Thai Election Commission Calls For Dissolution Of Democrat Party

[nakachalet]

a piece of interesting news perhaps....

yellow shirts have already been gathering as of last saturday night in KABEI....

their stand this time would be to protect all thai people and thailand from a handful of gangster-like group of outlaw....

and they specifically stated that they are not coming out to protect the current govt....

we'll see.... what develops subsequently....

[spongeman]

Let the chaos reign baby...........

[sjaak327]

I seem to remember that the PAD leadership also had arrest warrents on their heads and they did exactly the same thing during the protests.

Actually the PAD members DID show up in court, were released on bail and are awaiting the slow wheels of the thai justice system to grind forward enough for their cases to be heard. Or did you miss all that. ...

Oh and BTW the word is warrants, NOT 'warrents' <sic> it's called arrest warrants. .. Know what sa-pell check is?

Sadly the thais I've talked with (which I do every day) seem to exhibit far less savvy in recent political history than most (please note the use of the word MOST) posters here on T/V. I find that in and of itself totally pathetic.

They spout party line rhetoric, no matter if they're red, yellow sky blue-pink, zebra striped or the ever popular dark blue aka; "friends of Newin".

Thanks for the spelling lesson, I fail to see why it was needed though, it certainly wasn't needed to get your point across.

It was needed to put you in your place!

Tod-daniels is simply making the point, that he and the other supporters of the Dems/elite are just so superior to you common red-lovers.

How did you gather that I was a red supporter ?

No need to put anybody in it's place, no need to show arrogance. Superior don't make me laugh.

[djayz]

Thai at Heart: IF that was smooth Thailand, I would hate to see the alternative...

Abhisit will go down in history as the most disastrous and inept PM in Thai history.

Pity really, I actually like Abhisit - he seemed to be a good PM - unfortunately he didn't really have time to dedicate himself to running the country because of this political problem. I am sure he would have done a decent job of running the country though. A highly amicable chap.

[animatic]

^coup - you won't see any election if that ever happens. Not to mention not certain it would go so well like last time, judging from what happened friday.

Can't see a coup when the Army know the resistance is out there. Sure in those circumstances you can round them up at whatever cost. Then the nightmare begins, they take off the red shirts and melt away. Surface to attack an army post there, bomb a city hall, ambush a convoy. Trying to prevent Thailand slipping into a guerrilla war will almost certainly fail if there is a coup.

I doubt you are wrong there.

[djayz]

Banana Republic.

That's EXACTLY what I thought when I read this article... but it could be a master stroke (as others here on TV have previously pointed out) on Abhisits' account. Hope so... he deserves a real crack at it (running the country that is)...

[nakachalet]

hi abrak

have you actually and personally read an original THAI source that stated that the demo is destined to be dissolved....

or have you personally heard from a primary thai news source having stated to that effect....

i also have asked webfact, the originator of this news worthy column, to as soon as possible provide a primary thai news source....

i could have missed the original thai news source during the last few politically convulsing days in thailand....

for what it is worth.... in thai news media.... it was reported that many politically active groups.... are already calling for the govt to replace general AnuPong PowChinDar--after he made the statement that....

the current political turmoil and the video tape evidence showing several person dressed in black with red handkerchiefs protrudingand--carrying machine guns and m16...

and shooting at both the soldiers under AnuPong and the redshirts--does not concern him nor his army....

the video tape evidences were submitted by foreign correspondents incidentally....

one significant still photograph was captured by the now dead japanese journalist.... showing at least one person standing among redshirts and in front of him.... carrying an automatic rifle.... personally, it is remotely possible that because he witnessed and captured something which he should not.... could possibly led to his very untimely dead....

with all due respect.... and my deepest condolence to his family members.... many investigative units would surely appreciate the crucial evidence that he captured....

All seems like some remarkable coincidence to me.

one thing, as I see it, was that the Democrats didn't want to hold and election until the constitution was changed. The current constitution was created by the military after the last coup and essentially undermines the democratic process through placing power with the judiciary and protecting the military. I don't believe any political party actually preferred it to the 1997 constitution and say the democrats only urged people to vote for it in order to get an election held.

