New Political Party Ready To Launch

[John K]

PM confident that 111 Thai Rak Thai leaders actions will not affect election

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior General Surayud Chulanont commented on recent activity by 111 disbanded members of the Thai Rak Thai party who have been banned from politics. The members have filed complaints concerning the terms of their bans with the United Nations council on Human Rights.

General Surayud stated that the government cannot cease such activity and will not attempt to disrupt the work of the UN but he is confident the issue will not effect the upcoming election. The Prime Minister stated that the issue was the decision of individuals and would not affect the political situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 November 2007

That is a somewaht peice of wishful thinking, some would say delusional, considering one of the 111 has his own proxie party which many analysts expect to win the most seats even if they dont win the election.

I agree he tends to take the more peaceful optimistic look at things, however in this case I think he has the points covered. Based on the last few news stories from the EC, I doubt the complaint will carry much weight. Club 111 is basically serving a sentence but not in jail. People punished by the courts do give up rights particularly so during the time the sentence is being executed. Some rights are returned when they get out of jail with the most noticeable being freedom of movement and not being confined to a jail cell.

[hammered]

PM confident that 111 Thai Rak Thai leaders actions will not affect election

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior General Surayud Chulanont commented on recent activity by 111 disbanded members of the Thai Rak Thai party who have been banned from politics. The members have filed complaints concerning the terms of their bans with the United Nations council on Human Rights.

General Surayud stated that the government cannot cease such activity and will not attempt to disrupt the work of the UN but he is confident the issue will not effect the upcoming election. The Prime Minister stated that the issue was the decision of individuals and would not affect the political situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 November 2007

That is a somewaht peice of wishful thinking, some would say delusional, considering one of the 111 has his own proxie party which many analysts expect to win the most seats even if they dont win the election.

I agree he tends to take the more peaceful optimistic look at things, however in this case I think he has the points covered. Based on the last few news stories from the EC, I doubt the complaint will carry much weight. Club 111 is basically serving a sentence but not in jail. People punished by the courts do give up rights particularly so during the time the sentence is being executed. Some rights are returned when they get out of jail with the most noticeable being freedom of movement and not being confined to a jail cell.

On the club 111 thing it also looks increasingly like Chatchuron is on his own. The ex-TRT club seems uninterested in his crusade. This will not be the first time that Thaksin - who pulls the strings of most of club 111- has ignored or humiliated the once principled Chatchuron.

[Siripon]

No surprise to see Banharn rejecting promising to ally with the Democrats, Suwit must of course, otherwise Issan voters will reject Pua Paen Din at the polls. Most of Issan and the North want PPP to form the government, if they win the largest number of seats I don't see how Chart Thai and PPD will reject the offer of a coalition, after all PPD is nearly all exTRT. Suwat merely escaped the ban by claiming to be ill and resigning from politics last year.

That leaves the issue of PM- Suwit, the acceptable choice.

[hammered]

No surprise to see Banharn rejecting promising to ally with the Democrats, Suwit must of course, otherwise Issan voters will reject Pua Paen Din at the polls. Most of Issan and the North want PPP to form the government, if they win the largest number of seats I don't see how Chart Thai and PPD will reject the offer of a coalition, after all PPD is nearly all exTRT. Suwat merely escaped the ban by claiming to be ill and resigning from politics last year.

That leaves the issue of PM- Suwit, the acceptable choice.

Sounds pretty much what I hear. How will the military accept it? Is there a chance that PPP will be left in opposition?

[hammered]

I just heard that almost 2 million people have registerd to vote away form their "home". This is massively up on 2005 when it was only a few hundred thousand. Could skew a few races.

[John K]

Post the story or the link if you can.

[sriracha john]

No surprise to see Banharn rejecting promising to ally with the Democrats, Suwit must of course, otherwise Issan voters will reject Pua Paen Din at the polls. Most of Issan and the North want PPP to form the government, if they win the largest number of seats I don't see how Chart Thai and PPD will reject the offer of a coalition, after all PPD is nearly all exTRT. Suwat merely escaped the ban by claiming to be ill and resigning from politics last year.

That leaves the issue of PM- Suwit, the acceptable choice.

That's one I've been curious about. According to my TRT Hall of Shame 111 List from the Bangkok Post, Suvit Khunkitti is listed as (TRT Banned #53), and yet he's been mentioned as an active participant in the upcoming elections. I take then, he is NOT on the banned roster and the BP list is in error on this individual?

