New Political Party Ready To Launch

[John K]

"As for campaign financing, I can match any amount of money supplied by former prime minister Thaksin [shinawatra]," he said, voicing optimism about defeating the People Power Party.

Nice little back door acknowledgment that Thaksin is funding PPP. I can’t wait to see how that will rock the PPP boat in the next few days. Perhaps the PPP loose cannons may crash through the deck railings and beat the rest of the ship to the bottom.

[Old Man River]

Guess I hadn't realized previously that "Mr. TPI Bankruptcy" Prachai was the Motherland's financier....

- The Nation

I suspect that if Gen. Saprang is not given the lead role in the Army, as is rumored, we may well find him politically affiliated with this party.

[Plus]

Prachai was a lot bigger than Thaksin pre-1997. Bankrupcy has ruined his empire but certainly not the spirit. He put a real battle to keep control of his company. I suspect he was also the biggest PAD financier.

If he comes to power, expect to see another version of businessmen running the country.

Politically he will have to swallow a lot pride to join Democrat led coalition as his standing is very nationalistic. FBA, visas - forget about it, he'll scare foreigners away in no time.

He can probably afford to match Thaksin's investment in the election campaign.

[hammered]

Interestinmg to see the power of factional politics as everyone with deep pockets wants a slice of the cake. The most interesting thing is that there is no attempt to even hide the need for vast resources to hoover up a bunch of sitting feudal overlord MPs.

[Siripon]

Hammered, would you say that comes from lack of understanding from lack of a quality education, simply being too much for them to comprehend? With the ease of vote buying implied in Isaan, one could come in and tell them to vote for Osama Binlauden and it may just happen.

Rural folks will vote for the MP who can improve their constituency, people in Supanburi vote for Banharn because he's developed the province, the same for Newin in Buriram, his father Chai Chidchorp, used to make sure he was on every budget committee possible to secure funds for Buriram. The relevance of the party is only important in its ability to get things done.

Thailand is a big country and those who live outside Bangkok, the vast majority, often see Bangkok as simply irrelevant to their lives.

I'm a Democrat supporter but I'm acutely aware farmers just see Aphisit as a rather 'wet' middle class city boy who uses long words and has no real understanding of their lives. In that respect Thaksin is far more down to earth and able to relate to the 'man in the field'.

[sriracha john]

Samak: Thaksin's nominee, not lapdog

Samak Sundaravej has rejected claims he was re-entering politics as Thaksin Shinawatra's "poodle" and maintained that the people will decide in the end who they want as the ruling party. The unofficial leader of the People's Power party (PPP) also lashed out at Council for National Security (CNS) Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin for comparing Thaksin Shinawatra with former President of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada, who was recently handed a lifetime jail sentence for corruption. Samak has said he is the nominee of Mr Thaksin in the next election.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121707

=========================================================================

So it's "nominee"... and not "poodle."

A fair enough declaration as the differences are ... uhmm.... errr.... ahhh....

As for downplaying the Estrada comparison, I suppose that's hitting too close to home and makes the nominee's mentor a bit nervous.

Edited September 16, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

Samak: Thaksin's nominee, not lapdog

Samak Sundaravej has rejected claims he was re-entering politics as Thaksin Shinawatra's "poodle" and maintained that the people will decide in the end who they want as the ruling party. The unofficial leader of the People's Power party (PPP) also lashed out at Council for National Security (CNS) Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin for comparing Thaksin Shinawatra with former President of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada, who was recently handed a lifetime jail sentence for corruption. Samak has said he is the nominee of Mr Thaksin in the next election.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121707

=========================================================================

So it's "nominee"... and not "poodle."

A fair enough declaration as the differences are ... uhmm.... errr.... ahhh....

As for downplaying the Estrada comparison, I suppose that's hitting too close to home and makes the nominee's mentor a bit nervous.

And for my next trick I will jump through a flaming hoop and pee on the legs of the ASC members.

[hammered]

Samak: Thaksin's nominee, not lapdog

Samak Sundaravej has rejected claims he was re-entering politics as Thaksin Shinawatra's "poodle" and maintained that the people will decide in the end who they want as the ruling party. The unofficial leader of the People's Power party (PPP) also lashed out at Council for National Security (CNS) Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin for comparing Thaksin Shinawatra with former President of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada, who was recently handed a lifetime jail sentence for corruption. Samak has said he is the nominee of Mr Thaksin in the next election.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=121707

=========================================================================

So it's "nominee"... and not "poodle."