And with it Samak is banned for having a cooking program. TRT are dissolved, 125 MPs banned for 5 years but probably the most corrupt, Newin, seems to come back to become the key power player. Now Thailand's oldest, most respectable political party is to be dissolved for some donation made 5 years ago. Democracy is not being built it is being undermined.

To me it is perfectly conceivable that the military and judiciary like the constitution just how it is. The army I am sure is not the least bit concerned about the reshuffle as they know whoever is in charge, and it may well be them, they will definitely be calling the shots.

[GungaDin]

what a load of crock.... pathetic

The most thoroughly thought through statement of the day and my nomination for post of the year 2010.

You joined yesterday....... "my nomination for post of the year 2010" :D

Yeah, right!

Red Kwai, a good nic for you!

[hextac]

All we need now is a significantly perceived external threat that will unify the country...

Northwoods 101

[djayz]

If the charges are true, then Abhisit benefited from the illegal acts and as such he has to resign.

Where or where have all the hypocrites gone? it wasn't too long ago that the anti red shirt groups were insisting that the various PMs on the opposing side hd to go for far worse crimes, like Samak's cooking show (fiend that he was - cooking on national TV, the horror).

How will TV's bully brigade spin tis to excuse the Dems and of course find a way to blame it on Thaksin. The Dems played hardball and got the hit right back at the pitcher's nuts. This is going to be painful to watch.

This is so funny... where has JDasia, jingthing and animatic gone? silence is golden, golden... must be a Thaksin plot right? and the rest of us don't understand right? wrong!

Living in a country that is slowly falling apart (and may even be on the path to civil war) is anything BUT "funny". Not for me, not for most of the foreigners living here and definately not for the Thais who were born here, grew up here, have homes and families, etc. here! TV is just a forum for us to express our opinions BUT this sh*t is for real!

[djayz]

Who is indeed running the country.

Top elites finally cut Abhisit lose.

Reds are right. Thailand has never established a real democracy.

One after another. PM are fully controlled by people behind the curtain.

Thais do need to be free.

That is fair enough - but HOW does one get these people out from behind the curtains? They are embedded in the whole network/system/background - they are the fabric... How does one remove them (elite)?

[tatt]

Abhisit is, I believe, a very clever man surrounded by not so clever people. I do wonder if this is a master stroke? The EC give their decision a week early! Why? I gues Abhisit has either asked them what the decision is and said announce it, OR he has asked them to deliver a 'guilty' verdict and they can sort it out in the courts in 6 months time. Either way, get everybody out of BKK now! Whatever, he must stop PAD demonstrating on the 18th or the country will end up in Civil War for sure.

I am afraid that the tragedy of all of this could be too much for the Father of the nation.

PAD will lose badly if they have to fight against the reds coz they don't have back up illegal army and weapons like the reds do..

[djayz]

The Democrats will lose the next election surely. Abhisit should have called for elections right when Thaksin was kicked out of Thailand and convicted by the courts. Abhisit had the momentum then and Thaksin was down. Now Thaksin has the momentum and the Democrats are down. If elections are held soon, Puea Thai will win with a landslide, because they have shown that the Democrats are corrupt.

"Now Thaksin has the momentum"... May I ask how did you come to this conclusion? What a load of crock...

[kissdani]

If one were to accept the red analysis (at least as articulated by some in the leadership) there is an 'establishment' in this country that 'takes care' of the society- and which is content to permit elected governments to operate -until its own priviledge and/or security is threatened (and both require a reasonably functional society) -

The irony (among several) is that the red leadership actually views this as 'justice'- when in fact, it MAY be merely one more instance of a cunning application of 'law' in the interest, not of 'justice'- but expedience.

Hmm, to much ifs.

The EC isn't political motivated, the court is firm and fair.

If the red leaders would it call something else than 'fair justice' they would risk up to 5 year in jail. Guess where a couple of the pending court cases coming from.

Now the Dems and some of their supporter will realize what firm and fair means. Particularly what firm means. A 4:1 decision wow, for the PPP was it 3:2.

In the end same same, justice will be done and the country will move forward, no question.

EC is not politically motivated? I think more than a few people would disagree.

Including me. So Sally, back to the Anupong/Red Shirt thing. It's hard to picture in my mind. Can you flesh it out a little? Like, where does that leave Prem and the "republicans"?

