The Easy Part Is Over

[Lite Beer]

The easy part is over

By The Nation on Sunday.

Censure debate shows last year's political violence still hugely divides rival parties

The Abhisit government comfortably beat off the opposition's censure offensive yesterday, but the victory in Parliament may ironically usher in a political war with an acrimonious election campaign

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday received 184 votes of no confidence against 249 votes of support while 11 MPs abstained and 23 did not vote.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai received the highest vote of confidence with 251 against 186 while nine MPs abstained and 23

did not vote. Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu received the fewest votes of confidence - 243 against 188 while 16 MPs abstained and 21 did not vote.

The end of the censure debate means Abhisit will soon have to make good his promise to dissolve the House of Representatives in the first week of May. The fierce third day of the censure on Thursday showed last year's political violence remains a highly divisive issue, which will dictate both camps' electoral campaigns.

Abhisit said he believed the government had clarified doubts over its work. He hoped the checks-and-balances system would work well and the investigation into clashes during the political turmoil last year would not be interfered with.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban dismissed the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, saying the government had only six weeks left before the House was dissolved. In the meantime, the ministers will have to rush to carry out unfinished work.

He said he would expedite work to solve problems in the restive South, as well as drug problems.

"I'm pleased with the censure debate vote results. It showed the unity of the coalition parties and that everyone understands situation - that we are heading to an election," he said.

He brushed aside questions whether there was lobbying related to the votes yesterday, saying he did not accept it was anything other than normal.

Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai said he was upset that the parliamentary system had "deteriorated", as reflected in the vote result. A minister he expected to get few votes of support due to poor clarification got more votes than the prime minister.

Porntiva said she did not know why she got so many votes, as she never begged for votes. She believed it was because she was a humble minister who had many achievements and the vote results showed that she could not be forced to violate the law.

Interior Minister and Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Chaovarat Chanweerakul and PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon from the Democrat Party said their parties would analyse the vote results and use the information in developing their parties' political work.

Chaovarat denied reports MPs from his party had sought votes

from Puea Pandin MPs.

Pheu Thai proportionate MP Mingkwan Sangsuwan said after the censure debate he was looking forward to the House dissolution and the election.

"When the House dissolution comes, there is an election decree, and everyone in my party clearly supports me and announces me as the PM's candidate, I'm ready to be the next prime minister," he said. His party would propose a new economic system to bring wealth to Thais.

Mingkwan, who was nominated to replace Abhisit in the event of Abhisit losing the vote, said he was happy the censure debate was well organised and focused more on the content of debates.

After the four-day censure debate, the vote results were:

C NC A NV

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva 249 184 11 23

Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban 249 185 13 22

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij 245 185 12 22

Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu 243 188 16 21

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanveerakul 250 188 8 23

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai 251 186 9 23

Transport Minister Sophon Saram 248 188 11 22

ICT Minister Chuti Krairiksh 247 185 16 22

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon 246 182 17 21

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya 247 188 13 21

Keys: C = Confidence; NC = No Confidence; A = Abstain; NV = No Vote

-- The Nation 2011-03-20

[TimeBandit2]

"Comfortably beat off the opposition"

No wonder he's smiling!

[jdinasia]

From the OP

Censure debate shows last year's political violence still hugely divides rival parties

The Abhisit government comfortably beat off the opposition's censure offensive yesterday, but the victory in Parliament may ironically usher in a political war with an acrimonious election campaign

When, over the past 4 years has this not been a political war that was acrimonious?

[asiawatcher]

All such a waste of energy, time and money given he will dissolve the house.

Edited March 20, 2011 by asiawatcher