Dec 23 Picked For Election Day

[Jai Dee]

Thai ambassador to UN says foreign countries are keeping eyes on the Thai general election

Thai Ambassador to the United Nations, Don Pramudwinai (ดอน ปรมัตถ์วินัย), reveals that UN is not much interested in Thailand’s political reform but is keeping an eye to see whether the general election will take place as promised by the government.

The ambassador explains that permanent representatives to UN see that the political situation of Thailand is not severe and it is not their priority of concerns. However, he affirms the representatives are waiting to see whether the interim government will be able to bring democracy back to the country within one year as promised by the Council for National Security.

Mr Don adds that a timely general election and more stable politics can increase foreign countries’ confidence in Thailand and the economy.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 August 2007

[hammered]

This will be the dirtiest election for a while, and both sides will do everything they can to insure it is not exactly democratic. Of course the Junta will use their connections and power to try and influence and of course the PPP brigade will use their vast amounts of black money to buy any politician cum whore who can deliver them something.

And that is before we even look at the failed and evil who are returning to Thai politcs. Samak - cheerleader of massacres and meglomaniac. Chavalit destroyer of economies and of course we shouldnt mention the Ban Rom Khlao debacle or the incident at a foreign airbase back in the cold war days. Why not dig old Montri up and stick him at the head of a we love mega projects party? And amazingly the poodle like Thai media just sucks up to these old dinosaurs with hardly a mention of their failed, disastrous and blood frenzied pasts. A choice betwen a self confessed proxy party for a single man led by the "hero of 1976" and filled with the feudal overlords of certain rural areas or a party or two put together to represent the interests of a few generals if indeed these parties ever form before they get bought off by the other side is just about what Thailand needs. What a choice.

Spot on Hammered, but did you really expect a change ?

No

[Tony Clifton]

This will be the dirtiest election for a while, and both sides will do everything they can to insure it is not exactly democratic. Of course the Junta will use their connections and power to try and influence and of course the PPP brigade will use their vast amounts of black money to buy any politician cum whore who can deliver them something.

And that is before we even look at the failed and evil who are returning to Thai politcs. Samak - cheerleader of massacres and meglomaniac. Chavalit destroyer of economies and of course we shouldnt mention the Ban Rom Khlao debacle or the incident at a foreign airbase back in the cold war days. Why not dig old Montri up and stick him at the head of a we love mega projects party? And amazingly the poodle like Thai media just sucks up to these old dinosaurs with hardly a mention of their failed, disastrous and blood frenzied pasts. A choice betwen a self confessed proxy party for a single man led by the "hero of 1976" and filled with the feudal overlords of certain rural areas or a party or two put together to represent the interests of a few generals if indeed these parties ever form before they get bought off by the other side is just about what Thailand needs. What a choice.

Spot on Hammered, but did you really expect a change ?

Where we will see change is when the election campaigns really kick in and those using the same old mafia-like methods to get elected will pay for the consequences of their acts. The dissolution of TRT was the first step in that direction. As for the Frankenstein-like monster that is now the PPP, lather, rinse, repeat.

[nothingleftbutfaith]

This will be the dirtiest election for a while, and both sides will do everything they can to insure it is not exactly democratic. Of course the Junta will use their connections and power to try and influence and of course the PPP brigade will use their vast amounts of black money to buy any politician cum whore who can deliver them something.

And that is before we even look at the failed and evil who are returning to Thai politcs. Samak - cheerleader of massacres and meglomaniac. Chavalit destroyer of economies and of course we shouldnt mention the Ban Rom Khlao debacle or the incident at a foreign airbase back in the cold war days. Why not dig old Montri up and stick him at the head of a we love mega projects party? And amazingly the poodle like Thai media just sucks up to these old dinosaurs with hardly a mention of their failed, disastrous and blood frenzied pasts. A choice betwen a self confessed proxy party for a single man led by the "hero of 1976" and filled with the feudal overlords of certain rural areas or a party or two put together to represent the interests of a few generals if indeed these parties ever form before they get bought off by the other side is just about what Thailand needs. What a choice.

Spot on Hammered, but did you really expect a change ?

Where we will see change is when the election campaigns really kick in and those using the same old mafia-like methods to get elected will pay for the consequences of their acts. The dissolution of TRT was the first step in that direction. As for the Frankenstein-like monster that is now the PPP, lather, rinse, repeat.

I sincerely hope you are right , but seriosuly doubt it.

