Exit Poll Results Show PPP Wins

[Jai Dee]

Chart Thai to report for duty

Deputy leader of Chart Thai Party Somsak Prisananuntakul (สมศักดิ์ ปริศนานันทกุล) revealed that party leader Banharn Silpa-Archa (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) has scheduled the party to travel together to report for duty with the Election Commission (EC). The party’s elected candidates will be submitting their personal information to take their positions as members of parliament.

Mr. Banharn scheduled members of the party to meet today at the party’s headquarters first and travel together to the Parliament. He affirmed that there will be no discussion of coalitions and the party’s relationship with the People’s Power Party.

The party leader also said that the party is observing the national situation of mourning and thus will not resort to any aggressive political movements.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Puea Paendin to stand firm on 5 clauses

Puea Paendin MP candidate MR Kittiwattana Chaiyan (กิติวัฒนา ไชยันต์), the eldest person to take a position as a member of parliament in the coming government reiterated that Puea Paendin will hold out for its 5 set clauses. Mom Rachawong Kittiwattana made his statement after reporting for duty on the 3rd day of MP intakes.

Puea Paendin has held firm to its stance of 5 clauses, designed to ensure peace and stability for the coalition government with such clauses as protection of reprisals to the Assets Examination Committee and Election Commission. MR Kittiwattana stated that the party will consider joining the People’s Power Party coalition if its leader Samak Sundaravej makes clear movements to accept the 5 clauses.

The newly accepted MP said that until now, Mr. Samak still has not made any concrete efforts to appease the Puea Paendin party.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[hammered]

From the Nation. It seems the few of us on here proposing a PPP-Dem coalition are not alone!

By the way stereotyping the Isaanites, Thai Chinese, Middle Class, Southerners, Northerners, Bangkokians or whoever as all (fill in the gap) is not only xenophobic or whatever but also exposes a writers own ignorance. Rushes back to check his last ten thousand posts

SOCIAL CRITIC

Time for rivals to unite for country

PPP should ask Democrats to join Cabinet, insists PrawesPublished on January 7, 2008

To forge national reconciliation, social critic Dr Prawes Wasi yesterday proposed the People Power Party invite members of the rival Democrat Party to become ministers.

Prawes said it was normal for parties to compete during an election but they had to respect the poll results and work together with sincerity, patience and forgiveness for the sake of the country.

"Our country currently faces many difficult issues. Whoever heads the government will have to strive through the hardship," Prawes wrote in an article sent to press offices yesterday.

"In many countries, governments and their oppositions work together to help the country in difficult times. That's why we see the US President invite leaders of the opposition to have breakfast at the White House."

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was not available for comment on the matter yesterday.

Prawes proposed some guiding principles for Thais to practise for the survival of the country.

First and foremost, he said, Thais need to conduct themselves with dignity and integrity in order that they may be capable of doing the right thing.

He also urged people to respect and observe the rule of law, citing again the example of America where Al Gore accepted the Supreme Court's ruling on his defeat to George W Bush.

He also asserted that citizens must keep the military in check so that it stays free of politics and from political ambitions.

[Jai Dee]

Matchima Thipathai party to stand with PPP

Deputy Matchima Thipathai leader Banyin Thangpaphorn (บรรยิน ตั้งภากรณ์) stated that his party will continue to support the People’s Power Party and will not leave a group of parties that have sworn to join a coalition government to be headed by the People’s Power Party.

Mr. Banyin made his comments as the People’s Power Party is currently at odds with the Election Commission (EC) over the issuance of red and yellow cards which have revoked the seats of many of its MPs. The People’s Power Party is also being discussed by the Supreme Administrative Court on its legitimacy as a party. If the party is deemed only a façade for the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party it will be dissolved and all of its members will lose their seats in parliament.

Nonetheless, Mr. Banyin said that his party would stand next to People’s Power Party until all issues surrounding it have been resolved. Matchima Thipathai itself is facing turmoil as the EC is currently probing comments and actions done by its leader Prachai Leoiphairat.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[quiksilva]

Military laughs off stealth coup

The Council for National Security (CNS) on Saturday dismissed as laughable allegations by the People Power party (PPP) that military figures who launched the 2006 coup are behind alleged efforts to overturn the party's election win through election red cards.

Somjet Boonthanom, chief of the CNS secretariat office, yesterday said the allegation was "nonsense and impossible".

He said the CNS had nothing to do with an alleged campaign to overturn the election result and prevent the PPP from rising to power.

