Thai Govt Fears Lies And Distortion In Censure Debate

[webfact]

Mingkwan vows to expose govt during censure debate

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's time to run the country is up, said Pheu Thai MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who led the four-day censure debate, which began in Parliament yesterday.

"The time for [him] to stay on is over, even if PM Abhisit dearly wants to hang on to power," said Mingkwan, as he launched a two-hour censure motion against Abhisit with focus on the economy and the high cost of living. (See related report).

Mingkwan vowed that within three to four days, all the corruption and abuse of power committed by the government would be made plain for all to see. "We will present everything and make people aware," he said, adding the House should not censor any information that might be used in the days to come.

These four days will be crucial, said Mingkwan, who has been nominated by his party to be the opposition contender for prime minister.

Although Mingkwan was supposed to lead the censure debate, his address to the House was preceded by Pheu Thai whip, MP Pittaya Buranasiri, who listed the issues that would be addressed in the days ahead.

They included charges of lack of good governance, major corruption, use of state-run media to attack the opposition, using the military and its war weapons to kill red-shirt demonstrators, using state-run media to accuse red shirts of being terrorists, failing to solve the southern violence, allowing prices of basic commodities to skyrocket, and more.

-- The Nation 2011-03-16

[timekeeper]

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://asiancorrespo...isit-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.

where did they conduct the poll?

Chang Mai?

[timekeeper]

Mingkwan vows to expose govt during censure debate

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's time to run the country is up, said Pheu Thai MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who led the four-day censure debate, which began in Parliament yesterday.

"The time for [him] to stay on is over, even if PM Abhisit dearly wants to hang on to power," said Mingkwan, as he launched a two-hour censure motion against Abhisit with focus on the economy and the high cost of living. (See related report).

Mingkwan vowed that within three to four days, all the corruption and abuse of power committed by the government would be made plain for all to see. "We will present everything and make people aware," he said, adding the House should not censor any information that might be used in the days to come.

These four days will be crucial, said Mingkwan, who has been nominated by his party to be the opposition contender for prime minister.

Although Mingkwan was supposed to lead the censure debate, his address to the House was preceded by Pheu Thai whip, MP Pittaya Buranasiri, who listed the issues that would be addressed in the days ahead.

They included charges of lack of good governance, major corruption, use of state-run media to attack the opposition, using the military and its war weapons to kill red-shirt demonstrators, using state-run media to accuse red shirts of being terrorists, failing to solve the southern violence, allowing prices of basic commodities to skyrocket, and more.

-- The Nation 2011-03-16

this whole censure debate is typical of inbred red behavior

its an attempt to bully and intimidate the government just as the red rabble attempt to bully and intimidate anyone who opposes their cause

the red rabble are like rabid dogs, they should be euthanized

starting with the alpha dog.........

[hammered]

Mingkwan vows to expose govt during censure debate

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's time to run the country is up, said Pheu Thai MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who led the four-day censure debate, which began in Parliament yesterday.

"The time for [him] to stay on is over, even if PM Abhisit dearly wants to hang on to power," said Mingkwan, as he launched a two-hour censure motion against Abhisit with focus on the economy and the high cost of living. (See related report).

Mingkwan vowed that within three to four days, all the corruption and abuse of power committed by the government would be made plain for all to see. "We will present everything and make people aware," he said, adding the House should not censor any information that might be used in the days to come.

These four days will be crucial, said Mingkwan, who has been nominated by his party to be the opposition contender for prime minister.

Although Mingkwan was supposed to lead the censure debate, his address to the House was preceded by Pheu Thai whip, MP Pittaya Buranasiri, who listed the issues that would be addressed in the days ahead.

They included charges of lack of good governance, major corruption, use of state-run media to attack the opposition, using the military and its war weapons to kill red-shirt demonstrators, using state-run media to accuse red shirts of being terrorists, failing to solve the southern violence, allowing prices of basic commodities to skyrocket, and more.

-- The Nation 2011-03-16

this whole censure debate is typical of inbred red behavior

its an attempt to bully and intimidate the government just as the red rabble attempt to bully and intimidate anyone who opposes their cause

the red rabble are like rabid dogs, they should be euthanized

starting with the alpha dog.........

Mingkwan may well be right that Abhisit's time is up as PM but the likely repalcement after the election will probably not come form the ranks of PTP and is highly unlikley to be the Frank Spencer like Mingkwan

[whybother]

No news on the Censure Debate today?

