Thailand's Parliament Convenes First Session Since 2006 Coup

[Jai Dee]

Second temporary Whip meeting to consider permanent Whip

Interim inter-party liaison or Whip President Somphong Amornwiwat (สมพงษ์ อมรวิวัฒน์) revealed that today’s Whip meeting will discuss the duties of different committee members which parties within the coalition government have chosen. The group will also follow up on issues raised in their initial meeting.

The Whip will review voting for the Parliament Chairman that took place and clarify the issue which it began discussions on in its first meeting. Mr. Somphong also stated that the interim Whip will potentially be chosen to act as the permanent whip for the government.

The group president stated that if the interim Whip is promoted to a permanent body he will be ready to serve his given duty at the utmost.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

King 'must endorse a PM first'

Cabinet members to be named only after PM receives royal approval

The coalition will not conclude a Cabinet until after the Palace has endorsed a new prime minister, Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said yesterday.

The People Power Party (PPP) said 35 ministerial posts would be allocated among the six coalition parties, based on one seat for every nine members of the House.

Banharn said the time was not right to talk about the line-up. It should wait until a prime minister has been elected.

The coalition will soon begin considering ministerial seats, but talks have not started, he said.

"The allocation could be one seat for every five or six members," Banharn said.

The House will vote on a new prime minister tomorrow. People Power leader Samak Sundaravej is expected to win. The Cabinet is set for royal endorsement next week.

Banharn said the first Cabinet meeting would be held after the Lunar New Year, or after February 10.

In a secret ballot to elect the House speaker on Tuesday, it appears three coalition members voted for Democrat Banyat Bantadtan and six coalition members backed Democrat Kalaya Sophonpanich for deputy.

Banharn said he "did not know" if he was one of the defectors.

The House Speaker-elect Yongyuth Tiyapairat yesterday was dressed in full uniform as he prepared to be endorsed by His Majesty the King.

However, as 10 PPP MPs had plans to congratulate him the group learned later in the afternoon that His Majesty the King had not endorsed him for the position, as his appointment was had only been submitted for royal endorsement yesterday afternoon.

The group will meet again this morning.

Yongyuth also had to cancel his plan to pay respects to sacred beings at Parliament yesterday.

Source: The Nation - 24 January 2008

[hammered]

If the ongoing coffee-shop gossip materialises, we will see a number of "surrogates" acting on behalf of the real actors behind the scenes, some of them from the 111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

I'd welcome that, actually. In fact I think it may be the only way a PPP government can weather an economic storm, if some of the capable ex TRT executives can be brought in as advisors / managers at the various departments.

Though in reality of course Surapong's statement (that the contributor above ran with as proof of a shadow government) was just about finding qualified people to fill the posts, which after the ban would come from a bit further afield. I'd welcome that, too.

There is also the quote form yesterday or the day before to factor in about why get a big name who may not do the things we want like fire the Bank Governor and return the baht to 35 and keep it there. It seems there is already a rigid decided on policy but it is hard to find anyone who will enforce it. Not many qualified people are going to want to link their name to maintaining a "fixed" exchange rate after what happened last time and that with US economic policy that will make the dollar weaker in at least the short term (those interest rate cuts probably aint finished yet).

[sriracha john]

Reading the papers today it seems the finance minister position is not going to be one that can just be given to a talentless sycophant. This will present the PPP with difficulties as with its own internal management system of not allowing decisions to be made except when OK'd by high command there will be in massive contradiction with having a finance minister who can make quick decisions on his/her own. That to date at a time of crisis the name of the PM is not even a total certainty let alone any of the ministers does not bode well for a government that will need to react quickly and in unison to a whole realm of potential problems.

As one of the papers touched don today, it will also be interesting to see how PPP deal with their stated policy of immediately scrapping capital controls which seems to contradict their desire to have a baht dollar ratio maintained at 35, which in itself is going to probably involve firing the Bank of Thailand governor undermining any belief in bank independence and using reserves in a creative way.

As each day goes by it does look like economically the PPP are in a bit of a bind and the coalition are already starting to look inadequate what with Banharn saying well we may get a cabinet by after like the Chinese New Year. It will end up being a couple of months from the election before the country has a government and that while the world economy takes a dive. Very interesting times. Anyway lets watch the cheerleader of Bangkok's biggest massacre and assorted other ones have his day in the sun getting the PMship before we focus on such negative aspects

Also mustn't overlook the other huge issue raging on that faces the new government and provides an extremely difficult test for them...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1778807

7 Soldiers Injured as Militants Detonate Bomb

[Thai at Heart]

If the ongoing coffee-shop gossip materialises, we will see a number of "surrogates" acting on behalf of the real actors behind the scenes, some of them from the 111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

I'd welcome that, actually. In fact I think it may be the only way a PPP government can weather an economic storm, if some of the capable ex TRT executives can be brought in as advisors / managers at the various departments.

