Two Draft Thai Charter Changes Approved

[Roadman]

Enough there to suggest that April it is. Good call with the current Reds , UDD Pheu Thai rabble in chaos collaspe mode. With the rabble collasping, a Democrat led coalition victory at the April polls would give Thailand the most solid period of stability that is will have ever had in its slow and painful move from elitenees rule to democratic process. Pinnochio is showing that he may be the puppet master after all. One wishs him every success at a second term. He will be very good for Thailand long term.

[Buchholz]

Dissolve in April, election in May?

[Buchholz]

That's something that was foretold last November by the government...

The Nation / 2010-11-28

Abhisit may dissolve House in April

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will not stay in power full term but will dissolve Parliament in April next year, Government whip Withaya Kaewparadai said Saturday.

[Buchholz]

Chart Thai Pattana to pass third reading of charter amendments

The Chart Thai Pattana Party will back the third and final reading of the draft charter amendments, including the House-seat apportionment, its MP Paradorn Prissananthakul said on Wednesday.

"The party may see a few strayed votes, but this will not affect the passage of the amendments," he said.

Paradorn admitted he opposed the apportionment formula of 375 seats for constituency MPs and 125 for party-list MPs in the second reading on Tuesday.

"But I intend to cast a 'yes' vote in the third reading since my party has already agreed to back the draft," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-26

[Buchholz]

Thai PM: House Dissolution In April Is Possible

BANGKOK -(Dow Jones)- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Wednesday didn't rule out the possibility of a house dissolution in April.

In response to a reporter's question whether it is possible that the house will be dissolved in April as many have speculated, Abhisit simply said " possible."

Speaking outside parliament, he said he will find the appropriate timing to call a general election.

Abhisit has said that his government is not intending to complete its term, which ends in December, because of lengthy protests by anti-government demonstrators demanding early polls.

Political observers have speculated that he would dissolve the house and call a snap poll after completing amendments to the constitution.

Abhisit said he expects the ongoing parliamentary process of the constitution amendment to be completed by Feb. 11.

http://news.morningstar.com/newsnet/ViewNews.aspx?article=/DJ/201101260619DOWJONESDJONLINE000252_univ.xml

-Bangkok Bureau, DowJones Newswires - January 26, 2010

[Buchholz]

Violence can derail poll: PM

April poll 'possible' if proposed charter amendments go through

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that there would be an early general election unless the ongoing street protests turn violent.

Abhisit said that if constitutional amendments cleared the final reading on February 11 and new electoral rules were promulgated by late February or early March, one of his three conditions for early elections will have been met.

He said that dissolution of the House of Representatives in April, as has been speculated, was possible.

The premier added that he did not expect the ongoing protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy to derail an early election.

"If the demonstrations remain peaceful, there will be no problems. No violence should be allowed to happen," he said.

The PAD, generally known as the yellow shirts, have vowed to protest until demands relating to the border conflict with Cambodia are met.

The three conditions set by the prime minister for early House dissolution and elections are: recovery from the global economic crisis; a political environment that does not impede election campaigning; and electoral rules that are acceptable to the parties involved.

The current House of Representatives' four-year term ends in December. A general election must be called no more than 45 days after that.

Yesterday a joint meeting of the two Houses of Parliament passed constitutional amendment of Articles 93 to 98 on the second reading after 11 hours of debate.

The amendment to Article 93, which would reduce the number of constituency MPs to 375 and increase party-list MPs to 125, passed with a vote of 298 to 211, with 35 abstentions.

Proposed amendments to Articles 94 to 98, which were voted on one-by-one, also sailed through the second reading with approval votes ranging from 301 to 307 and disapproval votes ranging from 192 to 200. Many MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, who earlier said they would abstain, voted against all the amendments, which were suggested by a government-appointed committee.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is the secretary-general of the ruling Democrat Party, said he was satisfied with the results and happy that the smaller coalition partners eventually changed their minds and supported the 375-125 formula favoured by the Democrats. Some of the parties had earlier pushed for a 400-100 formula.

Suthep rejected as groundless media reports that the turnaround was caused by Democrat promises of Cabinet seats in a future coalition government.

"It's impossible to make such empty promises when you don't know the results of the next election," he said.

Pheu Thai MP Witthaya Buranasiri, the opposition chief whip, yesterday said the about-turn was due to heavy lobbying. He said the charter changes were aimed at boosting the chances of Abhisit Vejjajiva becoming prime minister again.

"The Democrat Party wants to become the core coalition partner once again," he added.

Meanwhile, the coalition's chief whip, Democrat MP Witthaya Kaewparadai, yesterday expressed confidence the constitutional amendments would pass the third and final reading.

To do so the amendments will require support from at least half the combined number of MPs and senators - 313 - and not just the majority of parliamentarians present during the vote.

How they voted

The Chart Thai Pattana, Puea Pandin and Democrat parties opposed the apportionment formula of 375 seats for constituency MPs and 125 for party-list MPs in the second reading and Pheu Thai supported it.

