Thailand's Parliament Convenes First Session Since 2006 Coup

[Jai Dee]

Mr Noppadon says no MP will be secretaries to ministers

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Secretary-General of the People Power party, Noppadon Pattama, expresses his belief that no member of the parliament will take risks in accepting posts of secretary and advisor to ministers despite the Council of State’s opinion that MPs can perform the tasks.

The minister elaborates that the opinion of the Council of State is not final as the Constitution Tribunal also has a mandate to decide on the matter. He adds that there are many people who are not MPs but have ability and knowledge to be secretaries and advisors to ministers of the government.

Mr Noppadon will be absent from the Cabinet meeting tomorrow due to his trip to Singapore to attend an unofficial meeting amongst ASEAN foreign ministers.

Mr Noppadon says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has translated the government’s policies into English and sent them to the Government House for publishing.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 February 2008

[sriracha john]

From the closed Exit Poll Results Show PPP Wins thread:

Thai Court Dismisses Election Challenge

Thailand's Supreme Court has cleared the way for a political party linked to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to form a new government, dismissing legal challenges to its election victory last month.

The court said it did not have the power to rule on several complaints alleging election law violations by the Thaksin-linked People's Power Party, or PPP, which won the most parliamentary seats but failed to obtain an absolute majority in December 23 general elections, the first since Thaksin was ousted in a September 2006 military coup.

The rulings apparently make it possible for the PPP to form a new government after Thailand's parliament convenes next week. The party was to formally announce details Saturday of a planned six-party ruling coalition. The case against the PPP was brought by a member of the rival Democrat Party, which came in second in the elections.

Democrat Party member Chaiwat Sinsuwong accused the PPP and its leader, Samak Sundaravej, of serving as a proxy for Thaksin and his former ruling party - an act he said violated election laws. Last year, Thaksin was barred from politics for five years and his Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved by a court order.

The court said the question of whether the PPP was a front for Thaksin was not a matter under its jurisdiction, and the question of vote-buying was an issue for the Election Commission.

- Associated Press

UPDATE

It appears the complainant is filing charges using the proper avenue now...

Nominee claim heads to court

Chaiwat Sinsuwong is relying on the Ombudsman and the Supreme Administrative Court in his case against the People Power Party for being a nominee of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party and its former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chaiwat, a former Democrat and Chairman of the Northeastern People's Assembly, said yesterday that he had filed a malfeasance case against the Election Commission with the Ombudsman for its slow investigation into cases against the PPP.

He hoped the Ombudsman would pass on the cases to the Supreme Administrative Court for allowing the PPP to become the nominee of Thai Rak Thai.

Chaiwat earlier filed similar cases with the Supreme Court's Political Division but the court rejected them, saying it had no authority to consider them. He then filed the cases with the Ombudsman according to a procedure under the constitution.

He said the EC did not hold a fair election as it allowed Thai Rak Thai and its former executives to participate even though they were banned after the party's dissolution last May.

Chaiwat also said he would file a complaint against the PPP and its leader Samak Sundaravej for fielding MP candidates without authority. The Party and Samak should be banned from politics and current People Power MPs should be disqualified, he added.

- The Nation

Edited February 20, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

PM warns 'invisible hand' again

PM Samak Sundaravej has again warned the "invisible hand" to cease attempts to influence the EC to act against his People Power Party. Samak said yesterday he was referring to ''a chief and his subordinates'', but refused to disclose who they are, saying only that the names are well known to the public. "The invisible hand may want to influence the Election Commission, but I am trying my best to protect the EC," said Samak. He did not explain how he was protecting the election watchdog, but said he relied on the impartiality and solid experience of the five commissioners. "It [the invisible hand] tries to exploit the EC's hand, I have to shield it. I will never blame the EC," he said. The fate of his Party and his coalition government now depends largely on the EC. The EC is considering a charge of election fraud against House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat and questions over the status of the PPP, accused of being a proxy of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party. The cases are separate, but either could lead to the PPP's dissolution if upheld by the courts.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Feb2008_news04.php

[Tony Clifton]

It sure is hard for them to face the fact that they stepped into an invisible pile of sh!t long ago isn't it?

[sriracha john]

The already shaky coalition now gets a little more unsettled...

