Dark Clouds Hanging Over Thai Politics

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Dark clouds hanging over Thai politics

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

The political landscape is under dark clouds, triggering a mood of melancholy with no sign of sunnier times in sight.

However, all parties concerned should be prepared, because dark clouds can either pass or develop into a storm. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should be closely monitoring the clouds hanging over his coalition alliance, while the opposition should keep abreast of the shifting sentiment instead of dwelling in the bitter past.

In less than a month, voters will be casting their ballots for five by-elections, believed to be a trial run for the general elections next year.

Although the voting outcome is not expected to alter the power balance between the coalition and opposition, the preparations have shed light on some interesting facts.

Two coalition parties, Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana, are acting in defiance of Abhisit. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat and Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaiwijit will be contesting in the Nakhon Ratchasima and Ayutthaya by-elections respectively, without giving up their ministerial portfolios.

The prime minister said right away that these deputy ministers should be stepping down before making their re-election bids. He wanted to set a new standard for Cabinet members contesting elections and even promised to reappoint them later.

Yet, Boonjong and Kuerkul are rallying behind their respective parties and refusing to heed the PM’s advice. If Abhisit decided to crack the whip, he would have to boot them out and risk a possible break-up of his coalition.

The premier needs to tread carefully when dealing with appointments outside the Democrat quota.

This might not be the time to antagonise coalition partners particularly since the next poll is right round the corner. Abhisit needs to strike the right balance between pragmatism and the moral high horse.

To common people, the upcoming by-elections and Abhisit’s new standard for office holders do not make sense. Jurists should step forward to explain two issues why should MPs be disqualified before being allowed to win their House seats back and why should ministers resign if they are going to be reinstated anyway?

With the exception of Democrat Somkietr Xanthavanij, who decided to put his political career on hold, other disqualified MPs look set to win back their House seats. If violating the ban on holding shares linked to state concessionaires is such a serious offence, then it is absurd to go to all the trouble of organising by-elections just so the offenders can resume office.

Furthermore, the ban punishable by disqualification is in no way linked to the MPs’ ministerial appointments. Yet, Abhisit decided to take the moral high ground with his two deputy ministers. How does one justify easing the two out of office and then promising to reinstate them?

The coalition allies are not the only ones manipulating rules in order to stage a comeback. Pheu Thai’s Khon Kaen MP Preechaphol Pongpanit is among the disqualified. He is scheduled to contest in the upcoming race and looks set to secure a victory.

Just like it did during the recent by-elections in Bangkok and Surat Thani, the main opposition party considers these votes as opportunities to settle old scores with rival candidates from the coalition rather than a platform for policy advancement.

From Pheu Thai’s perspective, the December by-election in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen will become a rematch of the 2007 poll.

With the coalition preaching game changes, but practising old-style politicking, and the opposition living in a time capsule and bending to exact revenge, Thai politics has a long way to go before it emerges from this rough patch.

-- The Nation 2010-11-16

[KhunAussie52]

Amazing Thailand!!!!

[Piengrudee]

Dark clouds hanging over Thai politics? There was never a clear day since the revolution 70+ years ago.

[Insight]

Dark clouds hanging over Thai politics? There was never a clear day since the revolution 70+ years ago.

And this is a sentiment shared by how many Thais like yourself ...?

(Just allowing myself to fall for the illusion of a carefully chosen avatar for a brief nanosecond.)

[whybother]

<snip>

(Just allowing myself to fall for the illusion of a carefully chosen avatar for a brief nanosecond.)

Stay Strong.

Don't feed the troll.

[ChiangMaiFun]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

[givenall]

Dark clouds hanging over Thai politics? There was never a clear day since the revolution 70+ years ago.

And this is a sentiment shared by how many Thais like yourself ...?

(Just allowing myself to fall for the illusion of a carefully chosen avatar for a brief nanosecond.)

It has always been very clear. Enter politics and make money as much as possible and deal with the cost later

[bushwacker]

Must be a slow news day!

[junglist]

Dark clouds hanging over Thai politics? There was never a clear day since the revolution 70+ years ago.

70's, no you need to go way back. They have been laying and corrupt since day one.

[junglist]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

. Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

She broke the Law. You jest, and poorly at that.

[junglist]

Politics 55555 more like Poltricks, in Thailand.

[Northman061]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

Oh Dear.

Do you really mean that? If so, then the Millionaire Generals and Billionaire Elites have really won the minds of Thais.

A law that allows the minority that holds power through force of arms whilst it crushes, limits and restricts the majority is no real law.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Lite Beer
Removed reference to The Monarchy

[animatic]

Dark clouds hanging over Thai politics? There was never a clear day since the revolution 70+ years ago.

You think this just started about 70 years ago?

'Court intrigue', politics by another name,

has been endemic for a thousand years.

[ChiangMaiFun]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

Your comments about that great and courageous leader in Mynamar are a complete JOKE and if you represent some of the youth of Thailand then there is no hope - none at all.

