Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[MyphuketLife]

Yup that was the short answer in 580, #586 you stated I had not answered your question, but to look at JD's answers to my questions.

But again you fail to answer the questions. instead you want to argue.

If you truly believe that any one that breaks the law should answer to it, then does that mean that you think the people who illegally overtook an airport (even after a court order to leave) should be introuble with the law?

What?!

I didn't tell you to look at JDs post as an answer from me to your questions. Is this a language issue? In all honesty, what is your mother tongue?

And I have already answered your questions.

Now it's your turn: Explain how PADs illegal takeover of an airport made the election of a new PM a silent coup.

It must be a language issue, but my "mother" and my fathers tongue's are both english Anyway we had some sort of misunderstanding.

I answered you questions, but if they were not complete look at the WSJ arcticle it sums up things nicely.

But one thing I still have not seen your answer to my questions please point to the post # where you answered them....

[jdinasia]

There are a couple points that are not 100% accurate ---- but that is normal in such articles.

uh huh

[permanent_disorder]

photo: www.abhisit.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Bland, Squeaky Clean, Yuppie Politician Becomes Prime Minister

Scoop

by Richard S. Ehrlich

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Abhisit Vejjajiva, a bland, squeaky clean, yuppie politician who failed to win a national election, was chosen as prime minister on Monday, boosted by the military and Bangkok's elite after his opposition party formed a shaky coalition majority in Parliament.

Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to lead this polarized Southeast Asian, U.S. military ally toward an investment-friendly future, and mop up after last month's political chaos which stranded more than

Educated at Eton and Oxford, Mr. Abhisit is widely perceived as so lofty, elitist and lacking charisma, that critics joke that he needs a visa to enter Thailand's impoverished northeast and other rural areas, where most voters live.

Mr. Abhisit -- his name means "privilege" -- and his Democrat Party lost the last nationwide general election in 2007.

He was an opposition Parliamentarian for nearly 17 years and is widely considered to be honest, earnest, handsome and well-educated.As a result, Mr. Abhisit is favored by the business community, diplomatic corps, and among Thailand's intellectuals, academia, middle class, military, media and royalists.He was born into a well-off Thai family in Newcastle, England. At 44, he is Thailand's youngest prime minister. Mr. Abhisit's allies chaperoned key Parliamentarians to sequestered hotels and cars, to ensure they would vote for him in Parliament on Monday (December 15). Mr. Abhisit won 235 seats against 198 votes for former ruling politicians led by their recently formed Puea Thai Party, or Party for Thais.

They hastily nominated former national police chief Pracha Promnok as their hapless candidate. Some politicians were allegedly wooed with cash to vote one way or another. "There were cash rewards, and cabinet posts, offered to those who could retrieve defecting Members of Parliament," who ditched the government's ruling coalition, Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Mr. Abhisit now needs to "restore the country from crisis, to bring back confidence among investors and tourists," Mr. Suthep said.After Mr. Abhisit lured several politicians his side, they "were not permitted to carry mobile phones, or use telephones...to further limit their chances of coming into contact with money" which might tempt them away, the Bangkok Post said.

An editorial cartoon published on Wednesday (December 10) showed a rogue politician smiling while both sides offered bags of money and "seats".The caption read: "Money before ethics?"

After he won, dozens of angry loyalists of the current government donned red shirts and hurled rocks at departing vehicles carrying politicians from Parliament, smashing some windows and injuring reporters.

Mr. Abhisit endorsed the existing government's "populist" benefits, such as cheap health care, while promising to announce his own unique ideas. During the past 10 years, his Democrat Party never mustered enough votes to rule. The last time the Democrat Party won the prime ministry was in 1992 when Chuan Leekpai, a lawyer, achieved power and led a lackluster coalition until Thailand's devastating economic crash in 1997. Mr. Abhisit's rise improved thanks to a bloodless military coup in 2006. That putsch ousted Thaksin Shinawatra, a thrice-elected prime minister who fell in disgrace after allegations of corruption and extra-judicial killings.After the military's 15-month-long junta, Mr. Thaksin's political allies twice won enough votes to form new governments. But Thailand's judicial system pushed his two favored prime ministers from office, including rude, bumbling Samak Sundaravej and polite, soft-spoken Somchai Wongsawat.

