Puea Thai Party Divided Over Leadership

[animatic]

There never was much of any credibility to this with or without the other parties.

Just the fact they talk about going after Abhisit's mother is enough to say this

is no more than continuing sour grapes, and attempts to block national progress

for partisan ends.

[sriracha john]

Jatuporn not worried about party future

Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan said he is not worried if Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban files a dissolution charge against his party to the Election Commission (EC).

His response came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and five cabinet ministers survived a no-confidence vote.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...ut-party-future

[jbowman1993]

Jatuporn not worried about party future

Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan said he is not worried if Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban files a dissolution charge against his party to the Election Commission (EC).

His response came after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and five cabinet ministers survived a no-confidence vote.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...ut-party-future

I bet Siricha John could come up with some TRT MP and PPP MP quotes proclaiming that they also were not worried about dissolution charges... We all know how well that worked out

[animatic]

MP Jatuporn, being one of the

more open minded and kind hearted members of PARLIAMENT?

Who is always willing to negotiate and listen to the opinions of others,

and find a common middle ground for the good of all.

[sriracha john]

MP Jatuporn, being one of the

more open minded and kind hearted members of PARLIAMENT?

Who is always willing to negotiate and listen to the opinions of others,

and find a common middle ground for the good of all.

He is the calm, rational voice of reason in the PTP:

Edited March 21, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Disunity costs Pheu Thai

The outcome of yesterday's House vote following the censure debate against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and five other Cabinet members pointed to a lack of unity within the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

Senior party figures said that eight to 10 MPs had failed to vote according to the party line.

Some of them said one obvious benefit of the vote was that it had shown which of the party MPs were not loyal to Pheu Thai.

All the targeted Cabinet members, except Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, obtained approval votes of 246 while the no-confidence votes ranged between 167 and 184. Kasit got the lowest confidence vote of 237.

And while abstentions for other targeted ministers totalled 12 each, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul saw the highest figure of 20 and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat 18.

Both Chaovarat and Boonjong are from the Friends of Newin faction, which has now become part of the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party.

The other opposition party, Pracharaj, had made it clear that it did not support Pheu Thai's censure motion.

A dissident faction in the coalition Puea Pandin Party, which earlier said it would be "neutral" in the House, agreed yesterday to vote in support of the targeted Cabinet members, faction leader Pracha Promnok said after its meeting shortly before the House vote.

Lower-house members yesterday voted with their electronic ID cards, not by roll call.

MP Surapong Tovichakchaikul, one of the opposition speakers in the no-confidence debate, said yesterday that he was examining which of the Pheu Thai MPs had abstained during the voting on Chaovarat and Boonjong. He described their act as improper.

He said that when he knew their identities he would complain to Chalerm Yoobamrung, the party's chief MP, and ask him to talk to them. He said he would not call for any action against them but appeal to their consciences.

Surapong said it appeared these MPs remained with Pheu Thai only in name while their loyalty had shifted to another political party.

There has been speculation that a number of Pheu Thai MPs will defect to Bhum Jai Thai.

Sunai Jullapongsathorn, a senior Pheu Thai MP, described the voting on Chaovarat and Boonjong as "unnatural". He said the outcome pointed to "some kind of affection" between those MPs and their former colleagues in the Friends of Newin faction.

However, he said that he would not call them "rebels".

After Pheu Thai's predecessor People Power Party was disbanded by a court order, the larger part of the faction opted to support a new coalition led by the Democrat Party while a handful of faction members joined Pheu Thai in the opposition.

Apiwan Wiriyachai, another senior Pheu Thai MP, who serves as deputy House Speaker, said the "missing votes" of the 10 who did not support Pheu Thai's no-confidence motion was not completely unexpected.

He said he would not treat as them "rebels" as, according to the Constitution, it was their right to vote the way they liked.

- The Nation / 2009-03-22

[animatic]

Disunity costs Pheu Thai

The outcome of yesterday's House vote following the censure debate against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and five other Cabinet members pointed to a lack of unity within the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

Senior party figures said that eight to 10 MPs had failed to vote according to the party line.

