State Of Emergency Announced In Bangkok

[anthonyu]

I thought 7-11 was an American company.

http://www.7-eleven.com/AboutUs/tabid/73/Default.aspx

Correct they are an American company. CP has the concession for 7-11 in Thailand. They pay 7-11 for the right to use the 7-11 name.

It's the same for McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and etc.

Actually they're a Japanese company now.

"7-Eleven is a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings Co. of Japan."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Eleven

[ubonjoe]

Referendum under attack

The government's call for a referendum to end the ongoing political strife has met with stiff resistance, with almost all concerned parties saying it was unconstitutional and merely a delaying tactic.

Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said any referendum to specific individuals or groups ran counter to Article 165 of the Constitution.

"It's simply a tactic to buy some time," he said.

- The Nation / 2008/09/05

No, actually it's a "tactic" to ask the people of Thailand - again - if they support the government or the little mob in Bangkok. We know what the outcome will be - the majority disapprove of the Mob and still like Thaksin and anyone who likes him.

Meanwhile, EC member Sodsri Satayathum said the EC was ready to conduct the referendum but that the government should make the questions clear.

Questions like should an outsider be allowed to be prime minister or should MPs be 30-per-cent elected and 70-per-cent appointed are allowed. But ones like should the prime minister resign are unconstitutional, she said.

- The Nation / 2008/09/05

Huh? It's unconstitutional for Samak to ask the populace whether he should step down, but it's perfectly 'consitutional' to ask whether democracy should be suspended to make way for an appointed parliament of elites? Man they've got some bright lights working for the EC, don't they?

Duh

And they are the ones who wrote the referendem law now at the Senate.

[animatic]

....... And shut down the bloody TV stations that serve nothing but soaps to the masses -

if Thais don't get soaps, they'll do something, such as protest the government -

and be it just to get their soaps back.

Go PAD!

At least they DO something.

Regards

Thanh

LOL so true.

Remove the soporific of the masses, and the masses become restless.

Let the free flow of ALL opinion go to the masses, and the masses become restless.

Inform the masses that their leaders are stealing from them, the masses become restless.

Inform the masses that their leaders don't respect their wishes, and the masses become restless.

Answer: mindless soaps with characters you can identify with dealing with

everyday problems of NO CONSEQUENCE WHAT-SO-EVER to the country.

[animatic]

Lower left hand side of the post is this:

..you were saying ?

LaoPo

I was saying that is the ideal way of dealing with a situation that involves

PS moderators, he/she flamed me in no uncertain terms.

I did not hit report.

The moderators are looking at lots of this.

I want to see what THEY think is insulting behavior

and where they draw the line.

I AM a moderator on another board, with 4 years of doing this job,

and with conservatives and liberals at the far extremes at

each others throats. I understand the even handed concept pretty well.

And I try to NEVER let MY personal feelings be part of it.

Out of bounds, is still out, whether I like your idea or not.

I felt, and STILL feel, I my words were twisted

and taken out of context

and then I was called 'disgusting' because of this NEW context.

If that's not flaming I won't know what it is.

So I left them a note and waited to see the result.

aniamatic- I write this, not out of fear of getting banned (I bin throw'ed outta better gin joints than this one) - but to genuinely apologize for any insult that I conveyed in my post. I wish that in your original post you would have subtituted the word 'if' for 'which'- but never the less- I took a cheap shot- and yes, I confess I was guilty of the very opportunism I accused you of. My apologies.

Apology accepted.

I try to NOT take cheap shots at forum posters, no matter HOW I 'find' their posts.

But the polititicians and other public figures,

by their very public nature are fair game IMHO.

You go into politics your are a target for brickbats.

One could wish brickbats WAS THE WORST

one gets targeted with in this public sphere.

Of course with some brickbats just bounce off

their hardened, unfeeling heads.

[hammered]

Referendum under attack

The government's call for a referendum to end the ongoing political strife has met with stiff resistance, with almost all concerned parties saying it was unconstitutional and merely a delaying tactic.

Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said any referendum to specific individuals or groups ran counter to Article 165 of the Constitution.

"It's simply a tactic to buy some time," he said.

- The Nation / 2008/09/05

No, actually it's a "tactic" to ask the people of Thailand - again - if they support the government or the little mob in Bangkok. We know what the outcome will be - the majority disapprove of the Mob and still like Thaksin and anyone who likes him.

Meanwhile, EC member Sodsri Satayathum said the EC was ready to conduct the referendum but that the government should make the questions clear.

Questions like should an outsider be allowed to be prime minister or should MPs be 30-per-cent elected and 70-per-cent appointed are allowed. But ones like should the prime minister resign are unconstitutional, she said.

- The Nation / 2008/09/05

Huh? It's unconstitutional for Samak to ask the populace whether he should step down, but it's perfectly 'consitutional' to ask whether democracy should be suspended to make way for an appointed parliament of elites? Man they've got some bright lights working for the EC, don't they?

Duh

And they are the ones who wrote the referendem law now at the Senate.

Pretty much true the world over. Referenda are for laws and treaties (static situations) and not about fluid situations, or individuals.

In a democracy the correct referenda for a parliament is a national election. In a parliamentary democracy as Thailand has where parliament selcts the government the parliament is also expected to be the place where the referenda will be carried out on governmental performance (vote of confidence). Thailand does not have a directly elected government. If the parliament cannot do its duty then elections are the option.

By the way has anyone though what happens if the government loses a referendum? Do they stand down and ask the parliament to appoint a new one and exclude themselves from it bearing in mind any new government may actually lack a mandate or numbers? Or do they just get the parliament to slightly change them as government? Or do they call a general election? Two bites at the cherry? Or do they calll an election and say hey guys you rejected our party in a refenda (confusing parliament and government, but this idea already does that) and we wont stand in this election as we promised to accept the result?

Then again if the PAD loses do they say even though we and many others didnt agree with this referenda an all state institutions were brought to bear to defeat us and the government side had overwhelming media control we accept the outcome and we surrender our constitutionally protected right to assemble? Or do they say it was not a fair election? Or..

If the government are going to put the PADs new politcs proposal to the country they also need to heavily invovle the PAD to state exactly what it is (at the moment it is a discussion idea with no frim detail) and give them airtime and other ways to present their arguement as the other side should have too. Is this really going to happen? I fnot the referenda is certainly not fair.

I could go on but we see the reason why referenda in democracies are used for simple single issues like an up or down vote on a law or treaty or maybe a slightly new one on a new constitution.

[catmac]

Methee Tanmanatrakul, President of the Southern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, said

The crisis has drastically hurt the tourism industry, as 12 countries have already issued warnings on travelling to Thailand, he said.

Tourists to Phuket, in particular, have cancelled 30 per cent of their bookings.

- The Nation / 2008-09-05

Which is why they kicked PAD off the airport and into the park before they could do even more damage! Sure seems to be a glorious case of economic suicide in Phuket.

[animatic]

Plus- where did you get this information about sector representation? I'm not challenging it- it's just that I'm totally unfamiliar with it in the PAD context (I am familiar with it in the context of various dictatorships- fascist as well as communist) but from what I have heard from Sondhi, the appointees would be selected basically on their 'goodness'- kind of like the way the appointed component of the senate is selected.

The first result from Google:

"30% of MPs would come from elections, perhaps one per province, and the rest of the MPs would derive from various occupations and associations."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/080708_News/08Jul2008_news24.php

because thai rak thai, patronage and loyalty?

why is it so difficult to understand that some vote for the TRT, and/or like them?

Well, people have two ballots - one for the local MP, one for the Party list. Many people voted for a local candidate from PPP but ticked Democrats on a party list.

And that's where read battlegrounds are - to get as many "shoe in" MPs under you party banner as possible, that's where the vote buying money goes - to attract best electable candidates. This battle has nothing to do with party policies or ideology.

