Govt Gets 20 Seats In By-elections

[jbowman1993]

Govt gets 20 seats in by-elections

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 11/01/2009 at 09:40 PM

The coalition government led by Democrat party got 20 more House seats while the opposition got 9 seats in the by-elections held on Sunday, according to unofficial vote counts.

Of 29 House seats, Chart Thai Pattana party got 10 seats, Democrat party got seven, and Puea Pandin party got three.

On the opposition, Puea Thai got five seats while Pracharaj got four.

The by-elections took place in 26 constituencies of 22 provinces including Bangkok's Constituency 10.

[jbowman1993]

Coalition sweeps 20 seats: unofficial results

Three coalition partners swept 20 of 29 House seats contested in the by-elections on Sunday according to unofficial results announced by the Election Commission late Sunday night

EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagkanan told a press conference that the Chart Thai Pattana Party won 10 House seats, the Democrat Party 7 seats and Puea Pandin 3 seats.

The two opposition parties - Pheu Thai Party and Pracharaj Party - won 5 and 4 House seats respectively.

The Nation

[baht&sold]

Not so fast there... apparently the EC is investigating a suspicious amount of eggs 'thrown' away....

Seriously tho, am I pro-Abhisit/Dems? I'm simply pro-anyone whom can get Thailand moving forward at this critical time. Putting the likes of a Samak or Chalerm etc back in the stirrups isn't likely to achieve this. Nor would it be prudent at this time to call full elections which would cause at least 3 months of in-action at a time when swift-action is urgently required for the sake of the economy and the country.

I hope the PM does call for elections to seek an 'official' mandate via the full electorate (ALL the electorate, as he's indicated) but only after the more pressing issues of the economy are necessarily addressed.

I'm certain most reasonable people 'might' share in putting the country ahead of personal narrow political agendas at this critical time. :D

Edited January 11, 2009 by baht&sold

[mrtoad]

Not so fast there... apparently the EC is investigating a suspicious amount of eggs 'thrown' away....

Seriously tho, am I pro-Abhisit/Dems? I'm simply pro-anyone whom can get Thailand moving forward at this critical time. Putting the likes of a Samak or Chalerm etc back in the stirrups isn't likely to achieve this. Nor would it be prudent at this time to call full elections which would cause at least 3 months of in-action at a time when swift-action is urgently required for the sake of the economy and the country.

I hope the PM does call for elections to seek an 'official' mandate via the full electorate (ALL the electorate, as he's indicated) but only after the more pressing issues of the economy are necessarily addressed.

I'm certain most reasonable people 'might' share in putting the country ahead of personal narrow political agendas at this critical time. :D

For once, I agree with what you are saying.

[baht&sold]

Not so fast there... apparently the EC is investigating a suspicious amount of eggs 'thrown' away....

Seriously tho, am I pro-Abhisit/Dems? I'm simply pro-anyone whom can get Thailand moving forward at this critical time. Putting the likes of a Samak or Chalerm etc back in the stirrups isn't likely to achieve this. Nor would it be prudent at this time to call full elections which would cause at least 3 months of in-action at a time when swift-action is urgently required for the sake of the economy and the country.

I hope the PM does call for elections to seek an 'official' mandate via the full electorate (ALL the electorate, as he's indicated) but only after the more pressing issues of the economy are necessarily addressed.

I'm certain most reasonable people 'might' share in putting the country ahead of personal narrow political agendas at this critical time. :D

For once, I agree with what you are saying.

Cheers Mr Toad, been saying it all along but due to polarisations and easy misinterpretations much is lost in the surrounding noise unfortunately

[george]

By-elections result in favour of Democrat

Yesterday's by-elections for a total of 29 new MPs tilted in favour of the Democrat-led coalition government, which won 19 more House seats while opposition Pheu Thai and Pracharaj parties got just 10. According to unofficial poll results, the opposition parties retained seats only in the Northeast and Lampang while losing their previous three seats to the Democratled coalition parties.

