Samak Sundaravej was elected

[marshbags]

Apologies if there is another thread that this is applicable to...............

It,s just been on the NBT Thai news channel that a sponsor in Hong Kong has just given 10 million Baht to assist the setting up of the proposed / rumoured new surrogate, surrogate, ( not a mistake duplication, just a bit of sarcasm ) party to relpace the existing one as and when ??

No breaking news on this at the present time.

Now i wonder who it could be ????

marshbags

Edited August 5, 2008 by marshbags

[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.

Samak, a vitriolic 72-year-old right-winger, told reporters, "We think it's OK if she is put on the shelf."

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.

Some potential conflict for the host Thailand's government's Burmese position???

American First Lady Laura Bush

Human Rights on the table

Visiting US President George W Bush will talk with Burmese dissidents over lunch Thursday to indicate his concerns on human rights and political development in the military-ruled country.

Bush will arrive in Bangkok on Wednesday as part of his Asian tour which also takes him to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing on Friday.

Some 10 Burmese people including Irrawaddy magazine's editor Aung Zaw and other Bangkok-based political activists will lunch with Bush and discuss a wide range of issues about the situation in Burma.

First Lady Laura Bush, who has campaigned for human rights in Burma for years, will meet separately with Dr Cynthia Maung at her border clinic in Mae Sot.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

It,s just been on the NBT Thai news channel that a sponsor in Hong Kong has just given 10 million Baht to assist the setting up of the proposed / rumoured new surrogate, surrogate, ( not a mistake duplication, just a bit of sarcasm ) party to replace the existing one as and when ??

No breaking news on this at the present time.

Now i wonder who it could be ????

I don't think it's Jackie Chan...

Samak wants new party set up pronto

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has been pushing for a new political party to be set up quickly, in case People Power Party (PPP) is dissolved because of electoral abuses by former Party Deputy Leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, PPP executive Saman Lertwonrat revealed yesterday.

Saman said Samak and PPP Secretary-General Surapong Suebwonglee instructed party leaders and the party's executive board to register the new entity by establishing enough branches and having enough members as required by the law.

Some PPP MPs and members could be transferred to the new party in time if the PPP was dissolved before the end of this month, he said.

One option for a new party name was Puea Thai Party, he said.

An Election Commission (EC) panel investigating possible dissolution of the People Power Party is due to give a recommendation to the EC on August 14, EC member Prapan Naikowit said yesterday.

The panel, headed by Prateep Pruengwong, would summon Samak and Surapong to give a statement on the case.

He said the panel might extend the investigation for 15 more days if it felt Samak must address it personally.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Samak's quest for constitutional amendments put into perspective by this scathing report.

This whole Article 63 change issue is pivotal for Thailand...

Samak is no dictator; he's just got a license to lie

Before you jump on the Samak-is-a-new-Hitler bandwagon, open your hearts. His plan to make any future political rally virtually unconstitutional is controversial, but in an advanced democracy, life is often complicated. Can we boast freedom if we can't take to the streets? Our democratically elected leader says "yes", so who are you to argue with that?

Article 63 of the Constitution gives us the right to "gather in peace and without weapons". A bit redundant methinks, because you don't go to a peaceful gathering dressed like Rambo anyway, and the laws prohibit arming yourself in public in the first place. Now Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej wants to add useful elaborations to this article, such as you can't "lie" at the rally, or instigate trouble, or use the media to propagate your information, or force or hire others to participate.

In other words, you are doomed if you, say, hold a rally to declare that only one man died in the October 6, 1976 bloodbath. To get such a blatant lie across, you will have to improvise. You may, for example, try to seek political office first and use it to disseminate your information. Since it would come from just one man, the lie would then be constitutional. Problem solved.

The same goes for "instigation". Again, you first need to acquire that priceless label of "elected office-holder" because it's the only indisputable licence to drum up hatred, widen the national divide, and launch obscenities at your opponents.

Nobody can object if you go on TV to say things like the Thai media are worms that should be stomped on and crushed.

Talking about TV brings us to the "use of media for propaganda". Since Samak's Constitution will prohibit anti-government masses to utilise media outputs, future activists may have to go door-to-door passing encrypted messages by hand (or via pigeons), which may yet be outlawed anyhow.

Again, if you want to maintain access to modern technology, contest an election and hope your party wins enough seats to monopolise TV prime time. And as always, if critics make any noise, ask them to go back and read the new Constitution. "The charter prohibits protesters from using the media to disseminate propaganda," you may say. "I'm a lone prime minister telling the public what they need to know. What's wrong with that, you sex-starved idiots?"

