Democrats To Form New Coalition Government

[Thaddeus]

To cut a long story short, Thai politics is madness.

Suggs for PM.

Baggy Trousers for all

(bigger pockets)

[ianh68]

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

do what you got to do.

Nice one, Cyril!

Edited December 7, 2008 by ianh68

[ianh68]

What's with all this bribe and payoff nonsense. While all politicians are not sqeaky clean, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains. At this piont anyone is better than Toxin and his kleeng ons. Thailand will be better off with a young fresh mind!

So the Democratic governor of Bangkok who had to resign over corruption charges was innocent?

[stumonster]

The PPP and opposition Democrats each received about 37% of the total votes at last year's polls, with the Democrats receiving about 200,000 less than the PPP out of a total 32 million votes cast among the two dozen or so competing parties. Regional gerrymandering gave the PPP more parliamentary seats, but the Asia Foundation’s James Klein notes in a recent report that 63% of Thai voters did not support the PPP, "Thus, PPP claims that they represent the majority of Thai citizens cannot be labeled as simple sound-bite rhetoric; it is outright smoke-and-mirrors deception."

how much of the gerrymandering was achieved during the TRT watch ? will the influence of factions from the North East decline when it is undone ?

[henryalleman]

takeaway.

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

do what you got to do.

What's with all this bribe and payoff nonsense. While all politicians are not sqeaky clean, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains. At this piont anyone is better than Toxin and his kleeng ons. Thailand will be better off with a young fresh mind!

I agree, they have studied abroad, and they have fresh new ideas. They stayed long enough abroad to comprehend how a real democracy works.

My general who followed Thai Politics for more than 50 years said that in the democratic party was never a fight for power. The old generation always put a step aside to give changes to the new ones. Chuan who now refused to be PM just follows that tradition.

Napoleon tried to come back and saw his Waterloo. I think that Thaksin is in the same position. He send his partner in crime to Waterloo and she seems to be defeated.

Dr. Thaksins political live is over. The only thing left for him is a very lonely live in some Arab country like many other ex corrupted politicians, or the Bahama's, who even sold their votes in the UN to the highest bidder. I think he will feel realy at home there. Because not any country will welcome him, because he will be only a pain in the neck for them, with his stirring up the politics in a friendly country. He got his lesson from the UK, after he give his phone interviews.

In card games we called it OVERPLAYING HIS HAND. He just find out what an old and wise politician once said

" my worst political enemys are in my own party".

I think that very soon he will be just a foot note in Thai history very soon.

Goodbye Dr. Thaksin.

[digitele]

Shah Jahan Posted Today, 2008-12-06 19:25:39

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

In the spirit of the Christmas season:

Window Dressing!

[george]

Jatuporn says Abhisit will never make it to premiership

BANGKOK: -- Former People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan Sunday expressed confidence that Democrat Party leader would never win a House vote to become the next prime minister.

Jatuporn, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, alleged that Abhisit had avoided military conscription so MPs would never vote him as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

-- The Nation 2008-12-07

[h90]

What's with all this bribe and payoff nonsense. While all politicians are not sqeaky clean, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains. At this piont anyone is better than Toxin and his kleeng ons. Thailand will be better off with a young fresh mind!

So the Democratic governor of Bangkok who had to resign over corruption charges was innocent?

Apirak had to pay the contracts Samak signed. He resigned and will fight the corruption charges, while all the PPP guys never resigned on anything and stick to their position until the last day.

[h90]

Well it looks as if the bloody woman's war chest has run out. She better run before she is locked up.

I wouldn't count on that. My guess is that she is now calling every MP and offering some more money, while the Democrats don't have these funds they have pretty strong arguments. As well I wouldn't be surprised if some big business put some money in, at least it is cheaper than closed airports.

[Briggsy]

Jatuporn says Abhisit will never make it to premiership

BANGKOK: -- Former People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan Sunday expressed confidence that Democrat Party leader would never win a House vote to become the next prime minister.

Jatuporn, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, alleged that Abhisit had avoided military conscription so MPs would never vote him as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

-- The Nation 2008-12-07

The desperate mudslinging begins. I would wager there are few MPs who did their cadet training to avoid the draft and very few MPs indeed, probably zero who did their 2 years as a conscripted soldier.