Some of them said one obvious benefit of the vote was that it had shown which of the party MPs were not loyal to Pheu Thai.

All the targeted Cabinet members, except Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, obtained approval votes of 246 while the no-confidence votes ranged between 167 and 184. Kasit got the lowest confidence vote of 237.

And while abstentions for other targeted ministers totalled 12 each, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul saw the highest figure of 20 and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat 18.

Both Chaovarat and Boonjong are from the Friends of Newin faction, which has now become part of the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party.

The other opposition party, Pracharaj, had made it clear that it did not support Pheu Thai's censure motion.

A dissident faction in the coalition Puea Pandin Party, which earlier said it would be "neutral" in the House, agreed yesterday to vote in support of the targeted Cabinet members, faction leader Pracha Promnok said after its meeting shortly before the House vote.

Lower-house members yesterday voted with their electronic ID cards, not by roll call.

MP Surapong Tovichakchaikul, one of the opposition speakers in the no-confidence debate, said yesterday that he was examining which of the Pheu Thai MPs had abstained during the voting on Chaovarat and Boonjong. He described their act as improper.

He said that when he knew their identities he would complain to Chalerm Yoobamrung, the party's chief MP, and ask him to talk to them. He said he would not call for any action against them but appeal to their consciences.

Surapong said it appeared these MPs remained with Pheu Thai only in name while their loyalty had shifted to another political party.

There has been speculation that a number of Pheu Thai MPs will defect to Bhum Jai Thai.

Sunai Jullapongsathorn, a senior Pheu Thai MP, described the voting on Chaovarat and Boonjong as "unnatural". He said the outcome pointed to "some kind of affection" between those MPs and their former colleagues in the Friends of Newin faction.

However, he said that he would not call them "rebels".

After Pheu Thai's predecessor People Power Party was disbanded by a court order, the larger part of the faction opted to support a new coalition led by the Democrat Party while a handful of faction members joined Pheu Thai in the opposition.

Apiwan Wiriyachai, another senior Pheu Thai MP, who serves as deputy House Speaker, said the "missing votes" of the 10 who did not support Pheu Thai's no-confidence motion was not completely unexpected.

He said he would not treat as them "rebels" as, according to the Constitution, it was their right to vote the way they liked.

- The Nation / 2009-03-22

Well now the internal inquesistion starts up.

Must have block voting purity in the ranks!

Yes, these people voted their consciouses, but it didn't agree with Party Line.

So now the party boss will hector them to vote HIS conscious and ignore theirs.

Basically a small pro-thaksin clique wanted this and dam_n the torpedos full steam ahead.

Except most every one

a ) didn't think it would work

b ) thought it would be counter-productive for PTP

c would make them look like a bunch of pratts.

a + b + c = mission accomplished,

except for excoriating the people who voted their own consciouses.

[hammered]

They want to worry more about:

1. The rumoured deepsleepers in their party who did vote the party line but who leak to Newin.

2. The factions ripping each other to shreds if they actually choose a leader.

3. Thaksin's dwindling popularity

4. The information doing the rounds in bits of the Isaan and at a lot faster rate than Thaksin can phone calls

5. That the government look more solid and hence become more appealing for defection

6. If they get disolved and this time they wont have loads of signed applications before the diso.

7. If the red shirts lose it and get more violent and/or try to do a PAD.

Times are hard for PTP.

[sriracha john]

* Just to clarify, the other transliterated name for this political party is Bhum Jai Thai *

Phoom Jai Thai Party willing to take on new members from Opposition

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat revealed today (March 22nd) that the Phoom Jai Thai Party is willing to take on new members if any MPs from the Opposition wish to change their political party.

Boonjong asserted today that all the members of the Oppositions had the right to vote for the government if they agreed with what they believed was right.

He also added that if in the future any members from the Opposition wish to switch their political party and join Phoom Jai Thai, then his Party would willingly take on new members as long as it was in accordance with the regulations of the party.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-22

Edited March 23, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

* Just to clarify, the other transliterated name for this political party is Bhum Jai Thai *

Phoom Jai Thai Party willing to take on new members from Opposition

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat revealed today (March 22nd) that the Phoom Jai Thai Party is willing to take on new members if any MPs from the Opposition wish to change their political party.