The "hiring" part got me a bit worried. After all, what constitutes "hiring"? For a future political rally to be legitimate, will participants have to pack their own food and drink, bring their own umbrellas and mobile toilets, paint their own T-shirts and drive their own cars to the demonstration? I mean, what are poor farmers to do if they want to protest?

But we should trust our elected leader to have good reasons and ways out for that. This rule alone will wipe out state-sponsored demonstrations, which have been as widespread as anti-government rallies over the past few years. Moreover, as we have grown tired of the divisive use of same-colour shirts to enhance ideological causes, this problem will be solved because either a "yellow" or "red" campaign can easily be presumed to be a funded event - in other words, one in which the protesters are "hired" to take part.

As someone who has fought state power through political rallies, Samak must have conjured up this charter amendment with a bleeding heart. He must have painfully reflected on all sorts of things, like what could have been if, when he accused the state of "blacklisting" his party last year, the authorities said "You lied" and put him in jail.

Or what will happen if, in the future, it's his opponents' turn to take power and he ends up discussing the October 6 death toll on the streets.

The bottom line, though, is that he was democratically-elected. That means he can say that commandos are poised to arrest him at the airport on his return from an overseas trip and then, on TV two weeks later, pretend to forget saying such a thing when lambasting the "lying scum" who are his opponents. He has the mandate to instigate hatred, but it will be unconstitutional if you try to make people hate him.

Most of all, he can think up things and "constitutionalise" them, telling us these are what Thailand is all about. This is the way things are in an advanced democracy. If you don't like his constitutional ideas, that's too bad. Stop complaining and try to win an election. That's how you get things done in this country. That's the only way you can go from being a sad, pathetic lying instigator with underground sponsorship to someone so legitimate you can declare your own values as the nation's.

- The Nation / Aug. 6, 2008

[sriracha john]

Senility rears its ugly head again...

Angry PM and the toilet stakeout

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday lost his temper, yelling at a group of reporters in a market

After almost thirty minutes, [* Update: a Thai paper reportedly timed it at 47 minutes ]

Samak then walked out of the toilet

The PM kept scolding reporters for 15 minutes until almost all had left except one TV station camera man.

"I scolded you so much and you are not yet ashamed and still want to take a clip out of me?" Then he walked straight to the cameramen to challenge him.

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

He desperately needs a visit from Mr. Happy Toilet....

and a good urologist and/or gastroenterologist if he's routinely in the bathroom for half an hour... [47 minutes]

but clearly a psychiatrist is the specialty of first priority...

It's very encouraging that the Assistant Chief of the Government's Psychiatrists is a Thaivisa reader...

PM's fury 'not mental problem'

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's aggressive outburst at reporters at a farmers' market in Bangkok on Sunday was the latest in a series of attacks that have raised questions about his mental state.

Previously, at a press conference at People Power Party headquarters, when reporters asked about conflicts in allocating candidates for MPs' positions, Samak slammed journalists, saying the question was an intrusion into his party's internal affairs.

His remark to a female reporter publicised on that occasion was big news: "Don't say I'm rude. Did you have sinful sex last night?"

And in June, the premier, surprised and furious to see reporters waiting to cover a meeting of the five coalition parties at the Prince Palace Hotel, stared [for quite some time] at the media crews with a look of rage [and without uttering a word ].

Dr Apichai Mongkol, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, said Samak was intentionally communicating dissatisfaction towards the reporters, and that was not a mental problem.

In regard to the reporters, he said they had to do their job and might have been pressured by their bosses and competition in the media business. So Samak might actually be communicating to media group administrators that he did not want to be exposed at that time, Apichai said.

Dr Panpimol Lotrakul, of the same department, said discussion was needed on the scope of the media's activities, as there was no agreement on such between news outlets and public figures. And it appeared that on Sunday Samak felt reporters intruded into his private space.

Pirongrong Ramasoota Rananand, head of the Journalism Department at Chulalongkorn University, said the media should set a standard for their profession and limit the scope of their work without intruding on to people's private areas.

Samak's outburst at reporters might not be proper but the media had opened the way for to the premier to attack them the way he did, she said.

Parichart Sthapitanonda, from Chulalongkorn's Public Relations Department, said Samak's remarks were directed to more than just media person. But he should realise his aggressive nature made him prone to angry outbursts and let government spokesmen talk to reporters instead.

Samak knew the media's work very well as he owned a newspaper and hosted radio programmes for many years. His anger could be aimed at distracting people from the issues they wanted answers to.

"The media should consider whether to stop following Samak and cover only important issues. They must do so in unity. In that case, Samak would likely improve himself," she said.