Puea Pandin Party faction leaves

Some members of the Puea Pandin Party have resigned to form their own political group, former Puea Pandin Party spokesman Wachiramon Kunakasemthanawat said yesterday. He said six or seven members, including himself, submitted their resignation letter to Party Leader Suvit Khunkitti on Monday. The team planned to set up the "Thailand's Future Group" to work on youth behavioural reform. It would be chaired by Suranand Vejjajiva (TRT Banned #51), a former Puea Pandin Party member who is among the 111 executives of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party banned from politics for five years. Wachiramon denied members broke away because they felt neglected by the party. Puea Pandin joined the coalition government led by the PPP after the Dec 23 election.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Feb2008_news14.php

Edited February 21, 2008 by sriracha john

[John K]

It sure is hard for them to face the fact that they stepped into an invisible pile of sh!t long ago isn't it?

Made my day Tony!

[Jai Dee]

House Speaker calls on representatives to take part in Board of Commissioners selections

Deputy Chairman of the Government Whip Sukhumpong Ngonkam (สุขุมพงศ์ โง่นคำ) revealed that the Chairman of the House of Representatives Yongyuth Thiyaphairat has invited representatives from all political parties to meet to decipher quotas for the selection of the Board of Commissioners. Currently, the government has received 21 positions within the board, while the Opposition Party has received 11. The specific quotas for each party are still to be decided by the meeting.

The House Speaker has aimed for the issue to be concluded and ready for discussion in a House meeting on the 27th of this month.

Mr. Yongyuth, who is also a member of the People Power Party, revealed that the party has framed its selection policy on the consideration of knowledge, skill, experience and seniority.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2008

[Jai Dee]

Democrats not concerned that PPP may vie for Board of Commissioners head

Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party and Chairman of the Opposition Whip Jurin Laksanavisit (จุรินทร์ ลักษณวิศิษฐ์) stated that the Government Whip is in the process of selecting members of the Board of Commissioners. He said that the Democrat Party has not set its sights on any specific position in the board and will leave the decision to the division of the various coalition parties.

Mr. Jurin believes that a variety of selection may be used such as negotiations, prioritizing of each party or each party could trade off positions between eachother.

The Deputy Democrat Leader stated that he was not worried that the People Power Party may lobby to head the board to alleviate the pressure of audits from commissioners. He said that he had not heard of any lobbying from the party and also the selection of the Board of Commissioners would not allow for rallying.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2008

[sriracha john]

UPDATE... with potentially severe consequences

Investigation into Nominee Charge against Ruling Party Completed

An ad-hoc committee has forwarded its investigation report over the nominee charge filed against the People Power Party to the Election Commission.

Speaking in regards to the complaint by the Director of the People's Network against Corruption, Weera Somkwamkid that the ruling People Power Party acted as the nominee of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the matter, Paithoon Netipo, says his panel forwarded its investigation report to the Election Commission on February 26th and he expects it will be on the agenda at the EC meeting next week.

Paithoon says his panel did not rule that the People Power Party is a nominee for the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, but the investigation report will provide the EC with information and evidence for its consideration as to whether the ruling party has violated the Act on the MP election and the installation of Senators.

He also reveals that the VCDs of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the former leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, asksx the people to support the People Power Party in the MP election. The party's use of Thai Rak Thai policies in its campaign is also included in the investigation report.

However, the investigation report will not be disclosed to the public as it will have an impact on several charges under the EC's supervision.

As for the development of the job rotation among EC members, Election Commissioner in charge of people's participation, Sumeth Ubanisakorn, says his panel has yet to discuss the matter, but that he is ready to take charge of investigative affairs.

He also says he has never intended to take charge of people's participation, but insists he is ready to assume any job he is assigned.

- Thailand Outlook

[chownah]

The party's use of Thai Rak Thai policies in its campaign is also included in the investigation report.

I don't know exactly what they mean by "use of Thai Rak Thai policies".....but starting from the assumption that this means that the PPP can not promote the same policies as the TRT....starting with this assumption then a theoretic arguement might be that if the TRT promoted respect for someone of very very high authority would it then be illegal for the PPP to have the same policy? What I'm trying to ask is....is it realistic to think that a policy should be barred from use by the PPP just because it was a policy of the TRT previously?...maybe this isn't what they are talking about.

Chownah

Edited March 8, 2008 by chownah

[Tony Clifton]

I think they meant that the very same policies being brought back are just more evidence that PPP is nothing but TRT 2.0.

