Thai PM Abhisit Due In Court As Party Faces Ban Threat

[webfact]

Thai PM due in court as party faces ban threat

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, October 18, 2010 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva arrived at court amid tight security Monday as his ruling party fights to avoid a political ban that could bring fresh upheaval to the deeply divided kingdom.

Abhisit will be a witness for the defence at the Constitutional Court in what could be the final hearing in the case, which centres on accusations of misuse of a 29-million-baht (900,000 dollar) state grant in 2005.

The Democrat Party -- Thailand's oldest party -- could be dissolved if found guilty, while the premier, who was its deputy leader at the time, could be handed a five-year ban from politics, alongside other executives.

Abhisit looked relaxed as he arrived but made no comment to the throngs of reporters gathered outside the court, where there was a heavy police presence.

Thailand's Election Commission (EC) in April called for the ruling party to be abolished over the accusations, as well as a separate case alleging an undeclared political donation.

The call coincided with the country's worst political violence in decades, which ultimately left 91 people dead and almost 1,900 wounded in a series of street clashes between opposition protesters and armed troops.

The Democrats are accused of paying 23 million baht to advertising firms, despite only having permission to spend 19 million on billboard marketing.

Abhisit has rejected accusations that a member of his party had attempted to influence the judiciary over the case.

The opposition's allegations that a Democrat lawmaker met an aide of a Constitutional Court judge ahead of the hearing -- and was captured on video -- were splashed on the front pages of local media Monday.

Judicial rulings have played a pivotal role in shaping Thailand's political landscape in the past.

The Democrats came to power two years ago after court decisions ousted allies of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was himself unseated in a 2006 military coup.

Two premiers were forced from office by the judiciary in 2008 -- one of whom, Samak Sundaravej, was removed for taking payments for hosting TV cooking shows.

Uncertainty over the government comes at a difficult stage for the country, which remains bitterly torn in the wake of deadly opposition protests by the opposition "Red Shirt" movement.

The Reds accuse Abhisit's government of being undemocratic because it came to power with army backing in a parliamentary vote after the controversial court rulings, and their protests have called for immediate elections.

Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled.

Former Thai diplomat Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an author and fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, said he did not believe the party would be disbanded.

However, he said one potential motive for dissolution would be as a gesture to the Reds to rebuff allegations of double standards in the legal system.

Pavin said "even then, they will have a plan B", with rumours that a new party would swiftly rise from the ashes of the old.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-18

[jayjay0]

"The Reds accuse Abhisit's government of being undemocratic because it came to power in a parliamentary vote after the controversial court rulings and their protests have called for immediate elections."

Makes you wonder if they could assume power by the party being dissolved. Would they then say they were undemocratic.

[whybother]

"The Reds accuse Abhisit's government of being undemocratic because it came to power in a parliamentary vote after the controversial court rulings and their protests have called for immediate elections."

Makes you wonder if they could assume power by the party being dissolved. Would they then say they were undemocratic.

It's ok if it's done by the red shirt party. Double standards don't apply to them.

[asiawatcher]

With all the theft of Thailand assets both cash and hard form during Thaksins party reign, is it that everyone here has short term memory loss? Or is it selective memory?

The Dems right or wrong were appointed after the coup and removal of the thief, who was later convicted in one of many cases yet to come to light and endorsement of the new leader/PM came from the top. Enough said.

Let this 'case' takes its course and should it be found in the negative then the country goes into more strife. Should they remain, the country will go into more strife! Win-Win? I don't think so. Thai politics and the constant wasted efforts and time, surely this all could be put to better use? Bloody boring but essential I guess. Thai way!!!

[Thailand]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

[kuffki]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

[webfact]

Constitution Court schedules Nov 29 for EC, Democrat to deliver closing statements

The Constitution Court Monday asked the Election Commission and Democrat Party to make closing statements for the trial of the party-dissolution case on November 29.

The court asked the two sides to submit their written closing statements to the court within 30 days after the last Democrat witness testified Monday. The court also asked the two sides to make verbal closing statements on November 29.

-- The Nation 2010-10-18

[Thailand]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

Easy to focus on the elites and gloss over the military who are the major moving force here. Same in the US is it?

