Six Thai MPs Disqualified From House Seats

[mca]

Yeah sorry to wander off topic but that just made me giggle. Mental image of this giant spring under the cushion of the MP's seat just releasing as they rocket skyward arms flailing as the court stand around singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNRLhTZn9b0

[whybother]

Boonjong's wife likely to contest by-election

The Bhum Jai Thai Party is considering endorsing the candidacy of Kanchana Wongtrairat to contest the by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima, party's MP Prajak Klaewklaharn said on Friday.

"Kanchana is a party's option to avoid controversy surrounding her husband and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-05

Right ... they are joking, aren't they?

Let's ignore the fact that she is probably completely unqualified to be an MP. We'll endorse her 'to avoid controversy'.

[TAWP]

Yeah sorry to wander off topic but that just made me giggle. Mental image of this giant spring under the cushion of the MP's seat just releasing as they rocket skyward arms flailing as the court stand around singing

I would like to see that...

[TAWP]

Boonjong's wife likely to contest by-election

The Bhum Jai Thai Party is considering endorsing the candidacy of Kanchana Wongtrairat to contest the by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima, party's MP Prajak Klaewklaharn said on Friday.

"Kanchana is a party's option to avoid controversy surrounding her husband and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-05

Right ... they are joking, aren't they?

Let's ignore the fact that she is probably completely unqualified to be an MP. We'll endorse her 'to avoid controversy'.

Indeed - 'avoid' should mean 'don't touch anyone close to their family for now'.

[Piengrudee]

You can disqualify MPs, but can you also disqualify judges? My guess is not. คำสารภาพคนโกงข้อสอบ

[Buchholz]

Puea Pandin stands aside for Pheu Thai in by-elections

Puea Pandin will not be fielding any candidates in the Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin by-elections because it wants to pave the way for Pheu Thai Party, a source said yesterday.

Key leaders of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party had spoken to Puea Pandin’s key leader Pairote Suwanchawee about the matter, the source said.

“Pairote thinks it is not worth [fielding candidates] because the government’s term will end soon. We would have to spend about Bt30 million to Bt40 million per constituency,” the source quoted Pairote as saying.

If Puea Pandin does not run in the by-elections, it is likely that their supporters will vote for Pheu Thai instead.

This means that the two by-elections will be a contest between Pheu Thai and Newin Chidchob’s Bhum Jai Thai.

“We will join hands to beat Bhum Jai Thai in the two constituencies,” the source said.

The by-elections are being held because Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat from Bhum Jai Thai and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit from Chart Thai Pattana along with four other MPs were disqualified as MPs for holding shares in firms with state concessions.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party’s Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday met Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpaarcha, who is also Chart Thai Pattana Party’s Leader, and Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, who is Bhum Jai Thai Party’s Leader, to talk them into getting Boonjong and Kuakul to resign as ministers before running in the by-elections.

“They complained about [Prime Minister] Abhisit [Vejjajiva] interfering in their internal affairs. He should respect our parties,” a source quoted both Chaovarat and Chumpol as saying.

From Suthep’s point of view, both Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana leaders stood firm that their ministers would not resign, the source said.

“When we [the coalition partners] agreed to form the government, we were not told that we would have to do the same as the ruling Democrat Party. We have our own way,” the source quoted the two Party Leaders as saying. Suthep has been told to wait for their parties to meet next Monday.

Meanwhile, Suthep reported that Abhisit is insisting that Boonjong and Kuakul quit as ministers if they want to run in the by-elections.

“If both Chart Thai Pattana and Bhum Jai Thai still stand firm, I, as a government manager, will have to keep applying mild pressure on them to meet the premier’s goal. I am frustrated because this is one of the most difficult jobs I have ever done,” the source quoted Suthep as saying.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

[Buchholz]

Following the court verdict, the six vacant House seats will be filled after by-elections in Bangkok (replacing Somkietr)

Apirak ready to contest Bangkok by-election

Former Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin is ready to be a Democrat candidate in the upcoming by-election in Bangkok’s Constituency 2.

Following the report that Prime Minister and Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will select Apirak to contest the upcoming by-election in the capital to replace former Democrat MP Somkietr Xanthavanij, who was one of six MPs disqualified recently because they broke the charter by possessing shares linked to state concessionaires.

Apirak , who is an adviser to the PM, said the party’s panel tasked with selecting the candidate to contest the upcoming by-election in Bangkok will meet on Tuesday and submit a list of candidates to Banyat Bantadtan, who chairs the party’s advisory committee, for a final approval.

“I am also on the party’s panel to select the candidate and I have to join the meeting next week,” he said at the Government House.

When asked that whether he is ready to be a candidate or not, he said the panel would make the decision. “So far, there has been no discussion about this issue,” he said.

