Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[sriracha john]

^ well, at least they told us one of the dangerous locations.... as for Bangkok's other nine... who knows?

[henryalleman]

As long as the back of the army is not broken nothing will change in Thailand.

[henryalleman]

the whole movement is also an antiglobalisation movement. thaksin got also blamed for his 'capitalistic' economy concepts. thaksin is much more than just a corrupt politician. for the PAD he is the symbol of a economic system they hate. that system is capitalism, a free and liberal market, the age of globalisation. they have some "new way" in mind and that new way doesn't count so much on foreign investment and dollars, euros, pounds etc. that system they see as proven wrong.

the whole process not only scare foreign investment away, they also don't care about it. that is far more critical. in their demands list PAD request to stop privatisation and also to restore privatized state enterprises as state property. that foreign investors lost confidence doesn't matter in the concept of 'new politics'.

Pipob Thongchai expressed his agreement with another PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul to resort back to what he referred to as Eastern style economic system. Pipob said he agreed with Sondhi’s proposal for Thailand to try to restore its economic balance and push for environmentally sustainable economic development.

Pipob asserted that the balance between the environment and national revenue has been distorted by the Thaksin regime. He cited the Thaksin’s regime economic liberalization efforts as some of the greatest threats to the Thai economy. TOC

PAD founder and media baron Sondhi Limthongkul is leading the backlash. In contrast to Thaksin, who often spoke of elevating Thailand to the ranks of the developed world, Sondhi advocates a "reasonable society" no longer burdened by debt and obsessed with "how many cars or washing machines" people own. He favors limits on foreign investment, opposes privatization of utilities and warns, "Don't impose a free trade, consumer-oriented society on Thailand." http://www.newsweek.com/id/157506

My wife was a great fan of PAD, but since the last speech of Chamlong on a PAD rally she was so upset with his statements that she could no longer watch it. She said that Chamlong like to catapult Thailand to the dark ages again. And indeed more and more PAD appears to be an anti-globalist movement and think that Thailand must ban foreign investments, Its clear that Chamlong like to go back to the old Thai system where everybody have place but everybody must stay in his place.

Its clear that Chamlong expire his tenability date, and entering the Asoke monk hood permanently.

[Wiresok]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/12...ss_30090787.php

[endure]

No disrespect of the King of Thailand or The Thai Royal Family! Discussion of topics concerning the King or other current or deceased members of the Thai Royal Family is forbidden.

Please don't do it.

[baht&sold]

Some want red, some want yellow but MOST probably want GREEN to go forward

[permanent_disorder]

from the sondhi propaganda channel TOC

PM Abhisit Denies Copying Thaksin-Style Policies

The Prime Minister has slammed suggestions that his government is attempting to replicate the populist policies of the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, while insisting that any policies beneficial to the people should be upheld. He also said he has no concerns regarding the controversial transfer of 300 million baht to his ruling Democrat party, saying the accusations are groundless.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has commented that he has no concerns about the opposition Pheu Thai Party's plans to expose the controversial transfer of 300 million baht to the Democrat party, insisting that the allegations are groundless.

The Prime Minister also stated that his government has no intentions of copying the populist policies introduced by the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party and self-exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra , but added that any policies beneficial to the people should be upheld. He outlined that some of the so-called copycat policies implemented by the Democrat Party, such as the free education service, were already Democrat party public policies.

The Prime Minister also issued comments regarding yesterday's unruly demonstration targeting the visit of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thurgsuban in Ubon Ratchathani province. Abhisit admitted that his administration may require some time to change the attitudes of certain sections of society and added that he is ready to hold talks with the core leaders of all parties to rebuild national unity.

Abhisit also said he has no objections to the participation of Democrat MP Somkiet Pongpaiboon in the new year's party held by the People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD who Somkiet is also a core leader of, saying that such a move is acceptable as long as no laws are contravened. However, The Prime Minister has already suggested to Somkiet that he cannot exercise the status of M.P to avoid any legal actions stemming from his political undertakings with the PAD.

Abhisit also insisted that the Prime Minister Secretariat Office is eligible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the PAD for its occupation of Government House as the move aims to protect its rights in the case of acts of vandalism on its property.