In the last elections the discrepancy between party popularity and the number of seats they eventually got was glaringly obvious, and it will happen again, Dems will probably win more seats on party list cos PPP has lost Thaksin, their best magnet in terms of party popularity, but PPPs stronghold on local politicians is very hard to break, they've been building this team for six-seven years now, and, in fact, they have roots in the old NAP and mid-nineties.

I have never bought this Party List crap. Just another rigging method IMHO.

But it is a parlementarian thing. More common than the American version.

proportional voting by population district, IIRC 20,000 people per voting block,

then 2 senators per state. Two house each with even, and also, proportional voting.

And staggered cycles. 2 years and 6 years. and 4 for the top man.

I dislike the electoral college also, removes the vote from the peoples hands,

similar to why the Dems didn't win bigger here.

The above is not off topic it is comparative of the two systems,

one point out possible deficiancies in the other.

It's not hard to believe that some like the TRT still, if all you hear is TRT

and never hear an opposition it's easy to like TRT as the ONLY VOICES.

People are not intrinsicly stupid, even if all they do is walk cattle and pick rice.

But if the only oppposing voices you ever hear of are all most none,

what appropriate value choices can you make?

And as has been repeated:

too much rice, not enough protien,

goes along way to explaining some of those poor choices also.

[ubonjoe]

Lower left hand side of the post is this:

..you were saying ?

LaoPo

I was saying that is the ideal way of dealing with a situation that involves

PS moderators, he/she flamed me in no uncertain terms.

I did not hit report.

The moderators are looking at lots of this.

I want to see what THEY think is insulting behavior

and where they draw the line.

I AM a moderator on another board, with 4 years of doing this job,

and with conservatives and liberals at the far extremes at

each others throats. I understand the even handed concept pretty well.

And I try to NEVER let MY personal feelings be part of it.

Out of bounds, is still out, whether I like your idea or not.

I felt, and STILL feel, I my words were twisted

and taken out of context

and then I was called 'disgusting' because of this NEW context.

If that's not flaming I won't know what it is.

So I left them a note and waited to see the result.

aniamatic- I write this, not out of fear of getting banned (I bin throw'ed outta better gin joints than this one) - but to genuinely apologize for any insult that I conveyed in my post. I wish that in your original post you would have subtituted the word 'if' for 'which'- but never the less- I took a cheap shot- and yes, I confess I was guilty of the very opportunism I accused you of. My apologies.

Apology accepted.

I try to NOT take cheap shots at forum posters, no matter HOW I 'find' their posts.

But the polititicians and other public figures,

by their very public nature are fair game IMHO.

You go into politics your are a target for brickbats.

One could wish brickbats WAS THE WORST

one gets targeted with in this public sphere.

Of course with some brickbats just bounce off

their hardened, unfeeling heads.

Yes

But in Thailand you have to be carefull with your brickbats or you could end up in jail for defamation.

And not sued in civil court for damages as is the case in most countries.

[sriracha john]

PM Samak reflects on possible referendum, resignation

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej suggested Thursday that a new referendum may be conducted for voters nationwide to decide whether or not he should step down as vehemently pressed by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which seized and occupied Government House since last week.

Samak said the anti-government protesters might continue to occupy Government House and urge other citizens to reject his elected government when they go to the polls for the proposed referendum which might be held as soon as early next month. *interesting that everyone else knowledgeable of the process thinks it will take significantly longer*

Speaking in a radio interview on Thursday, the premier repeatedly dismissed speculation that he would resign or dissolve the House of Representatives.

Instead, Samak said he was obliged to preserve democratic rule and find out whether or not most people will eventually prefer to see him stay on or step down. *House dissolution?*

However, Samak said he would unconditionally follow the results of the proposed referendum which might lead to his resignation as premier or dissolution of the House of Representatives to be followed by a general election in a 60-days time, should most people no longer prefer to keep him in power.

