General Election Confirmed To Be Held On December 23, 2007

[Jai Dee]

Roi Et Police investigate burned ballots

Deputy Commander of Roi Et provincial police, Police Colonel Polsak Bunjongsiri (พลศักดิ์ บรรจงศิริ) revealed that he has received orders to establish an investigative body to probe into the ballot burning incident. The investigation team will probe the situation from the district level upward.

The incident occurred in Panomprai (พนมไพร) district and involves ten individuals. At the moment 9 of the 10 have been interrogated and police are awaiting a written statement by the tenth individual who is a provincial Election Commissioner.

The Election Commission (EC) itself has launched an investigation and has give the incident high priority as it considers ballot burning a serious offense. The EC has said that even if the ballots were not intentionally destroyed, provincial EC workers will still be held accountable.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 December 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC to expedite catalog of wrong doings during advanced voting

Election Commission (EC) member in charge of managing elections Praphan Naikowit (ประพันธ์ นัยโกวิท) revealed that within this week police will be able to investigate all wrong doings discovered during the advanced voting which took place over the past two days (December 15-16).

Mr. Praphan commented that many of infringements were minor with most involving shops breaching the alcohol ban and selling alcoholic beverages. He said that some 70 cases have been found of breaches.

The EC member also said that vote-buying had been discovered in Chainat province, but assured that it was an isolated incident. In Rayong province the EC is also inspecting the burning of 5000 unused ballots.

Mr. Praphan though, assured that the EC is still very satisfied with the advanced voting which only had minor isolated incidents. He said that the EC sees the events during the advanced voting as a good signifier for the general election to come.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 December 2007

[hammered]

EC to expedite catalog of wrong doings during advanced voting

Election Commission (EC) member in charge of managing elections Praphan Naikowit (ประพันธ์ นัยโกวิท) revealed that within this week police will be able to investigate all wrong doings discovered during the advanced voting which took place over the past two days (December 15-16).

Mr. Praphan commented that many of infringements were minor with most involving shops breaching the alcohol ban and selling alcoholic beverages. He said that some 70 cases have been found of breaches.

The EC member also said that vote-buying had been discovered in Chainat province, but assured that it was an isolated incident. In Rayong province the EC is also inspecting the burning of 5000 unused ballots.

Mr. Praphan though, assured that the EC is still very satisfied with the advanced voting which only had minor isolated incidents. He said that the EC sees the events during the advanced voting as a good signifier for the general election to come.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 December 2007

Well hopefully theyll do something about it rather than just say it was only an isolated incident.

[blaze]

EC to expedite catalog of wrong doings during advanced voting

Election Commission (EC) member in charge of managing elections Praphan Naikowit (ประพันธ์ นัยโกวิท) revealed that within this week police will be able to investigate all wrong doings discovered during the advanced voting which took place over the past two days (December 15-16).

Mr. Praphan commented that many of infringements were minor with most involving shops breaching the alcohol ban and selling alcoholic beverages. He said that some 70 cases have been found of breaches.

The EC member also said that vote-buying had been discovered in Chainat province, but assured that it was an isolated incident. In Rayong province the EC is also inspecting the burning of 5000 unused ballots.

Mr. Praphan though, assured that the EC is still very satisfied with the advanced voting which only had minor isolated incidents. He said that the EC sees the events during the advanced voting as a good signifier for the general election to come.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 December 2007

Well hopefully theyll do something about it rather than just say it was only an isolated incident.

Since it had been in the words of an EC member, 'discoverd', this means that it is fact. It happened. Something WILL be done- unless it wasn't 'discoverd' at all- but only..... rumored. God help the EC if it has to make a statement such as 'we know it happened but can't prove it".

Edited December 17, 2007 by blaze

[Jai Dee]

Unprecedented turnout of 2.9 million absentee and advance votes - EC

The turnout of absentee voters was 87.77 per cent amounting to 1.83 million ballots and some 1.12 million voters cast advance ballots on Saturday and Sunday, Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit said on Monday.

"Absentee and advance voters turned out in unprecedented numbers totalling about 2.9 million votes cast," he said.

Bangkok ranked first both for absentee and advance ballotings. It saw 823,331 absentee votes, accounting for 91 per cent of 903,899 registered voters. For advance voting, 199,357 voters cast their ballots.