TOC 27 December 2008

[permanent_disorder]

Abhisit 27 could upset Taylor

Bangkok Post

As Thailand's 27th prime minister and a devout Newcastle fan, Abhisit Vejjajiva received a shirt of the English

Premiership side with the name Abhisit and number 27 on the back from Quinton Quayle, the British ambassador

to Thailand.

Fortunately, Mr Abhisit, who was born in Newcastle, is not a new player of the club or defender Steven Taylor,

who wears number 27 jersey, might be upset that his number 27 was handed to another player. Many say

number 44 may be a better choice as Abhisit is 44 years old and the number is not used by any player in

Newcastle's current squad.

Newcastle were involved in an embarrassing incident when they visited Thailand for an exhibition match a couple

years ago. Bobby Robson, then Newcastle manager, and Alan Shearer, then team captain, paid a courtesy call

on then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Government House. Robson and Shearer then gave Thaksin a

Newcastle shirt with his name and number 55 on the back as Thaksin was 55 years old then.

It was unclear who made that shirt for Thaksin as the name on the back was "Taksin" instead of Thaksin.

Bangkok Post

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

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

P_D: and one more of 'Abhisit & football news'. i really like the picture.

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ® shakes hands with

Thailand's soccer coach Peter Reid during their Asean Football

Federation Suzuki Cup 2008 final soccer match against Vietnam at

the Rajamangala national stadium in Bangkok December 24, 2008.

REUTERS/Stringer (THAILAND)

[Koo82]

Some want red, some want yellow but MOST probably want GREEN to go forward

Don't you know GREEN (Army) is helping Yellow?

[baht&sold]

Some want red, some want yellow but MOST probably want GREEN to go forward

Don't you know GREEN (Army) is helping Yellow?

Sorry, please address this mis-directed PR smear/appeal to Jonathan Head (in arse, reporting from CBD balcony, preachin to the choir) plus to The Economist and Thaksin 'victim' PR ilk/spin. Not 'buying it' and don't have 76 billion baht to claim but as one whom loves Thailand and gratefully invested much here, simply wish Thailand to move forward (at the very least as much as some whom desperately want Thailand to go backwards). Each to their own then. Cheers n' good luck for your agenda/cause/fear (similar to dinosaur's fighting off much-belated present day but inevitable tar ponds of history)

Edited December 28, 2008 by baht&sold

[Bangyai]

My wife was a great fan of PAD, but since the last speech of Chamlong on a PAD rally she was so upset with his statements that she could no longer watch it. She said that Chamlong like to catapult Thailand to the dark ages again. And indeed more and more PAD appears to be an anti-globalist movement and think that Thailand must ban foreign investments, Its clear that Chamlong like to go back to the old Thai system where everybody have place but everybody must stay in his place.

Its clear that Chamlong expire his tenability date, and entering the Asoke monk hood permanently.

Well Henry, I'm sorry that your wife has ' seen the light ' as it must have been a depressing revelation for her. But this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Say what you like about Thaksin but he more than anyone else has given the rural people a sense of their own worth , a feeling that their opinions count for something , a realisation that a govournment must be accountable to the people at the ballot box.

He more than anyone else has stirred up a hornets nest of political awareness. Where it will all end is anyones guess.

The new govournment is still in its infancy but it is already apparent that it is not as squeaky clean as some people thought it would be. Behind Aphisit there are older politicians doing the necessary dirty work. As the lady giving me an ancient massage in Paintip Plaza said, Aphisit is just a " Dtookada nah rot " ....... a doll in the front of the car. The opposition are now saying they will soon have enough evidence to prove that the democrats donated 200 million baht to the PAD cause. Whether this threat will materialise remains to be seen.

[henryalleman]

My wife was a great fan of PAD, but since the last speech of Chamlong on a PAD rally she was so upset with his statements that she could no longer watch it. She said that Chamlong like to catapult Thailand to the dark ages again. And indeed more and more PAD appears to be an anti-globalist movement and think that Thailand must ban foreign investments, Its clear that Chamlong like to go back to the old Thai system where everybody have place but everybody must stay in his place.

Its clear that Chamlong expire his tenability date, and entering the Asoke monk hood permanently.