[Prakanong]

This will be the dirtiest election for a while, and both sides will do everything they can to insure it is not exactly democratic. Of course the Junta will use their connections and power to try and influence and of course the PPP brigade will use their vast amounts of black money to buy any politician cum whore who can deliver them something.

And that is before we even look at the failed and evil who are returning to Thai politcs. Samak - cheerleader of massacres and meglomaniac. Chavalit destroyer of economies and of course we shouldnt mention the Ban Rom Khlao debacle or the incident at a foreign airbase back in the cold war days. Why not dig old Montri up and stick him at the head of a we love mega projects party? And amazingly the poodle like Thai media just sucks up to these old dinosaurs with hardly a mention of their failed, disastrous and blood frenzied pasts. A choice betwen a self confessed proxy party for a single man led by the "hero of 1976" and filled with the feudal overlords of certain rural areas or a party or two put together to represent the interests of a few generals if indeed these parties ever form before they get bought off by the other side is just about what Thailand needs. What a choice.

Spot on Hammered, but did you really expect a change ?

Where we will see change is when the election campaigns really kick in and those using the same old mafia-like methods to get elected will pay for the consequences of their acts. The dissolution of TRT was the first step in that direction. As for the Frankenstein-like monster that is now the PPP, lather, rinse, repeat.

Sorry I can not answer fully as the pigs flying past my 30th floor window are more credible than the idea that anything will change in Thai politics any time soon.

[Mid]

Thai junta leader orders probe into EU election observers

31 August 2007, 10:47 CET

(BANGKOK) - Thailand's junta leader Friday ordered a probe into an EU proposal to send election observers to the kingdom's post-coup polls in December, saying ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra might be behind the offer.

"I ask the Election Commission and the government to find out" about the motive of the European Union's offer, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told reporters, adding the army would also investigate the matter.

Sonthi, who led last year's coup toppling Thaksin's government, said he suspected the deposed and exiled prime minister might be behind the EU proposal.

"The old power might have misinformed the EU," he said, referring to Thaksin, who is living in exile in London.

snip

eubusiness.com

[Tony Clifton]

This will be the dirtiest election for a while, and both sides will do everything they can to insure it is not exactly democratic. Of course the Junta will use their connections and power to try and influence and of course the PPP brigade will use their vast amounts of black money to buy any politician cum whore who can deliver them something.

And that is before we even look at the failed and evil who are returning to Thai politcs. Samak - cheerleader of massacres and meglomaniac. Chavalit destroyer of economies and of course we shouldnt mention the Ban Rom Khlao debacle or the incident at a foreign airbase back in the cold war days. Why not dig old Montri up and stick him at the head of a we love mega projects party? And amazingly the poodle like Thai media just sucks up to these old dinosaurs with hardly a mention of their failed, disastrous and blood frenzied pasts. A choice betwen a self confessed proxy party for a single man led by the "hero of 1976" and filled with the feudal overlords of certain rural areas or a party or two put together to represent the interests of a few generals if indeed these parties ever form before they get bought off by the other side is just about what Thailand needs. What a choice.

Spot on Hammered, but did you really expect a change ?

Where we will see change is when the election campaigns really kick in and those using the same old mafia-like methods to get elected will pay for the consequences of their acts. The dissolution of TRT was the first step in that direction. As for the Frankenstein-like monster that is now the PPP, lather, rinse, repeat.

Sorry I can not answer fully as the pigs flying past my 30th floor window are more credible than the idea that anything will change in Thai politics any time soon.

I'm not saying anything will change with some Thai politicians methods to win at all cost, I'm saying that their methods, scams, old or new, will no longer be tolerated by the electoral and judicial process as seen in the dissolution of TRT. Evolve or revolve.

[canuckamuck]

I'm not saying anything will change with some Thai politicians methods to win at all cost, I'm saying that their methods, scams, old or new, will no longer be tolerated by the electoral and judicial process as seen in the dissolution of TRT. Evolve or revolve.

You are confusing a new approach to justice with the punishment of the old regime.

Notice, no other offending parties were affected by that kangaroo court.

[Tony Clifton]

I'm not saying anything will change with some Thai politicians methods to win at all cost, I'm saying that their methods, scams, old or new, will no longer be tolerated by the electoral and judicial process as seen in the dissolution of TRT. Evolve or revolve.

You are confusing a new approach to justice with the punishment of the old regime.

Notice, no other offending parties were affected by that kangaroo court.

"no other offending parties", do you mean the Democrats?

What about the dissolution of the Pattana Chart Thai Party and Pandin Thai Party?

Three (3) parties were dissolved.