I can only repeat, the EC is firm and fair.

[xenomorph]

Living in a country that is slowly falling apart (and may even be on the path to civil war) is anything BUT "funny". Not for me, not for most of the foreigners living here and definately not for the Thais who were born here, grew up here, have homes and families, etc. here! TV is just a forum for us to express our opinions BUT this sh*t is for real!

A couple of years ago a friend of mine, which I learned to know some years before I moved here, came and visited me at my house where I live in Thailand. He had a Thai girlfriend which he actually met in back home. (A smart move and probably the least expensive way to have a Thai GF, finding one in your own country where she already have created her own environment and also got a work etc.) I asked her how she like come visiting her own home country after living abroad for so many years. As I was still quite happy to stay here at that time, I was rather amazed by her reply. She told me that the only reason she'll ever do come back and visit this "retarded country" (her own words), is because her family is still living here. If she would be able to bring her mother and brother abroad, she wouldn't come here anymore.

A paradox... Lots of westerners are doing whatever they can to be able to stay and live in this country. Lots of Thais are doing whatever they can to get out of here and live elsewhere.

Edited April 12, 2010 by xenomorph

[Richard W]

Its too bad Thai politics isn't followed more closely internationally. It sure is a grade A soap opera.

I use to enjoy the farce - until Thaksin seriously threatened freedom of speech.

[Supernova]

So are the red shirts going to leave now or what? this still has to go further to courts so it could still be a long time before house is dissolved and it could turn out that the ruling is overruled.

???

They will leave when dissolution of parliament is confirmed.

Thailand is bigger than any one man, including relatively good men like Abhisit.

Likewise, I had considered Abhisit to be a good man until he decided to serve Prem and the elitist agenda. This allegiance ultimately led to his rise to power, which has backfired apparently and is now paving the way towards his downfall.

Things would have turned out quite differently had he not fall prey to this group of people.

Don't worry too much about Abhisit. There is still some more to go. He is a young man. He can come back now or later. He will be fine. You will see.

Abhisit signed his own death warrant the day he declared "State of Emergency".

And with blood on his hands, there's no way back for him now or ever. He's finished, period.

I reapet my question to the red supporters. Cany you answer it or are you to bust pukin g?

Shall the red leaders have immunity?

Jatuporn has said so himself that he'd be willing to turn himself in IF the authorities agree to offer him and other UDD leaders the same treatment as their PAD counterparts. << Fair enough I'd say, the authorities cannot be accused of having double standards if this were to actually happen.

[LaoPo]

Are cracks emerging in Thailand's military?

By Vaudine England

BBC News, Bangkok

When a prime minister needs to hold a special TV broadcast to assure watchers that his government is united and in control, it is often the opposite message that is conveyed.

Far from celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year, Thailand's top generals and politicians are locked in dissension - trying to explain the failure and high cost of Saturday's crackdown on the red-shirted opposition, and trying to work out what should happen next.

The relatively dove-like commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Gen Anupong Paojinda, seemed in no doubt.

Gen Anupong has said he favours a political solution to the crisis

"The best solution of this is to dissolve the House. I don't want to intervene in politics but I guess the end will be a House dissolution.

"Political problems must be solved by political means. House dissolution is a solution but that must be done after a clear time-frame is set."

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, by contrast, insisted his government, the army, the police and his coalition partners were united and doing "good co-operative work".

He said his government was investigating the causes of the killings on Saturday night - the latest toll is 21 dead and almost 900 people injured.

He also put forward the idea that among the peaceful demonstrations was a hard core of "terrorists" who had to be distinguished from the "innocents".

'Badly planned'

That idea - of a mysterious "third hand" - usually accuses a wayward major general of provoking violence through unexplained grenade tossings or shootings.

Certainly various military figures - and soldiers interviewed as they recovered in hospital - say they were unprepared for an armed force among the protesters.

The military analyst, Wassana Nanuam, writing in the Bangkok Post, quoted unnamed colonels as saying the crackdown had been badly planned, badly timed and put tired soldiers at the mercy of protesters.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he had issued orders for soldiers to be equipped only with shields, batons and tear gas.