Well Henry, I'm sorry that your wife has ' seen the light ' as it must have been a depressing revelation for her. But this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Say what you like about Thaksin but he more than anyone else has given the rural people a sense of their own worth , a feeling that their opinions count for something , a realisation that a govournment must be accountable to the people at the ballot box.

He more than anyone else has stirred up a hornets nest of political awareness. Where it will all end is anyones guess.

The new govournment is still in its infancy but it is already apparent that it is not as squeaky clean as some people thought it would be. Behind Aphisit there are older politicians doing the necessary dirty work. As the lady giving me an ancient massage in Paintip Plaza said, Aphisit is just a " Dtookada nah rot " ....... a doll in the front of the car. The opposition are now saying they will soon have enough evidence to prove that the democrats donated 200 million baht to the PAD cause. Whether this threat will materialise remains to be seen.

When my general seen the light about Chamlong did'nt change her disgust about Thaksin. And she still thinks that Abhisit is the hope for Thailand's future.

[Plus]

this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Bogus theory.

Thaksin hasn't threatened elites in any way.

The army had been subservient to the government ever since 1992 fiasco.

Sondhi created a lot of fuss about Thaksin's corruption, how come you haven't noticed?

Thaksin's closes allies like CP group or Chaleo of Beer Chang now are happily sponsoring PAD. They will ALWAYS hold the reins of power, Thaksin or no Thaksin.

In the second part of your post you imply that threat to the elites came from rural masses:

He more than anyone else has stirred up a hornets nest of political awareness.

Not much evidence of that now, is it? Their rallies are still about saving Thaksin's ass, not about "democracy". Three years on and they still march up and down the street with pictures of a biggest thief in Thailand's history. If they had any degree of awareness they would have moved on already.

[jdinasia]

I am still trying to figure out who people like BangYai mean when referring to a 'powerful ruling elite' much less how such people would ever have been threatened by Thaksin?

[Ulysses G.]

this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Bogus theory.

Thaksin hasn't threatened elites in any way.

Then why are they so utterly terrified of him?

[Samuian]

this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Bogus theory.

Thaksin hasn't threatened elites in any way.

Then why are they so utterly terrified of him?

could you elaborate please?

WHO is "utterly terrified"? Who exactly PLEASE!

His Golf-Mate CP?

His Cronies who have been so comfortably at the trough and trying to pull the string from, behind the curtains, the war room in the Shin Building?

Some Names, a hint or two?

More charades?

[animatic]

this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Bogus theory.

Thaksin hasn't threatened elites in any way.

Then why are they so utterly terrified of him?

could you elaborate please?

WHO is "utterly terrified"? Who exactly PLEASE!

His Golf-Mate CP?

His Cronies who have been so comfortably at the trough and trying to pull the string from, behind the curtains, the war room in the Shin Building?

Some Names, a hint or two?

More charades?

Terrified, not hardly, utterly disgusted fits well though.

Thaksin clearly was threatening them but not through the ballot,

but through his dodgy deals, and mostly by his backstabbing ways.

To get his way, he has so upset the applecart, that the drivers will

never give him a seat again, since he tells them lies about sitting still.

Lets add on his apparent delusions of future grandeur; a direct threat to institutions.

He's over-reached and has done it repeatedly, not what one should want in an national leader.

Chamlong's motivations are for a ancient, extremely acetic, Budhism.

So most of his moves have been in that direction,

not in support of the hereditary elite of the country.

He wishes they too would disavow the body and become one with all.

Not continually fight for power and scheckles. But he fights the smaller battles,

that he has a chance of being effective in. He's an odd duck for sure.

Reformed sinners make the best anti-sin zealots...

[Old Man River]

...the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc ...

Certainly, you must know that Thaksin and his cronies could have been defined as the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privileged position when they headed the government. After all, they had the power, they ruled and I don't remember any of them coming in from the fields.

While corruption was not the sole reason for the conflict, it did play a role as did the pursuit of power; trying to get it and trying to keep it and this part of the conflict was not relegated to one group only.

[Plus]

this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Bogus theory.

Thaksin hasn't threatened elites in any way.

Then why are they so utterly terrified of him?

Actually it's a good question. When did they become terrified of him? In 2006? After the coup? In 2007? After the elections?