Though in reality of course Surapong's statement (that the contributor above ran with as proof of a shadow government) was just about finding qualified people to fill the posts, which after the ban would come from a bit further afield. I'd welcome that, too.

There is also the quote form yesterday or the day before to factor in about why get a big name who may not do the things we want like fire the Bank Governor and return the baht to 35 and keep it there. It seems there is already a rigid decided on policy but it is hard to find anyone who will enforce it. Not many qualified people are going to want to link their name to maintaining a "fixed" exchange rate after what happened last time and that with US economic policy that will make the dollar weaker in at least the short term (those interest rate cuts probably aint finished yet).

I would think that to find anyone in the world who could conduct such a policy would be very difficult when one considers the state the the USD is in right now.

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Leader urges Parliament Chairman to stay neutral

The Democrat Party leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ), says he would like the incoming Chairman of the House of Representatives, who at the moment is tentatively People Power Party core member Yongyuth Tiyapairat, to assume his role in a fair and neutral manner.

Mr. Abhisit says the person taking the position at the head of parliament should not have any ulterior political agenda and should work for the unity of the parliament. He also said that the Chairman must work inline with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Legal Director of the People’s Power Party, Mr. Choosak Sirinin (ชูศักดิ์ ศิรินิล), expresses confidence that his party leader Samak Sundaravej will have no problems being voted in as the Prime Minister as the parliament is united and all parties within the coalition government have agreed on the matter in principle already.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 January 2008

[hammered]

Democrat Leader urges Parliament Chairman to stay neutral

The Democrat Party leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ), says he would like the incoming Chairman of the House of Representatives, who at the moment is tentatively People Power Party core member Yongyuth Tiyapairat, to assume his role in a fair and neutral manner.

Mr. Abhisit says the person taking the position at the head of parliament should not have any ulterior political agenda and should work for the unity of the parliament. He also said that the Chairman must work inline with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Legal Director of the People’s Power Party, Mr. Choosak Sirinin (ชูศักดิ์ ศิรินิล), expresses confidence that his party leader Samak Sundaravej will have no problems being voted in as the Prime Minister as the parliament is united and all parties within the coalition government have agreed on the matter in principle already.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 January 2008

A party in a coaliton system which holds virtually an overall majority anyway should not be making weak statements like this about the likelihood of its own leader who led them into the election so succesfully becoming PM. There must be more to this. In reality they only need 5-10 votes from the 100 their coalition allies hold. It couldnt be that there are problems within the core party itself over their leader could it? Very strange and not the kind of weak signals the country needs right now. The Formation of the government is already overdue and seems to be taking a lot longer than it did in coaliton governmnts in the past where the core party was not in such a strong position. It is high time the coaltion parties and the PPP stopped their internal horse trading or whatever and just announced the line up whoever it is.

[sriracha john]

Reading the papers today it seems the finance minister position is not going to be one that can just be given to a talentless sycophant. This will present the PPP with difficulties as with its own internal management system of not allowing decisions to be made except when OK'd by high command there will be in massive contradiction with having a finance minister who can make quick decisions on his/her own. That to date at a time of crisis the name of the PM is not even a total certainty let alone any of the ministers does not bode well for a government that will need to react quickly and in unison to a whole realm of potential problems.

As one of the papers touched don today, it will also be interesting to see how PPP deal with their stated policy of immediately scrapping capital controls which seems to contradict their desire to have a baht dollar ratio maintained at 35, which in itself is going to probably involve firing the Bank of Thailand governor undermining any belief in bank independence and using reserves in a creative way.