[John K]

Thaksin advises PPP to champion populism

(BangkokPost.com) - Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra advised People Power party (PPP), which includes many former Thai Rak Thai members, to champion the old TRT policies in election rallies, deputy secretary-general Noppadon Pattama said Friday.

Mr Noppadon, also Mr Thaksin's legal aide, said he has talked to Mr Thaksin, who suggested that core leaders of PPP should use the remaining time to propose its policies to voters, because the policies of the former Thai Rak Thai party have proved to be effective.

More here :http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=123873

I guess they want to try the third person method to let club 111 not do what the EC said. I wonder how that will fly.

[John K]

One this is absolutely certain, Thaksin desperately wants to speak. I can almost visualize Noppadon stuffing rags in Thaksin’s mouth just to keep him quiet.

[Tony Clifton]

I just heard that almost 2 million people have registerd to vote away form their "home". This is massively up on 2005 when it was only a few hundred thousand. Could skew a few races.

That will hurt two mafia groups, politicians and bus companies.

[sriracha john]

Chaturon to criticise CNS, EC in Friday speech

Former TRT executive Chaturon Chaisaeng insisted he will take the stage at Suan Lumpini on Friday evening

Ex-TRT Leader postpones public speech

Former acting TRT Leader Chaturon Chaisaeng has postponed a public speech planned for Friday at Suan Lumpini

The on-again, off-again pushing of the envelope is back-on again....

Banned Thai Rak Thai politicos plan to speak anyway

BANGKOK – Former ruling Thai Rak Thai party executives, who remain in the spotlight as politicians banned from playing active political roles for five years -- including anything relating to the December 23 election, plan to deliver public speeches at Nonthaburi pier in north suburban Bangkok on Sunday.

Tossaporn Serirak (TRT Banned #91), one of the 111 ex-TRT executives, said his colleagues had turned to Nonthaburi pier in place of Lumpini Park after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had turned down their request to use that venue in the heart of the capital to speak this weekend.

Speculated as being part of the so-called "Home No.111 Meets the People" are former TRT acting Leader Chaturon Chaisaeng (TRT Banned #2) and other ex-TRT executives including Adisorn Phiengket (TRT Banned #55) and Sutham Saengprathum (TRT Banned #105).

Mr. Tossaporn said his colleagues planned to meet with BMA Governor Aphirak Kosayodhin next week to discuss ways and means to speak publicly somewhere in the capital, because, he said, as not only provincial residents but also Bangkokians wish to hear their viewpoints as well.

Besides, the ex-TRT executives planned to launch another public speech in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday.

The Election Commission had earlier resolved to prohibit the politicians from speaking in support of People Power Party candidates contesting next month's election.

- MCOT

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

Will Tossofftoporn and Chaturon being moving their road-show to the city dump next?

[sriracha john]

EC disqualifies 37 Party-list names

The Election Commission yesterday removed 37 candidates from 16 party lists competing in all eight proportional zones. Those eliminated can appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court within seven days

More names that won't be on the ballot... this time the Constituency candidates...

Candidates scratched

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday disqualified 10 constituency candidates, comprising seven from small parties, one Democrat and two from the Puea Pandin Party.

Democrat Phatarabot Worawanpreecha was removed from the race for the direct vote in Nonthaburi's Constituency 1 on the grounds that he had been banned from the electoral process following his conviction for failing to file an asset statement when he was elected a provincial councillor.

The Puea Pandin Party had one candidate ejected from the Phrae race because of having duplicate party memberships. Its other candidate in Chiang Mai was removed for having lived in the constituency for less than five years.

The Thai Ruam Ruay Party saw three candidates removed from the race in Buri Ram, Phichit and Bangkok due to duplicate party memberships, one in Surin for being banned by a court order and another one in Samut Prakan for not having Thai citizenship.

One candidate of the Moral Party was removed for duplicate party memberships in Phetchaburi's constituency 1.

The Prachakorn Thai Party's candidate in Samut Prakan's constituency 2 was removed because of bankruptcy.

The Bangkok Election Commission is reviewing the credentials of 10 candidates in constituency 11 before deciding whether to remove them from the race.

- The Nation

[John K]

Mr. Tossaporn said his colleagues planned to meet with BMA Governor Aphirak Kosayodhin next week to discuss ways and means to speak publicly somewhere in the capital, because, he said, as not only provincial residents but also Bangkokians wish to hear their viewpoints as well.

Besides, the ex-TRT executives planned to launch another public speech in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday.

The Grown Men Crying In Public Tour

Tickets now available at Thai Ticketmaster.

