Thai Cabinet Is Prepared In Case Emergency Rule Is Declared

[webfact]

Riot force bracing for red shirts, Emergency rule prepared

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed his Cabinet to be on standby in case of the need to declare the emergency rule after the enforcement of the internal security law tomorrow.

In the face of the red-shirt rally, the ISA will take effect in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and cover partial areas in six other provinces considered the gateways to the capital.

Abhisit has designated nine Cabinet members to be ready for emergency summoning.

The nine are three deputy prime minister, Suthep Thuagsuban, Trairong Suwankhiri, Sanan Kachornprasart, and six ministers, Prawit Wongsuwan, Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Chanchai Chairungrueng, Wannarat Charnnukul and Suwit Khunkitti.

First Army Area commander Lt General Kanit Sapithak said some 50,000 riot forces have been mobilised but the actual deployment will vary in accordance with the daily security assessment.

Ahead of tomorrow's ISA enforcement, security authorities will this afternoon begin to issue detailed measures to safeguard peace following the meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command chaired by the prime minister.

-- The Nation 2010-03-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

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[hammered]

This with the Shin family leaving is starting to look like things are getting pretty tense. Talking to a group of Thai friends last night and everyoen thought it would be violent and that was before these announcments.

Hope it doesnt go that way

[anotherpeter]

This with the Shin family leaving is starting to look like things are getting pretty tense. Talking to a group of Thai friends last night and everyoen thought it would be violent and that was before these announcments.

Hope it doesnt go that way

It has to be violent. That is the only way the reds will get any value out of this protest. If it is peacful, it will be ignored.

A peaceful one million man march may have been some value, but the numbers were reduced to 600,000 pretty quickly and then lower and that was before the ISA.

The government and the yellows have no value in making this protest violent. The reds will fade away when the money runs out, so the government can just sit it out.

[indothai]

Anyone know if there are any special laws already put in place now, ie: marshal law, etc..?

[hammered]

This with the Shin family leaving is starting to look like things are getting pretty tense. Talking to a group of Thai friends last night and everyoen thought it would be violent and that was before these announcments.

Hope it doesnt go that way

It has to be violent. That is the only way the reds will get any value out of this protest. If it is peacful, it will be ignored.

A peaceful one million man march may have been some value, but the numbers were reduced to 600,000 pretty quickly and then lower and that was before the ISA.

The government and the yellows have no value in making this protest violent. The reds will fade away when the money runs out, so the government can just sit it out.

Well conventional wisdom dictates those happy with the status quo will want a peaceful rally followed by demonstartors going home as that means no change ie status quo preserved.

You either have a rally to make a point or pressure government, most common form worldwide or one to force change but to force change you need either humongous numbers and weak government that collapses or some other form of usually non-peaceful pressure to force a government out.

That is pretty standard analysis of street doemonstration strategy. Obviously people can make up their own minds what the protestors this weekend are aiming at as well as the government.

[anotherpeter]

This with the Shin family leaving is starting to look like things are getting pretty tense. Talking to a group of Thai friends last night and everyoen thought it would be violent and that was before these announcments.

Hope it doesnt go that way

It has to be violent. That is the only way the reds will get any value out of this protest. If it is peacful, it will be ignored.

A peaceful one million man march may have been some value, but the numbers were reduced to 600,000 pretty quickly and then lower and that was before the ISA.

The government and the yellows have no value in making this protest violent. The reds will fade away when the money runs out, so the government can just sit it out.

Well conventional wisdom dictates those happy with the status quo will want a peaceful rally followed by demonstartors going home as that means no change ie status quo preserved.

You either have a rally to make a point or pressure government, most common form worldwide or one to force change but to force change you need either humongous numbers and weak government that collapses or some other form of usually non-peaceful pressure to force a government out.

That is pretty standard analysis of street doemonstration strategy. Obviously people can make up their own minds what the protestors this weekend are aiming at as well as the government.

