Govt Faces No-confidence

[sriracha john]

The meat will all be burnt for tomorrow's House chefs after grilling by 36 Senate chefs...

Senate kicks off debate to grill government

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej kicked of a senate debate to question the performance of the government at 9:30 am Monday. Phetchaburi Senator Sumol Wiriyawat was the first to debate.

A total of 36 senators registered their right to debate and the speaker allocated 15 minutes for each of them to speak.

- The Nation

[hammered]

One of the problems for the PPP in getting their agenda through is they now have someone as PM who is not a good face for the government. When they were fighting to win the election under trying conditions for them a beligerent leader was ideal. However, now they are elected to lead the whole country having a beligerent and arrogant leader is counterproductive. A friendlier and more compromising personality would imho serve them better in achieving what they want. The bruisers and arm twisters and attack dogs usually do better behind the scenes or in lesser positions in government with a friendly face shown as the top man to the people. Thaksin was actually very good at this for a long time. Chuan, Banharn and Chavalit too were good. It doesnt seem to work as well when the PM comes over as the big bully and the reasonable ones seem to be in the background.

[hammered]

Don't mess with a man called Samak: PM

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Monday responded to senators who criticised him during the debate that they could attack and burn the entire family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra but he would not tolerate with their criticisms.

"Don't mess with a man called Samak," the prime minister said angrily when responding to questions of senators.

He strongly critiicised the senators who attacked him of being inexperienced in politics and its system.

The Nation

hes taking it persoanlly and showing the old temper and arrogance. Probably not the best way to deal with this debate.

[sriracha john]

careful of your descriptions, hammered, because everyone should know you...

Don't mess with a man called Samak: PM

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Monday responded to Senators who criticised him during the debate that they could attack and burn the entire family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but he would not tolerate their criticisms.

"Don't mess with a man called Samak," the prime minister said angrily when responding to questions of senators.

He strongly criticised the Senators who attacked him of being inexperienced in politics and its system.

- The Nation

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

nice comments regarding Thaksin from his nominee....

[sriracha john]

beaten to the punch by less than a minute....

[hammered]

Maybe they are just going to try and push him over the edge so he comes over as a lunatic live on TV. He has never taken kindly to criticism and strongly believes he should be respected because of his age, family and status.

[soundman]

Maybe they are just going to try and push him over the edge so he comes over as a lunatic live on TV. He has never taken kindly to criticism and strongly believes he should be respected because of his age, family and status.

Easiest way to get rid of somebody without looking like the bad guy yourself.

Just bait a man with a hot temper and a mouth that is in overdrive while the brain is in 1st gear and he will dig his own grave.

This "tough guy" image that people like Samak & Chalerm portray will be their un-doings.

[sriracha john]

Everyone seems to like using that verb....

Thai Senate grills Samak over economy

BANGKOK — Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, already under pressure from street protests and a looming no-confidence vote, was grilled Monday by the Senate over his management of the economy.

"The country is in a crisis caused by this government," Senator Sumon Sutaviriyawat said at the start of the nationally televised debate. "The country is not peaceful, and economic problems have not been solved."

Samak took office four months ago, at the helm of an unstable six-party coalition that emerged from elections in December.

Sumon accused the prime minister of trying to amend the nation's constitution to curb the investigation into Thaksin, while ignoring Thailand's economic problems.

"The government has failed to solve our economic problems and focused on amending the constitution, which clearly shows that they want to help the former prime minister," Sumon said.

The lower house will open a no-confidence debate on Tuesday that will lead to a vote on Thursday.

Samak's coalition controls about two thirds of the 480 seats in the House of Representatives, and analysts say he is expected to easily survive the vote.

- AFP (today)

[sriracha john]

Maybe they are just going to try and push him over the edge so he comes over as a lunatic live on TV. He has never taken kindly to criticism and strongly believes he should be respected because of his age, family and status.

Just bait a man with a hot temper and a mouth that is in overdrive while the brain is in 1st gear and he will dig his own grave.

Given his family and status, he's really not going to like this one... (anyone ever witness a rod being blown on an engine?)

Khamnoon says Government failed to protect monarchy, territory

Senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn Monday criticised the Samak government that it had failed to take proper actions to defend the monarchy and Thailand's territory.

During the debate on national problems, Khamnoon said Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government failed to take action against websites that attacked privy councilors and the monarchy and failed to defend Thailand's territory at the Preah Vihear ruins.

- The Nation

[Old Man River]

So I guess when it goes to a vote Samak wins as I cant see the PPP backing Abhisit although there were rumours after the last election that Thaksin approached the Dems to offer them government in return for an easy ride in court.

