Thai Govt Fears Lies And Distortion In Censure Debate

[webfact]

CENSURE DEBATE

Government fears lies and distortion

By THE NATION

The opposition is set to begin its censure attack against the prime minister and nine other Cabinet members today, as the ruling Democrat Party expressed fears that false information and distortion would be used for political advantage.

On the first of the three-day debate, the opposition would focus on the Ministry of Commerce and its failure to solve the problem of high prices and shortage of palm oil, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

He said that on the second day, the grilling would focus on the government's failures in running the country, and on the last day it would focus on the government's dispersal of red-shirt protesters last year that led to several deaths.

Chalerm Yoobamrung, a key Pheu Thai MP, said yesterday that he would focus a censure attack on alleged irregularities in regard to a cigarette importer that he said caused the country to lose billions in customs tax. He said that he would also grill Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul about questionable transfers of ministry personnel.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told yesterday's Cabinet meeting |that in addition to the targeted |ministers, others should also be |prepared for possible allegations |by opposition MPs during the no-confidence debate.

Abhisit said that he was ready to explain circumstances relating to the opposition's allegations, adding that the opposition appeared to want to gain political advantage from the censure debate rather than address people's problems.

"I am ready to explain; the allegations for my impeachment are untrue. … Judging from the motion and impeachment censures, the goal is for political gain, rather than sticking to truth," the prime minister said.

In regard to the opposition's likely attack on the political turmoil last year, he said: "If the opposition wants to focus on political conflicts, voters will make their decision [against them] in the next general election."

House Speaker Chai Chidchob said the censure debate would start at 10pm and continue until 2am or 3am tomorrow morning.

When asked about opposition MPs' possible use of video and audio recordings in addition to documents, Chai said Parliament has a committee responsible for examining those clips. However, he said personally he was not confident the clips would be free from editing.

The Democrats have set up a Censure Accountability Centre to verify video and audio clips to be played by opposition MPs during this week's censure debate, party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said yesterday.

Whips from the coalition and the opposition have agreed initially to allow 40 hours for the opposition, 20 hours for the government, and six more hours for general debate and protest, according to coalition chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai.

Charges against ministers and PM

The following are charges levelled against 10 Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister:

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva:

- failed and ineffective governance

- failure to enforce fair treatment under the law

- corruption

- failure to ensure fair business competition

- stocking of essential consumer goods in a way that hurt consumers

- allowing conflicts of interest to persist while lfailing to protect the public interest

- failure to protect the right of citizens to be informed

- improper rise to power and holding citizenship to two countries

- interfering with the bureaucracy and allowing the buying and selling of official positions to take place

- allowing the cost of living to rise

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya:

- failure in foreign policy administration

- interference in the local politics of a neighbouring country and causing severe bilateral strain

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban:

- severe violations of human dignity and rights

- exacerbating division within society

- failure to solve Southern problems

- responsibility for the palm-oil crisis

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij:

- lack of knowledge and ability to establish proper policies

- spending a lot of money to hire outsiders with no impact

- failure to apply strict fiscal policy in order to promote economic stability

- creating unprecedented levels of public debt through government borrowing

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai:

- responsibility for a suspicious auction of agricultural produce and other procurements.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh:

- Exploitation of a state enterprise related to the media for his own benefit.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul:

- Corruption and improper use of budget

- conflicts of interest

- interference in the running of the ministry through transfer and promotion orders and enabling the buying and selling of official positions to take place

Transport Minister Sophon Saram:

- Mega-transit project corruption

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon:

- Interference in the right of citizens to be informed.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu:

- Allowing encroachment on State land to take place, and other corruption.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

[pogal]

LOL No shit sherlock!

[Valentine]

It's a tradition.

[AZBill]

If that is what they fear they should stop lying and distorting then! LOL The Thai government is a joke! Whoever wins, the people will lose!

[timekeeper]

just like throwing shit at a wall and hoping some will stick.....

low, dirty tactics that we have come to expect from the red rabble

[animatic]

Lies and distortions.

S.O.P. they can't seem to find truth that does any real harm.

[Bakseedaa]

If that is what they fear they should stop lying and distorting then! LOL The Thai government is a joke! Whoever wins, the people will lose!