"The balloting process was satisfactory," Prapun said, noting that the EC managed to make the ontime delivery of extra ballots to some polling stations that encourtered shortages.

Ballot boxes for absentee and advance votings would be dispatched under tight security for counting on December 23 and political parties would be welcomed to designate their representatives to assist in safeguarding the boxes, he said.

In regard to complaints about the list of eligible voters, he said many were unaware that they must reach the age of 18 in January, the cutoff date in drawing up the list.

The EC uncovered three cases of unintentional destruction of ballots in Phichit, Samut Sakhon and Bangkok's Lat Prao district.

In Buri Ram, there was a case of violating the ban on taking picture within the polling station. About 24 cases of violating the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages during the balloting were reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaraglin said he was satisfied with the high turnout, attributing it to the success of the awareness campaign against vote buying.

Sonthi vowed to intensify the campaign to deter money politics and encourage the balloting on December 23.

He also refused to comment whether he would enter politics following the general election.

Source: The Nation - 17 December 2007

[Jai Dee]

Vote rationally to overcome turmoil:Suwit

Puea Pandin Party leader Suwit Khunkitti urged voters on Monday to cast ballots rationally instead of emotionally in order to avoid an error of judgement to install a certain party in power for no other reason than voting as a symbolic gesture for the anti-coup sentiment.

"I don't want voters to cast ballots just to vent their anger at the coup," he said in reference to the projection that the People Power Party might ride on the anti-coup sentiment to achieve victory.

Suwit said he was upbeat that his party would become the core coalition leader because it was the tangible alternative to the rivalry between the Democrats and the PPP.

Some 60 per cent of voters remained undecided and they could opt for Puea Pandin, he said.

He admitted that he had informal talks about the next coalition but would not make any commitments before studying the balloting outcome.

Source: The Nation - 17 December 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM affirms election in submerged Southern provinces not to be postponed

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Surayud Chulanont affirms the government will not postpone the general election in the three Southern border provinces due to flooding.

Gen.Surayud says there is no need to put the election off as main routes in the submerged areas are still functional although some bridges have been damaged. The premier has instructed all relevant units to provide assistance for those affected by the flood, including the Ministry of Interior, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, as well as the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4.

The prime minister also informs that he will travel to the three Southern border provinces on December 21 to preside over the opening ceremony of the Thai-Malaysian Friendship Bridge and to meet with the flood victims.

The premier says further that it is not easy to identify the real cause of the flooding. Some of the flood water came from Malaysia which is also submerged.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 December 2007

News of the southern provinces flood situation can be found in this thread.

[Jai Dee]

Cabinet to conduct final meeting before Election

The Cabinet will conduct its final weekly meeting today before the general election. Some major agendas are set to proposed by the Transport Ministry as well an order of business set by the Supreme Administrative Court.

The Cabinet has been ordered by the Supreme Administrative Court to review its recent ruling on the continued independence of PTT Public Company Limited. The issue also entails the expropriation of land and facilities from PTT Plc., such as land it using place fuel lines.

The Transport Ministry is prepared to detail budget needs for the construction of sky-train extensions. The ministry will ask for 9.94 billion baht to be used in the construction of an airport link for the planned purple line rail way. The Transport Ministry will also propose a committee be established to take the place of the exiting Rail Authority of Thailand committee.

The Ministry of Labor will be suggesting amendments to Immigrant worker laws to allow for extensions of licenses. The Ministry of Industry will also be looking to establish a budget to compensate Sugar-Cane farmers.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 December 2007

[Jai Dee]

King Prajadhipok Institute to organize concert to promote election

King Prajadhipok Institute will be organizing an event to promote democracy and awareness so that citizens take part in the general election. In an effort to appeal to a wider audience of citizens the institute has opted to organized the “Sound Check Concert” with the theme “Democracy is in your hands”.

The concert will take place on December 21st at Siam Square Soi 3 and will begin at 2 PM. The concert will feature performances from RS Promotion artists as well as many activities for youths to learn about democracy. Several booths will also be on site with activities in the spirit of the election, such as a model voting booth for people to learn about the process.

More information on the concert can be found by calling 02-631-2290-5 ext. 309 or 089-824-4849.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 December 2007

[Jai Dee]

Don't heed rumour about delayed election: Thirapat

PM's Office Thirapat Serirangsan said on Tuesday that rumour mongers were responsible for fuelling the concern about the delayed balloting.