Foreign analysts have said they fear a new, military-backed "stealth coup" will overturn the results of the Dec 23 election. An AFP analysis on Saturday wrote:

With so much at stake in the election, analysts thought it inevitable that the army and royalist establishment accused of inspiring the coup would pull out all the stops to ensure a pro-Thaksin administration did not emerge.

Although there is no indication how many will end up disqualified, or "red-carded", the high proportion of accepted complaints against the PPP and the EC's distinct lack of openness has raised eyebrows.

"The idea of 65 suspicious cases against PPP seems odd," said Kevin Hewison, a Thai politics researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"To change the course of the election you need between 20 and 30 red cards and that seems highly likely at this stage. They may well overturn the result."

The pro-Thaksin PPP won 233 seats in the Dec 23 polls, exceeding most analyst's expectations and until last week, seemed set to form a coalition government with a number of smaller parties.

However, PPP leader Samak Sundaravej said there is a definite and concerted campaign to prevent the party from leading the next government.

Some 65 PPP candidates who won seats in parliament in the Dec 23 election have still not been endorsed by the military-appointed Election Commission.

The Supreme Court is also set to hear charges that PPP is a nominee of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party, which, if proven, could see the party disbanded and the Dec 23 election results overturned.

"The PPP has vented its spleen on the results because it is going to lose its interests," said Gen Somjet.

The EC has already disqualified three winning PPP candidates in Buri Ram under charges of vote-buying, drawing fierce protests from PPP supporters.

Over 10,000 demonstrators rallied against the disqualification of the candidates on Friday, but Gen Somjet yesterday insinuated the rally was staged by the PPP.

"The turnout of such a large amount of people is unusual," he said. "Someone probably masterminded the demonstration and they were most likely politicians."

Source: Bangkok Post: Today's Top Stories - 07 January 2008

[Meerkat]

Military laughs off stealth coup

"The PPP has vented its spleen on the results because it is going to lose its interests," said Gen Somjet.

Source: Bangkok Post: Today's Top Stories - 07 January 2008

Er...does he already know the results of the SC decision then?

[Citra]

Of course he does.

[Jai Dee]

CNS to watch over Buriram re-elections

The Council for National Security (CNS) has dispatched members of its group to travel to Buriram province to inspect the situation prior to the re-election in the region. Buriram province has had to stage a re-election due to the red carding of three People’s Power Party MP’s.

The CNS stated that after hearing of threats made against provincial Election Commission (EC) workers, the CNS was concerned for the safety and sanctity of the voting process. The CNS members dispatched to Buriram province will investigate the threats and also remain in the province to watch over the election.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

PPP failed candidate distributes Thaksin's VCD in Buri Ram

Buri Ram - A failed candidate of the People Power Party distributed video CDs featuring former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in this northeastern province Monday morning.

Prasaeng Mongkolsiri, a PPP failed candidate from Uthai Thani, urged recipients of the CDs to come out to support Thaksin.

He told Buri Ram people that the PPP would soon be dissolved so they needed to come out to campaign in support of Thaksin.

Prasaeng distributed the CDs in Muang district at about 8 am.

Source: The Nation - 07 January 2008

[Plus]

When a country is as polarised as Thailand now is (and has been for a couple of years) there is a need for great stateman or two to put differences aside and try to bring harmony.

For that to happen the exact nature of differences must be understood and acknowledged by both sides.

Instead we have party leader proudly declaring himself a proxy, and party sec-general denying it at the same time, and that's just the start of duplicity and all-pervading hypocrisy. It's impossible for that particular side to admit that they need to influence courts in order to retrieve single person's money from frozen bank accounts.

You can't bring demands like that to negotiation table.

"Reconciliation" will be done Thai style, without anyone saying anything in public, no statesmen needed. Thaksin will be assured he can get some of it back sometimes in the future. What will happen to his proxies after he accepts this outcome is anyone's guess.

>>>>

Sophon Angkara in the Nation suggested that the dirty hand Samak was talking about could actually be Thaksin looking for a more suitable person to fill the PM position, Samak is not needed anymore, Thaksin wants someone craftier and less conspicuous. Sounds like an interesting twist to me.

>>>>

Thailand is short in human resources in every field but it's a lot more obvious in politics. They don't breed statesmen here anymore.