As a result, the government's majority was boosted to 255 from 236 compared to the opposition's 205 MPs, up from 195.

Widespread redshirted antigovernment protests ahead of the byelections in 22 provinces were partly blamed for the opposition parties' losses.

Critics said the protesters' move could have backfired because some voters had become tired of endless protests and inappropriate tactics such as egg attacks.

For example, former premier Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party, was attacked with eggs by protesters in the northern province of Lampoon while campaigning for a government MP candidate.

Chuan was also attacked by protesters while visiting Lopburi, another byelection province.

Banyat Banthadthan, another Democratic leader, also faced the egg attack while campaigning for the government in Pathumthani province.

In addition, the redshirted movement faced a drawback when its leaders, Nattawut Saikhue and Jatuporn Prompan were themselves discredited by members of the same movement in Buriram province.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was also prevented by protesters to visit the late granny Niem Phanmanee in Ubol Ratchathani while she was still in hospital, yesterday thanked supporters for helping to strengthen the government's power base in Parliament.

"It means the people still want us to serve them so we'll have to really deliver results," said the premier.

Abhisit also played down the possibility of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle to allocate more seats to coalition parties since they had won more House seats.

Chinnaworn Bunyakiat, the government's chief whip, said there will be more government stability during this crucial juncture.

"It should be easier for the government to work, especially in Parliament, as far as the quorum count in the House, the vote to pass key legislation and the vote to survive censure debates launched by the opposition, are concerned," he said.

A major legislation awaiting parliamentary approval is the Bt100billion midyear supplementary budget to stimulate the economy hit hard by the global economic recession.

So far, the government has pledged to spend a total of Bt300 billion this year to steer the Thai economy out of troubled waters as caused by a sharp slowdown in export and tourism earnings as well as rising employment, especially among factory workers.

Chinnaworn said: "Now, the biggest challenge for this administration is to revive our ailing economy and mend rifts in society," he said.

-- The Nation 2009-01-12

[geriatrickid]

Umm, why no insistence upon immediate full elections? Wasn't so long ago, PAD and its supporters demanded it. Now that the tide has turned, there's no need for them?

I happen to agree with the view that full elections can wait for the same reasons as stated in earlier posts, but I was also saying the same when PAD was demanding the full elections.

[Plus]

At that time the country was paralised, effectively without a working government.

Now it has the government so the need is no longer there.

Dems are lucky that they were chosen to lead this new goverment, no more no less.

Consitutionally they haven't done anything that would require new elections, same argument PPP used, and no one apparently wants to waste time on elections anyway. In PPP's time everyone and his dog called for House dissolution, everyone by the PAD, btw.

Reds might feel frustrated but so far they haven't come up with any convincing arguments that new elections are necesasry right now.

[hammered]

It will be interesting to see how this governmenmt now function. It will be equally interesting to see how PT handle opposition and how their stability looks. After a year in government the PPP/PT never got a budget through which equals they never recouped the costs of the last election.

This by-election has been devastating for Peau Thai (they did quite well in the BKK governors race conversely). To hold only 5 of 13 previously held seats in mostly upcountry areas is a bad performance. At least 3 of the MPs returned on the opposition side of Snohs party won with the backing of Newin and so can likely also be counted in the government camp on imortant votes. Newin has shown that in lower Isaan areas it is his backing and not Thaksin's that wins seats. Exposing this breaks the air of invincibility at elections and as many are speculating opens the way for further defections from Peau Thai. They need to plan a long term strategy to stop this becoming reality. It could also get worse worse for Peau Thai is if the party list MPs are ruled out by the courts.

The by election gems include Lamphun 1 in the north taken by a Dem against predictions, BKK constituency ten which used to be a TRT mega stronghold taken by a Dem, Puea Pandin taking Chachoengsao 1 from the local big family backed PT candidate overturning a previous 18% advantage, A Dem taking Samut Prakan 1 from the Asavahame backed PT candidate, Puea Pandin overturning a previous PT 46% advantage in Roi Et.