If you don`t like it, try next door in Burma... go there and see what those people have in the richest country in South Asia.. richest in natural resources that is ... now they have a real good government that makes Gadaffi look like an Angel... then come back and post on here about Thailands government....

[stepenwolf1958]

If that is what they fear they should stop lying and distorting then! LOL The Thai government is a joke! Whoever wins, the people will lose!

If you don`t like it, try next door in Burma... go there and see what those people have in the richest country in South Asia.. richest in natural resources that is ... now they have a real good government that makes Gadaffi look like an Angel... then come back and post on here about Thailands government....

Knock-knock, any one at home?

What for so hysterical tones?

Everyone here is entitled to have some opinion.

Like you, who probably think that this government is absolutely perfect.(which would be ridicoulus even to think)

You have right to you personally made opinion about this, so if someone else likes or dislikes this government, it is his/her right, too

You do not have any benefit to defend actual government.(i hope so)

Therefore, allow others to criticize the government as it is their right in thinking.

If you already want me to give a comment about something you dislike as opinion, i will recommend to you to go to England, America, Norway, Germany, etc and then return here and then praise this government if you are able after what you would be able to see in these Western countries as a true democracy and care for vulnerable populations.

After your visit to these countries, probably you will not have comments at all, but at least you will understand why some people here have a right and reason to criticize a local government.

If i would follow your logic so to compare foolishly some different countries(different by cilture) then you should know that the Thai government in comparison with the governments of these countries, is at the level of primitive African tribes. So do not allow to yourself ever again to compare this government with government in Myanmar or Libya. Compare this government with modern, developed, civilized countries.

[anon467848]

If that is what they fear they should stop lying and distorting then! LOL The Thai government is a joke! Whoever wins, the people will lose!

If you don`t like it, try next door in Burma... go there and see what those people have in the richest country in South Asia.. richest in natural resources that is ... now they have a real good government that makes Gadaffi look like an Angel... then come back and post on here about Thailands government....

Indonesia is far richer in resources than Burma.......

[webfact]

Thaksin Tells Pheu Thai MPs to Expose Democrats' Corruption in Debate

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered the Pheu Thai Party to expose the Democrat Party's corruption during the upcoming censure debate.

The Pheu Thai Party's censure debate team, led by MP Mingkwan Sangsuwan, met for the last time yesterday to prepare for the parliamentary censure debate scheduled to commence today.

The main opposition party has been allocated 40 hours to present their arguments.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra talked to the debate team via video conference for about 30 minutes.

The former premier told the Pheu Thai MPs who will take part in the debate to get right to the point, to inform the public of the truth behind the rising cost of living and the government's corruption.

Thaksin asked the Opposition MPs to be mature and rational during the debate.

He also said that as the next general election is approaching, the Opposition should inflict as much damage to the current government as possible, and the debate team's performance will be closely monitored and evaluated afterwards.

The Pheu Thai Party also appointed 19 of its MPs to watch for and protest any possible personal attacks from the government.

Mingkwan has been assigned as the opening presenter, and corruption within the Commerce Ministry will be the focus on the first day of the debate.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-15

[stepenwolf1958]

This time table for so important(should to be)censure debate, session, just proves what I said earlier which is that degree of skill in political duels, which manifests and perform PTP UDD, is very, very low.

Because of these facts, Democrats can be carefree, and it is expected that they will remain in power following 3 lives.

With such opposition, it is hard to resist any temptation to be so long in power.

Sad bu truth.

There are just TWO points that PM could be deep fried but for those 2 allegations is needed to have a solid rock proof and i don't believe PTP/UDD can have it. I would like to see this government down but that will not happen thanks to opposition and way they (don't) fight for.

[stepenwolf1958]

If that is what they fear they should stop lying and distorting then! LOL The Thai government is a joke! Whoever wins, the people will lose!

If you don`t like it, try next door in Burma... go there and see what those people have in the richest country in South Asia.. richest in natural resources that is ... now they have a real good government that makes Gadaffi look like an Angel... then come back and post on here about Thailands government....

Indonesia is far richer in resources than Burma.......

And their Government is also a solid rock example to compare. Thanks for giving me nearer country.

[Buchholz]

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered the Pheu Thai Party

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra talked to the debate team via video conference for about 30 minutes.

He can't stop...

