Battle In Bangkok - This Is No Peasant's Revolt

[ratcatcher]

Quote Dr Thomas"The atrocities of May 19 did not happen on the PPP’s watch. They happened under Abhisit.

Like the parent who doesn’t care who started it, I say it is time to give the people of Thailand a proper say in the future of their country.

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1. Can you define 'the atrocities of May 19th?

Most of the atrocities were perpetrated by black shirt thugs and gangs of vandals bent on any form of destruction. I do not blame the misguided Red Shirt core protesters but the leaders.

2. Had Thaksin been in power, what do you think his response to a "peaceful protest" ,that turned violent, would have been?

3. Do you really think that with the mood in the country at this moment that fair elections could / should be held?

Before the burnings, the leaders were offered dissolution and November 14th elections, who do you think put the damper on that idea?

4. Are you anxious to see the return of Thaksin at any price?

[ballpoint]

When 3 parties were dissolved early last year, a significant proportion of voters in the 2007 election no longer had a representative in the parliament. That was the proper time to dissolve parliament and let the people speak again.

If that had occurred then this would not be happening now.

Rubbish. Every elected MP who wasn't banned was allowed to choose which party to align themselves with. The banned ones were replaced in by-elections, during which the current governing coalition gained a number of seats. Every single Thai electorate is represented by MP's voted for by the people of that electorate.

[DrThomas]

When 3 parties were dissolved early last year, a significant proportion of voters in the 2007 election no longer had a representative in the parliament. That was the proper time to dissolve parliament and let the people speak again.

If that had occurred then this would not be happening now.

Rubbish. Every elected MP who wasn't banned was allowed to choose which party to align themselves with. The banned ones were replaced in by-elections, during which the current governing coalition gained a number of seats. Every single Thai electorate is represented by MP's voted for by the people of that electorate.

Democracy is not about the MPs. Its about the people. How would you feel if you voted for your local Tory candidate, then his party is dissolved, then he joins the Lib Dems. You would feel cheated because you voted Tory, not Lib Dem.

The proper thing to do at that time was call a fresh election.

[DrThomas]

This "he hit me first" argument usually doesn't convince anyone beyond the age of 5.

The atrocities of May 19 did not happen on the PPP's watch. They happened under Abhisit.

Like the parent who doesn't care who started it, I say it is time to give the people of Thailand a proper say in the future of their country.

Next you will be blaming the PM for burning down Bangkok.

I think this is all code for bring back Thaksin.

yes?

Not sure how "Abhisit got it wrong" equates to "bring back Taksin". (Keep putting words in my mouth if it makes you feel better.)

There is a myriad of possibilites from here. Let's hope Abhisit explores all of them in his promised reconciliation process.

[way2muchcoffee]

When 3 parties were dissolved early last year, a significant proportion of voters in the 2007 election no longer had a representative in the parliament. That was the proper time to dissolve parliament and let the people speak again.

If that had occurred then this would not be happening now.

Rubbish. Every elected MP who wasn't banned was allowed to choose which party to align themselves with. The banned ones were replaced in by-elections, during which the current governing coalition gained a number of seats. Every single Thai electorate is represented by MP's voted for by the people of that electorate.

Democracy is not about the MPs. Its about the people. How would you feel if you voted for your local Tory candidate, then his party is dissolved, then he joins the Lib Dems. You would feel cheated because you voted Tory, not Lib Dem.

The proper thing to do at that time was call a fresh election.

No. The proper thing to do at that time was what was dictated by the constitution and by election law. Anything else would have been unacceptable.