Since August, anti-government mobs wearing royalist-inspired yellow shirts began protests which gridlocked Parliament and, more recently, Bangkok's international and domestic airports. Cloaking themselves under a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) banner, the yellow shirts demanded an end to Mr. Thaksin's ability to keep his allies in power. The PAD also called for the destruction of Thailand's one-man one- vote system, because the rural majority favored Mr. Thaksin's candidates. The PAD insisted poor people were too ignorant, and easily bribed, to be allowed to vote, and Thailand should instead be ruled mostly by appointed individuals.

Mr. Abhisit recently called for King Bhumibol Adulyadej to name an unelected prime minister, but the constitutional monarch declined.The king is to endorse Mr. Abhisit as prime minister within several days.Critics said Mr. Abhisit's rise was a "silent coup" orchestrated by Thailand's politicized, U.S.-backed military which used the yellow shirts to destabilize the government and intimidate supporters. "At the moment the army is interfering," Mr. Thaksin said on Saturday (December 13), speaking from self-exile as an international fugitive dodging a jail sentence for corruption. "We are still under a military coup...They have used the court to crack down on politicians," he said.

Mr. Thaksin was apparently referring to court convictions against himself, his recently divorced wife, Thailand's two previous prime ministers, and a slew of other politicians who have been barred from office for five years for electoral fraud. In addition to hostility from the pro-Thaksin red shirts, some analysts predicted possible problems from the PAD's yellow shirts, because the PAD's leaders were not immediately given positions in Mr. Abhisit's new cabinet.

The PAD's supporters include "the so-called 'traditional royalist elite', a great number from the middle and professional classes of Bangkok," and others, said Priyanandana Rangsit, a Senator who traces her ancestry to King Chulalongkorn's reign 100 years ago. "Support for the PAD movement originated from middle-class taxpayers who hated seeing their taxes being squandered on the populist policies of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to keep himself and his party in power," she said.

www.scoop.co.nz Tuesday, 16 December 2008

[siam4ever]

The right-wing extremists are already busy discounting the truthful article by Ehrlich. They just can't stand to hear the truth. They'll start quoting the Bangkok Post and Nation pretty quick in rebuttal.

[MyphuketLife]

There are a couple points that are not 100% accurate ---- but that is normal in such articles.

uh huh

being an opinion piece and not a news story I think that is normal...

[Artisi]

" some analysts predicted possible problems from the PAD's yellow shirts, because the PAD's leaders were not immediately given positions in Mr. Abhisit's new cabinet. "

Seeing as how PAD leaders are not elected politicians, comments such as above really bring into doubt any credence for this article.

[baht&sold]

You must know that in Thailand the only party that is prepared to be in the opposition is the Democrats, every other party will do anything to be in the government. Now Snoh has refused to be opposition leader, don't be surprised if Pracharaj try to join the Democrats.

The PPP formed 2 governments and both failed because of fierce and often illegal protests by the PAD backed by elements in the army.

Why? Because The PPP plainly put its efforts into helping Thaksin only, when Samak tried to toe a more independent line his own party ,the PPP, turned its back on him- he could have been re-elected by them.

If the PPP had tried to govern the country as a whole and left the constitution alone the PAD protests would have gone nowhere.

So Suthep chatted up Newin, anyone can see there's no future with Thaksin, 6 law cases waiting for his return, time to move on and to a party with competent, decent politicians.

If Aphisit can offer some sweeteners to the grassroots, and of course he will, don't be surprised to see both the PAD and the red shirts soon consigned to the history books.

Excellent summation Siripon.

Would dearly like to see Thailand move forward now but one suspects TV's approx 'seven headless horsemen wishing an apocalypse' will keep beating dead horses and gleefully quoting mb's of spoon-fed Intnl media's negative Thailand 'talking points/opinion pieces', masqueraded as news. All prob originating from Mr Thaksin's PR machine courtesy of 'hired gun' well-connected media spin-meister Sam Moon (longtime partner of 'The Economist', 'BusinessWeek' and others...) Absolutely the best spin/PR money can buy.

Sorry, not a 'moonie' and NOT buying it. And Thailand's moving on (thankfully)

Edited December 17, 2008 by baht&sold

[wayfarer108]

If the PPP had tried to govern the country as a whole and left the constitution alone the PAD protests would have gone nowhere.

Precisely. The PPP's move to amend the constitution to allow Thaksin back in power gave the Pad the foothold they needed to re-start their protest movement.

By the way, do these two Bangkok Post headlines look familiar?