Thaksin = PTP = Red Shirts

He also said that as the next general election is approaching, the Opposition should inflict as much damage to the current government as possible, and the debate team's performance will be closely monitored and evaluated afterwards.

Evaluated by Thaksin so that when the censure debate inevitably fails... he can then return to putting in his real picks to run the "family" Party by inserting sister/brother/etc.

[animatic]

The former premier told the Pheu Thai MPs who will take part in the debate to get right to the point, to inform the public of the truth behind the rising cost of living and the government's corruption...

... He also said that as the next general election is approaching, the Opposition should inflict as much damage to the current government as possible, and the debate team's performance will be closely monitored and evaluated afterwards.

Right he is not even BRAVE ENOUGH to be in the country,

His banning from politics for 5 years, has not expired.

His last 2 self-controlled political parties have been disolved by court order, for clear and egregious corruptions of the democratic processes.

He is caught on video offering bribes to Red Shirts durning the riots at Songkran 2 years ago, and caught on video inciting unrest and everything just short of revolution.

But HE is the one telling them all what to do....

Money talks, and hubris knows no bounds.

Yes, PTP, please tell the real truth :

About the world wide recession and middle east problems causing oil price rises and the knock-on effects of same to all commodities world wide AND in Thailand.

Yes please explain what steps Thaksin's PPP proxy government did to alay the coming world wide recessions affects on the Thai economy and compare that effort with Kuhn Korn's efforts when he took office and since.

Please use an accurate chart of cost effectiveness for damage vs measures taken. Please explain what substantial losses of revenue were not available from PPP ineptitude and how Korn got the economy back on it's feet anyway.

Inflict damage...

I though this was about censuring and a yes or no vote of confidence.

Does the goal of "inflict as much damage to the current government as possible" mean that there is not enough evidence to win a vote of no confidence? So this in effect is a frivolous censure motion, simply filed to sling mud with no hope of actually having a legal win? It would appear so, only tactics to create an image for re-distibution to their target voter base.

Edited March 15, 2011 by animatic

[hoaker]

I wonder if the democrat party has videos of the red shirt supports by Pheu Thai Party as to burn buildings that dig not pay red shirt leaders. During the protest, CW did not give in to extortion of red leaders therefore had their property burned down. but Gaysorn remained untouched because of the large sum of payments made which contributed to Nattawut's Patek Phillipe watch that can only be bought in Singapore.

Thailand has been like this for decades and will continue...............change is mere impossible....

[webfact]

Abhist turns the tables on Mingkwan

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has turned the tables on Pheu Thai's lead censure Mingkwan Saengsuwan, delivering succinct rebuttals within half an hour to debunk two hours of grilling.

Abhisit summed up Mingkwan's attack on him as the presentation of distorted facts for political gains. He also challenged the opposition to run its campaign by promising to undo whatever his government has accomplished.

Of the five censure issues raised by Mingkwan, the prime minister began his rebuttals with the last topic related to public debts.

The opposition criticised the government for incurring public debt but omitted to mention this administration's success for the recorded revenues from exports and tourism, he said.

The Thaksin Shinawatra administration was often cited by the opposition as the benchmark for fiscal management, he said, hitting back that the Democrat-led government could manage to lower the debt ratio to 41.94 per cent of the gross domestic product from 42,75 per cent under the Thaksin leadership.

He went on to point out his government took out loans to generate jobs in the face of the global economic crisis while the Thaksin government borrowed funds to salvage certain failed banks.

In contrary to the opposition's claim of the government finance on the brink of ruins, the government enjoyed a higher credit rating than that of the Thaksin era, he said.

On the issue of rice price, he said his government scheme to guarantee income had actually benefitted farmers while Mingkwan's guarantee of sale price favoured millers and traders.

Mingkwan recounted with glee that the rice price rose to a highest level when he was the commerce minister two years ago but he should have mentioned that he also made a wrong forecast of price fluctuation, he said.

Mingkwan's mistake had cost him his job as the then prime minister Samak Sundaravej openly reprimanded him for his poor performance, he added.

In regard to the management of the Oil Fund to subsidise diesel price, he said his government did not put the fund in the red as feared.

If the opposition is so concerned about the fund, then it should have mentioned that the Thaksin administration was responsible for incuuring the deficit of Bt90 billion, an unprecedented level, he said.