A fair enough declaration as the differences are ... uhmm.... errr.... ahhh....

As for downplaying the Estrada comparison, I suppose that's hitting too close to home and makes the nominee's mentor a bit nervous.

"Poodle boy" nice to see old motor mouth has managed to give us a nice label by which to call him.

[sriracha john]

Another motor-mouthism...

"Those who accused Thaksin of ordering the killings definitely supported the drug trade."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/17...cs_30049187.php

[hammered]

Another motor-mouthism...

"Those who accused Thaksin of ordering the killings definitely supported the drug trade."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/17...cs_30049187.php

He is starting to sound like he did when cheerleading (at least) the 6 October 1976 massacre.

[John K]

Oh this can get to be fun with him!

It looks like he has a real bad case of not thinking things out even to the end of his sentences.

Edited September 17, 2007 by John K

[hammered]

Oh this can get to be fun with him!

It looks like he has a real bad case of not thinking things out even to the end of his sentences.

It would indeed be funny if not for the fact that he has a huge war chest and a large number of feudal overlord gun for sale ex-MPs behind him. It wont be that funny if he wins.

[Tony Clifton]

Oh this can get to be fun with him!

It looks like he has a real bad case of not thinking things out even to the end of his sentences.

It would indeed be funny if not for the fact that he has a huge war chest and a large number of feudal overlord gun for sale ex-MPs behind him. It wont be that funny if he wins.

It won't be funny when he is pulled of the race. How can he be allowed to possibly become PM after getting a two year suspended jail sentence that is still on, being investigated in corruption cases and the latest, DEFYING the justice system already with amnesty for the 111 ban club while openly admitting to be Thaksin's puppet. Even worse, how can those in his wake accept what I've mentioned above?

What's their platform so far? Not much, nothing but an empty struggle to regain power after their industrial greed that brought them where they are today.

What's next in their plans after a victory?

Reshuffle of judges?

Another constitution scrapped?

The restitution of the old Election Committee?

Disbanding of the AEC, NCCC or any other body likely to hurt the lil' emperor's golden bum they willingly lick on command?

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

Edited September 17, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[hammered]

Oh this can get to be fun with him!

It looks like he has a real bad case of not thinking things out even to the end of his sentences.

It would indeed be funny if not for the fact that he has a huge war chest and a large number of feudal overlord gun for sale ex-MPs behind him. It wont be that funny if he wins.

It won't be funny when he is pulled of the race. How can he be allowed to possibly become PM after getting a two year suspended jail sentence that is still on, being investigated in corruption cases and the latest, DEFYING the justice system already with amnesty for the 111 ban club while openly admitting to be Thaksin's puppet. Even worse, how can those in his wake accept what I've mentioned above?

What's their platform so far? Not much, nothing but an empty struggle to regain power after their industrial greed that brought them where they are today.

What's next in their plans after a victory?

Reshuffle of judges?

Another constitution scrapped?

The restitution of the old Election Committee?

Disbanding of the AEC, NCCC or any other body likely to hurt the lil' emperor's golden bum they willingly lick on command?

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

Dont underestimate this group. Samak isnt a fool. Also unlike the other ex-TRT factions they seem at the moment fairly united. They may not be able to win the election but as they stand right now they will have a lot of MPs. More interesting and possibly detrimental to Samak's mobs chances will be to see if any of the rumors hitting some of the Thai webboards are true about T mans wife pulling the funding after she got upset by some of his recent antics.

[Plus]

Samak, for all his faults, is a different breed of animal from the rest of PPP. He puts his convictions above anything else, they don't have any convictions, only greed.

From yesterdays' Sunday Talk

Overheard:

- But Samak is a rabid right wing nationalist and Thaksin's personal rottweiler!

- Those are his good points.