As each day goes by it does look like economically the PPP are in a bit of a bind and the coalition are already starting to look inadequate what with Banharn saying well we may get a cabinet by after like the Chinese New Year. It will end up being a couple of months from the election before the country has a government and that while the world economy takes a dive. Very interesting times. Anyway lets watch the cheerleader of Bangkok's biggest massacre and assorted other ones have his day in the sun getting the PMship before we focus on such negative aspects

Also mustn't overlook the other huge issue raging on that faces the new government and provides an extremely difficult test for them...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1778807

7 Soldiers Injured as Militants Detonate Bomb

"When it rains, it pours".....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=165739

Bird Flu Outbreak In Thailand

[Tony Clifton]

If the ongoing coffee-shop gossip materialises, we will see a number of "surrogates" acting on behalf of the real actors behind the scenes, some of them from the 111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

I'd welcome that, actually. In fact I think it may be the only way a PPP government can weather an economic storm, if some of the capable ex TRT executives can be brought in as advisors / managers at the various departments.

Though in reality of course Surapong's statement (that the contributor above ran with as proof of a shadow government) was just about finding qualified people to fill the posts, which after the ban would come from a bit further afield. I'd welcome that, too.

Think of scams and failures and of how TRT excelled at that. Now, with surrogates in the foreground, who will eventually pay for upcoming mistakes and scams created by those hiding in the background including the banned 111?

That's an open door to even greater corruption.

Edited January 24, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[Old Man River]

The Formation of the government is already overdue and seems to be taking a lot longer than it did in coaliton governmnts in the past where the core party was not in such a strong position. It is high time the coaltion parties and the PPP stopped their internal horse trading or whatever and just announced the line up whoever it is.

Let's face it. This government is a joke. Even before it has done anything it is being called the worst democratically elected government Thailand has ever had. Sadly, proxies aside, people are going to long for the good old days when Thaksin was in power. Maybe that is his plan all along.

[JacknDanny]

If the ongoing coffee-shop gossip materialises, we will see a number of "surrogates" acting on behalf of the real actors behind the scenes, some of them from the 111 former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

I'd welcome that, actually. In fact I think it may be the only way a PPP government can weather an economic storm, if some of the capable ex TRT executives can be brought in as advisors / managers at the various departments.

Calling Clown Eckie, Calling Clown Eckie

Thats about the nearest thing, although I do not believe he was a fully signed up member of TRT

[Jai Dee]

PPP to take top posts at important ministries

MPs from the People Power party (PPP) will take ministerial posts at the important ministries in the new government, PPP deputy leader Noppadon Pattama said Thursday. He said top jobs at the defence, interior, finance, commerce, education, transport, justice, public health and foreign affairs ministries will be taken by PPP members.

Chart Thai party is expected to get the agriculture minister post; Matchimathipataya party may get the labour minister job while Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party may be given the energy minister post. Mr Noppadon, however, admitted that the party has not yet decided which party member will get the finance minister post.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[John K]

Election fraud cases to go to Supreme Court

(BangkokPost.com) – The Election Commission (EC) is set to forward electoral fraud cases to the Supreme Court for consideration next month.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont said his agency has urged all related parties to gather evidence of electoral fraud to the EC as soon as possible.

Mr Apichart said he believes the court will give rulings on the cases in March.

On vote-buying allegations against Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who was elected House speaker early this week, Mr Apichart said the EC is working on the case. He insisted that Mr Yongyuth's new position does not have any impact on the EC's

More: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=125427

[Ricardo]

The coalition will soon begin considering ministerial seats, but talks have not started, he said.

"The allocation could be one seat for every five or six members," Banharn said.

Source: The Nation - 24 January 2008

So the PPP-led coalition-government hasn't yet started considering ministerial seats.

MPs from the People Power party (PPP) will take ministerial posts at the important ministries in the new government, PPP deputy leader Noppadon Pattama said Thursday. He said top jobs at the defence, interior, finance, commerce, education, transport, justice, public health and foreign affairs ministries will be taken by PPP members.

Chart Thai party is expected to get the agriculture minister post; Matchimathipataya party may get the labour minister job while Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party may be given the energy minister post. Mr Noppadon, however, admitted that the party has not yet decided which party member will get the finance minister post.

from the Bangkok Post here.

But here's the result of those not-yet-held discussions, erm ...

Somehow I feel a little sorry for the coalition, as there is unlimited potential, for this sort of miscommunication, over the next year or two.

[Old Man River]

Election fraud cases to go to Supreme Court

(BangkokPost.com) – The Election Commission (EC) is set to forward electoral fraud cases to the Supreme Court for consideration next month.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont said his agency has urged all related parties to gather evidence of electoral fraud to the EC as soon as possible.

More: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=125427

P-Net has been trying to get the EC to look at proof of vote buying, but he EC has refused to look at it. Now, the EC is urging all related parties to gather evidence of electoral fraud ASAP! I wonder what has changed?