He said his government insisted on stabilising energy prices in the face of soaring cost for crude oil. The subsidies for diesel and cooking gas are meant to cushion the impacts on the poor, he said.

He said the government could afford the subsidy plans because the fund was well replenished during the downtrend of crude oil price.

On the issue of palm oil, he said when Mingkwan was in charge, oil palm farmers got pait Bt5.90 per kilogram. The Democrats managed to raise the price of oil palm to Bt8.63 a kilo. Under Mingkwan, the retail price of palm oil for cooking was Bt47.50, meaning the farmers got the lowest pay while the retail at the highest level.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

[pedro01]

Ouch !

[webfact]

Thai parliament begins PM censure debate

BANGKOK, March 15, 2011 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was accused Tuesday of violating human rights during crackdowns on protesters as lawmakers kicked off a no-confidence debate against his government.

The opposition is seeking to use the parliamentary tussle to inflict political damage on Abhisit's administration ahead of elections expected by early July.

It alleges Abhisit abused his power during deadly military operations in April and May 2010 aimed at clearing "Red Shirt" opposition protesters from the streets of Bangkok.

Opposition whip Wittaya Buranasiri of the Puea Thai party said Abhisit's government had shown signs of corruption and failed in administrative, economic and foreign policies.

"This government also violated human rights and people's freedom," he told parliament.

Abhisit said earlier Tuesday that his government was confident it could refute such allegations.

The opposition is seen as having little chance of winning the no-confidence vote -- which is expected on Friday or Saturday -- because it lacks a majority in the lower house.

The premier, who was named along with nine other ruling coalition ministers in the motion filed by Puea Thai legislators, has already faced down two such censure motions since 2009.

Thailand is deeply divided after more than 90 people died in clashes between the army and demonstrators during last year's rallies by the anti-government "Red Shirts", its worst political violence in decades.

The Reds have held a number of large street rallies in the capital in the past few weeks. Tens of thousands of people joined the most recent gathering on Saturday to mark one year since the start of last year's bloody protests.

The mainly rural, working class Reds are broadly loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and lives overseas to avoid a jail sentence for corruption imposed in absentia.

They view the government as undemocratic because it came to power in 2008 in a parliamentary vote after a court ruling threw out the previous administration -- an accusation Abhisit's administration strongly denies.

Some Red Shirt leaders aim to stand as parliamentary candidates under Puea Thai in the upcoming election.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-03-15

[TAWP]

A clown just got his behind handed to him.

[hammered]

Thaksin aint going to be happy at Mingkwan. Abhisit ripped him a new one for the second time in a month. Chalerm is going to be loving this.

[timekeeper]

Abhist turns the tables on Mingkwan

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has turned the tables on Pheu Thai's lead censure Mingkwan Saengsuwan, delivering succinct rebuttals within half an hour to debunk two hours of grilling.

Abhisit summed up Mingkwan's attack on him as the presentation of distorted facts for political gains. He also challenged the opposition to run its campaign by promising to undo whatever his government has accomplished.

Of the five censure issues raised by Mingkwan, the prime minister began his rebuttals with the last topic related to public debts.

The opposition criticised the government for incurring public debt but omitted to mention this administration's success for the recorded revenues from exports and tourism, he said.

The Thaksin Shinawatra administration was often cited by the opposition as the benchmark for fiscal management, he said, hitting back that the Democrat-led government could manage to lower the debt ratio to 41.94 per cent of the gross domestic product from 42,75 per cent under the Thaksin leadership.

He went on to point out his government took out loans to generate jobs in the face of the global economic crisis while the Thaksin government borrowed funds to salvage certain failed banks.

In contrary to the opposition's claim of the government finance on the brink of ruins, the government enjoyed a higher credit rating than that of the Thaksin era, he said.

On the issue of rice price, he said his government scheme to guarantee income had actually benefitted farmers while Mingkwan's guarantee of sale price favoured millers and traders.

Mingkwan recounted with glee that the rice price rose to a highest level when he was the commerce minister two years ago but he should have mentioned that he also made a wrong forecast of price fluctuation, he said.

Mingkwan's mistake had cost him his job as the then prime minister Samak Sundaravej openly reprimanded him for his poor performance, he added.

In regard to the management of the Oil Fund to subsidise diesel price, he said his government did not put the fund in the red as feared.