[Jai Dee]

People Power criticizes Democrat chief advisor of creating confusion

People Power Party Spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang (กุเทพ ใสกระจ่าง) says his party is only asking for fair treatment from the Election Commission (EC) when it is issuing yellow and red cards, retorting Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai (ชวน หลีกภัย)’s previous criticism that the People Power Party could have hidden intentions in its dissent. Lt. Kuthep says Mr. Chuan’s remark is damaging the People Power Party, adding that such action is a habit of the Democrat Party.

Spokesman Kuthep also expresses confidence that the People Power Party can form the new government with no problems after three small political parties have accepted the People Power’s invitation. In addition, he says the Chart Thai Party’s stance at the moment is favoring the People Power Party. He also believes the Chart Thai Party will join the People Power’s coalition government, and the For the Motherland Party will later join the coalition as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Prachai to clarify his resignation case to EC

The Matchima Thipataya Party core member, Mr. Prachai Leophairatana (ประชัย เลี่ยวไพรัตน์), is scheduled to give an explanation to the Election Commission (EC) tomorrow (January 8th) after the Matchima Thipataya deputy leader and registrar, Mr. Thanaporn Sriyakul (ธนพร ศรียากูล), earlier notified the EC that Mr. Prachai already signed the party's resignation letter.

The Matchima Thipataya deputy leader, Pol. Lt. Col. Banyin Tangphaporn (บรรยิน ตั้งภากรณ์), says he is preparing to propose for Ms. Anongwan Thepsuthin (อนงค์วรรณ เทพสุทิน), the Matchima Thipataya secretary-general, to lead the party once the EC has ruled that Mr. Prachai has officially resigned from the top post.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Puea Pan Din has yet to decide whether to join forces with PPP

Spokesman of the Puea Pan Din party, Wachiramon Khunakasemthanawat (วชิระมณฑ์ คุณะเกษมธนาวัฒน์), says his party has not discussed with the Chart Thai party whether to join a coalition government led by the People Power party (PPP). He states that the party is in mourning for the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana and has temporarily suspended all political activities.

The spokesman says the party will not officially announce whether to join the PPP-led government before the by-elections are completed. In regards to the suspension of winning candidates in Buriram province, he says the party will campaign for the by-election there if the Election Commission (EC) upholds its decision to issue red cards for the three candidates.

Mr Wachiramon adds that the party’s candidates in Buriram came in 4th, 6th, and 7th and have a high tendency to win.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Citra]

PPP failed candidate distributes Thaksin's VCD in Buri Ram

Buri Ram - A failed candidate of the People Power Party distributed video CDs featuring former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in this northeastern province Monday morning. Prasaeng Mongkolsiri, a PPP failed candidate from Uthai Thani, urged recipients of the CDs to come out to support Thaksin. He told Buri Ram people that the PPP would soon be dissolved so they needed to come out to campaign in support of Thaksin. Prasaeng distributed the CDs in Muang district at about 8 am.

Source: The Nation - 07 January 2008

Surely any Thai citizen has the right to freedom of speech and freedom to publish his views in word and print?

Why does The Nation consider this news, or have they forgotten a paragraph or two in which actually something newsworthy happened?

[Jai Dee]

Council of State to rule on MP disqualification case today

Chairman of a special panel under the Council of State, Meechai Ruchuphan (มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์), expresses confidence the panel will be able to rule on the disqualification of three MP candidates in Buriram province from the People Power party today.

The chairman says the Council of State has five days to finish the disqualification case forwarded to it by the Election Commission (EC). The red-carded candidates can file complaints against EC’s decision before the council reaches the verdict, he says.

As for a protest against EC in Buriram province, the chairman says it can not pressure the Council of State.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

EC in Buriram to sue masterminds behind protest

Chairman of the provincial Election Commission (EC) in Buriram province, Kasem Wattanatham (เกษม วัฒนธรรม), says he will take legal action against masterminds behind the protest concerning the disqualification of three MP candidates from the People Power party (PPP).

The chairman dismisses allegation relating to his prejudice against the PPP. Mr Kasem was accused of bringing false witnesses to testify in the vote-buying case involving the three PPP MP candidates. He affirms EC investigated the case in line with laws.

Mr Kasem also says the protestors can file complaints against him with the central EC if they have evidences that he has biases against the disqualified candidates. He is ready to abide by the central EC’s decision, the chairman says.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Plus]

Because PPP can, and should be, dissolved for distributing those VCDs, and because it goes contrary to Surapong's public statements that PPP is not responsible for that.

In this particular case it would be hard to punish the whole party, but VCD distribution features in several other cases under investigation. Surely at some point the party must be held responsible as well.

