Thaksin's Government A 'dictatorship'

[george]

Thaksin's government a 'dictatorship': Thai opposition

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party has called on voters to bring down the "dictatorship" of powerful premier Thaksin Shinawatra by ousting him in February elections.

Party leader Banyat Bantadtan, stumping with several of his top MPs Sunday in Bangkok, voiced his harshest criticism yet of the Thai Rak Thai party leader and incumbent Thaksin, who is expected to win a second four-year term despite charges of authoritarianism by activists and opponents.

"Thai Rak Thai is a dictatorship government," a Democrat spokesman quoted Banyat as telling a party convention.

"If we win the election, we will not be a dictatorship government," he said.

Critics argue that since the tycoon-turned-premier Thaksin, 53, unseated the ruling Democrats and swept to power in 2001, Thailand has suffered an erosion of media freedom and civic participation, and a deterioration in human rights.

He has been criticised by the opposition for his rugged leadership style and his hardline tactics to counter a year of Islamic separatist-inspired violence in southern Thailand, where more than 560 people have died this year.

Media reports also emerged last week detailing the swelling wealth of the Shinawatra clan, which has mirrored the gains in the stock market in which they are the top investors.

"There is no single period in our history in which the government leader has abused state authority to benefit his clan and has turned a blind eye to the violation of human rights as has been the case with this government," the Nation newspaper quoted Banyat as saying on its front page.

A coalition of activists warned last week that a second Thaksin term would represent a major blow to human rights in the kingdom, citing his handling of an insurgency in the Muslim south and a brutal "war on drugs" last year in which some 2,500 people were killed.

Yet his populist policies are expected to see Thaksin re-elected due to his bedrock support from rural voters, who have benefited from village subsidies and the promotion of rural crafts.

Banyat's criticism came as Thaksin himself reportedly hinted that he could stay on as leader beyond two terms, as a capable political heir had yet to be found.

"Until that job is fulfilled, I can't quit," the Bangkok Post quoted him as saying.

The premier in the past had vowed to stay in power a maximum two terms.

Thaksin, if he ends his first period of office as expected on January 5, will campaign as the first democratically-elected premier in Thai history to have served a full four-year term.

Thailand has been dominated by military rule since 1932 when the first constitution was signed ending absolute monarchy. There has been an often fraught and bloody transition to democracy since the 1970s.

--TNa 2004-12-22

[Lioneric]

Thaksin is follwing Dr M foot step during ,Dr M ruling have advantage and disadvantage:

Advantage:

1) Economy boom, due to majority in Parliment and FDI are confident in political stabilty.

2)Mr T will stay in PM for another 20 years as Dr M does until retired.

3)Thai people will be enjoy a very good economy, reduce foreign debts ,more government reserves , tax reduce etc.

Disadvantage :

1) Media control internet, t.v, radio etc , less freedom of speech in democracy.

2)Govenment force are used against opposition party politic, the latest incident Phrea Domocart office stamp by police force. Dr M and Mr Lee have internal security acts (ISA) will arrest those who oppose them without trail for up to 2 years and I hope Mr T won't used the anti terrorist act as a excuess to do that.

3)Colony by family member politic in award government projects .

4)They will less quality youth and good leader to take over in the future as what Dr M facing now.Because now he feel treat when someone more capable then him,so either resuffle cabinet or facing sack.

[Rhys]

Like it has been said.. a grad from Cork Soaker U..