Anti-thaksin Camp Vows To Launch Counter-campaign

[george]

PAD threatens war

BANGKOK: -- The anti-Thaksin Shinawatra People's Alliance for Democracy declared on Wednesday that the country had returned to a "lawless era" and predicted the government will sponsor a military coup.

Key leaders of the PAD met at Baan Phra Arthit for the second time since the new government was sworn in.

The six-party coalition government led by the pro-Thaksin People Power party "has looked down on Thai people" with a series of actions which the PAD has decided it must fight, a statement declared.

According to the PAD, the government has put into action a master that seeks to "whitewash" all criminal charges against ex-premier Thaksin and his family.

The government intends to provoke unrest, the group claimed, in order to trigger a controversial new national security law passed by the military junta just before it left office last year.

If the PAD prediction comes true, the government will invoke the new National Security Act and take over the armed forces with Thaksin-friendly generals. Then it will dismiss all charges against Mr Thaksin, and cancel all trials.

In case that conspiracy is a wrong guess, PAD had a fallback:

"If the above mentioned prediction is wrong, there would be a charter amendment to whitewash Mr Thaksin and his family without having to go to court."

It is far from clear how much support the PAD has, or if it could successfully muster protests. Two years ago, PAD could call up to half a million middle-class Bangkokians to the street for an anti-Thaksin rally, but there is little sign that it has that support any longer.

According to the PAD statement issued Wednesday, the government has disrespected the country by:

* Appointing persons with tainted image as cabinet ministers and House Speaker.

* Quickly transferring high ranking government officials, particularly the former director general of the Department of Special Investigation, in order to obstruct and interfere with the justice system to help whitewash former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family from criminal charges.

* Removing senior police officers including the police chief to pave the way for Pol Gen Priewphan Damapong, brother of Khunying Potjaman, Mr Thaksin’s wife, to become the new head of the national police bureau in the near future.

* Unjustified transferring of the secretary general of the Food and Drug Administration and director general of the Public Relations Department.

* Preventing people from receiving accurate news and information by sending signals to interrupt the broadcasts of ASTV, a satellite-based TV station run by a key leader of the PAD and founder of Manager Groups, Sondhi Limthongkul, and,

* Preparing to legalise casinos for huge amounts of benefit without caring that it would destroy the country’s culture and morality.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-03-05

Anti-Thaksin camp vows to launch counter-campaign

BANGKOK: -- A coalition of opponents of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his political allies warned on Wednesday of an imminent unrest as a result of the recent government move to purge a number of senior government officials and interfere in judicial procedure, vowing to launch its campaign to counter the powers-that-be.

The Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) issued its second statement entitled "Here Comes the Chaos", accusing the government led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of insulting the public through its recent decisions, specifically the appointment of some members to the Cabinet and legislature with "unclean" track records, unfair transfers of some senior government officials and interference in the judiciary procedure in connection with corruption cases against the former prime minister.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila read a statement accusing Mr. Thaksin of pulling the strings behind the People Power Party (PPP), the leading party in the six-party coalition government.

The statement claimed such moves were aimed to provoke social and political turmoil prior to a military reshuffle that might culminate in another coup to override the remaining coup-making council orders under which Mr. Thaksin may be put on trial.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee denied the accusation, saying the government would never stage a putsch to help Mr. Thaksin evade prosecution.

The PAD also announced that it would soon call a meeting of key members in all 76 provinces to plan a strategy to counter-balance and scrutinise the state authorities and follow up the progress of prosecution of the ex-premier.

Mr. Thaksin and his wife Pojaman are facing corruption and conflict of interest charges in connection with the purchase of a prime piece of Bangkok real estate in 2003, while he was prime minister.

The Supreme Court released him on an Bt8 million (US$267,000) bail and set a trial date on March 12.

The former prime minister was barred from leaving the country unless he first receives court permission.

The Attorney General's Office freed him on one million baht (US$33,530) bail in a second case in which he and his wife are accused of concealing ownership of shares in SC Asset, the family's property development company.

A hearing on whether Mr. Thaksin will be indicted was set for April 3.

--TNA 2008-03-05

[seonai]

I pray that the PAD have enough support to fight this

[jumnien]

PAD are scum!