Edited November 24, 2007 by John K

[sriracha john]

I just heard that almost 2 million people have registerd to vote away form their "home". This is massively up on 2005 when it was only a few hundred thousand. Could skew a few races.

Post the story or the link if you can.

more than a 5 time increase with this election....

Big jump in registration

The registration deadline was on Thursday. Election Commission Secretary-General Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn said 1,891,715 voters had registered to vote outside their constituencies, 844,305 of them in Bangkok.

Amnat Charoen saw the fewest voters register for out-of-constituency voting, just 865.

In 2005, 348,739 voters registered, and again Bangkok saw the most at 103,229. Then, 271 people in Kalasin registered to cast ballots for other constituencies.

"The number of people voting outside their constituencies has increased more than five times. It shows more people are aware of the election and are more concerned about voting," he said.

Overseas, 78,586 people registered. The commission will send ballot papers to 88 embassies and consular offices in 65 countries.

- The Nation

Edited November 24, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

That certainly reflects the division Thaksin created still exists. Looking at where the registrations were, I would say mostly anti Thaksin people took the time to register.

[sriracha john]

DIVISION WORRIES PPP

Political observers anticipate confrontation between supporters of deposed PM Thaksin and anti-Thaksin groups to resume soon after the Dec 23 general election if the PPP manages to win the election. Deputy PPP Leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat told the Bangkok Post that such rifts would not prevail if the authorities do not try to build up fear, hatred and conflict among the public. The PPP is ready to reconcile if all parties concerned agree to get rid of the conditions leading to strife and ensure that Thaksin is fairly treated, he said. The following are excerpts from the interview.

What do you think about the atmosphere as the election draws nearer?

We are like motorists who are driving at night without lights.

Full interview continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Nov2007_news13.php

[sriracha john]

Thai PPP leader says ready to be new PM

BANGKOK -- Thailand's People Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej reiterated Saturday he is ready to be a new prime minister of Thailand.

Samak made the remarks while helping his party members in election rallies in constituency 7 in Bangkok on Saturday, a month before the December general election.

The former Bangkok governor claimed that PPP will win at least 290 seats in the 480-member Parliament in the upcoming poll.

He also said his party will reveal its economic team in the next few days. The team will comprise of six to seven members.

However, a recent poll found that the PPP and its main rival the Democrat Party are running neck-and-neck in the latest nationwide popularity survey.

Thailand is scheduled to hold a general election on December 23.About 4,000 candidates from 39 parties have registered in the race.

The PPP has the highest number of 400 candidates, followed by the Democrat Party, 395 candidates; the Matchima Thipataya Party, 363 candidates and the Puea Pandin Party, 344 candidates.

- Xinhua

[sriracha john]

Survey: Thai Democrats slightly lead PPP in election

BANGKOK -- A recent survey released by Thai local media on Saturday showed that the two main electors -- the Democrat Party and the People Power Party (PPP) are running neck-and-neck, with the Democrats leading by only 2 percent.

The nationwide popularity survey, conducted by Thailand's famous Abac Poll questioned a total of 4,000 people across the country last week.

Noppadon Kannika, director of the Poll, was quoted as saying that the popularity of both parties has moved in the range of between 30 percent and 35 percent, and it was very difficult to tell which party would eventually succeed in forming the new government after the Dec. 23 general election, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chart Thai Party came third, scoring 13-15 percent; followed by the Puea Pandin Party, which merited particular attention as it made a dramatic jump to 10 percent in this survey from 5 percent in another poll last month.

The Matchima Thipataya, Ruam Chai Thai Chart Pattana and Pracharaj parties, meanwhile, fell below 5 percent in the popularity stakes.

However, Noppadon said the Abac Poll had not yet calculated how many seats each party would win in the election.

- Xinhua

[sriracha john]

A couple of articles on the huge jump in absentee voter registrations....

Overseas voting registers at record high

Citizens registered to vote overseas have reach record highs for the upcoming election; up 26,000 from a past high in 2001. Over 78,000 citizens living abroad have registered to vote in 92 different countries.

The citizens will cast their ballots in embassies from December 3rd to 16th. Election Commission member Praphan Naikowit expressed the commission’s satisfaction with the numbers and affirmed that they will continue efforts to deter vote buying even abroad.

- ThaiNews

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

Almost a million Bangkokians have registered to vote outside their constituencies

Almost a million people in Bangkok have registered to vote outside their constituencies during the upcoming general election scheduled to be held on December 23rd this year.

