Somchai Wongsawat To Be New PM

[animatic]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

It occured to me,

the best way to convert Sterling / euros / $ to baht

and smuggle it in for financing political bull poop

is through all these Cambodean casinos luring

gamboling addicted Thai's across the border to

lose their CASH regularly.

Then change it to real hard currencies that the Cambodian goverment loves,

and smuggle truckloads of baht back into Thailand for the dirty trick squad.

[sriracha john]

Let's remove responsibility...credibility...and oversight...and streamline the Constitution...

Charter changes to be pushed

The ruling PPP has vowed to press ahead with charter changes despite the likelihood of further exacerbating simmering political tensions in the country. The Party will move ahead with its plan to amend Articles 237, 68 and 190 of the constitution, said Peerapan Palusuk, the PPP MP for Yasothon and secretary of the government-appointed panel to study charter flaws. Any review of the articles would fuel the flames of hatred between the government and the anti-government PAD supporters who have remained steadfast that the charter must not be touched. Peerapan has argued that Article 237 makes the dissolution of political parties too easy, while Article 68 is too harsh in its present form as it can strip the electoral rights of public office-holders for five years if they are found violating even the simplest of election regulations. Amendment of Article 190 is being sought to bypass parliament and make it easier in putting international treaties into effect. He denied the proposed changes were self-serving. Opponents have insisted that the revisions were proposed to save the government's skin. The PPP and its leading coalition partners the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya Parties have been recommended to the Constitution Court for dissolution by the EC. The parties were accused of having knowledge of poll fraud committed by their executives. If the parties were disbanded, the incumbent executives risk being barred from exercising their electoral rights and engaging in political activities for five years. Also, treaties have been the government's sore point. Noppadon Pattama quit as Foreign Affairs Minister after the Constitution Court ruled the joint communique he signed supporting Cambodia's application to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site was unconstitutional since it was accorded the status of a treaty. But it did not have approval from parliament. Peerapan said Article 190 was impractical. He said his party would make the amendments issue an urgent one without waiting for the charter study panel to conclude its findings. A proposal to establish a charter drafting committee to rewrite the entire constitution is also being mulled. The PAD, meanwhile, has repeated its staunch opposition to the changes and will continue its rally in a bid to

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news08.php

[sriracha john]

Thaksin 'still boss'

A PPP envoy is believed to be on his way to London to submit the potential line-up of the Somchai Cabinet to the perusal of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a former Deputy Leader of the PPP, has been ordered to Britain by new PM Somchai to update Thaksin on the political situation and seek his advice on allotment of Cabinet seats

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province

and now that the people in charge have been duly consulted and with their wishes known... a little bit more of horse-trading is necessary..

Cabinet line-up almost ready, says PM

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said yesterday that his Cabinet line-up was "over 90 per cent complete" and he expected to seek royal endorsement for the appointments in a day or two.

A source from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said the premier was expected to submit the list of Cabinet members this evening.

The PPP and the Puea Pandin Party failed to agree within their parties about certain "problematic seats" but there were no such disagreements in other coalition parties, according to the source.

There will be some changes from the caretaker Cabinet, particularly as regards members from the People Power, Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties, according to the PPP source, who is familiar with the ongoing preparation of the Cabinet list. Other smaller coalition partners in the six-party administration proposed the current ministers keep their seats, the source said.

Somchai yesterday chaired a meeting of the PPP's executive board to discuss the party's nominations for the Cabinet. The meeting lasted about half an hour.

"The Cabinet list is now over 90 per cent complete," Somchai said after the meeting.

He denied infighting within PPP factions for ministerial seats, saying the appointments would be made based on calibre and appropriateness.

Somchai also denied that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is his brother-in-law, had had anything to do with the Cabinet line-up in the making.

The PPP meeting yesterday agreed to give Somchai "full power" in preparing the Cabinet nominations, party spokesman Kudep Saikrajang said.

The PM was evasive when asked if he would retain Defence, like his predecessor Samak Sundaravej, in order to keep the army on a tight leash. Somchai said he was considering the matter. He denied some members of the PPP had opposed Puea Pandin Party leader Suwit Khunkitti's joining the Cabinet, saying it was a matter of the right person for the right job.

The PM said yesterday that an "outsider", referring to a non-politician, had been approached to become the new Finance Minister after the caretaker office-holder, Surapong Suebwonglee, insisted on taking no post in a new Cabinet due to his legal problem with the lottery case.

