Samak Sundaravej was elected

[sriracha john]

Amongst its other shortcomings, it's a toxic waste zone... no wonder Samak likes it...

Somsak likes new Parliament in Klong Toei idea

Deputy House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont agreed with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's idea to build new Parliament at the oil depot in Klong Toei.

He said the location was interesting because it is on the bank of the Chao Phya River. The only problem he foresaw was that it might take at least three to five years to evacuate over 1,000 people living nearby. He dismissed concern over the problem that the soil there is not suitable for the construction because it is saturated with oil. :D *sounds perfect place to build on??* He said Shell and Esso would find solutions over the problems.

Samak on Saturday led House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and their deputies to visit the 200-rai oil depot at Klong Toey port.

He tried to convince them to select the area owned by the State Railway Authority as a new site for Parliament. The Speakers and Deputies had earlier agreed to select the army ordnance depot in Nonthaburi for the site.

Samak said he preferred this location and he would be the one who would approve the construction budget. *it's my way or the highway*

Samak's insistence is clearer now....

You'd think they could find a lump of land without over 1000 people living on it. Maybe we could christen it the new Klong Toei slum. Or imagine some hadean fiery end as all that soaked in oil gets set ablaze by some dodgy feudal master MP lighting his fag up and incinerating the whole parliament and everyone inside.

Actually now I think of it why not develop the site as cheap housing for the slum dwellers and leave the current plans for sticking the parliament outside Bangkok alone? Then everyone could be happy except all those dandy MPs whose mia nois only like to reside in Bangkok.

actually they have a new name for it, quite close to your suggestion...

What`s the big rush?

Time's awasting, Tony.....

Land for a new parliament - and Temasek

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, House Speaker Chai Chidchob, and other government officials embarked on a boat from Sathupradit Pier (on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok) on July 5 to reconnoiter a land plot where a new parliament building could be built in future.

The 200-rai plot belongs to the ‘State Railways of Thailand’ (SRT), with about 160-rai of the site possibly being allocated for the construction of a new parliament.

Before considering whether the plot is appropriate for the construction of a new parliament, we should examine agreements that have been reached under the bi-national negotiation process known as the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER).

STEER is an ongoing negotiation process, between the Singaporean and Thai governments, with an apparent agenda of boosting Thailand’s economic development.

Among the important amendments to Thai law proposed during STEER meetings was one that would allow foreigners to gain ownership of a land plot for 99 years - in line with a policy envisaged by deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

It is widely-believed that the STEER negotiations have been deliberately engineered to ensure the granting of special landholding privileges to those foreign investors who wish to develop projects in Thailand.

There is an extremely interesting development project currently underway in Bangkok under the name of ‘Krungthep Pier’. This scheme - also known as ‘Klong Toei Complex’ - will be developed on a 2,000-rai plot of land in the vicinity of Klong Toei Pier. The project is expected to cost around 200 billion baht.

The main investor in this project is Temasek Holdings - the Singapore government’s investment arm. Temasek reportedly spent about 73 billion baht acquiring Shin Corp from the Shinawatra family back in 2006. This is why the Krungthep Pier becomes a new choice.

If the government does not clearly explain its reasons for favoring this location for a new parliament, this issue could easily end up becoming as problematic as the dispute over the Prasart Preah Vihear Temple.

- translated and summarized from Krungtep Turakit column by 2Bangkok.com

[sriracha john]

Samak determined to fight on till the last breath

It has become quite a familiar scene on television for viewers to see Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in a foul mood playing the blame-game.

His talk show last Sunday was more intense; he was more tenacious and more obviously nervous. The way he ranted for over an hour made him seem like a cornered rat with shifting beady eyes. Samak lost his composure and cocksure self-confidence after four months of pressure from all around, though mostly from self-inflicted troubles.

His plight has obviously become unbearable. He manages to weather the daily crisis of confidence and other equally serious problems facing him just because this is his last chance to preserve what he still has, and that includes his freedom amidst pending criminal charges.