Thousands of protestors lay siege to Government House

Thousands stranded at Don Muang while backlog cleared

Anyone guess what year they appeared?

[FatherF]

If the PPP had tried to govern the country as a whole and left the constitution alone the PAD protests would have gone nowhere.

Precisely. The PPP's move to amend the constitution to allow Thaksin back in power gave the Pad the foothold they needed to re-start their protest movement.

By the way, do these two Bangkok Post headlines look familiar?

Thousands of protestors lay siege to Government House

Thousands stranded at Don Muang while backlog cleared

Anyone guess what year they appeared?

Bangkok post?

[Steve2UK]

You mean your factual incorrect statement that PADs closing on Suvanapumi created the new PM in #580 was your answer?

Can you can say with 100% certainty that not one person that voted for Abhisit did it because they were fearful of the PAD's actions if they did not vote the way the PAD wanted them to?

You must know that in Thailand the only party that is prepared to be in the opposition is the Democrats, every other party will do anything to be in the government. Now Snoh has refused to be opposition leader, don't be surprised if Pracharaj try to join the Democrats.

The PPP formed 2 governments and both failed because of fierce and often illegal protests by the PAD backed by elements in the army.

Why? Because The PPP plainly put its efforts into helping Thaksin only, when Samak tried to toe a more independent line his own party ,the PPP, turned its back on him- he could have been re-elected by them.

If the PPP had tried to govern the country as a whole and left the constitution alone the PAD protests would have gone nowhere.

So Suthep chatted up Newin, anyone can see there's no future with Thaksin, 6 law cases waiting for his return, time to move on and to a party with competent, decent politicians.

If Aphisit can offer some sweeteners to the grassroots, and of course he will, don't be surprised to see both the PAD and the red shirts soon consigned to the history books.

Excellent summation Siripon.

Would dearly like to see Thailand move forward now but one suspects TV's approx 'seven headless horsemen wishing an apocalypse' will keep beating dead horses and quoting mb's of spoon-fed Intnl media's 'talking points/opinion pieces', masqueraded as news. All prob originating from Mr Thaksin's PR machine courtesy of 'hired gun' well-connected media spin-meister Sam Moon (longtime partner of 'The Economist', 'BusinessWeek' and others...) Absolutely the best PR money can buy.

Sorry, NOT buying it. And Thailand's moving on (thankfully)

I also agree with a lot of what Siripon writes.

Now, any chance of you moving on B&S? How many times have you trundled out this Sam Moon notion now? At least this time a "prob" i.e. "probably" sneaked in before the usual recitation. Yes, they're "talking points/opinion pieces" - part of the overall picture to put together with other views and information from many varied sources........ from which some of us like to try and form what we hope is a balanced view of a complex situation as best we can.

And who are the "approx 'seven headless horsemen wishing an apocalypse'" on TV? I'd like to check those posts - can't understand how I missed them.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Steve2UK

[george]

Abhisit appointed by royal command

HUA HIN: -- His Majesty the King Wednesday signed a royal command to appoint Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

Parliament President Chai Chidchob was granted an audience by His Majesty at the Kraikangwol Palace in Hua Hin where His Majesty signed the royal command.

-- The Nation 2008-12-17

[FatherF]

I wish Mr Abhisit well, I hope he can do a good job for the whole of Thailand, and, be seen to be doing so.

Good Luck.

FF

[Wiresok]

London mayor in tribute to Thai PM-elect

The Mayor of London has paid tribute to his fellow Eton schoolmate, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has become the new prime minister of Thailand, UK media reported Wednesday.

Abhisit, 44, who is also known as Mark, was born in Newcastle to Thai parents and attended Eton and Oxford University before becoming Thailand's premier.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Mark is a man of intense integrity and high intellectual gifts."

Democrat party leader Abhisit won votes in the Parliament on Monday, becoming the fourth party leader to the position.

Source: The Nation - 17 December 2008

Loud laughter in court.

Just what Abhisit needs, an endorsement from the biggest idiot in uk politics.Tells you a lot.

An embarrassment to his own party the tories.

But what do you expect , these Eton guys are all Toffs, elites,

[younghusband]

London mayor in tribute to Thai PM-elect

The Mayor of London has paid tribute to his fellow Eton schoolmate, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has become the new prime minister of Thailand, UK media reported Wednesday.

Abhisit, 44, who is also known as Mark, was born in Newcastle to Thai parents and attended Eton and Oxford University before becoming Thailand's premier.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Mark is a man of intense integrity and high intellectual gifts."