Some other portfolios will also go to outsiders, he said.

Surapong said he would not accept a post because he currently faced legal action over the two- and three-digit lottery. *which occurred 55 days ago but that didn't stop him from acting in his position for nearly 2 months* He will accept a role only when the case is over, he said, adding that he was not "sulking" about not becoming prime minister. :D

MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, former Bank of Thailand governor and former deputy prime minister, said the news that economic expert Veerapong Ramangkura had been asked to join was good, given the current economic environment.

Meanwhile, Chart Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prisnananthakul said the party had agreed to five portfolios: a deputy PM, two ministers and two deputies.

- The Nation / 2008-09-21

[permanent_disorder]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

continued with: "including information and communications minister Mun Patanotai, deputy interior minister Prasong Kosittanond, deputy commerce minister Pichet Tancharoen and deputy finance minister Pichai Naripthaphan are expected to retain their posts in the new government, the source said"

another funny piece by the bangkok post. the nation not better, often only rumors and fantasy could be fiction. always presented by A source.

more funny is to see how that BS got 100% believed by are few TVforum members.

both newspapers run also stories that gave the full names from the people where that information came from, but also a lot of that funny The source said.

sriracha john, for the sake of quality, next time you post and quote such a funny The source said story, add a disclaimer in bold, pointing exactly that out. thank you.

[sriracha john]

sriracha john, for the sake of quality, next time you post and quote such a funny The source said story, add a disclaimer in bold, pointing exactly that out. thank you.

Welcome to the World of Journalism, permanently disordered...

An intelligence source said...

- New York Times / 2008-09-17

according to sources involved in the talks...

- Washington Post / 2008-09-21

A source close to Hughes said that he remains a candidate for the job...

- Philadelphia Inquirer / 2008-09-18

The top 3 newspapers to receive the most Pulitzers over a 10-year span:

1. New York Times (18)

2. Washington Post (14)

3. Philadelphia Inquirer (11)

[Pierrot]

Judging by the number of posts and readers in this thread, I believe the party is now over.

We can now go back to the real problems the readers of this forum are facing : "Sinsod : yes or no" and "Fortuner Vs MU7"

[animatic]

News papers of record use the word 'Source',

when said source wishes to NOT be officially quoted.

Either from wanting privacy or not having full permission for upfront quoting.

It gets published IF:

A ) the source has regularly been found to have credibility

B ) there is corraboration from a 2nd, and / or 3rd source.

But they quote the 1st source.

This is SOP in western media.

[Mobi]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

I heard a rumour that Chart Thai execs are seeking out the advice of Somchai (Kaman Po) who is also on the run.

Apparently it is now obligatory for all coalition parties to seek the approval from 'fugitives from justice' before finalising government positions.

I am reliably informed that the constitution will be amended accordingly.

[Ricardo]

Judging by the number of posts and readers in this thread, I believe the party is now over.

We can now go back to the real problems the readers of this forum are facing : "Sinsod : yes or no" and "Fortuner Vs MU7"

Not to mention "Will the new PM allow Go-Go Bars to stay open late" and "I am visiting Thailand for the first time next week".

[h90]

He said the PPP would amend Article 237 to make it harder for a political party to be dissolved and amend article 68 to lessen length of period of political ban...

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest.

PPP is a pack of losers. It seems nothing can clean this party up, I look forward to its dissolution and the conviction/banning/jailing of yet another bunch of its pathetically corrupt and self-interested executives.

Well, I think everyone on ThaiVisa agrees they are a bunch of pathetically corrupt and self-interested executives. The problem is whether it is a good idea to give a pathetically corrupt and self-interested elite and military the power to dissolve, convict, ban, and jail the PPP in order that they may take their place and create a far worse system.

corrupt people must be punished and here is enough evidence that everyone who follow the law will do the same thing.....

[CroBiker]

wow....one lives to see or hear just about anything. In my wildest dreams I never expected anyone related to Thaksin family to become MP let alone PM.

Hard times are ahead, hope it doesn't come to civil war.

[permanent_disorder]

This is SOP in western media.

the mickey mouse "news" in bangkok post and nation a far away from western standard.

or let's say quality journalism.

and of course you can find according to a source and similar also in the flag ships of journalism. but the way it's done here in thailand very different.

