Thailand being ridiculed/Thai Democracy / Samak in or out...

[ThNiner]

Yeah, shocking isn't it? Comedy Central makes jokes.

[LooseCannon]

Just read this on the wire service, Samak has been nominated again for PM. I used to think these guys were trying to do some good but I guess they are like the rest of the political bunch/ government people. In it for the cash. Why else would spend millions for a job that pays 108,000 Baht a month.

None of these self-serving c*nts, be they PPP, PAD, TRT, Democrat etc, have ever had the best interests of Thailand at heart. They see Thailand as a country to be raped & looted for their own self enrichment. Until they & their extended families are thrown into jail & left to rot, nothing will ever change.

[Koo82]

I want Khun Samak to be PM. Khun Samak soo soo!

[bkkjames]

I want Khun Samak to be PM. Khun Samak soo soo!

Perhaps the PAD can blame him for the rain as well.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Me too.

Enough already, let the man do his job.

And it's a nice 'big middle finger' to the puppets in the corrupt "constitution" court as well.

[barky]

I'm a firm believer in the notion that people get the politicians they deserve. Frankly, if the Thai population are prepared to sell their democratic freedoms for the price of a bottle of sang saem, then they deserve the idiots they have representing them in Parliament, and their country in the (bewildered and incredulous) gaze of the rest of the world.

Totally agree Bendix. But to be fair to many of the population, there are reasons for this phenomina, of course, the main culprit being a piss poor education system and many exploitable poor people who just follow the leader and clamber for the crumbs thrown to them thinking fondly of their benevolent benefactors.

As sad as this may seem, this is just the way many Thais, especially the rich 5%, want it to stay. I really can't see any important changes in the near future, so it will be more of the same. Personally, as long as it has little or no direct effect on me, I couldn't care less. I am generally non-plussed by the whole childish and sculduggerish way they go about the business of ripping off the nation and I'm amused at the way these people are held in such high esteme by many Thais who seemingly never look behind the facade of lies, smoke and mirrors.

Edited September 11, 2008 by barky

[Samuian]

Regarding OP:

YES!

Well, it's a good slap in the face for Sondhi/Sonthi and the PAD; otherwise useless... The saga continues.

Didn't know Sondhi, Chamlong and te other 7 PAD leaders were the Judges in the Constitutional Court as well!

[jumnien]

Regarding OP:

YES!

Well, it's a good slap in the face for Sondhi/Sonthi and the PAD; otherwise useless... The saga continues.

Didn't know Sondhi, Chamlong and te other 7 PAD leaders were the Judges in the Constitutional Court as well!

Good point! Sondhi, Chamlong and the other PAD bums didn't drive the tanks in the last coup either, but they might as well have!

[happy7]

I'm a firm believer in the notion that people get the politicians they deserve. Frankly, if the Thai population are prepared to sell their democratic freedoms for the price of a bottle of sang saem, then they deserve the idiots they have representing them in Parliament, and their country in the (bewildered and incredulous) gaze of the rest of the world.

Totally agree Bendix. But to be fair to many of the population, there are reasons for this phenomina, of course, the main culprit being a piss poor education system and many exploitable poor people who just follow the leader and clamber for the crumbs thrown to them thinking fondly of their benevolent benefactors.

As sad as this may seem, this is just the way many Thais, especially the rich 5%, want it to stay. I really can't see any important changes in the near future, so it will be more of the same. Personally, as long as it has little or no direct effect on me, I couldn't care less. I am generally non-plussed by the whole childish and sculduggerish way they go about the business of ripping off the nation and I'm amused at the way these people are held in such high esteme by many Thais who seemingly never look behind the facade of lies, smoke and mirrors.

Here's an interesting article on vote-buying.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/01...on_30082102.php

[Pdaz]

I'm a firm believer in the notion that people get the politicians they deserve. Frankly, if the Thai population are prepared to sell their democratic freedoms for the price of a bottle of sang saem, then they deserve the idiots they have representing them in Parliament, and their country in the (bewildered and incredulous) gaze of the rest of the world.

Totally agree Bendix. But to be fair to many of the population, there are reasons for this phenomina, of course, the main culprit being a piss poor education system and many exploitable poor people who just follow the leader and clamber for the crumbs thrown to them thinking fondly of their benevolent benefactors.

As sad as this may seem, this is just the way many Thais, especially the rich 5%, want it to stay. I really can't see any important changes in the near future, so it will be more of the same. Personally, as long as it has little or no direct effect on me, I couldn't care less. I am generally non-plussed by the whole childish and sculduggerish way they go about the business of ripping off the nation and I'm amused at the way these people are held in such high esteme by many Thais who seemingly never look behind the facade of lies, smoke and mirrors.

True .. Many of the 'ruling' classs quite are happy with the way things are..They don't wish to interfere with the status quo. Why would they want to change the system ? If they educated the masses, the masses would realize what a shifty, corrupt and inept bunch they all are and replace them..

We aren't any better in the West.. The populist policies of the left wing political parties aren't really much different... Support the lazy and the disinfrancished and they wil vote for you.. Then tax the shi*e out of the rest to pay for it....

