Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[sriracha john]

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

For those unfamiliar with Thai societal norms, Thais will often smile during difficult situations. Non-Thais unfamiliar with this trait will frequently think it's inappropriate.

[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.

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".

I see that logic eludes you.

That is alright, you prove us all wrong by wearing Yellow and marching through the reds lines.

And Koo82, even if you are happy the Yellow was getting grenade'dand peopledied, you are mistaken on one point.If we include everyone that supports Thaksin as a red (as a broad defintion, as you seem to label those that hate him as yellow),then the nightly grenad'ing using M79 grenade launchers wasn't done publicly. They scurried away like rats after it was done. Like true terrorists.

[aromsia]

Hi Ayn - you're back again. Agenda?

[TAWP]

Hi Ayn - you're back again. Agenda?

Now you are spamming the news-threads with non-sensical and off-topic posts?

I would report your posts if the report-button was working...

[LaoPo]

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

For those unfamiliar with Thai societal norms, Thais will often smile during difficult situations. Non-Thais unfamiliar with this trait will frequently think it's inappropriate.

Lady member Koo82 is Thai.

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

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

For those unfamiliar with Thai societal norms, Thais will often smile during difficult situations. Non-Thais unfamiliar with this trait will frequently think it's inappropriate.

Lady member Koo82 is Thai.

LaoPo

Have you met her?

If she is, it's rather surprising then that she is unfamiliar with this aspect of Thai culture.

Edited January 2, 2009 by sriracha john

[mrtoad]

The usual political Trolls are out in force. Pretty boring listening to Koo, Samgrowth and aromsia. Are they the same people? Are they being paid? It would be nice to know.

They like to hijack pretty much every thread.

Edited January 2, 2009 by mrtoad

[henryalleman]

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 .

If you where 32 years married like me you know the meaning of an old quote

"God think and weigh buts its the wife who decide"

[Ricardo]

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.

Perhaps he already has enough shit, inheriting the mess left by Thaksin's nominee-governments over the past year, and didn't feel the need to collect more generous donations of the stuff ?

[hammered]

Just to give a bit of perspective on the red/yellow loveathon of unpaid nice people depending on who you support. Both sides have indulged in acts of violence and have killed people. A high profile representative such as the PM seen on the other side would be ill advised to go anywhere near either lot and no doubt get the same advice from security services.

By the way the red shirts are not representative of all those upcountry folks who voted TRT/PPP as are the yellow shirts not represebntative of all the folks who voted Dem. This simplistic analysis of how things stand to reduce it all to black and white doesnt work. There are many people who voted Dem or PPP who are quite willing to give the other side a go. There have ben village meetings in very PPP areas where people spoke of/voted to give Abhisit a chance. Few people really want to see the country suffer any more right now and few are willing to forego their inconmce in pursuit of a narrow minded politcal agenda which the extremes of both sides espouse.

I could persoanlly name people paid by both red and yellw sides in both of their most recent escapapdes and I could also personally name people who went voluntarily to both. That is the way it is. That is how street demos in Thailand work. There is no black and white just the usual shades of grey but by trying to create black and white the organisers of movements (of either side) can attract a crowd who buy the black and white line as people in general like things to be seen as simple and like to back a horse. Some may say this attracts more gullible elements of society and they be right. Not only in Thailand but that is how street politcs functions worldwide. The hideous Thammakai religious sect uses similar methods to the reds (who it could be argued they are close to) and yellows.

It is time to get away from analysis that sees things in simplistic terms while missing the obvious and realise everything is a lot more complicated than presented.

[Guest Reimar]

Sodsri unconvinced Newin's role in govt formation is punishable

By The Nation

Published on January 3, 2009

Although the involvement of faction leader Newin Chidchob in the formation of the Abhisit Vejjajiva government was controversial, he might escape punishment due to a legal grey area, Election Commission member Sodsri Sattayatham said yesterday.

Newin is a banned former Thai Rak Thai Party executive but the electoral provisions have a wide leeway for interpretation as to whether he has violated his ban by playing a decisive role in the Democrat-led coalition, she said.

"If Newin were to be punished, the electoral laws and the Constitution must be amended to spell out the scope of the ban and how it should be enforced," she said.

Under existing provisions and precedents, the ban prescribes for the convicted party executive to be removed from the electoral process and refrained from working or being involved in an executive capacity for five years.

In order to penalise Newin for his involvement in the coalition's formation, the prosecution has the burden to prove that he had acted like a party executive.

It would be virtually impossible to obtain sufficient evidence for a re-enactment in the courtroom of Newin's actions, Sodsri said.