IMO, the protestors want violence and the government wants it to be peaceful (ie the protestors to get bored and go home).

Edited March 10, 2010 by anotherpeter

[geriatrickid]

One hopes that there will still be a cabinet in charge in the coming weeks.

[reallyok]

Looks to me as though the government are just praying that there will be trouble and violence and are deliberately 'talking it up' BIG TIME.

They can then punish the Redshirts, pity they did'nt do the same with the Yellow shirts regarding the acts of terrorism at the Swamp

[Jingthing]

It is obvious, the reds are taking a big crap shoot and planning/hoping/staging to force the government to do something outrageous to the protesters so that it can be spinned both domestically and internationally. A peaceful rally of course would change nothing, I agree. The reds expect violence, in fact, they will be baiting for it. They want the world to see their leader like Mandella and Aung San Suu Kyi, when he is more like Marcos, Chavez, and Peron.

The bottom line, also obvious, is that the vast majority of the Thai people do NOT want the red mob led by Thaksin to take power by force. Lets hope the people win, and the violent reds fail miserably. This current movement is about as far from being pro democratic as can be imagined. Western liberals who have fallen for that line are to be pitied.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Jingthing

[Lifer]

It is pitiful to see a Government and good hardworking people in this country taken hostage by a bunch of thugs and lowlifes. When is the country going to say enough is enough. There is no way the forces can control this kind of lawlessness with out using force and weapons. GOD help the common folk and expats in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[jdinasia]

Looks to me as though the government are just praying that there will be trouble and violence and are deliberately 'talking it up' BIG TIME.

They can then punish the Redshirts, pity they did'nt do the same with the Yellow shirts regarding the acts of terrorism at the Swamp

Hello?

Do you really think that the current government was in place when the yellows were at the airport? PS this thread isn't about the yellows and they weren't "terrorists".

[Jolene]

One hopes that there will still be a cabinet in charge in the coming weeks.

I agree geriatrickid

As opposed to all these expressed security concerns by the Govt, in part to discredit this rally, and in part to re-direct attention away from the intended purpose of this rally, I am sure their survival is uppermost in their mind.

This opposition to an imposed Govt. and PM was originally created as an unintended outcome of the coup, and has been building ever since.

The coup just woke up the silent majority much to the chagrin of the coup perpetrators. It is not what they had in mind.

This building challenge to the legitimacy of this Govt. is just reaching a logical crescendo this weekend, and depending on what happens, will just continue to grow.

Wouldn't it just be easier to let transparent and scrupulously fair electoral processes sort this out, with guarantees from all sides that the loser will remain the loser, insuring that the media gives equal coverage to all competing sides.

This would eliminate all the hoopla, and a Govt. hanging on in an unseemly manner.

JMHO

Edited March 10, 2010 by Jolene

[mazeltov]

Looks to me as though the government are just praying that there will be trouble and violence and are deliberately 'talking it up' BIG TIME.

They can then punish the Redshirts, pity they did'nt do the same with the Yellow shirts regarding the acts of terrorism at the Swamp

Hello?

Do you really think that the current government was in place when the yellows were at the airport? PS this thread isn't about the yellows and they weren't "terrorists".

hello?

in the ISA thread you told me i have make comparison with similar issues all over the world. why not here?

btw. do you know that members of the current government have been with the "yellows" at the airport?

could be seen as that they are being somehow the "role models" what is possible to do as a form of political protest and it isn't so far Off Topic if someone using that as an argument.

anyway. that yellow- red bickering becomes boring. it's enough to keep focus at the current action of the government.

and right now, nothing happend yet but the government comes up with the harshest emergency laws and does the best to create a climate of fear.

[cyberia]

 

GOD help the common folk and expats in the wrong place at the wrong time.

You sure "common folk(s)" and especially expats need help? 

 plz feel free to educate me on who you call the common folks!

[Old Man River]

Looks to me as though the government are just praying that there will be trouble and violence and are deliberately 'talking it up' BIG TIME.

