Pheu Thai Rules Out Debate

[webfact]

Pheu Thai rules out debate

By Olarn Lertrattanadamrongkul,

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Satien Viriyapanpongsa

The Nation

Opposition says policies of both parties have been unveiled and there is no point in PM candidates Yingluck and Abhisit locking horns

With scorn or indifference, key Pheu Thai members have ruled out a public debate between Yingluck Shinawatra and Abhisit Vejjajiva, leaving the Democrats still chasing their first opportunity to scrutinise her proclaimed "qualifications".

Yingluck, unveiled on Monday as the Pheu Thai Party's challenger to Abhisit's reign, would certainly face political questions at such a debate, thanks to her relations with Thaksin Shinawatra and his proclaimed intention to wipe Thailand free of "political crimes" through a blanket amnesty.

Abhisit and high-ranking Democrats proposed the debate, saying it would help voters form a judgement ahead of the July 3 election. Pheu Thai's negative response was expected, given Abhisit's nearly unrivalled eloquence, Yingluck's fledgling political career and the potentially explosive amnesty issue.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi yesterday rejected the proposal on the grounds that the two rival parties had already outlined their respective policies, hence a debate was unwarranted.

"I see the debate, if it happens, as a venue for bickering, which will not bode well for reconciliation," he said.

Plodprasop said there had never been a political tradition of campaign debates in Thailand. He said he recalled that Abhisit used to challenge the late prime minister Samak Sundaravej to a debate but this did not happen.

Aspiring Pheu Thai MP candidate Natthawut Saikua said that for the past two years, every Thai citizen had seen through Abhisit as a man toying with words but having no job performance to show.

Natthawut said he saw the demand for a debate as Abhisit's attempt to showcase his oratory skills at Yingluck's expense.

Pheu Thai supporters would not be swayed by a mere debate, he said.

By casting the ballot for Yingluck, voters would enjoy the policies of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said, arguing that Pheu Thai's track record spoke for itself, louder than words.

He said Yingluck could be Abhisit's mentor because she had the experience of running a business worth billions of baht while Abhisit had no such track record.

If Abhisit was so confident of his superior attributes in comparison to Yingluck's, then he should not try to win by abusing state mechanisms to sway votes, he said.

Academics have voiced support for a public debate, but voiced concern over the proper format and legal constraints.

Former Election Commission member Gothom Arya said an election debate would benefit the people as it would give more information about each party's policies as well as the personality of party leaders who propose to be prime-ministerial candidates.

However, such a debate in Thailand might face legal constraints, he said.

"How can we give equal time to the leaders of all the political parties as stipulated by the law? Is it acceptable to hold debates for only some party leaders people see as having a better chance of becoming the prime minister? What [about] the supporters of small parties?" he asked.

"Party leaders with administrative experience would have an advantage over the new faces. In the current case, Abhisit would have an advantage over Yingluck - but a debate between Abhisit and Thaksin would be very interesting," Gothom said.

Tactful people and good speakers would also have an advantage, he said. But a good leader would need to communicate and answer questions clearly, he said.

Nevertheless, the accountability of what the politicians say during a debate would be another issue the audience should consider carefully. He referred to a debate among political party leaders in 1992 when all the speakers said they were ready to be the prime minister and backed it up with their reasons, but finally it was General Suchinda Kraprayoon who became the military-backed prime minister.

Gothom said that although Thai party leaders are mature enough, a moderator is necessary so that the debate would not deteriorate into a quarrel.

Political critic and speaker Sukhum Nualsakul said an election debate was good for politics as it was a chance for the candidates to show their character, including wit, leadership, and control over their temper.

Sukhum said he supported election debates, which have happened in Thailand sometimes, although it is not compulsory for all party leaders to join.

Sukhum said a debate would not help much in deliberating on the details of policies, which the parties can announce and promote by themselves.

Secretary-general of the People's Network for Election in Thailand (P-NET) Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said the group had come up with a plan to hold an election debate for political party leaders. However, it would also offer an opportunity to other parties, not just Democrats and Pheu Thai.

"A debate is necessary for people's decision-making as voters can consider all aspects of the candidates. Proposing oneself as a prime-ministerial candidate but refusing to join the debate is like taking advantage of voters. It's similar to trying to sell a product but not putting it up for show," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

[timekeeper]

its no surprise there will be no public debate, Phua thai are running scared and this challenge by Abhisit will not go away

it will be the cornerstone of every speech he makes until even the most hardened reds will be screaming for a debate if only to shut him up

i am sure he remembers that the last time she was under scrutiny at thaksin assets trial she spent most of her time bawling here eyes out

she was no help to thaksin then and she will not be this time

her only asset to him is that she would give him amnesty

her contribution to Thailand would be nil

imagine if Hun Sen attacked, what would she do?

use her womanly wiles to try to stop him or just burst into tears?

those who believe the army is in charge now will see an unpresidented rise in their power when they bully this silly girl into submission

the head of the army is a self confessed thaksin hater, what level of mincemeat will he make of his clone?

this cynical attempt by Thaksin to get back to Thailand does no one any service

least of all Thailand......

