Samak Bows Out

[h90]

from the nation:

73 dissident PPP MPs told to behave or House will be dissolved Tueday

Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Monday nigh told 73 dissident MPs to support her husband, Somchai Wongsawat, as the next prime minister or the House would be dissolved.

Yaowapha met the dissident 73 MPs of the "Friends of Newin" group at the IFCT Building to tell them comply with the party's stand by Tuesday or Somchai, acting prime minister, would dissolve the House, according to party's sources.

The Nation

end quote:

to dissolve house would help.....good idea.....

[Thai at Heart]

Oh, so that Kwanchai who was offering to pay 10,000 baht for a head of a killed PAD leader is actually a nice fella fighting for his freedom?

That's a symptom of the rift in Thai society today, and the PAD's so-called "new politics" ideas (70/30 and so on) are only increasing that rift. Any proposal how to reverse course?

You have completely misunderstood the 70: 30 aspect of the new politics.This was only ever a thought whispered in the mud behind the bogs on the Government House lawn by someone (almost certainly in the pay of Snowball, I mean Thaksin) claiming to be Sondhi.In fact the PAD is not proposing to disenfranchise anyone, just allow qualified people (in the opinion of PAD) to vote several times.Indeed under the PAD agenda (full details to be promulgated in the course of time) the majority of the Thai people will be represented properly for the first time.How ignoble of you to suggest the PAD is other than a unifying force representing the best that Thailand has to offer.To show you how wrong you are the PAD would be quite prepared to put its manifesto (full details to be promulgated in the course of time) to the country in a free and fair election.....on second thoughts, perhaps not.

Go out and research who is funding this mess, and what in reality this will mean for Thailand before you claim that this will end up as representative government that will give anything to the poor of this country. If unifying the country means that the vote of the poor (about 50% of the country living on something 5 and 10k per month) will be reduced in it's power means that this in no way a "unifying" process.

This is a process that will cement the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few.

I read about one poster saying that supporting the PAD would help the unions. Not in our lifetime, much in the same way that politics is never going to be a clean business in most of Asia either.

Thai at Heart I think you missed younghusband's irony and bitter sarcasm about the PAD; right so.

Look at his last words: "".....on second thoughts, perhaps not.""

Or am I wrong ?

LaoPo

Maybe I misread it, but the contradictory meaning isn't that obvious. Looking at it as a response to the initial post, maybe I am criticising the wrong statement. However, I still stand by what I said as an honest opinion. To younghusband, I apologise if any offence.

PAD will drag Thailand down a position in the world's and most reasoned person's eyes that it will be a crying shame.

[cmsally]

Well , on the front of the PAD stage it now proposes the introduction of "New Politics".

Of course they have to have something to replace the "Out with Samak"

Sondhi also said he went to a Tarot card reader who told him after repeated readings that he would never get to be a monk, his destiny was to serve "his" people for the rest of his days.

Nice little cryptic message in here maybe.

Actually on another note for anyone who has studied a little psychology it is interesting to hear the tactics of for and against used. The ways to make people feel they will succeed if they follow and fail if they don't.

For example the other night Somsak was saying that in the future, membership of the PAD (specifically those there protesting now) would be like some sort of qualification/privilege getting you jobs etc. For example if you applied for a job and if you had been there protesting you would get accepted but told to bugger off if you had not been a protestor.

Today, Sondhi was talking about all the women supporters. They are rather obvious in their greater numbers; so being the wise politician he is, promised we could have a lady Prime Minister.

How sweet of him, but maybe he will need to get a sex change.

Basically what they are doing with this rhetoric is mentally creating another elite - the PAD elite.

[sriracha john]

The gorgeous, but nonetheless banned from politics, First Lady lowers the boom and delivers the ultimatum...

It's Somchai's way or it's the highway...

73 dissident PPP MPs told to behave or House will be dissolved Tueday

Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Monday night told 73 dissident MP's to support her husband, Somchai Wongsawat, as the next Prime Minister or the House would be dissolved.

Yaowapha met the dissident 73 MPs of the "Friends of Newin" group at the IFCT Building to tell them comply with the Party's stand by Tuesday or Somchai, acting Prime Minister, would dissolve the House, according to party's sources.

- The Nation / 2008-09-15

[Thai at Heart]

Well , on the front of the PAD stage it now proposes the introduction of "New Politics".

