PM Abhisit Announces Next Election Will Be Held On Nov 14

[whybother]

PAD have their own political party namely the New Politics Party, so it could well be positioning for upcoming election looking for hard line yellow support.

Just a thought.

... which will probably give the Democrats a boost, since many middle of the roaders will not want to follow the yellows hard line.

[agord]

This sounds very nice and finally unlock the situation. Also it makes really govt look like the good guys willing to compromise while the other side... Reds would be crazy to refuse after the bad days they had. However, with terrorists charges threatening and no mention of amnesty in his 5 points program, they might ask to have amnesty added as a number 6 prior to give in.

Where's the compromise?

This sounds just government BS "we're here to help you"

Abhisit is going to have to get real and act like a real leader!

Elections are due in 18 months --- Abhisit is offering 6 months and doing so publicly. That is over a year EARLY. If he acted the way MANY people wanted him to there would be a lot of blood .... (The Reds want blood and so do many of the locals in BKK and then there is the more extreme in the PAD that want it. --- Thankfully the PAD is a minority as are the reds ... and while Abhisit may lose a little support in BKK he will likely gain support upcountry.)

Fully agree! It doesn't sound like he is getting the support he deserves for trying to end this peacefully but I think it's only in the media I would hope most Thais see what he is doing and support him. We will see....

[midas]

Wow Thai political comedy continues

We all know the Dems could be dissolved for violating financial rules...

BUT for making their boards too SMALL?

The Democrat Party had no malicious intent when it might have violated the Bt29 million funds paid by the Election Commission to subsidise the party's campaign billboards in the last general election, party's MP Charchai Issasenarak said on Thursday.

"It is unbelievable that the oldest political party may be punished by dissolution because it unintentionally made smaller-than-specified billboards which were, in fact, harder for voters to see," he said.

In the party dissolution case under the Constitution Court review, the EC contends the main coalition party violated its financial rules relating to campaign billboards.

Under the rules, the billboards paid by political party subsidies must have the specified size of 2.40 meters by 1.4 meters.

Speechless.

it might seem trivial to you and me but so was making

Samak resign just for hosting a cooking show.

[whybother]

it might seem trivial to you and me but so was making

Samak resign just for hosting a cooking show.

I thought being a PM would be enough work for someone. It seems Samak didn't actually do any work as PM, so he had plenty of time to earn some money doing the cooking show.

[rixalex]

it might seem trivial to you and me but so was making

Samak resign just for hosting a cooking show.

I thought being a PM would be enough work for someone. It seems Samak didn't actually do any work as PM, so he had plenty of time to earn some money doing the cooking show.

Indeed. Pathetic the way red supporters continually mock the court's decision because it happened to be a cooking show.

The law states that a PM can not be employed in another job. Seems like a very sensible and well justified law to me. Reds obviously think otherwise.

[jdinasia]

it might seem trivial to you and me but so was making

Samak resign just for hosting a cooking show.

I thought being a PM would be enough work for someone. It seems Samak didn't actually do any work as PM, so he had plenty of time to earn some money doing the cooking show.

Indeed. Pathetic the way red supporters continually mock the court's decision because it happened to be a cooking show.

The law states that a PM can not be employed in another job. Seems like a very sensible and well justified law to me. Reds obviously think otherwise.

Actually, getting caught doing something silly and marginally against the law like Samak's case wasn't too bad. Lieing about it when questioned was the real sin.

[jdinasia]

PAD have their own political party namely the New Politics Party, so it could well be positioning for upcoming election looking for hard line yellow support.

Just a thought.

... which will probably give the Democrats a boost, since many middle of the roaders will not want to follow the yellows hard line.

The Yellow (PAD) announcements today calling for Abhisit to resign just kicks the reds in the teeth that were claiming that The Dems/Abhisit = PAD/Yellow.

In fact it should play fairly well throughout moderates in the country. People will remember the extremist Reds -- and they called for Immediate dissolution and Abhisit to leave the country. They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit ---- and hopefully choose the middle-path!

[danc]

it might seem trivial to you and me but so was making

Samak resign just for hosting a cooking show.

I thought being a PM would be enough work for someone. It seems Samak didn't actually do any work as PM, so he had plenty of time to earn some money doing the cooking show.

Well as some witty commentator remarked before all this reared up, Abhisit is so busy cutting ribbons with the Royal Family, it's a wonder he has time to run the country....

[rixalex]

it might seem trivial to you and me but so was making

Samak resign just for hosting a cooking show.