[canuckamuck]

I admit I did not know that, To much smoke about the democrats and the TRT at the time I guess.

But I still see that entire action as a manueveur to keep Thaksin out of power rather than anything resembling blind justice.

[Tony Clifton]

I admit I did not know that, To much smoke about the democrats and the TRT at the time I guess.

But I still see that entire action as a manueveur to keep Thaksin out of power rather than anything resembling blind justice.

That smoke came from TRT getting caught red handed hiring smaller parties and THEN making up accusations on the Dems trying to frame them.

TRT controlled the Election Commissioners , and, strangely enough, never filed a complaint with the EC about the Dems trying to frame them before getting caught themselves. Their inaction until then was not a show of "sportsmanship" but an obvious "If we go down, you go down".

Edited August 31, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[Plus]

It was not so much their offence that led to dissolution, but what they, as a party, did about that. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Chaturon damned himself and the party when during his testimony he said that Thaksin was aware of the charges but had taken absolutely no steps to rectify them. No internal investigation, no attempts to punish wrongdoers, nothing.

TRT's disregard for the rule of law and the most basic principles of the governing is what forced the courts to dissolve them. There was really no other choice, no mitigating circumstances, no cooperation with the court.

There's hope for Thai politics if politicians take the lessons from both the EC and TRT fate. So far those in PPP haven't learned anything.

[Jai Dee]

PM says election date will be definite by end of October

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont says the general election date will be definitely set within the end of this October. He says the appointment of the new Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief will not affect the setting of the election date.

Gen. Surayud gave an interview on the Open Phitsanulok House program on government-owned television and radio this morning (September 1st). He says that a general election would be held on December 23rd as political parties and public members would have time to prepare themselves. Meanwhile, the drafting of three organic laws for the draft constitution is being carried out, and other issues may affect the drafting. Therefore, the general election date will be definite within the end of next month.

He says the interim government can discuss the details with the European Union (EU) if it only wants to observe the general election in Thailand. However, he says the government cannot accept the EU’s proposal to investigate the election process since Thailand’s administration has not failed.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 September 2007

[Mid]

Thai PM says general election could be later

Saturday 1 September 2007 02:07:12 PM (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Sept 1 (TNA) –Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont said Saturday that Thailand's general election which only days ago was set for December 23 could be postponed, and while the European Union (EU) could "observe" the polling but it "cannot monitor" the election as proposed by the powerful bloc.

Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Gen. Surayud said the general election was tentatively set on December 23 and this could be changed as the government awaited an approval of the three organic laws of the constitution which is expected to be in place by the end of October.

snip

MCOT Public Company Limited

Edited September 1, 2007 by Mid

[Mid]

Polls may be delayed

BangkokPost.com, TNA

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Saturday that the general election, set just this week for December 23, could be postponed.

Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Gen Surayud said the general election was tentatively set on December 23.

snip

bangkokpost.com

[farang prince]

Send in the clowns....

[Jai Dee]

Mrs Sodsri concerned over security of EU representatives

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayathum (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) says she is concerned over the security of the European Union (EU) representatives during their stay in Thailand during the general election.

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Mrs Sodsri also expresses her concern that the new government might not be accepted by international communities if EU does not approve of the election results. She said according to history, most of the general elections EU had observed were concluded as unfair.

EC will hold a meeting with the EU representatives to discuss the observation of the general election in detail on September 6th.

As for a meeting between all political parties during September 10th – 11th to sign a pact on the election, Mrs Sodsri says she believes the political parties have honor and dignity and the pact cannot guarantee a fair election.

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

[Mid]

photobucket.com

[chinthee]

Yes, time to invoke the "face" argument. Any observation by foreigners would cause Thailand to lose face severely. Ergo...no dice.

[farang prince]

Mrs Sodsri concerned over security of EU representatives

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayathum (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) says she is concerned over the security of the European Union (EU) representatives during their stay in Thailand during the general election.

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Mrs Sodsri also expresses her concern that the new government might not be accepted by international communities if EU does not approve of the election results. She said according to history, most of the general elections EU had observed were concluded as unfair.

EC will hold a meeting with the EU representatives to discuss the observation of the general election in detail on September 6th.

As for a meeting between all political parties during September 10th – 11th to sign a pact on the election, Mrs Sodsri says she believes the political parties have honor and dignity and the pact cannot guarantee a fair election.

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

What? Is she afraid the EU representatives might be attacked by disgruntled poll workers? What an amazing story...and an incredible insult to anyone's intelligence.