The embattled politician must have hoped that he would enjoy his twilight years and leave behind a legacy as prime minister. He will have one legacy: he became a self-confessed nominee - a political puppet whose master stands to face even more serious criminal prosecution.

Samak's days are numbered, surely, but don't count him out yet. He will fight tooth and nail to ensure that he won't have to spend the rest of his life in prison, with charges related to gross misconduct.

His Cabinet is crippled, with key ministers forced to quit due to scandal and criminal wrongdoing. Samak also awaits his own judgement day, which should come pretty soon, and then a few more that have the potential to be truly destructive.

One thing is for sure, while he clings to power, not only will the nation suffer from the incompetence of his scandal-plagued administration, the People Power Party also has its fate sealed, more or less. A spare party has been formed to resurrect the wreckage.

What is really worrisome is that Samak is just focused on his own survival as prime minister and as a free man and has made this his top priority. Others are secondary or lower in terms of significance. Dignity and honor are long gone after nearly two months of protest rallies, reducing his discredited administration to a heap of junk.

Eventually, Samak will go down in history as the head of a government with scandals, no credibility and the largest number of tainted ministers facing all sorts of accusations, while his administration is jeered at like a den of thieves.

He will continue to fight with all his skills and cunning. "I will not quit or dissolve the House of Representatives. We are elected by the people to serve as government," he croaked.

The high price he might finally have to pay for his misconduct would serve as a reminder for his successor that this sort of behavior does not pay in this land.

Gone are the cozy deals that were struck when big money and the old boys' network always worked wonders, based on the belief that prisons are built only for small people, while the rich have total immunity.

What will he do now? Predictably, he will ram the budget bill through the House and Senate so that huge funds will become handy. Then he will push the proposed constitutional amendments through Parliament as well.

With the majority vote, Samak can expect the amendments to pass fairly easily. He can take it to the bank. After that, he will dissolve the House. With such an advantage, he will call a snap election paving the way back to government.

There are hitches, though. If legal obstacles and pending criminal cases cannot block his plan, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) would not allow him to go far enough to change the charter and save his master, Thaksin Shinawatra.

For PAD, the stakes are too high for the group to let Samak roam free with the government budget to regain strength and eliminate independent agencies now handling criminal cases.

Political confrontation would take place, lead to a showdown and a flare-up of violence. What comes next is so easy to predict, huh?

- The Nation / July 15, 2008

[sriracha john]

Charter 'paralyzing' my government: Samak

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday blamed the Constitution for many of the current political problems, insisting the charter had "paralyzed" the government and prevented the Foreign Ministry and other agencies from entering agreements with foreign partners.

Thailand had become a laughing stock *you are a huge part of the reason, Samak* in the international community as no one could be sure about dealing with us, he claimed.

"It's a shame for Thailand that no one dares to sign an agreement for fear that it would violate the Constitution," Samak said. "We have lost our dignity to Cambodia, to 21 members of the World Heritage Committee and now to ASEAN."

ASEAN will begin its annual meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday, but it was still unclear who would represent Thailand.

The country is due to takes the reins of the group next week, but has no foreign minister. Noppadon Pattama resigned last week after the Constitution Court ruled a joint communique he signed to support Cambodia's application to list the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site was unconstitutional.

Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Bunditkul or Surapong Suebwonglee are earmarked to attend the ASEAN meeting in place of Noppodon as Mingkwan Sangsuwan, the Deputy PM who oversees the Foreign Ministry has another meeting in Geneva, according to the ASEAN Affairs chief Vitavas Srivihok.

Members of Cabinet cried foul after learning at least five documents need to be endorsed and signed by ministers during the ASEAN meet in Singapore, said Vitavas, who briefed ministers on the ASEAN meeting.

The documents are the Statement on the Implementation of the ASEAN Charter, the Instrument of Extension of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by North Korea, an MoU on the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program, a Singapore Declaration on the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and an ARF Statement Promoting Collaboration to Prevent Diversion of Precursors into Illicit Drug Manufacture.

