Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[MyphuketLife]

The Rodney King riots were ages ago,

we get plenty of riots and street stuff,

it' just usually doens't get pres over the seas.

And states of Emergency get called.

And for Katrina the heads at the top was the real problems to be solved.

Right now Thailand finally has some thinking heads at the top,

instead of just talking heads.

Finally the ration of TVF talking heads is greater t

han Thai Government talking heads.

Thought I caught some of PM Abhisit's talk on CNN in the hotel

and he was quite lucid and credible. A breath of fresh air for sure.

We do have plenty of demonstrations, but they don't get international press because it deos not warrant it our democratic protestors are not shutting down airports or overtaking government building.

Katrina was a natural disaster not a protest, I will give you a poorly handled natural disaster, to tell the truth I think Thailand handled the Tsunami better than we handled Katrina.

Abhisit has said some good things thus far, but time will tell..... Actions that match the speaches will be the key

[Bangyai]

Waste of time trying to enlighten Plus.......the courts clearly have no intention of appling the law to any of the misdeeds of PAD (who were backed and protected by we all know who). Discharging firearms in the street, murdering dissenters in cold blood, who cares? PAD can do anything they like, and get away with it.

Wait and see how swiftly and harshly the same courts will punish the few Reds who broke a few car windows. (Strange how all those Democrat MP's could afford Mercs - I thought they were all squeeky clean? )

Very true. Saw the first one to be arrested on t.v. tonight. He was identified using newsreel footage that showed him throwing a breeze block at a car window. He was a longish haired youth but unfortunately I didn't catch his name. He didn't seem unduly concerned and was smiling most of the time as were the policeman. So thats 1 down 5 to go ?

But as you say catmac, I don't think we'll be seeing any PAD guards being arrested any time soon . E.G , for using firearms at the Don Muang drive past while holding up a picture. This is obviously legal, as is burning motorcycles and holding a knife to someones throat.

[baht&sold]

NATIONAL UNITY

Heed poor as democracy starts from the ground up

PHILIP J CUNNINGHAM/Bangkok Post Dec 18 2008

Thailand has taken a small yet significant step on the road to normalcy after a long period of instability and intense factional struggle.

The newly selected prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva certainly has his work cut out for him, but he brings to the job a mannered civility that has been sorely lacking in recent dust-ups. As such, his elite upbringing and overseas education is both asset and liability depending on which Western values he draws from; will it be a cool, condescending noblesse oblige or democracy in the more egalitarian sense of the word, recognising the equal rights and equal worth of all citizens?

A number of diplomats, academics and journalists have greeted the news of the new Democrat Party-led coalition with measured optimism, though the New York Times was both haughty and dismissive, making fun of Mr Abhisit for his literary and musical tastes, and press sources loyal to the exiled Thaksin Shinawatra continue to peddle bad news in the hopes of more social dislocation.

But why bother with the gloom and doom pundits when there is at last a hint of light on the horizon? After seeing the country immobilised with invective, wobbling close to the brink, moderate, common sense voices are trying to restore balance and order; if they succeed, things will start looking better than they have for a long time.

Mr Abhisit, like US president-elect Barack Obama, strikes a public pose that is rare in the rough and tumble world of politics. From the personal, one might infer potential political strengths; a calm, collected and humble leader is just what the country needs to reach out across the political divide and reduce the bitter factionalism that has almost made the country ungovernable.

continues here: www.bangkokpost.com/181208_News/18Dec2008_news22.php

Edited December 20, 2008 by sabaijai
font 'decoration' removed; please don't alter news articles to add emphasis where it doesn't exist in the original.

[MyphuketLife]

Wrong again ... they shut down MRTA in Atlanta at 5 points station (I was there)

And yes you keep saying "this is a crime" and it "should be this way" .. not based upon what Thailand IS but on your western bias.

It is a crime to overtake an airport even by Thai law (the aurgument is that because it was a protest it was ok, and I am debating that argument)

I did not say in the USA its a crime so it has to be a crime here... I don't think its right that a 30 sleeps with a 15 year old but the laws in thailand says its ok you don't here me saying "its a crime", but rather I don't agree with that law.... get real

By your logic every person that express an opinion on something in thailand is really comparing it to their home country....

Also just so you know it is not only "western bias" that thinks the airport closer was wrong, asian bais as well..... I guess if they disagree its bias...