In his complaint against Newin, Pheu Thai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul submitted a photograph depicting Prime Minister Abhisit and Newin hugging one another, which many saw as a gesture to seal the coalition deal, she said.

But this is not sufficient evidence to sway the judicial review that would consider whether Newin had violated his ban, she said.

Even though Newin was involved in activities leading to the formation of the government, the ban does not specifically exclude him from politics but only from those acts deemed under the jurisdiction of a party executive, she added.

She said Newin's controversial involvement in the Democrat-led coalition was a legal loophole, just like the one about a nominee party.

Although the Pheu Thai Party is widely known as the nominee of two disbanded parties - Thai Rak Thai and People Power - there is no legal definition of the nominee party, hence no legal mandate for penalty.

Commenting on the 29 by-elections scheduled for January 11, the Election Commission member said it was possible that the Democrats might not win sufficient seats to retain their narrow majority.

Should this happen, the political situation would become increasingly complicated, as Pheu Thai might gain the majority while the Democrats cling to power in a minority government, she said.

Sodsri reminded the government to brace for political and economic woes. The Democrats will likely face many uncertainties, since their survival hinges on factors beyond their control, such as the loyalty of coalition partners, she said.

[baht&sold]

Thaksin tells UDD to keep on fighting

Bangkok Post Jan 3, 2009

Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has urged the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship to keep on fighting, according to UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan. Mr Jatuporn, a Puea Thai MP, said yesterday Thaksin had a phone conversation with another key UDD leader, Veera Musikhapong, last Sunday and urged the UDD to continue with its fight for democracy.

Mr Jatuporn denied the UDD was fighting for Thaksin.

''The former prime minister is just a person who shares the same idea [with us] and is the symbol of this fight,'' he said.

Although some MPs had defected to other parties, the number of red-clad UDD supporters would not drop, he said.

The UDD would intensify its pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to force him to dissolve the House as soon as possible, he added.

The prime minister yesterday ordered an investigation into telephone threats against him.

Mr Abhisit said some of the calls came from prepaid phone numbers while the others were from fixed numbers that allegedly could be traced to some people who were behind the current political unrest in the country.

Earlier Chuan Leekpai, the chief adviser of the ruling Democrat party, had warned Mr Abhisit, the party leader, of assassination threats.

This information has kept Mr Abhisit from inspection trips to other provinces for the time being.

Mr Abhisit, who was having a private vacation in the southern province of Krabi, yesterday said he was not shaken by the death threats.

Mr Jatuporn dismissed the report about a plot to assassinate Mr Abhisit, saying it was nothing but a ploy to raise sympathy and support.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, the Democrat secretary-general, said from Surat Thani, his home province, that he was seeking cooperation from Thaksin to help end the political conflict and allow the nation to move forward.He said he was trying to contact Thaksin directly as well as through the former premier's associates and UDD leaders.

Continues here

[baht&sold]

PM 'not concerned about threat'

BangkokPost.com Published: 3/01/2009 at 03:15 PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is not worried after he received a phone call threat, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Saturday.

Mr Suthep said officials are probing the case to see whether a person or a political group is behind the call.

The premier would not change his phone number, he said, adding that security would not be increased for the protection of the premier either.

He also said that the government has began speaking with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, starting by contacting his close aides.

He said he would like to request Mr Thaksin to tell his close aides to stop creating chaos in the country.

Continues here...

[Journalist]

Sodsri unconvinced Newin's role in govt formation is punishable

By The Nation

Published on January 3, 2009

Although the involvement of faction leader Newin Chidchob in the formation of the Abhisit Vejjajiva government was controversial, he might escape punishment due to a legal grey area, Election Commission member Sodsri Sattayatham said yesterday.

Newin is a banned former Thai Rak Thai Party executive but the electoral provisions have a wide leeway for interpretation as to whether he has violated his ban by playing a decisive role in the Democrat-led coalition, she said.

"If Newin were to be punished, the electoral laws and the Constitution must be amended to spell out the scope of the ban and how it should be enforced," she said.

Will Newin still get to keep his share of the payola from the FoN's pet project? i.e the contract for 4000 buses.

I understand his nominee was fortunate enough to be awarded the Minister of Transport portfolio, which should grease the wheels somewhat.

[samgrowth]

Sodsri unconvinced Newin's role in govt formation is punishable

By The Nation

Published on January 3, 2009

... but the electoral provisions have a wide leeway for interpretation ...

That is exactly the problem. The interpretation will ALWAYS favour the YELLOW and against the RED.

[Plus]

The interpretation will ALWAYS favour the YELLOW and against the RED.

Nonsense. The EC rejected charges against PPP being TRT's nominee because they didn't want to interpret the law at will.