I thought being a PM would be enough work for someone. It seems Samak didn't actually do any work as PM, so he had plenty of time to earn some money doing the cooking show.

Indeed. Pathetic the way red supporters continually mock the court's decision because it happened to be a cooking show.

The law states that a PM can not be employed in another job. Seems like a very sensible and well justified law to me. Reds obviously think otherwise.

Actually, getting caught doing something silly and marginally against the law like Samak's case wasn't too bad. Lieing about it when questioned was the real sin.

Indeed. Anyway, what the reds always overlook in their haste to mock what they consider to be the absurdity of it all, is that Samak despite breaking the law and lying in court, was perfectly free to stand straight back up and become PM again. We know why that didn't happen and it had nothing to do with the courts and nothing to do with cooking on a show, but everything to do with a man called Thaksin deciding he would prefer his brother-in-law to be PM. Now that is absurd! A convicted criminal who has fled justice able to decide who he wants as PM!!!

[jdinasia]

It gets better: The CRES now claims to be trying to prevent the Reds to smuggle weapons OUT OF the Ratchaprasong area. No doubt they'll do just as a good a job of it as they did preventing them from getting them in!! Unless of course it was just words in both cases..

Winnie, I think you are the ONLY person in the world that didn't see ARMED Reds and the "ronin" and apparently the only person that didn't hear the violent speeches from the Red stage. Blinkers firmly in place?

CRES would be seriously wrong to NOT try and take weapons away from armed insurgents.

Edited May 6, 2010 by jdinasia

[jayboy]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

[danc]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

Just to jog everyone's memory - from the WSJ at the time!

Two years after the Thai military ousted then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the full cost of that bloodless coup is finally becoming clear. Violent antigovernment protests this week have left two people dead, 443 injured, and the country's democratic prospects in jeopardy.

The struggle is over whether Thai citizens will continue to enjoy their democratic rights. The protesters, who seek to oust the current government, have brought the government to near paralysis. The cast of characters is similar to 2006: Seven months ago the same group that had helped organize protests to oust Mr. Thaksin re-formed, led by a similar coterie of Bangkok elites, businessmen and academics.

They now call themselves the People's Alliance for Democracy, but they are anything but. Their goal is to eliminate Thailand's one-man-one-vote democracy and replace it with a parliament that is 30% elected and 70% appointed. Why? To make sure that no one like Mr. Thaksin is ever elected again.

The generals behind the 2006 coup thought that by simply removing Mr. Thaksin they could solve what they saw as the problem of Thailand's democracy: The fact that voters might choose to elect someone whom the generals and their friends in Bangkok didn't like. But when they organized elections in December, at the end of their 15-month stint as caretakers, the People Power Party, political heirs to Mr. Thaksin's party, was the victor. Mr. Thaksin, who had been in exile, jetted back to Bangkok.

The PPP may not be perfect, but it has a mandate from the voters. A vote-buying case against the PPP and two smaller parties will be brought to court next week, and a guilty verdict could force the PPP to dissolve. Until then, it remains the popularly elected government.

The PAD, in contrast, wishes to rewrite the constitution to get rid of the one-man-one-vote principle. And since it cannot win at the ballot box, it is hoping to win in a street fight instead. For the past six weeks, PAD supporters have besieged Government House, demanding that the PPP government step down.

After two PAD leaders were arrested over the weekend, 1,500 PAD supporters blockaded Parliament House while parliament was in session. The ensuing melee left hundreds wounded. The newly appointed prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat (who is Mr. Thaksin's brother-in-law), had to scale a wall and dive into a military helicopter to escape the mayhem. Thai police eventually cleared the way for the other politicians using tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to dispel the crowd, according to the Associated Press. By yesterday the situation had calmed.

The PAD is crying foul over the measures employed by what they call a "killer" government. But they themselves operate like a small army: Several PAD supporters were carrying guns during the street battle on Tuesday, and others had iron rods, slingshots, spears, etc. One policeman was impaled, and two were shot.

These are not merely disgruntled citizens: The PAD is a well funded, highly organized force that operates a small city inside the government compound it has occupied for more than a month. The occupiers have electricity from generators, a constant supply of free food and water, and even portable toilets.

Facing these circumstances, Mr. Somchai doesn't have any good options. Dialogue with the PAD may be all but impossible after the violence this week. He could call a state of emergency, which would give more power to the military and police to enforce law and order, although that could turn out to be embarrassing if they didn't follow orders. A third option is to form a unity government and share governing powers with the opposition Democrat Party, albeit at the risk of looking weak. He could also hunker down and wait for the PAD to wear out -- although this could take a long time, seeing as the PAD is constantly rotating in new "protesters" from the countryside.

