Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[dave9988]

Bangkok Post

Thanks for this Konangrit.

Does anyone know of / can refer to a map of Thailand

with the constituencies marked by party

I would be very interested to see the

political geography of the kingdom

in more detail than the usually reported

"NE / South / Bangkok terminology.

why did 33 people from PT vote for abhisit? why is that not getting more play in the media?

[warfie]

Wonderful news and he at least initially appears to be a decent, honest, sincere and well educated guy, indeed a ray of light in the darkness. I wish him well, he has a tough job ahead of him.

As a guy who was educated at Oxford I wonder whether he will be kinder to falangs living here legally and honestly in LOS. On a purely selfish note it would be great if he allowed at least retirees (and of any age) to own their own houses, albeit with a limited small amount of land say reasonably under 400 square wah or even half of that. Anyway the main thing is for now the well being of this country and its people, and its prosperous future. This is hope at last for the Thai people and I hope a final goodbye to the destructive megalomaniac Toxin (though sadly I somehow doubt it)

Indeed, you are not a litle bit selfish, but very selfish. You are worried about what the impact wil be for yourself. May I remind you that we as farang are not important at all, his sole responsibilty is the welbeing of the Thai public, not the farang.

... and <deleted> are you! The guy wished the new PM well, the Thai people well and also wishing that we may have an easier time of it. What's wrong with that? We are important, especially in the eyes of our immediate Thai families for those that have them, so get off your soapbox

Agreed, as highlighted above, he says "the main thing is for now the well being of this country and its people, and its prosperous future." selfish?

And what's so wrong about wishing to be allowed to buy a piece of land? If a Thai (or anyone else) comes to Australia/England/USA/... s/he is permitted to work any job for which s/he is qualified, and if s/he possesses or earns sufficient funds, s/he may also buy property... Why would we not wish the same in Thailand? He is not asking for a gift... simply the 'privilege' of being allowed to part with his hard earned cash in exchange for a commodity, land, just the same as any other resident of this fine nation is 'allowed'.... how is that selfish? A "hot cash injection" which, by-the-way, would surely benefit the Thai economy in the long-run... how is that selfish?

"Please explain!?" <--- Pauline Hanson 1996 ---> lol

Agreed, Abhisit's main focus will be on the Thai people and not Farang interests, that is as it should be and as it must be... but "Rayw"s hope that, due to the fact that the new P.M. might understand what it's like to be a "Stranger in a strange land" (having been one himself), we receive slightly fairer treatment in this country (to which we have brought our $) is not much to ask, is it?

henryalleman: I don't say much on this forum but I read a lot, you have said many things which I agree with, and many things that I do not, such is the nature of discussion. However I would hope you try to rethink your stance on this issue.

<--- warfie dons the flame-proof suit ---> (gee, it's getting a bit threadbare...)

Warfie, I thank you for your comment, and you are correct to mention

Agreed, as highlighted above, he says "the main thing is for now the well being of this country and its people, and its prosperous future." selfish?

I confess I overlooked that line, and I only focussed on

On a purely selfish note it would be great if he allowed at least retirees (and of any age) to own their own houses, albeit with a limited small amount of land say reasonably under 400 square wah or even half of that.

and you are correct that I should have read that sentence more than once, and not make an too hasty conclusion.

By this I also offer my excuses to Rayw's to make an too hasty conclusion.

the comment of jackr

... and &lt;deleted&gt; are you! The guy wished the new PM well, the Thai people well and also wishing that we may have an easier time of it. What's wrong with that? We are important, especially in the eyes of our immediate Thai families for those that have them, so get off your soapbox

I did answer already in another topic.

Never in My life have I seen such a huge collection of "Human Garbage"(The 10% of Decent freedom and Democratic leaned and informed Intellectuals can knowingly omitt themselves from that comment and join the ranks of "Beautiful Diamonds of Humanity"! Peace to You!) But then what is to be expected of social dropouts who run away from thier existance,Marry a prostitude young enough to be thier daughter,and wish a foriegn born and raised cheat installed by judicial coup well!?(By the way Aphisit can't stand Farangs who are'nt rich!"Key nok" as he so eloquently put it.) That 17% (about the all inclusive make up of the Wealthy and thier cousins!) Can Thieve the Countries Power is sick!