The state of emergency recently declared for Bangkok and enforced by Army Chief Gen. Anuphong Phaochinda would be called off to provide conveniences for the proposed public referendum, according to the premier.

Government Spokesman Wichianchote Sukchotirat called on Senators to approve legislation on public referendum, scheduled to be tabled to the Senate Monday so that it could take place in the next 30 days.

He said the proposed referendum would by no means prolong * even if one is charitable and accepts his "in a month" scenario, is that not prolonging? * or intensify the anti-government protests and occupation of Government House and confirmed that the situation has remained under control, given the current state of emergency.

Edited September 5, 2008 by sriracha john

[pumpuiman]

Some hypothetical questions. (I realize monitoring is not realistic, so please use your imagination and try to answer seriously)

1.Would any of the PAD supporters here accept the outcome of a referendum if it was monitored to ensure it was fair....and the questions put forward were agreed to by both the government and the PAD?

3.Do you believe Sondhi would recognize the majorities vote if it did not go in his favor?

[animatic]

....... Rather ironic when one considered the stink that having the economic advisors sitting in on meetings caused.

I think one can see where this would all end up. Thailand would probably end up closing itself off economically from the rest of the world as protectionism got ramped up to protect the businesses that already exist today.

It definitely would not be in the benefit of the employee or lower class. Nearly all the major business groups and companies on the Stock Exchange of Thailand are already operating behind some forms of tariff or licensing restriction. They have made their deals long ago with whichever government and are sitting pretty. They are all mainly Bangkok-centric.

Debates in the Parliament about anything progressive are always coloured by the emotional statement of selling the country. As an example CP/Ekkachai/Tesco group was allied with TRT, and has gone on it's merry way opening up Tesco's and 7-11's all over the country. CP is also one of the largest exporters of chicken to the UK to Tesco. This is the reality.

Meanwhile, the retailers association of Thailand has been campaigning that Tesco is hurting the the common Thai shopkeeper and is hurting the poor. Meanwhile CP has gone on it's merry way opening 7-11's every 450 metres on every major city street with barely a murmur of protest. Tesco catches all the flack because it is foreign, 7-11 is ironically Thai owned so can defend itself from the accusation of being a foreign conspiracy.

The retailers association is not protecting the common shopkeeper at all, it is trying to protect the medium sized middle man who is in this situation just a rent taker on product. He had a role to play when it took 3 months to transport product around the country, today he is a dinosaur. He is an unnecessary step in the chain of distribution. He is normally local, and he is normally enormously wealthy and locally powerful. They are not acting to protect the mom and pop shops because they are going out of business, they are acting to protect the wealthy middleman because for the first time he is being undercut and his customers are buying elsewhere. This is the middle class that is complaining.

Meanwhile where is the common shopkeeper stocking up on food and produce by the trolley load? Tesco, Makro and the other hypermarkets because it is cheaper. Where is 80% of the product that is sold by these hypermarkets purchased? Thailand. Many direct from the supplier with no middle man involved. I don't like all the business practices of all hypermarkets, but the arguement against them is not being framed correctly in Thailand.

Every day there are complaints that foreign companies are entering various markets. Who is really complaining? The middle man.

Who are these middle men? Well I don't want to get involved in stereotyping, but I think we have seen them and know. They are part of every step of import and export in Thailand. They are the silent 51% of many companies who take profit for providing nothing economically but have a connection. They are the exclusive distributor who bought his license and pays under the table every year to keep it. They are the people who fight against farmer co-ops because they are socialist! They are the rent takers who get fat in the middle of every deal and who are definitely on keeping margins high through hiding behind government protection. They have had it their way for a long time, and do not like the competition they see coming their way if Thailand opens up.

Now, what would be the result of having the retailers association sitting in Parliament. It would shout at the top of it's voice "selling the country" every time a debate about retail law was raised because it is in the nature of "businesses groups" in Thailand to protect themselves. This would I believe go for every other association.