[pnustedt]

Anyone an idea of voter turnout? The Thais I come into contact said they were not going to bother voting - they voted in the last election which overwhelmingly defeated the Democrats - but look what they end up with!

[TPI]

Not so fast there... apparently the EC is investigating a suspicious amount of eggs 'thrown' away....

Seriously tho, am I pro-Abhisit/Dems? I'm simply pro-anyone whom can get Thailand moving forward at this critical time. Putting the likes of a Samak or Chalerm etc back in the stirrups isn't likely to achieve this. Nor would it be prudent at this time to call full elections which would cause at least 3 months of in-action at a time when swift-action is urgently required for the sake of the economy and the country.

I hope the PM does call for elections to seek an 'official' mandate via the full electorate (ALL the electorate, as he's indicated) but only after the more pressing issues of the economy are necessarily addressed.

I'm certain most reasonable people 'might' share in putting the country ahead of personal narrow political agendas at this critical time.

Amen to that, but doesn't it take "thoughtful" people to work for the common good??

[Merangue]

Anyone an idea of voter turnout? The Thais I come into contact said they were not going to bother voting - they voted in the last election which overwhelmingly defeated the Democrats - but look what they end up with!

Pretty much the feedback i have gotten as well. I expect it was a low turnout.

[sriracha john]

The PTP still haven't named an official Opposition Leader, AFAIK.

Chalerm was the selected "PTP Head of By-Elections"... don't imagine their abysmal performance yesterday will raise the stock in his portfolio for the Leadership position.

Puea Thai Party Leader Yongyut Vichaidit

Puea Thai Party to single out new Leader this week

Puea Thai Party Leader cited the Party’s not being prepared and its core leaders banned from politics as main causes for the Party's winning only five seats in the MPs' by-election on Sunday (January 11), adding he was prepared to step down for the Party's new Leader to be Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives.

Puea Thai Party Leader Yongyut Vichaidit today attributed his Party's winning a mere five MPs from Sunday's by-election, from a total 19 politicians fielded to contest the election, which was short of its target to the Party's being unprepared because of its being a new political party, candidates being disqualified of being the Party's members for at least 90 days before election day, and Party's core leaders banned from politics.

The Party was formed to replace now defunct People Power Party, which was dissolved by the Constitution Court on December 2, 2008 on grounds of election fraud. Chart Thai and Matchima Tippataya Parties were also disbanded on the same grounds. The three parties' executives were also disbanded from politics for five years.

Yongyut said, however, that the Party has been prepared to be opposition party to fully probe the government's works. He was also willing to step aside and let a new Leader to take up the Opposition Leader in the lower House of Representatives, citing his lack of political skill as the main reason.

The Party would host a meeting on Tuesday for the matter. The new Leader was expected by this week.

- ThaiNews / 2009-01-12

[Old Man River]

Anyone an idea of voter turnout? The Thais I come into contact said they were not going to bother voting - they voted in the last election which overwhelmingly defeated the Democrats - but look what they end up with!

Which election are you referring to where the Dem's were defeated overwhelmingly?

Anyway, they ended up with a government that will work on the country's economic problems instead of spending its time trying to stay in power. Somehow that concept got lost along the way with the PPP.

[pnustedt]

Anyone an idea of voter turnout? The Thais I come into contact said they were not going to bother voting - they voted in the last election which overwhelmingly defeated the Democrats - but look what they end up with!

Which election are you referring to where the Dem's were defeated overwhelmingly?

Anyway, they ended up with a government that will work on the country's economic problems instead of spending its time trying to stay in power. Somehow that concept got lost along the way with the PPP.

The general election last year, sorry you missed it. So glad that there is now a government that can solve the countries' economic probs!

[plachon]

Anyone an idea of voter turnout? The Thais I come into contact said they were not going to bother voting - they voted in the last election which overwhelmingly defeated the Democrats - but look what they end up with!