"Wewin" was Bought!Obviously!And will not be prosecuted as a result!Otherwise Aphisit has'nt a snowballs chance in H3LL of retaining a "BS" majority!

We are(Thai Family and I) "OUTTA HERE" to live in a human Society where every citizen has Human rights,A right to vote and have it stick, FREE Speech,and unbridled open access

to any information we choose!Our only regret is the grave miscarrige of justice to the rural poor and working class fine people of Thailand!

Truly a sad day for the Majority of Thai people!Thier freedom has been Bought and sold by a minority of Money grabbing Rich elite!And so there is no change in sight for them.

Good luck when the"New and wonderfull" government begins to change ALL visa regulations! You majority of blind and flippant Farangs have supported Lies and oppression!Hooray!

Happy Drunken Farang "New Year!!!

what the???

[Steve2UK]

Can't see the "red shirts" having anywhere as much opportunity to create chaos on the streets of Bangkok as their yellow shirted cousins.

My post was 17 seconds too late.

Can't quite see the point you're making with this post, SJ. Or why you filleted thailandjunkie's post by editing out his second sentence. Naturally, these protestors are not going to be given the carte blanche given to PAD.

Carte blanche????

You missed 7 October.....I never saw such cruel before.

Thank you, h90 - I'm well aware of the terrible events that occurred on 7 October. To save going through all that to-and-fro debate yet again, would you be happy with "99% carte blanche" ? The events of one day - or even several days to which you and others might like to refer - don't take away from the point that PAD were largely/generally/mostly (any of those better for you?) left to their own devices by Thai police and army.

[FatherF]

Actually in France and around those parts,

Roses are an EXTREMELY socialist , populist icon.

I suspect this was his iconic gesture,

which may have been lost on many.

But I saw it as such immediately.

Do you think he makes such a gesture who no one including the receiver won't understand?

So, He comes from Newcastle, and is giving out roses? He would get punched really hard if he tried that in Newcastle!

FF

[TAWP]

So north is doing worse.

Anecdotally.

Friends reporting that Chiangmai is very quiet. One close friend who is an owner of a well known, long established bar in Chiangmai tells me takings and business are well down on last year. Golf courses are much less populated by the yearly influx of Japanese and Korean groups. Tee off times freely available at most.

Seeing as the Japanese bar street close to work is pretty much dead, the question begs me...is it mainly Asian tourists that have canceled their trips and won't be coming next year or is it equal amount of westeners? My purely anecdotal note is that my western friends all have booked in advance and are going unless the flights stop. They have planned their vacation many months in advance and refuse to give up their dreams of vacations far away from snow and cold.

[konangrit]

Bangkok Post

Thanks for this Konangrit.

Does anyone know of / can refer to a map of Thailand

with the constituencies marked by party

I would be very interested to see the

political geography of the kingdom

in more detail than the usually reported

"NE / South / Bangkok terminology.

why did 33 people from PT vote for abhisit? why is that not getting more play in the media?

Newin Chidchob Faction.

[FatherF]

So north is doing worse.

Anecdotally.

Friends reporting that Chiangmai is very quiet. One close friend who is an owner of a well known, long established bar in Chiangmai tells me takings and business are well down on last year. Golf courses are much less populated by the yearly influx of Japanese and Korean groups. Tee off times freely available at most.

Seeing as the Japanese bar street close to work is pretty much dead, the question begs me...is it mainly Asian tourists that have canceled their trips and won't be coming next year or is it equal amount of westeners? My purely anecdotal note is that my western friends all have booked in advance and are going unless the flights stop. They have planned their vacation many months in advance and refuse to give up their dreams of vacations far away from snow and cold.

