Labour Government’s Bold Claim to “honesty with voters” Has Unraveled Quickly

[sabaijai]

Ready to tear the country apart

The Nation

Published on March 24, 2009

Embittered former prime minister is hel_l bent on revenge despite the economic crisis

The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva easily survived the censure debate over the weekend but the real political threat against the administration will come later this week. The red shirt anti-government protesters' planned rally on March 26 is expected to be the biggest ever, underlined by the increasingly restlessness of Thaksin Shinawatra. This is his last hope, and the fugitive former prime minister will likely throw everything he's got at his opponents.

The frequency of Thaksin's video links and his increasingly controversial allegations against his opponents suggest the political movement outside the House will be intensified. All the political indicators had told us that it would come to this point; it's just so unfortunate and disappointing that Thailand's political rivals are heading for another head-on collision at the most economically fragile time.

Lingering domestic political instability is likely to worsen the economic distress that has resulted from the global recession. The Abhisit government has pledged to go back to work to restore the economy after the government won the no-confidence vote, but the prime minister must have known that the censure debate last week was just a side show. A more powerful force is outside the Parliament building.

The red-shirt protesters, including some members of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, have already announced they plan to block the Government House on the evenings of March 25 to 26 in an attempt to oust Abhisit. Thaksin plans to transmit a video link to the Government House to add to the political pressure.

Thaksin's claim during his Sunday phone-in that two privy councillors led the movement to topple him in 2006 has already raised interest about what he will say to his supporters on March 26. This is despite the fact that General Panlop Pinmanee, who is claimed by Thaksin to have been aware of this scheme, has already come out to deny any knowledge of this alleged malicious plot. Judging from his tone and the content of his messages, Thaksin is now hel_l bent on shaking the domestic political scene from outside Thailand.

And he will be doing so against a very poor economic backdrop. Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij yesterday said that the Thai economy this year was likely to contract by up to 3 per cent. The Finance Ministry estimated the damage caused to the global financial system would be as much as US$2.2 trillion, which is double the earlier estimates.

The Abhisit government is working out the second round of the economic stimulus package worth Bt1.4 trillion, which is aimed at promoting the infrastructure investment within three years. Meanwhile, the government also plans to secure foreign funding worth Bt70 billion to help cure the economic problems at home.

Meanwhile, the drop in consumer consumption in the US, the European Union and Japan has resulted in a drastic drop in Thai exports, which have been the engine for the country's economic growth for decades. The private sector's biggest concern this year will be rising unemployment. An additional 1 million people are likely to lose their jobs this year. The big public turnout at the government's massive job training programme over the weekend reflects the huge number of unemployed people waiting for an opportunity to get back into the labour market through the re-training programme.

Thailand, as things stand, will have to cope with severe external and domestic economic troubles. At the same time, feuding politicians continue to risk undermining their own country during this very tough time. While the Pheu Thai Party did admirably well in taking the government to task on several fronts, outside Parliament, water bottles and eggs have been thrown at government politicians. The political scene remains highly unpredictable because Thaksin obviously believes that an upheaval is the only way for him regain political leverage.

Thaksin is getting more and more desperate, and this is shown in his statements. The public feel it as well, as recent polls showed a noticeable drop in his popularity in the wake of his latest allegations made through the phone-ins and video-links.

Against this backdrop, both sides of the political conflict should bear in mind the realistic picture of what the national priority is. The innuendoes made by Thaksin or other politicians outside the House, trying to discredit certain institutions, are worrisome because they will not only further smear Thailand's image but also weaken any effort to rebuild national harmony and political peace.

All politicians claim they love Thailand, but actions speak much louder than words. This is a time when anyone who claims he or she values the interests of the country over their own, should rethink their priorities and conduct themselves in a way that doesn't mock their own words.

[TAWP]

As he clearly doesn't have any love or care for this nation...it's a wonder anyone can support him.

[animatic]

As he clearly doesn't have any love or care for this nation...it's a wonder anyone can support him.

They appear to support his memory more than his reality.

[Wolfie]

Maybe its time for his 'self imposed' exile to become a little more 'imposed'

he doesn't care for the country, he cares only for his cash-cow.

[britmaveric]

Unfortunately the current leadership doesnt care for the country either, and only out for their own self interests.

[TPI]

I'm continually suprised by the inaction of the government, either an international warrent or a "black" operation should solve the problem once and for all! Thailand is my adopted home and with this unreformed thug dirtying the name of good Thai's all over the world I'm amazed that even the people who are paid to demonstrate are prepared to put up with it?