Sounds like no-one was paying them to vote this time round, so they've got no one to blame but themselves when they don't participate in democracy sans cash in the hand and another party gets it in. Sums up rural Isaan perfectly under TRT/PPP's money politics "can't be bothered to vote, unless there's a financial reward". Som nam naa!

[Plus]

The general election last year, sorry you missed it.

I think I missed it, too.

There were no general elections last year (2008).

[pnustedt]

The general election last year, sorry you missed it.

I think I missed it, too.

There were no general elections last year (2008).

This election: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_general_election,_2007

Actually, you can go back over the last four general elections - the Thai people elected the same party each time - as they will next time if they are allowed to!

Edited January 13, 2009 by pnustedt

[Journalist]

^I don't think PPP/TRT or its latest reincarnation will win.

The political map has been redrawn, and the by-election results are one more nail.

The establishment has won. It was too wily, and has beaten Thaksin - whether by fair means or foul, and as someone pointed out yesterday. what has Thaksin got to say about it? There's no new angle from him or apparently any room to manouevre. He has been pushed into a corner in this chess game financially, strategically (via the protests) politically and judicially and has been outplayed on every battlefield.

Yes, there is probably room for an organised Socialist party, and such a party would do well assuming continued universal suffrage, but an old school tycoon like Thaksin or his cronies aren't the men for it. They'd need some young firebrand.

[cmsally]

Not surprising to see that there were no accusations of vote buying in these by elecs. But then of course these are only brought about when the wrong side buys.

On a popular level I think the opposition is far from dead but as you say the establishment has outmaneuvered on every level and the next step is to seize Thaksins assets. This is what they have been after all along.

That will keep pockets full for a while but then we will see what happens when the big business that supported the establishment gets squeezed more and more. This is going to take a while to develop but I think it will, along with clamp down on free speech and all that comes along with that in this "enlightened" land.

As a Western educated fellow nothing would discredit Abhisit more. It's my prediction that Abhisit too has himself backed in a corner . His reputation is at stake and he will be revealed as another pawn in the game.

[hammered]

^I don't think PPP/TRT or its latest reincarnation will win.

The political map has been redrawn, and the by-election results are one more nail.

The establishment has won. It was too wily, and has beaten Thaksin - whether by fair means or foul, and as someone pointed out yesterday. what has Thaksin got to say about it? There's no new angle from him or apparently any room to manouevre. He has been pushed into a corner in this chess game financially, strategically (via the protests) politically and judicially and has been outplayed on every battlefield.

Yes, there is probably room for an organised Socialist party, and such a party would do well assuming continued universal suffrage, but an old school tycoon like Thaksin or his cronies aren't the men for it. They'd need some young firebrand.

Broadly agree.

In the short term this is now about how all those associated with TRT past and present end up realigning. That Newin could back candidates against Thaksin's party in the Isaan and win should not be underestimated in the effect it can have on thinking and convetional wisdom. The PT will try to spin and put a brave face on but they are in trouble. Whether they hold together or split into more manageable regional factions that are better placed to do deals. It will be interesting to watch.

A left party is long overdue in Thailand. However there are obstacles to the establishment of this: the establishment, the upcountry power brokers, and that the leftists in Thailand are completely split wbetween PAD, UDD, non-aligned and few close to Newin. It would require a completely new start, which while taking time may also have an advantage with new leaders able to come from the people.

[Journalist]

Organised, young Leftists may emerge from cities or provinces in 5-10 years time as events unfold. They will absorb elements of populist policy, but may not be connected to TRT lineage in any direct way.

What they may do is find a way of insisting on debate about constitutional issues, confronting taboos, and demanding social progress (bye bye Soi Cowboy), and just not shutting up about it and taking it up the tailpipe....even if it means jailtime.

Ironically, this might result in the urban middle classes and elites having to deal with bigger quantum leaps in the long term.

....but yes, I think its curtains for Thaksineering going forward.