- The Nation

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

While maintaining a difference of medical opinion with Dr. Mongkol, for the benefit of the country, I would suggest a more complete and thorough work-up of the prime minister's mental status with the customary psychiatric and psychological tests as well as an EEG and neurology department consultation in order to rule out a neurological basis for his outbursts alternating with fugue states amongst his other mental deficiencies.

Edited August 5, 2008 by sriracha john

[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.

Samak, a vitriolic 72-year-old right-winger, told reporters, "We think it's OK if she is put on the shelf."

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.

Some potential conflict for the host Thailand's government's Burmese position???

American First Lady Laura Bush

Human Rights on the table

Visiting US President George W Bush will talk with Burmese dissidents over lunch Thursday to indicate his concerns on human rights and political development in the military-ruled country.

Bush will arrive in Bangkok on Wednesday as part of his Asian tour which also takes him to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing on Friday.

Some 10 Burmese people including Irrawaddy magazine's editor Aung Zaw and other Bangkok-based political activists will lunch with Bush and discuss a wide range of issues about the situation in Burma.

First Lady Laura Bush, who has campaigned for human rights in Burma for years, will meet separately with Dr Cynthia Maung at her border clinic in Mae Sot.

- The Nation

The visit to Thailand is aimed at strengthening 175 years of relations between Thailand and the United States. The President and the First Lady will be traveling to Government House today (August 6) to hold talks with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, and will be attending a dinner hosted by Samak in honor of their visit.

- ThaiNews / Aug. 6, 2008

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

wondering if Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi are two of the topics planned for "talks."

[sriracha john]

Samak appoints five economic advisers

PM Samak has confirmed the appointment of 5 advisers to his economic ministers, a decision given the thumbs down by the opposition Democrat Party. "The PM has appointed five qualified people. They will help take care of the economy," Samak said in his weekly address on NBT. The advisory team is led by Virabongsa Ramangkura, an economist and former Finance Minister. They will work with ministers in charge of the economy, including Chaiya Sasomsab, who is the new Commerce Minister, Mingkwan Sangsuwan, who becomes Industry Minister, and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee. Samak said the 5 advisers did not want to be Cabinet members as they preferred to keep their huge personal incomes from the private sector and not declare their assets. *LOL, not suspicious in the least...as there are multiple logical reasons WHY these requirements are in place* The new advisers have been criticised for having possible conflicts of interest as they have the opportunity to get inside information from the Cabinet while they sit on the boards of private companies. *Can't get much more dodgy than that*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129264

One's already dropped out...

Resigning advisory team member assures withdrawal not based on conflict

Former Permanent Secretary of Industry Manu Leopairote revealed to the media that his decision to resign from the Prime Minister's economic advisory team is due to the fact that is not currently available to invest himself into a role that demands thorough review.

Manu affirmed that he did not have any conflicts with other members of the group and stated that he is ready to assist in an indirect way. Manu said that he had expressed his need to resign to the team since Sunday.

The Advisory Team's leader is set to meet with the Prime Minister today to establish a framework for the groups operation following the Cabinet's approval to include the team yesterday.

- ThaiNews / Aug. 6, 2008

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

Wonder if being a cross-town rival, Khun Manu's name played a role in the decision. If a Khun ManC is appointed as a replacement, we'll know for sure....

[hammered]

Samak seems to have afew problems on his hands consisting mostly of this increasingly rogue faction:

Cracks begin to appear in ruling party

Leader of the Isan Pattana faction of the People Power party (PPP), Paichit Sriworakhan, told party members at a meeting yesterday that a secret deal had been struck between members of the ''gang of four'' faction and the Democrat Party on forming a coalition government after the next elections. If the House were dissolved and fresh elections called, they anticipated the Democrats would get up to 170 seats, with the ''gang of four'' winning 70 seats in the 400-seat House of Representatives, according to Mr Paichit.

Rest of the story at: http://www.bangkokpost.com/060808_News/06Aug2008_news10.php

The highlights apart from the above are:

1. The gang of four are: Samak, Theerapol, Newin and Surapong

2. The gang of four exploit government projects for their own benefit

3. A person who was not a member of PPP but was a memeber of the gang of four had flown to HK to discuss vested interests concerning the bus lease project

4. The group wpould continue to scrutinize the person mentioned in 3 above.

5. Tempers flared over the discusson of what Peau Thai party had been set up for

[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.

Samak, a vitriolic 72-year-old right-winger, told reporters, "We think it's OK if she is put on the shelf."

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.

The two countries are at polar opposites on this issue....