"I insisted to the Cabinet that two of the documents - the Treaty of Amity and the ASEAN-Australia MoU - which ASEAN members need to sign, are not treaties in accordance with article 190 of the Constitution."

Also, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia had not yet ratified the ASEAN Charter. "It would be a shame if the next ASEAN Chairman came from the last country to ratify the charter," Vitavas said.

- The Nation

[Tony Clifton]

Samak blaming the charter before taking a good look at himself. These thugs have absolutely no respect for what they call their country.

[sriracha john]

The seemingly weekly flip-flopping from the PM had "tails" come up on his tossed coin this time, so that means...

Thai PM reasserts 'no coup'

BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister reaffirmed he won't quit, but will stand his ground through the entirety of his four-year term despite heavy criticism regarding his administration's performance.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej acknowledged that his government has faced criticism on every single policy it forwarded, such as the six measures to allay economic hardship which has been labeled as a populist policy.

The premier reiterated that the Thai people would benefit from the policies and asked the opposition Democrat Party to remain calm. He said that after the end of this year, his cabinet would begin work on the mega projects which would create jobs for many.

The premier showed his temper in response to the rallies which he said were aimed at planting protests across the country, disrupting government officials' work, and prompting another coup d'état. He also commented on media reporting, and urged that the media present unbiased news coverage regarding both the government and the opposition.

Samak asserted there would not be another coup and that he would remain at his post, despite being often ridiculed or provoked.

[sriracha john]

Samak has adopted a totally new and completely different appearance according this AFP online new story titled:

Thai PM vows to amend charter to avoid legal woes

The link with this very distinguishing new persona for Samak is:

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/080713/afp/i-080713063756int.html

(giving full credit to 2Bangkok.com for the find)

[sriracha john]

Sunday again, so it's time for the Samak Happy Hour show... with some great news... we don't have to wait for just Sundays for his pearls of wisdom, he's going to grace us with his presence EVERY night on television...

Govt to respond to PAD on TV every night

The government will go on air live at 10 pm everyday to respond to allegations made by the People's Alliance for Democracy, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Sunday.

Speaking during his Talk Samak Style program on NBT Channel, Samak said it would not be enough for his government to wait to respond to the PAD once a week because the PAD attacked the government everyday on around-the-clock basis.

"First, I see that it will be all right to do it once every seven days. But not it has to be changed. We'll have to respond to them everyday as they are getting nastier," Samak said.

"They accused the government of struggling to amend the charter for our interest but this constitution is a trap. I am confident that I will be able to lead this ship through the problems. From now on, I'll respond to them everyday from tomorrow [Tuesday]. There were bill someone to go on air at 10 pm for one hour everyday to respond to them."

Government Spokesman Wichianchote Sukchoterat said the programme would be moderated by the four government spokesman.

He said the programme was aimed to provide the government's side information over the allegations made by the PAD.

He said the prime minister or Cabinet members of permanent officials, who were attacked, would be invited to give explanations during the programme.

He the spokesmen team would decide every morning on which issue the government would respond to the PAD.

He said the title of the programme would be decided Tuesday.

Deputy Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua said Samak and the spokesmen team discussed the issue last week and agreed to launch the programme to respond to the opponents.

- The Nation

[sgtpeppers]

Govt to respond to PAD on TV every night

Wonderful. Ive always wanted to see his buffoonish antics on Sunday but never woke up early enough. Now I have the chance.

Edited July 20, 2008 by sgtpeppers

[Tony Clifton]

Samak must be wearing out fast, they have him on split shifts now.

They're using the airwaves as they please, seems PTV is failing miserably on MVTV at delivering it's share of the merchandise to counter the PAD's accusations.

[sriracha john]

Suppression of activists in Burma normal: Samak

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday described Burmese leader Senior General Than Shwe as being religious person and killings and suppressions in the neighbouring country were "normal' things.

Speaking during his Samak's Talk programe broadcast live on Channel 11, Samak said Burma is a Buddhist country.

"Killings and suppressions are normal there but we have to know the fact," Samak said.