It's always better to prevent diseases than treat them, but it looks like PPP insists on getting caught and openly challenges the law.

Without respect for the law there will be no reconciliation.

[hammered]

When a country is as polarised as Thailand now is (and has been for a couple of years) there is a need for great stateman or two to put differences aside and try to bring harmony.

For that to happen the exact nature of differences must be understood and acknowledged by both sides.

Instead we have party leader proudly declaring himself a proxy, and party sec-general denying it at the same time, and that's just the start of duplicity and all-pervading hypocrisy. It's impossible for that particular side to admit that they need to influence courts in order to retrieve single person's money from frozen bank accounts.

You can't bring demands like that to negotiation table.

"Reconciliation" will be done Thai style, without anyone saying anything in public, no statesmen needed. Thaksin will be assured he can get some of it back sometimes in the future. What will happen to his proxies after he accepts this outcome is anyone's guess.

>>>>

Sophon Angkara in the Nation suggested that the dirty hand Samak was talking about could actually be Thaksin looking for a more suitable person to fill the PM position, Samak is not needed anymore, Thaksin wants someone craftier and less conspicuous. Sounds like an interesting twist to me.

>>>>

Thailand is short in human resources in every field but it's a lot more obvious in politics. They don't breed statesmen here anymore.

I totallyu concur that it is unlilely that Mr. Thaksin will want Samak as PM and tbh it would be a good tactic for PPP to dump such an abrasive character when it actually comes to PM time although I would think Mr. Samak will be fully aware of what his own role is

[CL0R0X]

In this particular case it would be hard to punish the whole party

one man ruin TRT, so what make this any different.

[Jai Dee]

PPP awaits decision from Puea Pandin announcement

People’s Power Party Secretary-General Doctor Surapong Suebwonglee (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี) has stated that his party is awaiting an announcement by the Puea Pandin party which will clarify whether or not they will join a coalition government. He said that the three heads of the Puea Pandin party have revealed that they will be announcing their discussion on the matter soon.

Dr Surapong said that he will not discuss the issue of the 5 clauses any further as his party had previously stated its position. The Puea Pandin party though earlier stated that it needed further reassurance that the People’s Power Party would uphold its 5 clauses and said that it had not received any clear response.

The Secretary-General also fended off rumors that his party’s leader Samak Sundaravej may be transferred from his position. Mr. Samak himself denied the allegations and said that the rumor was based only on conjecture.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Council of State upholds EC’s decision to issue red cards to PPP candidates

The Council of State upholds the Election Commission (EC)’s decision to disqualify three MP candidates from the People Power party (PPP).

The Council of State has reached a verdict to approve the issuance of red cards for the three MP candidates in 1st Constituency of Buriram ptovince. The three people include Prakit Poldej (ประกิจ พลเดช), Pornchai Srisuriyanyothin (พรชัย ศรีสุริยันโยธิน), and Rungroj Thongsri (รุ่งโรจน์ ทองศรี).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Council of State confirms red cards against 3 Buri Ram winners

The Council of State's special committee ruled unanimously on Monday that the Election Commission's decision to give red cards to Buri Ram's three winning candidates of the People Power Party was in accordance to law, the committee secretary Atchaporn Jarujinda said.

Atchaporn said the three PPP candidates had the right to appeal the EC's decision with the court.

The EC had issued red cards to Buri Ram's constituency 1 winning candidates comprising Prakij Poldej, Pornchai Srisuriyanyothin, and Rungroj Thongsri after it uncovered incriminating evidence that showed the three promised to give assets and other interest in return for their election victory. The EC also revoked the election rights of the three and ordered them to pay compensation for the EC's having to organise a by-election.

Before the Council of State's special committee reached the decision today, PPP's secretary general Surapong Suebwonglee said the party's three disqualified candidates would submit additional evidence to the committee for consideration.

However legal specialists said the committee did not have the right to take up additional evidence to re-consider the case because only the EC had the sole responsibility to decide on the matter.

Source: The Nation - 07 January 2007

[Citra]

So.. would the outcome of a by-election be any different? I somehow find it hard to believe that this will change the result, and the Buri-Ramese will now vote for the "Democrat" party en masse.

But anyway, let's roll.. do the by-election, move forward.

[soundman]

So.. would the outcome of a by-election be any different? I somehow find it hard to believe that this will change the result, and the Buri-Ramese will now vote for the "Democrat" party en masse.

But anyway, let's roll.. do the by-election, move forward.