'Make Burma free'

"We seek an end to tyranny in Burma," the US president will say. An advance copy of the speech on US policy towards Asia was released as Mr Bush headed to Bangkok from Seoul. "America reiterates our call on Burma's military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners. And we will continue working until the people of Burma have the freedom they deserve." His visit is to celebrate the 175th year of bilateral relations between Thailand and the US. Mr Bush held talks over dinner with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej soon after arriving in Bangkok. Mrs Bush has been an outspoken critic of the Burmese junta, and the president's speech hailed efforts by Mrs Suu Kyi in trying to bring democracy to a country which has been ruled by the military since 1962. Mrs Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy party to election victory in 1990, but instead of recognising the result the junta placed her under house arrest, where she has now been detained for most of the subsequent 19 years.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129381

[jumnien]

Well, this shows that political idiots can say both good and bad things about Burma to an idiotic media if it will listen and print it.

[sriracha john]

Samak appoints five economic advisers

PM Samak has confirmed the appointment of 5 advisers to his economic ministers, a decision given the thumbs down by the opposition Democrat Party. "The PM has appointed five qualified people. They will help take care of the economy," Samak said in his weekly address on NBT. The advisory team is led by Virabongsa Ramangkura, an economist and former Finance Minister. They will work with ministers in charge of the economy, including Chaiya Sasomsab, who is the new Commerce Minister, Mingkwan Sangsuwan, who becomes Industry Minister, and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee. Samak said the 5 advisers did not want to be Cabinet members as they preferred to keep their huge personal incomes from the private sector and not declare their assets. *LOL, not suspicious in the least...as there are multiple logical reasons WHY these requirements are in place* The new advisers have been criticised for having possible conflicts of interest as they have the opportunity to get inside information from the Cabinet while they sit on the boards of private companies. *Can't get much more dodgy than that*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129264

dam_n the improprieties... it's full speed ahead....

Cabinet approves Virabongsa economic team

The Cabinet on Tuesday has appointed former Finance Minister Virabongsa Ramangkura as the PM’s economic advisor, government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said. According to Wichienchote, executives in Virabongsa’s economic advisory team include Office of Knowledge Management and Development chairman Narongchai Akaraseni, Policy Research Institute Foundation chairman Kanit Sangsubhan, and National Economics and Social Development Board advisor Porametee Vimonsiri. The economic team can join the Cabinet meetings to consider economic issues. *They can also plan their stock purchases and sales in accordance with what occurs at Cabinet meetings and other closed-door governmental meetings, can sit on the Board of Directors of businesses doing deals with the government, purchase land on prospective government projects gleaned from insider information, and can do so much more and all with absolutely no accountability.... sweet deal*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129316

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

Transparency? We don't need no stinkin' transparency!

They've begun...

PM chairs first meeting with new economic team

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej chaired a meeting with his new economic team for the first time Friday. The meeting is aimed at evaluating the government's six economic measures, which have been implemented in the past two weeks. Virabongsa Ramangura, a former finance minister and a chairman of a new economic advisory team to Samak, said after the meeting that the meeting will be held every Monday to consider all projects that the government plans to build before submitting them to the

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129665

[Coffee Drinker]

*wrong thread

Edited August 16, 2008 by Coffee Drinker

[hammered]

Samak appoints five economic advisers

PM Samak has confirmed the appointment of 5 advisers to his economic ministers, a decision given the thumbs down by the opposition Democrat Party. "The PM has appointed five qualified people. They will help take care of the economy," Samak said in his weekly address on NBT. The advisory team is led by Virabongsa Ramangkura, an economist and former Finance Minister. They will work with ministers in charge of the economy, including Chaiya Sasomsab, who is the new Commerce Minister, Mingkwan Sangsuwan, who becomes Industry Minister, and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee. Samak said the 5 advisers did not want to be Cabinet members as they preferred to keep their huge personal incomes from the private sector and not declare their assets. *LOL, not suspicious in the least...as there are multiple logical reasons WHY these requirements are in place* The new advisers have been criticised for having possible conflicts of interest as they have the opportunity to get inside information from the Cabinet while they sit on the boards of private companies. *Can't get much more dodgy than that*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129264

dam_n the improprieties... it's full speed ahead....