[Heng]

He was disqualified for serving as PM and doing the cooking show at the same time... but that disqualification wasn't permanent?

[BigSnake]

I don't think the PPP really want Mr Samak back they were just made a GOODWILL gesture to let him go down with Grace beside why bring him back when Mr Thaskin brother-in-law is next in line to be PM. My Humble two bahts worth for what's it worth, for the PPP to bring Mr Samak back would be a dumb dumb thing to do by PPP and I don't think Mr Newin and the rest of the gang are dumb people. Enough said.

[lazeeboy]

if this is the case ,then the problems of the last couple of weeks will escalate out of control,time for the army to dust off there batons

[samtam]

As has recently been said, "A pig with lipstick is still a pig". Whether it's Samak, Banharn or Somchai or whoever, it aint goin' to make a whole heap of difference. The country is polarised and it's going to be for a while longer, until there is some dramatic shift one way or t'other. Luckily the economy still runs quite effectively despite the lack of any functioning government for the last three years. But oh how it might have run.....

[stoneman]

Excerpt:

So Newt Gingrich & Co. couldn't get Bill Clinton out of office for lying about sex with an intern. Dennis Kucinich couldn't get George W. Bush out of office for lying to take the country into war.

But over in Thailand, they can remove their leaders from office for appearing on cooking shows!

You read that right. Yesterday, the Thai Supreme Court ordered Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign his seat for receiving $2,350 in illegal payments for appearing on the popular cooking show "Tasting and Complaining." Samak had in fact been the host of the show for seven years prior to becoming Prime Minister, and food was always his trademark.

In full: http://blog.indecision2008.com/2008/09/10/...peachment-tree/

Winnie...Bottom Line...He broke the law and must suffer the consequences...This is actually good for Thailand...For the first time they have a court system that is above bribery and corruption and is enforcing the laws... Yes it seems trivial, but it is a very important step forward for this country...Anyway...that's my opinion..

Stoneman

[Radius]

Excerpt:

So Newt Gingrich & Co. couldn't get Bill Clinton out of office for lying about sex with an intern. Dennis Kucinich couldn't get George W. Bush out of office for lying to take the country into war.

But over in Thailand, they can remove their leaders from office for appearing on cooking shows!

You read that right. Yesterday, the Thai Supreme Court ordered Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign his seat for receiving $2,350 in illegal payments for appearing on the popular cooking show "Tasting and Complaining." Samak had in fact been the host of the show for seven years prior to becoming Prime Minister, and food was always his trademark.

In full: http://blog.indecision2008.com/2008/09/10/...peachment-tree/

Winnie...Bottom Line...He broke the law and must suffer the consequences...This is actually good for Thailand...For the first time they have a court system that is above bribery and corruption and is enforcing the laws... Yes it seems trivial, but it is a very important step forward for this country...Anyway...that's my opinion..

Stoneman

I agree with your opinion.

[Samuian]

Regarding OP:

YES!

Well, it's a good slap in the face for Sondhi/Sonthi and the PAD; otherwise useless... The saga continues.

Didn't know Sondhi, Chamlong and te other 7 PAD leaders were the Judges in the Constitutional Court as well!

Good point! Sondhi, Chamlong and the other PAD bums didn't drive the tanks in the last coup either, but they might as well have!

You made your Point, but if it really is the point, we may better leave this decision to the thai people... just to be fair and remain reasonable and maybe the discussion becomes more fruitful if we avoid to use foul language and name thai nationals "bums".... get real if you can - if not I refuse to discuss things further..!

[jfchandler]

To anyone who's paying attention, the move to re-nominate Samak was that of the PPP only.... His nomination, at least as of today, does not have the support of any of the other current coalition partners. So I'd say, it's a fair bet that the Samak nom is just an appetizer to the main meal still ahead.

[Ricardo]

"It's Starting.. Thailand Being Ridiculed, Clown courts & PAD Thai"

99.99% of the world don't give a rat's arse about what is happening in Thailand.

And the other 0.01% believe that Thailand is an island off the coast of China.

[Gravelrash]

I don't think the PPP really want Mr Samak back they were just made a GOODWILL gesture to let him go down with Grace beside why bring him back when Mr Thaskin brother-in-law is next in line to be PM. My Humble two bahts worth for what's it worth, for the PPP to bring Mr Samak back would be a dumb dumb thing to do by PPP and I don't think Mr Newin and the rest of the gang are dumb people. Enough said.

I suspect you are correct, gives the option to Samak to say he has had enough and go with some dignity. The rest of the PPP need to get a good go at getting their snouts in the trough and cash up, before they lose government and the next mob gets their snouts in.

[Gravelrash]

I think it is a nice change from the usual jokes about Thai women, let the politicians cop it for a change.

Eg saw a movie last night with Ali G which had the wife of the Thai ambassador shooting ping pong balls around the room.

[dumball]

"It's Starting.. Thailand Being Ridiculed, Clown courts & PAD Thai"

99.99% of the world don't give a rat's arse about what is happening in Thailand.