"the source said" can be also a BS indicator.

just keep that in mind, before you start to interpret the "news" with a even more wacko BS.

remember those journalist the The Nation was reporting about, that they don't wanna play a stage show for the PAD?

[Mobi]

Well my little dog shares his name with the new PM.

But I think my "Somchai" would make a better Prime Minister.

I think he has more gravitas

[prefabs]

The new Prime Minister is a relative of Thaksin, and it is no surprise anymore that more and more of his family group are "politicians". Does anyone know exactly how many of his close relatives are members of the TRT or PPP? That is to include any of the banned 111.

Western countries have very few family groups in politics, with the exception, maybe, of the Bush and Kennedy clans, but even they seem small groups compared with Thailand

[hammered]

Certainly is interesting that as the quietly spoken Somchai talks of negotiations and hopes for reconcilliation we hear that the cabinet list has gone to Thaksin to be vetted and that the PPP will push to ammend the charter.

Either there is a bit of PPP infighting or they have cleverer tactics than before ie hide obvious inflammatory polices behind some cloak of softly spoken nice words. It will be interesting to watch this one play out, and to see how Somchai's PMship will be labelled once it is over.

[Pierrot]

IMO it’s over.

Democrats failed in their last attempt to derail the current coalition. One more time they were outsmarted.

The coalition is much stronger that some expected and the country can’t afford any more trouble, all factions now agree on that.

The last step is now to negotiate the amnesties, for all sides. Then it will be business as usual.

And maybe we will hear again the words made famous by Ken Livingston : ” As I was saying a few years ago, before I was so rudely interrupted..."

[sriracha john]

PPP to convene this evening to allocate Cabinet portfolio

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will host a meeting of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) this evening to listen to views of the Party’s executives for the new Cabinet line up. *video linked to London or is that unnecessary now that Yongyuth is back?*

Meanwhile, three coalition parties, including Matchima Tipatai, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, and Pracharaj Parties have nominated their five old ministers *hahahaha...a funny unintended diss* during the Samak Sundaravej administration tenure to be in the new Cabinet. Chart Thai Party has nominated its Party Leader’s son, Warawut Silpa-archa, to be in the new Cabinet, *nepotism is the order of the day, whether it's the Shinawatra's or the Silpa-archa's* while retaining its four other old faces *more dissing* in the new administration.

Somchai Wongsawat, Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of the ruling People Power party (PPP), will hold a meeting of PPP’s executive board to listen to their views regarding allocation of new Cabinet portfolios.

The Prime Minister said that outsiders would also be woo to join in the Cabinet so as to boost the administration’s working efficiency. *I'd prefer movie director John Woo.*

He addedd that new ministers must be competent and suitable for the jobs. *well that eliminates 90%* He said that he was confident the new Cabinet line up would be able to be tabled for royal endorsement by the next couple of days.

Regarding caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Seubwonglee's remarks that he would take a political break for a while, Somchai said that he preferred Surapong to join the new Cabinet, adding, however, that it depended on Surapong’s decision whether he wanted to stay on. *Especially in light of the other 2 co-defendants involved in the same indictment as he is plan to stay on with the new Cabinet.*

The Prime Minister also denied reports as groundless that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra involved in picking new ministers, stressing that he picked the new ministers by himself. *just him and the little missus*

Somchai also said that he would review whether he would double with the Defence Minister post.

The five coalition parties were informed that they have to submit nominations of new ministers to the Prime Minister by yesterday (September 20) *they were told today that yesterday was the deadline* as the list of the new minister have to be forwarded to cabinet’s secretary office to verify their qualification before seeking royal endorsement today (September 21).

Chart Thai Party which is allotted five ministerial posts preferred to retain four out of five ministers in the new administration, including Major General Sanan Kachornprasart to retain his Deputy Prime Minister’s post, Weerasak Kowsurat to be Tourism and Sports Minister, Somsak Prissanananthakul Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, and Sompat Kaewpichite Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister. Somsak said that the Party Leader, Banharn Silpa-archa's, son, Warawut, would get a Cabinet post.

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party’s agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

He also said that currently the Cabinet’s allotment was based on three main types, including allotment based on being representatives of former politicians, on big ministries with significant benefits, and on political parties’ financial supporters.