"There is no cause for concern as I can say for certain that the voting will take place on December 23 as has been planned," he said.

He said he detected no concerted efforts or movements to disrupt the planned balloting.

"The government is determined to restore the democratic rule and there is no justification to reschedule the Election Day," he said.

The public anxiety was heightened by speculative comments and rumours, he said, noting the intensified rumours after the People's Alliance for Democracy has threatened to revive the street protests if the People Power Party grabs power.

He said the PAD stepped forward after the PPP pledged to dismantle the Assets Examination Committee and grant amnesty to the 111 banned party executives.

Source: The Nation - 18 December 2007

[bulmercke]

Jai Dee - I have to commend you for keeping us up to date with what's goin' on - but the fact remains that the PPP are headed for a land-slide victory in this Sunday's general election.

At this moment - two things are possible - firstly the election goes ahead as scheduled and the the PPP duly win and go onto form the next government - either as the sole main party or as the main party in a coalition of parties - OR - AND A BIG OR - there is some incident between now and Sunday - or even on Sunday - that gives the CNS due and just reason to postpone - delay - and cancel the election for an indefinite period - on the grounds of national security - it will be deemed that at this particular moment in time it is not appropriate to hold an election - or that the said election must be annulled and rendered redundant - because of the 'instability' and 'danger' the said 'incident' poses for the 'unity' and 'cohesion' of the nation.

I.E. anything is possible between now and Sunday. There could be a serious shooting incident in a high profile location or even a bombing or series of bombings that would achieve the desired result.

Don't want to sound alarmist and cynical - but the reality of the situation and other factors suggests otherwise!

This is a high-stakes game!

Edited December 18, 2007 by bulmercke

[Tony Clifton]

Some PPP comments threatening of violence, many unsolved bomb threats/attemps/ partial police inaction/botched investigations (New Year bombs) and past TRT actions like hiring ex-cons, drug dealers, crashing other party rallies violently, really do make one worry about the possibility of more violent events.

May they receive the severest of punishments if further divide is caused by using such means only to throw the country into an endless loop.

Slap further than the number 111 this time around. Political thugs and criminals can't be allowed to manipulate a whole country and it's population forever, ruining a second costly election in a row, they've done enough damage already.

People, ordinary citizens, not soldiers or policemen, ordinary citizens may just have had enough, enough so that you'd see them massively committing not-so-ordinary violent acts against those responsible for constantly causing further divide and violence.

Creepy politicians, scary times indeed....

[younghusband]

Some PPP comments threatening of violence, many unsolved bomb threats/attemps/ partial police inaction/botched investigations (New Year bombs) and past TRT actions like hiring ex-cons, drug dealers, crashing other party rallies violently, really do make one worry about the possibility of more violent events.

May they receive the severest of punishments if further divide is caused by using such means only to throw the country into an endless loop.

Slap further than the number 111 this time around. Political thugs and criminals can't be allowed to manipulate a whole country and it's population forever, ruining a second costly election in a row, they've done enough damage already.

People, ordinary citizens, not soldiers or policemen, ordinary citizens may just have had enough, enough so that you'd see them massively committing not-so-ordinary violent acts against those responsible for constantly causing further divide and violence.

Creepy politicians, scary times indeed....

Like most foreign observers I hold the PPP in scant regard and would far rather see a strong Democrat showing under Khun Abhisit.Nevertheless the post above typifies the dishonest (that tired New Year bombing canard again), paranoiac and increasingly panic stricken reaction of the junta apologists as the election draws near, in this instance indeed justifying violence in the face of PPP strength and widespread popular support.Perhaps in due course even such ardent supporters of miltary intervention might come to accept that the coup was a a criminally irresponsible mistake leading directly to the current strength of the PPP.

[jumnien]

Sure the Muslims, Sonthi foremost amongst them, desperately want a Democrat victory. The problem is that their threats against the Buddhist majority only make the PPP more popular. The Dems poll extremely well in Pattani, not so well in Phitsanalok.

[Jai Dee]

117 isolated incidents occurred during advanced voting

Deputy Commander of the National Police, Police General Wichian Photposri (เอก วิเชียร พจน์โพธิ์ศรี) acting as the Director of Election Security and Organization Center revealed that on the whole, the recent advanced voting that took place throughout the nation was satisfactory.

