Big Weekend Ahead For Red-Shirts And Yellow-Shirts

[webfact]

Big weekend ahead for red-yellow parties

By Prapan Chindalert-udomdee,

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

This weekend will see significant developments involving the political parties tied to the rival red shirts and yellow shirts in preparation for the upcoming general elections.

Today, the red-shirt-backed Pheu Thai Party will hold a conference at Thammasat University's Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani to introduce its election candidates.

Fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is believed to be pulling the strings, is scheduled to address the meeting for an hour and a half via video link from overseas. He is expected to talk about the party's economic policies for the upcoming election campaign.

Tomorrow, the yellow shirts' political arm - the New Politics Party - is scheduled to convene to vote on whether to contest the next election, expected around mid-year.

Some yellow-shirt leaders, particularly Sondhi Limthongkul, have campaigned for voters to boycott the election and called for New Politics not to field any candidates.

A Pheu Thai source said yesterday that the party would use the slogans: "Think Anew, Do Anew, for All Thais Again", for its election campaign, and "Thaksin Thinks, Pheu Thai Does It, and Past Doers Support It" for the party's policy platforms.

According to the schedule, after Thaksin completes his address at 11.45 am, Pheu Thai's executives, incumbent MPs and election candidates will appear on stage to wave the national flag and sing the Royal Anthem together.

Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit, when asked to comment on whether Thaksin would be violating his five-year ban from politics by speaking at the event, yesterday said it had to be determined whether he was involving himself in political activity.

"What he says may be academic. The EC has regulations about this matter. It has to be determined," Prapun said.

The New Politics Party will decide tomorrow if it will contest the next election. The meeting will be held at the Phowleng Association on Sathupradit Road.

The party is now split into two camps: those backing party leader Somsak Kosaisuk who wants to contest the upcoming election, and others supporting secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila, backed by People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul, who wants the party to campaign "Vote No" instead of contesting.

"About 60 per cent of the party branches are backing Suriyasai. But our party stand has to be decided by its members too, so we have to wait and see how the members will vote," a party source said. Members who want to vote have to show their party membership card.

It will be an open vote, in line with Somsak's wishes and against those of Suriyasai, who wanted a secret vote.

The NPP is the only party to let its members vote on such matters. Other parties allow only executives and branch heads to vote.

In a related development, Pheu Thai senior figures, including its non-MP leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra, yesterday successfully lured former police chief Pracha Promnok to join the party.

The Pheu Thai heavyweights called on Pracha, who has just left the Puea Pandin Party, at his house in the Vibhavadi Rangsit area. They met for about an hour.

According to a source, Pracha said he had decided to join Pheu Thai because of the party's policy platforms, which he believed would "truly solve people's problems". He will be attending Pheu Thai's meeting today.

-- The Nation 2011-04-23

[Xangsamhua]

I hope NPP agrees to boycott the elections and then disbands itself and that the PAD reverts to being a purely oppositional movement. It seems to be moving that way.

In a political landscape dominated by criminals, stooges, warlords and unseen and unaccountable power-brokers there's a place for those who simply expose, even if they have no power base from which to do anything positive.

Where positive evil - the corruption of institutions and people and the destruction of trust by those who unfailingly abuse it - holds sway, there's a place for negative influence. Given enough exposure, maybe, just maybe, one day a critical mass of political figures may be shamed into turning themselves and others around.

[renaissanc]

I hope NPP agrees to boycott the elections and then disbands itself and that the PAD reverts to being a purely oppositional movement. It seems to be moving that way.

In a political landscape dominated by criminals, stooges, warlords and unseen and unaccountable power-brokers there's a place for those who simply expose, even if they have no power base from which to do anything positive.

Where positive evil - the corruption of institutions and people and the destruction of trust by those who unfailingly abuse it - holds sway, there's a place for negative influence. Given enough exposure, maybe, just maybe, one day a critical mass of political figures may be shamed into turning themselves and others around.

I think this will indeed happen one day. People will get so fed up with the effects of corruption and the pointlessness of the elections as whoever wins, not only got there through corruption, but will also spend the next 4 years raping the country's coffers. People will start to rebel. People just aren't hurting enough yet, but that day will surely come. When it does, the corrupt politicians, officials, police, etc., will be shocked and shamed.

[SICHONSTEVE]

So it's the democrats and the army versus the PT party and the police then. Same old mix as usual!!! I personally hope that the army wins out and importantly, THEY have the upperhand as they have the tanks!!!

Seriously though, I think that ALL the forces should be able to vote to protect their personal interests as it's their right to do so, but not be able to be a member or overtly reveal or promote ther allegiances to or for any one party as this creates divisions in their own ranks as well as setting each against the other with plenty of bullets and too much influence on the outcome to go round to make it a healthy situation!!!

Edited April 23, 2011 by SICHONSTEVE

[englishinsiam]

The Reds have a meeting at the bottom of our road in Pattaya today. Been camped there all week and Weds one of them was shot by 2 blokes on a Fino (must have borrowed it from their Girlfriend).

[SomTumTiger]

Douchebag weekend! Everyone pelt a red or yellow with an egg - just for fun! (Easter Theme)!

[happyjune]

I normally avoid Thai political discussions, to be honest, I don't really care.

In very simple terms, can anyone tell me why this Sondi chap, who is a Yellow leader/supporter is calling for a boycott? I mean, why not go in running at full speed ahead? I thought, elections are due, why not slog it out, which could mean anything in Thailand of course. ?