[webfact]

Kasit Grilled in Censure Debate for Allegedly Mishandling Foreign Policies

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was the target of the censure debate, grilled for his alleged mishandling of foreign policies in relation to Thai-Cambodian disputes and the extradition of a Russian arms dealer.

In the censure debate, Pheu Thai Party MP for Udon Thani Torpong Chaiyasarn criticized Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya for mishandling foreign policies, which was seen to have hurt foreign relations, particularly with Cambodia.

He also slammed Kasit for speaking ill of the superpowers when the foreign minister clarified the Thai-Cambodian disputes with the United Nations Security Council.

Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai Wisaradee Techateerawat blamed Kasit for allowing the extradition of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, an extradition she deemed illegitimate.

She also faulted the foreign minister for his inaction over Wikileaks' disclosure of contents detailing a dialogue between senior Thai politicians and the former US ambassador to Thailand, Eric G. John.

In response, Kasit dismissed allegations about the erroneous implementation of foreign policies, saying the government is still in good terms with the international community.

He said Thai delegates are still invited and welcome at international conferences, while many foreign representatives have also visited the country over the past year.

The foreign minister reiterated that he never behaved rudely toward the international audience, except when someone insults his country.

As for relations between Thailand and Cambodia, Kasit said he met with his Cambodian counterpart on several occasions to settle the dispute, and at the UNSC summit, it was agreed that the two countries would resume bilateral talks without interference from a third party.

Regarding the issue of Viktor Bout, He said Thailand had already done its part when the alleged arms dealer was extradited to the United States under the existing treaty.

Kasit added that the Russian is now in the US justice system, while his country can still seek to provide assistance for him.

He insisted the extradition was not influenced by the U.S. government, and that it has not damaged ties with Russia.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-16

[rubl]

She also faulted the foreign minister for his inaction over Wikileaks' disclosure of contents detailing a dialogue between senior Thai politicians and the former US ambassador to Thailand, Eric G. John.

Interesting. The site was blocked and may still be. What else should have been done? Round up the usual suspects?

[Buchholz]

too funny...

Censure debate heats up, Pheu Thai blames Suthep for wrongful accusation

BANGKOK, 16 March 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister for Security Mr. Suthep Tuegsuban insisted during the censure debate yesterday that the violence that took place in April last year was not set up by the government, saying it was instigated by the protesters.

The Deputy Prime Minister said during the censure debate that the violence triggered two years ago was intended to cause chaos and pave the way for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s return. However, when the attempt had failed, Mr. Suthep remarked, the Red Shirt staged another rally last year.

The accusation had furiated Pheu Thai MP Police Lieutenant Chaowarin Luttasaksiri and prompted him to counter the claims by accusing the Deputy Prime Minister of criticizing Police Lieutenant-Colonel Thaksin without his presence, depriving him of a chance to explain himself.

Police Lieutenant Chaowarin said that he would stage a walk-out if Mr. Thaksin was unfairly referred to again.

However, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said he would not object to Police Lieutenant Chaowarin if he wanted to leave the House.

-- NNT 2011-03-16

[Buchholz]

The accusation had furiated Pheu Thai MP Police Lieutenant Chaowarin Luttasaksiri and prompted him to counter the claims by accusing the Deputy Prime Minister of criticizing Police Lieutenant-Colonel Thaksin without his presence, depriving him of a chance to explain himself.

This clown deserves a picture:

Pheu Thai Party MP Police Lieutenant Chaowarin Luttasaksiri

================================================================================

In one of his earlier shining examples of stellar intelligence, the man, who is also a former Deputy Education Minister (no bonus points for guessing in which Cabinet) :

April 18, 2001

Dream of treasure turns to nightmare for Thaksin

Gold fever was replaced by red faces in Thailand on Wednesday as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a chorus of mockery for taking seriously claims the economy could be saved by a treasure trove hidden in a cave.

“No gold, no bills, only red faces,” was the banner headline in the Nation daily. “Thaksin exits cave, enters the real world.”

Controversial Senator Chaowarin Latthasaksiri started the gold rush last week by saying that 2,500 tonnes of World War Two booty left behind by the Japanese army was hidden in a cave near the Myanmar border, stashed inside a train and surrounded by the skeletons of Japanese soldiers who had committed hara-kiri.

http://blogs.reuters.com/andrew-marshall/2001/04/18/dream-of-treasure-turns-to-nightmare-for-thaksin/

.