Edited May 18, 2011 by timekeeper

[virtualtraveller]

The Democrats know Peua Thai will never put Yingluck up to a debate because their whole political platform is a farce. From the few words we've heard from Yingluck she might surprise us, but given the position she's in, she wouldn't be able to effectively debate without perhaps contradicting her brother. They're making this challenge to expose her as a puppet.

Peua Thai's response is pathetic. Here we have a complete unknown put forward with a very good chance of being our next PM and the public get no chance to know her better. Their lame reply that 'we all know about Abhisit's lacklustre performance, Yingluck will be bringing back all Thaksin's greatness'. Well then, let's just cut to the chase and have a debate with Yingluck sitting there and Thaksin answering the questions by teleconference, then the public will definitely know how ridiculous this charade is.

You can't run a country by making phone calls to Dubai a few times a day. And you can't run a country from Dubai.

Peau Thai are rightly chickening out with their usual bluster...

[animatic]

Of course they do.

Forgone conclusion they wouldn't dare let her debate Abhisit one on one live on TV...

[timekeeper]

oh dear, what shall i do , oh dear oh dear..........

[jdinasia]

Does this come as a surprise ....? No

Abhisit could have done what no other politician would ever do ..... When she brought up the Red shirt violence of 2010 he could have looked at her and said ...

"Given the fact that the reds were armed, and given that they had the very heavily armed and ultra-violent black-shirts amongst them, and given that the world was in a global economic turndown and Thailand needed continued leadership at the time ..... what would you have done different?" Then taken her to pieces.

Then he could have started in on "Thaksin thinks ... Puea Thai...."

Then asked about her personal involvement in Thaksin Thinks, Yingluck ..." over the AIS/Shin asset forfeiture case .....

Then started hitting her on economics, border issues with Cambodia ... the World economic crisis .... sustainable populism ... her brother ......

She'd have been in tatters in the first 5 minutes.

[Thaddeus]

Thaksin Shinawatra and his proclaimed intention to wipe Thailand free of "political crimes" through a blanket amnesty.

Q. How many PTP lawmakers does it take to change a light bulb.

A. None, they claim darkness is what the country needs and what people want.

[KireB]

Thaksin Shinawatra and his proclaimed intention to wipe Thailand free of "political crimes" through a blanket amnesty.

Q. How many PTP lawmakers does it take to change a light bulb.

A. None, they claim darkness is what the country needs and what people want.

What saddens me the most is that a lot of people are gonna vote for these clowns!

It feels to me like a majority acceptance of greed, corruption and crime! So transparent.

Sad state of affairs, because what ever the result of the coming elections will be, it won't be accepted!

There can only be reconciliation if Thaksin stays out of the picture. The main problem is that there's no need for reconciliatin with Thaksin out of the picture.

A dog biting his own tail.

[webfact]

Banharn: Yingluck to fall at disadvantage in debate

BANGKOK, 18 May 2011 (NNT) – Chart Thai Pattana Party Chief Advisor Banharn Silapa-archa has indicated that Pheu Thai prime minister candidate Yingluck Shinawatra will be at a disadvantage if she accepts the challenge to debate with Democrat candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva.

After learning that Ms Yingluck has been chosen to be the number one in the list of Pheu Thai party-listed MP candidates, Mr Banharn said he has no idea about her political vision; however, he indicated that the candidate has a solid background in business administration.

As for the announcement made by Ms Yingluck upon her selection that she will volunteer to correct the country’s problems and not seek revenge, the party chief advisor deemed the statement appropriate, reasoning that it is what the society needs.

Mr Banharn, also a former prime minister, believed that Ms Yingluck will be at a disadvantage if she is going to debate against Mr Abhisit as challenged. He noted that it will be up to Ms Yingluck herself how she will manage to survive the verbal combat.

The party chief advisor has reconfirmed that there has been no political polarisation so far, but there might be some movements as the election draws near.

-- NNT 2011-05-18

[animatic]

Does this come as a surprise ....? No

Abhisit could have done what no other politician would ever do ..... When she brought up the Red shirt violence of 2010 he could have looked at her and said ...