And if you think Bill Gate with his US peso's could make a dent in Thailand's economy just check out the foreign reserves http://www.imf.org/external/np/sta/ir/IRProcessWeb/data/tha/eng/curtha.htm#I add to that the huge inflows of foreign currency, the main reasons for the strength of the baht.

[Artabus]

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

What are you talking about?

Bill Gates is busy spending his money on charity; his ambition is to spend 95% of his fortune on it. He is the world's major philanthropist, and busy working to bring others on board, to share his vision.

Why would he want to crash the Thai economy? You could hardly have picked a worse example to illustrate your point!

[britmaveric]

"The Reds accuse Abhisit's government of being undemocratic because it came to power in a parliamentary vote after the controversial court rulings and their protests have called for immediate elections."

Makes you wonder if they could assume power by the party being dissolved. Would they then say they were undemocratic.

It's ok if it's done by the red shirt party. Double standards don't apply to them.

Actually they learned that lesson from the yellows.... unfortunately yellows seem to get away with it.

[w11guy]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

And how, exactly, does a rich person crash a stock market? Obviously you don't know much about trading if you think that's true.

[kuffki]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

Easy to focus on the elites and gloss over the military who are the major moving force here. Same in the US is it?

And if you think Bill Gate with his US peso's could make a dent in Thailand's economy just check out the foreign reserves http://www.imf.org/e...ng/curtha.htm#I add to that the huge inflows of foreign currency, the main reasons for the strength of the baht.

I do not know if you simply naive or not well informed or simply have no idea at all.

For starters especially in US military plays a huge role in the background. Not so much through generals but through lobbyist and weapons manufacture's who throw their support and money behind candidates who will give them most of what they want

In regards to Thai foreign reservers, you clearly have no idea at all about economy and how things work.

Thailand reserves have absolutely nothing to do with ability to crash the economy, because if today i purchase 6 000 000 000 dollars worth of stocks and tomorrow dump all of it (no matter at what cost) and clearly it will be going cheap as chips, i will crash the stock market and economy. How fast it will recover from that is a totally different subject. But rest assured 6 billion dollar day will make a dent in the economy big enough to make a little popoo in anyones panties

[kuffki]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

And how, exactly, does a rich person crash a stock market? Obviously you don't know much about trading if you think that's true.

It is rather more obvious that it is you, who has very very limited knowledge on the subject, so just read my previous post, then do some studying and little research and then come back to me with something worth responding .

[kuffki]

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

What are you talking about?

Bill Gates is busy spending his money on charity; his ambition is to spend 95% of his fortune on it. He is the world's major philanthropist, and busy working to bring others on board, to share his vision.

Why would he want to crash the Thai economy? You could hardly have picked a worse example to illustrate your point!

Are that bored that you had to post this dribble?

[animatic]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

And how, exactly, does a rich person crash a stock market? Obviously you don't know much about trading if you think that's true.

Malaysia's Matahir Mohamed blamed George Soros for the '97 crash for nearly 10 years, when dear Gen. Chavalit was a much easier target,

But The great Brain Chavalit just didn't have the understandings of the markets,

and had the likes of Thaksin standing behind him, fully hedged,and happy to see rivals tumble, and so Chavalit screwed up and caused a panic. But no doubt

the bed of thorns Chavalit couldn't see through left by Soros and crew did

make it easier to tumble the SE, though few expected the Asian Tiger to roll over and die..

That didn't stop Matahir from blaming Soros as his poster boy of western un-islamic capitalist greed.

Edited October 18, 2010 by animatic

[whybother]

"The Reds accuse Abhisit's government of being undemocratic because it came to power in a parliamentary vote after the controversial court rulings and their protests have called for immediate elections."

Makes you wonder if they could assume power by the party being dissolved. Would they then say they were undemocratic.

It's ok if it's done by the red shirt party. Double standards don't apply to them.

Actually they learned that lesson from the yellows.... unfortunately yellows seem to get away with it.

They yellows may have done bad things and then got away with it (as rich from both sides usually do), but they didn't complain about something then do it themselves.

[monkfish]

Democrat to investigate MP Wiruch:

AbhisitPrime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday that his Democrat Party would investigate

its MP who was seen in the controversial video clips lobbying the Constitution Court president's secretary.

