Sisaket Election

[sriracha john]

Urban voters play decisive role in poll

Thaksin remains Puea Thai Party's wild-card in Issan

SISAKET : The Chart Thai Pattana Party is banking on urban voters to rally against the Puea Thai Party in tomorrow's by-election showdown. Puea Thai Party still has Thaksin Shinawatra as its main draw for rural voters as the Party ramps up its efforts to dislodge the incumbent Chart Thai Pattana Party from its seat.

The Constituency 1 by-election covers nine districts: Muang Si Sa Ket, Kanthararom, Non Khun, Phayu, Yang Chum Noi, Rasi Salai, Sila Lat, Bung Bun and Pho Si Suwan. Some 355,000 voters will choose between Chart Thai Pattana Party's Sakulthip Angkasakulkiat and Puea Thai Party's Surachart Charnpradit.

Mrs Sakulthip has a strong support base especially in Sisaket town where her husband Chathamongkol is the Mayor. Her son, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a former Sisaket MP from the defunct Chart Thai Party, who has been banned from politics for five years, is also lending support.

Mr Surachart was defeated by Mr Siripong in a previous election, even after winning more than 100,000 votes. Puea Thai Party is repeating its strategies that proved successful in a Sakon Nakhon by-election last week.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1921...ve-role-in-poll

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-27

[sriracha john]

Chart Thai Pattana Party confident in victory from Sisaket by-election

BANGKOK, 26 June 2009 (NNT) – The Chart Thai Pattana Party voiced confidence that the Party’s by-election candidate for Sisaket's constituency 1 will be able to bring home victory.

Chart Thai Pattana Party Spokesman Watchara Kannikar confirmed that Ms Sakulthip Angkasakulkiat, the Party’s by-election candidate, had no plan to move to the Bhum Jai Thai Party as speculated.

He believed that Ms Sakulthip will be able to win the by-election in constituency 1 of Sisaket, citing that the candidate’s policy emphasizes on agriculture which is different from the Puea Thai Party’s candidate.

Mr Watchara added that core leaders of the Chart Thai Pattana Party will not visit the by-election area since it might be seen by others as an abusive use of authority for the party’s benefit.

-- NNT 2009-06-26

[Farma]

I see reams and reams of leaflets calling for Taksins return have been thrown littering not only Sisaket city but every small village and bus stop throughout the province.

[webfact]

THAKSIN'S PHONE-IN

Thaksin phones in to Pheu Thai campaign rally in Si Sa Ket

By The Nation

Published on June 27, 2009

Ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday phoned in to a campaign rally of the Pheu Thai Party, pitching for votes in tomorrow's by-election in Si Sa Ket and pleading with voters to help him return from exile in Dubai.

"The weather in Dubai is very hot, soaring to 51 degrees [Celsius] and, with your help to carry me back, I want to return to Thailand," he said in his telephone message to about 500 supporters.

He said the by-election victory last week in Sakon Nakhon was tantamount to transporting him to the borders and that votes for Pheu Thai candidate Surachart Chanpradit in Si Sa Ket would assist him in re-entering Thailand.

His call, which lasted about five minutes, was seen as a last-ditch attempt to sway sentiment in favour of the main opposition party in its race against the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party.

In regard to tomorrow's rally by the red shirts at Sanam Luang, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters in Beijing that his government had no objection to a peaceful demonstration.

Authorities are obligated to enforce the law, however, if the crowds turn unruly, he said.

Abhisit reminded his opponents that the world community was keeping a close watch on the situation in Thailand and that fellow Thais should not try to achieve certain vested interests regardless of the turmoil caused, at a time when foreign friends had been rallying behind the efforts to restore normalcy.

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said the main coalition party would monitor the red-shirt rally around the clock.

Buranaj voiced concern about the situation spiralling out of control because rally organisers and Thaksin often relied on fiery rhetoric, speaking for instance of elevating the struggle into a civil war, in order to incite crowds.

He said the red shirts wanted their rally, which coincided with the prime minister's visit to China, to embarrass the government.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Worapong Chewpreecha ordered all police officers in the capital to report for duty for the duration of the red-shirt rally. No sick or personal leave will be granted, he said.