Cabinet approves Virabongsa economic team

The Cabinet on Tuesday has appointed former Finance Minister Virabongsa Ramangkura as the PM’s economic advisor, government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said. According to Wichienchote, executives in Virabongsa’s economic advisory team include Office of Knowledge Management and Development chairman Narongchai Akaraseni, Policy Research Institute Foundation chairman Kanit Sangsubhan, and National Economics and Social Development Board advisor Porametee Vimonsiri. The economic team can join the Cabinet meetings to consider economic issues. *They can also plan their stock purchases and sales in accordance with what occurs at Cabinet meetings and other closed-door governmental meetings, can sit on the Board of Directors of businesses doing deals with the government, purchase land on prospective government projects gleaned from insider information, and can do so much more and all with absolutely no accountability.... sweet deal*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129316

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

Transparency? We don't need no stinkin' transparency!

They've begun...

PM chairs first meeting with new economic team

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej chaired a meeting with his new economic team for the first time Friday. The meeting is aimed at evaluating the government's six economic measures, which have been implemented in the past two weeks. Virabongsa Ramangura, a former finance minister and a chairman of a new economic advisory team to Samak, said after the meeting that the meeting will be held every Monday to consider all projects that the government plans to build before submitting them to the

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129665

Thai politcs as it was, as it is but hopefully not as it will always be.

Apart from all the economic, poverty, nationalisyic and other problems, there remains the fact that with very few exceptions the people that stand at elections are of dubious character and have dubious motives to say the least. Without a change in eductational and other opportunities for the ordinary person this situation will likely continue and be accepted as the staus quo.

[phupaman]

Hi All.

Do anyone know when Samak is due in court on his appeal? and what about the Fire boats and Fire engines case9,000,000 billion baht not chicken feed, any future dates on that?.

phupaman.

[sriracha john]

Hi All.

Do anyone know when Samak is due in court on his appeal? and what about the Fire boats and Fire engines case9,000,000 billion baht not chicken feed, any future dates on that?.

phupaman.

Specific thread for updates on:

1. Samak bribery case

2. Samak cooking show case

3. Samak defamation case

4. Samak firetruck case

5. Samak garbage dump case

is:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Prime-Minist...on-t166961.html

New Prime Minister Still Facing Corruption Cases

[sriracha john]

FUGITIVE EX-PREMIER

People Power MPs up in arms over Thaksin

Seek explanation from Samak on why he failed to protect ex-PM's reputation

People Power Party members yesterday vented their anger at Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for failing to protect the reputation of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Almost 200 Party MPs and election candidates signed a letter urging Samak to clarify why police needed to circulate arrest warrants throughout the country with pictures of Thaksin and wife Pojaman.

They said the move was "disturbing" to many Thaksin supporters throughout the country.

About 40 MPs and party members from all regions met yesterday at the Party headquarters.

Among those present were Yasothon MP Peeraphan Phalusuk, Chiang Mai MP Suraphong Tovichakchaikul, Bangkok MP Anusorn Panthong, and Samut Prakan MP Natee Sutinphuak, an actor better known as Krung Sriwilai.

Peeraphan told a press conference after the meeting that their reaction reflected the general sentiment of people in their constituencies. Suraphong said that almost 200 MPs and Party members have signed the written request.

It will be presented to Samak tomorrow and they expect Samak to clarify the matter in person during a Party meeting on Tuesday.

The group claimed many Thaksin supporters were disturbed and unhappy about the development. They agreed that Thaksin was treated unfairly as he has not been convicted of any wrong-doing, according to Peeraphan.

They also argued that Thaksin, as a former national leader who had contributed to the country, did not deserve to be treated as a criminal.

The opposition, however, criticised the prime minister for failing to respond publicly about Thaksin's attack on the country's justice system.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Democrat Party Theptai Senpong yesterday lashed out at Samak for not making a public statement denouncing Thaksin's allegations about the judiciary. He said Thaksin's comments tainted the monarchy and Samak's silence cast doubt on his loyalty to the crown.

Theptai added that perhaps Samak was happy Thaksin is now no longer in Thailand because he had a more free hand at running things.

- The Nation / August 17, 2008

Edited August 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

They said the move was "disturbing" to many Thaksin supporters throughout the country.

Facing reality can have that effect on some people.

The group claimed many Thaksin supporters were disturbed and unhappy about the development. They agreed that Thaksin was treated unfairly as he has not been convicted of any wrong-doing, according to Peeraphan.

Once again, reality rears its ugly head as putting an arrest warrant out on a bail-jumper should not be considered "unfair."

People Power Party members yesterday vented their anger at Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej...

Deputy Secretary-General of the Democrat Party Theptai Senpong yesterday lashed out at Samak...

Poor guy catching it from both sides...

Edited August 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[marshbags]

They said the move was "disturbing" to many Thaksin supporters throughout the country.

Facing reality can have that effect on some people.