Edited December 18, 2008 by MyphuketLife

[permanent_disorder]

Grandma Nium congratulates Abhisit

By The Nation Dec 18 2008

In a heartfelt telephone call on Thursday aired by Channel 7, granma Nium Phanmanee, 84, has congratulated Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and gave him a blessing to stay long in office to bring about the country's prosperity.

Grandma Nium congratulates Abhisit

I share in Gran Nium Phanmanee's sentiment for a brighter, more inclusive and more unified future for all Thailand.

Deeply respectful wai to Gran Nium

Cue one disparaging comment from Phuket, Grandpops or Journo....

She looks like General Sanan Kachornprasart - in drag.

here is a photo from that historical meeting, when Apishit got engaged with the grannis of issan.

Grandma Nium sitting left to Apishit.

that was during his time as as travelling buffoon & escapologist. he did his stunts in a couple of provinces. always the same show. first he got tied up with that colourful scarves and later the Etonian had to eat exotic countryside food such us somtom pla ra (a popular e.coli food-cocktail) and pad krapou nuu (rat meat with basil leaves), that a without losing his smile. the provision of free food and the promise of a funny show ASOTV (as seen on TV) including pre-recorded sting and rimshots, kept some curious villager coming (grandma nium and granddpa montri).

few more photos here in this thread.

[MyphuketLife]

NATIONAL UNITY

Heed poor as democracy starts from the ground up

PHILIP J CUNNINGHAM/Bangkok Post Dec 18 2008

Thailand has taken a small yet significant step on the road to normalcy after a long period of instability and intense factional struggle.

The newly selected prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva certainly has his work cut out for him, but he brings to the job a mannered civility that has been sorely lacking in recent dust-ups. As such, his elite upbringing and overseas education is both asset and liability depending on which Western values he draws from; will it be a cool, condescending noblesse oblige or democracy in the more egalitarian sense of the word, recognising the equal rights and equal worth of all citizens?

A number of diplomats, academics and journalists have greeted the news of the new Democrat Party-led coalition with measured optimism, though the New York Times was both haughty and dismissive, making fun of Mr Abhisit for his literary and musical tastes, and press sources loyal to the exiled Thaksin Shinawatra continue to peddle bad news in the hopes of more social dislocation.

But why bother with the gloom and doom pundits when there is at last a hint of light on the horizon? After seeing the country immobilised with invective, wobbling close to the brink, moderate, common sense voices are trying to restore balance and order; if they succeed, things will start looking better than they have for a long time.

Mr Abhisit, like US president-elect Barack Obama, strikes a public pose that is rare in the rough and tumble world of politics. From the personal, one might infer potential political strengths; a calm, collected and humble leader is just what the country needs to reach out across the political divide and reduce the bitter factionalism that has almost made the country ungovernable.

continues here: www.bangkokpost.com/181208_News/18Dec2008_news22.php

Sorry but that is an opinion piece not a news article

[jdinasia]

MPL ---

no, some posters that are actually in Thailand try and look at things from a local perspective and look at local laws etc instead of responding with "that is illegal" etc when in fact it may not be.

Was the PAD presence at Swampy illegal? Was their continued presence at Government House illegal?

The answers to those two questions are 1) It is unclear if their presence at Swampy was illegal and 2) No their presence at Gov't house was not illegal.

I try very hard to look at things from a local perspective. In fact, it is one of the reasons I learned to speak and read Thai. I can look at the papers and more importantly I can talk to people of various backgrounds that do not speak English and get their perspectives on things. I also have enough of a background in law to know that your statements "It is either legal or illegal" and all your other black and white hyperbole just do not hold up

[baht&sold]

NATIONAL UNITY

Heed poor as democracy starts from the ground up

PHILIP J CUNNINGHAM/Bangkok Post Dec 18 2008

Thailand has taken a small yet significant step on the road to normalcy after a long period of instability and intense factional struggle.

The newly selected prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva certainly has his work cut out for him, but he brings to the job a mannered civility that has been sorely lacking in recent dust-ups. As such, his elite upbringing and overseas education is both asset and liability depending on which Western values he draws from; will it be a cool, condescending noblesse oblige or democracy in the more egalitarian sense of the word, recognising the equal rights and equal worth of all citizens?

A number of diplomats, academics and journalists have greeted the news of the new Democrat Party-led coalition with measured optimism, though the New York Times was both haughty and dismissive, making fun of Mr Abhisit for his literary and musical tastes, and press sources loyal to the exiled Thaksin Shinawatra continue to peddle bad news in the hopes of more social dislocation.