He also reminded the red shirts to confine themselves to their rally site at Sanam Luang, saying police would not allow a march or a blockade at Government House.

-- The Nation 2009/06/27

/reason for editing: corrected publishing date

Edited June 27, 2009 by webfact

[animatic]

Banned from politics,

what part about not getting involved does the Election Commission not understand.

If a banned politician,

ANY banned politician ;

Makes a call benefiting a candidate.

Shows up at a rally and speaks.

Makes a video link call to a rally

and talks for the benfifit of a candidate.

Is pictured on a poster or leaflet.

Is quoted in campaign literature.

Gives money or makes promises for a candidates benefit.

Any and all of these should be grounds for annulling a win, or disqualifying a candidate,

for allowing using this banned pol as icon or helper in his campaign.

Banned is banned.

IF, these banned pols do this with the knowledge of the party leaders

examples:

Chalerm saying Thaksin is the real leader of PTP,

We are doing this to bring back Thaksin etc.

Then this is the party using a banned pols legend to get votes

and this is against the rules also.

Banned, should apply to parties using the banned as bait for voters,

not just that these people can not run for office.

The sentence they have is

"Banned From Politics For Five Years."

What exactly does the Election Commission think this means in definition.

PS I certainly think the pertains to Newin also et al.

Edited June 27, 2009 by animatic

[Sandstone Art]

I see reams and reams of leaflets calling for Taksins return have been thrown littering not only Sisaket city but every small village and bus stop throughout the province.

That can put that for better use.

Like paste on the wall for some kind of dart throwing competition!

[baht&sold]

Like in the states, politics of fear/smear and divisiveness seems to work best on country-side dwellers. Urban people tend to be more educated, more aware and less swayed by 'old style' tactics.

In this case though, it's really more like Thaksin Vs Newin (faction at least) all over again. A bit like choosing between 2 dentists promising free dental work but in reality serving never-ending root canals without anesthesa... (and the bil comes later, and it's a whopper, as always;)

Perhaps a solution would be to separate the N/NE from Thailand (at least administratively) and just appoint Thaksin ruler for life (shouldn't be too long before the natives surround Dr. Frank's fortress-like HQ in say Udon Thani or Chiang mai, armed with with farm implements and torches;)

[webfact]

THAKSIN'S PHONE-IN

Thaksin phones in to Pheu Thai campaign rally in Si Sa Ket

By The Nation

Published on June 27, 2009

Ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday phoned in to a campaign rally of the Pheu Thai Party, pitching for votes in tomorrow's by-election in Si Sa Ket and pleading with voters to help him return from exile in Dubai.

"The weather in Dubai is very hot, soaring to 51 degrees [Celsius] and, with your help to carry me back, I want to return to Thailand," he said in his telephone message to about 500 supporters.

He said the by-election victory last week in Sakon Nakhon was tantamount to transporting him to the borders and that votes for Pheu Thai candidate Surachart Chanpradit in Si Sa Ket would assist him in re-entering Thailand.

His call, which lasted about five minutes, was seen as a last-ditch attempt to sway sentiment in favour of the main opposition party in its race against the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party.

In regard to tomorrow's rally by the red shirts at Sanam Luang, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters in Beijing that his government had no objection to a peaceful demonstration.

Authorities are obligated to enforce the law, however, if the crowds turn unruly, he said.

Abhisit reminded his opponents that the world community was keeping a close watch on the situation in Thailand and that fellow Thais should not try to achieve certain vested interests regardless of the turmoil caused, at a time when foreign friends had been rallying behind the efforts to restore normalcy.

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said the main coalition party would monitor the red-shirt rally around the clock.

Buranaj voiced concern about the situation spiralling out of control because rally organisers and Thaksin often relied on fiery rhetoric, speaking for instance of elevating the struggle into a civil war, in order to incite crowds.

He said the red shirts wanted their rally, which coincided with the prime minister's visit to China, to embarrass the government.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Worapong Chewpreecha ordered all police officers in the capital to report for duty for the duration of the red-shirt rally. No sick or personal leave will be granted, he said.