[sriracha john]

Not surprising to see that there were no accusations of vote buying in these by elecs. But then of course these are only brought about when the wrong side buys.

same, same as Governor thread with the appropriate same, same reply provided...

No, but money can buy votes easily, so he will be the winner anyway.

We have democrat PM with bought votes, now we have democrat governer with the same practice.

You can prove this correct? No, I didn't think so. Just BS.

On a popular level I think the opposition is far from dead but as you say the establishment has outmaneuvered on every level and the next step is to seize Thaksins assets. This is what they have been after all along.

That's standard procedure to try to recover ill-gotten gains from convicted criminals. It's also why the defendant has fought so long and so hard, with dire consequences for his country, to try and recover them for himself.

That will keep pockets full for a while but then we will see what happens when the big business that supported the establishment gets squeezed more and more. This is going to take a while to develop but I think it will, along with clamp down on free speech and all that comes along with that in this "enlightened" land.

Forgetten about the original Cyber-Cop Program instituted by Thaksin which slammed shut dissent? It was much larger.

As a Western educated fellow nothing would discredit Abhisit more. It's my prediction that Abhisit too has himself backed in a corner . His reputation is at stake and he will be revealed as another pawn in the game.

We shall see... if your previous predictions are any indication, he should be safe.

[hammered]

Not surprising to see that there were no accusations of vote buying in these by elecs. But then of course these are only brought about when the wrong side buys.

On a popular level I think the opposition is far from dead but as you say the establishment has outmaneuvered on every level and the next step is to seize Thaksins assets. This is what they have been after all along.

That will keep pockets full for a while but then we will see what happens when the big business that supported the establishment gets squeezed more and more. This is going to take a while to develop but I think it will, along with clamp down on free speech and all that comes along with that in this "enlightened" land.

As a Western educated fellow nothing would discredit Abhisit more. It's my prediction that Abhisit too has himself backed in a corner . His reputation is at stake and he will be revealed as another pawn in the game.

The plan to remove Thaksin's assets was more based on removing his ability to play politics than on sharing the actual dosh out. In that aim it has been very succesful by freezing his local moolah and forcing to spend his foreign cash while turning any finacial allies. In reality they dont really need to actually seize Thaksin's money although they may just to furhter crush him. That probably depends on politcal realignments and deals that get done over which Thaksin will find he has less and less ability to influence.

The dandy left of the UDD and their small cadre of ex-CPT will no doubt be shut up by various laws, but the wrecking of their reputation with ordinary Thai people is already well under way if not complete and no doubt few locally will worry about this and as they fade a bunch of forgiveness can be found. Funnily enough the ex-CPT and leftists on the other side to UDD will probably be the ones who actually make sure this destruction of the red shirts is pursued. In the meantime the upcountry pro-Thaksin red shirts mobilised by their local leaders will be able to come back into mainstream politcs. Just look at how Khwanchai is rapidly repositioning.

The bigger questions are around will an actual grassroots organization, as opposed to the dandy/faux left, form in a way maybe in a way similar to that outlined by Journalist in an earlier post. That will take time because there is absolutley nothing now and the old left is totally divided currently. However, if it were to happen that would be a positive development for Thai democracy.

[sriracha john]

The PTP still haven't named an official Opposition Leader, AFAIK.

Chalerm was the selected "PTP Head of By-Elections"... don't imagine their abysmal performance yesterday will raise the stock in his portfolio for the Leadership position.

Puea Thai Party Leader Yongyut Vichaidit

Puea Thai Party to single out new Leader this week

Puea Thai Party Leader cited the Party’s not being prepared and its core leaders banned from politics as main causes for the Party's winning only five seats in the MPs' by-election on Sunday (January 11), adding he was prepared to step down for the Party's new Leader to be Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives.

Puea Thai Party Leader Yongyut Vichaidit today attributed his Party's winning a mere five MPs from Sunday's by-election, from a total 19 politicians fielded to contest the election, which was short of its target to the Party's being unprepared because of its being a new political party, candidates being disqualified of being the Party's members for at least 90 days before election day, and Party's core leaders banned from politics.

