Thai PM Firm On Poll Plan

[Lite Beer]

PM firm on poll plan

By The Nation on Sunday.

Abhisit says election will go ahead despite some people wanting to delay it, urges EC to reveal who is putting pressure

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday expressed confidence that the next general elections would take place this year as planned despite efforts by some people to prevent the early polls.

He also called on the five election commissioners to specify the problems they are facing after one of them, Sodsri Satayathum, earlier complained about mounting political pressure.

"I am confident that most or almost all people in this country want to see our society go forward. We have to go to the polls," Abhisit insisted.

When asked about possible obstacles to the upcoming election, expected around mid-year, the prime minister said: "There are people who do not want the election to go ahead. But I think any effort to obstruct the process will not be welcomed [by the public]."

However, he admitted that he had no knowledge as to what was the actual motive of these people. "In our democratic system, you can present your ideas during the election campaigning and offer yourself as a choice to the voters," he said.

Abhisit, the Democrat Party leader, was speaking to reporters after the party's general meeting at the Miracle Grand Hotel, where Democrat executives and incumbent MPs discussed preparations for the upcoming election.

The prime minister said he had not decided on the date for House dissolution but it would not be May 10 as had been speculated by the media. He, however, reiterated that the House dissolution would take place in the first week of May. He said the next general election would see the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties competing neck-and-neck.

Regarding the reported political pressure on the EC, Abhisit yesterday called on Sodsri to make it clear what was behind her concern ahead of the election. He called on the public as well as the relevant state agencies to provide support to the election commissioners in this regard.

"I don't want the EC to work inconveniently. I want to see the election commissioners able to work to the best of their capability. It's because we want to see a free and fair election," the premier said.

Sodsri had said last week that the EC was facing much political pressure and disclosed that she was applying to join a government law-reform committee headed by former attorney-general Kanit Nanakorn. She revealed that she would leave the EC if appointed to the panel.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday said the government would not use the Internal Security Act during the general election if there were no political hooligans trying to create turmoil.

Suthep, the Democrat Party secretary-general, rejected rumours that the general election would not be held. He said he was confident the election would be held according to the timeframe set by the prime minister.

Responding to reports about pressure on the election commissioners to step down, Suthep said he wanted the commissioners to reveal who was behind it.

Theptai Senpong, spokesman for the Democrat Party leader, yesterday dismissed speculation that there would be any incident that could lead the country to a political dead end. He reiterated that the general election would be held as scheduled. However, if only two Election Commissioners were holding office, the election would have to be postponed, he admitted.

"There is no need to take recourse to Article 7 of the Constitution to solve problems as people who try to block the election are suggesting," he said, referring to an idea that His Majesty the King should be requested to appoint a new prime minister to get out of a political impasse.

Theptai said he believed the Pheu Thai Party expected to benefit if the general election were postponed because the opposition party and its de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term.

He said the Pheu Thai Party was not ready to go the election because it was still a headless party, with key party leaders such as Mingkwan Saengsuwan and Chalerm Yoobamrung vying to take the helm of the party. He added that Thaksin was scared to handpick Pheu Thai's leader, fearing the party will break up.

-- The Nation 2011-03-27

[truethailand]

Some juicy entrees there when you cut out the padding..

Abhisit says election will go ahead despite some people wanting to delay it, urges EC to reveal who is putting pressure

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday expressed confidence that the next general elections would take place this year as planned despite efforts by some people to prevent the early polls.

He also called on the five election commissioners to specify the problems they are facing after one of them, Sodsri Satayathum, earlier complained about mounting political pressure.

When asked about possible obstacles to the upcoming election, expected around mid-year, the prime minister said: "There are people who do not want the election to go ahead. But I think any effort to obstruct the process will not be welcomed [by the public]."

Dont jump to think he means the Pheua Thai others have vested interest

When asked about possible obstacles to the upcoming election, expected around mid-year, the prime minister said: "There are people who do not want the election to go ahead. But I think any effort to obstruct the process will not be welcomed [by the public]."

However, he admitted that he had no knowledge as to what was the actual motive of these people. "In our democratic system, you can present your ideas during the election campaigning and offer yourself as a choice to the voters," he said.

He knows there are people but he does not know their motive.... Should read maybe they too powerful for me to say

Regarding the reported political pressure on the EC, Abhisit yesterday called on Sodsri to make it clear what was behind her concern ahead of the election. He called on the public as well as the relevant state agencies to provide support to the election commissioners in this regard.

You tell them who's putting the squeeze on. If it was simply another political party and you have proof tell the public. Answer: No its not and Are you nuts Abhisit

Sodsri had said last week that the EC was facing much political pressure and disclosed that she was applying to join a government law-reform committee headed by former attorney-general Kanit Nanakorn. She revealed that she would leave the EC if appointed to the panel.

