PM Abhisit To Propose Reconciliation Plan, Shorter Timeframe For House Dissolution

[webfact]

PM to propose reconciliation plan, possible shorter timeframe for House dissolution

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva told the Japanese press Sunday he will propose a reconciliation plan to resolve the political turmoil in which the timeframe for House dissolution may be reduced to less than nine months.

Mr Abhisit was interviewed by Japanese media including NHK, Kyodo, Asahi, Yomiuri Shimbun and Jiji Press in Bangkok Sunday. He said he would propose a reconciliation plan in the next few days.The timeframe for House dissolution in his reconciliation plan may be cut to less than nine months.

Nine months is the original timeframe he earlier proposed during talks in March with top Red Shirt leaders in an attempt to find a solution for the political crisis, but it is far from what the Red Shirts are seeking and two rounds of talks between two sides failed to end the conflict.

The Red Shirts have encamped at Ratchaprasong, a high-end commercial area since April 3, demanding that the prime minister dissolve the House and call a snap election.

“We believe we can do that (easing the political upheaval) by doing two things simultaneously. First, there is a political solution of some kind of a road map to achieve reconciliation….and secondly is that we have to make sure that the law is upheld, ” he said in the interview on Sunday.

Mr Abhisit said his government has not ignored resolving the conflicts. He did not order dispersal of the protest at Ratchaprasong as innocent people are at the rally site and could be hurt in the process.

He said the latest situation did not warrant a declaration of martial law, but Mr Abhisit went on to say he would help investors -- including Japanese investors -- who have been affected by the protest.

Asked about the cause of death of a Japanese national who was a television cameraman for the Reuters news agency, he said an investigation is needed and it is under way. He said he did not personally know where the bullet came from.

The Thai prime minister also rejected a proposal for a foreign mediator, saying the ongoing problem is a Thai domestic issue.

Asked about investigation regarding anti-monarchy cases, he said there is evidence of the movement insulting the monarchy and giving false information to the public. More evidence is needed to handle this problem.

Regarding the Democrat Party disbandment case, forwarded to the Constitutional Court by the Election Commission, he asserted that the party’s legal affairs specialists are preparing to contest the charges in court. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-02

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[321niti123]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

[elcent]

The earlier house dissolution would come any way earlier, but this is how the army spokesman try to save his face.

after all there are billions of $$$ invested in Thailand by foreign companies, the only branches that function. Most of the export articles are only produced in Thailand by foreign companies. So one may think that foreign countries are really concerned.

Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, but that could change soon after this mess is beyond repair there will bed less cars sold for the years to come.

[jcbangkok]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

He has already invited human rights groups to participate in the investigation.

[gotlost]

Looking for a way out.

[Khabom]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

He has already invited human rights groups to participate in the investigation.

Investigation into what? The death of the Japanese photographer or the anti-monarchy claims?

[gemini81]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

He has already invited human rights groups to participate in the investigation.

He's building his case I guess, reluctant to say words that can or would be used against him, and allowing investigation so there is support in his favor. Just seems slow on the draw and afraid to respond to the situation with confident decisiveness (meaning the longer this all goes on, the more crippling effect while they chew on what to do about it). Hope he finds a sense of conviction, I dunno any leader who would let this go on for so long, with a makeshift fortress of bamboo and tires in the city center. the whole situation is beyond mind boggling!

[deadsnoopy]

I wonder if they will shorten it from 9 months to 6 months and 90 days.

[jayjay0]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

Kind of like when the army towed the barges loaded with refuges out in to the middle of no where after they removed the engines. He had the army do the investigating. Any one heard anything yet? This won't be any different. As long as the army is running the country nothing positive will happen.

[tombkk]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

[Jerrytheyoung]

Eh guys...

Look the context...

This is an interview in front of Japanese medias (one of their colleagues killed the 10 April).

Abhisit has to look good.... Check the speech.... just intentions.

politician gesticulation for looking good in front the Japanese medias...

Nothing more

Edited May 2, 2010 by Jerrytheyoung

[Farangdong]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

Well, IMHO I don't know about cars but I would definitely confirm the beer !

[mark5335]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

Indeed, and I believe the poster may have meant 'export of cars' rather than import of cars.

[yoshiwara]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

Kind of like when the army towed the barges loaded with refuges out in to the middle of no where after they removed the engines. He had the army do the investigating. Any one heard anything yet? This won't be any different. As long as the army is running the country nothing positive will happen.

Usual red rubbish chucked out from an over-excited imagination.

[elcent]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

it was announced by gov sources a couple of months ago. I don't know where the link is at the moment. But using logic and a bit of math you will come to the same results. Considering the high import tax for cars and the extremely high tax on beer. You can by a chemic free beer in Germany for 1/5 of what they're charging here.

[dobadoy]

I wonder if they will shorten it from 9 months to 6 months and 90 days.

[deadsnoopy]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

Kind of like when the army towed the barges loaded with refuges out in to the middle of no where after they removed the engines. He had the army do the investigating. Any one heard anything yet? This won't be any different. As long as the army is running the country nothing positive will happen.