Chart Thai Pattana Party

3 votes against

1. Sanan Kajornprasart, party-list MP

2. Siriwat Kajornprasart, Phichit MP

3. Peeradej siriwansan, Nakhon Sawan MP

4 abstentions

1. Paradorn Prissananantakul, Angthong MP

2. Chada Thaised, Uthai Thani MP

3. Ni-aris Jetaphiwat, Narathiwat MP

4. Watchara Yaworhasan, Narathiwat MP

Puea Pandin

1 abstention

Waemahadee Waeda-oh, party-list MP

1 vote against

Somkiat Soralum, party-list MP

Democrat Party

1 abstention

Preechaya Khamjaroen, Ratchaburi MP

Pheu Thai Party

3 votes for

1. Nikom Chaokittisophon, party-list MP

2. Jirapan Limsakulsirirat, Samut Prakan MP

3. Piyarach Meunsaen, Roi Et MP

7 abstentions

1. Kanok Limtrakul, Uttaradit MP

2. Jatuporn Prompan, party-list MP

3. Chalard Kharmchaung, Roi Et MP

4. Samart Kaewmechai, Chiang Rai MP

5. Surachet Chaikoson, Ayutthaya MP

6. Ittirat Chandrasurin, Lampang MP

7. Udomdej Rattanasatien, Nonthaburi MP

-- The Nation 2011-01-27

[phiphidon]

Violence can derail poll: PM

April poll 'possible' if proposed charter amendments go through

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that there would be an early general election unless the ongoing street protests turn violent.

Abhisit said that if constitutional amendments cleared the final reading on February 11 and new electoral rules were promulgated by late February or early March, one of his three conditions for early elections will have been met.

Well thats interesting, as according to an exclusive interview on the 3rd January with another english language newspaper, Abhisit said that the agreement and clearing of the constitutional amendments were not a condition or obstacle to the calling of an early election. So the goalposts have already been moved.

[whybother]

Violence can derail poll: PM

April poll 'possible' if proposed charter amendments go through

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that there would be an early general election unless the ongoing street protests turn violent.

Abhisit said that if constitutional amendments cleared the final reading on February 11 and new electoral rules were promulgated by late February or early March, one of his three conditions for early elections will have been met.

Well thats interesting, as according to an exclusive interview on the 3rd January with another english language newspaper, Abhisit said that the agreement and clearing of the constitutional amendments were not a condition or obstacle to the calling of an early election. So the goalposts have already been moved.

I thought most of the rumours were about having an earlier dissolution if the Democrats didn't get their way. And then Democrat denial of that.

[Buchholz]

PM: Thailand ready for next election

BANGKOK, 28 January 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has voiced his confidence that the country could move forward to a fresh election, but more evaluations of the situation are necessary due to current rallies of several protest groups.

Speaking at Parliament on Thursday, the prime minister ensured readiness of the country for the next election although the state of emergency had just been revoked and there were more groups staging their protests.

Prime Minister Abhisit believed that the situation would be clearer for him next month to say when House would be dissolved.

Regarding the charter revision on the proportion of elected and party-list MPs and election constituency, the prime minister said it would be normal that each party would need to adjust its candidates running for each constituency; however, he believed that this would not cause any problem in his ruling Democrat Party.

Prime Minister Abhisit also confirmed that his party did not receive any benefits from the change in election constituencies as accused by the opposition Puea Thai Party. He said the Democrat Party fielded candidates according to their suitability.

-- NNT 2011-01-28

[Robby nz]

Prime Minister Abhisit also confirmed that his party did not receive any benefits from the change in election constituencies as accused by the opposition Puea Thai Party. He said the Democrat Party fielded candidates according to their suitability.

If PTP did the same how many would they have?

[Buchholz]

PM: Govt ready for general election after charter amendment passes final reading

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 30 -- The Thai government is prepared to hold a general election if the current charter amendment passes its third and final reading next month, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reasserted Sunday.

Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address while attending the 41st World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Abhisit again said his government is ready to hold the general election if the amendment of the Constitution passes the third reading on Feb. 11 and becomes law.

The election could be held without a need for the Constitution’s organic laws to be amended and even though a rally is held, he said.

Mr Abhisit said earlier that the dissolution of Parliament in April could be possible after the charter amendment process is completed and political demonstrations are peaceful.

Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the second reading by 298-211 votes of the bill proposing 375 MPs from single-MP constituencies and 125 from party lists. Its third reading is set for Feb 11.

However, Mr Abhisit reminded the public of his three pre-conditions for the House dissolution including the country' improving economy, the progress on charter amendment, and political stability.

He said the government is ready to return power to the people if an election could be held without any violence. It (the election) would be a directive way for the country to progress another step and for the sake of peace in the country, Mr Abhisit said.

The WEF session began last Thursday and is scheduled to end Monday.

-- TNA 2011-01-30