Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[jbowman1993]

Pheu Thai take PM, Suthep

By The Nation

Published on April 4, 2009

The Pheu Thai Party yesterday filed a petition with the Senate asking for the impeachment of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban for malfeasance.

In their petition handed to Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, the opposition party said the prime minister had violated the law by failing to serve the ex-officio post of Police Commission chairman, assigning the duty instead to Suthep.

The petition, supported by 120 Pheu Thai MPs, also accused Suthep of chairing the Police Commission's recent meetings without authority. One such meeting on February 6 approved the transfer of 73 high-ranking police officers all over the country. Suthep was accused also of interfering with the Culture Ministry's internal affairs, an act in violation of the Constitution.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit led a group of MPs to submit the petition with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej.

"I am confident the provisions go against [Abhisit and Suthep]. I have already consulted with former public prosecutors and former judges about this matter. Some former high-ranking police officers also agreed the law was violated in this case," said the spokesman.

Prasopsuk told the MPs the Senate would first verify the signatures in the petition and that the process should be completed by April 18.

The petition cited Article 270 of the Constitution, which empowers the Senate to remove from office any senior public-office holder, including the prime minister and any other Cabinet member, who is "under the circumstance of unusual wealth, or purports to commit corruption, malfeasance in office or an intentional exercise of power contrary to the provisions of the Constitution or law, or gravely violates or fails to observe ethical standards".

What is fascinating about this story is not the content. It is destined for the trash heap quickly. But the fact that Puea Thai only managed to gather 120 signatures for its petition. Puea Thai currently has 187 members. So, 57 members didn't sign the petition.....very interesting....

[Steve2UK]

What is fascinating about this story is not the content. It is destined for the trash heap quickly. But the fact that Puea Thai only managed to gather 120 signatures for its petition. Puea Thai currently has 187 members. So, 57 members didn't sign the petition.....very interesting....

Almost as interesting as what the other 10 members did ?

[jbowman1993]

What is fascinating about this story is not the content. It is destined for the trash heap quickly. But the fact that Puea Thai only managed to gather 120 signatures for its petition. Puea Thai currently has 187 members. So, 57 members didn't sign the petition.....very interesting....

Almost as interesting as what the other 10 members did ?

Yes, your right Steve, lol, thanks! But, that just makes it even worse! 67 Puea Thai's AWOL - must have been at Newin's backyard BBQ.

[kurtgruen]

I guess no Prime Minister has received such a support!

Ahh, here you are Koo. I've been waiting for you to come up with some pictures of more than 2000 RED Demonstrators in one place. (recent ones, lets say starting April 2nd)

So since nobody can produce them, I guess the media was telling the truth then, the other day, when they said that there were only about 1500 Demonstrators left at Government House and another 400 or so at King Power that day? Oh yes, plus the 500 waiting for PM Abhisit at the Chiang Mai Airport (pathetic amount of demonstrators, considering it is supposed to be Thaksin's stronghold)

So all these Red Troll speakers keep changing the expected numbers for the 8th....first it was 1,000,000, then down to 300,000, then down to 100,000..hmmmm..down 90% of the predicted numbers in three days, if this trend continues, he will be lucky to get 10,000 - 20,000 Red Trolls running around Government House on the 8th. Should be good for a laugh ;-)

BTW, I don't mean the term Red Trolls in a demeaning way :-) I just remembered the Trolls from Lord of the Rings...big dumb characters with big sticks, so I was just trying to paint an accurate picture in everybody's mind. lol

As for Abhisit. I love the way he can speak English and his charismatic personality. I like what he has done so far, but if he pushes for Privatization, I will oppose him, like I oppose any puppet of the Rich. Hopefully, he will know better. You don't bite the hand that feeds you :-(

Edited April 5, 2009 by kurtgruen

[Minus]

I guess no Prime Minister has received such a support!