The Party was formed to replace now defunct People Power Party, which was dissolved by the Constitution Court on December 2, 2008 on grounds of election fraud. Chart Thai and Matchima Tippataya Parties were also disbanded on the same grounds. The three parties' executives were also disbanded from politics for five years.

Yongyut said, however, that the Party has been prepared to be opposition party to fully probe the government's works. He was also willing to step aside and let a new Leader to take up the Opposition Leader in the lower House of Representatives, citing his lack of political skill as the main reason.

The Party would host a meeting on Tuesday for the matter. The new Leader was expected by this week.

- ThaiNews / 2009-01-12

ex-Leader of Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana Party General Chetta Thanajaro, perpetrator of the ridiculously fraudulent and infamous scam involving a Deep South ceasefire:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Southern-Ins...28.html&hl=

Southern Insurgents Announce Ceasefire, Chetta claims insurgents will end operations

gets set to take a leadership role of the PTP...

Puea Thai Party to single out new Leader Tuesday

Opposition Puea Thai Party (PTP) would host a meeting on Tuesday afternoon (January 13) to the Party's MPs to be the new Leader, while ex-Leader of Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana Party General Chetta Thanajaro was approached to be advisor to the party.

PTP core leaders, led by its leader Yongyut Wichaidit, visited Gen Chetta at his house in Muaeng Thong Thani today to invite him to be party's advisor.

Meanwhile, the party's MPs would hold a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the party structure’s management restructuring. Its new Leader would also be appointed in order to be Leader of opposition parties in the House of Representatives.

- ThaiNews / 2009-01-13

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

*late edit.... and now he has...

Chettha to become Chief Adviser of Pheu Thai Party

Former Party Leader Chettha Thanajaro on Tuesday accepted the invitation to become the Chief Adviser of Pheu Thai Party following his departure from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party.

Chettha resigned his party leadership last month after refusing to vote the party line in endorsing the premiership of Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Pheu Thai Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit called on Chettha at his home to deliver the party's invitation.

- The Nation / 2009-01-13

Edited January 13, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

The PTP still haven't named an official Opposition Leader, AFAIK.

Chalerm was the selected "PTP Head of By-Elections"... don't imagine their abysmal performance yesterday will raise the stock in his portfolio for the Leadership position.

Puea Thai Party Leader Yongyut Vichaidit

Puea Thai Party to single out new Leader this week

Puea Thai Party Leader cited the Party’s not being prepared and its core leaders banned from politics as main causes for the Party's winning only five seats in the MPs' by-election on Sunday (January 11), adding he was prepared to step down for the Party's new Leader to be Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives.

Puea Thai Party Leader Yongyut Vichaidit today attributed his Party's winning a mere five MPs from Sunday's by-election, from a total 19 politicians fielded to contest the election, which was short of its target to the Party's being unprepared because of its being a new political party, candidates being disqualified of being the Party's members for at least 90 days before election day, and Party's core leaders banned from politics.

The Party was formed to replace now defunct People Power Party, which was dissolved by the Constitution Court on December 2, 2008 on grounds of election fraud. Chart Thai and Matchima Tippataya Parties were also disbanded on the same grounds. The three parties' executives were also disbanded from politics for five years.

Yongyut said, however, that the Party has been prepared to be opposition party to fully probe the government's works. He was also willing to step aside and let a new Leader to take up the Opposition Leader in the lower House of Representatives, citing his lack of political skill as the main reason.

The Party would host a meeting on Tuesday for the matter. The new Leader was expected by this week.

- ThaiNews / 2009-01-12

ex-Leader of Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana Party General Chetta Thanajaro, perpetrator of the ridiculously fraudulent and infamous scam involving a Deep South ceasefire:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Southern-Ins...28.html&hl=

Southern Insurgents Announce Ceasefire, Chetta claims insurgents will end operations

gets set to take a leadership role of the PTP...