This is apart from the female MPs and generals turned politicians.

[hammered]

A nice bidding war has probably been unleashed by this Demo announcement. Can they keep the numebrs to the parlaimentary vote is the big question. As is can the acting PM dissolve the house. Expect a court ruling if he tries it. He is also in Newin's faction whichmay mean something. it may however only mean he is about to become incredibly rich if he goes against Newin.

Oh what fun as we return to votes for money exactly as they all used to be.

If this coaliton comes off it is a disaster for Thaksin so expect anything up to and including the extreme to try and avoid it. That it is a parlaimentary and democratic coup makes it harder to criticise for the reds though and Veera, a red leader, has already said he has no problem with it I understand.

Jatuporn's comment seems to be very strange. He however, will be another big loser if it comes off. Veera is more a principled politcal ideologue with a long vision. Jatuporn is more a political opportunist and his pwoer in PPP will decline if they go into opposition while the consumate poltiicans will just wait a later return or later switch depending on what happens with dear leader.

I also expect if they make it past the finish line the Dems will introduce ashedload of populist policies. Their policy of free education for all up to and including first degree will be popular. I also expect the Dems to do some formk of amnesty for some banned politcos. This deal if it comes off will have apublic face and a number of quiet conditions.

Anyway watch for the Peau Thai/PPP backlash in the next day or two. Thaksin aint going down without a fight

[Ulysses G.]

Jatuporn, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, alleged that Abhisit had avoided military conscription so MPs would never vote him as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

-- The Nation 2008-12-07

He really is Yellow!

[hammered]

Apparently Yingluck Thaksin's sister is utterly shocked when she is not named new supreme leader of Peau Thai.

Things get weirder and weirder

Edited to add: Yongyuth Wichaidit the dude elected was at the Dem press conference yesterday so I guess the Dem coaliton is now off as Peau Thai resort to extreme measures to retain power

Edited December 7, 2008 by hammered

[Bangyai]

[

Yes, kind of ironic. The last time the democrats were in power they presided over the asian crash of 1997. The baht collapsed and the govournment had to float it until it found its level. Talk about history repeating itself.

The strong baht is not going to help exports, investment or tourism so sometime next year the democrats might have to devalue it. Economic upheaval which some will blame on them and some will say was Thaksins fault. Last time around Sondhi was very critical of their performance and pretty vocal about it. Might be more tightlipped this time.

If I recall it correctly it was Banhan who was PM in 1997, and it was Chuan who clean up the mess after him. Banhan won the earlier election against Chuan by promising an high raise of salary for Civil Servants, and proclaiming that he will move the capital to Suphan Buri. Chuan was loosing that elections because the Thai public said he was too carefull and too slowly with his democratic reforms after the latest military coup. But Banhan made a mess of things and they re-elected Chuan again. And after Chuan it was another one(Thaksin) who promised a golden future to the Thai voter, and Chuan lost the elections again. Chuan did a good job, but the public did not realize that it take times to change things for the better. And also above his head was always the sword of Damocles (a military coup) if he changed things to rapidly.

I don't know how long you follow Thai politics but I remember vividly the cartoon in all major magazines who made a fool of Banhan during his government.

Yes, my apologies. I remembered Chuan coming in in 1997 but it was in November ,after

the crash. And yes, it was Chavalit not Banharn who was in the driving seat when....

[hardy1943]

Apparently Yingluck Thaksin's sister is utterly shocked when she is not named new supreme leader of Peau Thai.

Things get weirder and weirder

Edited to add: Yongyuth Wichaidit the dude elected was at the Dem press conference yesterday so I guess the Dem coaliton is now off as Peau Thai resort to extreme measures to retain power

Lets face it, this whole thing is a joke, got to live here even to beleive what is going on.

[nitecm]

takeaway.

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

do what you got to do.

What's with all this bribe and payoff nonsense. While all politicians are not sqeaky clean, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains. At this piont anyone is better than Toxin and his kleeng ons. Thailand will be better off with a young fresh mind!

Toxin got the support because the development of the villages of northeast and northern was very slow under other government.

[Plus]

So corruption free that the prime minister Chuan had to step back because even for Thai standards his administration was a little bit too greedy:

The first Chuan administration fell when members of the cabinet were implicated in profiting from Sor Phor Kor 4-01 land project documents distributed in Phuket province. Fierce public and press criticism and dissolution of Parliament have been held accountable for his administration's downfall.