Meanwhile, the PAD continues its occupation of Government House. Pipop Thongchai, a PAD leader, told reporters, "We will continue to fight until Somchai resigns."

Thailand's democracy has weathered many blows, including three coups since 1973. The peaceful transition of power to the PPP after polls that were largely fair and free was a step forward. If the PAD succeeds in overturning those elections, it will be at the cost of disenfranchising millions of voters -- and at a cost to Thailand's struggling democracy.

[jdinasia]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

Actually I was labelling the Reds and the PAD as extremist .... I just tend to have agreed with the stated goals of the PAD of getting rid of Thaksin. If Thaksin doesn't return then they are a spent cause.

Feel free to rant about the PAD all you want in the PAD thread

[elcent]

Chill out everyone. The road-map announcement will narrow the chance for the PAD leaders for a blanket amnesty, this why they act as chicken before the butcher now.

Apart of this, special forces are being put in position today to disarm the reds' militants and neutralize the red leaders in case they want to drag on.

[noahvail]

Chill out everyone. The road-map announcement will narrow the chance for the PAD leaders for a blanket amnesty, this why they act as chicken before the butcher now.

Apart of this, special forces are being put in position today to disarm the reds' militants and neutralize the red leaders in case they want to drag on.

Well, *that's* interesting? Where did you hear that?

Links please.......

[whybother]

Chill out everyone. The road-map announcement will narrow the chance for the PAD leaders for a blanket amnesty, this why they act as chicken before the butcher now.

Apart of this, special forces are being put in position today to disarm the reds' militants and neutralize the red leaders in case they want to drag on.

Well, *that's* interesting? Where did you hear that?

Links please.......

There was a comment in the locked thread talking about CRES checkpoints outside the protest area to pick up any arms when they were leaving, but that would be if they wanted to go home, not if they wanted to drag this on.

[ChiangMaiFun]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

Actually I was labelling the Reds and the PAD as extremist .... I just tend to have agreed with the stated goals of the PAD of getting rid of Thaksin. If Thaksin doesn't return then they are a spent cause.

Feel free to rant about the PAD all you want in the PAD thread

Dems are PAD - the Foreign Minister was at the airport

[whybother]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

Actually I was labelling the Reds and the PAD as extremist .... I just tend to have agreed with the stated goals of the PAD of getting rid of Thaksin. If Thaksin doesn't return then they are a spent cause.

Feel free to rant about the PAD all you want in the PAD thread

Dems are PAD - the Foreign Minister was at the airport

The FM is PAD. That doesn't make the Dems PAD.

[elcent]

Chill out everyone. The road-map announcement will narrow the chance for the PAD leaders for a blanket amnesty, this why they act as chicken before the butcher now.

Apart of this, special forces are being put in position today to disarm the reds' militants and neutralize the red leaders in case they want to drag on.

Well, *that's* interesting? Where did you hear that?

Links please.......

some cops in my neighborhood moved out in special outfits and backpacks, other than normal uniforms. It may take up to 10 days 14 days or maybe earlier, depends on incoming intel I guess, before action. Something into that direction will definitely take place.

[noahvail]

Chill out everyone. The road-map announcement will narrow the chance for the PAD leaders for a blanket amnesty, this why they act as chicken before the butcher now.

Apart of this, special forces are being put in position today to disarm the reds' militants and neutralize the red leaders in case they want to drag on.

Well, *that's* interesting? Where did you hear that?

Links please.......

There was a comment in the locked thread talking about CRES checkpoints outside the protest area to pick up any arms when they were leaving, but that would be if they wanted to go home, not if they wanted to drag this on.

Ah, right. That one. I was more taken back by the term 'special forces.' Are those the guys with the bunny-ear divining sticks?

[jdinasia]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

Actually I was labelling the Reds and the PAD as extremist .... I just tend to have agreed with the stated goals of the PAD of getting rid of Thaksin. If Thaksin doesn't return then they are a spent cause.

Feel free to rant about the PAD all you want in the PAD thread

Dems are PAD - the Foreign Minister was at the airport

Talk about seeing the world through red-colored glasses!

If the line of reasoning that the Dems are PAD because one member was ----

then the PTP are Red (well fairly true!) but I mean ALL the PTP because of Jatuporn.