Ahh, here you are Koo. I've been waiting for you to come up with some pictures of more than 2000 RED Demonstrators in one place. (recent ones, lets say starting April 2nd)

So since nobody can produce them, I guess the media was telling the truth then, the other day, when they said that there were only about 1500 Demonstrators left at Government House and another 400 or so at King Power that day? Oh yes, plus the 500 waiting for PM Abhisit at the Chiang Mai Airport (pathetic amount of demonstrators, considering it is supposed to be Thaksin's stronghold)

So all these Red Troll speakers keep changing the expected numbers for the 8th....first it was 1,000,000, then down to 300,000, then down to 100,000..hmmmm..down 90% of the predicted numbers in three days, if this trend continues, he will be lucky to get 10,000 - 20,000 Red Trolls running around Government House on the 8th. Should be good for a laugh ;-)

BTW, I don't mean the term Red Trolls in a demeaning way :-) I just remembered the Trolls from Lord of the Rings...big dumb characters with big sticks, so I was just trying to paint an accurate picture in everybody's mind. lol

As for Abhisit. I love the way he can speak English and his charismatic personality. I like what he has done so far, but if he pushes for Privatization, I will oppose him, like I oppose any puppet of the Rich. Hopefully, he will know better. You don't bite the hand that feeds you :-(

Obviously the yellow headband that you wore at the PAD rallies has irrevocably impaired the correct blood flow to your brain.

[Koo82]

Do I miss a topic Abhisit attending G20 or do they not raise the topic?

He looks very lost

[Minus]

Do I miss a topic Abhisit attending G20 or do they not raise the topic?

He looks very lost

Actually he fits the part quite well : another pathetic liar amongst his peers.

[jbowman1993]

Do I miss a topic Abhisit attending G20 or do they not raise the topic?

He looks very lost

Actually he fits the part quite well : another pathetic liar amongst his peers.

I imagine Koo would rather have had Samak up there, drooling like an imbecile....

[animatic]

Abhisit seems to be taking it seriously.

[HagenvonTronje]

ANALYSIS

Abhisit may not last beyond August

By THANONG KHANTHONG

THE NATION

Published on May 6, 2009

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva might not last beyond August or October this year as political pressure surrounding his government has intensified.

Abhisit has to finish his important job of hosting the Asean Summit first. He suffered a big loss of face in Pattaya, being forced to postpone the summit due to the red shirt riot. The summit has been rescheduled to Phuket next month. Abhisit would also like to pass the 2009-2010 budget in June before going to the polls again. For me, Abhisit is a prime minister of the future rather than the present. He has come to office too early, in the midst of a crisis in which power play is the name of the game. Abhisit has not been groomed for such crude power play. He has been a nice man who plays strictly by democratic principles. In fact, he is a novice among the tigers.

He has Thaksin Shinawatra attacking him from the outside, Newin Chidchob and coalition partners backstabbing him from "inside", the military and police at his neck, and red shirt protesters hungry for his blood.Abhisit could not have believed his political enemies would like to take his life. On April 12, he could have died at the hands of the red mob out to instigate violence and set a perfect plot to stage a coup. And there is the sharp drop in the Thai economy, which could contract by 5-6 per cent. Unemployment is soaring. If Abhisit can't move forward, he may need to dissolve Parliament and hope for a stronger mandate to return.

We are beginning to see the shape of the Blue camp, which will contend for the premiership. Behind Newin's Bhum Jai Thai Party are Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the defence minister, and Gen Anupong Paochinda, the Army chief. Gen Prawit will serve as prime minister if the Bhum Jai Thai can muster a sizeable block of MPs and strengthen its allies with other blocs such as Somsak Thepsuthin. Newin is hoping to sweep Isaan as the red shirt camp of Pheu Thai has witnessed a sharp erosion of its credibility from the recent political turmoil. About 30 MPs in Pheu Thai are already in his pocket. Other backers include Suriya Jungrungreangkit and King Power.

Thaksin has been doing everything he can to oust the Democrat government and bring about a new election to get a chance to return home and to reclaim his Bt76 billion currently "frozen" in Thai banks. If we were to have an election now, Bhum Jai Thai stands a good chance of becoming a core government party since it can join a coalition with either the Democrats or Pheu Thai. You can see that we have a deadlock in democracy now, as rival parties can't afford to let opponents hold power for too long. So, a spectre of violence looms large on the horizon.