He also reminded the red shirts to confine themselves to their rally site at Sanam Luang, saying police would not allow a march or a blockade at Government House.

-- The Nation 2009/06/27

/reason for editing: corrected publishing date

I repost my comment which I made in a similar thread adressing this phone in ---

What a moronic comment. He can return to Thailand ANY time, ANY minute, ANY day! Does he try to create an outward impression he is not allowed to return to his homeland?

Must he live in a tent in the middle of Dubai desert without water and aircon...?

Its beyond belief.

Edited June 27, 2009 by webfact

[catmac]

Banned from politics,

what part about not getting involved does the Election Commission not understand.

If a banned politician,

ANY banned politician ;

Makes a call benefiting a candidate.

Shows up at a rally and speaks.

Makes a video link call to a rally

and talks for the benfifit of a candidate.

Is pictured on a poster or leaflet.

Is quoted in campaign literature.

Gives money or makes promises for a candidates benefit.

Any and all of these should be grounds for annulling a win, or disqualifying a candidate,

for allowing using this banned pol as icon or helper in his campaign.

Banned is banned.

IF, these banned pols do this with the knowledge of the party leaders

examples:

Chalerm saying Thaksin is the real leader of PTP,

We are doing this to bring back Thaksin etc.

Then this is the party using a banned pols legend to get votes

and this is against the rules also.

Banned, should apply to parties using the banned as bait for voters,

not just that these people can not run for office.

The sentence they have is

"Banned From Politics For Five Years."

What exactly does the Election Commission think this means in definition.

PS I certainly think the pertains to Newin also et al.

So, if the Chart Thai Pattana Party candidate wins, you would disqualify her as "Her son, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a former Sisaket MP from the defunct Chart Thai Party, who has been banned from politics for five years, is also lending support", as per SJ's post from the Bangkok Post.

Somehow I think your call for overturning the votes of the electorate would only be applied by you if the Pheu Thai Party candidate were to win!

Edited June 27, 2009 by catmac

[samgrowth]

Banned from politics,

what part about not getting involved does the Election Commission not understand.

If a banned politician,

ANY banned politician ;

Makes a call benefiting a candidate.

Shows up at a rally and speaks.

Makes a video link call to a rally

and talks for the benfifit of a candidate.

Is pictured on a poster or leaflet.

Is quoted in campaign literature.

Gives money or makes promises for a candidates benefit.

Any and all of these should be grounds for annulling a win, or disqualifying a candidate,

for allowing using this banned pol as icon or helper in his campaign.

Banned is banned.

IF, these banned pols do this with the knowledge of the party leaders

examples:

Chalerm saying Thaksin is the real leader of PTP,

We are doing this to bring back Thaksin etc.

Then this is the party using a banned pols legend to get votes

and this is against the rules also.

Banned, should apply to parties using the banned as bait for voters,

not just that these people can not run for office.

The sentence they have is

"Banned From Politics For Five Years."

What exactly does the Election Commission think this means in definition.

PS I certainly think the pertains to Newin also et al.

So, if the Chart Thai Pattana Party candidate wins, you would disqualify her as "Her son, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a former Sisaket MP from the defunct Chart Thai Party, who has been banned from politics for five years, is also lending support", as per SJ's post from the Bangkok Post.

Somehow I think your call for overturning the votes of the electorate would only be applied by you if the Pheu Thai Party candidate were to win!

I agree with you 200%.

[TAWP]

You both fanboys avoided to say what your opinion is and instead manufactured what someone else feels and attacked him for it. Strawman attack 1A.

Anyone drawing any benefit from a banned politician should surely be receiving penalties.

[stumonster]

.

Anyone drawing any benefit from a banned politician should surely be receiving penalties.

any banned politician should be filing appeals from a jail cell where they should be for perverting the course of Democracy

[sriracha john]

EC: Sisaket by-election unofficial result to be announced before 8 p.m.

BANGKOK, 27 June 2009 (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC) expects an unofficial result of the by-election in Sisaket province to be announced at 8 p.m. tomorrow.