Again 'political pressure' maybe from a 'none' political source. EC Commissioner takes what looks like a downward career move to a committee. At her level you are 'head hunted' and you dont reveal to the world until the job offer is made and accepted.

Theptai Senpong, spokesman for the Democrat Party leader, yesterday dismissed speculation that there would be any incident that could lead the country to a political dead end. He reiterated that the general election would be held as scheduled. However, if only two Election Commissioners were holding office, the election would have to be postponed, he admitted.

One publicly packing her bags only 2 to go

"There is no need to take recourse to Article 7 of the Constitution to solve problems as people who try to block the election are suggesting," he said, referring to an idea that His Majesty the King should be requested to appoint a new prime minister to get out of a political impasse.

Who stood on stage and submitted this idea to his audience only this week.. Hes got powerful friends

Theptai said he believed the Pheu Thai Party expected to benefit if the general election were postponed because the opposition party and its de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term.

He said the Pheu Thai Party was not ready to go the election because it was still a headless party, with key party leaders such as Mingkwan Saengsuwan and Chalerm Yoobamrung vying to take the helm of the party. He added that Thaksin was scared to handpick Pheu Thai's leader, fearing the party will break up.

Which good politician is not going to take a swipe at the main opposition when a microphone is under his nose. Just padding

Just my view on the above.........

Edited March 27, 2011 by truethailand

[otherstuff1957]

You forgot about this tidbit:

"Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term."

If true, this would be a complete turnaround from the usual stance.

[Insight]

You forgot about this tidbit:

"Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term."

If true, this would be a complete turnaround from the usual stance.

Strange - this time last year it seems the opposition couldn't be more ready, to the point where they crippled downtown BKK for two months calling "Yup-Sapa" ? What's changed?

[asiawatcher]

"... de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term."

<deleted>. Has this guy got a screw loose or what? Protests and payoffs until bodies lie in the street, agreement by the Govt to step down, now this criminal coward in hiding claims the exact opposite to his previous motivations. Again - <deleted>. Can anyone seriously believe this guy has any agenda other than his own greed and puppetry pulling strings?

[wintermute]

Here's my poll schedule for Thailand

Step 1) Pay the right people

Step 2) Obfuscate the balloting process

Step 3) Select your man behind closed doors..only the wealthy landed elite allowed, sorry.

Step 4) Throw up b.s. in the media

Step 5) Declare victory

Rinse and repeat.

[animatic]

"... de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term."

<deleted>. Has this guy got a screw loose or what? Protests and payoffs until bodies lie in the street, agreement by the Govt to step down, now this criminal coward in hiding claims the exact opposite to his previous motivations. Again - <deleted>. Can anyone seriously believe this guy has any agenda other than his own greed and puppetry pulling strings?

The Thaksinistas hope is that the economy will worsen, particularly food and gas prices, and that this can be blamed in the Dems, rather than the true causes; the international oil and currency crisis. And thus give a bigger margine for PTP if the election is done a few months later.

Of course if PTP doesn't expect to win, losing worse could implode the party or remove much of Thaksin's control and influence.

The Dems must think things might get worse also, no fault of their own, nor ability to control it on the world stage, and wants to prevent the current coalition partners from total access to the next budget, so want to move quickly now.

Edited March 27, 2011 by animatic

[truethailand]

You forgot about this tidbit:

"Thaksin Shinawatra had indicated that the country was not ready and had called on the government to complete its term."

If true, this would be a complete turnaround from the usual stance.

He may have made comments of this nature(anybody got a link ) but do you think he is still that powerful that he can make commissioners scurry off to another job. Thaksins not applying the pressure but abhisit has to get the message out there without saying who it is. Sondhi stands on the stage , followed by retired forces TOP BRASS and you and the ones that posted after you want readers to believe its Thaksin. You are turning every thread into anti Thaksin, its unbelieveble. I still think this election will not take place at the dates being suggested.

[Macmundi]

Whats with all these protesting??! election, protest. no election, protest. What do you want?! Just go vote and let Thailand move on!!

[hammered]

A weird alliance of people would rather there wasnt an election right now. The PAD face being marginalized. The PTP/reds would rather it later for obvious reasons and Thaksin has said this. The military face having power reduced with an elected government not beholden to them. Abhisit has annoyed them enough when they manouvered to help him get it. If he were freed by electoral victory... Of course a PTP victory doesnt need commenting to on this point.

And of course for ages the rumours have been going on of a deal by the powers behind the scenes resulting in a two year unelected government.

Its all about power and relative power. Nobody cares about democracy unless it can deliver their group power and none of the power players involved in elections is confident of that at all and the street players and shadowy behind the scenes dudes all face losing relative power and dont trust those who are meant to be on their side.

Sit back and enjoy the games.