Puea Thai Party to single out new Leader Tuesday

Opposition Puea Thai Party (PTP) would host a meeting on Tuesday afternoon (January 13) to the Party's MPs to be the new Leader, while ex-Leader of Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana Party General Chetta Thanajaro was approached to be advisor to the party.

PTP core leaders, led by its leader Yongyut Wichaidit, visited Gen Chetta at his house in Muaeng Thong Thani today to invite him to be party's advisor.

Meanwhile, the party's MPs would hold a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the party structure’s management restructuring. Its new Leader would also be appointed in order to be Leader of opposition parties in the House of Representatives.

- ThaiNews / 2009-01-13

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

*late edit.... and now he has...

Chettha to become Chief Adviser of Pheu Thai Party

Former Party Leader Chettha Thanajaro on Tuesday accepted the invitation to become the Chief Adviser of Pheu Thai Party following his departure from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party.

Chettha resigned his party leadership last month after refusing to vote the party line in endorsing the premiership of Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Pheu Thai Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit called on Chettha at his home to deliver the party's invitation.

- The Nation / 2009-01-13

Would have thought they could have found someone better than this. The southern ceasefire scam ended any credibility he had ages ago. He was also basically forced out of his own party a few weeks ago and certain PPP MPs at one point had him down as a spy in the government camp. He seems to be one of these elitists who everyone must to listen what they say because he is elite confused by a tad of look at me mentality.

Edited to add: OK so it is only party adviser. Wonder if it carries a good salary? Have to reward the dude for ignoring the decision of the party he led to vote for Abhisit.

Edited January 13, 2009 by hammered

[bertlamar]

Anyone an idea of voter turnout? The Thais I come into contact said they were not going to bother voting - they voted in the last election which overwhelmingly defeated the Democrats - but look what they end up with!

Which election are you referring to where the Dem's were defeated overwhelmingly?

Anyway, they ended up with a government that will work on the country's economic problems instead of spending its time trying to stay in power. Somehow that concept got lost along the way with the PPP.

The general election last year, sorry you missed it. So glad that there is now a government that can solve the countries' economic probs!

Oh. You mean the one where there was no absolute majority, and a coalition government was formed exactly the same sort of way as the current government has been formed?

The one where a number of parties cheated and were disbanded as a result?

The one which gave us two of the most inept PMs in the history of Thailand, including the bloke who claimed that his cabinet were ugly, but only because of the banned politicians (for the previous electoral fraud of TRT) and so he set about changing the constitution voted for by the majority of Thais simply to consolidate power for the true leader of PPP?

Or was there another election that we don't know about 55555555555

Always amusing to read these brash claims of why people upcountry vote or don't vote...almost as funny as reading the same things for people in the cities ;-) Don't vote = don't complain.

[pnustedt]

Oh. You mean the one where there was no absolute majority, and a coalition government was formed exactly the same sort of way as the current government has been formed?

I mean the one where the PPP won 233 seats and the Dems won 165.

The one where a number of parties cheated and were disbanded as a result?

The one where both the PPP and Democrats were found guilty of cheating but only the PPP were punished.

The one which gave us two of the most inept PMs in the history of Thailand, including the bloke who claimed that his cabinet were ugly, but only because of the banned politicians (for the previous electoral fraud of TRT) and so he set about changing the constitution voted for by the majority of Thais simply to consolidate power for the true leader of PPP?

The one where the PM had to resign because he accepted a small payment for appearing on a cookery show his government was disbanded and a new government was appointed with a cabinet which contains a mamasam from a brothel and an organiser of a riot which caused much suffering and damage to Thailand.

Or was there another election that we don't know about 55555555555

Unfortunately not - but there should have been

Always amusing to read these brash claims of why people upcountry vote or don't vote...almost as funny as reading the same things for people in the cities ;-) Don't vote = don't complain.

So glad that you find it amusing

[Maestro]

Nonsensical post referring to a non-existing or fictitious “Democ Rat Party”, and the replies to these posts, have been deleted.

--

Maestro