Then there is the fact that there are Sae Daeng's "ronin" in the reds and that the red shirt gueards answer to Sae Daeng. The Ronin are terroists,

Therefore --- again only by CMF's shortsighted reasoning ---- all the PTP MP's are terroists.

That is the problem with people who post and have no idea about reality on the ground .....

The fact that the PAD denounced Abhisit and demand he steps down as PM fortunately kills CMF's argument totally.

[animatic]

They will remember the Extremist PAD and that they called for the resignation of Abhisit --

I think we will remember a lot more than that about the PAD (I reject your subdivision into extreme and not extreme).If you have forgotten or overlooked the full horror I will gladly jog your memory.

Actually I was labelling the Reds and the PAD as extremist .... I just tend to have agreed with the stated goals of the PAD of getting rid of Thaksin. If Thaksin doesn't return then they are a spent cause.

Feel free to rant about the PAD all you want in the PAD thread

Dems are PAD - the Foreign Minister was at the airport

Right, that's why the PAD wants the Dem PM to resign... Your logic is failing you badly.

And your ideology is taking it's place... a slippery moral slope I fear.

A Dem was a PAD visitor,

I never saw ANYTHING to say Kasit did any PAD planning or

actual signed a PAD document,

he came and mad a speech, but other Dems did not.

You are pro something or other,

but I can't assume 'being pro red means being CM51...'

You see the difference? I guess not.

If you can call Abhist a PAD member because Kasit visited PAD,

then I can call you CM51 for backing the Reds.

Same logical conclusion, by that methodology.

[pornsasi]

Dems are PAD - the Foreign Minister was at the airport

Great idea to have him foreign minister then

I could suggest his tranfert as minister of transportation where he would

deal the final blow to Thai Airways

Or chairman of the Thai tourism authority

[pornsasi]

Who cares about PAD , they dont even have a semblance of fairness in their ideology .

[Chaimai]

Now I REALLY like Abhisit.

Anyone who can also alienate PAD must be on the right lines.

Commonsense, pander to no one particular faction and seek to benefit ALL Thailand. WOW, what a campaign plan.

Chok Dee Khun Abhisit.

[pornsasi]

my pronostics for near future

The PM/dems forms a coalition with PTP . Red switch sides .

The PM reform package is implemented smoothly

Next election are won easily by the coalition .

Edit : Mark my words

Edited May 6, 2010 by pornsasi

[jayboy]

The fact that the PAD denounced Abhisit and demand he steps down as PM fortunately kills CMF's argument totally.

No it doesn't.Your logic as usual is all over the place.It shows only that the PAD do not agree with Abhisit's latest action.Actually I do certainly agree that the Democrats and PAD are not synonymous, but there are overlaps and informal links and many high level Democrats were sympathetic with the PAD cause, if not all of its outlandish policies.

[Thai at Heart]

The FM is PAD. That doesn't make the Dems PAD.

Well only a little......

[enginerevision]

Now I REALLY like Abhisit.

Anyone who can also alienate PAD must be on the right lines.

Commonsense, pander to no one particular faction and seek to benefit ALL Thailand. WOW, what a campaign plan.

Chok Dee Khun Abhisit.

Whatever his sweet words are, or how handsome he looks, he needs to go, this guy wasn't elected by the people, just a house senate. I'm even suprised the PAD dogs dare to open their mouth again, after the 2006 coup, 1992 slaughter, and the 2008/2009 airport/gov house drama's

[jayboy]

A Dem was a PAD visitor,

I never saw ANYTHING to say Kasit did any PAD planning or

actual signed a PAD document,

he came and mad a speech, but other Dems did not.

You are pro something or other,

but I can't assume 'being pro red means being CM51...'

You see the difference? I guess not.

If you can call Abhist a PAD member because Kasit visited PAD,

then I can call you CM51 for backing the Reds.

Same logical conclusion, by that methodology.

No you are wrong.I know in your case it's not dishonesty or weakness of intellect, just ignorance. Several leading Democrats, including Abhisit and Korn, visited the PAD demonstrators.I would say that most middle class urbanites sympathised with PAD to begin with.I don't blame them given Thaksin's poisonous influence.Once the appalling nature of the movement became clear, the decent people including senior Democrats began to drift away (rather like the Western communists who left the party over Hungary after 1956).But politics often has a tribal/class nature and I'm guessing many middle class Democrats have a sneaking sympathy for the PAD agenda even if they don't openly admit it.

Edited May 6, 2010 by jayboy