Boonjong asserted today that all the members of the Oppositions had the right to vote for the government if they agreed with what they believed was right.

He also added that if in the future any members from the Opposition wish to switch their political party and join Phoom Jai Thai, then his Party would willingly take on new members as long as it was in accordance with the regulations of the party.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-22

This is the real battle now and why Thaksin is so utterly desperate to wreck the government now. BJT has money and lots of it. BJT basically controls rakes of the Isaan local government and controls informal networks, red chapters, media and knows all about how red side was set up and who does what. They also control the get out of jail card known as amnesty. Team Thaksin on the other hand have a decreasing popularity, an increasingly fractious red street organization and a politcal party so divided they cant even choose a leader without falling apart and with a group of MPs who no longer support the party but whom the party is not strong enough to oust and another group of MPs who stay quiet and vote the line but just wait the time to hop.

Newin is recreating TRT without Thaksin, the PTP MPs he doesnt like and with a more "acceptable" party persona. This will either suceed or fail as the battle for the bones of TRT goes into full scale war, but right now the master of poltical manouver Newin has the upper hand.

[BigSnake]

Yeah, I think they lost a little face during the Censure Debate Mr Abhisit had Mr. Chalerm and Company eating a bit of Dust.

[sriracha john]

Disunity costs Pheu Thai

The outcome of yesterday's House vote following the censure debate against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and five other Cabinet members pointed to a lack of unity within the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

Senior party figures said that eight to 10 MPs had failed to vote according to the party line.

Some of them said one obvious benefit of the vote was that it had shown which of the party MPs were not loyal to Pheu Thai.

All the targeted Cabinet members, except Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, obtained approval votes of 246 while the no-confidence votes ranged between 167 and 184. Kasit got the lowest confidence vote of 237.

And while abstentions for other targeted ministers totalled 12 each, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul saw the highest figure of 20 and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat 18.

Both Chaovarat and Boonjong are from the Friends of Newin faction, which has now become part of the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party.

The other opposition party, Pracharaj, had made it clear that it did not support Pheu Thai's censure motion.

A dissident faction in the coalition Puea Pandin Party, which earlier said it would be "neutral" in the House, agreed yesterday to vote in support of the targeted Cabinet members, faction leader Pracha Promnok said after its meeting shortly before the House vote.

Lower-house members yesterday voted with their electronic ID cards, not by roll call.

MP Surapong Tovichakchaikul, one of the opposition speakers in the no-confidence debate, said yesterday that he was examining which of the Pheu Thai MPs had abstained during the voting on Chaovarat and Boonjong. He described their act as improper.

He said that when he knew their identities he would complain to Chalerm Yoobamrung, the party's chief MP, and ask him to talk to them. He said he would not call for any action against them but appeal to their consciences.

Surapong said it appeared these MPs remained with Pheu Thai only in name while their loyalty had shifted to another political party.

There has been speculation that a number of Pheu Thai MPs will defect to Bhum Jai Thai.

Sunai Jullapongsathorn, a senior Pheu Thai MP, described the voting on Chaovarat and Boonjong as "unnatural". He said the outcome pointed to "some kind of affection" between those MPs and their former colleagues in the Friends of Newin faction.

However, he said that he would not call them "rebels".

After Pheu Thai's predecessor People Power Party was disbanded by a court order, the larger part of the faction opted to support a new coalition led by the Democrat Party while a handful of faction members joined Pheu Thai in the opposition.

Apiwan Wiriyachai, another senior Pheu Thai MP, who serves as deputy House Speaker, said the "missing votes" of the 10 who did not support Pheu Thai's no-confidence motion was not completely unexpected.

He said he would not treat as them "rebels" as, according to the Constitution, it was their right to vote the way they liked.

"But...But... It was the blasted machine's fault, we tell ya... Yeah, yeah, that's it... That's what happened... Honest!"