Sondhi Limthongkul cannot remain on the defensive. The military wanted him dead. But miraculously he has survived the assassination attempt. He has spoken out on TV and hinted at the identities of those who masterminded the plot. So far the People's Alliance of Democracy under his and Chamlong Srimuang's leadership has exercised restraint. The yellow shirts resisted temptation to return to the streets during the turmoil. If they were to do so, they would be could well spur civil strife.

After telling all about the move to kill him, Sondhi plans to head abroad for a rest. A couple of things are in his mind. First, he would like Pol Gen Thanee Sonboomsap to proceed with his investigation into the assassination plot. Thanee is likely to be able to arrest the suspected gunmen this month. His team has already identified several of the gunmen, who serve in the military.

Second, he wants to hand leadership of the PAD to the second generation. Suriyasai Katasila and Somkiat Pongpaiboon will be new leaders of the PAD, which has come to terms with itself. Street protests are not the answer for Thai politics. The PAD is now resolved to set up a political party, named Thien Haeng Dharma (Candle of Dharma), to contest the next election. The PAD's street protests over the past three years have generated a new dimension in Thai politics. Via ASTV, the PAD now has a large base of popular support nationwide, particularly among the more educated Thais, traders and entrepreneurs. This may overlap with Democrat Party.

Third, Sondhi would like to see how Abhisit deals with top security officials. After the Asean Summit debacle, bids to kill both Abhisit and Sondhi, the Songkran turmoil, nobody from the police or military has stepped up assume responsibility for failing to do their job. In fact, by officials found to have failed to undertake their responsibility during the crisis must be charged or sacked.

We will have to see whether Abhisit has the guts to take on the top security personnel and replace them before he goes into the next general election. If he fails to do so, the Democrat will surely be dead meat.

-- The Nation Published on May 6, 2009

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/06...cs_30102057.php

[Plus]

Well, there aren't enough clean people in Thai politics to support Abhisit indefinitely and Newin is going for a kill.

At least it's not about saving Thaksin's ass anymore. Next few years will be spent on the big battle of people vs politicians, which is fine.

2007 const writers got it right - don't give politicians too much power so that if they screw up they won't do too much damage. The country should be able to function regardless of political wars.

Again, we are looking at a quick fix - few amendments, big referendum, new polls, and no hope of preventing the same problems popping up all over the place right after the fresh elections.

[BigSnake]

So far so good

[coconutmonkey]

Do I miss a topic Abhisit attending G20 or do they not raise the topic?

He looks very lost

Actually he fits the part quite well : another pathetic liar amongst his peers.

I imagine Koo would rather have had Samak up there, drooling like an imbecile....

Ha That's the essence of it! Oh, the irresistible charisma of Samak..... truly a man among men!

[HagenvonTronje]

Well, there aren't enough clean people in Thai politics to support Abhisit indefinitely and Newin is going for a kill.

At least it's not about saving Thaksin's ass anymore. Next few years will be spent on the big battle of people vs politicians, which is fine.

2007 const writers got it right - don't give politicians too much power so that if they screw up they won't do too much damage. The country should be able to function regardless of political wars.

Again, we are looking at a quick fix - few amendments, big referendum, new polls, and no hope of preventing the same problems popping up all over the place right after the fresh elections.

who are the unclean people? newin and friends - without them he wouldn't even be PM. and they will not sit around for long on a sinking ship. and will ever be the coalition partner for anybody.

PAD? without them he wouldn't even be PM. he should have jail them. now as Candle Dharma, running for office too, supported by a 24/7 home shopping channel for noisy plastic clappers.

and then it's just a thanong article. overate the PAD and overrate Newin. but seems to get it that Abhisit isn't the winner here and never was.

my bet is not on intrigue what will bring Abhisit to fall, but the red shirts on the street.

[kaiwatnok]

ANALYSIS

Abhisit may not last beyond August

By THANONG KHANTHONG

THE NATION

Published on May 6, 2009

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva might not last beyond August or October this year as political pressure surrounding his government has intensified.