Of course they have to have something to replace the "Out with Samak"

Sondhi also said he went to a Tarot card reader who told him after repeated readings that he would never get to be a monk, his destiny was to serve "his" people for the rest of his days.

Nice little cryptic message in here maybe.

Actually on another note for anyone who has studied a little psychology it is interesting to hear the tactics of for and against used. The ways to make people feel they will succeed if they follow and fail if they don't.

For example the other night Somsak was saying that in the future, membership of the PAD (specifically those there protesting now) would be like some sort of qualification/privilege getting you jobs etc. For example if you applied for a job and if you had been there protesting you would get accepted but told to bugger off if you had not been a protestor.

Today, Sondhi was talking about all the women supporters. They are rather obvious in their greater numbers; so being the wise politician he is, promised we could have a lady Prime Minister.

How sweet of him, but maybe he will need to get a sex change.

Basically what they are doing with this rhetoric is mentally creating another elite - the PAD elite.

What is going on right now is the most base type of propaganda. Ironically, by telling the middle class that they are smart, they are lapping it up. Even funnier that correctly you point out that the majority of supporters in the PAD crowd are women. If you are correct he is even peddling snake oil as women's equality in Thailand.

Nowhere does he even admit that poverty in Thailand is everywhere and have any constructive idea about how to improve the country other than to reduce the power of the commoner.

"Hey you handsome man", is appealing in the same way as "Hey you educated middle class". Basic instincts need fulfilling. Shame Thailand doesn't teach about the poisoned apple from the tree because Sondhi is peddling pure venom.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Thai at Heart

[sriracha john]

It's becoming a race to see if the PPP disintegrates on its own prior to it being dissolved...

[Los78]

Well , on the front of the PAD stage it now proposes the introduction of "New Politics".

Sondhi has been lacking his medication of late. As always the unsuccessful hate filled man is trying to keep his faithful sheep in line. I am not surprised about what comes out of that guys mouth. I just feel very sorry for the members on this forum that worship such a loser as Sondhi and his rag tag band of criminals.

[kurtgruen]

73 dissident PPP MPs told to behave or House will be dissolved Tueday

Yaowapha Wongsawat, a sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Monday nigh told 73 dissident MPs to support her husband, Somchai Wongsawat, as the next prime minister or the House would be dissolved.

Yaowapha met the dissident 73 MPs of the "Friends of Newin" group at the IFCT Building to tell them comply with the party's stand by Tuesday or Somchai, acting prime minister, would dissolve the House, according to party's sources.

The Nation

Now there's a mean woman for you

[Thai at Heart]

[sondhi has been lacking his medication of late...

Straight out of Chairman Mao's playbook. Is there a despot this guy hasn't used yet?

[kurtgruen]

I just feel very sorry for the members on this forum that worship such a loser as Sondhi ...

I feel sorry for the ones, who are supporting the corrupt PPP government, the violent acts they have stirred up and the utter nonsense PPP propaganda. Must be tough to support the "loosing loosers" Thaksin, Samak and the PPP. At least Thaksin is gone, Samak got kicked out and the PPP will be disolved soon, so regardless if you guys start foaming from the mouth in this forum or not, the train is in motion and it ain't stopping for you

[Thai at Heart]

I feel sorry for the ones, who are supporting the corrupt PPP government, the violent acts they have stirred up and the utter nonsense PPP propaganda...

Well I sincerely hope the train stops short of changing the constitution which would lead to devaluing the vote of the Thai people. The people won't get their true voting rights back for another 100 years.

I am not pro-PPP, I am not pro Thaksin.

But I am definitely against radical, elitist reform of the parliamentary system to satisfy the PAD.

[kurtgruen]

It's becoming a race to see if the PPP disintegrates on its own prior to it being dissolved...

Naaa, they want to get their kickbacks from the mega project contractors first. After all, that is what this stalling is all about.

Their idea of a "Public Servant", is the guy who delivers a suitcase full of money from the contractors

[sriracha john]

A Party in disarray...

Newin faction unfurls its banner of revolt

Anti-Somchai MPs walk out of PPP meeting

A group of 73 government MPs allied with the People Power Party's Newin Chidchob faction yesterday stalked out of the party's general meeting after Somchai Wongsawat was nominated for prime minister.