Yeah, in those days the govt felt responsibility to maintain clean image in the eyes of the public. A few years later Chavalit stepped down over mishandling of the crisis.

By contrast TRT/PPP displayed absolutely no shame and accountability in seven years in office, even when caught with pants down over electoral fraud that sounds incredible by Western standards. No shame, no guilt, no responsibility.

They've set values that will take years or even decades to erase from public memory.

>>>>

Phue Thai will try every trick to get coalition partners back, and they even threated with House Dissolution, which will be like a suicide for all their MPs. They might even try to mobilise reds to block the parliament from electing Abhisit.

That would be a nice one to watch, with economy in a free downfall, companies closing, laying off staff, or working three days only, and holiday season going down the drain there will be very little support for any new round of political upheaval, especially to bring those PPP morons back to power and start all over again.

[henryalleman]

Jatuporn says Abhisit will never make it to premiership

BANGKOK: -- Former People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan Sunday expressed confidence that Democrat Party leader would never win a House vote to become the next prime minister.

Jatuporn, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, alleged that Abhisit had avoided military conscription so MPs would never vote him as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

What a joke, everybody knows that only the poor are conscripts. The moment they go high school all middle class students follow Lodo to avoid military service. Also buying your way out is very common.

The middle class and the elite go to military cadetschool to make a military career, not to defend their country, but is the best way to make a living by different kinds of corruptions, and how more they develop their skills how higher their career;

The lower classes join the army to avoid unemployment and have a steady income. And also for prestige reasons.

[george]

Yongyuth Wichaidit elected as new Pheu Thai leader

BANGKOK: -- Yongyuth Wichaidit was Sunday elected as the new Pheu Thai Party leader.

It was earlier speculated that Yinglak Shinawatra, a sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would be elected as the leader of the reincarnation party of the dissolved People Power.

-- The Nation 2008-12-07

[chuang]

[

, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains.

What a naive statement.. where were the Dems all these months when the country was and is still in turmoil..

they are trying to sneak in from the back door to form the govt...

[Koo82]

History will be repeated. The man with nick name "Ta Nan" (Mr. Nan, the ugly old man with very big ears) will lobby to take someone to Dem and Dem leader will be PM. But Ta Lor (the handsome leader) says he doesn't want to be PM. He knows why he shouldn't.

Let Dem lead this time and we will see how the economy move (back) . Next, the Puea Thai with another name maybe will win election and we start again.

Better than any soap opera ever

[george]

Yongyuth named as Puea Thai leader; Party accepts opposition role

BANGKOK: -- Puea Thai party members appointed former deputy permanent secretary for interior Yongyuth Wichaidith as their new party leader on Sunday.

Caretaker party registrar Kamon Bandaiphet nominated Mr Yongyuth as the new party leader, and no other candidates were proposed at the meeting at Shinawatra Thai Silk building. Puea Thai members then resolved to elect Mr Yongyuth.

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's sister Yinglak Shinawatra, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his wife arrived at the meeting before leaving the building about an hour later.

Ms Yinglak appeared bewildered as her name was not nominated as party leader.

In addition, 13 executives were appointed, including a party leader, deputy leaders, a secretary-general, a treasurer, a registrar, a spokesperson, a deputy spokesperson and three executive members.

Deputy House Speaker and Puea Thai MP for Nonthaburi province Apiwan Wiriyachai later admitted that the Democrat party together with former coalition partners and the Friends of Newin Chidchob faction had the majority of votes in the House.

Col Apiwan said the Puea Thai party is ready to work as the opposition, if its fails to form the new coalition government.

The court-disbanded Chart Thai party also informed that it refused to join Puea Thai party, he added.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-12-07

[Old Man River]

[

, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains.

What a naive statement.. where were the Dems all these months when the country was and is still in turmoil..

they are trying to sneak in from the back door to form the govt...

What a naive statement. Have you been asleep? The Dem's have continually been trying to put together a coalition, but too many on the other side viewed Thaksin's money as their prime motivating factor. Now, with the economy in shambles and nobody watching the store, this is starting to take money out of their pockets. Their incentive for money making is shifting from payoffs to saving their life family businesses.