The group claimed many Thaksin supporters were disturbed and unhappy about the development. They agreed that Thaksin was treated unfairly as he has not been convicted of any wrong-doing, according to Peeraphan.

Once again, reality rears its ugly head as putting an arrest warrant out on a bail-jumper should not be considered "unfair."

People Power Party members yesterday vented their anger at Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej...

Deputy Secretary-General of the Democrat Party Theptai Senpong yesterday lashed out at Samak...

Poor guy catching it from both sides...

If i may add another couple of gems, while trying to keep a sense of the what it is hopelessly meant to achieve.

Seek explanation from Samak on why he failed to protect ex-PM's reputation

People Power Party members yesterday vented their anger at Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for failing to protect the reputation of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.Seek explanation from Samak on why he failed to protect ex-PM's reputation[/i]b]

Their arrogance is beyond belief.

Reputation!!!!!!!!!! what reputation, they blew that long ago.

They still think everone is a programmed zombie, still living in the initial TRT days when Thaksin manipulated not only the North East, but lied and did likewise on a national basis.

Them days are gone and you,d better get used to it, surrogate members and well bribed ones at that.

May they never be allowed to return

marshbags

Edited August 17, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

Samak failed to protect Thaksin, say PPP MPs

Ex-PM was 'vilified' by police actions

Disgruntled members of the PPP yesterday demanded an explanation from their Leader Samak Sundaravej about his failure to protect the dignity of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra. About 40 current and former MPs joined hands by signing a complaint demanding Samak explain at a Party meeting on Tuesday his silence when an arrest warrant was issued for Thaksin and his wife. Their main disappointment was that PM Samak, who oversees the National Police Commission, did not stop police from adding the couple to the wanted list and circulating warrants around the country. What the police did was intended to discredit and damage the former PM, despite his contributions to the country, said Yasothorn MP Peerapan Palusuk. Samak should have taken a position to stop the police action, PPP MP Wattana Sengpairoh added. A PPP faction led by Newin Chidchob remained cautious about supporting the decision of their Party fellows who were unhappy about the treatment of the PM, said Supachai Phosu, an MP for Nakhon Phanom and Party Deputy Spokesman. But Supachai admitted that he was not satisfied with the decision by police to vilify the former PM.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/170808_News/17Aug2008_news07.php

[sriracha john]

Out to lunch???

Despite facing no-confidence debate in the Parliament, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shows his skill at making a paper bird.

The Nation

What can you do if the PM sits there and makes paper birds?

How the Leader of this Country spent his time in Parliament today....

Never mind the debate, origami's better

Look what Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is enjoying in the Parliament when he is accused of failing to solve problems facing the country.

Samak looks relaxing as Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is accusing him and his government of spending a great deal of its effort to protect its political interest and the interest of their affiliates.

- The Nation

A chance for redemption if he accepts to coach the Thailand National Team....

Search is on for paper plane champion

Young contestants battle it out at BITEC to represent their country at the world titles in Japan

The eagerness of young people in Thailand to make folded paper airplanes has given officials a boost as they search for two representatives to enter a world competition in Japan. The Paper Glider Arena's booth at BITEC, the exhibition centre in Bang Na, was crowded with children and teenagers testing their ability to make origami planes that can stay aloft as long as possible. ''We welcome about 800 people to test their aerodynamic skills each day,'' the Secretary-General of the Paper Folding Airplane Association, Prasert Chalermkarnnon, said, adding that most of the visitors were newcomers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/170808_News/17Aug2008_news04.php

[sriracha john]

Thai PM won't resign

BANGOK (Associated Press - 17/08/08) - THAILAND'S Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Sunday that he would not resign or dissolve Parliament, despite being under attack from even members of his own party.

Samak's latest woes come from nearly 200 members of his own People's Power Party who are criticising him for allowing police to put up 'wanted' posters for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife throughout the country. One was even seen in the men's toilet of a Bangkok police station.

The Supreme Court issued arrest warrants for the couple after they fled to Britain saying that they couldn't get fair trials in Thailand in a number of cases involving alleged corruption and abuse of power.

Samak was earlier blasted by critics as a Thaksin puppet, but appears recently to have steered an independent course, much to the chagrin of the toppled prime minister's followers.

'I will not bow to the call from protesters and several other groups of people urging me to resign or dissolve the House,' Samak said in his weekly television programme.

'I will continue to look after this country as the prime minister.'

Samak, whose party won national elections last December, has been under pressure from almost daily street protests by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy and himself faces several court cases involving alleged corruption, abuse of authority, and conflict of interest.