Pheu Thai Party MP's Sarit Ung-apinan and Itthidet Kaewluang

[sriracha john]

Chiang Rai Puea Thai MPs affirm their votes against ministers

Chiang Rai MPs affirmed their loyalty for Puea Thai and other opposition parties in the no confidence votes cast against all ministers, saying that the machine did not count their vote in the recent censure debate.

Chiang Rai Puea Thai MP Sarit Ung-apinan asserted that he had cast no confidence vote to all ministers in response to the former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's admonition during his latest phone-in talk in the mobile ‘Truth Today’ program, saying that the two Chiang Rai MPs, Itthidet Kaewluang and himself, were absent in giving no confidence vote during the recent censure debate.

Mr Sarit also said that he had already given no confidence vote for Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit, but the machine did neither function nor count his vote.

However, he said he had this issue clarified with Puea Thai Party executives already, including the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-24

[sriracha john]

"It's that blasted Constitution's fault! It actually allows MP's to vote independently?!?! Have you ever heard of something so bizarre?? Why, it's so absurd a notion. We must change that!"

Pheu Thai Party MP Sunai Jullapongsathorn

[sriracha john]

Pheu Thai Party blames 2007 charter for differing votes

Pheu Thai Party MPs who voted differently from other party members during the censure debate clarified their stance and blamed the 2007 Constitution for weakening democracy in Thailand.

After the Party's general meeting yesterday, proportionate MP Sunai Jullapongsathorn said it was the 2007 Constitution that allowed MPs to vote as they pleased, even though they may be going against the party's resolution. The law was aimed at weakening political parties, he said.

Sunai was one of the speakers against the government during the debate, however he abstained when it was time to decide about the vote of confidence against Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and his Deputy, Boonjong Wongtrairat.

He said he had a personal relationship with the two and it was difficult for him to make a decision because the opposition had changed its mind at the last minute before scrutinising Chaovarat and Boonjong.

"This was because the Constitution allows MPs to vote according to their own judgement.

The Party can't do anything about that. For instance, some government MPs did not vote for Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. When it was Chaovarat and Boonjong's turn, [some] MPs from the government coalition did not vote for them either, while [some of the] opposition abstained," he said.

Bangkok MP Karun Hosakul and Chiang Rai MP Sarit Ung-apinan also apologised for their decision.

Party Spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the Party had set up three committees to study the censure debate and decide on what to do with the MPs whose votes were different from the party resolution. The panels are in charge of parliamentary debates, information verification and legal cases after the debate.

Sunai said that if the government was sincere about political reforms, it should support charter amendment especially in terms of problematic articles. The party is hoping to learn a few things from last week's censure debate, he added.

Also at the meeting, presided over by non-MP Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, was Payap Shinawatra, a younger brother of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

There were some 300 other MPs and party members at the meeting.

In a separate development, Democrat Party deputy spokesman Atavit Suwannapakdee said the party was pleased with the vote results. It expected to win 234 votes, but even Kasit won 237 votes of confidence while the PM and the other ministers who underwent grilling got 246 votes of confidence.

The Party accepted the decision of Prachinburi MP Kiartikorn Pakpiansilp who abstained to vote for or against Kasit, claiming pressure from his base, Atavit said.

However, Songkhla MP Naracha Suwit did not explain his absence from the censure debate. Apparently he had sent a letter informing the party of his absence, but it would be up to the party's leaders to decide if they wish to take any action against him.

- The Nation / 2009-03-25

[sriracha john]

As well as any mention of the only people that Thaksin trusts...

Yaowapa Wongsawat, a younger sister of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would lead Puea Thai members in the North.

With the big Shinawatra family tree... he's covering more ground with the "only people" he trusts now...

In the Northeast, the leader would be Payap Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger brother.

As for the central region and Bangkok, sister Yingluck Shinawatra

and the latest.... sister Yaowares Shinawatra has the southern region...

There is a split between the Shin clan and professional politicians in PTP. Thaksin is trying to resolve this no doubt with all the visits etc and this will be part of it. Power and money games.