Democrat party leader Abhisit won votes in the Parliament on Monday, becoming the fourth party leader to the position.

Source: The Nation - 17 December 2008

Loud laughter in court.

Just what Abhisit needs, an endorsement from the biggest idiot in uk politics.Tells you a lot.

An embarrassment to his own party the tories.

But what do you expect , these Eton guys are all Toffs, elites,

It's always amusing to note the vehemence of the anti-toff tendency.The "biggest idiot in British politics" is certainly a card and probably too facetious for his own good, but he pulled off a stunning political coup and should not be underestimated - particularly by David Cameron.

[grandpops]

London mayor in tribute to Thai PM-elect

The Mayor of London has paid tribute to his fellow Eton schoolmate, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has become the new prime minister of Thailand, UK media reported Wednesday.

Abhisit, 44, who is also known as Mark, was born in Newcastle to Thai parents and attended Eton and Oxford University before becoming Thailand's premier.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Mark is a man of intense integrity and high intellectual gifts."

Democrat party leader Abhisit won votes in the Parliament on Monday, becoming the fourth party leader to the position.

Source: The Nation - 17 December 2008

Loud laughter in court.

Just what Abhisit needs, an endorsement from the biggest idiot in uk politics.Tells you a lot.

An embarrassment to his own party the tories.

But what do you expect , these Eton guys are all Toffs, elites,

It's always amusing to note the vehemence of the anti-toff tendency.The "biggest idiot in British politics" is certainly a card and probably too facetious for his own good, but he pulled off a stunning political coup and should not be underestimated - particularly by David Cameron.

So it was Boris then and not the Army and Elite! Well done Boris!

[sriracha john]

Abhisit appointed by royal command

HUA HIN: -- His Majesty the King Wednesday signed a royal command to appoint Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

Parliament President Chai Chidchob was granted an audience by His Majesty at the Kraikangwol Palace in Hua Hin where His Majesty signed the royal command.

-- The Nation 2008-12-17

LONG LIVE THE KING

[Jai Dee]

London mayor in tribute to Thai PM-elect

The Mayor of London has paid tribute to his fellow Eton schoolmate, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has become the new prime minister of Thailand, UK media reported Wednesday.

Abhisit, 44, who is also known as Mark, was born in Newcastle to Thai parents and attended Eton and Oxford University before becoming Thailand's premier.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Mark is a man of intense integrity and high intellectual gifts."

Democrat party leader Abhisit won votes in the Parliament on Monday, becoming the fourth party leader to the position.

Source: The Nation - 17 December 2008

Loud laughter in court.

Just what Abhisit needs, an endorsement from the biggest idiot in uk politics.Tells you a lot.

An embarrassment to his own party the tories.

But what do you expect , these Eton guys are all Toffs, elites,

It's always amusing to note the vehemence of the anti-toff tendency.The "biggest idiot in British politics" is certainly a card and probably too facetious for his own good, but he pulled off a stunning political coup and should not be underestimated - particularly by David Cameron.

So it was Boris then and not the Army and Elite! Well done Boris!

Let's keep the subject on topic with Thai politics please.

[Jai Dee]

King signs new PM decree

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday signed a royal decree officially appointing Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the nation's 27th prime minister.

Mr Abhisit, 44, was nominated premier in an emergency parliament session on Monday, two weeks after a court dissolved the ruling party loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and after six months of political turmoil.

State-run television showed footage of the 81-year-old constitutional monarch signing the decree and handing it to the speaker of the house, Chai Chidchob.

The document will first go to parliament to be logged, before being ferried to the Democrat Party headquarters, where the parliament secretary will read the royal command to Abhisit.

Security was tight at the party headquarters, following violent protests outside parliament on Monday by supporters of the old government.

About 300 policemen including anti-riot officers stood guard, while a bomb disposal team with two sniffer dogs checked the compound.

British-born Mr Abhisit will later address the nation to outline his policies, with expectations high after months of protests against the previous government that peaked with the occupation of Bangkok's airport late last month.

The sieges only ended after a court on Dec 2 dissolved the Thaksin-linked People Power Party and removed then-premier Somchai Wongsawat from office.

Mr Abhisit has said he will name his new cabinet later on Wednesday or on Thursday.

Source: AFP - 17 December 2008

[asd]

[sriracha john]

The Red Shirts keep going...