During his visit to the by-election of Sisaket province’s constituency, an Election Commission member Prapan Naikowit has invited people who are eligible voters in 9 districts to vote at the by-election tomorrow from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and not to forget their identification cards.

Vote counts will be conducted at each polling station before collecting them all together at the district office. Mr Prapan believed an unofficial result should be announced before 8 p.m., while adding that private and public sectors of Sisaket province are well coordinated with the EC.

-- NNT 2009-06-27

[animatic]

Banned from politics,

what part about not getting involved does the Election Commission not understand.

If a banned politician,

ANY banned politician ;

Makes a call benefiting a candidate.

Shows up at a rally and speaks.

Makes a video link call to a rally

and talks for the benfifit of a candidate.

Is pictured on a poster or leaflet.

Is quoted in campaign literature.

Gives money or makes promises for a candidates benefit.

Any and all of these should be grounds for annulling a win, or disqualifying a candidate,

for allowing using this banned pol as icon or helper in his campaign.

Banned is banned.

IF, these banned pols do this with the knowledge of the party leaders

examples:

Chalerm saying Thaksin is the real leader of PTP,

We are doing this to bring back Thaksin etc.

Then this is the party using a banned pols legend to get votes

and this is against the rules also.

Banned, should apply to parties using the banned as bait for voters,

not just that these people can not run for office.

The sentence they have is

"Banned From Politics For Five Years."

What exactly does the Election Commission think this means in definition.

PS I certainly think the pertains to Newin also et al.

So, if the Chart Thai Pattana Party candidate wins, you would disqualify her as "Her son, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a former Sisaket MP from the defunct Chart Thai Party, who has been banned from politics for five years, is also lending support", as per SJ's post from the Bangkok Post.

Somehow I think your call for overturning the votes of the electorate would only be applied by you if the Pheu Thai Party candidate were to win!

I don't care which party good bad or indfferent does this. Banned is banned.,

I don't care if this is Mom and Dad who are BOTH banned,

they can just avoid the child's campaign.

Same for children being banned.

Sorry Charlie, don't help mommy win. End of story.

The point is,

if the line gets drawn in the sand there must be consequences EVENLY handed out to ALL.

Otherwise the point and the needed corrections never get made.

As to overturning the votes of the electorate.

If the election was won with the aid of a banned pol, then it wasn't WON FAIRLY.

So it is only the Pol using the banned punished, and a re-election called.

If the electorate votes for someone cheating,

and publicly using a banned pol in your campaign is cheating,

then the electorate voted for a cheating candidate, and so they cheated also.

So they deserve the trouble of a re-election also.

Edited June 27, 2009 by animatic

[sriracha john]

Yingluck Shinawatra

EC receives complaints in Sisaket

The Election Commission (EC) has so far received two complaints about irregularities in the run-up to the by-election in Sisaket's Constituency 1, which takes place today. Commissioner Prapun Naigowit said the EC is investigating the complaints. One involves election officials being accused of partiality in supervising the by-election. The other involves efforts to defame candidates and influence voters.

Around 355,000 voters will choose between Chart Thai Pattana Party's Sakulthip Angkasakulkiat and Surachart Charnpradit of the Puea Thai Party.

Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, assisted Surachart in wooing the voters.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-28

[animatic]

Now we see the grey area.

Yingluck is not banned, but is closely tied to several banned pols.

But I suppose she is legit,

UNLESS, she makes promises using their legends and legacies to win votes

or gives promises relating to the banned family members as leverage to win voters.

And the 'source' of her money to do this is suspect also.

If it is her, herself only courting voters with her own earned cash, fair play.

But is she is using brother, sister and brother-in-law as advertising

or promises for the future, and/or cash from Thaksin's accounts

then it is using the banned to gain votes, as if they were there themselves..

Edited June 28, 2009 by animatic

[sriracha john]

Sisaket by-election commences

SISAKET, 28 June 2009 (NNT) - The Sisaket Provincial Election Commission (EC) has expressed confidence that the by-election in Sisaket province will be ready for the opening of polling stations at 8 am today.