Police Commander Police General Seripisut Temiyavej (เสรีพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส) has ordered all police to follow up on any complaints or reports of transgressions to do with the election. Incidents involve ballot destruction, unauthorized campaigning and vote-buying. Police have been given the authority to prosecute both civilian transgressors as well as Election Commission workers. The National Police though have concluded that only 117 reports were filed of wrong doing during the nationwide election.

Police General Wichian has commented that after advanced voting, police have decided to beef up personnel for the general election as voter turn out rates have been high.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 December 2007

[John K]

Some PPP comments threatening of violence, many unsolved bomb threats/attemps/ partial police inaction/botched investigations (New Year bombs) and past TRT actions like hiring ex-cons, drug dealers, crashing other party rallies violently, really do make one worry about the possibility of more violent events.

May they receive the severest of punishments if further divide is caused by using such means only to throw the country into an endless loop.

Slap further than the number 111 this time around. Political thugs and criminals can't be allowed to manipulate a whole country and it's population forever, ruining a second costly election in a row, they've done enough damage already.

People, ordinary citizens, not soldiers or policemen, ordinary citizens may just have had enough, enough so that you'd see them massively committing not-so-ordinary violent acts against those responsible for constantly causing further divide and violence.

Creepy politicians, scary times indeed....

Like most foreign observers I hold the PPP in scant regard and would far rather see a strong Democrat showing under Khun Abhisit.Nevertheless the post above typifies the dishonest (that tired New Year bombing canard again), paranoiac and increasingly panic stricken reaction of the junta apologists as the election draws near, in this instance indeed justifying violence in the face of PPP strength and widespread popular support.Perhaps in due course even such ardent supporters of miltary intervention might come to accept that the coup was a a criminally irresponsible mistake leading directly to the current strength of the PPP.

It almost seems like .... correction not seemingly but actually the coup was the cork in the bottle stopping the violence that looks to be un-leased once the cork has been removed next week. That so called illegal coup that was (reminding you once again) endorsed by the very top seems to be showing one of the primary reasons it came to be.

If violence erupts and it certainly is looking more likely, it may be the catalyst that could once again put the country on a path to civil war.

If that is the case you may want to keep your bags packed as our own countries may advise is to leave for our own safety if artillery shells and rounds of ammunition start flying around town under their own power. Keep that thought in mind about the illegal coup as you call is as you are getting your exit visa stamp.

In case you are wondering, yes this is one of my predictions that I truly hope I am wrong.

If you have any doubts, read this first:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/12/19...es_30059543.php

[bulmercke]

I predict a Christmas day coup or some other CNS action that will effectively render the result of the election redundant AND everything will be put on ice until the CNS fathom out how to deal with the reality of PPP-Thai Rak Thai back in power.

Either way - the resumption of street protests is inevitable - unless a state of national emergency is declared - which is quite likely.

[Mai Krap]

Sure the Muslims, Sonthi foremost amongst them, desperately want a Democrat victory. The problem is that their threats against the Buddhist majority only make the PPP more popular. The Dems poll extremely well in Pattani, not so well in Phitsanalok.

Thanks for blaming it on the Muslims, I don't think you have a clue about any of this.

[bulmercke]

Sure the Muslims, Sonthi foremost amongst them, desperately want a Democrat victory. The problem is that their threats against the Buddhist majority only make the PPP more popular. The Dems poll extremely well in Pattani, not so well in Phitsanalok.

Thanks for blaming it on the Muslims, I don't think you have a clue about any of this.

Agreed. Damned if I can see the logic in sunrise07's posting!

[John K]

I predict a Christmas day coup or some other CNS action that will effectively render the result of the election redundant AND everything will be put on ice until the CNS fathom out how to deal with the reality of PPP-Thai Rak Thai back in power.

Either way - the resumption of street protests is inevitable - unless a state of national emergency is declared - which is quite likely.

I disagree. They will need to have a tangible reason. If things erupt it will only be after the official count is made public. Who what and where it starts is irrelevant at this point. Stocking up on Mama however is a wise move in any case.

[Tony Clifton]

We've been planning to move away from here permanently, probably by next July. How I wish it was tomorrow. Can't be done quickly unfortunately and it's getting me terribly depressed these days, almost feeling like a prisoner slooowly nearing the end of a long jail term.