[sriracha john]

EC to consider if PPP is TRT nominee on Wednesday

Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit said the EC will consider whether People Power Party and its Party Leader Samak Sundaravej are nominees of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party on Wednesday. The complaint was filed by Veera Somkwamkid, the Secretary-General of the People's Network against Corruption. Prapan, however, said he is not certain the EC will rule on the case that day. He assured public that the committee will not have a problem in

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126386

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

Interesting bit in the other thread about how if PPP execs are banned, it could leave Chalerm as Prime Minister....

Edited March 8, 2008 by sriracha john

[chownah]

Interesting bit in the other thread about how if PPP execs are banned, it could leave Chalerm as Prime Minister....

Yes indeed....I'm sure glad that the military dictatorship straightened out the country...those army guys have done so much to help the political situation yes indeed....see what a wonderful outcome we have now....wonderful....simply wonderful.....

Chownah

[Tony Clifton]

Interesting bit in the other thread about how if PPP execs are banned, it could leave Chalerm as Prime Minister....

Yes indeed....I'm sure glad that the military dictatorship straightened out the country...those army guys have done so much to help the political situation yes indeed....see what a wonderful outcome we have now....wonderful....simply wonderful.....

Chownah

Your are blaming the military for PPP's own selection of their mostly criminally inclined and incompetent candidates?

That's an authentic Thaksin/TRT/PPP style 180 degree spin.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[chownah]

Yep, cause and effect.....you get a military dictatorship running a country and now you see the effect!! wonderful....simply wonderful.

I blame the dictatorship for disrupting the democratic process and restricting political freedom....when you do those kinds of things you get bad reactions...the political situation we are in now is the bad reaction....maybe PPP will be able to straighten itself out...maybe not...but you can't expect democracy to be destroyed in a country and then for it to instantly be running smoothly....heck in Thailand I think it would be hard enough to get anything democratic going even without military dictatorships interrupting every few years!!!!....but...I really wouldn't know because this military dictatorship is not an isolated incidence...it is not the rare event that happens once in a century nor even once in a decade...it is an ongoing method of disturbance engineered by the elitists to keep power away from the people....and I might add that Sondhi L. is one of those elitists....the elitists are those who think that the people's place is to support the elite and their elitist ideas....Sondhi L. does not believe in the rule of the people...he believes in the rule of HIS people....feudal attitude.

chownah

Edited March 8, 2008 by chownah

[sriracha john]

EC to rule on PPP as 'nominee' of Thai Rak Thai Party

BANGKOK – The Election Commission (EC) is considered likely to rule next week on whether the People Power Party (PPP) and its Leader Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej are nominees, or not, of the court-dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party.

Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit said Saturday that a sub-committee probing the complaint lodged by Veera Somkwamkid, Secretary-General of the People's Network against Corruption, had already concluded its investigation and forwarded the results of its probe to the EC.

It is expected that the EC would discuss the outcome of the investigation Tuesday and may invite the sub-committee to attend the session and provide more detail, said Mr. Prapan.

However, the EC commissioner said he is not certain the EC will annouce the ruling on that day.

In his complaint, Mr. Veera accused the Thaksin-sympathetic PPP of distributing CDs featuring ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and ex-leader of TRT urging eligible voters to vote for the PPP during the run-up to the December 23 general election.

- TNA

[sriracha john]

And in the other potential Party dissolution case... Chart Thai Party says, "Uhmm.. we didn't know anything about what our Party executive was doing."

Chart Thai Denies Being Involved in Poll Fraud Charge against Executive

The Election Commission's fact finding panel, looking into the suspension of voting rights of some executives of political parties, is to complete its investigation on Febuary 25th.

Meanwhile, the Chart Thai Party Leader insists his party is not involved in the poll fraud attempts by one of its executives. Leader of the Chart Thai Party, Banharn Silapa-archa, spent more than two hours giving testimony before the Election Commission's fact finding sub-panel looking into the suspension of the voting rights of executives of some political parties.

Sub-panel Chairman Boonthan Dokthaisong said during a press conference that Banharn was able to clarify all seven questions pertaining to his information over the poll fraud committed by a party executive. Boonthan added that the Chart Thai Party Leader also insisted his party is not involved with the executive's, Monthien Songpracha, poll fraud activities and explained that before the election, the party had sent letters instructing all MP candidates not to violate the law.

Boonthan says his panel needs to consider whether the letters referred to by Banharn in his testimony can be considered as evidence. He also expects that the result of his panel's investigation into the case will be revealed before Febuary 25th, the same day that it will release its decision over the same case against the Matchima Thipataya Party.