They can then punish the Redshirts, pity they did'nt do the same with the Yellow shirts regarding the acts of terrorism at the Swamp

Hello?

Do you really think that the current government was in place when the yellows were at the airport? PS this thread isn't about the yellows and they weren't "terrorists".

hello?

in the ISA thread you told me i have make comparison with similar issues all over the world. why not here?

btw. do you know that members of the current government have been with the "yellows" at the airport?

could be seen as that they are being somehow the "role models" what is possible to do as a form of political protest and it isn't so far Off Topic if someone using that as an argument.

anyway. that yellow- red bickering becomes boring. it's enough to keep focus at the current action of the government.

and right now, nothing happend yet but the government comes up with the harshest emergency laws and does the best to create a climate of fear.

It is not about creating a climate of fear.

Abhisit was not concerned about this weekend until he had a certain meeting. His Australia trip was quickly canceled and he got real about Friday. Read Thanong's weblog about this meeting and then filter in Abhisit's comments today that the Red Shirt's real objective was something beyond the house dissolution and I think you will get the picture of what is going on.

[jdinasia]

Looks to me as though the government are just praying that there will be trouble and violence and are deliberately 'talking it up' BIG TIME.

They can then punish the Redshirts, pity they did'nt do the same with the Yellow shirts regarding the acts of terrorism at the Swamp

Hello?

Do you really think that the current government was in place when the yellows were at the airport? PS this thread isn't about the yellows and they weren't "terrorists".

hello?

in the ISA thread you told me i have make comparison with similar issues all over the world. why not here?

btw. do you know that members of the current government have been with the "yellows" at the airport?

could be seen as that they are being somehow the "role models" what is possible to do as a form of political protest and it isn't so far Off Topic if someone using that as an argument.

anyway. that yellow- red bickering becomes boring. it's enough to keep focus at the current action of the government.

and right now, nothing happend yet but the government comes up with the harshest emergency laws and does the best to create a climate of fear.

Let me help you out here .... You made a "failed state" argument in the other thread that was refuted. You came back with an outdated article that did not address the "failed state" issue. You were given examples of significant "first world" countries with similar laws.

In this one you state that "they" (the government) should have done something about the yellows at the airport and referred to them as terrorists. They (the government) were NOT the government when the Yellows were at the airport. The yellows were not terrorists. The thing about an internet discussion is that when you say something that is wrong, a lie, or just stupid, people will call you on it and show why (like here).

The current government is trying to walk a fine line between informing the people they are responsible to protect and protecting the protesters that are not involved in any violence. They are doing well so far. News outlets have the responsibility to inform but are also market-driven and want readers/watchers/listeners and tend to use spicier language to do so.

edit --- my wording above wasn't so good ---- The government has the responsibility to protect all of it's citizens. What I meant by seperating them into two groups was that they have the responsibility to protect the residents etc that are NOT a part of the rally. They also have the job of protecting the innocent people that are part of the rally.

Edited March 10, 2010 by jdinasia

[anotherpeter]

As opposed to all these expressed security concerns by the Govt, in part to discredit this rally, and in part to re-direct attention away from the intended purpose of this rally, I am sure their survival is uppermost in their mind.

What is the purpose of this rally? To bring down the government, bring back Thaksin and give his money back. What have some of the red leaders been saying in the last week? "Bring your weapons". "There is going to be violence".

This opposition to an imposed Govt. and PM was originally created as an unintended outcome of the coup, and has been building ever since.

The coup just woke up the silent majority much to the chagrin of the coup perpetrators. It is not what they had in mind.

This building challenge to the legitimacy of this Govt. is just reaching a logical crescendo this weekend, and depending on what happens, will just continue to grow.

Please educate me regarding how this is "an imposed" government and why they aren't legitimate.

If you're a reds supporter, I assume the next statment ("created as an unintended outcome of the coup") is a typo, since most reds supporters would say that is exactly what was intended.