But why bother with the gloom and doom pundits when there is at last a hint of light on the horizon? After seeing the country immobilised with invective, wobbling close to the brink, moderate, common sense voices are trying to restore balance and order; if they succeed, things will start looking better than they have for a long time.

Mr Abhisit, like US president-elect Barack Obama, strikes a public pose that is rare in the rough and tumble world of politics. From the personal, one might infer potential political strengths; a calm, collected and humble leader is just what the country needs to reach out across the political divide and reduce the bitter factionalism that has almost made the country ungovernable.

continues here: www.bangkokpost.com/181208_News/18Dec2008_news22.php

Sorry but that is an opinion piece not a news article

You mean, an opinion which was not bought by Thak-sin's outside PR machine machine (headed by Sam Moon, 23 year partner with The Economist, BusinessWeek and others?

Yes, this appears it was just a non-bought or vested/agenda opinion of what the country needs at this time.

Meanwhile, getting very tired of Thailand doom-pundits (sorry if some don't GET that but others would like to move forward)

Edited December 18, 2008 by baht&sold

[Plus]

It's government's responsibility to maintain law and order in the country.

It's the Army and the Police's responsibility to follow the government's orders.

True, but there were no orders given.

And it is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order, the police and the army are simply its tools. By Thai rules of engagement they were never going to use force against people, it's no Korea, it was the government's duty to negotiate the way out. Not to mention that government had no legitimacy or credibility in the eyes of law enforcement agencies themselves, and that was government's problem, too.

Speaking of riots - was everybody properly charged and prosecuted for riots in Greece, France, Denmark, and the UK, a few years ago? I bet even there the justice system can't deal serious public disturbances. Here in Thailand lots of people would like to sue PAD for this and for that, but, apparently, there are no legal grounds for that.

[LaoPo]

And it is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order, the police and the army are simply its tools.

In normal democracies that's an absolute truth...not so in Thailand, Plus, and you know it.

In Thailand it's the elite, army/military and the unmentionable who control the government, not the democratic way around.

Abhisit is the tool...the face...nothing more unfortunately since I wish him all the best and give him the benefit of the doubt.

But, the moment he will try to surpass any of the parties and thus damaging their power, the whistle will be blown...

But, in general I fully agree with your remark: "And it is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order, the police and the army are simply its tools."

If that would only be the truth in Thailand.... ...we would have 100% freedom of speech and 100% freedom of press, including on Thaivisa.

LaoPo

[FatherF]

that was during his time as as travelling buffoon & escapologist. he did his stunts in a couple of provinces. always the same show. first he got tied up with that colourful scarves and later the Etonian had to eat exotic countryside food such us somtom pla ra (a popular e.coli food-cocktail) and pad krapou nuu (rat meat with basil leaves), that a without losing his smile. the provision of free food and the promise of a funny show ASOTV (as seen on TV) including pre-recorded sting and rimshots, kept some curious villager coming (grandma nium and granddpa montri).

few more photos here in this thread.

FF

[Richard W]

But, in general I fully agree with your remark: "And it is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order, the police and the army are simply its tools."

If that would only be the truth in Thailand.... ...we would have 100% freedom of speech and 100% freedom of press, including on Thaivisa.

LaoPo

Not without government buy-in. And 100% freedom is inconvenient to those in power.

[baht&sold]

press sources loyal to the exiled Thaksin Shinawatra continue to peddle bad news in the hopes of more social dislocation.

And some here as well apparently... Time to move forward (but this is what Thailand doom-pundits most fear)

[Journalist]

I also have enough of a background in law to know

"I demand my phone call, I know my rights. ...........and stop pointing at me constable,....hic !"

[permanent_disorder]

it is still SPAM, a unwanted messages that that buffoon sends around. i got one today shortly before lunch 11:29 am. came from "Your_PM".

doesn't matter how many networks your boyfriend has, one, two or much more. it is spam.

Well...

My point is that i rather get a SMS from a politician every then and when than this stupid spam.

it's a question of privacy and individual rights, maybe hard to understand for a mob supporter and goup action lover.

and again those message was send around and a lot of people must have got them, hence the complain of that consumer right organisation. doesn't matter if nobody in your office or in your favorite sauna got them. other peoples felt intimidated and i guess your reaction and the reaction of a couple of other PAD apologist would be different if such a message got send around by one of the other PMs we have seen this year.