I think that the "Westeners" will still come this year because as you rightly say they have already booked & paid for their holiday, as to whether they will re-book in the future remains to be seen................

Thailand is still not a good place to be according to the British Foreign office, they are still warning travelers to beware!

FF

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-li...6EF8DFA.tomcat1

FF

[warfie]

So I don't see any comments with people to claim things were just peachy

my comments came on the heels of these posts...

Tourism was only down slightly because of the economy. We were kicking butt - selling well - for weeks before the closing of the airport. The PAD ruined tourism this year pretty much by themselves!

As for the PAD not being responsible for ruining tourism - well quite simply they were responsible.

I know a huge number of people in the tourism industry and PAD actions decimated business for Dec.

What is now happening for 2009 is that there are very few new bookings being made, so it has pretty much trashed 2009 so far too.

PAD is directly responsible, no question about it.

I only have anecdotes from a member of the board international airline representatives, and some hotel owners I know. One hotel owner was looking forward to Christmas period of 95% occupancies, then the airport closed cancellations came streaming in and they are now faced with occupancy rates of 10%.

The airlines estimated that the fiscal damage the airport closure could amount to almost one trillion Baht. This was disclosed over a business lunch so sorry no source for you to quote John. The major concern he had was not direct tourism arrivals, although that was bad, but rather from transit passengers, who will now be seeking alternative stop overs to each their destinationm, like say Singapore or HCM. This group is important because the industry regards them as future tourists (on the basis that if they stop over for a night or two they'll like it and come back), this has largely dried up.

Yes the tourism market was looking bleak before Suvarnaphumi, but this was largely because of the PAD too, whose previous actions also included shutting down Phuket Airport which didn't exactly help matters.

Many hotels are running staff right now on 3-4 days unpaid leave a week, to say that this was not because of the airport is off the mark.

My own establishment was looking forward to 95 - 100% occupancy for November and December... then the airport closure... now we are empty... yes, that's right... nothing, nobody, 0%... I guess they all decided to go looking for 'calmer waters'...

Thank you PAD...

Edited December 16, 2008 by warfie

[h90]

Can't see the "red shirts" having anywhere as much opportunity to create chaos on the streets of Bangkok as their yellow shirted cousins.

My post was 17 seconds too late.

Can't quite see the point you're making with this post, SJ. Or why you filleted thailandjunkie's post by editing out his second sentence. Naturally, these protestors are not going to be given the carte blanche given to PAD.

Carte blanche????

You missed 7 October.....I never saw such cruel before.

Thank you, h90 - I'm well aware of the terrible events that occurred on 7 October. To save going through all that to-and-fro debate yet again, would you be happy with "99% carte blanche" ? The events of one day - or even several days to which you and others might like to refer - don't take away from the point that PAD were largely/generally/mostly (any of those better for you?) left to their own devices by Thai police and army.

Well it makes a difference if you come with 200 or with 200.000 people. Police simply couldn't do anything and for the army it wasn't sure WHAT they would do.

[animatic]

Actually in France and around those parts,

Roses are an EXTREMELY socialist , populist icon.

I suspect this was his iconic gesture,

which may have been lost on many.

But I saw it as such immediately.

Do you think he makes such a gesture who no one including the receiver won't understand?

Not sure If I understand you.

If this gesture is what I think it is, it like went over most heads.

Kuhn Professor Giles would get it though.

Roses are a peace offering only to be out done by white doves... in short supply.

[Jai Dee]

Pro-Thaksin taxi drivers lay wreath for Abhisit

Red-shirted pro-Thaksin taxi drivers from Mor Chit bus terminal laid a wreath in front of the Democrat Party headquarters Tuesday in protest at Abhisit Vejjajiva being named prime minister on Monday.

Unable to get through a police security block, the group of 100 taxi drivers, who claim Abhisit "stole" the top post, sent five representatives to lay the wreath and read a statement vowing to act against the Democrat-led coalition. They said they would lay a wreath there every month in protest.

