Vote For Your Future, Urges PM Abhisit

[webfact]

Vote for your future, urges PM

By The Nation

Abhisit asks public to refrain from casting ballots to help pull people out of politics more

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on voters to cast their ballots for a brighter future instead using them to solve certain politicians' problems.

"My wish is for people to vote for a future and for their problems to be solved, rather than for politicians' problems to be solved," he told reporters during an exclusive Songkran Day interview.

Abhisit said the upcoming general elections would give the voters a good chance of deciding where the country was heading as power would be returned to them. "People will be able to select new MPs and a new government," he said.

As Democrat leader, the premier made similar remarks during recent celebrations marking the party's 65th anniversary. He called on voters to choose between a political party that works for their future and tries to solve their problems, and one that is obsessed with causing political conflict and trying to solve its politicians' problems.

According to political observers, Abhisit was making veiled references to his party and the opposition Pheu Thai Party, which is closely connected with fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The former premier is on a self-imposed exile to escape a two-year jail sentence imposed upon him by the Supreme Court for conflict of interest.

Abhisit said yesterday his government would work to the best of its ability for the rest of April before he dissolves the House of Representatives at the beginning of May, as he promised.

"After Songkran, the government has about half a month to work and we will do our jobs to the best of our ability," he said.

Once the House is dissolved, the government will take on the role of caretaker in the run-up to the next election. As caretaker, the administration will not be authorised to formulate any new policies or issue new projects.

The prime minister also noted that this is the first Songkran that could be celebrated peacefully after two consecutive years of political unrest.

"At least we can all enjoy a holiday without any concerns about the country's situation," he said, adding that after Songkran he would be meeting election commissioners to discuss what a caretaker government can and cannot do.

Abhisit is currently on a short break with his family in Koh Samui, Surat Thani.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa said yesterday that this year's Songkran was "special" because the country was free from any of the serious incidents witnessed over the past two years. "People of all political colours are looking ahead to the next election," he said.

Banharn, who is also chief adviser to the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party's leader, said he wanted amnesty to be granted to politicians who face a five-year ban. He believes granting amnesty would help solve the political conflicts.

When asked if he also wanted Thaksin to be granted amnesty, Banharn said the former PM's case was difficult due to certain legal issues and strong opposition.

"Our country is going backwards. It is different from 20 years ago, when the atmosphere was very good. The situation became bad after 2001 - that was the beginning of all problems," he said, probably referring to the year when Thaksin came into power.

-- The Nation 2011-04-14

[KKvampire]

If only Thais' would vote on issues regarding their future and the country;s future, Just a dream

[ParrotHead]

I vote for debt suspension and free credit cards!!!!!

[Oberkommando]

The situation became bad after 2001 - that was the beginning of all problems," he said, probably referring to the year when Thaksin came into power.

Selective memory. He forgets Suchinda's power grab in 1992, the 1997 crash and the subsequent Democrat's 'Bitter Medicine' policies, not to mention the corruption of every government prior to 2001 including Chuan Leekpai's two administrations and his own short lived effort (which funnily enough, was plagued with corruption).

[rubl]

The situation became bad after 2001 - that was the beginning of all problems," he said, probably referring to the year when Thaksin came into power.

Selective memory. He forgets Suchinda's power grab in 1992, the 1997 crash and the subsequent Democrat's 'Bitter Medicine' policies, not to mention the corruption of every government prior to 2001 including Chuan Leekpai's two administrations and his own short lived effort (which funnily enough, was plagued with corruption).

You're a fine one to complain about 'selective' memory. The Khmer websites you frequently point at are not better than that.

[stepenwolf1958]

"After Songkran, the government has about half a month to work and we will do our jobs to the best of our ability," he said.

Once the House is dissolved, the government will take on the role of caretaker in the run-up to the next election. As caretaker, the administration will not be authorised to formulate any new policies or issue new projects.

Absolutely fair and truly.(?)

Some people will stop to have immunity when PM dissolve parliament.

Their possibly arrest will not be the Government's decision because it will only deal with technical matters.

This will be the decision and proceedings in the jurisdiction of the judiciary.

Theoretically speaking.

We will see.

[jdinasia]

"After Songkran, the government has about half a month to work and we will do our jobs to the best of our ability," he said.

Once the House is dissolved, the government will take on the role of caretaker in the run-up to the next election. As caretaker, the administration will not be authorised to formulate any new policies or issue new projects.

Absolutely fair and truly.(?)

Some people will stop to have immunity when PM dissolve parliament.

Their possibly arrest will not be the Government's decision because it will only deal with technical matters.

This will be the decision and proceedings in the jurisdiction of the judiciary.

Theoretically speaking.

We will see.

HUH?

[rubl]

"After Songkran, the government has about half a month to work and we will do our jobs to the best of our ability," he said.

Once the House is dissolved, the government will take on the role of caretaker in the run-up to the next election. As caretaker, the administration will not be authorised to formulate any new policies or issue new projects.

Absolutely fair and truly.(?)

Some people will stop to have immunity when PM dissolve parliament.

Their possibly arrest will not be the Government's decision because it will only deal with technical matters.

This will be the decision and proceedings in the jurisdiction of the judiciary.

Theoretically speaking.

We will see.

Assuming the MP's would no longer be under 'MP immunity' protection, they would not be arrested immediately. Where applicable they've been notified of charges and released. Of course for any new implication, 'run of the mouth', etc. they may be called to report, hear charges and be or not be bailed. Nothing to do with the care-taker government, but all with the juridical system. Legally so. All of a sudden MP's like normal, ordinary people who always had to be a bit more careful in committing crimes, defaming, alleging, etc., etc.

Edited April 14, 2011 by rubl

[animatic]

"Vote for your future"Sage advice.

Look ahead, don't look backward.

[animatic]

The situation became bad after 2001 - that was the beginning of all problems," he said, probably referring to the year when Thaksin came into power.

Selective memory. He forgets Suchinda's power grab in 1992, the 1997 crash and the subsequent Democrat's 'Bitter Medicine' policies, not to mention the corruption of every government prior to 2001 including Chuan Leekpai's two administrations and his own short lived effort (which funnily enough, was plagued with corruption).

You're a fine one to complain about 'selective' memory. The Khmer websites you frequently point at are not better than that.

And you also forget...

Thaksin was kowtowing to General Suchinda Kraprayoon and Suntorn Kongsompong,

the two architects of "Black May 1992" massacre ( back then). Had there been no Gen. Suntorn, Thaksin wouldn't have won the Thaicom satellite concession. The concession was granted on September 11, 1991 (seven months after this group of generals came into power by a coup.)

You have neatly bookended Thaksins rise and fall from control. His profit taking behind Chavalit as the 'Asian Tiger Collapse' was set off by Chavalits ineptitude. Problems for Thailand stemming from the moment of his election as PM.

And after all that hard work Thaksin seems rather obsessed to get it all back in his dottage.

Edited April 14, 2011 by animatic

[Heng]

Vote for your future by keeping the bulk of your funds in a country that doesn't charge you 15% off the top of your interest income. Would only take a few bills to pass to have the same here, but no, Singapore keeps paying us to keep things the way they are (along with payments to never ever build the Isthmus of Kra canal).