The Director of Sisaket Provincial Election Commission, Mr Songsak Chandraruka, stated that the by-election constituency 1 was well-prepared with all the required materials and polling officials amongst 945 voting stations in nine districts.

He said no complaints of possible electoral fraud and suspicions of unlawful forms of voting persuasion have been notified yesterday despite fierce competition among political parties. The unofficial voting results would be unveiled at 8 pm.

-- NNT 2009-06-28

[sriracha john]

Over 170,000 people were expected to show up in Sisaket by-election

SISAKET, 28 June 2009 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) anticipated that the over 50 percent of people with election rights would show up in the by-election in the province today.

Mr. Prapan Naikowit, an EC member, today announced the start of the by-election at nine districts in Sisaket province via Radio Thailand FM100.25 MHz, the station which is broadcasting the by-election in the province.

Mr. Prapan asked all relevant agencies to listen to the radio station until today's election ended and the voting results finalised.

He also encouraged people to come quickly to the voting stations as the Meteorological Department had forecast possible heavy rainfalls in the afternoon.

However, the EC member predicted that over 50 percent of all 350,000 people with election rights would come for the election and indicated that over 10,000 people had already come to the advance voting last week.

-- NNT 2009-06-28

[HagenvonTronje]

Unofficial results of Si Sa Ket by-election hint Puea Thai’s victory

SI SA KET, 28 June 2009 (NNT) – The unofficial results of the by-election in Si Sa Ket province suggested that the opposition Puea Thai Party’s candidate was in a 20,000 point lead against the rival from the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Puea Thai MPs Chairperson, Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, declared victory in the Si Sa Ket by-election and thanked all local residents who voted for the party’s candidate, Mr. Surachart Charnpradit. He said the results implied that people had remained staunch supporters of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party as well as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Police Captain Chalerm cited that people believed in Mr. Thaksin’s ability to solve problems and trusted the Puea Thai candidate in working for their benefits. He added that the triumphs in both Sakhon Nakhon and Si Sa Ket by-elections will affect to the next general election as well.

According to the unofficial results at 6pm, 5 districts had completed their vote counts, which showed that the Puea Thai candidate was winning across the board while results in the other 4 districts were pending.

The candidate from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, Ms. Sakulthip Angkhasakulkiat, had reportedly admitted her defeat in this election.

-- NNT 28 June 2009

article here

[animatic]

The Nation june 28 2009

Pheu Thai appears to win Si Sa Ket by-election early vote tally

The Pheu Thai Party appeared to overwhelming beat the Chart Thai Pattana in the Si Sa Ket by-election Sunday.

After the ballot counting in all districts except in Muang and Nonekhun districts were completed....

-- The Nation 2009/06/28

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...by-election-ear

Edited June 28, 2009 by animatic

[sriracha john]

Unofficial results of Sisaket by-election hint Puea Thai Party’s victory

SISAKET, 28 June 2009 (NNT) – The unofficial results of the by-election in Sisaket province suggested that the opposition Puea Thai Party’s candidate was in a 20,000 point lead against the rival from the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Puea Thai Party MPs Chairperson Police Captain Chalerm Yoobamrung, declared victory in the Sisaket by-election and thanked all local residents who voted for the Party’s candidate, Mr. Surachart Charnpradit.

He said the results implied that people had remained staunch supporters of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party as well as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Police Captain Chalerm cited that people believed in Thaksin’s ability to solve problems and trusted the Puea Thai Party candidate in working for their benefits. He added that the triumphs in both Sakhon Nakhon and Sisaket by-elections will affect to the next general election as well.

According to the unofficial results at 6pm, 5 districts had completed their vote counts, which showed that the Puea Thai candidate was winning across the board while results in the other 4 districts were pending.

The candidate from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, Sakulthip Angkhasakulkiat, had reportedly admitted her defeat in this election.

-- NNT 2009-06-28

[catmac]

Sounds like another smack in the face for poor Little Mark and his government of incompetents and tuncoats!

Well done the voters of Sisaket!

Real democracy in action!

[webfact]

Sounds like another smack in the face for poor Little Mark and his government of incompetents and tuncoats!

Well done the voters of Sisaket!