"They were unarmed, so some of them were killed," he said.

This conflicts with reports from a BBC correspondent on the scene who saw soldiers carrying and shooting high velocity guns.

Behind the propaganda war lies the larger issue of the military's distress about where it now finds itself.

"There are some divisions in the armed forces," said Prof Surachart Bumrungsuk, a military and politics expert at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

"Some units don't want to be involved in such a crackdown, others wanted it to be more assertive.

"It is no secret that General Prayuth Chan-ocha would have liked a harder crackdown," he said.

Gen Prayuth is the deputy armed forces commander and supposedly in line to take the top army job after Gen Anupong's retirement in September.

That transition could be derailed if a military-friendly government is no longer in place to oversee it.

"Gen Anupong has kept a relatively low profile since the 2006 coup and steered clear of the crackdown by his subordinates against the pro-reds governments in 2008," notes Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Centre on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.

“ Saturday night made it clear that there are elements within the military providing the opposition with tactical information ”

Anthony Davis, Janes Defence Weekly

"In April 2009 during the reds' uprising, he was nominally in charge but Gen Prayuth appeared effectively in command of dispersing the red protesters.

"Gen Anupong's conciliatory words this time are thus unsurprising. He understandably wants a soft landing after his mandatory retirement on 30 September," he said.

By contrast, Gen Prayuth and the "tiger soldiers", otherwise known as the "eastern tigers" - the 2nd, 12th and the 21st infantry divisions - are seen as more hardline.

"Dissension in the army stems from resentment against these privileged soldiers whose career mobility is more promising. It would be unsurprising if other army units would oppose Gen Prayuth's hard-line approach," believes Prof Thitinan.

There is also a new concern within the military, not of division at the top but of a divorce between the top brass and the ordinary soldiers.

"The fear on Friday was that they might lose control of the rank and file. That was new, and very, very frightening [and contributed to] the stupid, chaotic blood-letting on Saturday," says political analyst Chris Baker.

Limited options

Where this leaves Mr Abhisit remains the question as Thailand heads into Songkran, normally a week of water-throwing street parties.

Many analysts believe he is running out of options.

"If he persists in his smug defiance, more violence and mayhem can be expected," said Prof Thitinan.

"His best bet is to set up an expeditious election timetable and bow out, perhaps followed by a sojourn abroad for rehabilitation."

Certainly the deep divisions in Thai society - the military included - are not going away.

"Saturday night made it clear that there are elements within the military providing the opposition with tactical information and that on the other side of the divide there are elements with good military training and equipment," says Anthony Davis, an analyst with Janes Defence Weekly.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia...fic/8615910.stm

Published: 2010/04/12 14:20:59 GMT

LaoPo

[britmaveric]

Nice Article LaoPao!!!

[brahmburgers]

Are cracks emerging in Thailand's military?

By Vaudine England

BBC News, Bangkok

"Saturday night made it clear that there are elements within the military providing the opposition with tactical information and that on the other side of the divide there are elements with good military training and equipment," says Anthony Davis, an analyst with Janes Defence Weekly.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia...fic/8615910.stm

Published: 2010/04/12 14:20:59 GMT

LaoPo

Thanks LaoPo for forwarding that. There are many factors in the fractious events of past weeks in Bkk, not least are the military factors. I say 'factors' in the plural, because there were military on both sides of the confrontation on Saturday.

Despite the Reds earlier insistence their rally would be non-violence, there were Red factions itching for a fight. I knew it at the time, and it's plain as day now, that letting Se Daeng and his military punks out of custody, right before the rallies, was a dangerous decision. Shit would have hit the fan regardless, but allowing someone like Daeng to roam free, who has access to military weapons and is happy/eager to use them (and pass them out to others) was woefully wrong. Mixing someone like Se Daeng in with irresponsible hot-headed Red Shirt leaders shouting from stages is a recipe for serious harm.

Where are the 10,000 monks who were promised by Red Shirt leaders? Well, a few guys dressed in robes showed up, but any real monks would have wisely stayed away.