Meanwhile, screw the common man.

Very well put.

So many great points

Farang business are a thereat to the entrenched middle men for sure.

So lets keep a highly restrictive list of none ownable business types.

If a management team can work better by accepting ACCURATE feedback

from employiees below because it's no loss of face to be told something negative

to act on by underlingsthen it HAS to be a threat to the 'face before business logic'

businessman's profit margin he can't compete because his old world business culture prevents it.

7-11 is local owned on a store by store basis, but still much pay a licensing fee to home office,

7-11 is an international franchise operation, similar to Tesco actually.

But Tesco is more OBVIOUS as foreign owned and has EASILY cut out more middlemen.

7-11 has been killing little mom n pop shops, Tesco and Makro actual has been helping those

M n P's keep alive because they are a CHEAPER distributer than the old middlemen...

There is the REAL threat.

These wealthy middle men are not the average middle class,

but the lower overlord class, aspiring to move up more. Local manipulators.

Yes, organized farm co-ops is a threat because of the direct marketing of their products,

so it MUST be socialist to use capitalism for a group rather just a family.. < insert screaming irony here

[hammered]

PM Samak reflects on possible referendum, resignation

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej suggested Thursday that a new referendum may be conducted for voters nationwide to decide whether or not he should step down as vehemently pressed by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which seized and occupied Government House since last week.

Samak said the anti-government protesters might continue to occupy Government House and urge other citizens to reject his elected government when they go to the polls for the proposed referendum which might be held as soon as early next month. *interesting that everyone else knowledgeable of the process thinks it will take significantly longer*

Speaking in a radio interview on Thursday, the premier repeatedly dismissed speculation that he would resign or dissolve the House of Representatives.

Instead, Samak said he was obliged to preserve democratic rule and find out whether or not most people will eventually prefer to see him stay on or step down. *House dissolution?*

However, Samak said he would unconditionally follow the results of the proposed referendum which might lead to his resignation as premier or dissolution of the House of Representatives to be followed by a general election in a 60-days time, should most people no longer prefer to keep him in power.

The state of emergency recently declared for Bangkok and enforced by Army Chief Gen. Anuphong Phaochinda would be called off to provide conveniences for the proposed public referendum, according to the premier.

Government Spokesman Wichianchote Sukchotirat called on Senators to approve legislation on public referendum, scheduled to be tabled to the Senate Monday so that it could take place in the next 30 days.

He said the proposed referendum would by no means prolong * even if one is charitable and accepts his "in a month" scenario, is that not prolonging? * or intensify the anti-government protests and occupation of Government House and confirmed that the situation has remained under control, given the current state of emergency.

Weirder and weirder. So if he loses he may resign. By the way it is probably unconstutional to have a question about him as an individual on the ballot. He may disolve the legislature if he loses or the government loses. Does Samak understand the difference between government, legislature etc?

Oh and all this will only take a month as there will be no constitutional challenges to what looks like an unconstittional referendum either before or after the constitution, and he wants two bites at the cherry. An election if he loses. Now amazing Thailand.

Oh and is anyone except his government and their boys (and dont forget the coalition partners are in the government so I include them) playing ball with Samak's little scheme? In the meantime lets see how many more people get shot or even killed as this little disagreement continues.

Well hopefully the parliamenatry boys will come up with a less ludicrous solution this afternoon.

[sriracha john]

Referendum plan wins little support as Thai crisis drags

BANGKOK (AFP / 29 minutes ago) — Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej found little support Friday for his proposal to hold a referendum to resolve the stalemate with protesters who have occupied his offices for 11 days.

Samak has refused to step down or call snap elections, insisting that he would stay in office in order to defend democracy.

He has proposed holding a referendum to defuse the crisis, but critics slammed the plan, arguing that the balloting would only drag out the turmoil and risked sparking new violence like the clashes among rival protesters that left one of Samak's supporters dead early Tuesday.