As it relates to corruption in Thailand, best to view it as everyone does it, but some do it more than others. Hence, the Dem's are the relatively clean party in Thailand.

[h90]

takeaway.

guess the "forces of good" figured out it was cheaper to bribe MP's then it was to finance airport seizures.

do what you got to do.

What's with all this bribe and payoff nonsense. While all politicians are not sqeaky clean, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains. At this piont anyone is better than Toxin and his kleeng ons. Thailand will be better off with a young fresh mind!

Toxin got the support because the development of the villages of northeast and northern was very slow under other government.

Yes because the Democrats had no money after Chavalit lead the country into crises, with the help pf Banharn and Thaksin.

[chuang]

[

, at least the Dems have the country in the best interest not their personal finacial gains.

What a naive statement.. where were the Dems all these months when the country was and is still in turmoil..

they are trying to sneak in from the back door to form the govt...

What a naive statement. Have you been asleep? The Dem's have continually been trying to put together a coalition, but too many on the other side viewed Thaksin's money as their prime motivating factor. Now, with the economy in shambles and nobody watching the store, this is starting to take money out of their pockets. Their incentive for money making is shifting from payoffs to saving their life family businesses.

As it relates to corruption in Thailand, best to view it as everyone does it, but some do it more than others. Hence, the Dem's are the relatively clean party in Thailand.

" but too many on the other side viewed Thaksin's money as their prime motivating factor'..I read it as now the 'too many' are changing sides caused they can get more from the other side ..Dems , a clean party in Thailand, you really have a sense of humor

[kxfield]

Its not over till the transfer window closes.

Politicians are just like Premier League footballers. You can count the number of committed loyalists like Shearer on one hand.

Lampard and Drogba off to Inter, to join the new boss Jose. At the death -oops we are staying. "Couldn't agree personal terms." or "finally decided that my loyalty lies here(after promises of an improved contract)

A certain Robinho on his way to Chelsea -oops Man City come up with an offer at the 11th hour. I would not say its a done deal even when you see pictures of the player in his new shirt.

Its about money, joining a winning team or making sure you don't join a team that is going to be relegated at the end of the season.

Until I actually see the line up at the start of the new season I wouldn't bet on anything.

The deeper the pockets of the clubs owners, the more chance they have of getting the players they want.

As for the poor old spectator - up go the turnstile prices yet again !!!!!!!

[h90]

" but too many on the other side viewed Thaksin's money as their prime motivating factor'..I read it as now the 'too many' are changing sides caused they can get more from the other side ..Dems , a clean party in Thailand, you really have a sense of humor

It is without doubt the cleanest party in Thailand.....

Actually it is the only party in thailand. All the others are just projects to get money/power without any ideology

[opalhort]

I certainly congratulate the Democrats if they can form the next government, but it would be a very weak one considering that the Democrats will have to make concessions to the various factions and coalition partners.

Also:

what happens if the Puea Thai sweeps all seats up for grabs in the by-elections?

and the issue of the status of the list-MPs of the dissolved parties has not yet been resolved (the EC appears to be divided on this issue). In theory they should lose their MP status since they were elected under the party banner. If they lose their seats the numbe of MPs would drop below the 80% required and a new election would have to be held.

Do I understand this correctly?

opalhort

[Plus]

They should run new elections, really, if they want to avoid all kinds of legitimacy questions and wobbly coalitions.

On the other hand I'd like see some kind of a political reform, too, and not because I don't want PPP back in power (it will be too late for Thaksin anyway), but to clean up politics as a whole.

[h90]

I certainly congratulate the Democrats if they can form the next government, but it would be a very weak one considering that the Democrats will have to make concessions to the various factions and coalition partners.

Also:

what happens if the Puea Thai sweeps all seats up for grabs in the by-elections?

and the issue of the status of the list-MPs of the dissolved parties has not yet been resolved (the EC appears to be divided on this issue). In theory they should lose their MP status since they were elected under the party banner. If they lose their seats the numbe of MPs would drop below the 80% required and a new election would have to be held.

Do I understand this correctly?

opalhort

If the Puea Thai sweeps all the seats in the by-election the Democrats have still enough if they have 250 seats as they claim (but I have doubts).

On new elections surely the Democrats will win some support and Puea Thai loose some, and the small parties loose total. But how much???