Shinawat Haboonpad, one of the leaders of the so-called "red shirts," said supporters had started gathering in Bangkok's historic district and planned to march to parliament when Abhisit delivers his policy address next week.

"We demand this government dissolves the house as this government has robbed power from the people and came to power illegitimately," Shinawat told AFP.

Bangkok police said about 500 pro-Thaksin protesters showed up at Sanam Luang park in the capital's historic district on Tuesday evening, but dispersed before midnight.

- AFP / 2008-12-17

------------------------------------------

This Shinawat guy.... and yeah, he actually changed his first name to that really takes the cake...

He's lucky to even be alive... after his own nephew shot him...

SERIOUSLY INJURED: Shinawat Haboonpad is in hospital following the shotgun attack.

Bangkok Post

(before he was a red-shirt UDD Leader, he apparently thought it was ok to be a yellow shirt).

Bangkok Post from September 28, 2008

Key UDD Leader shot, nephew arrested

A key leader of the pro-government UDD, Shinawat Haboonpad, was shot and seriously wounded while hosting a taxi radio show on Friday. Police ruled out the possibility of political conflicts after arresting a gunman, identified as Saichon Sitan, who is Shinawat's nephew.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief Suchart Muankaew immediately held a press conference after they detained the suspect, for fear that the event would be linked to politics and cause tensions to escalate.

Shinawat, also a host on a community radio station for taxi drivers, was allegedly shot by Mr Saichon as he was in his studio on Vibhavadi Rangsit 3 road on Friday. He is being treated at Paolo Memorial hospital.

The UDD Leader was blasted with a shotgun, according to police.

Police have charged Mr Saichon with illegal possession of a weapon and attempted murder.

Mr Saichon was a UDD Guard during its rallies against the PAD.

Shinawat, 59, is known as a staunch supporter of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. His radio programme, called In Search of Justice, on FM 92.75 encourages taxi drivers to support Thaksin.

Edited December 17, 2008 by sriracha john

[Ulysses G.]

The whole PAD debacle is entirely of the govt making - they should have tried to govern the country rather than mess with judiciary and consitution to save Thaksin's ass.

Back in January they have been warned many many times not to provoke political confrontation.

When they first raised Const amendments in March PAD had shown up, as predicted. Still the govt didn't give up on the idea and PAD was forced to up the ante by staging "live in" rally from May on. The govt still didn't give up, so it lost Govt House in August.

After Samak lost his post Somchai had a chance to back off and negotiate, but chose to order a brutal police crackdown on Oct 7.

He promised to step down if found responsible, but didn't follow up. Instead the govt tried to sneak const amendment in secret and PAD had no other options but physically block the parliament from holding the amendment session.

When PAD went to the airport to greet Somchai I bet they didn't have any plans to hold it and were surprised how it turned out. Excited Chamlong said that if he'd known how successful airport takeove would have been, he'd have done long ago.

The govt still didn't give in, Somchai fled to Chiang Mai instead of dropping Thaksin agenda. The courts were forced to act instead and on Friday, the third day of airport blocade, it was clear that PPP would face the music. It was high time for the govt to negotiate with PAD and free the airport, the govt had nothing to lose but the face.

They have weighed their options carefully - save the face or free the airport? Face came first.

The government is solely responsible before the public for starting the war with PAD and losing it so badly, and not doing anything to protect people affected by it.

The govt was not elected to fight this war, it didn't have a public mandate for it, they had been warned that consequences would be disastrous for the country, and they still went ahead and not only started it, but led it all the way to the dead end, dead end not only for themselves but for the country as well.

This is a wonderful example of revisionist history. They say that the winner writes it the way he wants, not how it actually happened.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Ulysses G.

[gerrythepoet]

Surely all the vacant seats should have been filled before voting for the PM

However what I just heard made me think of what another poster said

Rich and clever is dangerous

What I heard was his speech in English stating that the incidents of the past will not happen again but he also said "they had to happen" referring to the airport closures.

He is an Economist and the closure of the airports created the loss of tourism jobs so all in all it looks to me that Abhisit has what it takes but is a chap who is happy to play with fire.

Hopefully when his pals get burnt he will have the good sense to have some water near by

I sincerely hope he will bring stability to Thailand but he has to prove his honesty and decisiveness in combatting the issues in a thorough manner

[henryalleman]

The whole PAD debacle is entirely of the govt making - they should have tried to govern the country rather than mess with judiciary and consitution to save Thaksin's ass.