Speaker of the Senate Prasobsook Boondech told reporters that organising a referendum would take at least one month.

"The problem of the country is immediate and needs to be resolved as quickly as possible," he said.

The opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on the website for the Thai Rath newspaper that the referendum would not resolve the stalemate.

He proposed that Samak dissolve parliament and call snap elections, something the premier has forcefully rejected.

Thailand's people are deeply divided by the protests, with one survey of 16 provinces showing 50 percent of respondents supported the movement.

[animatic]

Methee Tanmanatrakul, President of the Southern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, said

The crisis has drastically hurt the tourism industry, as 12 countries have already issued warnings on travelling to Thailand, he said.

Tourists to Phuket, in particular, have cancelled 30 per cent of their bookings.

- The Nation / 2008-09-05

Which is why they kicked PAD off the airport and into the park before they could do even more damage! Sure seems to be a glorious case of economic suicide in Phuket.

No news reports of any kicking...

Totally supposition supporting an agenda.

PAD agreed it was better to move to

government aggravating positions,

and not tourist aggravating positions.

But the 3-4 airports taken for a time certainly threw a scare into the gov.

And certainly built lots of presure on the gov. in record time.

Edited September 5, 2008 by animatic

[animatic]

Some hypothetical questions. (I realize monitoring is not realistic, so please use your imagination and try to answer seriously)

1.Would any of the PAD supporters here accept the outcome of a referendum if it was monitored to ensure it was fair....and the questions put forward were agreed to by both the government and the PAD?

3.Do you believe Sondhi would recognize the majorities vote if it did not go in his favor?

Well beside or ignoring the need to confirm specific PAD support ,

as opposed to supporting some ideas of PAD.

I can't speak for Kuhn Sondhi,

but suspect a fair referendum internationally veted and monitored,

with FAIRLY written questions that go to the point,

would likely get a positive responce from him.

But I doubt he believes Samak's cabinet would EVER do that.

But I can't speak for him in the slightest,

[sriracha john]

Thai PM lifts emergency rule

Thailand's prime minister has lifted the state of emergency he imposed on the capital this week. Samak Sundaravej has offered to hold a referendum to end the standoff with opponents demanding he resign. But hundreds of protesters continued to occupy the grounds of Government House in Bangkok on Friday.

The Thai government approved plans for a national referendum on Thursday.

"The referendum is to ask public opinion and the prime minister has agreed to it as a possible solution to solve the problem," Somsak Kiatsuranont, the culture minister, said after a special cabinet meeting at the army headquarters in Bangkok.

Somsak said on Thursday that the process for drafting the referendum would start immediately. On live radio on Thursday, Samak said that he would not resign nor dissolve parliament.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the opposition Democrat party leader, told Al Jazeera it was probably "unconstitutional" to hold a referendum on a person or a group of people.

"If the PM really would like the verdict of the country, why not dissolve the house?" he said.

"We're not disputing that the house is democratically elected, but subsequent actions by this government is judged to have been wrong ... violating the constitution by the constitutional court, as well as a series of scandals.

"In any civilised democracy, the government would have shown some kind of responsibility or accountability by now."

Samak has been facing repeated calls to resign from anti-government protesters - led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - who have been camped out on his office lawn since last week.

He has repeatedly refused to resign, vowing not to bow to the demands of street protesters he described as a "freak cult" seeking anarchy.

He insisted that he will "stay in order to preserve democracy and to protect the monarchy".

If his opponents wanted him out, they should use the courts and not take to the streets, he said.

The referendum, if it proceeds, will be only the second ever in the kingdom. The first was in 2007, passing a new military-backed constitution formed after a coup a few months earlier.

- Al Jazeera

Edited September 5, 2008 by sriracha john

[h90]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

[sriracha john]

Bangkok Port opens but hurt by work slowdown

Airports resume full service but arrivals down

Bangkok Port remains plagued by work slowdown as workers have called in sick to join the anti-government protests.