I cant see Samak standing down now either, so I guess he gets to stay at least for a while - maybe until he has kept the army happy at the military reshuffle.

That is pretty much it as it relates to the censure debate. The goal is to get those in the northeast and north who voted for the PPP thinking that they have made a mistake. That won't be accomplished, but this is at least a start. The Dems will play the Preah Vihear issue up hard (and they should) as this is one of the very few issues that people in the north and northeast will quickly relate to. Incompetency on the economic front will be more difficult since Samak gives in to whoever has a request and most people really don't understand these issues anyway.

However, over time inflationary pressures will hit Thailand hard and the average person will then start thinking about having different people in government and we will see where that leads at that time.

[hammered]

So I guess when it goes to a vote Samak wins as I cant see the PPP backing Abhisit although there were rumours after the last election that Thaksin approached the Dems to offer them government in return for an easy ride in court.

I cant see Samak standing down now either, so I guess he gets to stay at least for a while - maybe until he has kept the army happy at the military reshuffle.

That is pretty much it as it relates to the censure debate. The goal is to get those in the northeast and north who voted for the PPP thinking that they have made a mistake. That won't be accomplished, but this is at least a start. The Dems will play the Preah Vihear issue up hard (and they should) as this is one of the very few issues that people in the north and northeast will quickly relate to. Incompetency on the economic front will be more difficult since Samak gives in to whoever has a request and most people really don't understand these issues anyway.

However, over time inflationary pressures will hit Thailand hard and the average person will then start thinking about having different people in government and we will see where that leads at that time.

In the short term though will there be any reshuffling of the deck?

I get the Dem longer term plan but it can easily be sidetracked with the return of the 111 and Thaksin and a quick new election at that time with th real deal are back and will sort out the problems of the second team.

The Preah Vihear is an emotive issue but its biggest effect will be immediate. It is not something that will have such a big effect in say three years time, so I would think the Dems need to score very big in the censure, see prices sky rocket, see internal PPP infighting get out of control, se all kinds of PPP scandals and see an election relatively soon and before the 111 and Thaksin are set free. Even with all the conditions mentioned met I still wouldnt put too much cash on the Dems winning.

[Meerkat]

Can someone enlighten me as to exactly what the issue is with the Preah Vihear shrine?

I thought the site had already been ceded to Cambodia in 1962 by the ICJ, the junta had already OK'd Cambodia's Heritage Site application in principle when they were in power, and that the Royal Thai Survey showed that the map for the application does not encroach on Thai soil.

I must be missing some info somewhere.

[sriracha john]

In addition to all the other various protest groups around the country, there's a moderately-sized group of people who are going there to protest on at least a couple of points...

Protest Continues on Govt's Handling of Preah Vihear Controversy

A group of protestors have marched on foot from the downtown area of Si Sa Ket province to Preah Vihear Temple and vow to remain there until there is clarity from the government on how it will proceed with temple ownership dispute issue.

A group of 500, calling itself the Thammayatra group, marched on foot from the downtown area of Si Sa Ket province to Kantaraluck district, where the Preah Vihear Temple is located, to demand back the ownership of the temple.

The group’s leaders took the stage and discussed the problems with the site. They voiced opposition towards the government’s move to approve Cambodia’s map of the site, submitted as part of its registration for the temple as a World Heritage Site.

The group also called on the authorities to speed up measures to deal with Cambodian nationals who’ve encroached on Thai territory.

National Democratic Council of Thailand President Samarn Sri-ngarm disclosed that his group will remain at the site to continue their protest and will submit a letter of protest to the Cambodian representative at the site to be forwarded to the Cambodian government.

The group also has plans to file a complaint to the Administrative Court for the nullification of Cabinet’s approval of Cambodia’s map of the site.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

Edited June 23, 2008 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Uttaradit senator says Noppadon should have done better

Uttaradit Senator Naruemol Siriwat said Foreign Minister Noppadol Pattama should have done better in resisting Cambodia attempted to register Preah Vihear as a world heritage site.

She said Noppadol had done nothing apart from supporting Cambodia in the registering of the site.

She said she expected that Thailand would have further territory disputes with Cambodia because of Noppadol's failure to oppose Cambodia's registration of the ruin site.

The Nation

Interesting as this family have been close to TRT. This issue must cause worries across opposition/PPP lines.

[sriracha john]

The news world is stuck on "grilling"...

Thai PM gets Senate grilling, rally blocks office

BANGKOK, June 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's upper house grilled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in a censure debate on Monday as thousands of street protesters blockaded his office for a fourth day, demanding his government quit.

