominee.

Speaking after Samak's announcement, Democrat Party deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisit said democracy would return through the election and warned People Power not to do not anything to cause another collapse of democracy .

Democrat executive Sathit Wongnongtoei said that having Samak as the head of People Power wouldn't help resolve the political turmoil but, on the contrary, would create more political conflict.

"It's clear that he is Thaksin's nominee. He said he was ready to counterattack those that attacked Thaksin first. His reaction means that he turned to politics for revenge on Thaksin's opponents, who are the government and the Council National for Security," he said.

Trakul Meechai, political lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said Thaksin can now control the PPP because his core Thai Rak Thai members are now executives in the party.

With the support enjoyed by former Thai Rak Thai members of parliament, Samak has high chances of becoming the next prime minister , Trakul said. If not, the PPP would make a strong opposition party.

- The Nation

Edited August 24, 2007 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Soldier sees red over 'no' to party's name

A senior Army officer yesterday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to review its rejection of the proposed name for his newly formed party.

"The EC, particularly its member Sodsri Satayatham, should try to understand the name without having any personal bias," Army expert Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdiphol said.

Khattiya had asked to name his party "Se Daeng".

Sodsri objected to the name on the grounds of not naming a party after an individual. "Se Daeng" is Khattiya's alias.

In his rebuttal, Khattiya said Sodsri had misunderstood the name. "Se" is actually a Thai abbreviation for a staff position meant for planning and strategy, while "Daeng" means the colour red, signalling patriotism, he said.

He also dismissed the allegation that he wanted to form the party in order to pocket the subsidised funds for political parties.

"My party is a mass movement for young men who want to serve society, although they are not ready to contest the elections," he said, claiming that in the initial stage his party would be a political institution designed to get involved in civic issues.

Source: The Nation - 25 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Matchima hesitates to join Ruam Jai Thai

The Matchima (มัชฌิมา) Group has yet confirmed to join the Ruam Jai Thai (รวมใจไทย) Group but affirms to register as a political party on August 28th.

Leader of the Matchima Group Somsak Thepsuthin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน) discloses that he has requested Pradit Phataraprasit (ประดิษฐ์ ภัทรประสิทธิ์) to assist in uniting his group and the Ruam Jai Thai. Mr Somsak has also called on him to search for a suitable person who will be the leader of the new party jointly formed by the two groups as well as figure the name of the party and its policy.

Mr Somsak says he is still unsure whether the members of the two groups will agree with the name “Matchima Thipatai” (มัชฌิมาธิปไตย). He adds that the new party might not be formed if the unison of the two groups is not in line with Matchima’s political stance. Mr Pradit will hold a press conference on the matter on August 26th.

Regarding Chaianant Samudvanija (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทรวนิช)’s resignation from the Matchima Group, Mr Somsak affirms Mr Chai-anant and his group do not have conflicts.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

People Power Party affirms it will carry on TRT policies and ideology

The Secretary General of the People Power Party, MD Surapong Suebwonglee (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ล), revealed that his party is indeed planning to continue the Thai Rak Thai Party's policies and ideology. MD Surapong said his party has not set a fixed number for the number of parliamentary members it aims to achieve, but affirms that the party will do its best.

The Secretary General of the People Power Party said that his party did not recently persuade former Prime Minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ) to join, but did approach Gen. Chavalit 2 months ago to discuss the possibility of his party enlistment.

MD Surapong said that Mr. Samak Sundaravej (นายสมัคร) will remain the leader of the People Power Party even if Gen. Chavalit joins.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 August 2007

[John K]

At the end of the election process they all celebrated by drinking a special drink sent by Thaksin to commemorate the occasion. The drink was a special mixture of ink used on 1000 Baht notes, Jack Daniels, ground up flower type plants from northern Thailand and small pieces of puffer fish.

[ratcatcher]

Veteran takes helm of People Power; key TRT figures also get party posts

"I recognise the word 'nominee' positively because nominees have brought economic progress and prosperity to this country," Samak said.

"[in this case] I will be a nominee of Thaksin. I will make this party strong to restore the democracy of the country," he said.

He also defended Thaksin against allegations of corruption. "Whoever accuses others of cheating should look at their own reflection. I am ready to counter whoever attacks me or the party," he said.

Samak said he wanted to help the People Power Party to win the election and lead the country's return to democracy.