I do believe, but not one hundred percent sure, that a red card disqualifies the candidat & the party from that particular zone & they also have to pay for the cost of administering the by-election.

So...

In these three constituencies in Buriram where red cards have been issued, to my knowledge, PPP are not allowed to run.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[CL0R0X]

all these yellow and red card really doesn't matter much, everything will boil down to nominee and the CD case, dissolve PPP.

[Plus]

In this particular case it would be hard to punish the whole party

one man ruin TRT, so what make this any different.

TRT was dissolved because party execs were involved, and because the party as a whole hasn't done anything to correct the situation, tacitly approving it.

It's impossible to link VCD distribution to PPPs executives, only to local candidates.

I have no idea how it will play out, but what if Supreme Court rules that VCD distribution is illegal? The EC then could disqualify ALL PPP candidates in areas where VCDs have been found. Could be a lot, could be only in cases under investigation (out of current 65).

Back to reconciliation - at the moment it's like seeking truce between serial killers and their victims. What you need is justice, then you can talk about forgiveness. So far TRT/PPP/Thaksin refuses to admit any wrongdoing and refuses to accept any punishement.

[younghusband]

In this particular case it would be hard to punish the whole party

one man ruin TRT, so what make this any different.

TRT was dissolved because party execs were involved, and because the party as a whole hasn't done anything to correct the situation, tacitly approving it.

It's impossible to link VCD distribution to PPPs executives, only to local candidates.

I have no idea how it will play out, but what if Supreme Court rules that VCD distribution is illegal? The EC then could disqualify ALL PPP candidates in areas where VCDs have been found. Could be a lot, could be only in cases under investigation (out of current 65).

Back to reconciliation - at the moment it's like seeking truce between serial killers and their victims. What you need is justice, then you can talk about forgiveness. So far TRT/PPP/Thaksin refuses to admit any wrongdoing and refuses to accept any punishement.

Two sets of serial killers if you ask me.

Let's not forget that the CNS was responible for the vastly more serious (than VCD distribution) misdemeanor of an organised black propaganda campaign against the PPP, chickened out from implementation when caught red handed and then browbeat the EC to drop the enquiry.In broad terms efforts to achieve the coup by stealth continue but because of spectacular incompetence and the necessary brutal mindset will probably not bear fruit.Once a new administration installed, if that indeed is what will happen, I am sure the Thai court system will adhere to its long and honourable history of not trimming decisions to the prevailing political wind.

[Ricardo]

So.. would the outcome of a by-election be any different? I somehow find it hard to believe that this will change the result, and the Buri-Ramese will now vote for the "Democrat" party en masse.

But anyway, let's roll.. do the by-election, move forward.

I completely agree that PPP , or a lookalike, is still very likely to win the by-election in Buriram.

The point is surely that the EC wishes to be seen to punish candidates who buy votes, or distribute illegal Thaksin VCDs, and to encourage the others to behave more-correctly, in future elections ? A laudable aim.

[Ricardo]

TRT was dissolved because party execs were involved, and because the party as a whole hasn't done anything to correct the situation, tacitly approving it.

Spot on !

It's impossible to link VCD distribution to PPPs executives, only to local candidates.

I have no idea how it will play out, but what if Supreme Court rules that VCD distribution is illegal? The EC then could disqualify ALL PPP candidates in areas where VCDs have been found. Could be a lot, could be only in cases under investigation (out of current 65).

Hopefully the EC will, in the interests of reconciliation, not ban PPP, as this can only lead to trouble. Better to issue red-cards, to punish the most flagrant cases, in both parties, and let PPP form the weak-coalition-government which now seems likely.

Back to reconciliation - at the moment it's like seeking truce between serial killers and their victims. What you need is justice, then you can talk about forgiveness. So far TRT/PPP/Thaksin refuses to admit any wrongdoing and refuses to accept any punishement.

But they can always riot, outside the EC offices, if they prefer.

[Jai Dee]

EC issues 4 yellow cards against 3 PPP candidates, 1 Democrat candidate

The Election Commission Monday issued four more yellow cards against a winning candidate of the Democrat Party and three winning candidates of the People Power Party.

EC Commissioner Praphan Naikowit announced that Suthat Jansaengsi, a winning candidate of the Democrat Party in Phetchabun's Constituency 1 was disqualified.

The EC also disqualified the three top-vote earners in Udon Thani's Constituency 1. They are PPP candidates Surathin Phimarnmekhin, Anan Sriphan and Cherdchai Wichianwan.

Source: The Nation - 07 January 2008