Meanwhile Election Commissioner in charge of electoral affairs, Prapun Naigowit revealed that the Election Commission or EC will complete its investigation into its backlog of poll fraud charges within this month.

Prapun further disclosed that the EC's meeting today will make a decisions on the poll fraud cases against Petchabun MPs from the ruling People Power Party including Iam Thongjaisod, Wanpen Prompat and Surasak Anakpan.

However, the political status of the three MPs will not be revoked since the Supreme Court has yet to accept the case.

- Thailand Outlook

UPDATE... the sub-committee has reached a decision

The parties over?

The Election Commission sub-committee investigating charges of electoral fraud have recommended that the Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties be dissolved. Both parties are partners in the six-party ruling coalition. The case must still go to the full Election Commission, and then to the Constitution Court. The EC is expected to pass its judgement on

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=126438

[sriracha john]

EC sub-committee concludes electoral fraud case of Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties

A meeting between the Election Commission’s (EC) subcommittee investigating the electoral fraud case of the Chart Thai party and the Matchima Thipataya party has concluded the case and will submit the investigation results to EC for consideration this week.

Member of the sub-committee, Thanaphit Munphruek, reports that the meeting has agreed unanimously on the case, but declines to reveal its resolution. *see above post for the results of their decision*

However, Mr Thanaphit says the sub-committee did not rule whether the two parties will be dissolved as EC only assigned it to prove whether the executives of the two parties were involved in electoral fraud.

Mr Thanaphit says the dissolution charge will be investigated by EC, not the sub-committee.

- ThaiNews

[sriracha john]

Panel to report to EC today on Chart Thai, Matchima Thipataya case

The Election Commission (EC) investigative panel yesterday reached a unanimous decision about the electoral fraud charges against the coalition Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties.

However, Thanapit Moonpan, spokesman for the four-member panel, declined to reveal what recommendation it would make to the EC. A source familiar with the case expected the panel to recommend dissolution of the two parties, which are part of the ruling coalition.

Executives of the two parties have been disqualified by the EC for their alleged electoral fraud in the December 23 election. If the probe panel finds the political parties were linked to electoral fraud, they risk being dissolved.

The panel's report is expected to be given to the EC, which will rule on the matter tomorrow.

Should the EC concur with the report, its next step would be to petition the Constitution Court for a judicial review on whether to dismantle the parties.

The election commissioners are likely to meet next Tuesday to discuss the report if it is submitted in time, EC Secretary-General Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn.

Meanwhile, Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa yesterday was resigned to the fate that his party might be dissolved after the recommendation by the EC's investigative panel. The veteran politician said he had not been informed about the matter. "We have tried to explain that the party was not involved in electoral fraud," he said.

Asked if he thought the country would face political turmoil if the People Power Party also faced dissolution, Banharn said he didn't know. "No one can make a correct prediction. Whatever will be, will be. I am growing old and will eventually be taken to the temple [after death]," he said.

Banharn said he had no Plan B, neither did he have an alternative party set up in case Chart Thai Party was dissolved.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Chart Thai Party Leader Ready to Accept Ruling on Party Disbandment Case

The Leader of Chart Thai Party says he has no plan to set up a new party if his camp fails to escape the disbandment charge. He also insists he is not worried about the poll panel's ruling over the matter.

Regarding the upcoming Election Commission meeting to decide whether to file a complaint with the Constitution Court asking for the disbandment of the Chart Thai party, the party's leader, Banharn Silapa-acha, said he is not worried about the matter and declined to comment on the possibility that the poll panel will prosecute his group.

Banharn further said his party only has a responsibility to clarify to the EC that it is not involved in the poll fraud committed by its executive and he insists that no one can predict the party's fate or the possible political chaos that could result if the party is disbanded.

The Chart Thai Party Leader also insists he has no plan to set up a new party if Chart Thai is dissolved. He says he is still waiting for the EC's decision.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Anuruk Jureemars, as the Chart Thai Deputy Leader, attends the group's meeting today to clarify to its MPs and executives about the allegations that he is involved in the unlawful introduction of the two- and three-digit lotteries.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

EC panel in agreement on party poll fraud cases

Election Commission investigators yesterday reached unanimous decisions on poll fraud cases involving the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties. The poll agency deferred its ruling on the People Power party as it will wait for testimony from former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been accused of pulling the strings behind the ruling party. The EC inquiry sub-panel comprising four members voted unanimously on the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya cases on election fraud allegations. After the Dec 23 general election, the EC red-carded Chart Thai Party Deputy Secretary-General Monthian Songpracha, a winning candidate in Chai Nat, and Sunthorn Wilawan, Deputy Leader of the Matchima Thipataya party and a winning candidate in Prachin Buri, for vote buying. Article 103 of the law governing political parties states that if an executive member of a party is involved in any poll fraud, then the entire party could be held responsible.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Mar2008_news03.php

[sriracha john]

Could we be looking at the dissolution of the Chart Thai Party, the Matchima Thipataya Party AND the People Power Party???