"The party now has a new leader - me, Samak Sundaravej," he declared. "Now the party will campaign for the election under the law, the Election Commission can look into all of our actions and the people will judge us."

[Jai Dee]

Permanent Secretary for Justice favors ex-politicians to re-enter politics

The Permanent Secretary for Justice, Assoc. Prof. Charan Phakdithanakul (จรัญ ภักดีธนากลุ), says he supports former politicians who are re-entering politics as they can help prevent other groups with hidden agenda from taking advantages.

Assoc. Prof. Charan says it would be a good thing for former politicians with extensive experiences to return to the political arena as the general public would be involved in politics. However, he says new politicians will need to readjust themselves with the political situation.

The Permanent Secretary for Justice says the majority of people are enthusiastic about the upcoming general election as they believe it would improve the Thai political system. The most important is to get rid of corruption and vote-buying activities.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 August 2007

[Kna]

The new leader of the P.P.P. party (Porky Pig Party) where there's always more room at the trough.

What!!?? I always thought P.P.P. came from Pojman and Poa Party

Here, the greatest archivement of the new PPP leader ever did http://www.2519.net/newweb/gallery_new/show_main.php

It's funny because there's a lot of ex-commy whose there friend got killed in that 6 Oct. in PPP but they welcome Samak to be there leader with open arm.

it's disgusting......

money talks, I guess

[TAWP]

Even communists have a price...

[Plus]

I think PPP is not going to repeat TRT success.

Lower classes were not its only support, originally it was a new choice for middle classes fed up with Democrats, and in 2005 TRT had a lot of votes from middle class, too. It even trounced Democrats in Bangkok.

That support could be written off and the number of people who'd vote for Thaksin's nominee is rapidly shrinking. Samak is too confrontational to appeal to anti-Thaksin voters or anyone with a bit of sense left, and too scary for "undecided"s unless he does a total image makeover. A lot of voters in Thaksin's base are also probably fed up with confrontation. I suspect many realise that Thaksin is gone and ready to get over it.

I doubt PPP could expand on the recent No vote - that means defeat, being in opposition is no good for them as that won't stop the judiciary from finally convicting both Thaksin and Samakon several accounts, and a good number of PPP execs, too.

[hammered]

I think PPP is not going to repeat TRT success.

Lower classes were not its only support, originally it was a new choice for middle classes fed up with Democrats, and in 2005 TRT had a lot of votes from middle class, too. It even trounced Democrats in Bangkok.

That support could be written off and the number of people who'd vote for Thaksin's nominee is rapidly shrinking. Samak is too confrontational to appeal to anti-Thaksin voters or anyone with a bit of sense left, and too scary for "undecided"s unless he does a total image makeover. A lot of voters in Thaksin's base are also probably fed up with confrontation. I suspect many realise that Thaksin is gone and ready to get over it.

I doubt PPP could expand on the recent No vote - that means defeat, being in opposition is no good for them as that won't stop the judiciary from finally convicting both Thaksin and Samakon several accounts, and a good number of PPP execs, too.

All the other TRT off shoots are likely to reduce the number of seats PPP gets too. That should be clearer as we see who lines up with who. On the other hand there is nothing to stop all the TRT offshoots from unting to form a government although personally I feel this is unlikely.

[John K]

Thaksin was brains behind the TRT. What remains was what was there before Thaksin, and I doubt that 12000 km long screwdriver is easy to use. They may see Thaksin’s concept but lack the discipline on how to make it happen. That involves thinking things out to conclusion and not just one or two steps. That truly is the key to making worthwhile projects successful.

Also it is important to remember many if not all are there for their own personal gain and not for the best interest of Thailand.

[Mid]

Soldier sees red over 'no' to party's name

Published on August 25, 2007

A senior Army officer yesterday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to review its rejection of the proposed name for his newly formed party.

"The EC, particularly its member Sodsri Satayatham, should try to understand the name without having any personal bias," Army expert Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdiphol said.

Khattiya had asked to name his party "Se Daeng".

snip

"My party is a mass movement for young men who want to serve society, although they are not ready to contest the elections," he said, claiming that in the initial stage his party would be a political institution designed to get involved in civic issues.

nationmultimedia.com

would I be correct in that the wages of the soldiers are paid from taxes ?

[hammered]

Even though I have little love for all things samak and the boys I think this editorial is a good one.