Abhisit has to finish his important job of hosting the Asean Summit first. He suffered a big loss of face in Pattaya, being forced to postpone the summit due to the red shirt riot. The summit has been rescheduled to Phuket next month. Abhisit would also like to pass the 2009-2010 budget in June before going to the polls again. For me, Abhisit is a prime minister of the future rather than the present. He has come to office too early, in the midst of a crisis in which power play is the name of the game. Abhisit has not been groomed for such crude power play. He has been a nice man who plays strictly by democratic principles. In fact, he is a novice among the tigers.

He has Thaksin Shinawatra attacking him from the outside, Newin Chidchob and coalition partners backstabbing him from "inside", the military and police at his neck, and red shirt protesters hungry for his blood.Abhisit could not have believed his political enemies would like to take his life. On April 12, he could have died at the hands of the red mob out to instigate violence and set a perfect plot to stage a coup. And there is the sharp drop in the Thai economy, which could contract by 5-6 per cent. Unemployment is soaring. If Abhisit can't move forward, he may need to dissolve Parliament and hope for a stronger mandate to return.

We are beginning to see the shape of the Blue camp, which will contend for the premiership. Behind Newin's Bhum Jai Thai Party are Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the defence minister, and Gen Anupong Paochinda, the Army chief. Gen Prawit will serve as prime minister if the Bhum Jai Thai can muster a sizeable block of MPs and strengthen its allies with other blocs such as Somsak Thepsuthin. Newin is hoping to sweep Isaan as the red shirt camp of Pheu Thai has witnessed a sharp erosion of its credibility from the recent political turmoil. About 30 MPs in Pheu Thai are already in his pocket. Other backers include Suriya Jungrungreangkit and King Power.

Thaksin has been doing everything he can to oust the Democrat government and bring about a new election to get a chance to return home and to reclaim his Bt76 billion currently "frozen" in Thai banks. If we were to have an election now, Bhum Jai Thai stands a good chance of becoming a core government party since it can join a coalition with either the Democrats or Pheu Thai. You can see that we have a deadlock in democracy now, as rival parties can't afford to let opponents hold power for too long. So, a spectre of violence looms large on the horizon.

Sondhi Limthongkul cannot remain on the defensive. The military wanted him dead. But miraculously he has survived the assassination attempt. He has spoken out on TV and hinted at the identities of those who masterminded the plot. So far the People's Alliance of Democracy under his and Chamlong Srimuang's leadership has exercised restraint. The yellow shirts resisted temptation to return to the streets during the turmoil. If they were to do so, they would be could well spur civil strife.

After telling all about the move to kill him, Sondhi plans to head abroad for a rest. A couple of things are in his mind. First, he would like Pol Gen Thanee Sonboomsap to proceed with his investigation into the assassination plot. Thanee is likely to be able to arrest the suspected gunmen this month. His team has already identified several of the gunmen, who serve in the military.

Second, he wants to hand leadership of the PAD to the second generation. Suriyasai Katasila and Somkiat Pongpaiboon will be new leaders of the PAD, which has come to terms with itself. Street protests are not the answer for Thai politics. The PAD is now resolved to set up a political party, named Thien Haeng Dharma (Candle of Dharma), to contest the next election. The PAD's street protests over the past three years have generated a new dimension in Thai politics. Via ASTV, the PAD now has a large base of popular support nationwide, particularly among the more educated Thais, traders and entrepreneurs. This may overlap with Democrat Party.

Third, Sondhi would like to see how Abhisit deals with top security officials. After the Asean Summit debacle, bids to kill both Abhisit and Sondhi, the Songkran turmoil, nobody from the police or military has stepped up assume responsibility for failing to do their job. In fact, by officials found to have failed to undertake their responsibility during the crisis must be charged or sacked.

We will have to see whether Abhisit has the guts to take on the top security personnel and replace them before he goes into the next general election. If he fails to do so, the Democrat will surely be dead meat.

-- The Nation Published on May 6, 2009

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/06...cs_30102057.php

[/quote

The editorial omits several important factors.