[traveller5000]

PAD are scum!

PAD are heroes!

for exposing this grotesque, pathetic government for what it is.

good luck to them, I hope they get their message across clearly, convincingly, and open up some eyes, especially in the N and NE.

[Prakanong]

PAD are scum!

PAD are heroes!

for exposing this grotesque, pathetic government for what it is.

good luck to them, I hope they get their message across clearly, convincingly, and open up some eyes, especially in the N and NE.

There is always the ballot box or do you believe might is right?

Be careful for what you really wish for.

If you think tis government of Thailand or the Thaksin one was the most corrupt or venal you really have a lot to learn and some political history to read.

[traveller5000]

do you believe might is right?

no I don't, I believe right is right.

do you believe majority is automatically right ?

If you think tis government of Thailand or the Thaksin one was the most corrupt or venal you really have a lot to learn and some political history to read.

Where did I ever say that "this gov or the Thaksin one was the most corrupt" ? I didn't.

I suggest you dust off your English comprehension books and do some reading.

[jumnien]

Obviously, the Sonthi fiasco was the worst thing to happen to Thailand in quite a while. The PAD and their right-wing antics spawned much of the mischief that led to the coup.

[Prakanong]

Obviously, the Sonthi fiasco was the worst thing to happen to Thailand in quite a while. The PAD and their right-wing antics spawned much of the mischief that led to the coup.

The last thing Thailand needs is turmoil and insecurity right now.

Oversea's investors are put off, domestic investors are not investing except in propert and media.

Its the slowest growing of the economies in the region at less than 5% - there is increased competition for investment from the likes of China and even closer Vietnam.

Inflation is increasing and stagflation a possibility - Thailand needs a faster growing economy in this situation and coup's and political unrest make that less likely.

[pete_r]

Same old nationalistic rhetorics from the PAD. They accuse anyone they don't like of disrespecting the country / the people / the religion (and one other element of Thai society that we don't discuss here), which is a sure way of raising anger and create unrest and protests.

Their strategy is based on stirring emotions, not rational thinking (although they are very rational in the way they use this strategy).

Typical example:

According to the PAD statement issued Wednesday, the government has disrespected the country (...)

"Disrespect of the country" is loaded with emotion, but is there only a legal definition for it?

[traveller5000]

Typical example:

According to the PAD statement issued Wednesday, the government has disrespected the country (...)

"Disrespect of the country" is loaded with emotion, but is there only a legal definition for it?

Yes it is loaded with emotion, but the statement does go on to give reasons why they make this claim. Perhaps the statement was in Thai and the precise meaning was lost in the translation.... ? but yeah, a different word might have fitted better

Edited March 5, 2008 by traveller5000

[dee123]

..although Thaksin has yet to be found guilty of these corruption charges(selling off state assets for personal gain)etc, I think you can reasonably say without fear of contradiction that at least he did nothing to stop the on the spot executions of persons suspected of drug dealing and lesser offences....which is clearly wrong, unless he beleives innocent until proven guilty is wrong......

Edited March 5, 2008 by dee123

[jumnien]

The PAD are pawns for the Generals. The PAD tries to peddle the line that "only giving the military junta another turn at the trough can save the country from the evils of elections and democracy". Sadly, it worked the first time; no more.

[Martin]

PAD is a busted flush, and more ranting that indicates that their acronym is better translated as People Against Democracy just underlines it.

IMO, things are going to be uneasy, and possibly periodically volatile, for a long while. Certainly until well past the big upheaving occurence that is bound to come sometime, but which it is taboo to mention here.

It is coming up to 76 years now that Thailand has been failing to get Representative Democracy going, and a sudden breakthrough looks most unlikely.

The hopes raised a decade ago when TRT Mark I came on the scene as a party that was actually prepared to hammer out some policies have faded with the realisation that there was behind them just a clever, cynical calculation that a Social Contract could be struck---promise and then deliver vitally-necessary services for the less-fortunate in the N and NE and for the urban poor and get a free run for the businessmen's capitalistic greed.