Back in January they have been warned many many times not to provoke political confrontation.

When they first raised Const amendments in March PAD had shown up, as predicted. Still the govt didn't give up on the idea and PAD was forced to up the ante by staging "live in" rally from May on. The govt still didn't give up, so it lost Govt House in August.

After Samak lost his post Somchai had a chance to back off and negotiate, but chose to order a brutal police crackdown on Oct 7.

He promised to step down if found responsible, but didn't follow up. Instead the govt tried to sneak const amendment in secret and PAD had no other options but physically block the parliament from holding the amendment session.

When PAD went to the airport to greet Somchai I bet they didn't have any plans to hold it and were surprised how it turned out. Excited Chamlong said that if he'd known how successful airport takeove would have been, he'd have done long ago.

The govt still didn't give in, Somchai fled to Chiang Mai instead of dropping Thaksin agenda. The courts were forced to act instead and on Friday, the third day of airport blocade, it was clear that PPP would face the music. It was high time for the govt to negotiate with PAD and free the airport, the govt had nothing to lose but the face.

They have weighed their options carefully - save the face or free the airport? Face came first.

The government is solely responsible before the public for starting the war with PAD and losing it so badly, and not doing anything to protect people affected by it.

The govt was not elected to fight this war, it didn't have a public mandate for it, they had been warned that consequences would be disastrous for the country, and they still went ahead and not only started it, but led it all the way to the dead end, dead end not only for themselves but for the country as well.

Whilst i think that your post is well constructed, it does not detract from the fact that the PAD are not a political party, if the PAD had the balls to create a political party, get voted in to power, then they could ligitimately press for changes, however, the chose to blatently flout the law with their actions regarding swampy etc. Why would any government listen to what amounts to no more than a bunch of would be activists, who (allegedly) do not even have a political wing?

They could have shown their decent via the ballot box! (It's called democracy!)

FF

Its called democracy when the social midfield unite and organize themselves to demonstrate and take actions against a government who they think is trying to change laws in their benefit and not benificiary for the country as an whole. If you lived long enough in a democracy, you will know that this happend many times in every democratic country.

[permanent_disorder]

Meanwhile, regarding other distortions that the Dems will ignore the grassroots:

Government to continue populist agenda

The Democrat-led coalition government will stick with Thaksin-style populist polices in tackling the country's economic slump, which it believes could be worse than the 1997 financial crisis.

continues here: www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=135443

PS: not a member of any tag-team, simply wish Thailand to finally go forward. Others wish otherwise. To each their own...

yup, i read something like that on aljazeera, half of the the profile article goes this way:

"...

Criticism

Abhisit says he wants clean government and he denounced the 2006 coup against Thaksin, but critics say he is an opportunist who has received help from the military and the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

He failed to condemn the PAD, even when the demonstrators occupied Bangkok's two airports late last month, and it was his party's decision to boycott a snap election in 2006 that precipitated the constitutional crisis that eventually led to the coup against Thaksin.

His policies borrow heavily from Thaksin, in particular the commitment to continue the universal public healthcare scheme and cheap rural loans introduced during Thaksin's five years in office.

Abhisit has also vowed to push for more overseas free trade deals but at the same time reverse Thaksin's partial privatisation of some state firms."

aljazeera.net 15.12.2008

[MyphuketLife]

Its called democracy when the social midfield unite and organize themselves to demonstrate and take actions against a government who they think is trying to change laws in their benefit and not benificiary for the country as an whole. If you lived long enough in a democracy, you will know that this happend many times in every democratic country.

There is nothing democratic about 3-5,000 people holding a countries airport hostage. Thailand has roughly 61-65million people

60,000,000people not protesting, 5,000people "protesting" doesn't sound like the majority of the people to me. Nothing democratic about it.

[henryalleman]

The whole PAD debacle is entirely of the govt making - they should have tried to govern the country rather than mess with judiciary and consitution to save Thaksin's ass.

Back in January they have been warned many many times not to provoke political confrontation.

When they first raised Const amendments in March PAD had shown up, as predicted. Still the govt didn't give up on the idea and PAD was forced to up the ante by staging "live in" rally from May on. The govt still didn't give up, so it lost Govt House in August.

After Samak lost his post Somchai had a chance to back off and negotiate, but chose to order a brutal police crackdown on Oct 7.