Abhisit is where he is, because the powers that be have placed him there. since the riots, he has been looking stronger and more confident. Jealousy towards him, is understandable...but Newin is no threat. Thaksin is history.... there is no credible alternative

......there is little evidence of an emerging Blue movement.....but there is evidence of a white movement. people from all walks of life, who are just fed up with the bickering that is ruining the country.

you do not have to be a CSI detective to work out who wanted sondhi Dead.....and it was not Thaksin, not his style. And whilst the pattaya ASEAN farce was indeed weird, and suggested a lack of support from the Army. It is probably safe to assume that they have quietly rectified this issue... or are in the process of doing so.

love him or hate him.....i can see Abhisit being around well past august...

[Plus]

my bet is not on intrigue what will bring Abhisit to fall, but the red shirts on the street.

What red shirts on the street?

Clean people are those who take politics as means to serve the nation and not to enrich themselves. Of course every aspiring poiltician should have hunger for power, but also the ability to make sacrifices for the sake of the nation.

Even that old rat, Suwat Liptapanlop, was talking about necessity to make personal sacrifices if the country is to move forward. His interview is in today's Nation.

[Plus]

there is little evidence of an emerging Blue movement

So far it's behind the scene machinations for MP control. As it stands, blues don't need to take to the streets at all. It will be done through control of parliament, not through wide public support.

Whites are idiots.

[mauGR1]

Every honest and intelligent people should give Khun Abhisit a chance.He "lost his Face" in Pattaya just because he trusted the Police to do their job,and the words of the reds who claimed to be "peaceful" protesters.Now the same people who call him "lame duck" were waiting to nail him in the case he had used the Army to protect the Asean Summit.After the Army break-up in BKK the "peaceful" mob were looking for any excuse and lies to weaken his position.For a while he really looked like he's a lamb among the wolfes.He's got more experience now and probably a few grey hairs more on his head.I hope the ex-Thaksin supporters understand that anarchy doesn't benefit the country but a few sharks who will share the cake.If you love Thailand now,you have no choice but let him work.

[webfact]

love him or hate him.....i can see Abhisit being around well past august...

I'll second that. Thats what I hear almost daily from within my Thai community. Friends of mine in Ubon (Thais) have the same impression, Abhisit will not "disappear" soon. People in the NEast got some wake-up call not only due to the very last damaging TV performances of the red overlord... in which he has himself destroyed.

[animatic]

Basically all side that want a bigger piece of the pie have two choices:

a ) Be in Abhisit's good graces and take a smaller, but steadier, piece of the power and money pie.

b ) Or try to say SOMETHING that might weaken him enough to fall.

Thing is saying stuff is S.O.P. in Thai politics, it ONLY works when there

is actually some serious dirt behind it. They say what ever pops into their heads

and hopes it might stick. Not a speck so far.

And with Abhisit there seems to be nothing of consequence to nail him with.

Part of that I expect is because he has been groomed for the role

and NEVER let into any tricks and backroom stuff,

to make him impossible to nail as a figure head.

As well as using his strong education to reach out

to all players that are willing to be reached.

Hugging Newin is symbolic, but not clearly a sign of conspiracy.

Shaking hands hugging, kisses on the cheeks it's all just show.

What happens behind the scenes and on hard issues is more important

than any coalition building compromises out of necessity.

There are so few 'clean politicians', that SOMEONE is needed to partner up.

A good sized block held in check by a power broker is more stable than

the PTP with this SAME BLOCK run by utter dregs of a corrupt conspiracy movement.

Which is what it is reduced to.

I would rather seen Newin in a coalition helping the country while profiting

than Newin in a coalition this is naught but raping the country and nothing else.

Those really were the only two choices.

Edited May 6, 2009 by animatic

[hammered]

there is little evidence of an emerging Blue movement

So far it's behind the scene machinations for MP control. As it stands, blues don't need to take to the streets at all. It will be done through control of parliament, not through wide public support.

Whites are idiots.

I wouldnt be so sure the whites are idiots. Poltically it seems a ploy to counter blue while offering an alternative to discredited reds and Dem friendly yellows.