I never thought I'd read such a comment even on Thai Visa! pronouncing Aung Sun Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, a 'skinny women'? this is your commentary on the freedom fight in Burma? I am almost speechless (almost).

Edited November 16, 2010 by Lite Beer
Monarchy remarks deleted from quote and reply.

[animatic]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Our King is the greatest for Thailand. Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

This post really seems like a ploy to get people banned.....

An emotional subject with an 'either/or' position that is

impossible to adequately defend without running afoul

certain laws and Thai sensibilities.

So part one MUST be ignored.

Yes she IS skinny. A cheap shot comment.

Yes there is a reason she was arrested,

she is a dangerous icon for the people vs the junta,

She scares the junta because she rightly decisively WON the last election.

And only pressure centered around her iconic status forced this last sham election.

No coincidence she was released just AFTER the election was done.

And no coincidence her last detention period was caused by someone elses

actions, the nutter yank swimmer and her servant who let him in to dry off, and not hers. By the time she knew he had arrived at her house it was too late.

The junta took advantage and locked her up yet again till after the election.

Using the most pathetic of technicalities.

She broke laws you say?, Well it more appears laws were added,

manipulated, and 'read to fit purpose's by the junta's minions to

keep her from leading the people against them in the election

and speaking uncomfortable truths the average Burmese understand.

She has stood very much FOR the law, but for real laws that are equal,

and fair to all Burmese, not just the ruling cliques retrenchment of power.

Edited November 16, 2010 by animatic

[hammered]

Right now there seems to be a lot less interest in politics among ordinary Thai people and a genrally negative feeling towards the whole game.

Still Im sure there is always a chance to whip that up from any direction by the usual suspects in the age old ways. Shame really as nobody actually listens to the people. Everyone enjoys telling the people. True of allpoltical parties and all colour coded nut job groups. Still I guess that is true of every country to some extent or other.

[ChiangMaiFun]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

. Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

This post really seems like a ploy to get people banned.....

An emotional subject with an 'either/or' position that is

impossible to adequately defend without running afoul

certain laws and Thai sensibilities.

So part one MUST be ignored.

Yes she IS skinny. A cheap shot comment.

Yes there is a reason she was arrested,

she is a dangerous icon for the people vs the junta,

She scares the junta because she rightly decisively WON the last election.

And only pressure centered around her iconic status forced this last sham election.

No coincidence she was released just AFTER the election was done.

And no coincidence her last detention period was caused by someone elses

actions, the nutter yank swimmer and her servant who let him in to dry off, and not hers. By the time she knew he had arrived at her house it was too late.

The junta took advantage and locked her up yet again till after the election.

Using the most pathetic of technicalities.

She broke laws you say?, Well it more appears laws were added,

manipulated, and 'read to fit purpose's by the junta's minions to

keep her from leading the people against them in the election

and speaking uncomfortable truths the average Burmese understand.

She has stood very much FOR the law, but for real laws that are equal,

and fair to all Burmese, not just the ruling cliques retrenchment of power.

For once we stand shoulder to shoulder

[KhunAussie52]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

A profoundly sad comment about a woman whom i admire.She has the respect and admiration of millions of Burmese citizens.

Tell me, what laws has she broken?

[cmsally]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

. Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

So what would you suggest be done with the Generals who broke the law by not recognising the results of the 1990 elections ; seizing power from the NLD who won a landslide. Oh hang on I forgot the generals are above the law!

The generals nullified the results of the election and put her under house arrest. What law did she break? Her party won the election.

[animatic]

This is certainly a off topic subject that makes strange bedfellows.

But in this case rightly so.

[Buchholz]

<snip>

(Just allowing myself to fall for the illusion of a carefully chosen avatar for a brief nanosecond.)

Stay Strong.

Don't feed the troll.

Too late. It's garnered 14 of 23 replies.

[Lite Beer]

A post with references to the Thai Monarchy has been removed.

Replies to it have been edited or removed.

[xitroen]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Absolutly right ! Thailand needs an honest leader, but also some honest politicien and an honest police... It's just a dream... Sorry to be so sarcastic... I love this country and I am so sorry to see everyday in Pattaya the organised rackett of the police in bars and to farangs... So what is it with politics ? Rackett x 10 ? x 100 ? x 1000 ? More ?... Poor Thailand...

[ciaociao]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Taksin to the rescue!!

[hammered]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Taksin to the rescue!!

More likley to have a coup.

[truethailand]

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Taksin to the rescue!!

More likley to have a coup.

Bookies have stopped taking money on a coup, they know its always been the trusted fallback. Take my advice do a double with Takky coming

[AgentSmith]

A post with references to the Thai Monarchy has been removed.

Replies to it have been edited or removed.

Self-censorship, ouch... Amazing Thailand...

I await the day that the freedom of speech in Birma surpasses that of Thailand. Go Aung San Suu Kyi!!