Abhisit said MP Wiruch Romyen would face an investigation before the party would decide an action against him.A

segment of the clips depicted a meeting involving Democrat MP Wiruch

Romyen, his aide Worawut Nawaphokin, and Pasit Sakdanaron, the Supreme

Court president's secretary. The meeting took place at a Prachachuen

restaurant.Abhisit said the Democrat had no need or intention to lobby the court.

http://www.nationmul...t-30140303.html

Constitution Court president's secretary sacked!!

Constitution court judges on Monday sack Pasit Sakdanarong as a

secretary to the president of the constitution court, saying his

presence in the controversial clip tarnised the court's reputation and

images.

Judge Udomsak Nitimontri said at a press conference that the court

will launch internal investigation into the matter. He urged authorities

concerned to take legal action against Pasit.

Pasit appeared in series of five that exposes contacts between

the Democrat Party's MP Wiruch Romyen and his aide Worawut Nawaphokin,

as the Demcorat party's dissolution case enters the final stage.

Pheu Thai Party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit had said the

videoed dinner conversation between the three focused on a legal

strategy to summon witnesses from the Election Commission to testify in

favour of the Democrats.

Democrat party decried that the meeting in the video was set up and conspiracy against the party.

http://www.nationmul...d-30140302.html

Did TV miss this Story?

Here are the videos. Only question is are they fakes again?

And how long will they be up?

[monkfish]

[whybother]

<snip>

Did TV miss this Story?

<snip>

No. They didn't. You just didn't read it.

[animatic]

Doesn't exactly look like as clandestine lobbying meeting,

more like a well attended public legal meeting.

And there are reported to be tow very different sub-title transcriptions

depending on the side presenting the videos leanings.

[chantorn]

Doesn't exactly look like as clandestine lobbying meeting,

more like a well attended public legal meeting.

And there are reported to be tow very different sub-title transcriptions

depending on the side presenting the videos leanings.

It is an obvious fake. Just look at the shadow. It does not match the time of the day. 555. Just like the Thaksin photos that prove that he is alive.

Edited October 18, 2010 by chantorn

[monkfish]

<snip>

Did TV miss this Story?

<snip>

No. They didn't. You just didn't read it.

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__3961397

Seems you are right it was buried in another thread so guess its not so important.

Edit: mind you if the Constitution Court president's secretary was sacked there must be something up

Edited October 18, 2010 by monkfish

[craigt3365]

"Some observers questioned whether Abhisit's backers in the military and Bangkok-based elite would allow the Democrats to be toppled."

Surely not, the elites and the military would never interfere in politics.

And of course in the Western World or all around the world the elite never has anything to do with politics right?? common

every single country has its cream de la cream, top earners who always decide who will be who, after all they own half, collectively if not all of the economy around the world.

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

Easy to focus on the elites and gloss over the military who are the major moving force here. Same in the US is it?

And if you think Bill Gate with his US peso's could make a dent in Thailand's economy just check out the foreign reserves http://www.imf.org/e...ng/curtha.htm#I add to that the huge inflows of foreign currency, the main reasons for the strength of the baht.

I do not know if you simply naive or not well informed or simply have no idea at all.

For starters especially in US military plays a huge role in the background. Not so much through generals but through lobbyist and weapons manufacture's who throw their support and money behind candidates who will give them most of what they want

In regards to Thai foreign reservers, you clearly have no idea at all about economy and how things work.

Thailand reserves have absolutely nothing to do with ability to crash the economy, because if today i purchase 6 000 000 000 dollars worth of stocks and tomorrow dump all of it (no matter at what cost) and clearly it will be going cheap as chips, i will crash the stock market and economy. How fast it will recover from that is a totally different subject. But rest assured 6 billion dollar day will make a dent in the economy big enough to make a little popoo in anyones panties

Completely different between the US military and the Thai military. Here, they really do run the country. Not so in the US. Huge influence? For sure, but so do the pharma companies, the banks, the medical industry, etc, etc.....

In the US, it is rare to see a General drive a Ferrari...not here...and there are so many!!!!!!!

[rubl]

<snip>

Did TV miss this Story?

<snip>

It's being discussed in another topic:

[kuffki]

[

Completely different between the US military and the Thai military. Here, they really do run the country. Not so in the US. Huge influence? For sure, but so do the pharma companies, the banks, the medical industry, etc, etc.....

In the US, it is rare to see a General drive a Ferrari...not here...and there are so many!!!!!!!