SMS spam is low style. spam from a politican doesn't make this shit smell better but rather worse.

of course there must be a few people that had ordered a make-your-schlong-bigger-pump or feel are all excited just reading such a mail advertising bigger-schlong-pumps. for most others is it SPAM.

that you get your other spam SMS, maybe you didn't read the small print of your contract with the tel company and you allowed them to send you information.

[jdinasia]

I also have enough of a background in law to know

"I demand my phone call, I know my rights. ...........and stop pointing at me constable,....hic !"

Journalist, we are not discussing your experience with the law

[permanent_disorder]

note: it's The Nation, but still worth to read. it's about the the army involvement, the role of the PAD, the 'silent coup'... the same author wrote also the 'Is Sondhi's PAD now a brainwashed political cult?' article. so maybe he get immediately dissed by the pro PAD apologist mob.

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

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

BURNING ISSUE

Question loom over new Prime Minister's legitimacy

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

Legitimacy, or lack there of, is the main problem faced by prime minister-elect Abhisit Vejjajiva.

It was made clear on Monday, soon after he became Thailand's 27th prime minister, when some supporters of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra attacked vehicles of MPs leaving the Parliament. The International Herald Tribune's Asia edition carried photographs of these red-shirted protesters on its front page. Not exactly the kind of PR Abhisit would have wanted.

The problem began on December 6, when Army Chief Gen Anuphong Paochinda invited key politicians to offer them "advice" on what the new coali-tion should look like. Newin Chidchob, a former Thaksin aide who over the past few months was disenfranchised by his multi-billionaire boss, decided to exploit the situation. The Democrats and the military jumped in as well.

No wonder it is believed that on Monday, a "silent coup" was staged by the military, with back-ing from Abhisit, Newin, the self-styled People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and their sup-porters.

The "election" of Abhisit was a coup so quiet that it even caught anti-coup activists like Chotisak Onsoong off-guard. From day one academics and activists, including Chotisak, questioned Abhisit's legitimacy. And it does-n't seem likely that the PM can convince them otherwise - espe-cially since some people are already calling this government a puppet of the military.

This would not have been pos-sible if the PAD had not seized the two airports and if the Constitu-tion Court had not dissolved three parties, including the People Power Party.

The PAD, which has a Democrat MP as one of its core leaders, was quick to declare victory. The renamed ASTV Manager Daily ran photos of PAD members celebrating Abhisit's victory. Khamnoon Sitthisamarn, a columnist and editor at the paper, wrote on Monday that the new "political phenomena" with Abhisit as PM "was genuinely a PAD victory!" The editor, who is also an appointed senator, how-ever did admit in his column that this was an "Anuphong-style coup d'etat." This comes from some-one who has first-hand experience in military intervention - Khamnoon was made member of the National Legislative Assembly soon after the 2006 coup.

Yesterday, the paper shame-lessly ran an "instructive" article on its front page, which said that former diplomat Kasit Piromya, de facto PAD "foreign" specialist, was "ready" to be Foreign Minister. By the way, Kasit is a Democrat Party member and until Monday, was a shadow deputy PM of the party. Without the months-long protest which paralysed the Samak Sundaravej regime and the puppet government of Somchai Wongsawat, and dealt a deathblow through the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, Anuphong would never have had such lever-age and Abhisit would not have been able to exploit the situation.

Still, business people remain terrified that a new Thaksin proxy government would bring the PAD back to the streets and cause even more damage. Now one wonders how PM-elect Abhisit would reward Democrat MP-cum-PAD-co-leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon for a job "well done". How can the PAD "scrutinise" the new admin-istration when one of its five co-leaders is a Democrat MP? The Constitution Court's ruling was also questioned as being politically motivated and the dis-solution of parties was viewed by some as too harsh.

As both sides continue using dirty tactics, regardless of the rule of law and decency, the last thing anyone should expect is an end to the social and political division. Chulalongkorn University political scientist Ji Ungpakorn suggested that Abhisit dissolve the parliament after 12 months to return power to the people. Judging from the protests over the past two days, the situation may worsen much sooner than expected. Just like the PAD, who claimed that neither Thaksin nor Samak and Somchai were their leaders, now the red shirts and the anti-coup camp are claiming "Abhisit is not their prime minister".

