Elections Still On, Promises Abhisit

[webfact]

Elections still on, promises Abhisit

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The government will speak to the Election Commission immediately if constitutional amendments are agreed on by Friday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

The mid-year budget would also be put on the agenda for the next House session, and it should be accepted and passed by Parliament in the first reading, he said.

Abhisit spoke after chairing a meeting at the National Security Council and the Internal Security Operations Command, possibly about the border clash, although he did not mention the issue.

Asked if he would dissolve the House once the amendments and budget bill were passed, even though yellow and red-shirt rallies continue, Abhisit said: "It is not relevant, because it's one's basic constitutional right to stage a protest."

Parliament will vote on the amendments - which critics say favour the Democrat-led coalition - on Friday. Abhisit has hinted he may dissolve the House if the changes are passed.

Speaking to reporters earlier at Government House, the premier said it would not be necessary for him to step down, as demanded by the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, if the amendments were passed. He reiterated: "The government is ever ready to return power to the people."

In response to reports that the government was trying to hang on to power after the amendments are passed and the opposition launches a no-confidence motion, Abhisit said: "Bring it on, and finish the debate so the dissolution can be mandated. Otherwise the process [of the government staying in power] continues, as there are many laws awaiting to be considered or amended."

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

[Siripon]

As they do every year Pheua Thai have postponed the date of the censure debate against the government.

Not enough info? Not enough speakers?

They really are a useless bunch of politicians.

[hammered]

As they do every year Pheua Thai have postponed the date of the censure debate against the government.

Not enough info? Not enough speakers?

They really are a useless bunch of politicians.

Mingkwan is hopeless but has bought a lot of MPs up. A bit of a headache for Thaksin. It would be a tad difficult to hold a censure when some of the MPs may be about to leave the party or do something else to embarrass Mingkwan. Thaksin will have to resolve that before a censure can take place. Odd thing is that the censure is talked about as though it is a natuiral part of parliamentary life, which it shouldnt be, and to date no issues to be raised have been mentioned. A censure should happen after issues become apparent and not be some lame attempt to get a bit of TV time to ponce around or waste loads of time when far more important issues need to be discussed.

There is more chance of the election being delayed because of the army than PTP. A new Abhisit government after an election will be one freed from them and even while linked the Abhisit government have had the temerity to allow the DSI to suggest some May deaths were caused by public servants. An election is a lose-lose scenario for the military but lets hope it takes place anyway.

[asiawatcher]

"... An election is a lose-lose scenario for the military but lets hope it takes place anyway. "

Here here...

[webfact]

PM Ready to Set Election Date Regardless of the Demonstration

The PM is ready to discuss an election date with the Election Commission after the third reading of the constitutional amendment process.

He added that the continuing demonstrations are not relevant to the issue.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated in an interview at the national security office that he is ready to dissolve the parliament for an election after the amendment of the constitution is completed.

He said arrangements of the mid year budget for 2011 will be completed if it passes the consideration of the representatives next week.

When asked whether parliament would still be dissolved if the PAD and red-shirt demonstrations continue, the premier answered that the two are separate issues, and that under a democracy, all citizens have the right to demonstrate peacefully.

While the prime minister expressed uncertainty as to whether there will be a censure debate, he confirmed that it is the government's duty to clarify any questions.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-09

[webfact]

Snap election expected this year's first half: PM

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday hinted he would likely a snap poll within the first six months of this year.

"As everything is falling into place, the elections will take place soon," he said.

Abhisit said the economy was revitalised with the projection of this year's growth rate about four per cent, the exports growing at 25 per cent and the unemployment at one per cent.

In regard to the political situation, the draft on charter amendments will come up for a final vote on Friday, he said.

And the government was taking steps to preempt the repeat of political violence in order to pave way for the elections, he said.

He said he stood by his commitment to dissolve the House before the expiry of his term of office, expecting the early elections in the first six months of this year.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

[Payboy]

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday hinted he would likely a snap poll within the first six months of this year.

"As everything is falling into place, the elections will take place soon," he said.

Did he mean to say "falling into pieces"?

[Robby nz]

That will have the leaderless PTP making phone calls to the boss, wherever he is.

It could also help to bring the Cambodia 'missunderstanding' to an end.

If the (former) advisor is mixed up in that then an early election should divert his attention, and funds, back to trying to get his political party ready for a poll.

Hun Sen would then be left on his own and hopefully want to talk.

[hammered]

Abhisit wants the election before any mishaps can occur. Quite sensible really. While his party will likely not win an overall majority or even be the biggest, it will be well positioned to form another coalition with the current partners (or possibly PTP as an outside shot). Then it is back to democracy as normal in Thailand. That sidelines all the street protest groups and the pushes the military into the background and also removes police ability to let a street demo do what it wants. It also leaves the bureaucracy a little nervous. The PTP would also favour an election further off so they can get their momentum roling and a number of their will we stay6 wont we stay MPs wouldnt mind a little longer to make their minds up between PTP, BJT, CTP or a purpose built off the shelf party. So lots could occur in the run up to the election but few if any can openly say they want to derail it.

[phiphidon]

There is more chance of the election being delayed because of the army than PTP. A new Abhisit government after an election will be one freed from them and even while linked the Abhisit government have had the temerity to allow the DSI to suggest some May deaths were caused by public servants. An election is a lose-lose scenario for the military but lets hope it takes place anyway.