But besides that, the coup was to get rid of Thaksin, who was caretaker PM because his party could not form a coalition government after the previous election. While caretaker, he should have organised new elections but had already taken 6 months to do so and was trying to get laws changed so he could become PM without having new elections.

Wouldn't it just be easier to let transparent and scrupulously fair electoral processes sort this out, with guarantees from all sides that the loser will remain the loser, insuring that the media gives equal coverage to all competing sides.

This would eliminate all the hoopla, and a Govt. hanging on in an unseemly manner.

It would indeed be easier to have a "transparent and scrupulously fair" election. There is very little chance of this actually happening at the moment though. A Thaksin-puppet party was banned by the courts because of electoral fraud (vote buying) by the executives of the party. (A couple of Democrat MPs are also awaiting court cases, but not the whole Democrat party.)

[johncitizen]

Here's a media release from the UDD International Media spokesperson, Sean Boonpracong.

Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/UDDThailand

UDD Media release- For immediate release

THAILAND: THE STATE OF FEAR

George Orwell taught us that, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act,” and in Thailand, such revolutionaries are to be done away with. The twisted path toward democracy in Thailand is littered with the bodies of the honest. Today, we recognise that these people were guilty only of refusing to remain silent- but at the time the authorities claimed they were dangerous agitators who had to be suppressed for the sake of national security. They were branded malcontents and traitors, and enemies of the Nation, Religion and the Monarchy, so as to gain the peoples silent consent as they were arrested or killed. In the land where history tends to repeat itself, these accusations remain the weapons of choice for the dictators who fear democracy.

It appears that democracy is the very thing that the Abhisit regime fears the most. It masks this reality behind a wall of deceit and a baffling array of stunts aimed at turning Thais against Thais- but people are beginning to see through their insincerity, and the wall of deceit is beginning to crumble. As the wall crumbles, so the regime becomes more fearful, and in its fear, it reveals its true nature- a right-wing military dictatorship that is as disdainful of democracy as it is of equal justice.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship invites those who still believe in democracy to renounce military rule and join us in our call for immediate, internationally monitored general elections. This weekend, we will take to the streets of Bangkok armed with nothing but truth and our sincerity. We will demand an end to the era of military-aristocratic interference in our government, as well as the recognition by such forces that the People are the sovereign rulers of Thailand. We do so in the hope that there will come a time when its citizens will no longer fear oppression or disenfranchisement, but will live as free equals in a truly democratic constitutional monarchy.

If our motives are to be questioned, let those who question them come and see our rally with their own eyes. If our objectives are to be opposed, let them be opposed at the ballot box as in any other civilised nation, not through the suspension of our human rights to free speech or assembly. But if the Abhisit government is as much a puppet for a hardline military junta as we suspect, let it continue down the path it appears to have chosen. But let it not be mistaken in the belief that the Thai people will thank them for it in the end.

[webfact]

Peace-keeping Command to set up at 11th Infantry Regiment

The authorities will set up the Peace-keeping Operations Command, also known as the government's war room, at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkhen, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Wednesday.

The command, under Suthep's leadership, has formed by the Internal Security Operations Command, to supervise the security measures related to the red-shirt rally.

Suthep warned the red shirts that the authorities would not tolerate the disruption of traffic, the blockade of government installations and the seizure of airports.

-- The Nation 2010-03-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[SomTumTiger]

Here's a media release from the UDD International Media spokesperson, Sean Boonpracong.

Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/UDDThailand

UDD Media release- For immediate release

THAILAND: THE STATE OF FEAR

George Orwell taught us that, "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act," and in Thailand, such revolutionaries are to be done away with. The twisted path toward democracy in Thailand is littered with the bodies of the honest. Today, we recognise that these people were guilty only of refusing to remain silent- but at the time the authorities claimed they were dangerous agitators who had to be suppressed for the sake of national security. They were branded malcontents and traitors, and enemies of the Nation, Religion and the Monarchy, so as to gain the peoples silent consent as they were arrested or killed. In the land where history tends to repeat itself, these accusations remain the weapons of choice for the dictators who fear democracy.