Also at the Party meeting, presided over by non-MP Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, was Payap Shinawatra, a younger brother of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

There were some 300 other MPs and party members at the meeting.

Well, at least Square-Head's Northeast contingent was represented.

[Plus]

After the Party's general meeting yesterday, proportionate MP Sunai Jullapongsathorn said it was the 2007 Constitution that allowed MPs to vote as they pleased, even though they may be going against the party's resolution. The law was aimed at weakening political parties, he said.

Vote as they pleased! How dare they?

Where is our "democracy" brigade? I'd love to hear an explanation how the MPs are really people's representatives and not party property, I'd love to hear how elections once in four years justify MPs surrendering their rights to the parties that own them.

I'd love to hear how this PTP outfit is a beacon of democracy in our right wing elite fashist dominated society.

[sriracha john]

"It's that blasted Constitution's fault! It actually allows MP's to vote independently?!?! Have you ever heard of something so bizarre?? Why, it's so absurd a notion. We must change that!"

Pheu Thai Party MP Sunai Jullapongsathorn

And then, as if right on cue....

(Geez... it's getting so very easy to predict their future statements)

[sriracha john]

Puea Thai relaunches push to amend charter

Constitution blamed for party divisions

The opposition Puea Thai Party has renewed its push for a constitutional amendment following the abstention of some of its MPs during last week's no-confidence debate.

Members of Puea Thai yesterday stressed the need to change the charter, which is seen by the Party as the root cause for the lack of Party unity in voting last week, Puea Thai Spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

They are particularly unhappy with Article 162, which gives MPs independence from their parties' resolutions in submitting motions, debating, and voting in a no-confidence motion.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1392...o-amend-charter

[animatic]

Funny how the government can manage relative unity

in a huge coalition, with out changing the charter,

but PTP blames it's inability on MP's

thinking for themselves, so must change the charter

to PREVENT MP's from voting their own minds.

[Cayenne]

Funny how the government can manage relative unity

in a huge coalition, with out changing the charter,

but PTP blames it's inability on MP's

thinking for themselves, so must change the charter

to PREVENT MP's from voting their own minds.

The logic would be akin to saying that the rats are leaving a sinking ship and the captain blaming the weather for it.

[hammered]

Puea Thai relaunches push to amend charter

Constitution blamed for party divisions

The opposition Puea Thai Party has renewed its push for a constitutional amendment following the abstention of some of its MPs during last week's no-confidence debate.

Members of Puea Thai yesterday stressed the need to change the charter, which is seen by the Party as the root cause for the lack of Party unity in voting last week, Puea Thai Spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

They are particularly unhappy with Article 162, which gives MPs independence from their parties' resolutions in submitting motions, debating, and voting in a no-confidence motion.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1392...o-amend-charter

This has to be obne of the silliest reasons given to date for changing the charter.

And who in a democracy would think MPs should be tied to a party line when they are elected to represent their constituents. Dont most democracies have such similar things happening without some demand for a facist style law dictating MPs must vote by the edicts of their party! Amazing stuff from those who claim to represent democracy

[sriracha john]

Pheu Thai Party MP Visaradee Techathirawat

Constitution Court files libel complaint against Pheu Thai Party MP

The Constitution Court Wednesday filed a complaint with police alleging Pheu Thai Party MP Visaradee Techathirawat of defaming the court during the no-confidence debate last week.

The court filed the complaint at the Phra Ratchawang police station.

Chaowana Traimas, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Constitution Court, told a press conference that the court decided to take action against the MP for saying that the court had persecuted the People Power Party by dissolving it.

Chaowana said the court saw that her statement had misled the people to misunderstand and hate the court, and thus violating Article 198 and Article 136 of the Criminal Code.

- The Nation / 2009-03-25

[sriracha john]

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

Constitution Court Files Defamation Suit against Opposition's Rising Star MP

A rising star from the opposition party, who found herself in the limelight during last week's censure debate, now seems in trouble after the Constitution Court filed a defamation lawsuit against her.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Constitution Court's Office, Chaowana Trimas, revealed that the office had filed a defamation lawsuit against the opposition's rising star MP Visaradee Techateerawat at the Prarajchawang police station yesterday.