[Plus]

Maybe Lilawadee can tell us who of those banned 111 is capable of solving current economic problems.

Somkid? He's not in PPP, and he hasn't shown he has any clue either.

Anyone else?

I will say that again - TRT magic stopped working well before the coup, there's zero change they can easily whip it up again.

PPP has already sent a signal to investors - they'll abolish 30% rule and keep the baht at 35. Will they keep that promise? Will they have to fire Cental Bank governor to get their way and try to defent the baht against the market (again?).

They can always print more money to keep the baht artificially low, btw. No one has dared even to propose that so far.

It appears they know what they want, they just have absolutely no idea how to get it.

[thaigene2]

Maybe Lilawadee can tell us who of those banned 111 is capable of solving current economic problems.

Somkid? He's not in PPP, and he hasn't shown he has any clue either.

Anyone else?

I will say that again - TRT magic stopped working well before the coup, there's zero change they can easily whip it up again.

PPP has already sent a signal to investors - they'll abolish 30% rule and keep the baht at 35. Will they keep that promise? Will they have to fire Cental Bank governor to get their way and try to defent the baht against the market (again?).

They can always print more money to keep the baht artificially low, btw. No one has dared even to propose that so far.

It appears they know what they want, they just have absolutely no idea how to get it.

Weren't the Democrats also on the record as saying they would scrap the 30% rule? Given their power-base and anti-foreigner backing (block foreign competition at all costs to our rich little guangxi family triads), would THEY have kept that promise?

Edited January 24, 2008 by thaigene2

[sriracha john]

No PM selection today (Friday) as planned... negating the auspiciousness of the astrologically-selected date...

Session to pick PM delayed till Monday

The House session to elect the prime minister has been postponed till Monday instead of today, newly-appointed Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat said yesterday. Yongyuth, an MP in the People Power Party (PPP), spoke shortly after getting royal endorsement as the House Speaker.

People Power Party MPs Somsak Kiartsuranon and Apiwan Wiriyachai were appointed deputy House speakers by the same royal command.

The House regulations require the House speaker to inform all 480 MPs in writing about the session three days in advance, or he can hold an urgent meeting if desired. However, Yongyuth said he would follow the normal rules.

He did not want to cause controversy among members and the public, he said. "The session will be held on Monday at 9.30am," he said.

People Power leader Samak Sundaravej will have to wait three more days before he becomes prime minister for the first time after almost four decades in politics.

Yongyuth said he and his deputies would never betray the nation or the monarchy. He insisted he would be neutral and his goal would be to build unity among all parties. The House under his leadership would be open to the public to welcome suggestions and opinions concerning legal issues, he said.

Samak said he had no problem with the parliamentary session to elect the premier being delayed till Monday. Yongyuth had prepared for yesterday's ceremony since late on Wednesday. He waited all day before entering in the afternoon.

Just before, the Chiang Rai MP let Sinsae Boong, a feng shui expert, assessed his office at Parliament, which is on the second floor. Sinsae Boong said the desk was badly located opposite the entrance, against feng shui principles. He advised Yongyuth move it to face the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. He also checked decorations in the building, especially on the second floor, for good luck.

Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of former prime minister Thaksin, engaged the feng shui master to advise Thaksin when he was prime minister.

Democrat MP Thepthai Sainphong had said earlier that the session should not be held this week because House regulations required the Speaker to acknowledge all the members in writing three days before the session.

Meanwhile, PPP party-list MP Sukhumphong Ngonkham said whips in the six-party coalition agreed to back a PPP member to become the prime minister.

- The Nation

[cclub75]

Just before, the Chiang Rai MP let Sinsae Boong, a feng shui expert, assessed his office at Parliament, which is on the second floor. Sinsae Boong said the desk was badly located opposite the entrance, against feng shui principles. He advised Yongyuth move it to face the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. He also checked decorations in the building, especially on the second floor, for good luck.

Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of former prime minister Thaksin, engaged the feng shui master to advise Thaksin when he was prime minister.

We're saved ! The feng shui master will protect our new Parliament.

Reminds me the "black magic" and other "rituals" with some gurus in the north that both Thaksin's gang and Junta's gang did.

[Tony Clifton]

This feng shui bullsh!t and rituals alone should be proof enough that they are totally inapt to hold such positions. totally insane that a whole country's future depends on what some charlatan of the month says.