[bulmercke]

I predict a Christmas day coup or some other CNS action that will effectively render the result of the election redundant AND everything will be put on ice until the CNS fathom out how to deal with the reality of PPP-Thai Rak Thai back in power.

Either way - the resumption of street protests is inevitable - unless a state of national emergency is declared - which is quite likely.

I disagree. They will need to have a tangible reason. If things erupt it will only be after the official count is made public. Who what and where it starts is irrelevant at this point. Stocking up on Mama however is a wise move in any case.

Good point. How soon after polls close on Sunday is the official count made public?

[ando]

So PAD has made it clear they are going to do a dummy spit and go back on the streets trying to stir up trouble and incite another military coup if the PPP win and democracy prevails, even for a short time. Even at its peak in 2006 PAD only managed to rally a small fraction of 1% of total voters to go onto the streets and call for the overthrow of the government. But since the power-base of the PAD is in Bangkok, even such a minute fraction of voters massed in one place can make a very big showing.

The current military dictatorship has done everything in its power to stack the odds against the PPP. They are quite obviously very concerned that genuine free and fair elections would result in democratic representation of the majority of people in the country, who just happen to be the poor peasant class rather than the corrupt elite who have held the peasants down for so long.

OK, here's my predictions;--

If the PPP wins enough votes to govern outright the PAD will go onto the streets to try and create political chaos. The military will then use the situation as an excuse for another coup. This is despite the fact that at best, PAD might be able to rally less than 0.3% of total voters to put on a big show in Bangkok. That's about 100,000 people BTW. Sounds a lot when you put them all in one place for the news cameras, but pales into insignificance when compared with the actual number of voters out there in the countryside. Hardly a democratic representation of overall voter sentiment, but makes a big show on the TV news.

If the PPP wins enough votes to govern only as a coalition government, I think they will have enough sense to stand aside and let the Democrats take over the mess in a coalition government that will eventually self destruct. The "appointed" half senate that the military managed to slip through in the referendum is just another power grab by the elite designed to run interference with a democratically elected government when it is not of their liking.

Either way its a win/win situation for the military dictators and the elite ruling class who endorse them. All they have to do is sit back and wait for the democratic process to fall apart. Then they walk in and seize power again, tightening their grip over the poor peasant class majority even further.

I think we are in for several more years (if not decades) of military interference in democracy in Thailand.

[John K]

I predict a Christmas day coup or some other CNS action that will effectively render the result of the election redundant AND everything will be put on ice until the CNS fathom out how to deal with the reality of PPP-Thai Rak Thai back in power.

Either way - the resumption of street protests is inevitable - unless a state of national emergency is declared - which is quite likely.

I disagree. They will need to have a tangible reason. If things erupt it will only be after the official count is made public. Who what and where it starts is irrelevant at this point. Stocking up on Mama however is a wise move in any case.

Good point. How soon after polls close on Sunday is the official count made public?

From memory I think they were trying for December 27 or 28 to make the announcement. It is just too soon to call on when things will pop. The other factor is the new constitution has to be given a chance to work. However if the discovery process is anything like looking for Thaksin’s wrong doings, some may decide not to wait. If I were to guess the time of a possible coup I would need to say from mid January on. By then we should have a good idea of what life will be like in Thailand after the cork comes out of the bottle. All the trouble makes will be busy making trouble by then.

[hammered]

So PAD has made it clear they are going to do a dummy spit and go back on the streets trying to stir up trouble and incite another military coup if the PPP win and democracy prevails, even for a short time. Even at its peak in 2006 PAD only managed to rally a small fraction of 1% of total voters to go onto the streets and call for the overthrow of the government. But since the power-base of the PAD is in Bangkok, even such a minute fraction of voters massed in one place can make a very big showing.

The current military dictatorship has done everything in its power to stack the odds against the PPP. They are quite obviously very concerned that genuine free and fair elections would result in democratic representation of the majority of people in the country, who just happen to be the poor peasant class rather than the corrupt elite who have held the peasants down for so long.

OK, here's my predictions;--

If the PPP wins enough votes to govern outright the PAD will go onto the streets to try and create political chaos. The military will then use the situation as an excuse for another coup. This is despite the fact that at best, PAD might be able to rally less than 0.3% of total voters to put on a big show in Bangkok. That's about 100,000 people BTW. Sounds a lot when you put them all in one place for the news cameras, but pales into insignificance when compared with the actual number of voters out there in the countryside. Hardly a democratic representation of overall voter sentiment, but makes a big show on the TV news.