Edited March 17, 2011 by Buchholz

[ballpoint]

April 18, 2001

Dream of treasure turns to nightmare for Thaksin

Gold fever was replaced by red faces in Thailand on Wednesday as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a chorus of mockery for taking seriously claims the economy could be saved by a treasure trove hidden in a cave.

“No gold, no bills, only red faces,” was the banner headline in the Nation daily. “Thaksin exits cave, enters the real world.”

Controversial Senator Chaowarin Latthasaksiri started the gold rush last week by saying that 2,500 tonnes of World War Two booty left behind by the Japanese army was hidden in a cave near the Myanmar border, stashed inside a train and surrounded by the skeletons of Japanese soldiers who had committed hara-kiri.

http://blogs.reuters...re-for-thaksin/

.

Maybe he knows where another stash is, that's how he's going to make every Thai rich? The story was probably real, Thaksin just visted the cave a few days before and removed the gold for himself, or secreted it in Jatuporn's mouth.

[Emptyset]

In one of his earlier shining examples of stellar intelligence, the man, who is also a former Deputy Education Minister (no bonus points for guessing in which Cabinet) :

April 18, 2001

Dream of treasure turns to nightmare for Thaksin

Gold fever was replaced by red faces in Thailand on Wednesday as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a chorus of mockery for taking seriously claims the economy could be saved by a treasure trove hidden in a cave.

“No gold, no bills, only red faces,” was the banner headline in the Nation daily. “Thaksin exits cave, enters the real world.”

Controversial Senator Chaowarin Latthasaksiri started the gold rush last week by saying that 2,500 tonnes of World War Two booty left behind by the Japanese army was hidden in a cave near the Myanmar border, stashed inside a train and surrounded by the skeletons of Japanese soldiers who had committed hara-kiri.

http://blogs.reuters...re-for-thaksin/

.

That's hilarious! Marshall mentioned that incident again in his blog after last April/May: http://blogs.reuters.com/andrew-marshall/2010/06/12/thaksin_and_me/

Back to the censure, most distrusted politicians so far according to ABAC: Suthep, 62.3%, Chaowarat, 57.2%, Sopon 54.1%, Porntiva, 53.4%, Kasit, 49.8%, Korn, 42.4%, Supachi, 40.5% (PT politicians aren't included as it's the government being censured).

[Buchholz]

More polling...

54.2% of the respondents wanted to see MPs debating without distorting information or making groundless allegations. 43% of them did not want to see MPs using offensive, provocative and sarcastic language, while 27.8% wanted the debate to be concise as well as precise.

59.8% of the respondents believed that there would still be offensive wordings in this censure debate, while 41.1% of them said failures of the MPs to comply with regulations and respect the house speakers were to be expected. The rest were aggressive behavior at 23.9%, and dozing off during parliamentary meeting at 10.7%.

Asked for appropriate punishment, 46.1% of the respondents suggested that problematic MPs be removed from the meeting hall. 30.7% and 19.5% of the group said they should be stripped off their voting rights and have their pay cut respectively.

In addition, 36.5% of the respondents said the house speakers were not rigorous enough in controlling the debate; while 35.2% of the group viewed that they lacked neutrality. 22.6% of them thought the house speakers lost sight of the topics being debated.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255403170004

[bangon04]

Back to the censure, most distrusted politicians so far according to ABAC: Suthep, 62.3%, Chaowarat, 57.2%, Sopon 54.1%, Porntiva, 53.4%, Kasit, 49.8%, Korn, 42.4%, Supachi, 40.5% (PT politicians aren't included as it's the government being censured).

Abhisit is obviously trusted to do something, but what?

Is Thailand ready for a trustworthy politician anyway? because it seems that trustworthy politicians don't get enough done to suit the wonderful Thai culture.

[rubl]

What will elections mean for Thailand’s red shirts?

By Dan Waites, 2011-03-14

"At Saturday’s rally at Democracy Monument, I met Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, the leader of the Red Sunday group. He conceded that Pheu Thai might not win a majority at the polls. He still thought it would be the largest party. When I suggested to him that the current coalition, or something similar, could remain in power, he said: “If Pheu Thai cannot be the government, it’s OK because we have the system of democracy. Democracy is more important than who is in government. We respect the people. We respect the people’s choice.†This may be enough for Sombat, who has always stressed the fight is more about rights than about Thaksin. Will it be enough for the rest of the UDD?"

http://asiancorrespondent.com/50264/what-will-become-of-the-red-shirts/