He promised to step down if found responsible, but didn't follow up. Instead the govt tried to sneak const amendment in secret and PAD had no other options but physically block the parliament from holding the amendment session.

When PAD went to the airport to greet Somchai I bet they didn't have any plans to hold it and were surprised how it turned out. Excited Chamlong said that if he'd known how successful airport takeove would have been, he'd have done long ago.

The govt still didn't give in, Somchai fled to Chiang Mai instead of dropping Thaksin agenda. The courts were forced to act instead and on Friday, the third day of airport blocade, it was clear that PPP would face the music. It was high time for the govt to negotiate with PAD and free the airport, the govt had nothing to lose but the face.

They have weighed their options carefully - save the face or free the airport? Face came first.

The government is solely responsible before the public for starting the war with PAD and losing it so badly, and not doing anything to protect people affected by it.

The govt was not elected to fight this war, it didn't have a public mandate for it, they had been warned that consequences would be disastrous for the country, and they still went ahead and not only started it, but led it all the way to the dead end, dead end not only for themselves but for the country as well.

Whilst i think that your post is well constructed, it does not detract from the fact that the PAD are not a political party, if the PAD had the balls to create a political party, get voted in to power, then they could ligitimately press for changes, however, the chose to blatently flout the law with their actions regarding swampy etc. Why would any government listen to what amounts to no more than a bunch of would be activists, who (allegedly) do not even have a political wing?

They could have shown their decent via the ballot box! (It's called democracy!)

FF

Its called democracy when the social midfield unite and organize themselves to demonstrate and take actions against a government who they think is trying to change laws in their benefit and not beneficiary for the country as an whole. If you lived long enough in a democracy, and have some democratic sentiments, you should know that this standard procedure every democratic country.

If the duty of the population of a country is only to say krabphom and obey without asking the government to justify themselves and correct unjust measures; and if its necessary to use demonstrations its the best way to dictatorship.

We saw in another country across the ocean how this was leading to abuse of civil rights, torture, secret flights to kidnap people all over the world and send them to secret jails where they have been tortured and an ilegal war where now their president confessed its was a mistake. If maybe that population made an up rise like the PAD maybe all of this would never happened.

[erobando]

Long-Term Effects = Important

One-Off Occurance with No Long-Term Effect = Meaningless

Long-term Effects and Short Term Effects are both really important, thoses Thai's that looses there job and can't feed there family this season is not important?

People can't feed families bc of short term effects? Then those businesses weren't very strong to begin with.

If it's a long-term loss in jobs, it's a long term effect.

[henryalleman]

No, you have never said that you think it was a silent coup, only that 'people' think so...and you just report it(?).

Other posters in your camp however HAVE said that it was a silent coup. Do you denounce their opinions?

Questions:

Is it ok to take 4 airports? yes

Is it ok to take the seaport? yes

Is it ok to shut down train service?yes

Is it ok to shoot at TV vans?no

Is it ok to overtake a TV station?no

Is it ok to throw bombs at people? no

Is it ok to throw rocks at cars? no

Is it ok to block the government voting?yes

Is it ok to kidnap police?no

Is it ok to buy votes?no

Is it ok to seek the advice of a guy that was banned from politics? yes, because its good to know the ideas of your opponent

I simple yes / no would suffice not the they would have would not have depending on XYZ.... just yes no to the actions above.

If I reply to your posts, will you reply to mine that was posted BEFORE yours? Or are you going to continue to avoid all hard questions by posting trite counter-questions that is besides the point.

Really feel no need to answer them unless you first confirm that you will indeed respond to the questions posed to you.

[Thai at Heart]

Having listened to his speech in Thai and English, he looked very pretty for the press and made a lot of good statements to the collected foreign press.

He might turn out as some have said to be a buffoon. I doubt he will be that bad.

I fear he won't even be allowed to do what he thinks to be right because of the mess that the system is in right now. That said, I am not even sure he knows what HE wants to do.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Thai at Heart

[george]

PM Abhisit vows to be everyone's prime minister

BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared he will be "prime minister of every Thai citizen", in a nationwide message clearly intended to address his biggest challenge, the country's deep political divide.

Addressing the nation immediately after receiving the royal command appointing him Thailand's 27th prime minister, Abhisit vowed to solve the country's "political failure" which led to the on-going crisis.

While reconcilation was a main theme of Abhisit's message, his statements may not sound that sweet to his opponents' ears as they could have been perceived as a mild swipe at Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2008-12-17