"And Senior Than Shwe practices meditation. He said he prays in the morning … and the country has been in peace and order."

- The Nation

Even more absurdity...

Thai PM says Myanmar's Suu Kyi detention is "OK"

BANGKOK - Thailand has no problem with the prolonged house arrest in Myanmar of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Wednesday.

After a meeting in Bangkok with his counterpart from military-ruled Myanmar, Lieutenant-General Thein Sein, Samak said the former Burma's ruling generals had no plans to release 62-year-old Suu Kyi either before or after next month's constitutional referendum.

"They are not releasing her, but they will not interfere with her. They will put her on the shelf and not bother with her, which is unacceptable to foreigners," Samak, a vitriolic 72-year-old right-winger, told reporters.

"We think it's OK if she is put on the shelf," he said.

and more and more...

Thai PM Endorses Burmese Junta's Ban against Suu Kyi

The Thai prime minister endorsed the Burmese junta's barring opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from future general elections.

Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej led Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein on a ceremonial inspection of the troops, a gesture extended to welcome his Burmese counterpart

After the discussion session, the Thai premier commented on Burma's pending referendum on May 10th and the junta's preventing Aung San Suu Kyi from getting involved in the general election.

He said that it is not wrong for the junta to keep the National League for Democracy leader out of political affairs.

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand light a cake in front of a portrait of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok June 19, 2008. A crowd of nearly two dozen activists demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi after lighting a cake in honour of her 63rd birthday outside the embassy.

REUTERS

Happy Birthday, Aung San Suu Kyi

Best Wishes

Love, Samak....

Myanmar junta arrests Aung San Suu Kyi supporters on her birthday

Yangon - Myanmar authorities on Thursday arrested at least 30 supporters of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who had gathered to protest her five years of imprisonment on her birthday

Based on the above, can we presume that Thailand was not a signatory to the ASEAN statement???

ASEAN calls for release of Suu Kyi

Singapore - Foreign Ministers of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday called on Myanmar's ruling junta to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

On the eve of the formal start of the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Singapore, the ministers of the 10-member regional bloc expressed disappointment over Suu Kyi's continued detention.

'The foreign ministers expressed their deep disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's detention under house arrest had been extended by the Myanmar government,' Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters after the officials met over dinner.

'They repeated the call by ASEAN leaders for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees as part of Myanmar's national reconciliation process,' he added.

Suu Kyi has spent most of the last 18 years under house arrest and has currently been detained since 2003. In May, the military junta extended her house arrest indefinitely.

Yeo said the foreign ministers also urged Myanmar to continue 'working closely' with the United Nations and the secretary general's special envoy Ibrahim Gambari 'in ensuring an inclusive process towards national reconciliation.' 'They stressed the importance of Professor Gambari's work in helping Myanmar move forward,' he added. Gambari is planning to visit Myanmar in mid-August at the invitation of the military government.

He last travelled to Myanmar in March to mediate reconciliation talks between the government and Suu Kyi amid deadly street protests against rising prices.

Yeo said ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, hopes that Gambari would be given access to 'the widest possible range of contacts, including Suu Kyi' during the trip.

- DPA

[sriracha john]

Sunday again, so it's time for the Samak Happy Hour show... with some great news... we don't have to wait for just Sundays for his pearls of wisdom, he's going to grace us with his presence EVERY night on television...

Govt to respond to PAD on TV every night

The government will go on air live at 10 pm everyday to respond to allegations made by the People's Alliance for Democracy, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Sunday.

Speaking during his Talk Samak Style program on NBT Channel, Samak said it would not be enough for his government to wait to respond to the PAD once a week because the PAD attacked the government everyday on around-the-clock basis.

"First, I see that it will be all right to do it once every seven days. But not it has to be changed. We'll have to respond to them everyday as they are getting nastier," Samak said.

"They accused the government of struggling to amend the charter for our interest but this constitution is a trap. I am confident that I will be able to lead this ship through the problems. From now on, I'll respond to them everyday from tomorrow [Tuesday].

Monday again, so it's time for the Samak U-Turn Show...

