BURNING ISSUE

PAD and govt happy for yellow-shirt rally to be postponed

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The rising political temperature dropped considerably after the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) decided to postpone its "major rally" until January 25, more than a month from its original date, December 11.

The rally aims to protest at possible parliamentary endorsement of minutes from previous meetings of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC).

The postponement appears to benefit both the PAD and the government. Although each is still upset with the other, the latest PAD move has provided "breathing space" for the yellow shirts group as well as the Democrat-led coalition government.

The Democrats obviously don't want a confrontation with both the yellow shirts and the anti-government red shirts at the same time. And a delay could allow the Democrats time to reach a compromise with the PAD.

Before the PAD decided to postpone its rally, the Democrats had their MPs file a petition with the Parliament president, asking him to seek a Constitution Court ruling on whether the JBC minutes comply with Article 190 of the Constitution. The clause states that a treaty must be approved by the Parliament if it provides for a change in Thai territory or has extensive impact on national, economic or social security, or generates material commitments in trade, investment or budgets by the country.

This could "buy more time" for the ruling party. If the MPs' petition is forwarded to the court, it is likely to cause a suspension of work by the House panel considering the JBC minutes in detail, and the joint parliamentary panel vetting the move to amend Article 190.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat leader and party MP, reserved his right to debate the change proposed by his coalition. He said there was no hidden agenda in seeking to change Article 190.

As for the PAD, they have a problem mobilising people to join their rallies now. In their last rally from November 23 to 25, the number of participants was small, despite the presence of key PAD leaders like Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, and Somsak Kosaisuk.

A source from the Democrat Party said the PAD leaders appeared to have no confidence that next "major rally" would gather more people than the previous protest outside Parliament. The source said this could be the real reason the PAD decided to postpone its "major rally".

The joint committee vetting the constitutional amendments has decided to consider Article 190 before changes relating to Articles 93 to 98, which involve changes to the electoral system.

Terdpong Jayananda, panel chairman from the Democrat Party, said the committee decided to consider Article 190 first because the matter received widespread interest among the public. He said it had nothing to do with the PAD rally.

Panel members were allowed to propose changes to the amendment until this Friday, but he was unsure when the vetting would be completed.

Moreover, coalition parties have not been able to agree in detail on the draft to amend Articles 93 to 98, particularly regarding the number of MPs from constituencies and the party-list system of proportional representation.

Democrat MP Atthawit Suwanphakdi, secretary of the vetting committee, said the coalition parties would have to settle their differences on the matter. He said if more changes were to be made, it would take more time to negotiate, adding that his party was firm with the number approved in the first reading of Parliament recently - 375 constituency MPs and 125 party-list MPs, compared to 400 and 100 at present.

It appears the fight over constitutional amendment could be lengthy. This is just the first round and it is not finished yet.

Given the slow amendment process, it now remains unclear if the prime minister's original plan to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a new general election in late February is possible. The PM has said he will dissolve the House after the constitutional amendments are passed by Parliament.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

"As for the PAD, they have a problem mobilising people to join their rallies now. In their last rally from November 23 to 25, the number of participants was small, despite the presence of key PAD leaders like Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, and Somsak Kosaisuk."

"A source from the Democrat Party said the PAD leaders appeared to have no confidence that next "major rally" would gather more people than the previous protest outside Parliament. The source said this could be the real reason the PAD decided to postpone its "major rally"."

Edited December 8, 201015 yr by Thailand

It's all so bloody boring!

With no lighting rod to inspire them (PAD) and with said lightning rod no longer funding them (UDD), Thailand has been rather peaceful the last 6 months. Lets hope it stays that way.

Well I suppose the Reds and the Yellows could get together and wear Orange shirts, would increase the numbers if anybody really cares.

Never the twain shall meet.

am i the only one that links the postponement of this rally with the further delay in charges related to the takeover of government house?

am i the only one that links the postponement of this rally with the further delay in charges related to the takeover of government house?

Yes. What delay?

The yellow shirts face the same problem as the red shirts.

Neither one has the money to pay there protesters.

The yellow shirts face the same problem as the red shirts.

Neither one has the money to pay there protesters.

thats for sure.

many are still trying to collect from the last farce

am i the only one that links the postponement of this rally with the further delay in charges related to the takeover of government house?

Yes. What delay?

I am not allowed to link to the Bangkok post but I read a couple of days ago that the charges for the takeover of Government House have been delayed again, The charges agaisnt sondhi, chamlong et al

edit, you can find it on the BP website at the bottom of page 2 on the Politics page, by the time you look it may have dropped to page 3

Edited December 9, 201015 yr by random