Real democracy in action!

Are you serious? Have you ever lived or at least visited this province?

[sriracha john]

Keeping the numbers in perspective... it was only just last January when Puea Thai Party was defeated in 14 out of 19 by-elections...

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

btw, the Puea Thai Party has still not selected a new Party Leader nor Opposition Leader

Edited June 29, 2009 by sriracha john

[pnustedt]

I see reams and reams of leaflets calling for Taksins return have been thrown littering not only Sisaket city but every small village and bus stop throughout the province.

They were dropped from microlight aircraft in and around the town.

Incidentally, I attended the rally held by the PTP party and they were very critical about visa regulations causing difficulties, particularly to Westerners.

Both parties fielded strong candidates with powerful campaigns but the support for Thaksin and his return to Thailand is uppermost in the majority of peoples' minds here.

[webfact]

I see reams and reams of leaflets calling for Taksins return have been thrown littering not only Sisaket city but every small village and bus stop throughout the province.

They were dropped from microlight aircraft in and around the town.

Incidentally, I attended the rally held by the PTP party and they were very critical about visa regulations causing difficulties, particularly to Westerners.

Both parties fielded strong candidates with powerful campaigns but the support for Thaksin and his return to Thailand is uppermost in the majority of peoples' minds here.

right ...because this poor man is dying in the Dubai desert and not allowed to return to his homeland.

I wonder how far can cretinism go? I feel sorry for the folks in Isarn!

[wolfmanjack]

You both fanboys avoided to say what your opinion is and instead manufactured what someone else feels and attacked him for it. Strawman attack 1A.

Anyone drawing any benefit from a banned politician should surely be receiving penalties.

And this applies to every party. However the rule should be made clear by the EC before any campaigning takes place. It should have been made clear when the bans were made and enforced in the very first election afterward.

[animatic]

I see reams and reams of leaflets calling for Taksins return have been thrown littering not only Sisaket city but every small village and bus stop throughout the province.

They were dropped from microlight aircraft in and around the town.

Incidentally, I attended the rally held by the PTP party and they were very critical about visa regulations causing difficulties, particularly to Westerners.

Both parties fielded strong candidates with powerful campaigns but the support for Thaksin and his return to Thailand is uppermost in the majority of peoples' minds here.

And if banned means banned,

then this election should be over turned for using a banned pol to win it.

Regardless if he is loved or not.

Not saying it wasn't won properly by the standards in use today,

only that the standards are sub-standard.

I don'y see this as a slap at Abhisit,

we always knew there are still blinded Thaksin lovers up country,

just that the Chart Thai guys can't make a fight of it.

[jayboy]

I see reams and reams of leaflets calling for Taksins return have been thrown littering not only Sisaket city but every small village and bus stop throughout the province.

They were dropped from microlight aircraft in and around the town.

Incidentally, I attended the rally held by the PTP party and they were very critical about visa regulations causing difficulties, particularly to Westerners.

Both parties fielded strong candidates with powerful campaigns but the support for Thaksin and his return to Thailand is uppermost in the majority of peoples' minds here.

And if banned means banned,

then this election should be over turned for using a banned pol to win it.

Regardless if he is loved or not.

Not saying it wasn't won properly by the standards in use today,

only that the standards are sub-standard.

I don'y see this as a slap at Abhisit,

we always knew there are still blinded Thaksin lovers up country,

just that the Chart Thai guys can't make a fight of it.

Frustrating isn't it that Thais keep on voting in a way we don't approve of.There's a word for it..what is it now, oh yes...democracy.

Seriously even the most partisan zealots don't share your view that the election was somehow suspect.

[hammered]

A chastened Newin methinks. Good news for PTP and not too bad for Abhisit.

The signs are that for the next general election we will see no party with an overall majority and could well see a continuation of the current situation. This may focus minds on trying to reach some politcal deal before abnother damaging and expensive round of election fever.

In the meantime the government will probably be around for a bit longer than ealier thought as the Newinites clearly need to flood a few more bits of the Isaan with largesse. PTP and Dems remain the main parites now. BJT will have to refocus on being a smaller party.