PM Abhisit Says House Dissolution In March Or April

[webfact]

PM says House dissolution in March or April

BANGKOK, Dec 10 -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday he could dissolve the House of Representatives either in March or April, and call for a fresh general election if peace prevails in Thailand, the economy improves and, most importantly, election rules are acceptable to every concerned party.

Mr Abhisit told journalists as Thailand is celebrating its Constitution Day on Friday that he is prepared to dissolve the House after the amending of the Constitution is completed.

The House could be dissolved either in March or April, Mr Abhisit said, adding that he would also observe situation in the country after the emergency decree is lifted in Bangkok and other provinces, most likely before the year-end, as a New Year gift for people.

Under the Constitution, the current coalition government's term will end in Dec 2011. The last general election was held in the country on Dec 23, 2007.

On a plan to revoke the emergency decree, Mr Abhisit said if the lifting of the decree is proposed by the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) it would be given for Cabinet consideration at its weekly meeting Tuesday.

After the decree is lifted, CRES (established in March this year) will be dissolved and the Internal Security Operations Command will be responsible for security affairs instead, Mr Abhisit said.

However, Thailand’s security agencies are prepared to impose tight security in at-risk areas if problems arise after the emergency decree is lifted and the Internal Security Act is implemented, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-10

[rubl]

The topic title doesn't match the article.

The PM speculates on a dissolution in March / April 2011, he doesn't state or promises.

[Pib]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

[whybother]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

... and, why not?

Lots can happen between now and April. Why commit to a specific date now?

[MAJIC]

Carefully worded,by Abisit!

And why promise anything to the Reds? they certainly wouldn't give any assurances,or indeed deserve any,from the Government.

Edited December 10, 2010 by MAJIC

[Pib]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

... and, why not?

Lots can happen between now and April. Why commit to a specific date now?

Exactly...don't commit...continue the carrot and stick approach...then end up having the election just before the required no later than date which I think is in late 2011. By having the election just before the no later than date the PM can still say the elections were held early and stay in power as long as possible---it's Politics 101.

[SergeiY]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

as always since he is PM

[whybother]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

... and, why not?

Lots can happen between now and April. Why commit to a specific date now?

Exactly...don't commit...continue the carrot and stick approach...then end up having the election just before the required no later than date which I think is in late 2011. By having the election just before the no later than date the PM can still say the elections were held early and stay in power as long as possible---it's Politics 101.

Once he calls elections, it would be irrelevant whether they were called early or not.

Politics 101 - Call elections when it suits you, not when it suits someone else.

[webfact]

Abhisit hints at snap poll early next year

By The Nation

Dissolution of the House of Representatives may take place in the first quarter of next year, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday, hinting at a snap election before March or April.

Abhisit also said the repeal of emergency rule was on track for Cabinet debate on Tuesday.

After the lifting of the state of emergency, the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation will be completely dis?banded, he said, adding that authorities planned to enforce the Internal Security Law to ensure social order in lieu of the CRES.

"I believe the Internal Security Operations Command will take over duties previously assigned to the CRES," he said.

To ensure a smooth transi?tion from the CRES to the Isoc, security authorities have drawn up contingency plans to ensure peace and social order, he said.

Abhisit said he was confident police could effectively enforce the law after the lifting of the state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

If normalcy can be sustained without emergency rule, then this is a good sign for an early poll, he said.

He reaffirmed his three con?ditions for calling early elec?tions - return of normalcy, completion of charter rewriting and no economic turbulence.

He said he viewed the return of normalcy as a priority, since he expected the charter amend?ments to be completed soon and did not anticipate any looming troubles for the econ?omy.

"The return of political normalcy has progressed quite well, but I still have to assess the post-emergency situation," he said.

After the Constitution is amended and the situation remains peaceful, he will then be able to set the poll date, he said.

The vetting of charter amendments is expected to be complete before the House reconvenes in January, and the final reading of the amendment bills will likely take no more than 15 days, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-11

[Pib]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

... and, why not?

Lots can happen between now and April. Why commit to a specific date now?

Exactly...don't commit...continue the carrot and stick approach...then end up having the election just before the required no later than date which I think is in late 2011. By having the election just before the no later than date the PM can still say the elections were held early and stay in power as long as possible---it's Politics 101.

Once he calls elections, it would be irrelevant whether they were called early or not.

Politics 101 - Call elections when it suits you, not when it suits someone else.

Sometimes I wonder if Thailand wouldn't better off with an election system where elections occur every X-years, "no earlier and no later," kinda like the American system where elections would be held held every 2 years for all ministers/representatives (and a portion of the senators), and then every 4 years for the prime minister which also drives the appointment of new ministers over the various ministries/departments/agencies. But in the way the Thai parliamentary governmental system is setup they would probably just have to picked just one 2, 3, or 4 year election schedule.

Seems right after elections now, the opposition parties immediately begin the process/law suits/protests/partisan politics to dissolve the Parliament so new elections can be held ASAP. Maybe, if new elections could only be held every X-amount of years (say every 3 years), with some protections to impeach the PM, under certain situations that this constant partisan efforts to bring down the current government might provide more political stability. Instead of spending so much effort in trying to bring down the current government early, the elected representatives would just bicker over trying to get certain laws passed. I don't know. There is no one governmental election system that fits all countries. Of course, trying to keep the military from doing one of its periodic coups is a wildcard.

[LanxangBillybob]

"call for a fresh general election if peace prevails in Thailand, the economy improves and, most importantly, election rules are acceptable to every concerned party"

Does anyone see these conditions possibly being met?

[jayjay0]

So basically the PM is saying: could've, would've, should've. Wait and see...flip a coin...maybe...etc.

It would certainly be nice if he could give a definite date.

Unfortunately for Thailand there are a lot of unscrupulous people who would (are getting paid) do any thing to make Abhist look bad. For instance more of there friendly neighbor hood bombs and when the ED is reapplied make a political issue of it.

If you have a better idea please share it with us. I for one would like to hear it.

[Pib]

Only history will determine if the current approach is the best approach...and even that history will be debatable...most history is.

[TAWP]

Sometimes I wonder if Thailand wouldn't better off with an election system where elections occur every X-years, "no earlier and no later," kinda like the American system where elections would be held held every 2 years for all ministers/representatives (and a portion of the senators), and then every 4 years for the prime minister which also drives the appointment of new ministers over the various ministries/departments/agencies. But in the way the Thai parliamentary governmental system is setup they would probably just have to picked just one 2, 3, or 4 year election schedule.

Uhm...elections of MPs are done on a 4 year interval etc, just like in any other nation. But the government can also dissolw earlier and hold new elections. Sometimes done to regain/prove the mandate after something big has happened.

Oh, and the PM is chosen from the MP's elected, same as in most any other nation with the same parliamentary system. Only presidents are in general directly voted in by a election by the full population.

And the PM is only the head of the government, he is not Omnipotent and don't appoint the ministers by himself.