EC inquiry likely to go against PPP

Thaksin de facto Party Leader, panel believes

An Election Commission inquiry is likely to find that the People Power Party is a political nominee of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, which could result in the governing party being disbanded. According to Election Commissioner Sumet Upanisakorn, the sub-committee headed by Paitoon Netiphoti has indicated that deposed PM and TRT leader Thaksin is the de facto Leader of the core coalition Party. The Paitoon panel recently submitted a report to the EC, which has delayed a decision for another 15 days. The Commission has ordered the sub-committee to question three more people, including Thaksin. The others are Veera Somkwamkid, Secretary-General of the People's Network against Corruption, who lodged the complaint against the PPP and Thaksin, and Supapol Iammethawee, leader of a civic group in the Northeast. "Evidence suggests that the PPP is a nominee of the dissolved TRT. The sub-committee has reasons to back up their findings but the EC feels Thaksin should have his say,'' said Mr Sumet. Thaksin, who was granted court permission to leave the country, was allowed to defend himself in writing, Mr Sumet added. He said Mr Thaksin would be liable to two years in prison under Article 97 of the Political Party Law if found to be involved with the PPP. The PPP could be dissolved if it is found guilty of breaking the law governing political parties, Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/13Mar2008_news01.php

Edited March 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

EC Inquiry Panel to Consider PPP’s Possible Disbandment

An Election Commission inquiry panel plans to consider whether to dissolve the People Power Party (PPP) from allegations of being a political nominee for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.

Election Commissioner Sumet Upanisakorn claimed that an EC’s sub-panel chaired by Paitoon Netipoti concluded that the de facto Leader of the PPP is actually the deposed premier, who is also former Leader of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

Recent submission of reports by Paitoon’s panel to the EC has caused further delays in the decision for at least 15 more days, as the sub-panel was ordered to question three more suspects in the allegations, including the deposed premier himself.

Sumet asserted that the panel has possessed significant evidence which showed the core coalition party as a nominee of the former TRT Party.

Despite the sub-panel’s sound reasons to support its findings, the EC concluded that Thaksin should be given a chance to testify against the allegations.

The EC Commissioner claimed that if Thaksin was to be found guilty of influencing the PPP, he would be subjected to two years of imprisonment in accordance to Article 97 of the Political Party Law.

Under the article, former executives of any dissolved political parties are prohibited to meddle in the affairs of other political parties during the five-year ban period.

Meanwhile, one of the clauses in Article 94 of the law also stipulates to punish political parties and their executives who put themselves in the positions to be manipulated by members of any banned parties.

The PPP on the contrary, could become dissolved if it was also found guilty of breaking such law, said Election Commissioner Prapun Naikowit.

- Thailand Outlook

[Old Man River]

EC Inquiry Panel to Consider PPP’s Possible Disbandment

The PPP on the contrary, could become dissolved if it was also found guilty of breaking such law, said Election Commissioner Prapun Naikowit.

- Thailand Outlook

Just so people understand, if dissolved it would take about one year. It would mean only 24 MP's of the 233 elected would be banned for 5 years, with the other 209 being given 60 days to shift to a different political party. The 24 banned would be the party's leader and the party's executives. During this process if nothing is proven against Thaksin re aiding and abetting, then he could do it all again with another party and still have 209 MP's in place.

Food for thought.

[Plus]

It might take forever, but consider political ramifications of PPP, Chart Thai and Matchima all going to courts for dissolution, PPP possibly in two separate cases. Add the fate of Surapong, the economic tsar, who will be forced to resign sooner or later. Don't forget that Samak is also on the last appeal.

It's possible that the government will collapse in the next couple of months.

How will the public react? If PPP doesn't deliver spectacular economic growth by then, they probably won't be missed. Time is on the opposition's side. Back in January, right after the elections, dissolving PPP would be unthinkable, in May it might be even desirable.