Source: The Nation - 16 December 2008

[Thai at Heart]

So north is doing worse.

Anecdotally.

Friends reporting that Chiangmai is very quiet. One close friend who is an owner of a well known, long established bar in Chiangmai tells me takings and business are well down on last year. Golf courses are much less populated by the yearly influx of Japanese and Korean groups. Tee off times freely available at most.

Seeing as the Japanese bar street close to work is pretty much dead, the question begs me...is it mainly Asian tourists that have canceled their trips and won't be coming next year or is it equal amount of westeners? My purely anecdotal note is that my western friends all have booked in advance and are going unless the flights stop. They have planned their vacation many months in advance and refuse to give up their dreams of vacations far away from snow and cold.

They have a far greater understanding and fear of civil unrest than westerners. I would bet that the vast majority of Chinese and Korean tourists will have cancelled. Some Japanese will probably have cancelled but they have a far longer history of travelling to Thailand.

Edited December 16, 2008 by Thai at Heart

[OxfordWill]

This is really good news. Lets all be positive.

[grandpops]

This is really good news. Lets all be positive.

It is all good news. The worlds media has called Abhisit and his cronies for what they are. Un-elected, un-democratic, manipulative, fascists.

If Samark was Thaksins puppet, Abhisit clearly is the Army/PAD puppet and its only a few of the PAD tag team on here that seem to see it differently.

Shouldn't the thread title be "Abhisit eventually put into power by Army"

Was there ever a sleazier path to power than this? And with a banned TRT henchman finally being brought in to give him it.

Great start. Time for these Coup plotters to show the world that they really are as inept as we believed them to be two years ago.

Burma and Laos will certainly be going up in the worlds standings soon. Vietman will be so far ahead of Thailand after this all pans out that Thais will be looking for jobs on Vietnamese building sites for years to come.

Edited December 16, 2008 by grandpops

[TAWP]

This is really good news. Lets all be positive.

It is all good news. The worlds media has called Abhisit and his cronies for what they are. Un-elected, un-democratic, manipulative, fascists.

If Samark was Thaksins puppet, Abhisit clearly is the Army/PAD puppet and its only a few of the PAD tag team on here that seem to see it differently.

Shouldn't the thread title be "Abhisit eventually put into power by Army"

Was there ever a sleazier path to power than this? And with a banned TRT henchman finally being brought in to give him it.

Great start. Time for these Coup plotters to show the world that they really are as inept as we believed them to be two years ago.

Burma and Laos will certainly be going up in the worlds standings soon. Vietman will be so far ahead of Thailand after this all pans out that Thais will be looking for jobs on Vietnamese building sites for years to come.

"The worlds media", "un-elected", "fascist", and on it goes in the crying apologists world. Your love for Thaksin is sickening and the length you go to cover for him.

The democrats might not be the best (or even close to it), but they are frankly the least worst. And calling them names doesn't make your love-pet any better.

Or claiming that "others" or "world media" does to cover for your own insecurity is just sad. Especially when it isn't true.

[grandpops]

This is really good news. Lets all be positive.

It is all good news. The worlds media has called Abhisit and his cronies for what they are. Un-elected, un-democratic, manipulative, fascists.

If Samark was Thaksins puppet, Abhisit clearly is the Army/PAD puppet and its only a few of the PAD tag team on here that seem to see it differently.

Shouldn't the thread title be "Abhisit eventually put into power by Army"

Was there ever a sleazier path to power than this? And with a banned TRT henchman finally being brought in to give him it.

Great start. Time for these Coup plotters to show the world that they really are as inept as we believed them to be two years ago.

Burma and Laos will certainly be going up in the worlds standings soon. Vietman will be so far ahead of Thailand after this all pans out that Thais will be looking for jobs on Vietnamese building sites for years to come.

"The worlds media", "un-elected", "fascist", and on it goes in the crying apologists world. Your love for Thaksin is sickening and the length you go to cover for him.