The Nation

[sriracha john]

former People Power Party MP Pongsak Boonsol

EC decides to seek red card against Sakon Nakhon MP

The Election Commission Thursday resolved to ask the Supreme Court to disqualified a Sakhon Nakhon MP for alleged election fraud.

EC Secretary-General Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn said the EC decided to seek a red card against Pongsak Boonsol, an MP from Sakon Nakhon's Constituency 3, for having alleged framed another candidate.

Sutthipol is a former People Power Party MP. He has not yet joined another Party after his Party was dissolved.

- The Nation / 2008-12-19

===============================================================

later...

EC head office building shot at

The head office building of the Election Commission was shot at Wednesday night, police said Thursday.

The bullet hit the window on the 23rd floor of the Sri Jullasup Building, cracking it, but the bullet did not pass through.

Wichian Bangkhunthond, 44, a security officer, told police that he heard gunfire at 9:42 pm.

Police Colonel Phaisarn Luesomboon, Commander of the Pathumwan police station, said the window was not a bullet-proof window, but the bullet might have been fired from afar so it did not break through the window.

He said a security camera showed that three taxis and a motorcycle were passing the building at the time the shot was fired.

The EC office is located on several floors of the building, including the 23rd floor.

- The Nation / 2008-12-19

[Plus]

the same author wrote also the 'Is Sondhi's PAD now a brainwashed political cult?' article. so maybe he get immediately dissed by the pro PAD apologist mob.

Yes

[LaoPo]

But, in general I fully agree with your remark: "And it is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order, the police and the army are simply its tools."

If that would only be the truth in Thailand.... ...we would have 100% freedom of speech and 100% freedom of press, including on Thaivisa.

LaoPo

Not without government buy-in. And 100% freedom is inconvenient to those in power.

Of course.

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

Poster for Kwanchai Praipana

Pro-Thaksin Group to Hold Major Rally If No Action against People's Alliance

A key figure of a pro-Thaksin group in the Northeast has vowed to stage a massive rally against the Democrat-led government if it fails to take legal action against the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Leader of the pro-ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Network in Udon Thani Province, Kwanchai Praipana, told his members that the group will wait and see whether the former 2006 coup makers and people involved in the People's Alliance for Democracy are brought into the Cabinet before staging any move.

Kwanchai said the group must accept the democratic system, although he does not agree with the decision of some politicians.

However, he cited that members of the pro-Thaksin red shirt group across the country will stage a major rally against the Democrat-led government if there is no legal action against the People's Alliance for Democracy.

- TOC / 2008-12-18

[siam4ever]

Abhisit's inability to hold the PAD accountable for their illegal actions will insure a very short stint as PM. Next Please?

[sriracha john]

Kwanchai's image of himself...

Poster for Kwanchai Praipana

meets reality...

[sriracha john]

Thaksin supporter arrested for attacking lawmakers at Parliament

BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) - Bangkok police on Thursday arrested a man who allegedly attacked vehicles carrying parliamentarians who on Monday voted for Abhisit Vejjajiva as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

The man, identified as Chokechai Kamleu, was one of six protesters sought under court-issued arrest warrants on two charges of assaulting and holding people against their will.

He could face a maximum of seven years in jail and/or a Bt14,000 fine for the two offences if found guilty.

Chokechai, who described himself as a supporter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, confessed to police that he was the man in the photograph taken by the media throwing a brick at a sedan driven by a Democrat MP as he left the Parliament compound.

"I did it out of revenge for the Puea Thai Party after I learned the result of the vote. I can't accept that my government was unfairly treated all along and neither can I stand a Democrat-led coalition government," Chokechai said.

The Puea Thai Party is comprised of Thaksin loyalists.

Chokechai was among a number of demonstrators led by the United Front for Democracy against

Dictatorship (UDD) who vented their anger after the vote. The rally turned violent when 100 red-shirted protesters broke through police lines and vandalised vehicles belonging to MPs from the Democrat and Puea Pandin parties as they were leaving the parliament grounds.

He also denied that he was hired to use violence against the MPs.

Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Mueankaew, Bangkok metropolitan police chief, pledged that five other suspects, for which arrest warrants have been issued, would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

[Dario]

Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that he would also be the Education Minister which excited everyone. In MHM the Education Ministry is the portfolio where most work has to be done.

Very unfortunately, I just read in the Bangkok Post that this portfolio will most probably be given to Jurin Laksanavisit. With all the due respect to Khun Jurin, this is a great disappointment and a first backtrack from the Democrat Party.