I agree with you 100%. My comments were in response to people who do not seem to understand how politics work and were under some kind of misconception that military does not play any roles in the Western World, especially USA.

My original post which was challenged was that elites and military play same roles all over the world as they do in Thailand. They can make president and remove president, just like Thailand(may be with not as much ease as Thailand though)

Edited October 18, 2010 by kuffki

[Artabus]

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

What are you talking about?

Bill Gates is busy spending his money on charity; his ambition is to spend 95% of his fortune on it. He is the world's major philanthropist, and busy working to bring others on board, to share his vision.

Why would he want to crash the Thai economy? You could hardly have picked a worse example to illustrate your point!

Are that bored that you had to post this dribble?

No, not bored at all. Just pointing out you had picked the wrong example. I think you mean drivel btw, but let's not get into a dispute about that as well

[Markaew]

With all the theft of Thailand assets both cash and hard form during Thaksins party reign, is it that everyone here has short term memory loss? Or is it selective memory?

The Dems right or wrong were appointed after the coup and removal of the thief, who was later convicted in one of many cases yet to come to light and endorsement of the new leader/PM came from the top. Enough said.

Let this 'case' takes its course and should it be found in the negative then the country goes into more strife. Should they remain, the country will go into more strife! Win-Win? I don't think so. Thai politics and the constant wasted efforts and time, surely this all could be put to better use? Bloody boring but essential I guess. Thai way!!!

It seems they could have avoided a lot of problems if they called for elections after the Dem party was appointed. The appointment could have been temporary until after elections. Then everyone is happy or at least could not complain..

[Markaew]

Just as example, Bill Gates if he really wanted , he could crash Thai stock market and economy over night and still have some money left over.

What are you talking about?

Bill Gates is busy spending his money on charity; his ambition is to spend 95% of his fortune on it. He is the world's major philanthropist, and busy working to bring others on board, to share his vision.

Why would he want to crash the Thai economy? You could hardly have picked a worse example to illustrate your point!

Do you understand the word "hypothetical"?

[whybother]

With all the theft of Thailand assets both cash and hard form during Thaksins party reign, is it that everyone here has short term memory loss? Or is it selective memory?

The Dems right or wrong were appointed after the coup and removal of the thief, who was later convicted in one of many cases yet to come to light and endorsement of the new leader/PM came from the top. Enough said.

Let this 'case' takes its course and should it be found in the negative then the country goes into more strife. Should they remain, the country will go into more strife! Win-Win? I don't think so. Thai politics and the constant wasted efforts and time, surely this all could be put to better use? Bloody boring but essential I guess. Thai way!!!

It seems they could have avoided a lot of problems if they called for elections after the Dem party was appointed. The appointment could have been temporary until after elections. Then everyone is happy or at least could not complain..

"Appointed"??

The PTP (ex-PPP) MPs had a chance to call an election as they were still in government after the PPP were disbanded. They instead chose to go on with a vote for a new PM, as they did when Somchai was elected PM.

It's just that this time they had lost the support of some of the smaller parties. So instead of a new Thaksin proxy being elected PM, Abhisit was elected, which brought the Democrats and other minor parties into government.

[way2muchcoffee]

With all the theft of Thailand assets both cash and hard form during Thaksins party reign, is it that everyone here has short term memory loss? Or is it selective memory?

The Dems right or wrong were appointed after the coup and removal of the thief, who was later convicted in one of many cases yet to come to light and endorsement of the new leader/PM came from the top. Enough said.

Let this 'case' takes its course and should it be found in the negative then the country goes into more strife. Should they remain, the country will go into more strife! Win-Win? I don't think so. Thai politics and the constant wasted efforts and time, surely this all could be put to better use? Bloody boring but essential I guess. Thai way!!!

It seems they could have avoided a lot of problems if they called for elections after the Dem party was appointed. The appointment could have been temporary until after elections. Then everyone is happy or at least could not complain..

"Appointed"??

The PTP (ex-PPP) MPs had a chance to call an election as they were still in government after the PPP were disbanded. They instead chose to go on with a vote for a new PM, as they did when Somchai was elected PM.

It's just that this time they had lost the support of some of the smaller parties. So instead of a new Thaksin proxy being elected PM, Abhisit was elected, which brought the Democrats and other minor parties into government.

Precisely. The present government was elected. There is a huge difference between being appointed and being elected. Stick to facts please.