The democrats might not be the best (or even close to it), but they are frankly the least worst. And calling them names doesn't make your love-pet any better.

Or claiming that "others" or "world media" does to cover for your own insecurity is just sad. Especially when it isn't true.

If you spent as much time reading or watching, The Times, Telegraph, Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, FOX, Times on line to name but a few, and less time abusively appeasing a coup..... You might learn something. There really is only Sondhi's press saying any different. Even Sri Racha John is quiet on this and you can be sure if Abhisit was being praised in print, he would be slopping it all over the place here!

If you had ever read my posts, I state often that I preferred Abhisit over Thaksin, and Sondhi over Thaksin IT he was elected.

Its the circumstances of it all that stink and somebody (PAD) has ruined an entire holiday season during a major recession.

But I know you would rather bat on and defend the indefensible. Thats your right, and my right is to oppose what I see to be a coup. Just don't expect everybody to change their mind because of whats happened in recent days.

Simple.

Edited December 16, 2008 by grandpops

[Thanh-BKK]

Thank you, h90 - I'm well aware of the terrible events that occurred on 7 October. To save going through all that to-and-fro debate yet again, would you be happy with "99% carte blanche" ? The events of one day - or even several days to which you and others might like to refer - don't take away from the point that PAD were largely/generally/mostly (any of those better for you?) left to their own devices by Thai police and army.

Hi

Yes, they were. Specifically AFTER that horrible tear-gas-fiasco, where the authorities simply wanted to avoid a repeat of the situation.

And, and this is very important, because the "yellows" were *for the most part* peaceful, not destroying property or attacking people (which, sadly, later in the process and after multiple grenades and other assorted attacks on THEM turned more and more violent from their side, too, STILL reasonable compared to the "others"!) while the "reds" take to arms right from the start, as clearly visible - sidewalk plaster against car windows, the intend is clear - kill or badly hurt whoever is behind the window of that car.

I bet the "reds" have done more actual property damage since Abhisit was elected than the "yellows" during their entire campaign.

Best regards....

Thanh

[TAWP]

This is really good news. Lets all be positive.

It is all good news. The worlds media has called Abhisit and his cronies for what they are. Un-elected, un-democratic, manipulative, fascists.

If Samark was Thaksins puppet, Abhisit clearly is the Army/PAD puppet and its only a few of the PAD tag team on here that seem to see it differently.

Shouldn't the thread title be "Abhisit eventually put into power by Army"

Was there ever a sleazier path to power than this? And with a banned TRT henchman finally being brought in to give him it.

Great start. Time for these Coup plotters to show the world that they really are as inept as we believed them to be two years ago.

Burma and Laos will certainly be going up in the worlds standings soon. Vietman will be so far ahead of Thailand after this all pans out that Thais will be looking for jobs on Vietnamese building sites for years to come.

"The worlds media", "un-elected", "fascist", and on it goes in the crying apologists world. Your love for Thaksin is sickening and the length you go to cover for him.

The democrats might not be the best (or even close to it), but they are frankly the least worst. And calling them names doesn't make your love-pet any better.

Or claiming that "others" or "world media" does to cover for your own insecurity is just sad. Especially when it isn't true.

If you spent as much time reading or watching, The Times, Telegraph, Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, FOX, Times on line to name but a few, and less time abusively appeasing a coup..... You might learn something. There really is only Sondhi's press saying any different. Even Sri Racha John is quiet on this and you can be sure if Abhisit was being praised in print, he would be slopping it all over the place here!

If you had ever read my posts, I state often that I preferred Abhisit over Thaksin, and Sondhi over Thaksin IT he was elected.

Its the circumstances of it all that stink and somebody (PAD) has ruined an entire holiday season during a major recession.

But I know you would rather bat on and defend the indefensible. Thats your right, and my right is to oppose what I see to be a coup. Just don't expect everybody to change their mind because of whats happened in recent days.

Simple.

Time you put your money where your mouth is:

- Please point out where they are called "un-elected" and "fascist".