Mr. Ong-art urged Somchai to cease singling out new ministers based on the aforementioned methods as currently, the country was facing crises. If he adopted the old methods to select the ministers, it would aggravate the country’s situation. He also said that general public was paying attention to new Cabinet.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-21

[Pierrot]

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party's agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

These people have absolutely no shame !

This is the direct result of their action for the past two years. By stopping the emergence of two big parties (democrats and TRT), the democrats have maintained this system of many small parties where allocation of minister's post is based on each party's weight in the coalition in power.

Further more, what was the price they were willing to pay should their plan to break the current coalition would have succeed ??? What a bunch of hypocrites!

[animatic]

PPP to convene this evening to allocate Cabinet portfolio

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will host a meeting of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) this evening to listen to views of the Party’s executives for the new Cabinet line up. *video linked to London or is that unnecessary now that Yongyuth is back?*........

The five coalition parties were informed that they have to submit nominations of new ministers to the Prime Minister by yesterday (September 20) *they were told today that yesterday was the deadline* as the list of the new minister have to be forwarded to cabinet’s secretary office to verify their qualification before seeking royal endorsement today (September 21). .....

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-21

ROTFLOL it don't get better than this for theater of the absurd!

Like Catch 22 or Felini :D

Must verify the outgoing Minster at his Secratariat to see if he

can be an incoming minster without changing office telephone #.

[Ricardo]

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party's agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

These people have absolutely no shame !

This is the direct result of their action for the past two years. By stopping the emergence of two big parties (democrats and TRT), the democrats have maintained this system of many small parties where allocation of minister's post is based on each party's weight in the coalition in power.

Further more, what was the price they were willing to pay should their plan to break the current coalition would have succeed ??? What a bunch of hypocrites!

I can't see anything wrong, in proposing selecting ministers on suitability or competency, although some might say it was a new idea here. Are experience or competence totally irrelevant or undesireable ? Of course not !

How did the Democrats "stop the emergence of two big parties" as you claim ? It was surely the voters who gave equal votes to them & the PPP, and down-graded the minor parties, leaving aside vote-buying.

Is there something shameful or hypocritical, in the Opposition proposing their own candidate for PM, or was that just normal democratic party-politics ? Or was it more shameful or hypocritical of the 'neutral' Speaker of the House, to adjourn the House before a vote could be taken, because there was a temporary shortage of PPP-members available to vote ! Neutrality, like democracy, is a newly-emerging concept in Thai politics, it would seem.

[Bangyai]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

Well, its only natural that there should be consultations with Taksin. After all, as Sondhi said " Taksin is Thailands best prime minister ever " He actually said that a couple of times in his Manager ' newspaper. ??? ( Sondhis opinion not mine ). He probably felt moved to say this when the Krung Thai Bank reduced his debt from 1.8 billion to 200 million, which Taksin had a hand in.

As Tony Clifton says...monkey see , monkey do. If he hadn't tried to copy Taksins move into the satellite business with Lao Star Co he might not have lost his money in the first place !! Still, there's the rub....he couldn't fill his hero Taksins boots so he throws a wobbly. What a muppet

Oh yes, and is Taksin already a convicted criminal ??? I thought that the reason he did not return to Thailand is that he doesn't want to stand trial and become a convicted criminal Still...he is avoiding legal confrontation I guess like the PAD leaders. Oh yes, and who is it that has 2 counts of lese majeste against him and is currently out on bail ? Oh dear....its that naughtly little wannabe again...Sondhi. Still John, thats good enough in your opinion I guess so we can refer to Sondhi as a convicted criminal too...is that right ???

[sriracha john]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

Oh yes, and is Taksin already a convicted criminal ??? I thought that the reason he did not return to Thailand is that he doesn't want to stand trial and become a convicted criminal Still...he is avoiding legal confrontation I guess like the PAD leaders. Oh yes, and who is it that has 2 counts of lese majeste against him and is currently out on bail ? Oh dear....its that naughtly little wannabe again...Sondhi. Still John, thats good enough in your opinion I guess so we can refer to Sondhi as a convicted criminal too...is that right ???

I made it bigger for you to see easier this time....I never said convicted criminal.... I said criminal fugitive. Sorry to sabotage your rant.

[Pierrot]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

Oh yes, and is Taksin already a convicted criminal ??? I thought that the reason he did not return to Thailand is that he doesn't want to stand trial and become a convicted criminal Still...he is avoiding legal confrontation I guess like the PAD leaders. Oh yes, and who is it that has 2 counts of lese majeste against him and is currently out on bail ? Oh dear....its that naughtly little wannabe again...Sondhi. Still John, thats good enough in your opinion I guess so we can refer to Sondhi as a convicted criminal too...is that right ???