On Saturday, his party members signed a letter saying Thaksin did not deserve to be treated like a criminal, and that the circulation of the arrest warrant posters was 'disturbing.' The group is to present the letter to Samak on Monday.

The posters appeared on front pages of almost all Thai newspapers on Saturday and were going up in every police station and immigration checkpoint in the country.

'The police have an obligation to distribute and post the arrest warrant. If we do not do so, the police will be charged with ignoring their duty,' police Maj Gen Suraphol Thaunthong told reporters.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that a corruption trial against Thaksin and his wife Pojaman could proceed even though the couple fled the country.

The Supreme Court has issued arrest warrants for the couple.

Thaksin returned to Thailand less than six months ago after an extended period of exile following his ouster in a bloodless military coup in September 2006.

Thaksin, 59, faces several other court cases but has repeatedly claimed he is innocent of all charges.

On July 31, the criminal court convicted his wife of evading millions of dollars in taxes and sentenced her to three years in prison. She was released on bail pending an appeal.

[sriracha john]

Prathom 5 students seek to overthrow the government???

Students protest against a plan to relocate their school for the construction of new Parliament House.

- The Nation / 17-08-08

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

PM says ill-wishing groups seeking to deter construction of new Parliament

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej commented today on his weekly talk show that there are ill-wishing individuals who are seeking to impede the construction of the new Parliament building. He affirmed that the location selected for the new structure is best suited and is necessary for the parliament.

He said that officially the matter has been settled, but there are groups seeking to protest the decision.

- ThaiNews / 17-08-08

Edited August 17, 2008 by sriracha john

[marshbags]

Prathom 5 students seek to overthrow the government???

Students protest against a plan to relocate their school for the construction of new Parliament House.

- The Nation / 17-08-08

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

PM says ill-wishing groups seeking to deter construction of new Parliament

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej commented today on his weekly talk show that there are ill-wishing individuals who are seeking to impede the construction of the new Parliament building. He affirmed that the location selected for the new structure is best suited and is necessary for the parliament.

He said that officially the matter has been settled, but there are groups seeking to protest the decision.

- ThaiNews / 17-08-08

When the economic situation that will not get better anytime soon, this is obscene and the building of bigger mental institutional facility for the purpose of ???

When the mega baht could be used on more worthy causes, especially the genuine less well off, this is arrogantly insulting and typical of Samak and his coherts.

More tea money to fill their greedy bellies = over flowing bank accounts comes to mind.

marshbags

Just a thought Mr. Surrogate P.M., the protesting Prathom 5 students could probably teach you a thing or 3 about integrity, loyalty and selfless honest intentions.

Edited August 17, 2008 by marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

PAD has announced that if they have to, they will move to the new site projected for the new Parliament building and set up their main stage there.

[sriracha john]

Samak's latest woes come from nearly 200 members of his own People's Power Party who are criticising him for allowing police to put up 'wanted' posters for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife throughout the country. One was even seen in the men's toilet of a Bangkok police station.

poetic justice... for Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin

'The police have an obligation to distribute and post the arrest warrant. If we do not do so, the police will be charged with ignoring their duty,' police Maj Gen Suraphol Thaunthong told reporters.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that a corruption trial against Thaksin and his wife Pojaman could proceed even though the couple fled the country.

The Supreme Court has issued arrest warrants for the couple.

as the Supreme Court ordered the arrest warrants to be issued, why don't these PPP MP's lambast the Supreme Court instead of harping on Samak on why he didn't illegally squash a Supreme Court edict? Go ahead, PPP....I dare you... lash out at the Supreme Court... Thaksin did.

[sriracha john]

Prathom 5 students seek to overthrow the government???

Students protest against a plan to relocate their school for the construction of new Parliament House.

- The Nation / 17-08-08

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

PM says ill-wishing groups seeking to deter construction of new Parliament

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej commented today on his weekly talk show that there are ill-wishing individuals who are seeking to impede the construction of the new Parliament building. He affirmed that the location selected for the new structure is best suited and is necessary for the parliament.

He said that officially the matter has been settled, but there are groups seeking to protest the decision.

- ThaiNews / 17-08-08

Thanks Samak...