[Old Man River]

It might take forever, but consider political ramifications of PPP, Chart Thai and Matchima all going to courts for dissolution, PPP possibly in two separate cases. Add the fate of Surapong, the economic tsar, who will be forced to resign sooner or later. Don't forget that Samak is also on the last appeal.

It's possible that the government will collapse in the next couple of months.

How will the public react? If PPP doesn't deliver spectacular economic growth by then, they probably won't be missed. Time is on the opposition's side. Back in January, right after the elections, dissolving PPP would be unthinkable, in May it might be even desirable.

While I agree that time is on the opposition's side (as per my comment re the premature demonstrations by the PAD on another thread), it is beginning to look like the people that elected the PPP really don't care about alleged wrongdoings. Instead, it looks more like what is in it for me. If that is the case, then none of what we think is important matters (sadly).

[Plus]

PPP will be able to organize massive demonstrations against party dissolution, and the general public doesn't want to see another elections, and MPs are not ready to invest in running again.

I still doubt that the government will survive dissolution of Chart Thai and Matchima and removal of Surapong, even if PPP is spared.

By that time PAD will start gathering more support as PPP will surely try every dirty trick to stay in power, they scheduled their first rally on March 28, that sounds like a perfect timing to kick off a small campaign, not too early and yet with enough time to grow.

I wonder how low PPP will stoop to protect their grip on power.

[sriracha john]

EC will consider dissolving two coalition parties on March 18

BANGKOK – Thailand's Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to consider the two coalition parties' dissolution cases, following vote-buying allegations and red-cards being handed out disqualifying their executive members who contested in the December 23 general election, according to Election Commissioner Sumet Uppanisakorn

Both parties are coalition partners in the six-party coalition government led by the People Power Party.

Mr. Sumet said that sub-committee head Boonthan Dokthaisong concluded the fact-finding on Thursday and would forward the result to the EC on Friday, a result which could lead to dissolution of both the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties.

He said the EC was scheduled to meet and consider the result on Tuesday next week and that it could resolve the matter that day if the commissioners agreed that the case dossier was complete.

"However, if the EC thinks that more information is needed, further probing will be carried out and this could delay the election panel's resolution," he said.

Mr. Sumet stressed that the EC's duty is only to consider the sub-committee's findings and its decision and it would promptly forward the charges to the Constitution Court if it ruled the executive boards of the respective parties guilty of charges in accordance with the constitution and electoral laws.

Sub-committee member Thanaphit Mulprirk said earlier that the subcommittee had not decided whether the two coalition parties should be dissolved by the court, but had only considered whether or not the executive boards of the two parties had been involved in electoral rigging charges allegedly committed by their colleagues during the nationwide election of MPs in the December general election.

Several Chart Thai candidates successfully running in Chai Nat province and a Matchima Thipataya candidate winning in Prachin Buri province were disqualified with the red cards by the poll agency after they had been accused of buying votes.

- TNA

[Old Man River]

PPP will be able to organize massive demonstrations against party dissolution, and the general public doesn't want to see another elections, and MPs are not ready to invest in running again.

I still doubt that the government will survive dissolution of Chart Thai and Matchima and removal of Surapong, even if PPP is spared.

By that time PAD will start gathering more support as PPP will surely try every dirty trick to stay in power, they scheduled their first rally on March 28, that sounds like a perfect timing to kick off a small campaign, not too early and yet with enough time to grow.

I wonder how low PPP will stoop to protect their grip on power.

My view is that the PPP will be in it for the long haul, unless the economy goes south. If the economy falters, then the "what's in it for me" voters will begin to look elsewhere. Right now, there is no need to look elsewhere. The political issues of dissolving parties and shifting politicians doesn't affect them. It gives us something to talk an read about, but at the grassroots level where these elections are won and lost, it means little.

[Plus]

I'm not sure PPP will be able to survive the immediate challenges, and if that wasn't enough, they'll surely provoke people to take to the streets and fuel their anger.

Back in December Bangkokians gave them the chance, PPP looks like they are going to abuse it by either openly protecting Thaksin, openly ingoring good governance practices, or openly ignoring legal issues. I also think PPP will mismanage public backlash and their reaction to protests will only make matters worse. Eventually they'll be forced to commit themselves to heavy handed crackdown on demonstrators.

Or they can go away peacefully, regroup themselves and run in the elections again (if they find someone to pay for it).