What they might be terrified of is the prospect of a civil war between Thaksin supporters and opponents. Udon lynch mob was terrifying indeed.

When "they" realised how far Thaksin will go to achieve his own goals, that's when they took the threat seriously and PPP has come under significant pressure form all sides. The fist several months it has run practically unopposed and no one seemed to be afraid of anything.

[Bangyai]

When my general seen the light about Chamlong did'nt change her disgust about Thaksin. And she still thinks that Abhisit is the hope for Thailand's future.

Well Henry, a lot of people don't like Thaksin so your wife is not alone. As for Aphisit , well a wise man once said :

" don't have high expectations and you won't be disappointed "

In fact several commentators have said this about Obama already.....but lets not go there or I will incur the moderators wrath.

As for the rank issue ( Ms General Alleman ) , may I suggest you send a letter to yourself and make it look very important by putting a wax seal on it etc and having it hand delivered by a despatch rider. Open it in front of your wife and put on a big smile. When she asks who its from just tell her you have been promoted to Field Marshal.!! As I can't think of a higher rank this should do you good service for a while .

[Bangyai]

this is what it has been all about right from the beginning , the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc it was just this, he was steadily undermining their position and they saw that if they didn't move against him the day would come when the army was subservient to the govournment, a totaly unacceptable situation.

Bogus theory.

Thaksin hasn't threatened elites in any way.

The army had been subservient to the government ever since 1992 fiasco.

Sondhi created a lot of fuss about Thaksin's corruption, how come you haven't noticed?

Thaksin's closes allies like CP group or Chaleo of Beer Chang now are happily sponsoring PAD. They will ALWAYS hold the reins of power, Thaksin or no Thaksin.

In the second part of your post you imply that threat to the elites came from rural masses:

He more than anyone else has stirred up a hornets nest of political awareness.

Not much evidence of that now, is it? Their rallies are still about saving Thaksin's ass, not about "democracy". Three years on and they still march up and down the street with pictures of a biggest thief in Thailand's history. If they had any degree of awareness they would have moved on already.

Oh dear, I really don't know where to begin with you Plus. Actually I think you are a prime example of Animatics observation that once people have embraced a cause they are a ' lost cause ' when it comes to being reasonable. Its like faith and religion. Theres nothing I can possibly say thats going to make you do 5 degrees never mind a full 180 !!

Nonetheless, I will remind you that when he was in office the military budget was cut, a matter that was quickly reversed after the coup. He had made big loans to a certain someone with eyes to the future and a definate objective in mind. ( forbidden to discuss ) , the patronage system ( jobs for the army boys ) was under threat , etc.

I suggest you trowel through old posts for more opinions on this because its been discussed often enough.

As for Sondhi making a lot of fuss about Thaksins corruption...how could anyone miss it. But how come he never mentioned anyone elses corruption ?? How come he never condemned Suchinda ?? How come he kept money in the British Virgin Islands to avoid paying tax ?? When his debt was cut by millions of baht why didn't he refuse the offer and take the moral high ground then rather than later ?? How come he gets convicted of crimes but is still free? Why does he always ' make bail ' when others get banged up ?

As for the Hornets nest of political awareness, you have misunderstood. You may not think their cause demonstrates much ' awareness ' but the fact that they are now demonstrating in front of the govournment house illustrates my point. Years ago, they would have stuck to eating Som Dtam and would not have dared to come out and show how they feel. They would have meekly put up with whatever their ' betters ' had decided. Not so now. Fair enough, you hate Thaksin but clearly they don't and are willing to demonstrate the fact despite all his sins. They are aware that they have a voice even though you might find it unpleasant to listen to. In short, now they have to be considered. So much so that Aphisit and the Dems declare that they will continue with Thaksins populist policies. Presumably, like Thaksin , because people are now having to take the rural poor more into account than has previously been the case.

Despite all this, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and all the other Paddies a happy new year. I know you all mean well as do the rest of us. At least we've all had something to argue about these last few months. I know I've saved a fortune on books reading all this drivel so I'm not complaining.

[Bangyai]

...the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privalaged position. All the fuss about Thaksin was never about corruption etc ...