The last few days have seen signifcant numbers of whites at events and white has been endorsed by Dems including Suthep (previously linked to blue!) and reds such as Khwanchai. It could be a the vehicle to demonstrate you want to be part of the future. Newin has been quiet. The May 5 event was meant to be a blue shirt launch but Abhisit said allow all colours and then white came along. Interesting politics. White maybe isnt a movement as much as a pressure group to show disatisfaction of the rest.

The Abhisit will be gone by August thing may also be an attempt to keep the white phenomenon going as Abhisit without saying much on it is definitely part of it. The worry he may be blued or militaried out in a few months may be the catalyst to keep less politically motivated people in the limelight.

I wouldnt write white off as a politcal vehicle and if it is aimed at blue primarily there are alot of people on different sides who could find it a vehicle of convenience.

[HagenvonTronje]

Whites are idiots.

the currently white:

they are a little bit like the 3 monkees, right? keep your ears and eyes closed and your mouth shut.

that is the yes and amen machinery of a strong government, a strong state, with state own enterprises and it's of civil servants and buerocrats, paper pusher sitting in the office and watching the how the ink pad run dry. they wear the white shirt and go to rally by order form above. this apparatus is in big parts the so called middle class.not very well paid but are secure job for the lazy. and the mothership from low to big level corruption, because they stamp the papers and that gives them power. they want keep that job and don't want try anything new or any changes.

white- colourless, bland, anaemic. those office people.

in an other version of the white, is thaksin smilling at us in a white dress.

thaksin is follower of the Dhammakaya Movement, they have that ufo looking temple near the old airport, dressed in white and not free of controversy.

hint: thaksin basher can google here some new material for rants.

during his exile time in london

[hammered]

Pheu Thai take PM, Suthep

By The Nation

Published on April 4, 2009

The Pheu Thai Party yesterday filed a petition with the Senate asking for the impeachment of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban for malfeasance.

In their petition handed to Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, the opposition party said the prime minister had violated the law by failing to serve the ex-officio post of Police Commission chairman, assigning the duty instead to Suthep.

The petition, supported by 120 Pheu Thai MPs, also accused Suthep of chairing the Police Commission's recent meetings without authority. One such meeting on February 6 approved the transfer of 73 high-ranking police officers all over the country. Suthep was accused also of interfering with the Culture Ministry's internal affairs, an act in violation of the Constitution.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit led a group of MPs to submit the petition with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej.

"I am confident the provisions go against [Abhisit and Suthep]. I have already consulted with former public prosecutors and former judges about this matter. Some former high-ranking police officers also agreed the law was violated in this case," said the spokesman.

Prasopsuk told the MPs the Senate would first verify the signatures in the petition and that the process should be completed by April 18.

The petition cited Article 270 of the Constitution, which empowers the Senate to remove from office any senior public-office holder, including the prime minister and any other Cabinet member, who is "under the circumstance of unusual wealth, or purports to commit corruption, malfeasance in office or an intentional exercise of power contrary to the provisions of the Constitution or law, or gravely violates or fails to observe ethical standards".

What is fascinating about this story is not the content. It is destined for the trash heap quickly. But the fact that Puea Thai only managed to gather 120 signatures for its petition. Puea Thai currently has 187 members. So, 57 members didn't sign the petition.....very interesting....

57 before the disastrous red riot too. Nobody thinks red/PTP support has grown since that. Why has Potajaman returned? The government seem increasingly confident especially since a couple of army regions seem to be very loyal to Abhisit. The government right now doesnt have to worry about team red and the PTP so much as the extra-parliamentary power players but in the short term after the Songkhran riot and Abhisit's succesful negotiation of it they probably darent move. Note the big cheers for Abhisit at the May 5 event. Organised or spontaneous is not as important as the fact they happened and were noticed. Abhisit has survived an ordeal by fire and according to some both attempts on his life and a plotted coup. He is stronger now, but will face those on all sides trying to whittle this down.

[churchill]

Thai Leader Struggles at the Center of a Storm

article in NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/world/as...=2&ref=asia

[Plus]

Whites are idiots for several reasons.

First, their main message is for everyone to shut up and put up. I understand that they are tired of street protests, but all that is needed to evil to prevail is for good people to keep quiet. You can't get around this simple fact. You can't call for people to be quiet about whatever the military, politicians, businessmen etc. are doing to their country.