[FOODLOVER]

Douchebag weekend! Everyone pelt a red or yellow with an egg - just for fun! (Easter Theme)!

[Markaew]

I'm confused. Everyone in this forum has been screaming for democracy in Thailand. We have an election coming up which you think would satisfy the complainers but now the election is not good enough. dam_n! I dropped my beer. I'll be back after the she comes back with more beer. I'm sure it will make better sense then.

[Tod Daniels]

While this is slightly off-topic of the thread's title, it is about the Red Shirt leaders (I thought sticking it in here was as good a place as any) ..

So, speaking of Red Shirts; I got this update from the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand

Red Reorganization: Where the Red Shirt Movement Goes From Here

8pm, Tuesday, April 26, 2011

(Please see pricing and reservation procedure below)

Since last May's protests and subsequent crackdown, the various segments of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) have organized on nearly a bi-monthly basis to continue to protest against the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. The Prime Minister has promised house dissolution, the UDD's main demand from last year, paving the way for fresh polls in the Kingdom for the first time since 2007.

As we head towards the election, many questions on the future of the movement remain. What is the relationship between the Red Shirts and the Puea Thai party, and what is the likelihood the group will mobilize if it disputes the election outcome?

Join us for a panel on the future of this political movement.

Speakers will include:

Thida Tawornsate Tojirakarn, acting chair of the UDD

Jatuporn Promphan, Puea Thai MP and a core UDD leader

Natthawut Saikeua, Secretary of the UDD and former spokesman for the Somchai Wongsawat government

Pricing Details:

Members: No cover charge, buffet dinner is 350 baht

Non-members: 300 baht cover charge without buffet dinner or 650 baht for buffet dinner including cover charge

I thought inquiring minds might wanna turn up and hear it from them in person, or possibly not.

Just wanted you all to know about it...

Oh BTW: I'm NOT affiliated with the FCCT, just sharing information, don't shoot the messenger

[asiawatcher]

Any chance M79 grenades, black shirts and Jutaporn can be in the same place at the same time?

[robsamui]

What an amazing country this is . . . .

QUOTE: "Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit, when asked to comment on whether Thaksin would be violating his five-year ban from politics by speaking at the event, yesterday said it had to be determined whether he was involving himself in political activity."

R :cheesy: :cheesy:

[animatic]

I normally avoid Thai political discussions, to be honest, I don't really care.

In very simple terms, can anyone tell me why this Sondi chap, who is a Yellow leader/supporter is calling for a boycott? I mean, why not go in running at full speed ahead? I thought, elections are due, why not slog it out, which could mean anything in Thailand of course. ?

It in theory is intended as a protest vote against ALL politicians.

While I do protest vote, I vote for candidates who actual make sense, and hope that the more often they get decent percentages, the more often others will see this as a trend.`

[animatic]

What an amazing country this is . . . .

QUOTE: "Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit, when asked to comment on whether Thaksin would be violating his five-year ban from politics by speaking at the event, yesterday said it had to be determined whether he was involving himself in political activity."

R :cheesy: :cheesy:

This guy clearly doesn't understand the job description.

Hey fool, YOU GUYS MAKE THAT DETERMINATION....

[robsamui]

What an amazing country this is . . . .

QUOTE: "Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit, when asked to comment on whether Thaksin would be violating his five-year ban from politics by speaking at the event, yesterday said it had to be determined whether he was involving himself in political activity."

R :cheesy: :cheesy:

This guy clearly doesn't understand the job description.

Hey fool, YOU GUYS MAKE THAT DETERMINATION....

erm - which "guy" would that be and quite which "fool" is it to which you are referring?

Undoubtedly this is clear within your own bubble of consciousness but could you let the rest of us in, also?

R

[robsamui]

What an amazing country this is . . . .

QUOTE: "Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit, when asked to comment on whether Thaksin would be violating his five-year ban from politics by speaking at the event, yesterday said it had to be determined whether he was involving himself in political activity."

R :cheesy: :cheesy:

This guy clearly doesn't understand the job description.

Hey fool, YOU GUYS MAKE THAT DETERMINATION....

erm - which "guy" would that be and quite which "fool" is it to which you are referring?

Undoubtedly this is clear within your own bubble of consciousness but could you let the rest of us in, also?

R

And now I ponder on it, which "guys" are you addressing and exactly what "determination" would they be making?

Trust me - nobody out here has a clue what you're on about.

R

Edited April 24, 2011 by robsamui

[rubl]

What an amazing country this is . . . .

QUOTE: "Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit, when asked to comment on whether Thaksin would be violating his five-year ban from politics by speaking at the event, yesterday said it had to be determined whether he was involving himself in political activity."

R :cheesy: :cheesy:

This guy clearly doesn't understand the job description.

Hey fool, YOU GUYS MAKE THAT DETERMINATION....

erm - which "guy" would that be and quite which "fool" is it to which you are referring?

Undoubtedly this is clear within your own bubble of consciousness but could you let the rest of us in, also?

R

And now I ponder on it, which "guys" are you addressing and exactly what "determination" would they be making?

Trust me - nobody out here has a clue what you're on about.

R

Clearly that 'guy' is the EC member Prapun Naigowit who should determine with his collegues whether or not the EC law and 5-year ban has been breached