It now looks likely that elections will be held soon. Hopefully, this time around, candidates can try something new: CAMPAIGNING. Hopefully they'll state their platforms and debate the issues without fear of defamation suits. Heck, they might even have some community meetings to gauge what the people think. Oh sorry, this is Thailand. The little people don't have any input in policies. The leaders tell the people what they're supposed to want, then pay them to vote their way, and that's it. The Reds are as guilty of that as any other faction. Just look at how the Reds and Thaksin conduct matters. Do they ever hold discussions/meetings with the little people they claim to represent? If you say 'yes', please cite one instance/reference of a group meeting of Thaksin/Red supporters which wasn't just talking/shouting into a microphone by the people on stage - telling the others what to think or how to vote. So much for democracy.

[Jingthing]

Who were the snipers? (Short but not sweet.) Does anybody know?

Elections coming? Yes. Really soon? I seriously doubt it!

Edited April 12, 2010 by Jingthing

[BigC]

Seems like corruption is an everyday occurence in thai politics. Even Abhisit is not squeaky clean. Is anyone?

what other reason would anyone really want to go into pollitics. i mean look at ourselbes. Gordern Brown and his chums been outed for corruption. Geaorge Bush.

Mr Putin

Bellasconi.

the list goes through even PM in the world but u have to give a little bit more powers to people that run the country otherwise things like this happen. did see anyone kidnapping people and closing down airports when the british polliticians were outed. maybe we should have done but lets face it england ain't really enghland no more.

Thing is PMs and pollitians have to have slightly different laws than the rest of us to prevent anorchy. or we might aswell just have anorchy. which is fine with me

[britmaveric]

Who were the snipers? (Short but not sweet.) Does anybody know?

Elections coming? Yes. Really soon? I seriously doubt it!

1. Thai Military

2. Red Shirts

3. Black Shirts

4. Blue Shirts

5. PAD

6. Unknown?????

Tend to think option 1 is most likely... think military meant to pick off a few reds and get panic to set in and the red shirts to retreat. It didnt quite work out as they planned.

Think elections will be within 3months, after the house is dissolved and Abhisist govt resigns after Songkran.

Edited April 12, 2010 by britmaveric

[yoshiwara]

Who were the snipers? (Short but not sweet.) Does anybody know?

Elections coming? Yes. Really soon? I seriously doubt it!

1. Thai Military

2. Red Shirts

3. Black Shirts

4. Blue Shirts

5. PAD

6. Unknown?????

Tend to think option 1 is most likely... think military meant to pick off a few reds and get panic to set in and the red shirts to retreat. It didnt quite work out as they planned.

Think elections will be within 3months, after the house is dissolved and Abhisist govt resigns after Songkran.

Well fancy that! I nearly dropped my red petrol bomb, sorry peaceful clapper at the surprise of your suggestion.

I am sure your thinking will meet the approval of Mr Thaksin.

You know, the man who continues to lie about last Songkran red violence.

That would have been who exactly in your book who did it?

If you are going to lie do it well.

[Jingthing]

Not interested in BIASED ideas on who the snipers are. I mean I can give you a biased idea of who they were. It COULD have been pro reds making sure they got some martyrs as it has been clear for weeks now that the reds were looking for martyrs to be used as a catalyst/propaganda tool to reach their goals. But that theory is as good (or bad) as a biased theory from a pro red saying it was the army.

Is there are any objective info out there yet pointing to the truth about the snipers? Am I wrong that the TRUTH about who the snipers really were (and who ordered them to be there) is important?

Edited April 12, 2010 by Jingthing

[KCPhuket]

End of part one.

Unfortunately there seems to be no end and no parts, only a circle of sht. Until Thailand can establish a government that is stable long enough to effect some constitutional changes, we will see an endless repeat of the last few years. The square-faced man no doubt believes he will one day be PM again! A two-term limit for PM would be a good first step to prevent a life-long paid-for dictator.

[britmaveric]

^all speculation Jing. Personally don't think Reds have the skill to do this. This was obviously a professional and military.

Some as suggest it was a faction of rogue Maj. Gen. Khattiya who red shirts kicked out a while back. (e.g. Ronin Warriors)

Also heard Newin's blue shirts might be responsible as he would have gained much if they can kick the Dems out.

Strangely enough - the PAD. No clue why they would side with the Red Shirts in this which seems very unlikely bed fellow.