"There is more chance of the election being delayed because of the army than PTP. A new Abhisit government after an election will be one freed from them and even while linked the Abhisit government have had the temerity to allow the DSI to suggest some May deaths were caused by public servants"

Indeed, but nothing more concrete than "suggested" and nothing so far to suggest that this will be followed up or acted upon - situation normal for the army. And as for being "freed from them (the Army)" there is a little matter of the mid term budget to be agreed as a condition of elections being held - and what do you think the budget will contain apart from provision for Abhisits' populist proposals, possibly more toys for the army, maybe another birthday gift of a division or so, though personally I'd have thought the alleged kickbacks from the G200 scandal would have been enough to keep an old soldier from ever dying, though they just fade away apparently.

If only.

[whybother]

There is more chance of the election being delayed because of the army than PTP. A new Abhisit government after an election will be one freed from them and even while linked the Abhisit government have had the temerity to allow the DSI to suggest some May deaths were caused by public servants. An election is a lose-lose scenario for the military but lets hope it takes place anyway.

"There is more chance of the election being delayed because of the army than PTP. A new Abhisit government after an election will be one freed from them and even while linked the Abhisit government have had the temerity to allow the DSI to suggest some May deaths were caused by public servants"

Indeed, but nothing more concrete than "suggested" and nothing so far to suggest that this will be followed up or acted upon - situation normal for the army. And as for being "freed from them (the Army)" there is a little matter of the mid term budget to be agreed as a condition of elections being held - and what do you think the budget will contain apart from provision for Abhisits' populist proposals, possibly more toys for the army, maybe another birthday gift of a division or so, though personally I'd have thought the alleged kickbacks from the G200 scandal would have been enough to keep an old soldier from ever dying, though they just fade away apparently.

If only.

The budget isn't a condition of having elections now. It was last years budget that was a condition if elections were to happen last year.

[metisdead]

One post removed as the content was quoted content from a Bangkok Post article.

31) All members are not allowed to quote news articles or material from bangkokpost.com or phuketwan inside topics on thaivisa.com. Posts containing quotes will be deleted from the forum. Links referring back to the sites are also not allowed and will be deleted.

Edited to add:

As to why quoting or linking to Bangkok Post is not allowed; Thai Visa is bound by the law and unfortunately the Bangkok Post does not allow linking or quoting to their articles.

Edited February 10, 2011 by metisdead
Clarification of not quoting Bangkok Post.

[webfact]

PM Reaffirms Elections to be Held Within Mid Year

The prime minister has reiterated that a general election will be held in the first half of this year.

Concerning a previous statement by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that an election will be held before the middle of this year, the premier and his party leaders confirmed in an interview that an election will be held within this year.

As to whether it will be in April or not depends on the third reading of the constitutional amendment, as well as the political stability.

As soon as the amendment of the constitution is completed, the government will coordinate with the Election Commission to prepare for elections.

Asked if the preparation would begin as soon as the mid-year budget for 2011 is approved, the prime minister replied that the mid-year budget for 2011 should be approved by March.

He added that the approval should come around the same time that the new election rules under the constitutional amendments come into effect.

However, the premier remained ambiguous about the exact time of the election date.

Election Commissioner for Political Party Affairs Sodsri Sattayatham stated that the commission would be ready for fresh elections if it were to be held in the middle of this year as previously stated by the prime minister.

Sodsri noted that if the parliamentary act for the election of representatives is not complete, which is required to exercise the soon to be approved constitutional amendments of Articles concerning the electoral system, the Election Commission has the authority to establish rules and procedures to facilitate the new elections.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-10

[ballpoint]

"There is more chance of the election being delayed because of the army than PTP. A new Abhisit government after an election will be one freed from them and even while linked the Abhisit government have had the temerity to allow the DSI to suggest some May deaths were caused by public servants"

Indeed, but nothing more concrete than "suggested" and nothing so far to suggest that this will be followed up or acted upon - situation normal for the army. And as for being "freed from them (the Army)" there is a little matter of the mid term budget to be agreed as a condition of elections being held - and what do you think the budget will contain apart from provision for Abhisits' populist proposals, possibly more toys for the army, maybe another birthday gift of a division or so, though personally I'd have thought the alleged kickbacks from the G200 scandal would have been enough to keep an old soldier from ever dying, though they just fade away apparently.

If only.

A number of Abhisit's (and Korn's) proposals are far from populist, being most contentious amongst the wealthy and those who will have to work to get any benefit, rather than sit on their <deleted> and collect government handouts, but any one of them will do more to improve the long term plight of the poor than all of the easy money thrown at them by previous governments. Easy money that in many cases still causes misery to those same poor that the reds profess to care about so much. The choice is clear, care about someone as a paid for cross on a ballot sheet, face in a protest crowd or consumer of your own company's mobile phone business, or care about someone enough to implement land taxes in an attempt to break the landless poverty trap of many, or implement a real crop price insurance scheme in an attempt to finally impact on the price fixing rice barons, or implement free education, including books and uniforms - when I broght this up on a previous thread there was a reply from a poster who had experience of the local education system pre and post TRT days who attested that the way in which teaching is done, in their local school at least, has greatly improved under the current government. Interestingly, I brought this up in that previous thread as a response to a question asked by a pre red poster here. Neither they, nor any other red siding poster, was able to respond. Of course, there are also a number of short term populist measures proposed too, name me a government anywhere in the world that doesn't bring these up in times of recession or approaching elections, the good governments though will propose a mix of short and long term, rather as we are seeing from the Democrats.

[Asa]

PM Abhisit's early election announcement trick is boring.