If the opposition is so concerned about the fund, then it should have mentioned that the Thaksin administration was responsible for incuuring the deficit of Bt90 billion, an unprecedented level, he said.

He said his government insisted on stabilising energy prices in the face of soaring cost for crude oil. The subsidies for diesel and cooking gas are meant to cushion the impacts on the poor, he said.

He said the government could afford the subsidy plans because the fund was well replenished during the downtrend of crude oil price.

On the issue of palm oil, he said when Mingkwan was in charge, oil palm farmers got pait Bt5.90 per kilogram. The Democrats managed to raise the price of oil palm to Bt8.63 a kilo. Under Mingkwan, the retail price of palm oil for cooking was Bt47.50, meaning the farmers got the lowest pay while the retail at the highest level.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

Go Mark Go!!

illegitimi non carborundum...........

[animatic]

Thaksin aint going to be happy at Mingkwan. Abhisit ripped him a new one for the second time in a month. Chalerm is going to be loving this.

Yes, you can hear the chortling from Big C. from here.

Not unexpected, Minkwand got himself a new one and only his ears kept him from being stuffed right up there to the shoulders.

This of course makes it easy for Thaksin to backseat the uppity Minkwan block and put them back in their place and install who he sees fit without dispute.

Edited March 15, 2011 by animatic

[Buchholz]

Thaksin aint going to be happy at Mingkwan. Abhisit ripped him a new one for the second time in a month. Chalerm is going to be loving this.

Yingluck and Payup are waiting in the wings to take over after the debacle.

[bangon04]

How could you have any Censure debate in any parliament without some element of distortion / interpretation of the facts? It's not a court of law, is it?

Just try to keep the lies to a minimum...

[animatic]

'Payup or Else'

and

'I Want You To Play With My Ying a Ling.

Two sides of the new campaign 45 RPM record they are releasing, having forgotten that mp3 rules the waves now.

Heck, even Ad Carabao has switched sides, smartly, and is writing the Dems campaign tunes now.

Edited March 15, 2011 by animatic

[Emptyset]

I wonder where Abhisit's figures come from? Granted, even if Abhisit gave the wrong figures, it's not a massive difference.

So what is the truth? BP was initially surprised by the statement by Abhisit that the ratio of public debt to GDP was 42.75% under Thaksin as from a previous post BP remembered it as being less than that – this post in 2007 notes that under Thaksin the ratio of public debt to GDP decreased from just under 58% at the end of 2000 to under 42% in 2006. From the Public Debt Management Office of the Ministry of Finance, you have this zip file and then debt_1.xls, public debt to GDP ratio at the end of August 2006 was 41.24 and at the end of September 2006 was 41.19 – the coup was September 19, 2006 so choose either from end of August or end of September (wondered if it could have spiked to 42.75% on September 19 and then suddenly reduced, but cannot see this 42.75% when searing on the Public Debt Management Office website).

http://asiancorrespondent.com/50378/has-public-debt-really-reduced-under-the-abhisit-government

Mingkwan was very poor vs Abhisit but ties in the debate as a whole are apparently about even according to an ABAC poll, with the government's performance rated 5.69 by the public vs the opposition on 5.80.

[Buchholz]

A clown just got his behind handed to him.

Thai opposition leader Mingkwan Sangsuwan reads a statement during a no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and eight other cabinet members Tuesday, March 15, 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand.

AP

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//110315/481/urn_publicid_ap_org9331d44024194c56b4981d4d1ef40a9c/

Debate leader of Thailand's opposition Puea Thai party, Mingkwan Saengsuwan, speaks during a no-confidence motion at the Parliament in Bangkok March 15, 2011.

REUTERS

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//110315/ids_photos_wl/r1723381696.jpg/

[rubl]

I wonder where Abhisit's figures come from? Granted, even if Abhisit gave the wrong figures, it's not a massive difference.

... middle part removed ...

Mingkwan was very poor vs Abhisit but ties in the debate as a whole are apparently about even according to an ABAC poll, with the government's performance rated 5.69 by the public vs the opposition on 5.80.

Granted, even if PM Abhisit gave the correct figures, the difference seems hardly enough for the opposition to complain.