[John K]

Unfortunately the negative reports are about as positive as it gets with this bunch. So far I have only heard how they plan to undo all that has happened from the coup on, reseat Thaksin, pardon everyone, punish the ones associated with hunting down their corruption, and get on with the raping of Thailand that was so rudely interrupt by the evil warlord Sonthi. Very simply no redeeming qualities at all from this bunch. If they happen to agree with the democrats it is just by coincidence and ultimately it is self serving. Certainly when deciding what to do they use a mirror and not look out the window at Thailand.

That says nothing of the trouble that have caused with the staged violent incidences including the attack on Prem, and even going back to last year beating on old men and young children who were siding with PAD. Disrespect for the courts and seemingly everything and everyone who does not see it their way.

The Democrats however have identified things that are putting a drag on Thailand, and look to end or change them. There is no comparison, it isn’t even close.

[sriracha john]

Good news for PPP; the Motherland's falling apart and its TRT Banned #21 Surakiart is leaving for America... in order to quit?

Puea Pandin set-up in jeopardy

Somsak's Matchima may not join Pracharaj

Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin appeared to have second thoughts yesterday about merging with Pracharaj to form the Puea Pandin party. Somsak said the new election laws were a cause for concern if the merger went ahead as they impose constraints on the number of MPs. ''A constituency will become larger, and this means there will many candidates wanting to contest it. So I cannot give a clear-cut answer about the question of whether we will merge with Puea Pandin,'' he said. Somsak's hesitation came less than a week after the Matchima group announced a planned merger with Pracharaj, led by veteran politician Sanoh Thienthong, some members of the Reconciliation group and the so-called Pak Nam faction of Samut Prakan politician Vatana Asavahame. It was reported that former northeastern MPs were not happy with the merger plan and wanted Somsak to pull out. Somsak said that he was not opposed to any of the Matchima's members joining the People's Power party, which has taken in a large number of former members of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party. Puea Pandin party coordinator Surakiart Sathirathai declined to comment on a report that Pracharaj's chief adviser and financier Prachai Leophairatana was not happy that a group led by Suranand Vejjajiva had tried to negotiate for executive positions with Puea Pandin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/18Sep2007_news07.php

===============================================================================

Pua Paendin unsettled

Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin conceded yesterday hopes of forming the Pua Paendin (For the Motherland) Party were diminishing, and hinted that many former Thai Rak Thai MPs from his faction may rejoin their colleagues.

"Thai Rak Thai was an old home and former MPs from my faction are free to join their old friends under a new banner," he said, referring to the People Power Party.

Somsak said he was still optimistic that a political "third force" alliance would emerge eventually. He said remarks by faction member Sophon Phetsawang about the group's reluctance to join the new party had been misconstrued.

"Sophon talked about Matchima's concern about overlapping constituencies in the Northeast following the party's formation, but this is a problem foreseen that can be resolved."

Somsak said the emergence of the new party depended on many factors beyond his control and did not want to rush things.

If the party's formation was aborted for any reason, Matchima would have to decide its next move before the start of registration of candidates for the general election, he said.

Former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai said he had played his role as the catalyst for the formation of the Pua Paendin alliance last Tuesday.

"It is now up to the individuals concerned to decide whether to bring the alliance to fruition," he said.

Surakiart said he floated the idea of a third force in hopes of ending the polarisation of Thai politics into pro- and anti-Thaksin camps.

He would not try to bring together the various splinter groups as he was leaving for the US next week to complete his research at Harvard University.

- The Nation

Edited September 18, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Further disarray at Motherland as they continue to pursue Supachai... with time running out and "Jowls with Money" Prachai seemingly adamant he won't accept Supachai...

Korn Thabarangsi

He's #7 on the list of 8 Thai Rak Thai executives who escaped the ban as they had resigned before the Constitution Court accepted the electoral fraud case for trial

Korn: Supachai May be approached to Lead Pua Paendin

Pua Paendin (For the Motherland) group member Korn Thabarangsi (TRT Non-Banned #7), also one of the group’s coordinators yesterday revealed that there is strong possibility that the group might approach United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Supachai Panichapuk to lead the new party.

With expectations that Supachai would become the group’s prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming election, Korn iterated that if Supachai accepts the offer, the UNCTAD Sec-Gen. must return to Thailand before November 12 to contest the poll in December.

Speaking during a press interview on his 62nd birthday, Korn said the Constitution rules that candidates to the prime ministerial post must only be elected members of parliament.