If the PPP wins enough votes to govern only as a coalition government, I think they will have enough sense to stand aside and let the Democrats take over the mess in a coalition government that will eventually self destruct. The "appointed" half senate that the military managed to slip through in the referendum is just another power grab by the elite designed to run interference with a democratically elected government when it is not of their liking.

Either way its a win/win situation for the military dictators and the elite ruling class who endorse them. All they have to do is sit back and wait for the democratic process to fall apart. Then they walk in and seize power again, tightening their grip over the poor peasant class majority even further.

I think we are in for several more years (if not decades) of military interference in democracy in Thailand.

The PAD have actually not said they will take to the strets if teh PPP win. They said they would take to the streets if the PPP won and interfered in the judicial due process in relation to Thaksin and others in ther previous government. Seperation of powers should see the executive and legislature not interefeere with on going cases as in most fo the democratic wiorld. Indeed for the executive otr legislature to interfere with the judiciairy is in itself a massive abuse of democracy. Indeed I believe the Sec-Gen of PPP has since come out to say they will not interfere in judicial due process actually recognizingthis point. However, the leader and ofthe PPP has spoken iof doing prercisley that. It remains to be seen if that is pure elctioneering or if the incoming government whoever it is will abide by sepration of powers. Of ourse if a government anywhere in the world interferes with judicial procedure we would expect to see street demonstrations.

Having said that I agree that Thailand is in for decades of growing pains in the advancement of its democracy.

[hammered]

I predict a Christmas day coup or some other CNS action that will effectively render the result of the election redundant AND everything will be put on ice until the CNS fathom out how to deal with the reality of PPP-Thai Rak Thai back in power.

Either way - the resumption of street protests is inevitable - unless a state of national emergency is declared - which is quite likely.

I disagree. They will need to have a tangible reason. If things erupt it will only be after the official count is made public. Who what and where it starts is irrelevant at this point. Stocking up on Mama however is a wise move in any case.

Good point. How soon after polls close on Sunday is the official count made public?

From memory I think they were trying for December 27 or 28 to make the announcement. It is just too soon to call on when things will pop. The other factor is the new constitution has to be given a chance to work. However if the discovery process is anything like looking for Thaksin’s wrong doings, some may decide not to wait. If I were to guess the time of a possible coup I would need to say from mid January on. By then we should have a good idea of what life will be like in Thailand after the cork comes out of the bottle. All the trouble makes will be busy making trouble by then.

Dont foregt we will have nightlong coverage plus the ticker tapey thingy giving us real time vote counts on Dec 23. This may not be the official cerrtified result but it will set the scene. It wont take until Dec 27 or 28 before we know what is happening.

With the 111 saying respect the result I guess they believe the balloting will not be rigged and they think they will win or come very close.

It is of course possible that some genie will spring forth and chaos will not ensue. A Dem-PPP government has ben suggested by both Surapong of PPPand Snoh in the last few days. These things dont get mentioned for nothing although it couldbe crass elctioneering of course. Lets also not forget that a period of mourning will probably soon be on us too. There should not be chaos at that time.

[John K]

Not that it matters but the US Embassy just sent out a warning to keep a heads up because of possible violence related to protests.

[Tony Clifton]

The PAD have actually not said they will take to the strets if teh PPP win. They said they would take to the streets if the PPP won and interfered in the judicial due process in relation to Thaksin and others in ther previous government. Seperation of powers should see the executive and legislature not interefeere with on going cases as in most fo the democratic wiorld. Indeed for the executive otr legislature to interfere with the judiciairy is in itself a massive abuse of democracy. Indeed I believe the Sec-Gen of PPP has since come out to say they will not interfere in judicial due process actually recognizingthis point. However, the leader and ofthe PPP has spoken iof doing prercisley that. It remains to be seen if that is pure elctioneering or if the incoming government whoever it is will abide by sepration of powers. Of ourse if a government anywhere in the world interferes with judicial procedure we would expect to see street demonstrations.

Having said that I agree that Thailand is in for decades of growing pains in the advancement of its democracy.

And a perfect example of this interference already going on with paid protesters already trying to interfere with the NLA's work these days, Thaksin being the main character affected.