- Please define how the election of a new PM is a coup.

[warfie]

due to current circumstances, as a cost cutting measure, the light at the end of the tunnel will be extinguished until further notice...

[cmsally]

So north is doing worse.

Anecdotally.

Friends reporting that Chiangmai is very quiet. One close friend who is an owner of a well known, long established bar in Chiangmai tells me takings and business are well down on last year. Golf courses are much less populated by the yearly influx of Japanese and Korean groups. Tee off times freely available at most.

Seeing as the Japanese bar street close to work is pretty much dead, the question begs me...is it mainly Asian tourists that have canceled their trips and won't be coming next year or is it equal amount of westeners? My purely anecdotal note is that my western friends all have booked in advance and are going unless the flights stop. They have planned their vacation many months in advance and refuse to give up their dreams of vacations far away from snow and cold.

They have a far greater understanding and fear of civil unrest than westerners. I would bet that the vast majority of Chinese and Korean tourists will have cancelled. Some Japanese will probably have cancelled but they have a far longer history of travelling to Thailand.

I had 2 Chinese friends staying with me during the airport blockade. We had Chinese mothers on the phone every day warning them to get back to Beijing as the mothers had lived through the Cultural Revolution and didn't want them to get caught up in anything similar. I must say it gave the situation a little bizarre twist.

I would say that the Asians have a greater fear of what they see as large social movements and destabilisation.

They are probably more aware of the multi faceted power games that go on and how they can have unexpected outcomes.

[stoffel]

Thank you, h90 - I'm well aware of the terrible events that occurred on 7 October. To save going through all that to-and-fro debate yet again, would you be happy with "99% carte blanche" ? The events of one day - or even several days to which you and others might like to refer - don't take away from the point that PAD were largely/generally/mostly (any of those better for you?) left to their own devices by Thai police and army.

Hi

Yes, they were. Specifically AFTER that horrible tear-gas-fiasco, where the authorities simply wanted to avoid a repeat of the situation.

And, and this is very important, because the "yellows" were *for the most part* peaceful, not destroying property or attacking people (which, sadly, later in the process and after multiple grenades and other assorted attacks on THEM turned more and more violent from their side, too, STILL reasonable compared to the "others"!) while the "reds" take to arms right from the start, as clearly visible - sidewalk plaster against car windows, the intend is clear - kill or badly hurt whoever is behind the window of that car.

I bet the "reds" have done more actual property damage since Abhisit was elected than the "yellows" during their entire campaign.

Best regards....

Thanh

I second what Thanh-BKK wrote!

And I've to admit that I'm unable to understand the Pro-Thaksinnist's!

Now Thailand has a democratic PM, one everybody was calling for and that isn't what they really want.

The question which came up is: What youy really want?

Reading all that post's here, special those from Pro-Thaksinnist's, it seems to be that you guy's really don't know what you want?! Or let say with other words: You Pro-Thaksinnist's want a convicted criminal back on power who's first intention at all is his own benefit! Who's telling other's to follow the law, which on the other hand he deny for himself! Who's is pushing and for sure financing a bunch of other's to break existing law's: the Red's! And and and!

I don't think that everything what the PAD has done is right, for sure not! But The PAD has shown that they stand to them word, something what you can't tell from Mr. Thaksin and his followers!

Start to think about why the NCCC (National Counter Corruption Comission) has to handle more than 200,000 case of Corruption, from which the most from the last 3-4 years (about 80% of those) and most of that against Thaksin and his group of followers?!

It is really more than hard to understand you guy's that you still want that guy back and even try to excuse him!

[Ulysses G.]

I don't think that everything what the PAD has done is right, for sure not!

Well gee thanks. We could not figure that out!

[termsak]

Actually in France and around those parts,

Roses are an EXTREMELY socialist , populist icon.

I suspect this was his iconic gesture,

which may have been lost on many.

But I saw it as such immediately.

Do you think he makes such a gesture who no one including the receiver won't understand?