It appears that democracy is the very thing that the Abhisit regime fears the most. It masks this reality behind a wall of deceit and a baffling array of stunts aimed at turning Thais against Thais- but people are beginning to see through their insincerity, and the wall of deceit is beginning to crumble. As the wall crumbles, so the regime becomes more fearful, and in its fear, it reveals its true nature- a right-wing military dictatorship that is as disdainful of democracy as it is of equal justice.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship invites those who still believe in democracy to renounce military rule and join us in our call for immediate, internationally monitored general elections. This weekend, we will take to the streets of Bangkok armed with nothing but truth and our sincerity. We will demand an end to the era of military-aristocratic interference in our government, as well as the recognition by such forces that the People are the sovereign rulers of Thailand. We do so in the hope that there will come a time when its citizens will no longer fear oppression or disenfranchisement, but will live as free equals in a truly democratic constitutional monarchy.

If our motives are to be questioned, let those who question them come and see our rally with their own eyes. If our objectives are to be opposed, let them be opposed at the ballot box as in any other civilised nation, not through the suspension of our human rights to free speech or assembly. But if the Abhisit government is as much a puppet for a hardline military junta as we suspect, let it continue down the path it appears to have chosen. But let it not be mistaken in the belief that the Thai people will thank them for it in the end.

The UDD is for democracy.

Even John can't really believe that. I know nobody else does, even the reds themselves. UDD is for Thakin's Power and Money. Everything else is just bullsh#t lol.

[mazeltov]

In this one you state that "they" (the government) should have done something about the yellows at the airport and referred to them as terrorists. They (the government) were NOT the government when the Yellows were at the airport. The yellows were not terrorists. The thing about an internet discussion is that when you say something that is wrong, a lie, or just stupid, people will call you on it and show why (like here).

no i didn't. i didn't say the yellows are terrorists or claimed the the government in power then is the same like now.

i only pointed out that it is not totally off topic to bring the 'yellows' into the discussion.

anyway such kind of bickering is too boring for me. that is the downside of ' internet discussion' - the stupid people trying to be witty (like here).

[mazeltov]

The authorities will set up the Peace-keeping Operations Command, also known as the government's war room, ...

Suthep warned the red shirts that the authorities would not tolerate the disruption of traffic, the blockade of government installations and the seizure of airports.

-- The Nation 2010-03-10

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

5555

"Gentlemen. You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeqVGP-GPM

not to tolerate the blockade of government installations and not tolerate the seizure of airports sounds like a hint or promise that a major cabinet reshuffle will coming.

lovely The Nation, i like the ambiguity of this news article.

[jdinasia]

In this one you state that "they" (the government) should have done something about the yellows at the airport and referred to them as terrorists. They (the government) were NOT the government when the Yellows were at the airport. The yellows were not terrorists. The thing about an internet discussion is that when you say something that is wrong, a lie, or just stupid, people will call you on it and show why (like here).

no i didn't. i didn't say the yellows are terrorists or claimed the the government in power then is the same like now.

i only pointed out that it is not totally off topic to bring the 'yellows' into the discussion.

anyway such kind of bickering is too boring for me. that is the downside of ' internet discussion' - the stupid people trying to be witty (like here).

I think you need to go back to the post you quoted and read again .... granted you quoted both my post and someone that I was contradicting when you jumped in but you didn't clearly state your position so it appeared to me that yours and the guy I was correcting (and you quoted) was the same

[Jolene]

As opposed to all these expressed security concerns by the Govt, in part to discredit this rally, and in part to re-direct attention away from the intended purpose of this rally, I am sure their survival is uppermost in their mind.

What is the purpose of this rally? To bring down the government, bring back Thaksin and give his money back. What have some of the red leaders been saying in the last week? "Bring your weapons". "There is going to be violence".