Korn, who is the former leader of the Chat Pattana Party, had been named last week by Snoh Thienthong (TRT Non-Banned #1), a senior member of the For the Motherland group as the group’s representative in persuading Supachai to join the group.

He reiterated yesterday after his return from a trip to China that he has met Supachai two months ago. Korn also had a phone conversation with him on August 19, which he claimed that the UNCTAD Sec-Gen. had raised concerns about the country’s current situation.

Korn complimented Supachai for his renowned abilities in trade negotiations, saying that he would be valuable for the nation. However, he had not asked Supachai to give up his UN post and re-enter the political arena.

When he was asked to joined the group, Korn said he would collaborate with Snoh on the condition that he would not accept the roles of a prime ministerial candidate or the new party leader.

Fortunately, Korn had not been banned from politics since he departed himself from the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party prior to its disbandment by the Constitution Tribunal in May.

Separately, Prachai Leophairatana, the group’s financier Saturday rejects the proposal in approaching Supachai to lead the new party, adding that the UN official was involved with the economic laws enactment after the country’s financial crisis which appeared to contradict with the group’s core policies.

- Thailand Outlook

Edited September 18, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Specter of Thaksin haunts Thai poll debate

In the lead-up to the December general election that is expected to return the country to civilian control, Thailand's political world is likely to realign around two major blocs--one led by the People's Power party that supports former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the other led by the Democrat Party, which campaigned for his ouster.

As an initial step in the transition, the military junta made clear its intention to withdraw from politics when it chose a successor to current leader and military Commander in Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, who is seen as a moderate and unlikely to interfere in the political process after the election.

This commitment helped accelerate the realignment of Thai politics, according to observers. However, the fact that the political realignment centers on Thaksin's supporters and opponents suggests that the military interim government, which came to power in September last year in a coup, failed to reconcile public discord over the fate of the former prime minister.

While the People's Power party, which unites former members of Thaksin's now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, stands on one side of the realignment, the Democrat Party, which was formerly the largest opposition party and which spearheaded the campaign against Thaksin, stands on the the other.

After Thaksin was ousted, his supporters took over the then fringe People's Power party, turning it into a leading party.

People Power Party leader Samak Sundravej, 72, told The Yomiuri Shimbun recently that he would follow Thaksin's policies if he is elected prime minister.

As for the 111 former senior members of Thai Rak Thai, including Thaksin, who were barred from public office for five years by the Constitutional Tribunal in May, he pledged to give them a pardon.

But he said the former prime minister would not return to the political world, saying Thaksin simply wanted to prove his innocence in court after facing charges including abuse of power.

Samak was confident of his party's victory in the general election set for Dec. 23--a bullishness that flows from a national referendum on a new Constitution in August, in which more than 40 percent of voters nationwide voted against it.

Since his party also opposed the new Constitution, Samak said that the "no" votes represent support for his party and Thaksin.

He was critical of a recent move to form a third group centering on former non-mainstream members from Thai Rak Thai.

"They've broken away from Thaksin, but they plan to contest seats in the region where Thaksin has his political base. It won't be easy for them to win [a seat]," he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, 43, gives some credit to the interim government, saying Thailand's standing in the world has recovered after the government formulated the new Constitution and fixed the date for the general election that will pave the way for a civilian administration.

However, he also expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Judicial moves to prosecute corruption charges against former members of the Thaksin regime have been unduly delayed."

Regarding the strategy of the People's Power party, Abhisit would only say that he planned to carefully monitor the situation, but implied he was hopeful of competing strongly with the People's Power party if developments went the right way between now and the general election, due to take place in three months.

"We have criticized the former Thaksin regime as well as the military junta, which failed to manage the economy after the coup. First, it's necessary to make the military withdraw from politics and restore democracy," Abhisit said.

"If I become the prime minister, I will solidify the foundations of democracy, namely basic human rights, press freedom and the rule of law," Abhisit added.

Samak and Abhisit are the leading candidates to be the next prime minister at this stage. The military junta expects that their withdrawal from politics will not be followed by turbulence if the anti-Thaksin Abhisit takes power and adopts a gradual approach relying on the bureaucratic apparatus. But if the pro-Thaksin Samak becomes premier, then the political comeback of his mentor may also be in sight, even if Samak denies such a possibility.