And the other 0.01% believe that Thailand is an island off the coast of China.

AAAHHHH yes , that would be the one with all the sights , sounds , smells and sex .

[Plus]

What's so silly about prohibiting Prime Ministers from from being employed by someone else?

What's so silly about the idea that if you are elected to lead the country, you should resign from your other jobs?

It's not like he was a one time guest, he had the contract and all the works, and even lied about his payments.

[Ulysses G.]

It was just a cooking show!

[Plus]

I suspect Samak's nomination will pass the parlament tomorrow, but they might delay the vote to get everyone on board. Then it will be next week.

On 25th he'd be probably escorted from the court in handcuffs anyway, in about ten days.

Or how's that - they reappoint him, and he dissolves the House the next day. That would be a laugh.

[Plus]

Well, yes, four times a month.

Image how it would look if he continued it all the way through PAD protests - after all, his main office is closed for business.

[Ulysses G.]

It gives him something to do when he is not on the phone getting orders from Thaksin!

[Plus]

If Bush could do something on the side, too, what do you think he would do?

Selling boots on Home Shopping Network?

Assuming he can hold a job.

[LooseCannon]

Doesn't take long for the TRT/PPP apologists to come out of the woodwork.

Prattling on about 'democratically elected' governments, confusing the standards & ethics that are expected of a 'liberal democracy' to apply to the corrupt & debased pseudo democracy that prevails in Thailand.

If only 10% of the ethics & integrity required of elected representatives in a 'liberal democracy' were applied to this current crop of Thai politicians, from both sides of politics, I can guarantee you close to 100% would have either resigned voluntarily or pushed out by the power of public opinion.

This corrupt buffon Samak still has another court case currently before the Court of Appeals, with a verdict due to be handed down in a couple of weeks, which will hopefully see him jailed for 2 years.

If Samak had any self respect or integrity he would have stood aside months ago, & now a group of totally amoral clowns in the PPP want to reinstate him.

Of course the PAD are a bunch of self serving corrupt malcontents, but don't expect them to play by the rules of a 'liberal democracy', whilst this current mob of so called 'elected' members of the National Assembly sh*t on every moral & ethical standard required of the most basic of functioning democracies.

Thailand is not a 'liberal democracy' & as such cannot be expected to behave as one.

[englishoak]

Samak accepts Thai PM nomination

09:29 GMT, Thursday, 11 September 2008

Parliament will vote on Mr Samak's nomination on Friday

Thailand's Samak Sundaravej has accepted his party's nomination as prime minister - two days after he was forced to quit the post.

The People's Power Party said there was nothing in the constitution to stop them from choosing him again.

The move is likely to be opposed by the PPP's coalition partners, as well as thousands of protesters who have sought Mr Samak's resignation.

Mr Samak was forced out after he was found to have flouted the constitution.

He was deemed by a court on Tuesday to have broken constitutional rules by accepting payments for his appearances on a TV cookery show.

Enraged protesters

"I thank the party for nominating me," Mr Samak, 73, told reporters.

"I am accepting the nomination in order to protect democracy in the country."

POLITICAL CRISIS

26 Aug: Protesters occupy government buildings, demand the government step down

28 Aug: PM Samak promises no use of force against the protesters

30 Aug: Samak rules out resignation, after meeting with Thailand's king

1 Sept: A late-night clash between pro- and anti-government groups leaves one dead. Samak declares a state of emergency

4 Sept: Samak proposes a national referendum

9 Sept: Court orders Samak to resign for violating constitution

11 Sept: PPP re-nominates Samak as prime minister

Q&A: Bangkok protests

The decision to re-nominate him came after a two-hour meeting of the PPP.

Spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang was quoted by the Bangkok Post website as saying Mr Samak had not done anything to damage the country.

His appearances on the show were as a result of misinterpreting the law, rather than from corruption or ill-intent, Mr Kuthep added.

Despite PPP support, Mr Samak will have to overcome some formidable obstacles to become prime minister again, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says.

Thousands of protesters who have been holding a sit-in outside Government House calling for Mr Samak's resignation are expected to be enraged by the latest move.

They accuse him of being a proxy for Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in an army coup in 2006 amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power.

They have said they will continue their protest until a suitable replacement for Mr Samak is found.

Provocative decision

Mr Samak also faces opposition within parliament, which is due to elect the new prime minister on Friday.

Mr Samak's TV appearances were deemed unconstitutional

Although the PPP is the largest party in parliament, it does not have an outright majority and four of its five coalition partners have already said they want an alternative candidate.

It was not clear on Thursday whether they would join the opposition Democrats in a vote to reject the nomination.

On top of that, Mr Samak also faces disqualification again later this month if the verdict in a defamation case goes against him.

It raises the question, why does the PPP insist on re-nominating him, our correspondent says.

One theory is that they simply could not agree on another candidate. Another possibility is that the plausible alternatives lack the bravado Mr Samak has shown in taking on his opponents.

This will be seen as a provocative decision that does nothing to ease the political crisis in the country, our correspondent adds.

Hilarious