Govt backs down over TV program to counter criticism

The government on Monday backed down from its threat to daily respond to allegations from the People's Alliance for Democracy citing technicality problems.

However, the program will be hosted by government supporters led by Veera Musikapong, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party [also co-founder of PTV and co-defendant rioting gang leader], starting Monday night.

Deputy Government Spokesman [and fellow co-defendant rioting gang leader as well as co-founder of PTV] Nattawut Saikua on Monday said the government spokesman team would not operate a daily program as such due to the contract Channel 11 had with a private company, Digital Holding Media, that currently runs the program called "Kao Na Si" or "Page 4 News"

After Nattawut's announcement, Suriyong Hunthasarn, caretaker director of Channel 11, said Digital Holding Media had informed him that the company would change the format and the name of the program from "Kao Na Si" to "Chao Sanam Luang" or "Sanam Luang People", to be hosted by Veera, who has been spearheading a campaign against the PAD.

- The Nation

Edited July 21, 2008 by sriracha john

[Chang_paarp]

Quote from SJ above...

Govt backs down over TV program to counter criticism

The government on Monday backed down from its threat to daily respond to allegations from the People's Alliance for Democracy citing technicality problems.

However, the program will be hosted by government supporters led by Veera Musikapong, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party [also co-founder of PTV and co-defendant rioting gang leader], starting Monday night.

Deputy Government Spokesman [and fellow co-defendant rioting gang leader as well as co-founder of PTV] Nattawut Saikua on Monday said the government spokesman team would not operate a daily program as such due to the contract Channel 11 had with a private company, Digital Holding Media, that currently runs the program called "Kao Na Si" or "Page 4 News"

After Nattawut's announcement, Suriyong Hunthasarn, caretaker director of Channel 11, said Digital Holding Media had informed him that the company would change the format and the name of the program from "Kao Na Si" to "Chao Sanam Luang" or "Sanam Luang People", to be hosted by Veera, who has been spearheading a campaign against the PAD.

- The Nation

I'm curious, is Veera one of the TRT 111?

If so would this constitute being involved with politics?

Then wouldn't there be another judicial conspiracy to have him sorted out in line with the current laws and current court orders?

[sriracha john]

Quote from SJ above...

Govt backs down over TV program to counter criticism

The government on Monday backed down from its threat to daily respond to allegations from the People's Alliance for Democracy citing technicality problems.

However, the program will be hosted by government supporters led by Veera Musikapong, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party [also co-founder of PTV and co-defendant rioting gang leader], starting Monday night.

I'm curious, is Veera one of the TRT 111?

If so would this constitute being involved with politics?

Then wouldn't there be another judicial conspiracy to have him sorted out in line with the current laws and current court orders?

Veera Musikapong was Thai Rak Thai Party's party executive #104 who was banned for 5 years for engaging in electoral fraud.

[hammered]

Quote from SJ above...

Govt backs down over TV program to counter criticism

The government on Monday backed down from its threat to daily respond to allegations from the People's Alliance for Democracy citing technicality problems.

However, the program will be hosted by government supporters led by Veera Musikapong, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party [also co-founder of PTV and co-defendant rioting gang leader], starting Monday night.

Deputy Government Spokesman [and fellow co-defendant rioting gang leader as well as co-founder of PTV] Nattawut Saikua on Monday said the government spokesman team would not operate a daily program as such due to the contract Channel 11 had with a private company, Digital Holding Media, that currently runs the program called "Kao Na Si" or "Page 4 News"

After Nattawut's announcement, Suriyong Hunthasarn, caretaker director of Channel 11, said Digital Holding Media had informed him that the company would change the format and the name of the program from "Kao Na Si" to "Chao Sanam Luang" or "Sanam Luang People", to be hosted by Veera, who has been spearheading a campaign against the PAD.

- The Nation

I'm curious, is Veera one of the TRT 111?

If so would this constitute being involved with politics?

Then wouldn't there be another judicial conspiracy to have him sorted out in line with the current laws and current court orders?