“There has been no preparation for this by-election. So we have to wait and see the result of the party panel meeting,” he added. He said he did not know about a report that there was an attempt to lobby the panel which made Abhisit dissatisfied with the movement.

“I’ve had no chance to talk to anyone as I also have many things to handle but I’ve heard that the party’s branches have already talked to each other but the party executives will make a decision over the candidate.”

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong Nopparit will petition to the Election Commission (EC) Chairman tomorrow to revise a regulation over advance voting and the designation for the constituency director in a bid to prevent irregularities in the upcoming by-election.

Meanwhile, Surin provincial Election Commission is ready to hold a by-election at Constituency 3 to select a new MP after former Surin MP Maliwan Thanyasakulkij, from the Puea Pandin Party, was disqualified by the Constitution Court.

In related development, the Ministry of Interior has moved 69 deputy provincial governors around the country to prepare for an election, a source said yesterday.

Following a report from the Interior Ministry, deputy permanent secretary Khwanchai Wongnitikorn, who is acting permanent secretary, signed a notice to move 69 deputy provincial governors. The order will come into effect on November 29.

Of this number, 29 persons were designated as the acting deputy provincial governors while 40 were appointed as the new deputy provincial governors in other provinces.

-- The Nation 2011-11-14

[Buchholz]

And from a few days earlier, this article explains why Apirak is running for this MP seat:

Somkietr steps aside for new blood

Former Democrat MP Somkietr Xanthavanij has decided not to run in the Bangkok by-election, Party Spokesman Thepthai Senapong said yesterday.

Somkietr was one of the six MPs disqualified on grounds of violating the Constitution by possessing shares linked to state concessionaires last week.

Thepthai said that Somkietr wanted to give other candidates a chance to run in the by-election, adding that he was very impressed by the former MP’s spirit and that he might be given the job of party adviser later.

The spokesman said the party’s provincial branches would spend today and tomorrow compiling a list of candidates for by-elections in five constituencies, which will get a final approval by Banyat Bantadthan next Monday.

-- The Nation 2010-11-11

[Buchholz]

The disqualified MPs are: Somkietr Xanthavanij from Democrat Party; Maliwan Tanyasakulkit from Puea Pandin Party; Boonjong Wongtrairat from Bhum Jai Thai Party; Kuerkul Danchaivichit from Chart Thai Pattana Party; Preechaphol Pongpanit from Pheu Thai Party; and MR Kittiwattana Jayan from Puea Pandin Party.

Boonjong is currently the Deputy Interior Minister and Kuerkul is Deputy Transport Minister, but the ruling does not impact their ministerial status.

Chart Thai Pattana to Field Disqualified Minister in By-Election Without Resigning from Post

The Chart Thai Pattana Party has decided it will field Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit in the Ayudhaya by-election.

It has also decided that he will not be stepping down from his post as Deputy Transport Minister as stipulated by the prime minister.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-15

[Buchholz]

Kuakul will contest by-election without resigning as Deputy Transport Minister

The Chart Thai Pattana Party Monday announced its decision to field Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwichit in the by-election of Ayutthaya’s Constituency 1.

The party also decided that Kuakul does not have to leave the Cabinet to contest the poll, Chart Thai Pattana Party Leader Chumpol Silapa-archa said after the party meeting.

Chumpol said most party members saw that the laws did not require Kuakul to step down as a minister to contest the by-election.

Chmupol said he will inform Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjjajiva’s of the party resolution.

Kuakul was disqualified as an MP for Ayutthaya’s Constituency 1 after the Constitution Court found him guilty of holding stakes in firms with state concessions.

Chart Thai Pattana de facto loeader Banharn Silapa-Archa said the coalition’s stability would not be affected even if Kuakul does not resign as a minister to contest the poll.

-- The Nation 2010-11-15

Edited November 15, 2010 by Buchholz

[hammered]

Internal rifts in government rather than anything else has usually been the thing that rip Thai coalition governments apart. This one almost looks like Abhisit wants it to happen

[Buchholz]

Kuakul will contest by-election without resigning as Deputy Transport Minister

PM insists Kuakul, Boonjong must resign to contest by-election

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday insisted that Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit must first step down if they contest by-elections.

Abhisit said he was informed by the Bhum Jai Thai Party and Chart Thai Pattana Party that they decided to field Boonjong and Kuakul in by-elections.

Abhisit said he was told by the two parties said they did not resolve to have the two ministers resign because they did not have power to force them.

"But I insist that they must resign to set good precedent," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-15

[Piengrudee]

If these Six Thai MPs Disqualified From House Seats, why don't put them in jail?