However this has not disrupted maritime transport because ships are being diverted to Laem Chabang and private ports nearby.

Port Governor Sunida Sukulratana conceded that she could not speculate when workers would go back to their job.

Sunida reminds workers that prolonged slowdown would hurt the port business, the economy as well as labour benefits such as year-end bonus.

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Somsak Kosaisuk meanwhile said each trade union would use its own discretion to chart its course on timing and extent of work stoppage to show support for the opposition movement.

Airports of Thailand said damages in the past six days amount to 6.2 Million Baht resulting from the sieges at airports in Phuket and Hat Yai.

Since a state of emergency imposed in Bangkok on Tuesday, daily arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport dropped by one-third.

Airport authorities are planning a road show abroad to rally the confidence.

- The Nation

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

Will have to verify elsewhere, but I believe they meant Billion, not Million

[Moonrakers]

Thai PM lifts emergency rule

Thailand's prime minister has lifted the state of emergency he imposed on the capital this week. Samak Sundaravej has offered to hold a referendum to end the standoff with opponents demanding he resign. But hundreds of protesters continued to occupy the grounds of Government House in Bangkok on Friday.

Hmmm, how long before the DAAD return to the fray I wonder?

[sriracha john]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

The meeting was to discuss the state of emergency. Since there is no longer a state of emergency, perhaps they felt no need to meet.

[ubonjoe]

Deleted double post

Edited September 5, 2008 by ubonjoe

[FreedomDude]

Referendum plan wins little support as Thai crisis drags

BANGKOK (AFP / 29 minutes ago) — Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej found little support Friday for his proposal to hold a referendum to resolve the stalemate with protesters who have occupied his offices for 11 days.

Samak has refused to step down or call snap elections, insisting that he would stay in office in order to defend democracy.

He has proposed holding a referendum to defuse the crisis, but critics slammed the plan, arguing that the balloting would only drag out the turmoil and risked sparking new violence like the clashes among rival protesters that left one of Samak's supporters dead early Tuesday.

Speaker of the Senate Prasobsook Boondech told reporters that organising a referendum would take at least one month.

"The problem of the country is immediate and needs to be resolved as quickly as possible," he said.

The opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on the website for the Thai Rath newspaper that the referendum would not resolve the stalemate.

He proposed that Samak dissolve parliament and call snap elections, something the premier has forcefully rejected.

Thailand's people are deeply divided by the protests, with one survey of 16 provinces showing 50 percent of respondents supported the movement.

Some things are worth fighting for. Haven't we gone overboard with this "avoid violence at all costs" idea? Yeah, violence sucks, but sometimes it's necessary. Are they gonna let the whole nation fall apart because they're afraid somebody might get hurt or die? Most free, democratic, stable nations in the world lost many lives in the pursuit of establishing their constitutional democracies.

They let the PAD sit in the months and months "'cause they were afraid of violence!"

They let the PAD take over the PM's office and govt house "cause they were afraid of violence!"

Now they don't want a referendum because it risks "sparking new violence".

Oh cry me a river!

Surround govt house with 50,000 unarmed soldiers, and starting from the outside of the crowd pick them up one by one and ship 'em away. Yeah, some fights might break out and somebody might even die! Is the chance of violence worth it? Yes it is.

[kurtgruen]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

Good Morning everyone. Did I miss something? Is it true that Cabinet passed a resolution to transfer power of the armed forces solely into the hands of the PM? If that is the case, we can definitely expect a coup, I think.

Too much rice - Not enough Protein

[h90]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

The meeting was to discuss the state of emergency. Since there is no longer a state of emergency, perhaps they felt no need to meet.

somehow I missed that there is no state of emergency anymore....Do you have a source for the fact that there is no state of emergency anymore?

[hammered]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

He has usurped the power of the army chief if I read that correctly. Does that mean he doesnt trust him?