Edited April 12, 2010 by britmaveric

[LaoPo]

Not interested in BIASED ideas on who the snipers are. I mean I can give you a biased idea of who they were. It COULD have been pro reds making sure they got some martyrs as it has been clear for weeks now that the reds were looking for martyrs to be used as a catalyst/propaganda tool to reach their goals. But that theory is as good (or bad) as a biased theory from a pro red saying it was the army.

Is there are any objective info out there yet pointing to the truth about the snipers? Am I wrong that the TRUTH about who the snipers really were (and who ordered them to be there) is important?

It's naive to think we will ever know the -real- truth....the very strong powers, steering the elements within the (divided) army are behind the (in)famous Thai velvet curtains.

The interests, assets, companies etc. the establishment families are controlling are so huge that it is impossible to comprehend. Those same families have their own family-members in the army at high positions.

It is very dark behind those curtains and impossible for us, Farang, to see, watch or understand what kind of mega powers are pulling the strings right now.

In the end it will be settled the Thai way and I'm afraid that in a year or so nothing much will have changed.

Oh yes, we will have a kind of new government, maybe controlled by the army again in a year or so but the powers will stay more or less in the same places.

The poor, this time, will loose again, until something unavoidable happens.....that could take a few months or a few years...but it WILL happen:

Than....the people will march again 'till they win.

"Saturday night made it clear that there are elements within the military providing the opposition with tactical information and that on the other side of the divide there are elements with good military training and equipment," says Anthony Davis, an analyst with Janes Defence Weekly.

from: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Electio...53#entry3501353

LaoPo

[maccaroni man]

If the charges are true, then Abhisit benefited from the illegal acts and as such he has to resign.

Where or where have all the hypocrites gone? it wasn't too long ago that the anti red shirt groups were insisting that the various PMs on the opposing side hd to go for far worse crimes, like Samak's cooking show (fiend that he was - cooking on national TV, the horror).

How will TV's bully brigade spin tis to excuse the Dems and of course find a way to blame it on Thaksin. The Dems played hardball and got the hit right back at the pitcher's nuts. This is going to be painful to watch.

This is so funny... where has JDasia, jingthing and animatic gone? silence is golden, golden... must be a Thaksin plot right? and the rest of us don't understand right? wrong!

Living in a country that is slowly falling apart (and may even be on the path to civil war) is anything BUT "funny". Not for me, not for most of the foreigners living here and definately not for the Thais who were born here, grew up here, have homes and families, etc. here! TV is just a forum for us to express our opinions BUT this sh*t is for real!

agreed, the reds with all their noise and threats in bkk seem to have made many thais here in the south angry enough to want to fight, it would be an understatement that red isnt the color to wear around samui. with tension like this i would not be surprised to see thai civilians fighting in the streets.

[tracymeaw]

The timing is interesting to say the least. I don't pretend to know what is going on with the EC. My position has consistently been anti-red/anti-Thaksin rather than portraying the democrats or Abhisit as perfect saints. If they indeed violated the laws of Thailand, justice should be served. No complaints from the reds about double standards on this, now are there? What about the arrest warrants for the red leaders? Shouldn't they turn themselves in? The reds are OK with the law when it serves them, but when it doesn't, they feel immune to it. Now that is a double standard, eh?

A side note, whatever political system Thailand has somehow doesn't seem to working.

Who are you to complain about double standard? Jumping ship, are we?

So it is OK for pro reds to complain about double standards, but anti-reds can't? Is that what you are saying? You can't jump a ship you were never on. My focus has been anti-red; I remain anti-red. If the reds CHEER WILDLY when the Thai law is applied to the democrats party, why don't they respect the law in relation to their leaders, pretty much all of them have warrants for arrest they are evading, not to mention Thaksin who has fled the country evading his already decided sentence?

Try not to take this so hard... on the bright side, you might be able to get a few baht for your Abhisit action figurines and autographed photos in TV classified section.

I’m sure you would agree that all redshirts, redshirt leaders, supporters of redshirts, and of course Mr. Thaksin should be pardoned of any alleged wrong doing and receive complete and total amnesty… as did the 2006 coup makers and yellowshirt airport terrorist. You're right, we don't need any more double standards.