[cclub75]

Polls may be delayed

BangkokPost.com, TNA

Let's summarize : the official date of december 23 is not so official anymore...

Monday august 27 the date was announced by PM and EC. 5 days later, the PM Surayud starts the "U-turn" machine.

Official reason ? A technical problem : they need to vote 3 organics laws...

So much for the word "credibility"...

At that point : 2 solutions

-Surayud is a total bozo clown and he spoke too fast on monday august 27

-Surayud knows that something else could delay the vote... therefore he needs to start the "U-turn" machine.

I'll give my personal opinion : solution number 3 = solution 1 + 2.

Edited September 3, 2007 by cclub75

[sriracha john]

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Perhaps some of TV's ex-pats could volunteer to be the unescorted EU representatives during the polling in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat....

any volunteers out there?

[Mid]

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Perhaps some of TV's ex-pats could volunteer to be the unescorted EU representatives during the polling in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat....

any volunteers out there?

not me , I agree with her ....................................................

gotta be the best reason yet for not having monitors , not

Edited September 3, 2007 by Mid

[Prakanong]

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Perhaps some of TV's ex-pats could volunteer to be the unescorted EU representatives during the polling in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat....

any volunteers out there?

So the EC officials are providing security are they?

<deleted> - they will have army presence so this is a bit of a straw man argment.

[sriracha john]

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Perhaps some of TV's ex-pats could volunteer to be the unescorted EU representatives during the polling in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat....

any volunteers out there?

So the EC officials are providing security are they?

<deleted> - they will have army presence so this is a bit of a straw man argment.

and the armed forces won't be busy enough without traipsing around providing security for white targets?

the insurgents would be hard-pressed to come up with a better target to make a statement....

a nice young, white, Belgian woman observer..... might as well put an "x" on her forehead.... and a bomb under her EU 4x4...

[OlRedEyes]

They talk about not being a failed state but a developed country...

A military coup, 'democratic' elections under martial law...

Hmmm...

Can someone please enlighten me a little. I avoid politics, though in Thailand I have followed it a little due to the unique entertainment value it seems to have here.

The way I understand the new constitution is that half the members of the 'upper house' or whatever will be appointed, directly or indirectly, by the military. So what is the interest in the elections. Surely the outcome makes no difference?

[Prakanong]

Mrs Sodsri says the Election Commission (EC) does not have enough officials to provide security for the EU representatives, especially those dispatched to observe the election in the three Southern-most provinces.

Perhaps some of TV's ex-pats could volunteer to be the unescorted EU representatives during the polling in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat....

any volunteers out there?

So the EC officials are providing security are they?

<deleted> - they will have army presence so this is a bit of a straw man argment.

and the armed forces won't be busy enough without traipsing around providing security for white targets?

the insurgents would be hard-pressed to come up with a better target to make a statement....

a nice young, white, Belgian woman observer..... might as well put an "x" on her forehead.... and a bomb under her EU 4x4...

So the EC officials will not be guarded?

Would the observers not be travelling with them?

I seem to remember they did just fine in Cambodia with the KR not far away.

[Prakanong]

They talk about not being a failed state but a developed country...

A military coup, 'democratic' elections under martial law...

Hmmm...

Can someone please enlighten me a little. I avoid politics, though in Thailand I have followed it a little due to the unique entertainment value it seems to have here.

The way I understand the new constitution is that half the members of the 'upper house' or whatever will be appointed, directly or indirectly, by the military. So what is the interest in the elections. Surely the outcome makes no difference?

Face and appearance are more important than substance don't you know

Independent observers might just upset the apple cart but then again not many really care about Thailand - it does not have the Geo-political relevance it had during the Vietnam years.

Edited September 3, 2007 by Prakanong

[Plus]

The way I understand the new constitution is that half the members of the 'upper house' or whatever will be appointed, directly or indirectly, by the military. So what is the interest in the elections. Surely the outcome makes no difference?

Half of the Upper House, the Senate, is going to be appointed by a body consisting of representatives of the gevernment, the opposition and someone from justice system, but not the military.

The idea is that they supposed to provide the "professional" side to lawmaking. The rest are elected on one province one senator basis. That way they hope to weed out little mafia godfathers from legislative body.

[highdiver]

Why are the EU wanting to send observers??? did someone invite them??

who asked them for an opinion about the elections in Thailand.

Will the EU comuntity also accept thai observers in the elections in France or germany??

the whole proposition is a Joke by some bored EU politicians who are trying to pose europe as a world leader and dont know to mind thier own business..