[sriracha john]

Voting for PM put off to Monday

Voting in parliament for the next PM has been rescheduled from today to Monday amid reports of lobbying to ensure all coalition MPs toe the line in supporting the bid for People Power Party Leader Samak Sundaravej to be the premier. House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat, whose appointment received royal endorsement yesterday, said the voting for the next PM was originally scheduled for today when he was earlier expected to convene the first Lower House meeting. "To avoid a rift or avoid being seen as rushing the selection of the prime minister, I have asked the Secretariat of the House of Representatives to inform the opposition that the nomination will be made on Jan 28 at 9.30am," he said. However, it is widely speculated that the rescheduling was due to party technicalities. There were concerns some government MPs might not show up for a meeting today since Yongyuth received royal endorsement and formally took the speakers's office only yesterday, instead of on Wednesday as earlier expected. It is also believed the PPP wants more time to lobby government MPs to mobilise support for Samak to become the next PM. It is feared that some coalition MPs may not throw their support behind Samak, as happened during the vote on Tuesday for Yongyuth to become House Speaker. Yongyuth is being investigated by the EC over allegations of vote buying. He is also on trial for attempted murder in connection with a police raid on the house of an elderly couple in Ayutthaya province several years ago. He has denied both charges. Meanwhile, a source in the PPP said yesterday the cabinet line-up was becoming clearer. Surapong Suebwonglee would likely take the finance minister's post amid concerns about his lack of experience in economics, the source said. PPP Deputy Leader Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother in-law, and Surapong would be in charge of designing the cabinet line-up, he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25Jan2008_news01.php

Edited January 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Niece of PPP MP arrested for drug trafficking

A niece of a People Power Party MP was arrested on Wednesday for drug trafficking. Police said Pranee Khlangpha, 37, a niece of Lopburi MP Amnuay Khlangpha, confessed she spent some of the drug money to secure political support for herself and a certain national politician. She is a councillor for Khok Samrong district in Lopburi. On Wednesday, policemen posing as drug buyers went to Pranee's house in Nakhon Ratchasima to pick up 200 methamphetamine tablets. They arrested her there. They also seized cash, three mobile phones, eight passbooks recording movements of cash totalling more than 10 million baht, and the house and a car. Pranee confessed she bought the assets with drug money, police said. Police said they learned from previous arrests and tip-offs that a major drug-trafficking network run by Pranee had recently expanded its operations to Nakhon Ratchasima, using the house for storing and delivering the drugs. She told police she had traded in drugs for more than five years. The millions of baht she made from the trade were invested in a large-scale chicken farm and construction business. She bought the speed pills from Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. They were delivered to Lopburi by bus. She paid 100 baht a tablet and sold them at twice the price. In October last year, Amnuay's son, Narongrit, was caught by police with 4,000 amphetamine tablets and guns in his possession.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25Jan2008_news07.php

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

I wonder how both the MP's niece and son avoided getting caught during the highly effective War on Drugs.

Edited January 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[Thai at Heart]

Just before, the Chiang Rai MP let Sinsae Boong, a feng shui expert, assessed his office at Parliament, which is on the second floor. Sinsae Boong said the desk was badly located opposite the entrance, against feng shui principles. He advised Yongyuth move it to face the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. He also checked decorations in the building, especially on the second floor, for good luck.

Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of former prime minister Thaksin, engaged the feng shui master to advise Thaksin when he was prime minister.

We're saved ! The feng shui master will protect our new Parliament.

Reminds me the "black magic" and other "rituals" with some gurus in the north that both Thaksin's gang and Junta's gang did.

Was his desk facing Big Ben?

[John K]

Maybe Lilawadee can tell us who of those banned 111 is capable of solving current economic problems.

Somkid? He's not in PPP, and he hasn't shown he has any clue either.

Anyone else?

I will say that again - TRT magic stopped working well before the coup, there's zero change they can easily whip it up again.

PPP has already sent a signal to investors - they'll abolish 30% rule and keep the baht at 35. Will they keep that promise? Will they have to fire Cental Bank governor to get their way and try to defent the baht against the market (again?).

They can always print more money to keep the baht artificially low, btw. No one has dared even to propose that so far.

It appears they know what they want, they just have absolutely no idea how to get it.

One thing I heard that would support this is Thaksin was spending money that was not realized yet. I think he was up to spending money 7 years ahead making his own Thailand NASDAQ bubble. I don’t know the exact numbers of how many years ahead. If that is the case even the most skilled person would be working with ‘Stone soup’ to feed the economy.

[Thai at Heart]

Maybe Lilawadee can tell us who of those banned 111 is capable of solving current economic problems.