However, it s still possible to be optimistic for Thailand and the other Mekong Region countries in the longer term. They are well placed to manage to feed and house their populaces adequately through the coming 'declining oil', 'low oil' and 'minimal oil' eras. More so than more- and longer-industrialised countries with less-favourable climates and less-fertile land.

[Prakanong]

..although Thaksin has yet to be found guilty of these corruption charges(selling off state assets for personal gain)etc, I think you can reasonably say without fear of contradiction that at least he did nothing to stop the on the spot executions of persons suspected of drug dealing and lesser offences....which is clearly wrong, unless he doesnt think innocent until proven guilty is th proper approach.....

Thaksin was not the only one in the country not doing anything to stop the unlawful killings though - the blame can be attached in all sorts of very senior positions too.

[breezein]

The PAD must be stopped in thier tracks, the damage they caused with there ranting last time led to the military coup and badly damaged international confidence in Thailand. There vendetta against Thaskin came accross as being personal from its leaders.

The people have spoken and a new government has been elected. The PAD HAVE NOT BEEN ELECTED BY ANYONE TO DO ANYTHING, they should crawl back into the gutter and let the Thai people progress with thier lives in peace.

I have confidence the government will act at the first sign of trouble.

[KireB]

Obviously, the Sonthi fiasco was the worst thing to happen to Thailand in quite a while. The PAD and their right-wing antics spawned much of the mischief that led to the coup.

The last thing Thailand needs is turmoil and insecurity right now.

Oversea's investors are put off, domestic investors are not investing except in propert and media.

Its the slowest growing of the economies in the region at less than 5% - there is increased competition for investment from the likes of China and even closer Vietnam.

Inflation is increasing and stagflation a possibility - Thailand needs a faster growing economy in this situation and coup's and political unrest make that less likely.

The country needs a corrupt-free government. If PAD wants to kick it off again, it's a long-term blessing for this country.

Corruption need to be fought, at any price. And those who call peaceful protesters scum, fascists or right-winged junta lovers have their heads stuck in the sand!

[Prakanong]

Obviously, the Sonthi fiasco was the worst thing to happen to Thailand in quite a while. The PAD and their right-wing antics spawned much of the mischief that led to the coup.

The last thing Thailand needs is turmoil and insecurity right now.

Oversea's investors are put off, domestic investors are not investing except in propert and media.

Its the slowest growing of the economies in the region at less than 5% - there is increased competition for investment from the likes of China and even closer Vietnam.

Inflation is increasing and stagflation a possibility - Thailand needs a faster growing economy in this situation and coup's and political unrest make that less likely.

The country needs a corrupt-free government. If PAD wants to kick it off again, it's a long-term blessing for this country.

Corruption need to be fought, at any price. And those who call peaceful protesters scum, fascists or right-winged junta lovers have their heads stuck in the sand!

No doubt Thailand economy would be better off if corruption was stamped out in Thailand from the top to the bottom - its an extra tax on business.

If you think PAD are going to achieve that or if its one of their general aims you are mistaken.

[freitag1]

Isn't the political scene exciting here in Thailand? Back to the streets...

[britmaveric]

PAD are the same as all the rest, looking out for self interest.

[KireB]

PAD are the same as all the rest, looking out for self interest.

So what are their interests?

[dee123]

...I think we can all agree that many of Thaksins opponents are also up to the necks in the trough.......so come on please tell a "clean" Thai politician...........I thought Leekpai seemed ok was I wrong?.....alsothe chap whois trying to start "real" independent TV in thaland,,.....I think his name is Johnna something.....but he speaks perfect english and says bbc type tv would be a start,.....which is a must before thailand falls into same scenario as kenya.....I am afraid the Thai people have not had free independent broadcasting for the past 50 years sothey only know what they are fed,....i.e. Issaan........exposing who are really corrupt would put everyone in their place ,.......and "good practive" would eventually become the norm,.....do you agree ???.....

Edited March 5, 2008 by dee123

[sriracha john]

snipped

snipped... nevermind, might address it in the other PAD thread.

Edited March 5, 2008 by sriracha john

[chownah]

snipped

snipped...nevermind...I might address this if it gets worse.

Edited March 5, 2008 by chownah

[pete_r]

PAD are the same as all the rest, looking out for self interest.