These MPs wanted to open a debate on the party's three PM choices, including Sompong Amornwiwat and Surapong Suebwonglee, but the meeting's chairman refused to do so, sparking the walkout.

Earlier, Somchai, a brother-in-law of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was named by the party's executive committee as its choice for premier.

A source from the Newin faction, which supports Surapong as premier, hinted at a military coup if Somchai became prime minister due to his relationship with Thaksin.

However, the PPP leadership successfully convinced each of the 73 MPs in the Newin faction to change their minds and back Somchai later in the day. Some of the 73 MPs signed a written statement saying that they would support Somchai as premier when Parliament meets tomorrow.

PPP sources said both Sompong and Surapong had told the PPP executive committee that they would not contest the premiership. Surapong, the caretaker finance minister and deputy premier, also said he would not accept any post in the new Cabinet.

Rumours were also flourishing following yesterday's walk-out from the PPP general meeting that the House would soon be dissolved due to the party's internal rift.

Sahas Banditkul, a caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and close aide of former premier Samak Sundaravej, also tendered his resignation.

Sources said the Newin faction had been pushing for PPP secretary-general Surapong to be the new PM candidate after its attempt to re-nominate Samak failed. The Samak bid was rejected by other PPP factions as well as the five coalition parties last Friday.

These MPs did not show up at the House meeting, causing a lack of quorum to start the process of selecting the new prime minister.

Following yesterday's walkout, PPP Nakhon Ratchasima MP Bunchong Wongtrairat, a leader of the Newin faction, showed a list of 73 signatures of the faction's MPs, who signed to demand that the choice of new PM must not create confrontation and conflict within the party.

The group urged the party to heed public opinion over who should be the next PM and disagreed with the move to issue a law granting amnesty to the 111 former executives of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

PPP Nakhon Phanom MP Supachai Phothisu, another member of the Newin faction, said if the party's executive board refused to review the resolution, his group's members would exercise their rights guaranteed by the Constitution to decide on their own on the PM nomination.

PPP deputy leader Kan Tienkawe said many factions in the party agreed that those who support Somchai as PM should join the Puea Thai Party if the PPP is dissolved. Those who did not support Somchai may move to other parties.

- The Nation / 2008-09-16

[sriracha john]

Some 73 People Power Party MPs of so-called Friends of Newin, hold a press conference on Monday, demanding for the party to review its decision to nominate Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister on Wednesday.

The Nation

[kurtgruen]

A Party in disarray...

The group urged the party to heed public opinion over who should be the next PM and disagreed with the move to issue a law granting amnesty to the 111 former executives of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

- The Nation / 2008-09-16

That'll be the day, when the new set of criminals gets to grant amnesty to the last set (their buddies). I don't think so. Or at least I hope that Pad, or the military or ... won't let that happen.

[kurtgruen]

Good night eveyone.

Hope it will be a peaceful one again.

Play nice ;-)

[permanent_disorder]

I just feel very sorry for the members on this forum that worship such a loser as Sondhi ...

I feel sorry for the ones, who are supporting the corrupt PPP government, the violent acts they have stirred up and the utter nonsense PPP propaganda. Must be tough to support the "loosing loosers" Thaksin, Samak and the PPP. At least Thaksin is gone, Samak got kicked out and the PPP will be disolved soon, so regardless if you guys start foaming from the mouth in this forum or not, the train is in motion and it ain't stopping for you

okay, the PAD cult tells you this is about "good people" vs. "evil people": http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?ac...7100&st=280,

but not many of the PAD cult critics are supporting thaksin. it's not the kindergarten, a union strike or only black or white you can choose. there are more options.

now go back to the telly, grab that and behave with decorum like a typical mature proPAD cultist.

Edited September 16, 2008 by Maestro
Link restored - Maestro

[englishoak]

Thai faction rejects PM nominee

Monday, 15 September 2008 15:10 UK BBC

Mr Somchai is a softly spoken former judge - but also related to Mr Thaksin

Thailand's governing People's Power Party has named Somchai Wongsawat as its candidate for prime minister to succeed Samak Sundaravej.

The softly spoken former judge is a brother-in-law of the controversial former PM, Thaksin Shinawatra.

But within hours of the announcement a powerful faction within the ruling party said it would not support him.