The ABAC poll seems to confirm, members read in it what they already believed, or reject the figures. Makes you wonder

(edit: add: still happy to see democracy in action as it should be/do)

Edited March 15, 2011 by rubl

[webfact]

CENSURE DEBATE

Debate Day 1 wins opposition

By THE NATION

The opposition yesterday took a slim lead over the government on the first day of the three-day censure debate, according to Abac Poll.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and eight coalition ministers could face impeachment for corruption and abuse of power if the no-confidence vote on Friday goes against them.

After Pheu Thai party list MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan, the point man for the opposition, and Abhisit finished their first round of debate, the 1,071 respondents in 17 provinces gave the government a 5.7 score out of 10 and the opposition 5.9.

As for public faith in Abhisit, 40.4 per cent said it had not gone down and 18.1 per cent gave no comment.

Those who believed the Democrat Party's popularity was not shaken by the grilling were 50.4 per cent while 51.1 per cent felt the public's faith in the Bhum Jai Thai Party had sunk.

About 78 per cent thought the verbal sparring was interesting and gripping.

More than half of the respondents or 56.4 per cent were satisfied with the House Speaker's performance in refereeing the censure debate, while 26.6 per cent were not that happy and 17 per cent were dissatisfied with his work.

-- The Nation 2011-03-16

[webfact]

NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE

Challenge of the tweeters

By KITTIPONG THAVEVONG,

SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON

THE NATION

Parliamentary debate enters the realm of cyberspace as politicians do battle through their Twitter accounts

In this round of censure debate that kicked off yesterday, the "battleground" is not limited to the parliamentary floor but extends to cyberspace, where politicians and staff from the ruling Democrat Party to the opposition Pheu Thai Party fire off Twitter messages to attack and counterattack their rival camps.

Another new weapon is Facebook, the biggest online social network.

They relied heavily on their popular politicians with numerous followers on the Twitter social-networking website in spreading the word.

Pheu Thai sent "retweets" of messages from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is the party's patriarch, and veteran politician Chaturon Chaisang, who is connected to the party but holds no official post due to a court-ordered five-year ban on politics.

The ex-premier's ThaksinLive account boasts 159,000 followers and Chaturon's @chaturon has 32,000, compared to only 1,600 for Pheu Thai's official Twitter account @PheuThaiParty.

Messages from Thaksin and Chaturon disputed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's explanations after he was grilled by the opposition's first-time lead debater Mingkwan Sangsuwan from Pheu Thai. In the House chamber, it appeared that the eloquent Abhisit got the upper hand over the less experienced Mingkwan.

Thaksin and Chaturon accused Abhisit of distorting the truth in claiming that "Thailand's public debt was 42.75 per cent during the Thaksin government when the global economy was good, compared to 41.94 per cent under this government when the global economy is in crisis".

Chaturon's messages questioned the credibility of the public debt figures used by Abhisit.

"Pheu Thai detected Abhisit's trick. He chose to compare the highest monthly public debt from the Thai Rak Thai government with the lowest monthly public debt in this government," Pheu Thai said.

Thaksin said the lowest figure under his government - 40.48 per cent - was lower than Abhisit's lowest public debt of 41.94 per cent.

After being mostly inactive for months, Thaksin's Twitter account came to life again on Saturday when the red shirts gathered in impressive numbers to mark the first anniversary of their anti-government rally last year.

The Democrat Party, whose official Twitter account @democratTH has slightly over 800 followers, relied on the accounts of its more popular politicians in spreading their messages - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's @PM_Abhisit with 170,000 followers, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij's @KornDemocrat with 71,000 and Korbsak Sabhavasu's @korbsak with 14,000.

Although the politicians mostly do their own tweeting, some are known to rely on their assistants to do it for them. Korn's staff at the Finance Ministry have a separate Twitter account, @TeamKornMOF.

The rival parties' common goal was to stress their points while discrediting the other side. They also sent "retweets" of news updates from accounts belonging to news organisations, such as Nation Channel, Spring News and ASTV Manager, that supported their arguments while damaging the other camp.

Thaksin twitted that he considers the prime minister's arguments "very childish". Chaturon said Abhisit failed to clarify many issues raised by Mingkwan.

Abhisit's spokesman Theptai Senpong said via Twitter that he found the speeches by opposition MPs "really bland".

-- The Nation 2011-03-16