If Samak takes power, the relationship between government and military could soon be just as strained as it was on the eve of the coup.

- The Daily Yomiuri (Japan)

[hammered]

Specter of Thaksin haunts Thai poll debate

In the lead-up to the December general election that is expected to return the country to civilian control, Thailand's political world is likely to realign around two major blocs--one led by the People's Power party that supports former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the other led by the Democrat Party, which campaigned for his ouster.

As an initial step in the transition, the military junta made clear its intention to withdraw from politics when it chose a successor to current leader and military Commander in Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, who is seen as a moderate and unlikely to interfere in the political process after the election.

This commitment helped accelerate the realignment of Thai politics, according to observers. However, the fact that the political realignment centers on Thaksin's supporters and opponents suggests that the military interim government, which came to power in September last year in a coup, failed to reconcile public discord over the fate of the former prime minister.

While the People's Power party, which unites former members of Thaksin's now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, stands on one side of the realignment, the Democrat Party, which was formerly the largest opposition party and which spearheaded the campaign against Thaksin, stands on the the other.

After Thaksin was ousted, his supporters took over the then fringe People's Power party, turning it into a leading party.

People Power Party leader Samak Sundravej, 72, told The Yomiuri Shimbun recently that he would follow Thaksin's policies if he is elected prime minister.

As for the 111 former senior members of Thai Rak Thai, including Thaksin, who were barred from public office for five years by the Constitutional Tribunal in May, he pledged to give them a pardon.

But he said the former prime minister would not return to the political world, saying Thaksin simply wanted to prove his innocence in court after facing charges including abuse of power.

Samak was confident of his party's victory in the general election set for Dec. 23--a bullishness that flows from a national referendum on a new Constitution in August, in which more than 40 percent of voters nationwide voted against it.

Since his party also opposed the new Constitution, Samak said that the "no" votes represent support for his party and Thaksin.

He was critical of a recent move to form a third group centering on former non-mainstream members from Thai Rak Thai.

"They've broken away from Thaksin, but they plan to contest seats in the region where Thaksin has his political base. It won't be easy for them to win [a seat]," he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, 43, gives some credit to the interim government, saying Thailand's standing in the world has recovered after the government formulated the new Constitution and fixed the date for the general election that will pave the way for a civilian administration.

However, he also expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Judicial moves to prosecute corruption charges against former members of the Thaksin regime have been unduly delayed."

Regarding the strategy of the People's Power party, Abhisit would only say that he planned to carefully monitor the situation, but implied he was hopeful of competing strongly with the People's Power party if developments went the right way between now and the general election, due to take place in three months.

"We have criticized the former Thaksin regime as well as the military junta, which failed to manage the economy after the coup. First, it's necessary to make the military withdraw from politics and restore democracy," Abhisit said.

"If I become the prime minister, I will solidify the foundations of democracy, namely basic human rights, press freedom and the rule of law," Abhisit added.

Samak and Abhisit are the leading candidates to be the next prime minister at this stage. The military junta expects that their withdrawal from politics will not be followed by turbulence if the anti-Thaksin Abhisit takes power and adopts a gradual approach relying on the bureaucratic apparatus. But if the pro-Thaksin Samak becomes premier, then the political comeback of his mentor may also be in sight, even if Samak denies such a possibility.

If Samak takes power, the relationship between government and military could soon be just as strained as it was on the eve of the coup.

- The Daily Yomiuri (Japan)

Poor reporting.

[sriracha john]

Democrat Secretary-General Insists People's Power Party Financially Supported by Thaksin

The Democrat Party's Secretary-General counters the leader of the People's Power Party, saying he has information that proves the exiled prime minister's plan to use 10 billion baht to financially assist the People's Power Party in the next poll.

The Secretary-General of the Democrat party, Suthep Thuagsuban has come out to counter the leader of the People's Power Party's claim that he did not meet with exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his trip to England.

Suthep believes Thaksin is preparing 10 billion baht in cash to financially assist the People's Power Party in the upcoming election, in order to make his comeback to the political arena.

The Democrat's secretary-general adds that some former key leaders of the now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, who travelled to Hong Kong earlier to meet with the ousted premier, have informed him that Thaksin is planning to give 30-40 million baht to each MP candidate of the People's Power Party for the next poll.