Khun Taksin, please stop sullying the very good of the Thai people with your rants and raving...you will never, repeat, never be allowed to return to politics in this country, if and when the working people who thought that you paid the million baht to the Tambons out of your own pocket wake up or are woken up you will not believe the anger they will direct at you and yours!

If you truely love this country...give it up mate! Come home, do the time and catch up with your enemies at your leasure.

[britmaveric]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's proposed way out is self-serving

Thaksin's latest offer to end the current political impasse clearly shows that all the protests by his red-shirt followers are not in the interests of the democracy he claims to cherish so much, but only to serve his own ends.

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has offered a “way out” of the political impasse that has assailed Thailand for the past three years in his latest phone-in address to his red-shirt supporters in front of Government House.

His “way out” - or in other words his demands - are: a blanket amnesty for all political offenders, himself in particular; the dropping of all charges or cases against him and others; dissolution of the House and calling of fresh elections; and his promise that he will not contest election (please note, not a promise that he will quit politics for good).

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...is-self-serving

[hammered]

Thaksin's proposed way out is self-serving

Did anyone expect anything different?

[Wolfie]

Unfortunately the current leadership doesnt care for the country either, and only out for their own self interests.

Oh c'mon Brit, i took you for an intelligent man There is always going to be a level of 'self interest' in Thai politics, Toxsin ran the country like a business, to make himself (and his family) as much money and possible... He is corrupt to the core, everyone knows that, he will implement some low level schemes to make it look like he is helping the needy, but at the end of the day its just a diversion to allow him to approve land deals for his wife, give insider trading info to his children and allow him to sell off Thai companies to other nations... all the time making himself a tonne of money.

The current government may not be perfect, im certain there is a level of corruption within them, bit nothing on the scale of Toxsin

Its a lesser of two evils my friend

[britmaveric]

Pretty much the same demands the yellows had... which was self serving too.

[Artisi]

Self-serving, no - that can't be correct, he is only interested in the good of the country - just ask him if you don't believe it.

[mc2]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

i agree ... the red shirt and the yellow shirts have had their say.

Now let the people have their say. time to call elections.

[Artisi]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

i agree ... the red shirt and the yellow shirts have had their say.

Now let the people have their say. time to call elections.

Much too soon to call elections, the country needs time to settle down again and it would certainly help if a certain convicted on the run criminal stayed well away instead of trying to de-rail what is a difficult period in the recovery of a very disjointed country.

[wayfarer108]

So, to those Western "scholars" who say Thailand is now less democratic than at the time of the 23rd prime minister, please think again. Press freedom was much greater after his departure than during his tenure. The vicious protests that spring up all over the place these days have never been dealt with harshly. Our judicial system is not more politicised now than then. And, to a researcher at Oxford University, there is no democratic parliamentary rule against a coalition government formed by the party without the absolute majority. Kukrit Pramoj once formed a government with 18 members of parliament of his Social Action Party.

The Nation

[hammered]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

i agree ... the red shirt and the yellow shirts have had their say.

Now let the people have their say. time to call elections.

But that is the red shirt demand.......

They know that waiting until the end of the year for elections will see their competetive edge diminish. There wont be an election soon imho. End of the year is still likely, which isnt that far off. Plus the government still remain relativley new and it seems have not outgrown their grace period except with Thaksin and Red.

[animatic]

Thaksin's proposed way out is self-serving

Did anyone expect anything different?

Not one iota different.

[animatic]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

i agree ... the red shirt and the yellow shirts have had their say.

Now let the people have their say. time to call elections.

Much too soon to call elections, the country needs time to settle down again and it would certainly help if a certain convicted on the run criminal stayed well away instead of trying to de-rail what is a difficult period in the recovery of a very disjointed country.

Ditto.

Let the reds rant,

we need a government in place now,

and not running for office, and thus distracted from

keeping their eye on the ball.

Regardless of HOW the last 2 governments left the field, in disgrace obviously,

the current one came into power based on democratic coalition building.

Legally, and so there is no need for an election.

If you want to rant and rave at HOW that coalition was built

AIM IT AT NEWIN AND NOT THE DEMS.

[stumonster]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

do you think the govt you desire would manage this time to achieve its main aim - to change the constitution and pardon all its convicted criminal brethren ? perfect economic climate for the primates to play in.

Now let the people have their say. time to call elections.

are you saying that the parliamentarians were not elected ?

[Samuian]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

i agree ... the red shirt and the yellow shirts have had their say.

Now let the people have their say. time to call elections.

New Formation of "Blue Shirts" are going to have their say if the "Red Shirts" try anything at Suvannabhum...