There is at least a theroetical divide between politcs and the fourth estate or media and hopefully it will be long maintained. It is better when protagonists use one or the other and fights between media organisations and governments have been myriad across the world. More worrying are government attempts to use the mass state TV to spread their side of a story in response to a single private news station with a relatively low viewership claims against the government. This response is known as state propoganda. Those indulging in electoral politcs should stay out of media and those indulging in media should stay out of electoral politcs for the best results although if one wants to be cynical one could, and probably quite accurately claim that both politcians and media mouthpieces are not interested in truths rather than control of people through control of information. Still that is the system of the modern world in which we live and can do little about.

[Tony Clifton]

The in your face use of mass state media with the likes of PTV zombies is an insult to the country and a clockwork response from the TRT/PPP/PTV crime syndicate.

[Chang_paarp]

This sort of shenannigan is not confined to Thai politics. The following is from today's Bangkok Post (page 5).

India govt hangs on precipice

Singh may be toppled in vote of confidence.

India's parliament debated on a vote o confidenc in Prime Minister Mammohan Singh's government yesterday that will decide the fate of a neuclear deal with the US and could trigger a snap election.

The vote, due to take place today, is so close that several MPs who are ill may be flown or wheeled in from hospital, and others, in jail for crimes such as murder and extortion, have been granted temporary release.

.........

Kind of says it all

[A_Traveller]

I note that one issue which, in my view is often ignored is the increasing politicisation of local administration and the effect {on running elections for example} it has. Recently the Interior Ministry agreed to forward a proposal by the Association of Provincial Administration Organisations to amend a regulation that prohibits heads of PAOs running in elections after two terms in office. It is anticipated that this position would be changed by parliament this year. This change both extends the heads' terms and removes the prohibition on them running in elections, thereby raising the inherent risk of creating fiefdoms.

The argument for this change, is that the prohibition is unconstitutional.

Regards

[hammered]

I note that one issue which, in my view is often ignored is the increasing politicisation of local administration and the effect {on running elections for example} it has. Recently the Interior Ministry agreed to forward a proposal by the Association of Provincial Administration Organisations to amend a regulation that prohibits heads of PAOs running in elections after two terms in office. It is anticipated that this position would be changed by parliament this year. This change both extends the heads' terms and removes the prohibition on them running in elections, thereby raising the inherent risk of creating fiefdoms.

The argument for this change, is that the prohibition is unconstitutional.

Regards

Creating fiefdoms is exactly what they want to do. It is a very sure way of ensuring you control an area. The patronage system works.

[hammered]

Sunday again, so it's time for the Samak Happy Hour show... with some great news... we don't have to wait for just Sundays for his pearls of wisdom, he's going to grace us with his presence EVERY night on television...

Govt to respond to PAD on TV every night

The government will go on air live at 10 pm everyday to respond to allegations made by the People's Alliance for Democracy, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Sunday.

Speaking during his Talk Samak Style program on NBT Channel, Samak said it would not be enough for his government to wait to respond to the PAD once a week because the PAD attacked the government everyday on around-the-clock basis.

"First, I see that it will be all right to do it once every seven days. But not it has to be changed. We'll have to respond to them everyday as they are getting nastier," Samak said.

"They accused the government of struggling to amend the charter for our interest but this constitution is a trap. I am confident that I will be able to lead this ship through the problems. From now on, I'll respond to them everyday from tomorrow [Tuesday].

Monday again, so it's time for the Samak U-Turn Show...

Govt backs down over TV program to counter criticism

The government on Monday backed down from its threat to daily respond to allegations from the People's Alliance for Democracy citing technicality problems.

However, the program will be hosted by government supporters led by Veera Musikapong, a former executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party [also co-founder of PTV and co-defendant rioting gang leader], starting Monday night.