Certainly, you must know that Thaksin and his cronies could have been defined as the powerful ruling elite trying to maintain their privileged position when they headed the government. After all, they had the power, they ruled and I don't remember any of them coming in from the fields.

While corruption was not the sole reason for the conflict, it did play a role as did the pursuit of power; trying to get it and trying to keep it and this part of the conflict was not relegated to one group only.

Yep, I see what you're saying and its a valid point. They could have been defined as the ruling elite ..... until the real ruling elite put their tanks on the street. That kind of settled the issue.

[Plus]

Bangyai, your conspiracy theories are so lame I don't know how you believe them yourself.

Budget cuts happened after the crisis, under Chuan. They didn't stage the coup against Democrats, did they?

Besides, top brass is not really affected by the cuts. When Thaksin put his cousin in army chief position Chaisit obviously was satisfied with whatever was coming his way.

Army has never really been a part of patronage system to begin with. Their involvment with civilian affairs has always been limited to offering protection to shady businesses, they were not directly in control of communities the way poo yai bans and kamnans are.

Basically the army seriously lacked a self serving motive, they were not under any serious threat, just the usual decline that was going on since 1992.

The top civilian elite, aristocracy or whatever you mean had the best time of their lives under Thaksin, too. Corruption was thriving, money was flowing everywhere, stock market was up up up.

And why would Sondhi condemn Suchinda, of all people? That war has been won by Chamlong fifteen years ago. And how could you miss the famous Na Liam song, if you think that Thaksin was singled out. Accusations of corruption were flying off PAD stages everywhere, no one in the government was spared.

Everybody, on both sides of divide, puts Shin sale as a turning point in uprising against Thaksin. How could you miss that? At one point Chamlong offered Thaksin to donate 25% to make the matter to go away. How can you say "it wasn't about corruption". What was it all about then? A few lously loans to Sondhi? Well, PAD had dozens of prominent people leading the movement that had nothing to do with those loans.

Once again, your alternative explanation that protests were not about corruption have no grounds whatsoever, just flimsy excuses - budget cuts for the army, Sondhi's loans gone bad. There were hundreds of thousands of people on the streets in 2006, hundreds of thousands of people who don't give a hoot about military budget or Sondhi's insolvency.

[Wiresok]

I have to laugh at the Abhisit-Newcastle link.

Newcastle are heading for relegation.

Their sponsor Northern Rock already down the pan.

Their biggest fan, Abhisit...a phoney and he knows it.

LOL

[sriracha john]

I have to laugh at the Abhisit-Newcastle link.

Newcastle are heading for relegation.

Their sponsor Northern Rock already down the pan.

Their biggest fan, Abhisit...a phoney and he knows it.

LOL

I see Thakky's Man City is having a great year. I presume he's still a huge fan even if he's no longer in the owner's box.

[Koo82]

The reds were in front of Parliament House to wait for him to walk through them to go inside announcing policies after hearing he said he is Prime Minister of every Thai.

The problem was he did not dare to walk through the reds.

[TAWP]

The reds were in front of Parliament House to wait for him to walk through them to go inside announcing policies after hearing he said he is Prime Minister of every Thai.

The problem was he did not dare to walk through the reds.

I wouldn't walk through them and I'm not him.

Self-preservation comes to mind.

[samgrowth]

The reds were in front of Parliament House to wait for him to walk through them to go inside announcing policies after hearing he said he is Prime Minister of every Thai.

The problem was he did not dare to walk through the reds.

I wouldn't walk through them and I'm not him.

Self-preservation comes to mind.

But he claims he is the Prime Minister of every Thai. Should he change his slogan "Prime Minister of every Thai, as long as you are with the Yellow/PAD".

[Ulysses G.]

But he claims he is the Prime Minister of every Thai. Should he change his slogan "Prime Minister of every Thai, as long as you are with the Yellow/PAD".

Truth in advertising!

[Koo82]

So he is the PM of yellows and greens .

He just let out the news that he got sms someone threatened him. But when he answered the journalists, he smiled happily.

If he had had that sort of sms, he would have been scared to death. He was so worried after people from the North used human shWt to attack his car.

I think this is the trick of a secondary school boy. The reds don't need sms to threaten. They fight publicly.