[animatic]

Internal rifts in government rather than anything else has usually been the thing that rip Thai coalition governments apart. This one almost looks like Abhisit wants it to happen

Might be so.

Then he can blame them later for making it all go pearshaped.

It also makes it easier to get rid of them in the future for appearances of dishonor.

[hammered]

Internal rifts in government rather than anything else has usually been the thing that rip Thai coalition governments apart. This one almost looks like Abhisit wants it to happen

Might be so.

Then he can blame them later for making it all go pearshaped.

It also makes it easier to get rid of them in the future for appearances of dishonor.

Abhisit wont be in power without these people. Politial reality.

Notice the PTP are not saying anything about the "corrupt" ministers of parties they also need to be in power.

In the final analysis nothing happens without a reason and there will be a bigger picture we cant see affecting all of this and causing rifts.

[Buchholz]

Kuakul will contest by-election without resigning as Deputy Transport Minister

PM insists Kuakul, Boonjong must resign to contest by-election

Abhisit seems to have won at least half the battle thus far. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat of the Bhum Jai Thai Party has resigned this morning. His resignation is effective November 22nd. The by-election is scheduled for December 12th.

Elsewhere, Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaivichit of the Chart Thai Pattana Party said he will announce later today regarding his final decision to resign or not.

.

Edited November 17, 2010 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Breaking News

Deputy Interior Minister Resigns

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat has announced his resignation from the post to field in the Nakorn Ratchasima by-elelction. His resignation will take effect on November 22.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-17

[SomTumTiger]

Those of you who still readily dismiss PM Abhisit as a pawn, patsy, tool, whatever. He just made two of the most powerful men in the country (Newin and Barnham) bow to his will. Amazing that people keep on dismissing him out of turn. He is the most astute PM to sit in that chair in over a decade. Keep it warm a while longer Mark.

[Buchholz]

Kuakul will contest by-election without resigning as Deputy Transport Minister

PM insists Kuakul, Boonjong must resign to contest by-election

Abhisit seems to have won at least half the battle thus far. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat of the Bhum Jai Thai Party has resigned this morning. His resignation is effective November 22nd. The by-election is scheduled for December 12th.

Elsewhere, Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaivichit of the Chart Thai Pattana Party said he will announce later today regarding his final decision to resign or not.

Abhisit seems to have won the whole battle now :

Kuakul departing Cabinet to run for by-election

Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit on Wednesday said he will relinquish his ministerial portfolio before joining the by-election race in Ayutthaya.

Friday will be my last day in office, Kuakul said, revealing to kick off his electoral campaign on Saturday ahead of the Monday's candidacy registration day.

"I did not act under the pressure from the prime minister with whom I always have a good understanding," he said, in reference to the standard for Cabinet members to step down before contesting the by-election.

He said he has not discussed with his Chart Thai Pattana Party related to his possible return to the Cabinet after the poll.

-- The Nation 2011-11-17

Edited November 17, 2010 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Amazing that people keep on dismissing him out of turn.

And have been doing that constantly since he was first elected, coming up on 2 years now.

[animatic]

He seems to be setting standards and making them stick to them against their wishes. Didn't hurt to have Suthep just do the same recently.

Yes, the back room boys backed down, but not after so many pundits said the Dems were toast, the coalition would fall, and Mark was history and a pawn / patsy / ineffectual.

[whybother]

Abhisit seems to have won the whole battle now :

Kuakul departing Cabinet to run for by-election

Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit on Wednesday said he will relinquish his ministerial portfolio before joining the by-election race in Ayutthaya.

Friday will be my last day in office, Kuakul said, revealing to kick off his electoral campaign on Saturday ahead of the Monday's candidacy registration day.

"I did not act under the pressure from the prime minister with whom I always have a good understanding," he said, in reference to the standard for Cabinet members to step down before contesting the by-election.

He said he has not discussed with his Chart Thai Pattana Party related to his possible return to the Cabinet after the poll.

He didn't act under pressure from the prime minister, but changed his mind after the PM told him to.

[animatic]

The back story we don't see must be delicious!

[SomTumTiger]

All the PM bashers silent tonight. Maybe they finally figured out that the PM wears bigger pants than they do....

[Buchholz]

Boonjong, Kuakul will quit Cabinet to run in by-polls

Two ministers yesterday finally announced their departure from the Cabinet to contest the December 12 by-elections. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat said his resignation would take effect next Monday, the first day of candidacy registration. “I made the decision [to resign] after my party resolved to field me as the candidate in the by-election. I did this to avoid being accused of abusing power to help me [in the by-election],” he said. Boonjong is to seek a re-election bid for the House seat from Nakhon Ratchasima’s Constituency 6 under the Bhum Jai Thai party’s banner. Boonjong said he had no idea who would replace him as deputy minister or if he would be reappointed to the post after the election. It depended on Interior Minister Chavarat Chanweerakul, who is the Bhum Jai Thai Party Leader, and party executive members, he said, adding that the post will belong to his party.

Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit will work until tomorrow before kicking off his electoral campaign on Saturday in Ayutthaya’s Constituency 1 under the Chart Thai Pattana Party’s banner. “I understand the situation. It’s good to follow poll regulations. I feel comfortable now [after resigning] because I won’t be accused of abusing my power,” Kuakul said, his voice shaking. Kuakul said his party had not talked about whether he would be re-appointed as deputy minister.

The two said they were relinquishing their respective positions without any pressure from the prime minister. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made it clear he wanted Cabinet members to step down before contesting a by-election.

Continues:

[Buchholz]

No rush to replace two outgoing ministers: Suthep

There is no urgency to shuffle the Cabinet to fill two vacant seats as the prime minister will later decide whether to allow the return of two outgoing ministers after contesting the by-elections, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday.

“The prime minister will decide whether to leave the two Cabinet position vacant until the by-election vote,” he said.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat and Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaiwijit are to depart the Cabinet by next week before joining the December 12 race to seek their re-election bids in Nakhon Ratchasima and Ayutthaya.

In a related development, Bhum Jai Thai MP Prajak Klaewklaharn denied the allegation about his party infighting to replace Boonjong.

Prajak said his party executives have yet to meet and decide on whether to replace Boonjong or reserve the seat for his return after the vote.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[Buchholz]

The candidates are registered now for the by-elections on December 12 with the coalition government not fielding competing candidates in the same constituency resulting in essentially a competition between the opposition and the coalition.

There are candidates running from parties that are neither part of the coalition or the opposition, but they are minor parties with no real expectations.

[Buchholz]

By-election updates

NAKORN RACHASRIMA, 25 November 2010 (NNT)-The Pua Pandin Party reportedly has decided not to contest in the by-election in Constituency 6 of Nakorn Rachasrima province, claiming that its candidate lacks the qualification required.

According to Pirot Suwanchawee, the Pua Pandin core leader, the party initially planned to field the former mayor of Huay Talang district to contest the by-election, however, it discovered that the prospective candidate did not meet the Election Commission’s requirement that a candidate must be a member of a political party for at least 90 days to be eligible to run in an election.

Pirot disclosed further that his party would most likely merge with the Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana Party, forming a formidable force to fight in the next general election; expected by many to be held early next year.

-- NNT 2010-11-25

[whybother]

By-election updates

NAKORN RACHASRIMA, 25 November 2010 (NNT)-The Pua Pandin Party reportedly has decided not to contest in the by-election in Constituency 6 of Nakorn Rachasrima province, claiming that its candidate lacks the qualification required.

According to Pirot Suwanchawee, the Pua Pandin core leader, the party initially planned to field the former mayor of Huay Talang district to contest the by-election, however, it discovered that the prospective candidate did not meet the Election Commission's requirement that a candidate must be a member of a political party for at least 90 days to be eligible to run in an election.

Pirot disclosed further that his party would most likely merge with the Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana Party, forming a formidable force to fight in the next general election; expected by many to be held early next year.

-- NNT 2010-11-25

" its candidate lacks the qualification required" - That would cover quite a few Thai politicians wouldn't it?

I'll ignore this part of the article: "a candidate must be a member of a political party for at least 90 days to be eligible to run in an election."

[Thai at Heart]

By-election updates

NAKORN RACHASRIMA, 25 November 2010 (NNT)-The Pua Pandin Party reportedly has decided not to contest in the by-election in Constituency 6 of Nakorn Rachasrima province, claiming that its candidate lacks the qualification required.

According to Pirot Suwanchawee, the Pua Pandin core leader, the party initially planned to field the former mayor of Huay Talang district to contest the by-election, however, it discovered that the prospective candidate did not meet the Election Commission's requirement that a candidate must be a member of a political party for at least 90 days to be eligible to run in an election.

Pirot disclosed further that his party would most likely merge with the Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana Party, forming a formidable force to fight in the next general election; expected by many to be held early next year.

-- NNT 2010-11-25

" its candidate lacks the qualification required" - That would cover quite a few Thai politicians wouldn't it?

I'll ignore this part of the article: "a candidate must be a member of a political party for at least 90 days to be eligible to run in an election."

I presume this is a by-election sparked by the banning of the candidates from parliament.

So a presumably honest bloke can't stand according to the rules, but the dodgy MP's who were disqualified for breaking rules causing the by-elections to happen in the first place are allowed to stand??????

Thai legal logic at its best :blink:

And the world keeps turning.........