Deputy Government Spokesman [and fellow co-defendant rioting gang leader as well as co-founder of PTV] Nattawut Saikua on Monday said the government spokesman team would not operate a daily program as such due to the contract Channel 11 had with a private company, Digital Holding Media, that currently runs the program called "Kao Na Si" or "Page 4 News"

After Nattawut's announcement, Suriyong Hunthasarn, caretaker director of Channel 11, said Digital Holding Media had informed him that the company would change the format and the name of the program from "Kao Na Si" to "Chao Sanam Luang" or "Sanam Luang People", to be hosted by Veera, who has been spearheading a campaign against the PAD.

- The Nation

This still has the the sickly smell of state propoganda all over it. While there is nothing wrong with the UDD setting up thier own private TV channel to have the government push for them to be allowed TV time on a state run channel because they say things the government like is definitely questionable and in all honesty smacks of goebelesque propoganda. Maybe the PAD should be offerd equal airtime on a state run station if the idea is anything exceot a grotesque attempt at controlling information and manipulating thought.

It will also be interesting to see if the UDD will keep their republicans under control or if this is going to become a subject that they will openly show.

[Tony Clifton]

Abhisit , leader of the Democrtats was denied equal airtime as Samak was getting more than his fair share.

Funny how a whole bunch have priority over the official opposition's leading member.

Circus clowns.

[sriracha john]

The hosts of the show being supplanted by the Gang Leaders Show of Veera is suing as things such as contracts and whatnot were simply cast aside. The government is also going to do a "show" on PBS to go along with their show on NBT.

[sriracha john]

It will also be interesting to see if the UDD will keep their republicans under control or if this is going to become a subject that they will openly show.

Daranee aka "Da Torpedo" of the UDD getting arrested for true lese majeste isn't doing them any favors.

[hammered]

It will also be interesting to see if the UDD will keep their republicans under control or if this is going to become a subject that they will openly show.

Daranee aka "Da Torpedo" of the UDD getting arrested for true lese majeste isn't doing them any favors.

The biggest issue I can see around the arrest of the torpedo and the impending arrest of Sondhi L for playing a tape of what she said is if the minority residing in the PPP and maybe majority in the UDD will now have the courage of their convictions to say what they believe in or not. The quickest way for the PPP to lose popularity in the up country villages is if it becomes known what a certain minority within the party think, as these opinions will be unpopular in the extreme in the rural areas. Maybe now we see why Samak is so bent on establishing a level of control over the media far beyond what we have seen in recent times.

Will "da torpedo" torpedo the PPP or will it be business as usual with her abandoned to "die" alone while her comrades continue to hide in the coattails?

Or will Samak and the upcountry feudal warlords simply oust this wing from the party?

[Plus]

Comrades? They are too happy to suck on Samak's tits. They took in the ass with Jakrapob, they'll let Darunee rot in jails alone.

They are disgrace to any real "comrades" and leftists.

[sriracha john]

Another Sunday, Another Samak TV Show.... and things are just curiouser and curiouser...

Samak talks nothing about politics

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday refrained from hitting back at his opponents and did not mention politics at all during his weekly talk program.

He ended his Talk Samak Style program on NBT Channel at 9:32 am without mentioning politics.

He spent the entire programme discussing the Thai-language.

"Today, I didn't talk about politics but I talked what I really wanted to," Samak smilingly ended his programme.

- The Nation

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

has the aneurysm finally sprung?

Edited July 27, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

He improvised because he showed up totally unprepared. Talking about language when the situation is so tense.

Such professionalism from the PM and the team around him.

Apart from the strange behaviour, notice he's beginning to slouch as Pope John Paul did, but I doubt there's a heaven for this manimal, h e l l gets closer and closer as his spine degenerates.

[sriracha john]

EDITORIAL

Signs of PM's downfall seen on tv talk-show

Samak's silence on political issues shows that his government has now passed the point of saving

Finally, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej avoided discussing politics during his weekly TV appearance yesterday. It wasn't hard to see why, as the domestic controversy over the Preah Vihear Temple has led to high tension at the border and the long-running political stand-off between the pro- and anti-government movements resulted in the first outbreak of violence last week. The clashes in Udon Thani, which resulted in many injuries, means the line has been crossed, and the fragile peace, which had held out all through the political divide, has been broken.