Correspondents say the PPP has two days to reach consensus or risk renewed political instability.

A state of emergency was lifted in Bangkok on Sunday, 12 days after it was imposed amid violent clashes between government supporters and opponents, which left one person dead.

But anti-government protesters have vowed to continue their nearly three-week-old occupation of the main government complex until the PPP is forced out of power altogether.

Candidate rejected

Parliament is scheduled to vote on the PPP's nomination for prime minister on Wednesday after it became clear that the former incumbent, Mr Samak, would be unable to muster enough support to make a fresh bid for the post. We are prepared to choose a candidate who will not aggravate problems already faced by the country

Banchong Wongtrairat

Spokesman for rebel faction

Over the weekend executives from the PPP underwent long negotiations with the party's coalition partners to win their support for Mr Somchai and on Monday it appeared they had achieved consensus.

Mr Somchai, 61, is married to Mr Thaksin's sister - but in other respects the former judge and career bureaucrat was thought to be viewed as an acceptable compromise candidate.

But Mr Somchai's candidacy was swiftly rejected by leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the protest group which triggered the current crisis.

Like Mr Samak before him, they complain that Mr Somchai would be beholden to Mr Thaksin - now in exile but facing charges of corruption relating to his five years in office.

Division

And within hours of their announcement of Mr Somchai's selection, dozens of members of the PPP said they would not vote for him.

"We are prepared to choose a candidate who will not aggravate problems already faced by the country," said faction spokesman Banchong Wongtrairat, according to Reuters news agency.

The rebel lawmakers have reportedly rejoined PPP talks over the leadership but the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the ruling party is now badly divided over the issue.

He says that the PPP must find a new consensus. If it cannot, it risks breaking up into competing factions, a result that might please the government's opponents but would do little to restore political stability

OH Boy Toxins Brother in law ??

[sriracha john]

Splinter Group Not In Favour Of Thaksin's Brother-In-Law

BANGKOK, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Somchai Wongsawat, the brother-in-law of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is facing dissidents within his own party in his attempt to become the 26th prime minister of Thailand after a splinter group linked to disqualified premier Samak Sundaravej has vowed not to support his bid.

Group spokesman Boonjong Wongtrairat said 73 members of parliament (MP) in their rank were unhappy with the selection of Somchai and wanted the party's executive board to reverse the decision.

"We cannot accept Somchai's candidancy. We want other candidates," Boonjong told a press conference just hours after the executive committee agreed unanimously to name the acting prime minister and education minister as the party's choice when Parliament meets on Wednesday to elect the new prime minister.

Boonjong's group from northeast is under the influence of former minister Newin Chidchob, who is closely linked with Samak.

On Friday, Samak's comeback bid was dashed when his own party lawmakers from another group from the north who favoured Somchai, snubbed him in Parliament.

With Samak out of running, the group wants People Power Party (PPP) secretary-general and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee as the new prime minister.

On Sept 9, Samak was disqualified by the Constitution Court for violating the Constitution by hosting the "Tasting and Grumbling" and "All Set at 6am" cooking programmes while still in office.

A former judge, Somchai, 60, is the husband of Yaowapa, younger sister of Thaksin. He is a law graduate from Thammasat University and holds a masters degree in Public Administration from National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).

If endorsed by parliament, he will be the fourth prime minister in three years.

He was the justice ministry's permanent secretary during the Sept 19, 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin. The soft-spoken Somchai quit his post and made his cabinet debut when PPP won the Dec 23, 2006 election.

Other five parties in the seven-month-old coalition government has reiterated their stance to remain in the coalition and support any candidate put forward by PPP, the party with the largest number of MPs in the 480-seat Lower House of Representatives.

But with the PPP again failing to close ranks and support a single candidate, it's likely that they may refrain from voting on Wednesday, similar to last Friday's incident when MPs from several parties boycotted the session because of disagreement over the choice of Samak.

Thailand has been in political turmoil since Aug 26 when thousands of anti-government protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) seized the Prime Minister's Office at the Government House. But after Samak's exit, the PAD remained defiant and vowed to stay put as long as someone from PPP took over.