Backtracking on major announcements is very unhealthy for this new, ultra fragile government.

Edited December 19, 2008 by Dario

[Plus]

In normal democracies that's an absolute truth...not so in Thailand, Plus, and you know it.

In Thailand it's the elite, army/military and the unmentionable who control the government, not the democratic way around.

Lao Po, what do you mean by "control the government"?

During junta days they couldn't control their own installed Surayud, what makes you think they can mess up with the likes of Samak or let alone Thaksin himself. The government is pretty much free to do as it pleases, within reason, ie. within the scope of its responsibilities - setting and implementing polices, passing laws, governing the country and so on.

So, what exactly do you mean by control? How do they exercise it, and in what areas they infirnge in government's turf?

>>>

Airport situation wasn't a question of law enforcement, it was the political question that had to be settled by political means, not violent crackdowns. That's one thing that the army and police don't do here anymore - fighting their own people, especially for political reasons. They did this in the past, but not anymore.

Again - it was the government screw up, not police or the army.

In the future they might set up some special units or contingency plans to protect the airport, but I doubt it will work - if the government is fighting the people and not a couple of dozens of terrorists, the police can't help anymore.

[samgrowth]

Thaksin supporter arrested for attacking lawmakers at Parliament

BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) - Bangkok police on Thursday arrested a man who allegedly attacked vehicles carrying parliamentarians who on Monday voted for Abhisit Vejjajiva as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

The man, identified as Chokechai Kamleu, was one of six protesters sought under court-issued arrest warrants on two charges of assaulting and holding people against their will.

He could face a maximum of seven years in jail and/or a Bt14,000 fine for the two offences if found guilty.

Chokechai, who described himself as a supporter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, confessed to police that he was the man in the photograph taken by the media throwing a brick at a sedan driven by a Democrat MP as he left the Parliament compound.

"I did it out of revenge for the Puea Thai Party after I learned the result of the vote. I can't accept that my government was unfairly treated all along and neither can I stand a Democrat-led coalition government," Chokechai said.

The Puea Thai Party is comprised of Thaksin loyalists.

Chokechai was among a number of demonstrators led by the United Front for Democracy against

Dictatorship (UDD) who vented their anger after the vote. The rally turned violent when 100 red-shirted protesters broke through police lines and vandalised vehicles belonging to MPs from the Democrat and Puea Pandin parties as they were leaving the parliament grounds.

He also denied that he was hired to use violence against the MPs.

Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Mueankaew, Bangkok metropolitan police chief, pledged that five other suspects, for which arrest warrants have been issued, would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

I feel sorry for the RED team. If they were dress in YELLOW, they will be the untouchable. This is Thailand. This is PADland.

Edited December 19, 2008 by samgrowth

[Jai Dee]

Noon deadline for Puea Pandin Party to join coalition bandwagon

Puea Pandin Party has until noon to nominate its four candidates for Cabinet seats, otherwise it will be dropped from the coalition alliance, Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thuagsuban said on Friday.

The Puea Pandin quotas include four ministerial positions, one for Industry, one for Information and Communication Technology and two unspecified portfolios for deputy ministers.

Should the deadline pass without the nomination, the Democrat-led coalition will see its majority reduced from 235 votes to 221 following the exclusion of Puea Pandin.

Source: The Nation - 19 December 2008

[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.

Red shirt crowds to demand explanation for removal of "Truth Today" show

The pro-Thaksin supporters will today rally at NBT Channel before lodging a petition for the state-run television to explain why it abruptly dropped the "Truth Today" show, rally organiser Shinwat Haboonhad said on Friday.

Shinwat, concurrently chairman of the community radio station for taxi drivers, said the rally would be peaceful.

- The Nation / 2008-12-19

[henryalleman]

PAD didn't mean to shut down the airport.

Rubbish.

Makes no more sense than someone dumping 100 tons of cow manure outside your front door, then saying its not their fault when you can't get outside.

You're just making yourself look silly and nonsensical now with your poodle-like devotions and ludicrous explanations, but whatever, go ahead.....its amusing....

maybe the main reason to occupy the airport where the death and wounded caused by the tear gass attack against the peaceful demonstration of GH. Maybe the PAD thought their people would be more protected at Suva because an brutal attack by teargas whit a few dozens of killings by the police would be seen by the whole world.

Also the demonstrators could be better protected against the bomb trowing red shirts.