But Samak, exploring the issue of Thai language during his normally belligerent TV talk,was at best absurd and at worst pathetic. It tells a lot about the state he is in. And it tells us more about the state the country he is supposed to lead is in.

We knew from Day One that Samak would be a big part of the problem because he declared in no uncertain terms while running for office that he was a "nominee" of Thaksin Shinawatra and would do everything to ensure "justice" for the latter. Yet we maintained some small measure of hope after he won the election that he would better understand the greater duties of his office. We prayed that the popular mandate wouldn't once again be misinterpreted. We should have known better.

Like his "master" before him, Samak quickly turned an election win into a tool to defend the indefensible. Taking the helm of a nation bitterly divided over political morals and besieged with economic threats locally and internationally, he not only chose the wrong priority, but also displayed extreme prejudice in doing so.

With all economic and social issues taking a back seat, Samak began his reign by provoking new street protests with an announcement that his government would amend the Constitution in order to "better" Thai politics. Things have been going downhill ever since and the Udon Thani clashes might be only the beginning of something much worse.

What has Samak done, as Thais are poised to harm or even kill each other over what should be or should not be defined as corruption, election mandate or dictatorship? He insisted that the Constitution would have to be amended, and went on to discuss the use of Thai language on TV. With all controversial issues getting their rare opportunity to be judged in the courts of law - instead of being politicised in the streets or exploited by the military - his people have tried to discredit or weaken the judiciary, the only institution maintaining a semblance of a functioning political system here.

Here is a leader wearing the wrong hat to disastrous effect. Samak has alienated the other half of the country simply because his government is acting as if the future of his master Thaksin, and those of questionable People Power Party executives, are more important than that of Thailand. We are having a befuddled leader who assumes that the main job of the chief executive is to scold critics week in and week out on TV, an obsession that has become so big that when his compatriots are at each other's throats, he has no neutrality left to function as the country's real prime minister.

Samak has left himself no room for a U-turn. Now he cannot condemn the use of violence by government supporters who stormed the rally site of unarmed anti-government demonstrators. Maybe he decided to talk about the Thai language yesterday because after all that happened in Udon Thani, it could be too soon to re-launch his normal broadsides against the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). When he thinks it is safe again to discuss the PAD on TV, it will be interesting to see how he weighs the movement's "nuisance" factor and the threats of violence posed by pro-government protesters.

We have given Samak his fair share of our sympathy. Leading a divisive nation and being perceived as leaning toward one side is not easy. But he also has himself to blame because in fact he had declared his partisanship from the very beginning and his political agenda was obviously not meant to advance national interests. Whether he realises it or not, his downfall is looming, with the biggest telltale sign being his reluctance to address the nation politically when it mattered most.

- The Nation

[Chang_paarp]

I think Samak was confused, he did not get the phone call telling him what to say.

The hand puppet is a little limp without something to give it a resemblance of a spine.

[Plus]

I don't think his days are over yet.

He's losing power, that's for sure.

First the new Foreign Minister, from Privy Council, quoted as saying "I haven't talked to Samak yet".

Surapong is about to lose his seat today if the Court accepts lottery case, Virabongsa taking Deputy PM in charge of the economy, Commerce Ministry and, possibly, Finance Ministry. Either way, he's in charge of the economy.

Then good old uncle Purachai is expected to take over Chalerm at Interior Ministry. Quoted as saying "I will come to help when the country is in crisis".

So Sasmak, or rather PPP, has lost control over the economy, foreign policy, and country administration (interior ministry).

That's why he didn't talk about important issues yesterday - it's out of his hands, but they'll keep him "in charge" for a while, as a nominee.

When Thaigene hears about it he'll have a seizure.

[younghusband]

Interesting Virabongsa slated to take over as Deputy PM.This guy always seems to get an easy ride given the massive assets he has inexplicably accumulated.I'm not saying this is unusual in Thai politics but his pristine reputation is something of a puzzle to me.But he's a very competent operator, and I supose that's something given the dross in the Samak cabinet.