Somkid? He's not in PPP, and he hasn't shown he has any clue either.

Anyone else?

I will say that again - TRT magic stopped working well before the coup, there's zero change they can easily whip it up again.

PPP has already sent a signal to investors - they'll abolish 30% rule and keep the baht at 35. Will they keep that promise? Will they have to fire Cental Bank governor to get their way and try to defent the baht against the market (again?).

They can always print more money to keep the baht artificially low, btw. No one has dared even to propose that so far.

It appears they know what they want, they just have absolutely no idea how to get it.

One thing I heard that would support this is Thaksin was spending money that was not realized yet. I think he was up to spending money 7 years ahead making his own Thailand NASDAQ bubble. I don’t know the exact numbers of how many years ahead. If that is the case even the most skilled person would be working with ‘Stone soup’ to feed the economy.

If it is a race to see who can create a bigger inflationary bubble, Thailand will go bang way before the Baht goes to 35.

[Ricardo]

This feng shui bullsh!t and rituals alone should be proof enough that they are totally inapt to hold such positions. totally insane that a whole country's future depends on what some charlatan of the month says.

On the contrary, I suggest we should respect this strongly-held local belief, and ask the expert's advice on tackling the bird-flu outbreak & managing the currency as well. At the politicians', not the public, personal-expense of course. Who knows - he might have more idea, than the incoming-government, what to do !

[Jai Dee]

Whip suggests Samak for PM

A representative for the inter-party liaison of the coalition government, or Whip, revealed that during the group's second meeting, an initial suggestion of names for the position of Prime Minister was made. The Whip has chosen to support People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej to take the position of premier.

Pua Paendin party has expressed its support for the People Power Party head but its own leader Suwit Khunkitti (สุวิทย์ คุณกิตติ) has not made an official statement on behalf of the party proclaiming this. Mr. Suwit though has instructed his party’s Whip representatives to vote inline with other coalition parties.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Pua Paendin ready to work according to policies of coalition

Pua Paendin party leader Suwit Khunkitti (สุวิทย์ คุณกิตติ) revealed that a meeting of his parties MPs on work policy pertaining to the proposal of laws and policies has agreed to work inline and in a unified manner with other coalition parties. The party’s Whip representative informed the meeting that the inter-party liaison group will meet once again once the People Power Party officially submits its selection for Prime Minister but the Pua Paendin party may not be able to meet again until after voting on the issue is done.

Pua Paendin has instructed its Whip representative to vote inline with other coalition parties and believes no problems will arise from this strategy. As for when the selection of the Prime Minister will take place, Mr. Suwit states it will be the decision of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman’s of the House or Representatives.

The Party leader also mentioned that his party touched on the subject of a previously proposed bill for the protection and state adoption of the Buddhist religion.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

HM the King signs royal command to appoint Mr Yongyuth as House Speaker

His Majesty the King has signed a royal command to appoint People Power Party member and member of parliament from the party-list system Yongyuth Thiyaphairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) to assume the position of Chairman of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Yongyuth will be seconded by Democrat member Somsak Kriatsuranont (สมศักดิ์ เกียรติสุรนนท์) as the first Deputy Chairman and General Apiwat Virichai as the second Deputy Chairman. Their roles in the parliament were effective immediately following the royal command of His Majesty the King.

Mr. Yongyuth received 307 votes in a parliament poll for the position, beating out former Democrat Leader Banyat Bantadtan (บัญญัติ บรรทัดฐาน) who received 167 votes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2008

[hammered]

Election fraud cases to go to Supreme Court

(BangkokPost.com) – The Election Commission (EC) is set to forward electoral fraud cases to the Supreme Court for consideration next month.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont said his agency has urged all related parties to gather evidence of electoral fraud to the EC as soon as possible.

More: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=125427

P-Net has been trying to get the EC to look at proof of vote buying, but he EC has refused to look at it. Now, the EC is urging all related parties to gather evidence of electoral fraud ASAP! I wonder what has changed?

This is indeed a surprise. It could of course all result in nothing and we shouldnt forget that one member of the EC has already been accused by P-Net of leaking investigation material to PPP. Considering it is P-Net making the accusation it is quite worrying.

It would be good to see the EC actually do its job for a change (both P-Net and Anfrel have claimed they have not seriously investigated vote buying) and see cases go to completion whatever the final verdict is. If P-Net has evidence of vote buying that is probably fairly strong and reliable as they do have an excellent reputation.