The 73-year-old Samak, who was elected in December, delivered a wide-ranging defence of his government after a barrage of criticism from Senate opposition members.

"I am not that insane to quit," the tough-talking right wing firebrand said in a 30-minute rebuttal.

"In the past four months, I have worked every day. We have lots of work to do," he said. "Ministers attend cabinet meetings every Tuesday."

Neither the Senate debate nor Tuesday's opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion in the lower house of parliament is likely to cause the five-month-old coalition major problems given its overwhelming majority. Instead, they appear to be a ploy by Samak to counter the street campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

"They will use their victory against the no-confidence motion to say a majority of MPs still have confidence in the government, and tell the street protesters to go home," said Ong-Ard Klampaiboon, a spokesman for the opposition Democrats.

The second largest coalition party, Chart Thai, denied media speculation it might depart Samak's People Power Party for a Democrat-led government. "That's impossible," party leader Banharn Silpa-archa said when pressed by a reporter.

The political tension has hurt the stock market, which has dropped more than 13 percent since the street rallies began a month ago, and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said it might cause the economy to miss his target of 6 percent growth this year.

"In early May we were still positive, but we are now facing both political and oil issues which need to be resolved quickly," he told reporters, referring to soaring oil prices which have pushed inflation to a near decade high.

PAD leaders say they will only call off the protests after the resignation of the government, which they say is an illegitimate proxy for Thaksin.

Ong-Ard said Samak would eventually have to call a snap election if farmers struggling with the rising costs of fuel and falling agricultural prices joined the PAD protests.

"The bailouts the farmers are getting now are just pain-killers. Ultimately, Samak will have to dissolve parliament and call a snap election," he said.

Given that Thailand has had three elections and a referendum since 2005, most politicians are loathe to have another as they cannot afford to finance any campaigns, analysts say.

- Reuters (today)

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

"I am not that insane to quit," the tough-talking right wing firebrand said...

or, in other words...

"I'm just insane neet noi."

Edited June 23, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

grilling followed by fireworks... sounds like an American July 4th picnic...

Thaksin who?

Challenged by Senators on Monday to comment on charges he was a puppet of ex-PM Thaksin, PM Samak simply denied it. "We are different. The members of our political parties may come from the same groups, but it's normal in Thai politics for people to change parties," he said. That was a huge change from 7 months ago, when he was campaigning for the PPP in the Northeast, the core of Thaksin support. At that time he said he was a proxy for Thaksin.

Samak has been accused of trying to change the constitution to whitewash Thaksin, who faces a raft of corruption charges, and the Senators brought that up as well. The House takes up the censure motion of the opposition party Democrats tomorrow.Democrat Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban said the debate will open with fireworks, with Samak and Foreign Affairs Minister Noppadon Pattama put on the hot seat. Last up on Wednesday will be Interior

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=128451

[hammered]

Looks like a nice continuing impasse with no new developments. The cabinet didnt seem to be too bothered to even stay in the debate today.

Anyway after all the political posing is out of the way the economy needs to seriously be addressed.

[sriracha john]

Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej makes his way after arriving at parliament in Bangkok, Thailand Monday, June 23, 2008. Samak faced a fight for his political future Monday as opponents began a no-confidence debate in Parliament and thousands of protesters refused to lift their siege of his office.

Associated Press

[Tony Clifton]

Same TRT/PPP gangster attitude where they always feel and truly believe they have to answer to no one unless it has been whispered in their ear.

[marshbags]

Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej makes his way after arriving at parliament in Bangkok, Thailand Monday, June 23, 2008. Samak faced a fight for his political future Monday as opponents began a no-confidence debate in Parliament and thousands of protesters refused to lift their siege of his office.

Associated Press

The photo reminds me of a certain horror movie, he only wants a bolt through his neck.

The expression speaks volumes and says it all for me, never mind the speel he,s giving everybody.

Look at his eyes, he looks zombified to me.

Just like both him and Chalerm did on Channel 9 Mcot the other night that i posted about, only difference was their faces had the customary sick smile on it.

marshbags

Edited June 23, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

PM vows to form 'street gang' if he loses censure debate

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insists he will not yield to the pressure of protesters demanding his resignation and will face a censure debate in Parliament to quell a threat to topple his government.

He said if he were to lose the censure debate this week and was replaced by Abhijit Vejajjiva of the Democrat Party, he would form a "five-member street gang" to attack the government and see how Thai democracy works. *Perhaps a good choice for his Crips Gang might be himself, Chalerm, and the 3 of the arrested gang leaders of the DAAD riot (who all ended up in the current government), namely former PM's Office Minister Jakrapob, current People Power Party MP Jatuporn, and current Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut. They have good "street gang" experience.*

Samak is desperately fighting to keep his post following growing signs he may have lost public support as well as the backing of his People Power Party.