Editorial: An irony that must be allowed

The CNS must show its faith in democracy by giving Samak and the PPP the same rights as other partiesPublished on August 25, 2007

So, it will be Samak Sundaravej, of all people. Yesterday's decision by the remaining politicians of the Thai Rak Thai party to make the long-lasting controversial maverick their new leader sums up the irony-fraught nature of Thai politics. Samak, whose name is heavily associated with the dictatorship and its bloody hands some three decades ago, something of which he is proud, has found an opportunity to add a new dimension to his reputation. He will now be on the opposite side of the machine guns and tanks. Gone are the days when troops in the military-dominated Dusit district marched like robots to vote for him on election days. Samak wants to be a freedom fighter now.

Whatever he really is, though, the military junta must not take the bait. Samak as the recipient of Thaksin's torch is not as important to the future course of the Kingdom as how the Council for National Security reacts to it. The Thai Rak Thai camp knows how to play the game, with Samak declaring he will fight for justice for Thaksin and showing contempt for the reasons he was ousted from power. If he is able to provoke the junta, it will be to the detriment of this country.

Whether one likes him or not, Samak has the right to do what he's doing, and, like them or not, the remaining members of Thai Rak Thai who were spared the party-dissolution penalty have the right to compete in the election. And, like it or not, people associated with Thaksin - his relatives, friends or business partners - have the right to support the People Power Party. Last but not least, whoever has faith in the party has the right to vote for it.

The new party has been buoyed by the considerable success of the vote "No" campaign against the charter draft, apparently interpreting the results as evidence of the lingering popularity of Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai. Right or wrong, the politicians and their supporters have the right to think that way and exploit the outcome politically. With the new constitution coming into effect, democratic games have begun, and anyone to whom the new charter gives the right to participate can definitely do so.

It is imperative that the junta re-examines and thoroughly understands its own agenda. The September 19 coup was condoned because of the junta's proclaimed intention to correct the massive corruption in Thai politics. That objective must not be confused with clamping down on anyone ever associated with the previous government. Legal charges against Thaksin and his alleged accomplices have been initiated, and their assets have been frozen. Therefore, anyone outside the dragnet - no matter what past connections they had with the previous regime - must be granted the same rights as any Thai citizen.

Current signs are not encouraging, especially reports suggesting senior provincial officials in the provinces that voted "No" could be blacklisted by the junta. Rumours about legal harassment have been intimidating the People Power Party. An old case of alleged corruption has also come back to haunt Samak.

He will face a bumpy road back to the limelight. During his political prime, Samak and the men in green virtually adored each other. He was notorious when press freedoms were concerned and became one of the few mainstream politicians who fared well in the wake of the October 6 Thammasat infamy in 1976. Now many of the "October 6 activists" in the People Power Party, who have grown to know that no ideology lasts forever, will be calling him "Boss". And before we know it he could be an honorary speaker at pro-democracy forums, probably at Thammasat University.

But the bottom line is that Thai politics is in need of positive irony, badly. And we should start with the military allowing Samak's party to function as freely as the others. Attempts to block or undermine the People Power Party will confirm what the junta's critics have been saying all along - that it's a dictatorship, not a group of well-intended generals who braved brickbats in order to put Thailand back on a healthier democratic path. There's a clear line between saviour and dictator, but, in case the junta is confused as to what it should and should not do, an easy trick is imagining what the Samak of 30 years ago would have loved or hated and going for the latter.

from the Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/25...on_30046449.php

[John K]

Good bad or indifferent if a concept is not thought out to conclusion to debug the process the expected outcome will be diminished. If the history and habit of Thai politicians is to just figure out enough steps to get money in their pockets, then you can expect more of the same of the pre Thaksin years.

Both Sonthi and Thaksin have shown the ability to think things out. I can’t say for sure who else has that trait but that is what it will take as a leader to move Thailand along.

I am very certain this is one of the things if not the primary thing investors and business owners are looking for before they decide on Thailand as a base of operation.

[Tony Clifton]

I have a feeling that not only Samak (on a 2 year suspended jail sentence and investigated on at least two corruption cases) won't see the end of the elections but that the PPP party will somehow commit suicide and get disqualified, cheating is always part of their game, they can't help it. Political lemmings ready to jump over any cliff Dear Leader asks them to.