[sriracha john]

PPP splits over PM

The prospect of an early election looms, after 12 hours of talks failed to heal a deep rift in the PPP over who should be the next PM. The dispute is between the 73-member group known as "Friends of Newin" Chidchob, and all the other key PPP members. On Monday, around 30 of the "Friends" faction loyal to Newin walked out of a party meeting set on naming acting PM Somchai Wongsawat as the party nominee for PM on Wednesday, when parliament will meet to select a successor to Samak. The party is to meet again today - with the future of parliament at stake. More disagreement will likely mean the House will be dissolved and elections held. "If differences can't be settled, and opinions are still split into two sides, it's very likely the party could announce a House dissolution by noon" (0500 GMT) on Tuesday, said Deputy PPP Leader Karn Thiankaew.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=130689

[sriracha john]

Another problem looming for whichever government is decided upon...

'Unfit' for ASEAN

"The Thais should hand the chair to either Singapore or Vietnam," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen - claiming the political uproar make Thailand unable to head the ASEAN group and hold the December summit.

Cambodia has concerns that Thailand's turbulent internal political problems make it unable to effectively work as the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday.

Hun Sen told reporters after a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte that ongoing political instability in Thailand was a negative and it should consider volunteering giving up the chair temporarily after taking over in July from Singapore.

"Thailand is in political turmoil but is chairing ASEAN. I think it would be difficult for Bangkok to hold an ASEAN summit," Hun Sen told reporters.

"The Thais should hand the chair to either Singapore or Vietnam, but so far these countries are quiet."

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported from Phnom Penh that Hun Sen was far more insulting to Thailand than first reported. It quoted the Cambodian premier as saying:

"I am wondering whether we can have the summit there since there is no government in Thailand yet. Where else in the world has a government building (Government House) been occupied by protesters like this? Only in Thailand. It is quite weird... [This affects] not just the Thai image exclusively, but ASEAN's image as well."

The chair of the 10-member group goes in this alphabetical order: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (the name used by the regime in Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. Thus, Thailand has just assumed the chair from last year's chairman, Singapore, and Vietnam is next in line.

Hun Sen's comments are likely to be taken as a symptom of worsening relations between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed border territory, which has become a powerful domestic political issue on both sides of the border.

- DPA / 2008-09-16

[Artisi]

I'm sure that Hun Sen's comment is very pointed and made with a touch of malice but he is correct in saying that Thailand is not in a fit state to host the next ASEAN conference. They have to sort out their own playground spate before being seem as a legitimate player in any ASEAN discussions.

[sriracha john]

Deputy Prime Minister resigns

Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Bunditkul has submitted his resignation from the post of Deputy Prime Minister and that the resignation will take effect today.

He affirmed that his reason for withdrawal from the position does not involve any conflict with anyone, but is related to his health.

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Supamas Idsarapakdee corroborated Sahas' claims elaborating that the resignation was submitted to Interim PM Somchai Wongasawat through Deputy Prime Minister [and Interior Minister] Police General Kowit Watana.

Sahas is a close personal friend to both former PM Samak Sundaravej and his wife.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-16

[Plus]

I think PPP will be able to convince Newin to back Somchai, but what is really telling is that they haven't given a single thought to finding a way out of political stalemate, not Newin, nor anyone else.

Electing a PM is not even half the job.

To Thaiatheart - how can you talk about "true vote" or whatever? Amongst all the horse trading of the past week, have you seen even a single one line reference to what people think? One single MP saying "I have to check with my voters"?

Instead there are daily reports of what Thaksin wants, what Newin wants, what MPs want, what coalition partners want - anyone but the people.

What I see is that your "true votes" don't give even a slightest consideration to the electorate. In fact the biggest threat they throw at each other is "we'll dissolve the house and send you back to face the citizenry".

[sriracha john]

Somchai discusses PM selection with PPP MPs

Caretaker PM and PPP Deputy Leader Somchai Wongsawat presided over the weekly cabinet meeting at 9am Tuesday at the Royal Thai Air Forces Headquarters. Somchai will later chair the meeting with the PPP MPs at 10 am to finally decide who the Party will nominate to run the premier’s race. The majority of PPP members initially selected Somchai to succeed disqualified PM Samak Sundaravej, but the 73-member group known as "Friends of Newin Chidchob” of the PPP would like other party members to revise its decision. The group, however, wanted to nominate caretaker Deputy PM and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, who also acts as the PPP Secretary-General. There were reports that a group of PPP members may not follow the party’s resolution, if it fails to revise its decision. The House meeting will vote for the new premier on

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130699

[Insight]

I just feel very sorry for the members on this forum that worship such a loser as Sondhi ...