In his TV and radio address yesterday, Samak lashed out at street protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, which managed to surround Government House on Friday with little resistance from police and security forces.

Samak said: "If Abhisit succeeds in forming a new government, I would call up five persons to set up a street gang. Let's see how we can live or how the country will look like." *if he's excluding himself from the five, then Chalerm's son Duang might be a good suitable replacement. I understand he's good with weapons.*

The premier aimed his criticism at the five PAD leaders, including Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul, who have staged rallies with thousands of supporters since May 25.

They said the rally around Government House would continue until the government resigned and the Thaksin regime was uprooted forever.

Samak said he would return to work today at Government House despite protesters surrounding it. "I am telling you that the government is still stable. The situation in the country is still normal," :D he said.

Samak has sought to defuse political tension by agreeing to let the Senate and the opposition Democrats grill his government.

Today the Senate will launch a general debate on the Samak government over its failure to manage the economy, hard hit by higher oil prices, rising inflationary pressure and the higher cost of living. There will be no voting at the end of the debate.

The Democrats will follow up with a no-confidence censure debate against Samak and seven members of his Cabinet tomorrow and Wednesday before Parliament ends the extraordinary session with the budget debate for fiscal 2009 on Thursday and Friday.

During the no-confidence debate, Samak cannot dissolve Parliament.

Abhisit yesterday held a meeting with senior Democrats such as Suthep Thaugsuban, Banyat Bandtatarn, Korn Chatikavanij, Julin Laksanavisit and Thepthai Senpong to discuss their strategy for the debate. Suthep said the government was trying to curb the debate by giving the opposition only a day and a half to finish the grilling. Normally, it would take at least seven days and seven nights for the debate, he added.

He added: "But everything is too late for the government to try to avert the strong political wind against it."

It remains unclear whether the coalition partners will continue to support the prime minister. Chart Thai deputy spokesman Sonthiya Sawasdee said he would propose Banhan Silapa-archa, the Chart Thai leader, succeed Samak if the PM steps down.

Sonthiya said the People Power Party's nomination of another leading member to become prime minister would not solve the political conflict.

"If a party member such as [Deputy Prime Minister] Somchai Wongsawat is proposed for the post, it will lead to opposition and the People's Alliance for Democracy will not accept it," Sonthiya said.

So far General Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, has voiced objection to any attempt to use the Emergency Decree and the Internal Security Act to disperse the crowd, arguing that the conflict should be resolved through political means. Samak does not have any MP support in the People Power Party.

- The Nation

Edited June 23, 2008 by sriracha john

[hammered]

The opposition are certainly signalling they will push the Preah Vihear issue big time, and it is going out live on TV.

Could be quite a sensitive issue and one wonders quite how Samak will react.

And it looks like one of the coalition partners may be a tad worried about what is going to be presented. Should be a day of drama followed by Samak lining up his 300 odd boys for the yes vote.

Opposition story here:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/23...es_30076265.php

Peau Pandin here:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30076263

[sriracha john]

The coalition seems extremely tepid...

Somsak (left) and Suwit (right)

Chart Thai Party and Puea Pandin Party remain silent on censure motion

The Chart Thai Party and the Puea Pandin (For the Motherland) Party appeared to have shown little support for the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej during the upcoming the censure motion.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister and Chart Thai Party Deputy Leader Somsak Prissananantakul says his Party will hold a meeting at the House of Representatives tomorrow (June 24th) to discuss its stance toward the government during the no-confidence motion.

However, he says the Party has seen the government’s resolution in the last four months, but the Opposition may have different views. Concerning his Party’s political faction, he says the Party members will have to think thoroughly before making any decision. However, he says external pressure will not influence his Party’s decision.

At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister and Puea Pandin Party Leader Suwit Khunkitti says his Party has yet to decide whether it will support the Cabinet members who will be probed during the no-confidence motion. He say his Party will discuss this matter at 2 PM today.

- ThaiNews (today)

Edited June 23, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Puea Pandin Party Leader Suwit Khunkitti says his Party has yet to decide whether it will support the Cabinet members who will be probed during the no-confidence motion. He say his Party will discuss this matter at 2 PM today.

and what they decided was....

Puea Pandin Party warns on Noppadon vote

MPs from Puea Pandin Party, a member of the coalition government, yesterday threatened to vote against Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama if he could not clarify the Preah Vihear Temple issue.