Let the current Government first do it's job, it is a legally formed Government!

Shame Chinese rule for Government Employees and Politicians doesn't apply for the fugitive whilst he is in China!

[sriracha john]

UDD bans civil servants from Government House

Anti-government protesters declared Government House a 'no entry' zone for state officials after police ordered them to end their demonstration around the government office complex on Monday.

Metropolitan police warned supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) that if they did not lift their blockade, police would move them out.

The police announcement was made through a loud speaker system. It asked that they cooperate and leave the area around Government House.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1390...from-govt-house

[SoMeOnEnUlL]

Another topic in Thaivisa to start arguments, personal attacks and officially allowed flamings?

[h90]

Another topic in Thaivisa to start arguments, personal attacks and officially allowed flamings?

yes a politic subforum, first you must proof that you are over 18 and every posting there will be deleted if it isn't trolling or flaming....

[mc2]

Much too soon to call elections, the country needs time to settle down again

it doesnt look like it is settling down... not even going in that direction.

it would certainly help if a certain convicted on the run criminal stayed well away instead of trying to de-rail what is a difficult period in the recovery of a very disjointed country.

the very same argument (replace criminal with PAD zombie masters) could be said for PAD interference.

Now..... the people are pissed because their vote was not respected , they were bulldozed by a vocal minority.

they want this to be known , they want a platform for their voice to be heard , and need logistic , financial, leadership, organising help .

I think they have every right to protest.

There is only one sensible, and respectful choice for Abhisit to make, that is to call new elections. However I doubt it will happen because the military and so called elites are saying no.

[samgrowth]

In the last few decades, why is Thailand ruled by Chinese (pure or almost 100% chinese blood)?

[animatic]

You keep blaming PAD for your last two government failing's.

The last two governments couldn't do the job, and partly because

they weren't trying to, they were more interested in getting Thaksin

and the 111 TRT members aquitted by changing the charter.

This was not what they were elected to to do,

they were elected to administer the country.

But PAD makes a convenient target, they kept up watch dog actions,

every time the Samak and Somchai gov's tried to change the charter,

which was much

of the time. Those changes thye stopped from happening.

The rest of the time those two govs were just left to function,

same as the current one functioning in spite of street noise outside.

Yet even when left to the job Somchai and Samak were utterly ineffective.

it was rarely PAD in the street preventing PPP from getting things done,

it was PPP just incapable of getting things done that was the greatest problem.

The courts erased PPP, and left the legislature to reconstitute a government

by means of legislative processes.

They did so, and one side has big ass sour grapes about it.

But not enough organization and power to do squat about it.

Their opponents are organized enough and intelligent enough to ignore

the noise and bruehaha and just keep on doing the job.

That in itself must be massively galling to the red shirts.

All their noise is for naught.

I suspect the reasons so little is said about the Newin boys is because,

tNewin's friends can REALLY stomp on PTP, at home in PTP's base, if it so chose to.

So they try not to piss off the giant ogre living in their own woodpile,

and so Red shirts focus on the Dems.

Ain't gonna be no election till Newin wants one, and that's none to soon.

[h90]

In the last few decades, why is Thailand ruled by Chinese (pure or almost 100% chinese blood)?

good question....I would also think 80-90 % of the business turnover.....

[wasabi]

It is obvious Thailand is not ready for a true Democracy. It is also obvious Thaksin is an opportunist who wants to inject propaganda into the nation and destroy the government no matter the cost just to save face for himself. I do think both sides have some legitimate grievances but dissolving parliament every few weeks will destroy any hope for stability and international respect. I think Abhisit is the best the Thai's can hope for and they should just accept the imperfect situation as it is but obviously that isn't going to happen.

[plachon]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

A contribution worthy of Koo. Wake up BM - you backed a bad 'un - and no amount of whining about the current govt's imperfections will change that. If you can't see the damage that Thaksin wrought during his time in power and is wreaking during his time in exile, then I suggest you get out your red shirt and go and collect your 500 B a day with the rest of them. Might as well profit from your delusion, eh? Build a little bridge and get over it.

[hammered]

Time for the current government to resign and call elections.

A contribution worthy of Koo. Wake up BM - you backed a bad 'un - and no amount of whining about the current govt's imperfections will change that. If you can't see the damage that Thaksin wrought during his time in power and is wreaking during his time in exile, then I suggest you get out your red shirt and go and collect your 500 B a day with the rest of them. Might as well profit from your delusion, eh? Build a little bridge and get over it.

Is it 500 now? Last I heard from someone was they got 300.