Second, even if their plan is to unite reds and yellows against some common enemy - they should know that simply walking up and down the street dressed in same color never achieves anything. At this stage of power play, if you are not prepared to do some serious damage, no one will listen.

Third, if they want to be political force, they need to have some ideology that attracts some and turns off others. It's silly to expect universal acceptance, it's even sillier to expect it when your main reason for existence is to be against everyone else.

Fourth, the white movement is a capitulation in the face of stress of growing democracy in this country. "Oh, politics is too hard, we'd better become white robed monks and withdraw from it"

[HagenvonTronje]

because i have to much time, i played witch the article search at The Nation. i wanted to know how often is a certain person mentioned in the newspaper articles of The Nation. i take a certain time frame and look how many search results/articles are there. i know, i will get only quantitative results, but maybe we can something with it.

motivation for my search was how often Thaksin and Abhisit got mentioned and if it's proportional to other persons from the field of thai politics and so on.

as search words i used, the keywords: Thaksin, Abhisit, Samak just their first name. with Somchai Wongsawat and Chai Chidchob the full name. and democrat and pheu thai. the numerals n+x underline are the actual search results=number of articles.

so if i use the advanced search at www.nationmultimedia.com for Thaksin for the time from 17.12.2008 until today i got 886 results.

for Abhisit in the time start 19. september 2006 until 23. November i got a 887 results. that 26 month, that include a coup, a referendum to a new constitution, a election, crisis and covered nearly one year as Leader of the Opposition. (6601 for thaksin at same time frame)

from 20.09.2004 until 19. 09.2006, two years of the New Face includes democrats party leadership election campaign, election, 17 month of opposition leader, crises, election boycott and so on: 640 results. (7683 for thaksin)

before he became PM, there wasn't so much in The Nation to read about Abhisit. but 2004 The Nation and that archive of that time we can maybe not compare with today. for the other two PM of the last year is also immpossible to check how often the Nation reports about them as the opposition leader, because they haven't been that, the situation different.

the results for somchai as PM , don't look so different from Abhisit now.

from 17. 09.2008 - 3.12.2008 somchai wongsawat get 682 search result (abhisit 92)

for Samak as PM, Somchai or Abhisit there seems not to be a big difference. i selected 4 month, to get a picture.

in june 2008, 1.-31.6 2008, 344 search result for Samak, the then PM Samak had his censure motion of no-confidence (280 pro vs. 162 votes of no-confidence) ( Abhisit: 67 search results ;democrat: 186 search results; Thaksin: 208. )

in march 2009, 1-31.3, 2009, 317 search results for Abhisit, same Samak above, a month of censure debate (246 pro vs. 176 contra votes) (democrat: 127; pheu thai: 156; Thaksin: 197 )

october 2008, the dark oct. the then PM Somchai Wongsawat gets 315 ( democrat: 125; Abhisit: 40; Thaksin: 201 )

april 2009, the black songkran. PM Abhisit get 248 search results (pheu thai: 55; Thaksin: 221 )

the results for Chai Chidchob, the then and now House speaker, june 2008: 34 hits; oct 2008: 43 results; march 2009: 13 and april 2009: 12.

conclusion:

1. ? ...... probably to much time on my side.

2. in quantity there aren't more articles pro month for the now PM, then for the two other PMs of the past. maybe now more pro PM and before not. but The Nation didn't mutate to a big abhisit fan boy magazine and runs dozen of Abhisit articles daily. maybe that dosn't sell so much. unlike 3.

3. thaksin is a seller, have a thaksin story in the paper you sell the paper. habit formation and routine for The Nation since years. never change a running system.

articles like the surrealistic rats waiting to jump the sinking ship or dead meat not last belong august could be birthday presents for advertisers. whatever you want to read in the morning paper, today we print it for you. happy b-day.