This opposition to an imposed Govt. and PM was originally created as an unintended outcome of the coup, and has been building ever since.

The coup just woke up the silent majority much to the chagrin of the coup perpetrators. It is not what they had in mind.

This building challenge to the legitimacy of this Govt. is just reaching a logical crescendo this weekend, and depending on what happens, will just continue to grow.

Please educate me regarding how this is "an imposed" government and why they aren't legitimate.

If you're a reds supporter, I assume the next statment ("created as an unintended outcome of the coup") is a typo, since most reds supporters would say that is exactly what was intended.

But besides that, the coup was to get rid of Thaksin, who was caretaker PM because his party could not form a coalition government after the previous election. While caretaker, he should have organised new elections but had already taken 6 months to do so and was trying to get laws changed so he could become PM without having new elections.

Wouldn't it just be easier to let transparent and scrupulously fair electoral processes sort this out, with guarantees from all sides that the loser will remain the loser, insuring that the media gives equal coverage to all competing sides.

This would eliminate all the hoopla, and a Govt. hanging on in an unseemly manner.

It would indeed be easier to have a "transparent and scrupulously fair" election. There is very little chance of this actually happening at the moment though. A Thaksin-puppet party was banned by the courts because of electoral fraud (vote buying) by the executives of the party. (A couple of Democrat MPs are also awaiting court cases, but not the whole Democrat party.)

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my Post AnotherPeter.

You asked several questions. Some we will just agree to disagree about, so I wont bore you with my biased rationale.

But some I can answer:

Q.What is the purpose of this rally?

-

The UDD have publicised their six principles, which should answer this question in part and are the underpinnings of this rally:

#1- Achieving the goal of establishing a genuine democracy........(then it goes on to very positively discuss the role of...........A subject I dont want to address here).

#2 - Dissolving the 2007 Constitution and restoring the 1997 Constitution, which may then be amended through a transparent, consultative and democratic process.

#3 - Bringing Thai's together in an effort to solve our political and socio-economic problems, recognizing that such efforts must stem from the power of the people.

#4 - Implementing the rule of law, due process and a system of equal justice for all, free of any obstructions or double-standards.

#5 - Uniting all Thai's who love democracy, equality and equal justice within all facets of society, in an effort to deconstruct and move beyond the Amartyatippattai (Aristocracy) system.

#6 - Using exclusively non-violent means to achieve our objectives.

Q. Please educate me....imposed Govt....legitimacy:

I expect we will disagree about this. The current PM has never won an election through a National Electoral process, not even close. The Parliamentary procedures that put this PM and Govt. in power left them with an illegitemate status. I have heard it argued by my friend Animatic, that "horse trading" occurs in all Parliamentary procedures such as this one. It is my contention that did not occur here. That there were outside forces associated with the Amartaya that exerted undue and extra-ordinary pressures not found in mature Parliaments. The only nation that comes to mind (and there are plenty more) where the Military is so involved is in Turkey.

Q. You and I agree about the election necessity. The only place I would differ with you, is in suggesting that "vote buying" occurred on only one side of the political divide. That is not the case, and to use this as a cudgel over the head of only one side, is what double-standards are all about, and is the MAIN issue that has the UDD consistently incensed.

Vote buying should be criminalized, with equal criminality prejudice assigned to the buyer and seller. Vote buying can be eradicated if there is a will from all sides. I dont see that will being exercised. I only see "vote buying" being used as a 'red herring' to bring into question electoral democracy, and that coming from one side of the political divide,

[anotherpeter]

Q.What is the purpose of this rally? - <snip UDD rally purposes>.

They fail to mention bringing back Thaksin and giving all his money back ... which is what most anti-reds are the most anti about. The red leaders announcements to "bring your weapons" etc doesn't really show the aim of peaceful demonstrations.