I made it bigger for you to see easier this time....I never said convicted criminal.... I said criminal fugitive. Sorry to sabotage your rant.

Pls correct me if I'm wrong, but Puea Pandin was not the party formed by ex-TRT members that was supposed to be on the democrats side ? Doing the dirty job in TRT territory so the democrats can keep their nose clean and then be rewarded later by some ministerial posts ? Just, as usual, ooopps, it was not supposed to happend this way ????

[h90]

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party's agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

These people have absolutely no shame !

This is the direct result of their action for the past two years. By stopping the emergence of two big parties (democrats and TRT), the democrats have maintained this system of many small parties where allocation of minister's post is based on each party's weight in the coalition in power.

Further more, what was the price they were willing to pay should their plan to break the current coalition would have succeed ??? What a bunch of hypocrites!

Is it strange for you to choose competent people???

[Pierrot]

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party's agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

These people have absolutely no shame !

This is the direct result of their action for the past two years. By stopping the emergence of two big parties (democrats and TRT), the democrats have maintained this system of many small parties where allocation of minister's post is based on each party's weight in the coalition in power.

Further more, what was the price they were willing to pay should their plan to break the current coalition would have succeed ??? What a bunch of hypocrites!

I can't see anything wrong, in proposing selecting ministers on suitability or competency, although some might say it was a new idea here. Are experience or competence totally irrelevant or undesireable ? Of course not !

How did the Democrats "stop the emergence of two big parties" as you claim ? It was surely the voters who gave equal votes to them & the PPP, and down-graded the minor parties, leaving aside vote-buying.

Is there something shameful or hypocritical, in the Opposition proposing their own candidate for PM, or was that just normal democratic party-politics ? Or was it more shameful or hypocritical of the 'neutral' Speaker of the House, to adjourn the House before a vote could be taken, because there was a temporary shortage of PPP-members available to vote ! Neutrality, like democracy, is a newly-emerging concept in Thai politics, it would seem.

You're absolutely right. But the way you twist my arguments ... you'ld definitively make a great politician !

The adjourment of the vote was a great political move! I believe, should the vote had taken place that day, the democrats would have won the premiership. But, and it was my point, there is a price to pay for that, and democrats would have no problem rewarding minor parties that would have defected to the other side with minister's posts.

[Pierrot]

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party's agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

These people have absolutely no shame !

This is the direct result of their action for the past two years. By stopping the emergence of two big parties (democrats and TRT), the democrats have maintained this system of many small parties where allocation of minister's post is based on each party's weight in the coalition in power.

Further more, what was the price they were willing to pay should their plan to break the current coalition would have succeed ??? What a bunch of hypocrites!

Is it strange for you to choose competent people???

Again and again ... So I've to make my point more clear.

There is nothing strange or bad to choose competent people but the current system, which is very much the making of the democrats, doesn't allow it.

The constitution has been written to prevent the formation of any strong government. The recent events have proven the PM doesn't even control the army or the police. The people who wrote this constitution made sure it will be their government or no government at all.

So complaining now is a bit hypocritical from people who support the present constitution.

[Los78]

Meanwhile, Ong-art Klampaibul, Democrat Party Bangkok MP, claimed that allocation of the new Cabinet line up was an old style allocation as it was allotted based on each Party's agreed quotas and benfits, rather than on suitability and competency of the ministers.

These people have absolutely no shame !

This is the direct result of their action for the past two years. By stopping the emergence of two big parties (democrats and TRT), the democrats have maintained this system of many small parties where allocation of minister's post is based on each party's weight in the coalition in power.

Further more, what was the price they were willing to pay should their plan to break the current coalition would have succeed ??? What a bunch of hypocrites!

Is it strange for you to choose competent people???

Again and again ... So I've to make my point more clear.

There is nothing strange or bad to choose competent people but the current system, which is very much the making of the democrats, doesn't allow it.

The constitution has been written to prevent the formation of any strong government. The recent events have proven the PM doesn't even control the army or the police. The people who wrote this constitution made sure it will be their government or no government at all.

So complaining now is a bit hypocritical from people who support the present constitution.