I feel sorry for the ones, who are supporting the corrupt PPP government, the violent acts they have stirred up and the utter nonsense PPP propaganda. Must be tough to support the "loosing loosers" Thaksin, Samak and the PPP. At least Thaksin is gone, Samak got kicked out and the PPP will be disolved soon, so regardless if you guys start foaming from the mouth in this forum or not, the train is in motion and it ain't stopping for you

okay, the PAD cult tells you this is about "good people" vs. "evil people" <link to Thai language web page removed>.

but not many of the PAD cult critics are supporting thaksin. it's not the kindergarten, a union strike or only black or white you can choose. there are more options.

now go back to the telly, grab that and behave with decorum like a typical mature proPAD cultist.

"Behave" - popular word, that.

("or I'll tell my big brother!")

[hammered]

House disolution is interesting

First it is not clear that a caretaker PM can constitutionally disolve the house.

Second it puts all PPP MPs at risk. If the party is disolved during the election campaign none of the MPs will have time to join another party and be members long enough to run in the election. This is the PPP nightmare scenario. The northern factions are probably gambling on Newin coming onside but if they are not sure dare they risk a PM vote? 73 votes plus the Dems (160?) is close enough to install anyone they fancy. Odds on Banharn going up?

Newin wont want a disolution and the Somchai backers wont want to riska PM voter if they arent certain. That means what do the somchai backers have to deliver Newin or at least a portion of his faction and can they deliver what is required?

[clausewitz]

Stereotypes

Interesting, Maybe some of these grandpa PAD types should give it a read instead of the anti-government propaganda they read every day. Wishful thinking I guess.

“nganadeeleg”:

you said:

“It all sounds promising, but unless they drop the blinkered loyalty to Thaksin they are no better than the PAD.”

It would have helped them if the Democrat Party, or any other party, would have developed and communicated policies to them. I can’t blame them for choosing the only party that actually has developed those policies, communicated them, and also went through with those promises.

There is a lot less blind loyalty to Thaksin than you imagine, people there are aware that Thaksin has more than a few faults.

But what can they do when faced with the only other choice a party that now openly supports the PAD, instead of thinking of some sort of policies of their own?

PAD is still sitting in Government House, the leaders can continue to evade their arrest warrants, Sondhi L. can come and go as he pleases, has meetings and safe houses all over Bangkok, because he gets such a high level protection that police can’t do a thing about it.

And you wonder why the more violent parts of the reds start dominating the show? The legal system now is so blatantly partial, the police is not allowed to do their work - so what do you expect?

This was from Nick.

But I would say more. It almsot seems like the judiciary in Thailand is now bent on implementing PADs aims- why I don't know- but certainly senior past judges have expressed disdain for elections and feel they know better than the government and especially people from Issan.

[sriracha john]

“nganadeeleg”:

you said:

“It all sounds promising, but unless they drop the blinkered loyalty to Thaksin they are no better than the PAD.”

It would have helped them if the Democrat Party, or any other party, would have developed and communicated policies to them. I can’t blame them for choosing the only party that actually has developed those policies, communicated them, and also went through with those promises.

There is a lot less blind loyalty to Thaksin than you imagine, people there are aware that Thaksin has more than a few faults.

But what can they do when faced with the only other choice a party that now openly supports the PAD, instead of thinking of some sort of policies of their own?

PAD is still sitting in Government House, the leaders can continue to evade their arrest warrants, Sondhi L. can come and go as he pleases, has meetings and safe houses all over Bangkok, because he gets such a high level protection that police can’t do a thing about it.

And you wonder why the more violent parts of the reds start dominating the show? The legal system now is so blatantly partial, the police is not allowed to do their work - so what do you expect?

This was from Nick.

But I would say more. It almsot seems like the judiciary in Thailand is now bent on implementing PADs aims- why I don't know- but certainly senior past judges have expressed disdain for elections and feel they know better than the government and especially people from Issan.

Do you have a post link to what you are attributing to as a quote from nganadeeleg?

It doesn't show up in his/her profile history.

Who is "Nick"? and where did those words come from?

[clausewitz]

http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/20...thailands-reds/