[jitagon]

Referendum plan wins little support as Thai crisis drags

BANGKOK (AFP / 29 minutes ago) — Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej found little support Friday for his proposal to hold a referendum to resolve the stalemate with protesters who have occupied his offices for 11 days.

Samak has refused to step down or call snap elections, insisting that he would stay in office in order to defend democracy.

He has proposed holding a referendum to defuse the crisis, but critics slammed the plan, arguing that the balloting would only drag out the turmoil and risked sparking new violence like the clashes among rival protesters that left one of Samak's supporters dead early Tuesday.

Speaker of the Senate Prasobsook Boondech told reporters that organising a referendum would take at least one month.

"The problem of the country is immediate and needs to be resolved as quickly as possible," he said.

The opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on the website for the Thai Rath newspaper that the referendum would not resolve the stalemate.

He proposed that Samak dissolve parliament and call snap elections, something the premier has forcefully rejected.

Thailand's people are deeply divided by the protests, with one survey of 16 provinces showing 50 percent of respondents supported the movement.

Some things are worth fighting for. Haven't we gone overboard with this "avoid violence at all costs" idea? Yeah, violence sucks, but sometimes it's necessary. Are they gonna let the whole nation fall apart because they're afraid somebody might get hurt or die? Most free, democratic, stable nations in the world lost many lives in the pursuit of establishing their constitutional democracies.

They let the PAD sit in the months and months "'cause they were afraid of violence!"

They let the PAD take over the PM's office and govt house "cause they were afraid of violence!"

Now they don't want a referendum because it risks "sparking new violence".

Oh cry me a river!

Surround govt house with 50,000 unarmed soldiers, and starting from the outside of the crowd pick them up one by one and ship 'em away. Yeah, some fights might break out and somebody might even die! Is the chance of violence worth it? Yes it is.

oooooh, you MAN you!

[kurtgruen]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

The meeting was to discuss the state of emergency. Since there is no longer a state of emergency, perhaps they felt no need to meet.

hmmm, I got up late and missed it all. So there is no more state of emergency? I guess it's time to melt this thread into another one then, since it is about the State of Emergency?

[sabaijai]

Some hypothetical questions. (I realize monitoring is not realistic, so please use your imagination and try to answer seriously)

1.Would any of the PAD supporters here accept the outcome of a referendum if it was monitored to ensure it was fair....and the questions put forward were agreed to by both the government and the PAD?

3.Do you believe Sondhi would recognize the majorities vote if it did not go in his favor?

It's a moot point since such a referendum is unconstitutional according to Thai law. It would never pass the judiciary.

Assuming it weren't constitutional, Sondhi and the PAD would probably not accept the results as their political philosophy is based on the premise that rule by popular vote doesn't work for Thailand. Whether you agree with that notion or not, there is plenty of historical evidence to support it. They advocate a blend of appointed and elected MPs.

All that aside, if a referendum were held today asking whether or not Samak should be resign, I beleive the majority of participating Thais would vote for his resignation.

[sriracha john]

somehow I missed that there is no state of emergency anymore....Do you have a source for the fact that there is no state of emergency anymore?

stuff is coming fast and furious...

read up a few posts from here...

Edited September 5, 2008 by sriracha john

[h90]

from toc

SNAP UPDATE: Army Chief Cancels Press Conference

UPDATE : 5 September 2008

Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda has cancelled the press conference which was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this morning.

Initially a press conference was scheduled for the Army chief to explain about Cabinet's resolution yesterday which transfers the power to mobilize the armed forces solely into the hands of the Prime Minister.

The press briefing was cancelled without any reason given to the media.

end quote

what is this????????

Good Morning everyone. Did I miss something? Is it true that Cabinet passed a resolution to transfer power of the armed forces solely into the hands of the PM? If that is the case, we can definitely expect a coup, I think.

Too much rice - Not enough Protein

Put the power of the armed forces solely into the hands of the PM is half a coup in my opinion....

I doubt that this news are true. The Army is under HM the King, so I guess something is translated wrong.