The 27-year-old MP from Chiang Rai province was one of the opposition debaters in the no-confidence debate last week.

During the session, she criticized the constitution court's ruling in the party dissolution case involving the now defunct Thai Rak Thai and People's Power Parties saying that the court intentionally dissolved the parties to benefit the Democrat Party, which was the opposition party at that time.

The Deputy Secretary-General said Visaradee had insulted the Constitution Court and state officials, violating criminal law acts 198 and 136.

He said that she had disgraced the court's reputation, as many TV viewers may have misunderstood the court's position after listening to debate broadcasts.

However, Chaowana revealed that the judges from the Constitutional Court have not yet revealed their intention to file libel charges against MP Visaradee, since the Constitution Court's office has already filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Constitutional Court.

- TOC / 2009-03-26

[sriracha john]

Visaradee is the only daughter of Visarn Techathirawat, one of the 111 former executives (TRT Banned # 99) of the now disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party who were stripped of their electoral rights for five years for electoral fraud.

At 27, she is only one week older than the youngest female MP in Parliament, Chinnicha Wongsawat (seated on right), who is the daughter of former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat (PPP Banned # 5), who as a Party executive is banned for 5 years for electoral fraud.

[animatic]

TRT have installed their children and sent them unexperienced and ill prepared

out for political slaughter. And so they make colossal mistakes and further sully the family names.

This is just one more example.

When lil Chinchilla opens her mouth in the wrong way, as may likely happenen,

she may make a clean sweep of the family.

Mom, Pop and daughter all banned. We await developments.

[ballpoint]

TRT have installed their children and sent them unexperienced and ill prepared

out for political slaughter. And so they make colossal mistakes and further sully the family names.

This is just one more example.

When lil Chinchilla opens her mouth in the wrong way, as may likely happenen,

she may make a clean sweep of the family.

Mom, Pop and daughter all banned. We await developments.

And the PTP supporters just don't get it. Instead of putting the right people in the job, these banned MP's only interest is to make sure they continue to get their slice of the pie by putting their children in place of them. Just goes to show too that people will continue to vote for the same old family names they've always been paid to vote for.

[sriracha john]

"But...But... It was the blasted machine's fault, we tell ya... Yeah, yeah, that's it... That's what happened... Honest!"

Chiang Rai's Pheu Thai Party MP's Sarit Ung-apinan and Itthidet Kaewluang

The nine cobras signal a major opposition split

When Thaksin Shinawatra, in his phone-in speech, publicly castigated two of his Pheu Thai Party MPs from Chiang Rai who failed to cast their votes against the Abhisit government in the censure debate last week, you knew things weren't going right. And when the two MPs had to immediately apologise and officially confirm their "loyalty" to Thaksin, you could be pretty sure that things were really going wrong.

Thaksin's no-confidence motion, which was initially aimed at undermining Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva to pave way for an early general election, has backfired. Instead, it has opened up a can of worms within the opposition.

A leading Pheu Thai Party MP from the Northeast came up with the devastating admission that at least nine opposition MPs are now leaning towards the Phum Jai Thai Party, a vital coalition partner for the Democrat-led government.

That, in effect, meant that a number of Thaksin's MPs had in fact defected. He had earlier called them "two-headed snakes."

The former premier's earlier conviction that he could control every single MP in his party is now badly shaken.

Another senior Pheu Thai Party member was so upset with the outcome of the censure vote that he angrily declared: "It's obvious that some MPs may be physically with us but their hearts are with Newin [Chidchob, leader of the breakaway faction that joined the coalition]. Please stop behaving like parasites."

There is no doubt that most Pheu Thai Party members know who the nine "traitors" are. (They have also been called the "nine cobras" from Aesop's Fables.)

But Thaksin's hands are tied. He is caught in a dilemma. If he does nothing, defections could snowball. If, on the other hand, he decides to teach them a lesson by kicking them out, he could well add to Abhisit's political strength. All he could do on this occasion, as he has recently grown fond of complaining about, was to "swallow [his] own blood" until he can find a more effective way to deal with his party's rebels.