[Samuian]

Yeah, quite a funny review by Thantong and much funnier is that

this review is being misread by people with an anti abhisit attitude

who used to frame Thantong for his "pro Pad and pro Abhisit" opinions!

at the end of his review he turns more or less the dangers out,

which the dem's and Abhisit are facing, plus the formation

of the counter Bhum Jai Thai Party - t

he "Tien Haeng Darma" Party formed by ex-PAD members...

imho i think this review/opinion is widely misinterpreted as a fortune teller news log,

then what it's actual message really is - it' NOT in the very well chosen headline...

it's buried in the last part of the text!

And just below that comes an Interview with Suwat Liptapallop, :

a veteran politician, who says:

"the government is heading in the right direction!"

Most significant is the last sentence:

"How will problems end when Thaksin has not stopped making his moves?

We have to play our own game. We can talk to those we can, those living in the country.

If we all move in the same direction,

people with different views will realise what doesn't work.

That way, we can all play the same game. "

Source:

Edited May 6, 2009 by Samuian

[hammered]

Whites are idiots for several reasons.

First, their main message is for everyone to shut up and put up. I understand that they are tired of street protests, but all that is needed to evil to prevail is for good people to keep quiet. You can't get around this simple fact. You can't call for people to be quiet about whatever the military, politicians, businessmen etc. are doing to their country.

Second, even if their plan is to unite reds and yellows against some common enemy - they should know that simply walking up and down the street dressed in same color never achieves anything. At this stage of power play, if you are not prepared to do some serious damage, no one will listen.

Third, if they want to be political force, they need to have some ideology that attracts some and turns off others. It's silly to expect universal acceptance, it's even sillier to expect it when your main reason for existence is to be against everyone else.

Fourth, the white movement is a capitulation in the face of stress of growing democracy in this country. "Oh, politics is too hard, we'd better become white robed monks and withdraw from it"

I dont think they are a poltical force or have ideologies etc as such. They are more a colour that all can wear to reset politcs away from red/yellow/blue which all cannot wear. There is a move to bring this all into parliamentray territory and I think the white "thing" is part of it. You are either going tobe part of ther future or you arentand some will be isolated and left out if things goaccording toplan although they may rejoin at a later date but with less bargaining power.

[HagenvonTronje]

And just below that comes an Interview with Suwat Liptapallop, :

a veteran politician, who says:

"the government is heading in the right direction!"

Most significant is the last sentence:

...

so what, that "veteran" politcan (aka banned from politics) was saying nearly the same about the Samak government and his cabinet. that means, if we can trust this copypasta entry by SJ.

politicans are telling BLAH, and the Nation too. albeit there was a funny family story recently in The Nation, worth to read.

and maybe we can hear his name again in the Democrats dissolution case.

[dbrenn]

a ) Be in Abhisit's good graces and take a smaller, but steadier, piece of the power and money pie.

b ) Or try to say SOMETHING that might weaken him enough to fall.

There are so few 'clean politicians', that SOMEONE is needed to partner up.

A good sized block held in check by a power broker is more stable than

the PTP with this SAME BLOCK run by utter dregs of a corrupt conspiracy movement.

Which is what it is reduced to.

I would rather seen Newin in a coalition helping the country while profiting

than Newin in a coalition this is naught but raping the country and nothing else.

Oh that's just hilarious! Just what I needed to brighten me up! Now you are saying that even though Abhisit did a deal to use the 22 MPs belonging to 'Newin The Banned' to get his job, it was excusable, simply because he's Abhisit and has a nice haircut. But, corruption is terrible when the other side does it.

Abhisit is as dirty as the rest of them. He colluded with Newin, a notorious Godfather and ex TRT/PPP member, who was banned from politics, to get his job! Abhisit almost kissed Newin and gave him flowers, while grovelling for his support! If there ever was as clear cut a case of doing a deal with the devil, then this is it. To put the icing on the cake, after doing a deal with this gangster, Abhisit then tells us that the reason the reds were ousted was corruption

You don't think that a man like Newin is profiting now? In your own words you admit that being in Abhisit's good graces means getting a share of the power and money pie! Any parallels with Thaksin here? Is there a difference? Anyway, AAbhisit is paying the price for his hypocrisy - nobody is taking him seriously, he is achieving nothing, and knives are being sharpened. He won't last.