The Director of the Administration and Registration Division of Bangkok, Mr. Yossak Khongmak says 895,613 people in Bangkok have registered to cast their ballots outside their constituencies. Bang Kapi constituency has the highest number of registrants with 85,818 people. Bang Khun Thian constituency has 46,971 registrants, Lad Krabang has 34,312, Bang Na has 29,129 and Din Daeng has 28,418.

Samphanthawong constituency meanwhile has the lowest number of registrants, with 3,314 people.

- ThaiNews

[Siripon]

Chaturon to criticise CNS, EC in Friday speech

Former TRT executive Chaturon Chaisaeng insisted he will take the stage at Suan Lumpini on Friday evening

Ex-TRT Leader postpones public speech

Former acting TRT Leader Chaturon Chaisaeng has postponed a public speech planned for Friday at Suan Lumpini

The on-again, off-again pushing of the envelope is back-on again....

Banned Thai Rak Thai politicos plan to speak anyway

BANGKOK – Former ruling Thai Rak Thai party executives, who remain in the spotlight as politicians banned from playing active political roles for five years -- including anything relating to the December 23 election, plan to deliver public speeches at Nonthaburi pier in north suburban Bangkok on Sunday.

Tossaporn Serirak (TRT Banned #91), one of the 111 ex-TRT executives, said his colleagues had turned to Nonthaburi pier in place of Lumpini Park after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had turned down their request to use that venue in the heart of the capital to speak this weekend.

Speculated as being part of the so-called "Home No.111 Meets the People" are former TRT acting Leader Chaturon Chaisaeng (TRT Banned #2) and other ex-TRT executives including Adisorn Phiengket (TRT Banned #55) and Sutham Saengprathum (TRT Banned #105).

Mr. Tossaporn said his colleagues planned to meet with BMA Governor Aphirak Kosayodhin next week to discuss ways and means to speak publicly somewhere in the capital, because, he said, as not only provincial residents but also Bangkokians wish to hear their viewpoints as well.

Besides, the ex-TRT executives planned to launch another public speech in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday.

The Election Commission had earlier resolved to prohibit the politicians from speaking in support of People Power Party candidates contesting next month's election.

- MCOT

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

Will Tossofftoporn and Chaturon being moving their road-show to the city dump next?

Note how none of the banned ex TRT executives who moved to new parties apart from PPP have complained about the EC's directives. All announced they would drop their advisory roles, Surakiat, Suwat, etc.

It looks that Thaksin's ordered Chaturon etc to keep making a fuss to keep the ex TRT top dogs in the news. Must remain in the public eye until the election. It's hilarious their complaining to the UN. Don't they remember Frank's words,'The UN is not my father"?

[hammered]

Survey: Thai Democrats slightly lead PPP in election

BANGKOK -- A recent survey released by Thai local media on Saturday showed that the two main electors -- the Democrat Party and the People Power Party (PPP) are running neck-and-neck, with the Democrats leading by only 2 percent.

The nationwide popularity survey, conducted by Thailand's famous Abac Poll questioned a total of 4,000 people across the country last week.

Noppadon Kannika, director of the Poll, was quoted as saying that the popularity of both parties has moved in the range of between 30 percent and 35 percent, and it was very difficult to tell which party would eventually succeed in forming the new government after the Dec. 23 general election, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chart Thai Party came third, scoring 13-15 percent; followed by the Puea Pandin Party, which merited particular attention as it made a dramatic jump to 10 percent in this survey from 5 percent in another poll last month.

The Matchima Thipataya, Ruam Chai Thai Chart Pattana and Pracharaj parties, meanwhile, fell below 5 percent in the popularity stakes.

However, Noppadon said the Abac Poll had not yet calculated how many seats each party would win in the election.

- Xinhua

Kinda weird how when suddenly everyone in the media is predicting the PPP will win the democrats suddenly seem full of confidence. Maybe it is because like in the Ukraine the largest party doesnt always get a the opportunity to form a coalition.

Then again a lot of ordinary Thai people I talk to just say PPP wont be in the next government. Very confusing right now.