Meanwhile, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, joined a group of 300 Thai academics, national artists, and other professionals in opposing Cambodia's move to apply for the inclusion of Preah Vihear Temple on UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.

Besides Pridiyathorn, the letter was signed by Senator MR Priyanantana Rangsit and national artists Noawarat Pongpaibul, Vimolpan Pitatawatchai, Assiri Thammachote, Sompong Sujaritkul, and Khunying Jamnongsri Hanjenrak, among others.

Earlier, Thailand insisted on a joint application for the inclusion of the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, but the Samak government quickly decided to endorse Cambodia's bid for a single country's application with UNESCO.

The government said there would be no territory loss and its endorsement of Cambodia's bid was supported by the military.

Vatana Asavahame, Chairman of the coalition Puea Pandin Party, told party MPs that the government's explanation about the Preah Vihear Temple issue should be the basis for their decision to vote for or against the foreign minister at the end of the two-day censure debate.

Party sources said the party could quit the coalition government if necessary.

Critics said the Cabinet had hastily endorsed Foreign Minister Noppadon's communique with his Cambodian counterpart concerning the perimeter of the ancient Khmer temple, despite an unsolved territorial dispute with Thailand dating back nearly five decades.

- The Nation (today)

[ThaiAdventure]

Oh dear.

So we now have calls for resignation (from PAD with probably MP's to follow) and talk of dissolution and snap elections. Its all looking horribly familair.

[sriracha john]

Puea Pandin Party may pull out of the government over temple issue

The Puea Pandin Party may pull out of the coalition government if the PPP fails during the censure debate today to explain its speedy support of Cambodia's attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. A source in Puea Pandin said party executives and MPs held a meeting yesterday and Party Chairman Vatana Asavahame ordered the party to pull out if the PPP could not defend its actions on Preah Vihear because it was an important issue for the nation. "Ministers of the party admitted to the meeting that there were attempts to rush the issue through the cabinet while no one else was aware of the information and facts concerned. The foreign minister claimed it was classified, even though it obviously concerns national sovereignty and security under Article 190 of the constitution," said the source. The article requires the government to organise public hearings and seek parliamentary approval before signing any international agreements that may affect national sovereignty. Puea Pandin spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakorn said, "All politicians should prioritise issues that concern national sovereignty. The Party MPs will listen to the government's explanation before making a decision," referring to the vote by Puea Pandin MPs after the debate.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/240608_News/24Jun2008_news10.php

Edited June 24, 2008 by sriracha john

[ando]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/240608_News/24Jun2008_news06.php

PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

PAD urged not to stir up nationalism

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Academics yesterday urged the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to stop politicising the Preah Vihear temple issue, saying it has provoked nationalism that may sour relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Suthachai Yimprasert, an historian from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, warned of nasty consequences from the PAD attacking the People Power party-led government over the issue.

''The Preah Vihear issue isn't related to local politics. Don't try to politicise it and stir up public hatred of the government. That's not right,'' said the historian, who added that nationalism is hard to control and dangerous.

Mr Suthachai said the PAD's core leaders realised the Preah Vihear issue gave momentum to the rallies which started on May 25.

****Please read the remainder of the article at the Bangkok Post as they do not allow us to quote articles in full--sbk***

[Meerkat]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/240608_News/24Jun2008_news06.php

PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

PAD urged not to stir up nationalism

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Ironically, it looks like the Cambodians reckon Thailand got the better part of the deal if the blogs linked to on Bangkok Pundit are a fair representation. I'm looking forward to finding out what Abhisit's smoking-gun is on the issue today - I still can't see where the controversy is given what I've read of the issue in the press.

[clausewitz]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/240608_News/24Jun2008_news06.php

PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

PAD urged not to stir up nationalism

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Academics yesterday urged the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to stop politicising the Preah Vihear temple issue, saying it has provoked nationalism that may sour relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Suthachai Yimprasert, an historian from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, warned of nasty consequences from the PAD attacking the People Power party-led government over the issue.

This 'professor' is obviously a Thaksin proxy supporter. Hope PAD send a big protest to Chulalongkorn University and stay there until he is forced from office.

[Plus]

Professor is of course right in that nor PAD nor anyone else should try to stir up nationalism, however it might be too late.

PPP has been told and warned many many times over transparency in Phra Viharn issue, it's too late now.

Calling on PAD to stop is dealing with symptoms, not the disease, same as with Constitution amendment, or appointing convicted man as a PM. PPP reaps exactly what it sows, and it should suffer the consequences, otherwise they'll never learn.