Usual red rubbish chucked out from an over-excited imagination.

Probe questions fate of refugees in Thailand

- CNN finds evidence hundreds of Rohingya refugees abandoned at sea by Thai army

- Photos show refugees on their rickety boats being towed out to sea, cut loose

- The army denies setting refugees adrift; Thai government has launched an inquiry

- Rohingya have been fleeing persecution of the hard-line military regime in Myanmar

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/...gees/index.html

Edited May 2, 2010 by deadsnoopy

[dobadoy]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

it was announced by gov sources a couple of months ago. I don't know where the link is at the moment. But using logic and a bit of math you will come to the same results. Considering the high import tax for cars and the extremely high tax on beer. You can by a chemic free beer in Germany for 1/5 of what they're charging here.

Exporting cars is one of Thailand's major earners. I don't see how this conflict will affect that unless Seh Daeng decides to go off and bomb the Toyota and Isuzu factories.

[tombkk]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

Well, IMHO I don't know about cars but I would definitely confirm the beer !

LOL! No, I didn't mean your personal consumption but some macro-economic figures.

[DP25]

it was announced by gov sources a couple of months ago. I don't know where the link is at the moment. But using logic and a bit of math you will come to the same results. Considering the high import tax for cars and the extremely high tax on beer. You can by a chemic free beer in Germany for 1/5 of what they're charging here.

I think you must mean exports. Automobile manufacturing is the largest industry in Thailand. Of the almost 1.5 million manufactured in Thailand per year roughly have are exported. The number of cars imported is extremely small.

[tombkk]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

Indeed, and I believe the poster may have meant 'export of cars' rather than import of cars.

Really? Let's wait for him to clarify. I would still like to see the statistcis of how this makes a major foreign currency earner.

[tombkk]

[...] Imports of cars and consumption of beer are the two biggest earners for this gov, [...]

Can you please back this up with statistics?

it was announced by gov sources a couple of months ago. I don't know where the link is at the moment. But using logic and a bit of math you will come to the same results. Considering the high import tax for cars and the extremely high tax on beer. You can by a chemic free beer in Germany for 1/5 of what they're charging here.

I would like to see a weblink to those "government sources". Logic does not make statistics, and you might want to explain the math to me.

Yes, I know that the import tax on beer is high in Thailand, compared to no import tax in Germany for their locally-brewed beer. What are you saying?

Reason for edit: Spelling.

Edited May 2, 2010 by tombkk

[spiderleghead]

Eh guys...

Look the context...

This is an interview in front of Japanese medias (one of their colleagues killed the 10 April).

Abhisit has to look good.... Check the speech.... just intentions.

politician gesticulation for looking good in front the Japanese medias...

Nothing more

thank you for logic

[mobiryder]

I wonder if they will shorten it from 9 months to 6 months and 90 days.

Roflmao it wouldn't surprise me one bit

[Chaimai]

Eh guys...

Look the context...

This is an interview in front of Japanese medias (one of their colleagues killed the 10 April).

Abhisit has to look good.... Check the speech.... just intentions.

politician gesticulation for looking good in front the Japanese medias...

Nothing more

Same as the BBC World interview.

Cleverly lacking in details - clear on intentions.

[deadsnoopy]

I wonder if they will shorten it from 9 months to 6 months and 90 days.

Roflmao it wouldn't surprise me one bit

Actually, their intention to shorten the timeframe makes perfect sense. It was 9 months when they started the demonstrations 1 month ago. Now the government will make a "good will" step towards the protesters' demands and shorten that period to 8 months from now.

[elcent]

it was announced by gov sources a couple of months ago. I don't know where the link is at the moment. But using logic and a bit of math you will come to the same results. Considering the high import tax for cars and the extremely high tax on beer. You can by a chemic free beer in Germany for 1/5 of what they're charging here.

I think you must mean exports. Automobile manufacturing is the largest industry in Thailand. Of the almost 1.5 million manufactured in Thailand per year roughly have are exported. The number of cars imported is extremely small.

I don't know the exact figures but import taxes on cars are about 90% - 250% (used to be up to 450%). I don't know how high the export fees are. Many large corporation trying to bypass this by importing spare parts for re-export, and have the cars assembled here for export.

[stkyricesf]

How do we trust the investigators not to be biased?

I really think abhisit should allow external investigators to investigate this as to minimize biaas

He might not want this because of the anti abhisit side that foreign news seems to be taking recently

I think the PM is right, this is an internal problem. What would you think if external investigators came

to your country. Thai people have the right to resolve their own problems.

[Thailand]

All these weeks to come up with this incredible plan. Must have taken all the "think tanks" in Thailand to come up with this.

Whilst the reds are busy shooting themselves in the foot with every turn they make the government procrastinates probably because the powers that be cannot agree on a suitable face saving solution.

Can't wait to see the movie of this farce, nobody would believe it though, have to go in the fantasy category.

[ChiangMaiFun]

About bloody time! he should have done the dissolution timeline weeks ago and saved lives.