"Given the fact that the reds were armed, and given that they had the very heavily armed and ultra-violent black-shirts amongst them, and given that the world was in a global economic turndown and Thailand needed continued leadership at the time ..... what would you have done different?" Then taken her to pieces.

Then he could have started in on "Thaksin thinks ... Puea Thai...."

Then asked about her personal involvement in Thaksin Thinks, Yingluck ..." over the AIS/Shin asset forfeiture case .....

Then started hitting her on economics, border issues with Cambodia ... the World economic crisis .... sustainable populism ... her brother ......

She'd have been in tatters in the first 5 minutes.

And he could have remained gentleman like, even handed and not appear mean spirited in the process. Sadly she is larded both with extreme baggage and inexperience.

And while she may personally have some good intentions, she is not alone in any way in this endeavor. She can not help but feel controlling strings form many directions. And so she rightly must be asked how she intendeds to juggle these competing interests with the public good.

Edited May 18, 2011 by animatic

[animatic]

Thaksin Shinawatra and his proclaimed intention to wipe Thailand free of "political crimes" through a blanket amnesty.

Q. How many PTP lawmakers does it take to change a light bulb.

A. None, they claim darkness is what the country needs and what people want.

[hyperdimension]

"I see the debate, if it happens, as a venue for bickering, which will not bode well for reconciliation," he said.

When he mentions bickering, he's actually talking about the party to which he is part of (Pheu Thai). Abhisit is not one who bickers. Weren't Pheu Thai the one who called the last censure debate against the government? Was that done for reconciliation and not to bicker? Maybe Pheu Thai's view of debating is actually bickering. So how about calling it a discussion instead.

Plodprasop said there had never been a political tradition of campaign debates in Thailand.

There has never been a tradition of a female leading a country either in Thailand. So why use this excuse about tradition?

Natthawut said he saw the demand for a debate as Abhisit's attempt to showcase his oratory skills at Yingluck's expense.

This could be an admission that Yingluck lacks oratory skills.

Pheu Thai supporters would not be swayed by a mere debate, he said.

If that's true, what do they have to lose?

Edited May 18, 2011 by hyperdimension

[hyperdimension]

He said Yingluck could be Abhisit's mentor because she had the experience of running a business worth billions of baht while Abhisit had no such track record.

A country is not a corporation. All that matters to a corporation is profit.

If Abhisit was so confident of his superior attributes in comparison to Yingluck's, then he should not try to win by abusing state mechanisms to sway votes, he said.

Is having a debate a state mechanism?

Secretary-general of the People's Network for Election in Thailand (P-NET) Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said the group had come up with a plan to hold an election debate for political party leaders. However, it would also offer an opportunity to other parties, not just Democrats and Pheu Thai.

So there may be some kind of debate held, one in which other parties can participate. We can be quite sure that Abhisit would join in. If such a debate goes ahead and Pheu Thai declines the invitation, they could be the odd one out.

It's similar to trying to sell a product but not putting it up for show," he said.

I agree. If the shop refuses to show it, it could be a scam or that there's something wrong with the product.

Edited May 18, 2011 by hyperdimension

[hyperdimension]

If she's not going to get involved in a debate, then at least she should be interviewed by renowned interviewers with good questions and without allowing any preparation.

Edited May 18, 2011 by hyperdimension

[jdinasia]

A country is not a corporation. All that matters to a corporation is profit.

Most particularly her brother/surrogate father's corporation! Oh wait ... Thaksin does seem to think that Thailand is his company! (Remember his model for governance was the self-styled "CEO" model

[jackdawson]

this is weird . it's like PTP is doing everything it can to NOT win .

[MaiChai]

One has to question whether your average PT support can actually think for themselves. They spout democracy, but as far as I can see the party is an autocracy run by Taksin from abroad. Those who don't follow the masters wishes are sidelined. Take a look at the wiki page definition for democracy; PT does not fit this definition. This is a fact, not spin.

Today is the day the party list for PT will be provided? How about some policies too?

[whybother]

this is weird . it's like PTP is doing everything it can to NOT win .

That will give them more to blame on the "elite" and army when they don't win.

[rubl]

One has to question whether your average PT support can actually think for themselves. They spout democracy, but as far as I can see the party is an autocracy run by Taksin from abroad. Those who don't follow the masters wishes are sidelined. Take a look at the wiki page definition for democracy; PT does not fit this definition. This is a fact, not spin.

Today is the day the party list for PT will be provided? How about some policies too?

Please do pay attention. The policies were announced a while ago in video links with PTP Thinking Head k. Thaksin. If you're not rich in six months it'll be your own fault