Student protesters caned by teacher

Pupils marched against their school's eviction

A teacher at a school facing relocation to make way for the new parliamentary site has been accused of caning eight students, including a girl who was allegedly struck 18 consecutive times. They were accused of skipping classes to attend a protest against the relocation of Yothinburana school in Dusit district, Bangkok, to clear the land for construction of the new parliament. They were allegedly caned by a teacher identified as Suwattana Permpool as punishment for the apparent truancy, but their parents complained the punishment was too harsh. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the aunt of a Mathayom 2 (grade 8) student said her niece was caned 18 times by Ms Suwattana on Monday for attending Friday's protest. More than 500 students from the school had joined the protest march to Government House. But the student who was allegedly caned 18 times said she had not even joined the protest march. She said the teacher struck her 18 consecutive times in full view of other students in the classroom, but the other alleged truants _ who she said had joined the protest _ were caned only a few times each. They would apparently receive the remainder of their canings at a later date, in ''installments''. The girl's parents took her to Vichaiyut hospital in Phaya Thai for a physical examination and presented the results to police at Tao Poon station yesterday as evidence of their complaint. The mother backed up the girl's claims that she had not participated in Friday's protest. On that day, lessons were proceeding as usual, but the school later dismissed classes because hundreds of its students were planning to join the march.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/200808_News/20Aug2008_news01.php

Edited August 20, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Samak appoints five economic advisers

PM Samak has confirmed the appointment of 5 advisers to his economic ministers, a decision given the thumbs down by the opposition Democrat Party. "The PM has appointed five qualified people. They will help take care of the economy," Samak said in his weekly address on NBT. The advisory team is led by Virabongsa Ramangkura, an economist and former Finance Minister. They will work with ministers in charge of the economy, including Chaiya Sasomsab, who is the new Commerce Minister, Mingkwan Sangsuwan, who becomes Industry Minister, and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee. Samak said the 5 advisers did not want to be Cabinet members as they preferred to keep their huge personal incomes from the private sector and not declare their assets. *LOL, not suspicious in the least...as there are multiple logical reasons WHY these requirements are in place* The new advisers have been criticised for having possible conflicts of interest as they have the opportunity to get inside information from the Cabinet while they sit on the boards of private companies. *Can't get much more dodgy than that*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129264

dam_n the improprieties... it's full speed ahead....

Cabinet approves Virabongsa economic team

The Cabinet on Tuesday has appointed former Finance Minister Virabongsa Ramangkura as the PM’s economic advisor, government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said. According to Wichienchote, executives in Virabongsa’s economic advisory team include Office of Knowledge Management and Development chairman Narongchai Akaraseni, Policy Research Institute Foundation chairman Kanit Sangsubhan, and National Economics and Social Development Board advisor Porametee Vimonsiri. The economic team can join the Cabinet meetings to consider economic issues. *They can also plan their stock purchases and sales in accordance with what occurs at Cabinet meetings and other closed-door governmental meetings, can sit on the Board of Directors of businesses doing deals with the government, purchase land on prospective government projects gleaned from insider information, and can do so much more and all with absolutely no accountability.... sweet deal*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129316

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

Transparency? We don't need no stinkin' transparency!

They've begun...

PM chairs first meeting with new economic team

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej chaired a meeting with his new economic team for the first time Friday. The meeting is aimed at evaluating the government's six economic measures, which have been implemented in the past two weeks. Virabongsa Ramangura, a former finance minister and a chairman of a new economic advisory team to Samak, said after the meeting that the meeting will be held every Monday to consider all projects that the government plans to build before submitting them to the

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129665

and now they're on the "Team".....

Thai government forms economic policy committee

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (TNA) -- In an attempt to follow up the government's economic measures and to ensure that growth targets are achieved, the Thai Cabinet Tuesday set up an 18-member economic policy committee, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.

The committee, Chaired by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, comprises ministers related to economic matters, plus the governor of the Bank of Thailand, the Budget Bureau, the National Economic and Social Development Board, and economic advisers to the prime minister, said Surapong, who was appointed Vice Chairman of the committee.

The committee is tasked with proposing measures to drive economic growth on a sustainable basis and also to follow up the government's economic measures, he said.

Surapong said the committee will hold its first meeting on August 27. It is expected that it would meet every Monday thereafter.

[Plus]

I wish they carry the traidtion and cane truant MPs just as vigorously once the new parlament is in place.

That story about caning students for joining protests is unbelievable. What exactly are they trying to teach them there?

[sriracha john]

That dissension is a corporal offense of equal severity to merit a similar punishment as Malaysia utilizes for serial rapists.

[plachon]

That dissension is a corporal offense of equal severity to merit a similar punishment as Malaysia utilizes for serial rapists.

Wonder what the political persuasion of Ms Suwattana is?

Another example of "Amazing Thailand" which reminds me about a sign on a tree in my daughter's old school which read: "Spare the rod and spoil the child" in English with a Thai translation below. But according to my wife - an ex-teacher - corporal punishment in schools is banned in Thailand. If so, the Dusit school has breached Thai law presumably?