So what are their interests?

Make money is one... The Manager media group controlled by Sondhi Limthongkul sold a lot of extra paper during the protests in 2006. The ASTV channel also received a lot of donations during that time, following Sondhi's calls to "save the country".

[cclub75]

PAD are heroes!

for exposing this grotesque, pathetic government for what it is.

Sure. And where they were when we had the "grotesque and pathetic" Junta ?

The little men in their tight uniforms, you remember ? With stupid smile (General Surayud) and without a clue (General Sonthi) ?

Please, tell me ?

[traveller5000]

PAD are heroes!

for exposing this grotesque, pathetic government for what it is.

Sure. And where they were when we had the "grotesque and pathetic" Junta ?

The little men in their tight uniforms, you remember ? With stupid smile (General Surayud) and without a clue (General Sonthi) ?

Please, tell me ?

Sure. I think they disbanded shortly after the coup, as they had achieved their objectives at the time.

... although, yes I do wish they regrouped and put more pressure on Surayud and Sonthi to bury the Thaksin regime once and for all. They had their chances. A missed opportunity perhaps.

[pete_r]

PAD are heroes!

for exposing this grotesque, pathetic government for what it is.

Sure. And where they were when we had the "grotesque and pathetic" Junta ?

The little men in their tight uniforms, you remember ? With stupid smile (General Surayud) and without a clue (General Sonthi) ?

Please, tell me ?

Sure. I think they disbanded shortly after the coup, as they had achieved their objectives at the time.

... although, yes I do wish they regrouped and put more pressure on Surayud and Sonthi to bury the Thaksin regime once and for all. They had their chances. A missed opportunity perhaps.

A People Alliance for Democracy that declares its objectives achieved and disbands just after the military seized power. Peculiar...

[Pepe']

Obviously, the Sonthi fiasco was the worst thing to happen to Thailand in quite a while. The PAD and their right-wing antics spawned much of the mischief that led to the coup.

The last thing Thailand needs is turmoil and insecurity right now.

Oversea's investors are put off, domestic investors are not investing except in propert and media.

Its the slowest growing of the economies in the region at less than 5% - there is increased competition for investment from the likes of China and even closer Vietnam.

-------------------------

Usually I stay out of the political debate.

Let's just speculate that corruption just keeps getting worse.

How does that change anything?

Inflation is increasing and stagflation a possibility - Thailand needs a faster growing economy in this situation and coup's and political unrest make that less likely.

The country needs a corrupt-free government. If PAD wants to kick it off again, it's a long-term blessing for this country.

Corruption need to be fought, at any price. And those who call peaceful protesters scum, fascists or right-winged junta lovers have their heads stuck in the sand!

[Pepe']

Don't know what happened there.

What I said was.

Let's speculate for a moment and think along the lines that corruption will always get worse and worse.

How does that change anything?

[bulmercke]

PAD are heroes!

for exposing this grotesque, pathetic government for what it is.

Sure. And where they were when we had the "grotesque and pathetic" Junta ?

The little men in their tight uniforms, you remember ? With stupid smile (General Surayud) and without a clue (General Sonthi) ?

Please, tell me ?

Sure. I think they disbanded shortly after the coup, as they had achieved their objectives at the time.

... although, yes I do wish they regrouped and put more pressure on Surayud and Sonthi to bury the Thaksin regime once and for all. They had their chances. A missed opportunity perhaps.

A People Alliance for Democracy that declares its objectives achieved and disbands just after the military seized power. Peculiar...

No. The main reason the military stepped in when it did was to prevent the possibility (probability) of serious violence occurring at Sanam Luang on the eve of the coup and the following day.

Thaksin was planning this - and then this would have given him reasonable grounds for declaring a state of national emergency. In fact - it is no surprise that he was already in New York at the time with the speech for doing so already prepared in advance. The military new of this.

Bringing Thaksin to account was one of the main - if not the main reason - for the coup - so it's not surprising that the PAD immediately ceased their protests and decided on a "wait and see" option.

The intelligent choice.

A military intervention had been required in the interests of public safety.

Edited March 5, 2008 by bulmercke