Please educate me....imposed Govt....legitimacy: I expect we will disagree about this. The current PM has never won an election through a National Electoral process, not even close. The Parliamentary procedures that put this PM and Govt. in power left them with an illegitemate status. I have heard it argued by my friend Animatic, that "horse trading" occurs in all Parliamentary procedures such as this one. It is my contention that did not occur here. That there were outside forces associated with the Amartaya that exerted undue and extra-ordinary pressures not found in mature Parliaments. The only nation that comes to mind (and there are plenty more) where the Military is so involved is in Turkey.

The Democrat MPs were all elected during the same election as the PPP MPs. The PPP formed a coalition with smaller parties (that had campaigned that they would not form a coalition with the PPP). Once the PPP was disbanned **by the courts**, the Democrats (being the party with the second highest vote/MP count) formed a coalition with the smaller parties to form the current government. I think that sounds reasonably legitimate.

Q. You and I agree about the election necessity. The only place I would differ with you, is in suggesting that "vote buying" occurred on only one side of the political divide. That is not the case, and to use this as a cudgel over the head of only one side, is what double-standards are all about, and is the MAIN issue that has the UDD consistently incensed.

Vote buying should be criminalized, with equal criminality prejudice assigned to the buyer and seller. Vote buying can be eradicated if there is a will from all sides. I dont see that will being exercised. I only see "vote buying" being used as a 'red herring' to bring into question electoral democracy, and that coming from one side of the political divide,

I did mention that some democrats MPs are currently facing the courts for electoral fraud (not sure of the exact details). But that isn't the executive of the party, as done by the PPP. From everything I have read, including first hand accounts, I do believe the level of vote buying by the PPP was at a much higher level than the Democrats.

Criminality on buyer and seller would be a good idea. Education on democracy for some people would go a long way too. A lot of people in Thailand, particularly the uneducated poor, are new to this democracy thing, so it can be easily corrupted.

Give the Democrats a chance to hang themselves. Elections are due in 2011. They appear to be doing a good job at the moment. If they start delaying elections, then maybe I will become anti-democrat (not pro-red ... unless they dump Thaksin ofcourse).

[johncitizen]

What if the elections were to be held immediately and were internationally monitored? Would you support them then?

[otherstuff1957]

. The current PM has never won an election through a National Electoral process, not even close.

Never won an election? Here's a quote from Wiki:

Abhisit began his political career in the 1992 general elections that followed the coup, becoming a Bangkok MP for the Democrat Party. He was re-elected to the same seat in the 1995 and 1996 general elections. In the elections of 2001 and 2005, he returned to parliament as a Party List MP for the Democrat Party.

That looks like 5 national elections that he won. As Thailand has a Parliamentary system, any MP can become PM. After all, Somchai was never elected as PM either, did you object when he was sworn in?

If the Reds do succeed in toppling the government, Chalerm will probably be the next PM, unless they give the post to Banharn or Nevin in exchange for their support. If this does happen, they will be legally elected PMs, just as Abhisit is now.

As for the six points, I am fully in agreement with them... I just don't trust the group of amoral sharks that lead the redshirts to implement them!

[chantorn]

. The current PM has never won an election through a National Electoral process, not even close.

Never won an election? Here's a quote from Wiki:

Abhisit began his political career in the 1992 general elections that followed the coup, becoming a Bangkok MP for the Democrat Party. He was re-elected to the same seat in the 1995 and 1996 general elections. In the elections of 2001 and 2005, he returned to parliament as a Party List MP for the Democrat Party.

That looks like 5 national elections that he won. As Thailand has a Parliamentary system, any MP can become PM. After all, Somchai was never elected as PM either, did you object when he was sworn in?

If the Reds do succeed in toppling the government, Chalerm will probably be the next PM, unless they give the post to Banharn or Nevin in exchange for their support. If this does happen, they will be legally elected PMs, just as Abhisit is now.

As for the six points, I am fully in agreement with them... I just don't trust the group of amoral sharks that lead the redshirts to implement them!

I'll have Chalem any day.