Yes I totally agree. THe current constitution is a joke and needs to be changed. On another note, it looks like the majority of Bangkokians support the new PM from the couple polls conducted. I guess the PAD sheep are more of an embarressment and should consider packing it in. Only wishful thinking I guess.

[sriracha john]

Yes I totally agree. THe current constitution is a joke and needs to be changed. On another note, it looks like the majority of Bangkokians support the new PM from the couple polls conducted.

Who conducted the poll? Who did they poll? What did they ask? What were the results?

The People Power Party plan to amend Articles 237, 68, and 190 of the constitution. Could you explain why those articles need to be amended?

[Bangyai]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

Oh yes, and is Taksin already a convicted criminal ??? I thought that the reason he did not return to Thailand is that he doesn't want to stand trial and become a convicted criminal Still...he is avoiding legal confrontation I guess like the PAD leaders. Oh yes, and who is it that has 2 counts of lese majeste against him and is currently out on bail ? Oh dear....its that naughtly little wannabe again...Sondhi. Still John, thats good enough in your opinion I guess so we can refer to Sondhi as a convicted criminal too...is that right ???

I made it bigger for you to see easier this time....I never said convicted criminal.... I said criminal fugitive. Sorry to sabotage your rant.

Your apology accepted in the spirit it was given.At least you agree that Taksin is not a criminal since you recognise that he has not yet been convicted . In the interests of factuality I have corrected your post so as to make it less misleading. Sorry to spoil your rant.

As for Somchai Wongsawat, shouldn't he be given an opportunity before he is condemned. A govournment should be judged by its performance not the relationships of its leader.Or should it only be the PAD leadership who are allowed to say who runs the country.??

[sriracha john]

With the People Power Party getting its direction from Thaksin in London, it's only fitting that its coalition partner Puea Pandin Party is getting direction from Vatana in Poipet. The over-riding decisions of this government are being made by criminal fugitives outside of the country.... Wonderful!!!

PUEA PANDIN PARTY CONSULTS FUGITIVE

Puea Pandin Party leaders have consulted the Party's Chief Adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of Cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him. A source at Puea Pandin Party said Party leaders recently went to Poipet, opposite Sa Kaeo province's Aranyaprathet district, to meet Vatana and discuss the quota of Cabinet posts held by the Party in the new coalition government. The line-up of Party candidates for Cabinet posts has now been finalised. ''Vatana still commands respect from all party members. His decision is always respected and accepted,'' said the source. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in prison on Aug 18 after convicting him of corruption in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal. The former Samut Prakan MP jumped bail and and ran away to Poipet, where he runs casino businesses. A warrant is out for his arrest. The source said Puea Pandin Party asked for the Industry portfolio and in return would give the post of Deputy PM to the People Power Party. The Party leaders also agreed to push for Police General Pracha Promnok, another Party Adviser, to be given a Cabinet position, the source said. Party members including

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news02.php

Oh yes, and is Taksin already a convicted criminal ??? I thought that the reason he did not return to Thailand is that he doesn't want to stand trial and become a convicted criminal Still...he is avoiding legal confrontation I guess like the PAD leaders. Oh yes, and who is it that has 2 counts of lese majeste against him and is currently out on bail ? Oh dear....its that naughtly little wannabe again...Sondhi. Still John, thats good enough in your opinion I guess so we can refer to Sondhi as a convicted criminal too...is that right ???

I made it bigger for you to see easier this time....I never said convicted criminal.... I said criminal fugitive. Sorry to sabotage your rant.

Your apology accepted in the spirit it was given.At least you agree that Taksin is not a criminal since you recognise that he has not yet been convicted . In the interests of factuality I have corrected your post so as to make it less misleading. Sorry to spoil your rant.

No rant on my part, just stating the obvious that you misread criminal fugitive as convicted criminal. A fugitive by the very nature of the word is criminal and thus it is reinserted in my post. How often do you hear of non-criminal fugitives? Convicted has a whole separate other connotation.

As for Somchai Wongsawat, shouldn't he be given an opportunity before he is condemned. A govournment should be judged by its performance not the relationships of its leader.

It depends. When the priorities of the government haven't shifted away from constitutional amendments. When positive actions that could be taken to show his independence from his brother-in-law such as revoking his diplomatic passport are not taken... those sort of things can lead to early condemnations since they are no different than during Samak's condemned time in office.