The PPP people had been flying to Hong Kong/London to get cabinet minister seats approvals from Thaksin, no one ever tried to nail them for that, but now they scream foul over Abhisit-Newin hug and dare to complain that laws are unfair.

Absolutely shameless.

But I bet samgrowth knows all that already, he himself just wants a shoulder to cry on about how life has been unfair to Thaksin and his cronies.

[henryalleman]

Just to give a bit of perspective on the red/yellow loveathon of unpaid nice people depending on who you support. Both sides have indulged in acts of violence and have killed people. A high profile representative such as the PM seen on the other side would be ill advised to go anywhere near either lot and no doubt get the same advice from security services.

By the way the red shirts are not representative of all those upcountry folks who voted TRT/PPP as are the yellow shirts not represebntative of all the folks who voted Dem. This simplistic analysis of how things stand to reduce it all to black and white doesnt work. There are many people who voted Dem or PPP who are quite willing to give the other side a go. There have ben village meetings in very PPP areas where people spoke of/voted to give Abhisit a chance. Few people really want to see the country suffer any more right now and few are willing to forego their inconmce in pursuit of a narrow minded politcal agenda which the extremes of both sides espouse.

I could persoanlly name people paid by both red and yellw sides in both of their most recent escapapdes and I could also personally name people who went voluntarily to both. That is the way it is. That is how street demos in Thailand work. There is no black and white just the usual shades of grey but by trying to create black and white the organisers of movements (of either side) can attract a crowd who buy the black and white line as people in general like things to be seen as simple and like to back a horse. Some may say this attracts more gullible elements of society and they be right. Not only in Thailand but that is how street politcs functions worldwide. The hideous Thammakai religious sect uses similar methods to the reds (who it could be argued they are close to) and yellows.

It is time to get away from analysis that sees things in simplistic terms while missing the obvious and realise everything is a lot more complicated than presented.

[Plus]

Here's another glimpse into red's ideology, their political "awakening":

The red-shirts shouted: "Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!"

That was in Lampang, red shirts of Chiang Mai, not be outdone, declared "that a new era of anti-government protests had begun. They said any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up."

Where is that poster who routinely accused PAD of ethnic cleansing? Here it is, staring you in your face - no political dissent will be allowed in Chiang Mai, no Democrats, no PAD. The land of "democracy" where everyone must worship Thaksin.

Where are our seemingly educated posters who accused PAD of being fascist? Folks like Younghusband - here it is, staring in your face.

Quotes from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/04...cs_30092361.php

Edited January 4, 2009 by Plus

[Ulysses G.]

They are just POed because they have been robbed of "democracy" so many time - Letting off a little steam!

Edited January 4, 2009 by Ulysses G.

[Plus]

It is Thaksin's personal cult movement, and they are dead serious. They have killed people in the streets before, they will do it again if they have a chance.

It's not "little steam", they have history of violence, and Chiang Mai must put an end to it, they are members of Chiang Mai community.

[sbk]

I still find it funny that some of you keep asking whether I am Thai. How important is this? Do you think only foreigners love Khun Thaksin and Thais don't? If only you could know how many Thais hate Abhisit. I don't know who the true puppet is.

Because if you are not Thai then pretending to be Thai is called trolling and gives people the false perception that you are speaking from a Thai point of view when in fact, you are not.

[Koo82]

I still find it funny that some of you keep asking whether I am Thai. How important is this? Do you think only foreigners love Khun Thaksin and Thais don't? If only you could know how many Thais hate Abhisit. I don't know who the true puppet is.

Because if you are not Thai then pretending to be Thai is called trolling and gives people the false perception that you are speaking from a Thai point of view when in fact, you are not.

I never say I'm the representative of Thais and a spokeswoman for Thais.

When I say "majority of Thais", I refer to the crowd 50,000 to 90,000 reds, apparently a lot more than PAD. There are still a lot who cannot afford transportation 9 hours to come to BKK to protest against Abhisit.

[younghusband]

Here's another glimpse into red's ideology, their political "awakening":

The red-shirts shouted: "Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!"

That was in Lampang, red shirts of Chiang Mai, not be outdone, declared "that a new era of anti-government protests had begun. They said any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up."

Where is that poster who routinely accused PAD of ethnic cleansing? Here it is, staring you in your face - no political dissent will be allowed in Chiang Mai, no Democrats, no PAD. The land of "democracy" where everyone must worship Thaksin.

Where are our seemingly educated posters who accused PAD of being fascist? Folks like Younghusband - here it is, staring in your face.