So, He comes from Newcastle, and is giving out roses? He would get punched really hard if he tried that in Newcastle!

FF

Are you trying to say that one can get punched by giving red roses in Newcastle? What kind of society is that? Valentine's day must be the biggest massacre day there then.

Edited December 16, 2008 by termsak

[cmsally]

Oh dear, didn't take long for Democrats to put their foot in it!

How long can the new Thai govt. last?

Print Article Email Article

How long can the new Thai govt last?

Nirmal Ghosh

The Straits Times

Publication Date: 16-12-2008

In Thailand, change seems to bring on the question of when the next change will be.

So, as soon as Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was voted Thailand's 27th Prime Minister yesterday (December 15), attention turned to the question of just how long his government can last.

Emerging from Parliament minutes after Abhisit won the vote in the House, party MP Charoen Kanthawongs, a lawyer with the prominent firm Tilleke and Gibbins, told The Straits Times of the two priorities on which the Democrat-led coalition must focus.

First, stimulate the limping economy; second, heal a nation bitterly divided.

But Charoen said he was not too worried about a geographical divide coalescing with a clear political divide. Bangkok and the south, where the Democrats are strong, are aligned against the more populous north and northeast, strongholds of the Puea Thai party.

"You see, people in the north-east are employees of people in Bangkok," he said. "My servants are from the northeast. Gas station attendants in Bangkok are from the northeast."

Yet, his words summed up a shortcoming of the Democrats that many analysts are pointing out makes it unelectable on its own: it is a party of Bangkok elites.

In other words, it could not have put a prime minister in office without the tacit backing of other players on the political scene: the military and the elites behind the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The party's leadership is acutely aware of this. Sitting in a van careening about the north on a whistle-stop campaign tour last December, Abhisit admitted candidly to The Straits Times that the party was unable to make much headway in the northeast because it was seen as a Bangkok party.

In a couple of his visits to the region this year as leader of the opposition, he was greeted with rotten vegetables and faeces thrown at his car. Now as a prime minister elected via a process many see as masterminded by the army with the backing of powerful figures in the palace, he will unlikely be better received if he ventures to the northeast.

The task before him will be even more difficult as he grapples with the challenge of reviving a sinking economy.

The current tourism high season has virtually crashed after the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)--one of whose leaders is a Democrat MP--last month seized and occupied Bangkok's airports for a week. Their actions dealt a blow to the heart of the economy.

The export sector, hit by the recession in markets overseas, has started haemorrhaging jobs. The full extent of the twin shock to tourism and exports will only begin to be fully felt from about next month. By then, Abhisit will have to deal with up to a million jobless in a country with a credibility problem with the outside world.

With the backing of the military, the palace, the Bangkok middle class and business community, and a rich talent pool of politicians, strategists and managers, the party should be able to introduce some direction and stability to policy.

A largely silent majority of Thais are also tired of the protracted strife and want a functioning government.

Kick-starting big-spending 'megaprojects' will be a top priority for the sake of attracting investment and creating jobs.

But healing the divisions in Thai society wrought by months of political infighting beginning as far back as early 2006 and deepening this year, will prove more difficult.

The Democrats will have to appease both the yellow-shirted royalist PAD, and the red-shirted pro-democracy and pro-Thaksin Shinawatra camp which has shown that it can mobilise tens of thousands.

Most analysts see the slim majority of Abhisit's government not lasting very long, given the current environment along with the tricky business of managing factions in the new coalition.

If the party is unable to manage the expectations and pressures, an election may be inevitable within a year or so.

"The challenges are quite enormous and it will be an uphill struggle," Professor MR Prudhisan Jumbala, a professor specialising in governance at Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty, told The Straits Times.

"Much depends on the way they explain themselves and their decisions; they have to work and at the same time do the political marketing."

Abhisit and his team will have limited time to show that they can steer a floundering ship to calmer waters. They must also win over large sections of voters in the north and the northeast. If they do not, they will be routed in the next election.