Suthep claims that some key leaders of the former ruling party, bringing a sum of one billion baht into the country through Suvarnabhumi airport on each trip, demonstrates that Thaksin will not quit politics.

The Democrat's Secretary-General insists that he will continue to investigate the matter. Suthep adds that he will reveal evidence and information about the money smuggled into the kingdom by either the leader or the secretary-general of the People's Power Party, once he finds the evidence connected to them.

Suthep challenges the People's Power Party leader to file a lawsuit against him to prove the truth and adds that his previous investigations caused the Thai Rak Thai Party to be dissolved.

He says the People's Power Party may be disbanded in the near future, if there is evidence showing that fraud or any action against Electoral Law has been committed by them.

When asked about the Pua Paendin group, which may be unable to register as a new political party, the Democrat Party's secretary-general said he's not surprised that group is difficult to merge with other political blocs and notes that the group is having trouble selecting a party leader and a coordinator, and funds for the next poll.

Suthep confirms that no former MPs from the Pua Paendin group will join the Democrats.

- Thailand Outlook

[hammered]

Democrat Secretary-General Insists People's Power Party Financially Supported by Thaksin

The Democrat Party's Secretary-General counters the leader of the People's Power Party, saying he has information that proves the exiled prime minister's plan to use 10 billion baht to financially assist the People's Power Party in the next poll.

The Secretary-General of the Democrat party, Suthep Thuagsuban has come out to counter the leader of the People's Power Party's claim that he did not meet with exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his trip to England.

Suthep believes Thaksin is preparing 10 billion baht in cash to financially assist the People's Power Party in the upcoming election, in order to make his comeback to the political arena.

The Democrat's secretary-general adds that some former key leaders of the now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, who travelled to Hong Kong earlier to meet with the ousted premier, have informed him that Thaksin is planning to give 30-40 million baht to each MP candidate of the People's Power Party for the next poll.

Suthep claims that some key leaders of the former ruling party, bringing a sum of one billion baht into the country through Suvarnabhumi airport on each trip, demonstrates that Thaksin will not quit politics.

The Democrat's Secretary-General insists that he will continue to investigate the matter. Suthep adds that he will reveal evidence and information about the money smuggled into the kingdom by either the leader or the secretary-general of the People's Power Party, once he finds the evidence connected to them.

Suthep challenges the People's Power Party leader to file a lawsuit against him to prove the truth and adds that his previous investigations caused the Thai Rak Thai Party to be dissolved.

He says the People's Power Party may be disbanded in the near future, if there is evidence showing that fraud or any action against Electoral Law has been committed by them.

When asked about the Pua Paendin group, which may be unable to register as a new political party, the Democrat Party's secretary-general said he's not surprised that group is difficult to merge with other political blocs and notes that the group is having trouble selecting a party leader and a coordinator, and funds for the next poll.

Suthep confirms that no former MPs from the Pua Paendin group will join the Democrats.

- Thailand Outlook

Only someone in total denial, someone with zero understanding of Thai politics, a complete lier or a moron does not believe the PPP is funded by the T. Suthep is stating the obvious and Samak, well........

[Tony Clifton]

It really looks like Thaksin and his mob meetings in mainland China are really over since the rumor of his multi-entry visa being canceled, now pushing their luck in Hong Kong. I wouldn't be surprised at all that mules accompany them on trips abroad only to carry back suitcases full of cash.

[Plus]

Isn't it illegal to bring in suitcases full of cash and not declare them? What if one of those "mules" get busted?

[somtaamgaiyang]

It really looks like Thaksin and his mob meetings in mainland China are really over since the rumor of his multi-entry visa being canceled, now pushing their luck in Hong Kong. I wouldn't be surprised at all that mules accompany them on trips abroad only to carry back suitcases full of cash.

They are simply playing Thai politics at its absolute best. It is a dirty game; money talks and money usually wins because that is way Thai politics is played. This country has changed and the poor want their votes to mean something. It is no longer a case of vote for me, I will disappear to Bangkok and get rich from road construction contracts or exporting your produce to pay back the 200 baht I gave you.