[John K]

I have a feeling that not only Samak (on a 2 year suspended jail sentence and investigated on at least two corruption cases) won't see the end of the elections but that the PPP party will somehow commit suicide and get disqualified, cheating is always part of their game, they can't help it. Political lemmings ready to jump over any cliff Dear Leader asks them to.

Somehow Tony I feel you are right. It is a bit of shame they can’t think for themselves and are just on a coattail ride. If Thaksin does not care about his own blood, how can he possibly care about them.

[A_Traveller]

From The Nation website

Sidelines: Samak spits venom as Thaksin's nominee

It was a perfect choice when members of People Power Party picked an old hand in politics with bruises and scars, Samak Sundaravej, to lead what is promising to become a dreadful and probably violent political vendetta.

Samak wasted no time and left no doubt in peoples' minds when he declared that he would serve as a "political nominee" for Thaksin Shinawatra, now seeking exile in London and branded a fugitive criminal with at least two arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court. ... "You hit me, and I hit back. It will be just like that," he declared.

Samak's words represented a complete disregard for more than 10 hours spent by the Constitution Tribunal in describing how Thaksin, his family members and cronies had inflicted severe damage on the country through various means such as massive corruption, abuse of power and other misdeeds.

In a nutshell, Samak is ready and willing to serve the accused, who he considers a victim of a coup and undemocratic process. The 72-year-old veteran must have forgotten that back in 1976 he was a shining star in a regime serving as a product of a coup as well. ... Yet Samak still faces formidable obstacles to political grandeur. He is waiting for the judgement of the Appeals Court after receiving a two-year jail term, without suspended sentence, in a libel case filed by a former deputy governor of Bangkok.

He has been engulfed by scandals related to the expensive procurement of fire-fighting vehicles and suspected corruption in a garbage-disposal project. These charges could derail his plan to serve as Thaksin's nominee in political victory and settling of scores. ...If big money prevails, preceding instability, then rumours of a coup and scenes of troops and battle tanks on the city streets are always a distinct possibility.

Sopon Onkgara

Regards

Link

[Mid]

If big money prevails, preceding instability, then rumours of a coup and scenes of troops and battle tanks on the city streets are always a distinct possibility.

appears the PM , knew what he was saying , when he expressed the opinion that little will change .

[hammered]

From The Nation website

Sidelines: Samak spits venom as Thaksin's nominee

It was a perfect choice when members of People Power Party picked an old hand in politics with bruises and scars, Samak Sundaravej, to lead what is promising to become a dreadful and probably violent political vendetta.

Samak wasted no time and left no doubt in peoples' minds when he declared that he would serve as a "political nominee" for Thaksin Shinawatra, now seeking exile in London and branded a fugitive criminal with at least two arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court. ... "You hit me, and I hit back. It will be just like that," he declared.

Samak's words represented a complete disregard for more than 10 hours spent by the Constitution Tribunal in describing how Thaksin, his family members and cronies had inflicted severe damage on the country through various means such as massive corruption, abuse of power and other misdeeds.

In a nutshell, Samak is ready and willing to serve the accused, who he considers a victim of a coup and undemocratic process. The 72-year-old veteran must have forgotten that back in 1976 he was a shining star in a regime serving as a product of a coup as well. ... Yet Samak still faces formidable obstacles to political grandeur. He is waiting for the judgement of the Appeals Court after receiving a two-year jail term, without suspended sentence, in a libel case filed by a former deputy governor of Bangkok.

He has been engulfed by scandals related to the expensive procurement of fire-fighting vehicles and suspected corruption in a garbage-disposal project. These charges could derail his plan to serve as Thaksin's nominee in political victory and settling of scores. ...If big money prevails, preceding instability, then rumours of a coup and scenes of troops and battle tanks on the city streets are always a distinct possibility.

Sopon Onkgara

Regards

Link

At least Samak is honest enough to admit he and the PPP are a proxy group for the ex-PM. It wont surprise many but that honesty should be applauded. If however they truly believe in democracy they should openly state that all the cases against the former PM will be allowed to go through the courts and that the PPP will not interfere with them politically even if they win an election. Sadly knowing Samaks previous on democracy he has no interest in any of the trappings beyond an election. One also wonders if he sees a link between himself and the ex-PM in that htey could both manipulate the court system if our infamous book burner is able to win the PMship.