Quotes from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/04...cs_30092361.php

I have no doubt it's uncomfortable for Democrats and certainly for PAD agitators in some parts of the country.Presumably the same applies in some Democrat strongholders for the Reds.Nevertheless regardless of the spin you might wish to put on it the Red protests in Bangkok have been commendably peaceful, far more so than the worst of the PAD excesses.I couldn't be bothered to comment when a notoriously faked photo (Red with comically huge knife that would have impressed Crocodile Dundee) was posted recently.Actually I'm not that interested in arguing about street thuggery, and in any event it has nothing to do with fascism.

The true charge of fascism certainly is relevant to the PAD leadership.The ground has been covered already in many posts and extensively in the foreign media.The response of some is to traduce first class journal.ists and the foreign media including the world's leading English language news magazine.To be fair I dont think Abhisit has any more tiime for these gruesome PAD leaders than I do, notwithstanding his ambivalence before taking up the premiership.But in general terms the charge of fascist tendencies among the PAD leadership is irrefutable and frankly I don't know why you bother to dispute it.

[mrtoad]

I still find it funny that some of you keep asking whether I am Thai. How important is this? Do you think only foreigners love Khun Thaksin and Thais don't? If only you could know how many Thais hate Abhisit. I don't know who the true puppet is.

Because if you are not Thai then pretending to be Thai is called trolling and gives people the false perception that you are speaking from a Thai point of view when in fact, you are not.

I never say I'm the representative of Thais and a spokeswoman for Thais.

When I say "majority of Thais", I refer to the crowd 50,000 to 90,000 reds, apparently a lot more than PAD. There are still a lot who cannot afford transportation 9 hours to come to BKK to protest against Abhisit.

Not a straight answear to the question.

However, the majority of Thai's 60% did not directly vote for PPP at the last election, so it's a rather moot point.

[Koo82]

And Koo82, even if you are happy the Yellow was getting grenade'dand peopledied, you are mistaken on one point.If we include everyone that supports Thaksin as a red (as a broad defintion, as you seem to label those that hate him as yellow),then the nightly grenad'ing using M79 grenade launchers wasn't done publicly. They scurried away like rats after it was done. Like true terrorists.

So those who shesh in the Prime Minister office, cut his chair, took away confidential government softwares, brought in self made bombs and other weapons, killed people (and said 3rd party did) and blocked airports (not only 2) are not terrorists.

They are FREE to protest but sleeping in the Government House and blocking airports are so wrong. No one did a shesh to bring them out but by 23 Dec 2008, when hearing the reds might protest in front of Parliament House, Army and Police already said they would use strict methods to punish, same as what they do to PAD*, if there were violence done by the reds. Back on 23 Dec, the red leaders didn't even planned whether they would protest on 28 Dec or not.

*Did anyone do anything to PAD leaders yet?

[Koo82]

PM 'not concerned about threat'

...........

He said he would like to request Mr Thaksin to tell his close aides to stop creating chaos in the country.

Now this is cute!

Abhisit did not request the PAD to stop blocking Government House and airports. Apparently PAD has damaged Thailand image and Thai economy when the reds so far have not done anything illegally.

If any of you were Khun Thaksin, would you just sit down and smile?

The Army made a coup to kick Khun Thaksin out. His hard earned money has gone. They dissolved his party when the other party did wrong things too. They kicked Khun Samak out because he cooked but the yellow Prime Minister Abhisit (not mine) who didn't serve in the Army is still here. They dissolved the PPP. They had supports to gain voices during the voting but not from an election. The reds believe Democ Rat hijacked the government from them so they protest. And Abhisit calls it chao.

And the yellow PAD created no chaos and no damage during their high time Aug - Dec 2008?

This is not funny.

[LadyHeather]

It seems you are quite obsessive over this.

Not a very Thai characteristic in my experience.

[Repubblicano]

If only you could know how many Thais hate Abhisit.

As a farang, I hate Abhisit for his hypocrisy and corruption in stealing the prime minister position.

As a Thai, considering he just deprived the people of the government they had chosen, of their voting rights and therefore of their sovereignty, I guess I would go for my gun.

[LadyHeather]

If only you could know how many Thais hate Abhisit.

As a farang, I hate Abhisit for his hypocrisy and corruption in stealing the prime minister position.

As a Thai, considering he just deprived the people of the government they had chosen, of their voting rights and therefore of their sovereignty, I guess I would go for my gun.

Probably as many as hate Thaksin but hardly the point here is it. It seems quite deceptive to me that this person is pretending to be Thai and yet, frankly, doesn't really appear to be by their posting style.

[Repubblicano]

Is it an Anti-Thaksin forum that I and people like me are not welcomed?

Quite obviously it is.