The parties need to really wake up and come up with something new in terms of really helping with development and education for the rural poor. So far I see nothing other than a few statements along the lines of lets build another sky train, roll back the clock to pre-Thaksin times and let it be business as usual. If they want to stop money politics they could try, but then people might actually have to create a political idea to win.

Did anyone honestly think Thaksin would walk away calmly into the rain in the UK and do nothing about being ejected from office by an gun? This mudslinging will go on and on. Can they PROVE it, I think not. There is not a single political party in Thailand that can say with honesty that it has never paid for votes, so if that is the situation, the one with the desire and deepest pocket will prevail.

[John K]

I guess this can go here

BANGKOK (Reuters) -

Thailand's ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched a scathing attack on the generals who removed him in a bloodless coup a year ago and accused the world of turning a blind eye to "departures from democratic norms."

In a commentary in the Wall Street Journal, Thaksin said the coup leaders, who accused him of corruption and abuse of power, had mismanaged the economy and failed to prove allegations of corruption, which were among the reasons cited for his ouster.

"In reflecting on the past year, I am appalled by the suffering that has been inflicted on the Thai people by the junta's misplaced priorities," wrote Thaksin, who was in New York when the generals seized power and now lives in exile in London.

He said the post-coup constitution drawn up by a military-appointed committee was less democratic than the "people's constitution" adopted in 1997 and abolished after the coup.

A promised December 23 general election could not be free and fair because martial law remained in force in nearly half the country's 76 provinces, most of them former strongholds of his banned Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, he said.

"The world appears inclined to accept all these departures from democratic norms," he said, accusing the international community of looking the other way to give the generals no reason for delaying the election.

"In a bizarre twist, the junta's greatest weaknesses -- its incompetence and unpopularity -- have been transformed into its greatest short-term strengths," he said.

"The world is miscalculating, however, if it thinks there can be stability in Thailand without true democracy."

[Tony Clifton]

So, the new constitution IS on their "TO SHRED" list.

[John K]

It is starting to sound a bit like

Why wont anyone believe me?!!?

[peterpanner]

Thais are very friendly people but have no common sense for politics. Also Thais are very proud to be "Thai", but I haven't found one yet who knew that the country is only called Thailand since 1939 resp. 1949. I don't think it's of any importance who actually is the political leading party (they all seem to come up with funny ideas), I just hope and wish that Her Majesty will be well and healthy for many, many years to come, as there is no doubt in my mind that H.M. The King is the Voice of Reason keeping this place together.

Reason for edit: very sorry forgot to put H.M. once as I'm not used to it in my country.

Edited September 19, 2007 by peterpanner

[hammered]

I guess this can go here

BANGKOK (Reuters) -

Thailand's ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched a scathing attack on the generals who removed him in a bloodless coup a year ago and accused the world of turning a blind eye to "departures from democratic norms."

In a commentary in the Wall Street Journal, Thaksin said the coup leaders, who accused him of corruption and abuse of power, had mismanaged the economy and failed to prove allegations of corruption, which were among the reasons cited for his ouster.

"In reflecting on the past year, I am appalled by the suffering that has been inflicted on the Thai people by the junta's misplaced priorities," wrote Thaksin, who was in New York when the generals seized power and now lives in exile in London.

He said the post-coup constitution drawn up by a military-appointed committee was less democratic than the "people's constitution" adopted in 1997 and abolished after the coup.

A promised December 23 general election could not be free and fair because martial law remained in force in nearly half the country's 76 provinces, most of them former strongholds of his banned Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, he said.

"The world appears inclined to accept all these departures from democratic norms," he said, accusing the international community of looking the other way to give the generals no reason for delaying the election.

"In a bizarre twist, the junta's greatest weaknesses -- its incompetence and unpopularity -- have been transformed into its greatest short-term strengths," he said.

"The world is miscalculating, however, if it thinks there can be stability in Thailand without true democracy."

He may want to think for a few moments why there was no great outpouring of sympthy for him in the west when he was removed. In some ways Mr. Thaksin's criiticisms of the Junta are valid. However, like all players in this drama he turns a very blind eye to the excesses of himself, his own and his side which involved many "departures from democratic norms." One does wonder when the country will move on from the 2005 to 2007 period. Sadly it doesnt seem yet.