[sriracha john]

Samak: Banharn won't be PM

People Power Party Leader Samak Sundaravej said yesterday that there was no chance his party would back Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa to be the next PM. Samak, who had previously tried to convince Banharn to join hands with the pro-Thaksin party, said he wanted the Suphan Buri politician to stop dreaming of returning to the top office at Government House. "I won't ever hand over the premiership to him," he said. Samak's remarks seem to have put an end to speculation that PPP might try to coax Banharn and Chart Thai into a post-election coalition by offering the veteran politician a chance of becoming PM again. Samak also lashed out at critics who say he is unbefitting as a potential PM. "There is no reason why I should not be the next prime minister," he said. Many election candidates running under the PPP banner are said to be sceptical of Samak's attributes as a Party Leader, pointing in particular to his unpopularity in many constituencies in the North and Northeast.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/26Nov2007_news01.php

[John K]

I can’t help but notice that Samak has a side line of fortune telling when reviewing the last several news clippings. What was that saying about not leaving your day job...?

[hammered]

Samak: Banharn won't be PM

People Power Party Leader Samak Sundaravej said yesterday that there was no chance his party would back Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa to be the next PM. Samak, who had previously tried to convince Banharn to join hands with the pro-Thaksin party, said he wanted the Suphan Buri politician to stop dreaming of returning to the top office at Government House. "I won't ever hand over the premiership to him," he said. Samak's remarks seem to have put an end to speculation that PPP might try to coax Banharn and Chart Thai into a post-election coalition by offering the veteran politician a chance of becoming PM again. Samak also lashed out at critics who say he is unbefitting as a potential PM. "There is no reason why I should not be the next prime minister," he said. Many election candidates running under the PPP banner are said to be sceptical of Samak's attributes as a Party Leader, pointing in particular to his unpopularity in many constituencies in the North and Northeast.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/26Nov2007_news01.php

Samak would be fun if it werent for his links to past unsavoury incidents which i have to admit the Thaksinistas do well to keep out of any debate.

[Jai Dee]

Banned TRT members to meet with BMA to request stage

Leader of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives Jaturon Chaisaeng (จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) stated that the group will task Mr. Adisorn Piengkate (อดิศร เพียงเกษ) and Doctor Tosaporn Serirak (ทศพร เสรีรักษ์) to meet with authorities in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to query about holding a public forum.

The group affirms it will use any location the BMA feels is appropriate for their purposes and will not directly request any location. The group states that it will not even consider using Sanam Luang.

Mr. Adisorn stated though, that if the BMA does not facilitate an area for the group, or delays work in finding a location, the group will continue their rallies at the Democracy Monument.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 November 2007

[hammered]

Banned TRT members to meet with BMA to request stage

Leader of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives Jaturon Chaisaeng (จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) stated that the group will task Mr. Adisorn Piengkate (อดิศร เพียงเกษ) and Doctor Tosaporn Serirak (ทศพร เสรีรักษ์) to meet with authorities in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to query about holding a public forum.

The group affirms it will use any location the BMA feels is appropriate for their purposes and will not directly request any location. The group states that it will not even consider using Sanam Luang.

Mr. Adisorn stated though, that if the BMA does not facilitate an area for the group, or delays work in finding a location, the group will continue their rallies at the Democracy Monument.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 November 2007

So is this a cross party initiative or just a PPP one?

[sriracha john]

I've not heard of any other current political Party, besides the PPP, that has had any involvement in the House 111 group or its current hunt for rally locations, but as they say:

The group affirms it will use any location the BMA feels is appropriate for their purposes

I would revert back to my mentioning the Bangkok city dump

as the most appropriate location.

[Tony Clifton]

It's funny how the last election had TRT way ahead but they still had to cheat, ended up having the election canceled and were dissolved.

It's funny how this time around the same scenario seems to be repeating for PPP/TRT...

Must be related to the same thing that makes the same motorcyclists cut blind corners or hop onto major streets without looking over and over although they nearly get killed every time.

[John K]

It's funny how the last election had TRT way ahead but they still had to cheat, ended up having the election canceled and were dissolved.

It's funny how this time around the same scenario seems to be repeating for PPP/TRT...

Must be related to the same thing that makes the same motorcyclists cut blind corners or hop onto major streets without looking over and over although they nearly get killed every time.

It appears education politically or otherwise is not a PPP strong point.

[Jai Dee]

Army Commander counters PPP allegations of threat

Army Commander-in-Chief General Boonsarng Niempradit has countered allegations by the People’s Power Party (PPP) that stated members of the military acted against candidates running in the election.

General Boonsarng stated that the military is completely neutral in its stance concerning the upcoming election and no such events could have taken place. The army commander reiterated military vows to assist the Election Commission in their work to ensure a just and transparent election.

General Boonsarng stated that the he would like the media to better promote the military’s intentions so that it will not be attacked in such a way in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 November 2007