The unexpectedly high number of abstentions among the opposition MPs was what irked the party's leadership the most. There were 12 each for the votes against four Democrat Cabinet members, including the prime minister. But in the case of Interior Minister Chaovarat Charnveerakul, the number of abstentions rose dramatically to 20, and for his Deputy Boonjong Wongtrairat it was 18.

The fact that Chaovarat is the leader of the Phum Jai Thai Party, and Boonjong of its deputies, underscores the emerging power of this third party that could pull the rug from under Thaksin's and Pheu Thai's feet.

What's worse, some of the cobras were ready to step out to explain why they had decided to ignore the party line. One told reporters: "For one thing, I used to work closely with Khun Chaovarat and Boonjong. It's hard for me to vote against them. For another, the opposition MPs' evidence against them was too weak to be convincing. So, I was following my conscience in casting the vote."

The rebels could, in fact, claim that they were doing more than just following their consciences. They could also claim they were exercising their constitutional right to a free vote. Unlike the 1997 constitution, the current charter doesn't bind MPs to their respective party lines in casting major votes.

Having failed in his parliamentary strategy to oust the Abhisit government, Thaksin will now go all out with his alternative tactic to apply pressure on the coalition. Today's/Yesterday's rally of red-shirted anti-government protestors is/was being openly orchestrated by Thaksin himself.

It's a huge gamble - one in which Thaksin's political offensive will become do-or-die. It is considered the only option left open to him as Abhisit consolidates his position and his legitimacy grows in proportion to every major blunder a desperate Thaksin commits.

- Sutichai Yoon, Editorial Page, The Nation / 2009-03-26

[Ricardo]

The unexpectedly high number of abstentions among the opposition MPs was what irked the party's leadership the most. There were 12 each for the votes against four Democrat Cabinet members, including the prime minister. But in the case of Interior Minister Chaovarat Charnveerakul, the number of abstentions rose dramatically to 20, and for his Deputy Boonjong Wongtrairat it was 18.

The fact that Chaovarat is the leader of the Phum Jai Thai Party, and Boonjong of its deputies, underscores the emerging power of this third party that could pull the rug from under Thaksin's and Pheu Thai's feet.

What's worse, some of the cobras were ready to step out to explain why they had decided to ignore the party line. One told reporters: "For one thing, I used to work closely with Khun Chaovarat and Boonjong. It's hard for me to vote against them. For another, the opposition MPs' evidence against them was too weak to be convincing. So, I was following my conscience in casting the vote."

The rebels could, in fact, claim that they were doing more than just following their consciences. They could also claim they were exercising their constitutional right to a free vote. Unlike the 1997 constitution, the current charter doesn't bind MPs to their respective party lines in casting major votes.

It must be really irritating for PTP & its advisor, when votes have been bought-and-paid-for, that people insist on doing what they think is right, rather than doing as they're told !

Perhaps some recent convert to democracy might have to explain to these MPs, that democracy is not his aim, and all this stuff about 'fighting for democracy' is not meant to be taken seriously, or actually acted upon ?

Or does he just need to pay better ?

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Seems the reins of power are greased and slipping

through avaricious fingers at an ever increasing rate of play.

So does Thaksin have the power left to start an actual riot,

or just make a lot of noise, significant of little, as his finances dwindle?

Seems the only shot he has is an actual street fighting conflagration.

What if the 'powers that be' don't agree to fight back?

Then it only looks like Thaksin's Red Shirts trying to start insurrection,

not a salvage of the democratic morals of the country.

If he does start an actual street riot, is this supposed to draw in

a pre-occupied populace who are essentially tired of the whole thing?

Is naming names supposed to make that same inured populace stand up

in indignant fury, and the treatment Thaksin allegedly has received.

Sorry most politics is local and Abhisit has been dealing with the locals

and Thaksin has been attempting to slap the tiger from afar.

What has Thaksin done lately for ANYONE on a local basis?

Rally funding? Talks shows? Big talk, no action.

Big Hat, No Cattle.