[animatic]

Actually in France and around those parts,

Roses are an EXTREMELY socialist , populist icon.

I suspect this was his iconic gesture,

which may have been lost on many.

But I saw it as such immediately.

Do you think he makes such a gesture who no one including the receiver won't understand?

So, He comes from Newcastle, and is giving out roses? He would get punched really hard if he tried that in Newcastle!

FF

Are you trying to say that one can get punched by giving red roses in Newcastle? What kind of society is that? Valentine's day must be the biggest massacre day there then.

He means men giving them to other men... tough burg our Newcastle.

[MyphuketLife]

Oh dear, didn't take long for Democrats to put their foot in it!

"You see, people in the north-east are employees of people in Bangkok," he said. "My servants are from the northeast. Gas station attendants in Bangkok are from the northeast."

Yet, his words summed up a shortcoming of the Democrats that many analysts are pointing out makes it unelectable on its own: it is a party of Bangkok elites.

I would love to hear the audio to that quote, as if that is a credible quote that speaks volumes to the type of leader he will be.

[Jai Dee]

DAAD to rally at Sanam Luang for 3 days

The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship announced Tuesday that it will hold demonstrations at Sanam Luang for three days to protest against the Democrat Party for "robbing" the government leadership from the Pheu Thai.

The DAAD leaders held a meeting the FM92.75 community taxi radio station and reached an agreement to hold the three-day demonstrations.

The rally will begin Tuesday evening.

Source: The Nation - 16 December 2008

[animatic]

Oh dear, didn't take long for Democrats to put their foot in it!

"You see, people in the north-east are employees of people in Bangkok," he said. "My servants are from the northeast. Gas station attendants in Bangkok are from the northeast."

Yet, his words summed up a shortcoming of the Democrats that many analysts are pointing out makes it unelectable on its own: it is a party of Bangkok elites.

I would love to hear the audio to that quote, as if that is a credible quote that speaks volumes to the type of leader he will be.

Abhisit didn't say this.

The words come from a utter fool under the circumstances.

MP Charoen Kanthawongs, a lawyer with the prominent firm Tilleke and Gibbins

I am sure Abhisit wanted to sew this guys mouth shut , ASAP.

[h90]

Actually in France and around those parts,

Roses are an EXTREMELY socialist , populist icon.

I suspect this was his iconic gesture,

which may have been lost on many.

But I saw it as such immediately.

Do you think he makes such a gesture who no one including the receiver won't understand?

So, He comes from Newcastle, and is giving out roses? He would get punched really hard if he tried that in Newcastle!

FF

Are you trying to say that one can get punched by giving red roses in Newcastle? What kind of society is that? Valentine's day must be the biggest massacre day there then.

So I guess not many Thai Tourists there.

[grandpops]

Oh dear, didn't take long for Democrats to put their foot in it!

"You see, people in the north-east are employees of people in Bangkok," he said. "My servants are from the northeast. Gas station attendants in Bangkok are from the northeast."

Yet, his words summed up a shortcoming of the Democrats that many analysts are pointing out makes it unelectable on its own: it is a party of Bangkok elites.

I would love to hear the audio to that quote, as if that is a credible quote that speaks volumes to the type of leader he will be.

Abhisit didn't say this.

The words come from a utter fool under the circumstances.

MP Charoen Kanthawongs, a lawyer with the prominent firm Tilleke and Gibbins

I am sure Abhisit wanted to sew this guys mouth shut , ASAP.

It's unfortunate that Sondhi doesn't own the Straits Times. Then his mouth would have effectively been shut!

This is what they think. It really is and I know a few PAD on here are slow, but surely they must be starting to sense that something is wrong now. Either with their own thinking or possibly the worlds media and the majority of Thais (outside the Army and Elite and ASTV).

Do you really think that you, SRJohn JD(inabsentia these days)INasia, H90 and a few more have hit on something that the rest of the world has missed?

Pehaps you are right. Time will tell.