NLA endorses anti-corruption pact

The National Legislative Assembly gave a green light to the Cabinet to sign the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said the convention, - known as UNCAC - has since been signed by over 100 countries and will help Thailand step up cooperation with the international community in fighting corruption.

The convention provides for international cooperation in the return of assets illicitly acquired by corrupt officials, including asset forfeiture in a foreign country.There are also preventive measures to detect the plundering of national wealth as it commonly occurs in many developing countries.Mr. Nitya added that before the subsequent ratification, the Justice Ministry was already working on amending related laws in order to ensure fully efficient enforcement of the first anti-governmental international law.

"After legal amendments and ratification, Thailand will surely fulfill the commitment of corruption suppression as required by the convention," said Sujit Boonbongkarn, an NLA member and the vice chairman of NLA sub-committee on foreign affairs. (TNA)

Along with democracy, it will also take decades to see any real changes regarding driver behavior, honest hospitals, cleaning up politics of unfit candidates and criminals, reduction of accidental tourist deaths, mafia controlled sectors, a police force with fit members instead of a majority of idiots-school rejects and criminals, a miserable failure of an education system, the use of religion to seek cover for shaky activities or profit, face and a whole other bunch of f$#* up things. A BIG TANGLED UP MESS.

Edited December 20, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[blaze]

The PAD have actually not said they will take to the strets if teh PPP win. They said they would take to the streets if the PPP won and interfered in the judicial due process in relation to Thaksin and others in ther previous government. Seperation of powers should see the executive and legislature not interefeere with on going cases as in most fo the democratic wiorld. Indeed for the executive otr legislature to interfere with the judiciairy is in itself a massive abuse of democracy. Indeed I believe the Sec-Gen of PPP has since come out to say they will not interfere in judicial due process actually recognizingthis point. However, the leader and ofthe PPP has spoken iof doing prercisley that. It remains to be seen if that is pure elctioneering or if the incoming government whoever it is will abide by sepration of powers. Of ourse if a government anywhere in the world interferes with judicial procedure we would expect to see street demonstrations.

Having said that I agree that Thailand is in for decades of growing pains in the advancement of its democracy.

And a perfect example of this interference already going on with paid protesters already trying to interfere with the NLA's work these days, Thaksin being the main character affected.

You mean those people who stormed the legislature (and are continuing to protest) were paid?

[ando]

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The PAD have actually not said they will take to the strets if teh PPP win. They said they would take to the streets if the PPP won and interfered in the judicial due process in relation to Thaksin and others in their previous government. Separation of powers should see the executive and legislature not interfere with on going cases as in most of the democratic world. Indeed for the executive otr legislature to interfere with the judiciary is in itself a massive abuse of democracy. Indeed I believe the Sec-Gen of PPP has since come out to say they will not interfere in judicial due process actually recognizingthis point. However, the leader and ofthe PPP has spoken iof doing prercisley that. It remains to be seen if that is pure elctioneering or if the incoming government whoever it is will abide by sepration of powers. Of ourse if a government anywhere in the world interferes with judicial procedure we would expect to see street demonstrations.

Having said that I agree that Thailand is in for decades of growing pains in the advancement of its democracy.

The perception of Government interference in the "separation of powers" is pretty much subjective depending on which side of politics you are on. Eg: I am sure supporters of the old TRT and new PPP would claim that this current military dictatorship has been tinkering with the judiciary to get their own supporters in there in order to destroy the political opposition through the justice system. Just as PAD has accused the TRT of doing in the past. I am not going to get into a debate over individual cases, but I would go further and say that governments of all persuasions (and especially non-elected military dictatorships) are not adverse to structuring the judiciary in order to vilify political opponents under the guise of an independent judiciary.

That being said, any attempt by the PPP to restructure the current judiciary, set up by the junta, (assuming they get into power in their own right) will result in cries of foul and street protests by the PAD. Its pretty much a foregone conclusion. Another coup to restore peace and harmony would then be considered appropriate by the military and their elite backers.

Anyone who believes that the courts are not stacked with officers sympathetic to the wishes of the government of the day must have their head in the sand.

The separation of powers really is a bit of a joke in Thailand. And so the cycle of election/coup, election/coup continues. It just depends on which government is in power and how they have manipulated the judiciary as to who the bad guys of the day are.

And of course one does have to wonder how valid laws and other political changes imposed by a non-elected military junta actually are.