Yingluck Waits For The Right Time For A Public Debate With Abhisit

[warfie]

it must comfort you to know Abhisit cracks down heavily on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment. the concept of free speech under this goverment is non existant.

if you truely support democracy , i really wouldnt be gloating.

Who has Abhisit cracked down on?

A few people have been charged with LM crimes ... by the army and police.

A few people have been charged with terrorism and other crimes in relation to the protests last year ... by the police.

A few unlicenced radio stations have been shut down ... by the police.

dont remember this article ?

http://nationmultime...on_30045480.php

Junta's bills stifle free expression in run-up to vote

Thailand will vote tomorrow in a national referendum for a new constitution that the government says will guarantee democratic rights, including press freedom and freedom of expression.

Published on August 18, 2007

<br class="clear-all"> <br class="clear-all"> Yet before people can vote, the military-appointed legislature is ramming though a series of restrictive new laws that will make a mockery of these constitutional protections.

The legislature is now rushing to enact as many as eight new laws, which for broadly defined reasons of national security will strictly limit the charter's media freedom guarantees and once implemented will undermine further the country's fading democratic credentials.

The legislation entails some of the most restrictive and potentially punitive measures for governing the Internet anywhere in the world. The new Computer Crime Act, which came into force on July 19, gives Thai authorities broad discretionary censorship powers and entails possible prison terms for people who use proxy servers to access government-blocked materials on the Internet.

Since last September's coup, military-appointed authorities attached to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry have on then dubious legal authority moved to block several politically-oriented websites, particularly those that have reported favourably on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In a move that made global headlines, the ICT Ministry blocked popular video-sharing website YouTube after anonymous contributors posted video clips that, in violation of the country's strict lese majeste laws, which carry possible 15-year jail terms, lampooned His Majesty the King.

The government's new willingness to openly censor Internet-posted news suddenly puts Thailand in league with Asia's more notorious media freedom violators, including the likes of China, Vietnam and Burma.

More broadly, it shows how the application of laws intended to protect the honour of Thailand's widely revered monarch can have a sweeping and adverse impact on freedom of expression. With YouTube blocked, the Thai people are cut off from a vital new tool of global communication.

Despite the military's promise to hold elections and restore democracy by the end of this year, there are more media restrictions in the interim government's legal pipeline. Apart from the already passed Computer Crime and Film and Video acts, the appointed National Assembly is hastily drafting bills for governing broadcasting and television operations, public-broadcasting organisations, printing and publishing, and the suppression of so-called "dangerous behaviour instigation".

Several media freedom and pro-democracy advocates in Thailand fear that in varying degrees and forms, every one of the eight bills will include new restrictions and limitations on the media and stall the once constitutionally mandated process of shifting ownership of the broadcast media frequencies from state to private hands. Currently, all of the country's six main television stations are state-owned and since last year's coup on military orders news broadcasts have been heavily self-censored.

Not only do the proposed bills represent a significant step backward from the various media liberalisation and press-freedom guarantees enshrined in the now abrogated 1997 constitution, but their proposed restrictions chillingly hark to the darkest days of Thailand's long history of military rule.

For instance, the new print bill now under deliberation will likely leave in place the 1941 Printing and Publishing Act, which gives government authorities broad discretionary powers to close down newspapers for reasons of national security. Thai journalists have for years been campaigning to have the draconian law taken off the books.

Even with the more progressive 1997 constitution in place, Thai journalists were already working in an increasingly hostile environment. Deposed prime minister Thaksin filed several crippling criminal and civil defamation suits against journalists and editors and guided big state advertising contracts away from the few critical local newspapers that refused to tow his government's line.

But the military-appointed interim government's repeated promise to take a more enlightened approach towards press and media freedom issues nearly 11 months later clearly has not been honoured. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont in particular had vowed not to use the same "carrot and stick" approach to media management that the previous government employed.

Local press freedom advocates, including the vocal Campaign for Popular Media Reform, have called on the military-appointed legislature to cease passing any additional media-related laws until a new democratically elected government is installed early next year. Even as questions linger about the legality of last year's military intervention, the appointed legislature is now rushing to enact laws that seem partially designed to stifle critical debate about the military's controversial plans to extend its influence over Thai politics even after this year's elections.

The people of Thailand are being asked to make a decision about their political future in an environment in which the flow of information and ideas is deeply curtailed. The fact that new laws are being rammed through before and outside of the referendum raises questions about the legitimacy of the entire constitutional process.

The Thai people are not being given a say on their rights to freedom of expression - the future on that crucial democratic score, it seems, has already been decided.

And just exactly what has something the military did two governments before the current one, have to do with Abhist?

[gemini81]

it must comfort you to know Abhisit cracks down heavily on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment. the concept of free speech under this goverment is non existant.

if you truely support democracy , i really wouldnt be gloating.

Who has Abhisit cracked down on?

A few people have been charged with LM crimes ... by the army and police.

A few people have been charged with terrorism and other crimes in relation to the protests last year ... by the police.

A few unlicenced radio stations have been shut down ... by the police.

http://en.rsf.org/pr...-2010,1034.html

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2004: 54

2005: 107

2010: 153

yes it got worse with Thaksin but Abhisit was even more worse

ok so you are defending the man who indirectly protects your views, but please dont claim that you care for democracy or press freedom.

so tell us how it was Abhisit, and not the army, who cracked down? Care to tell us? Those were powers and decisions of the army, after the army was attacked by red buffaloes. Name another PM as tolerant as Abhisit, who let thugs and bums lay siege to the city, and then the next year let these crooks' dynasty family of corruption run for an election!!!!

Edited June 3, 2011 by gemini81

[timekeeper]

it must comfort you to know Abhisit cracks down heavily on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment. the concept of free speech under this goverment is non existant.

if you truely support democracy , i really wouldnt be gloating.

Who has Abhisit cracked down on?

A few people have been charged with LM crimes ... by the army and police.

A few people have been charged with terrorism and other crimes in relation to the protests last year ... by the police.

A few unlicenced radio stations have been shut down ... by the police.

http://en.rsf.org/pr...-2010,1034.html

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2004: 54

2005: 107

2010: 153

yes it got worse with Thaksin but Abhisit was even more worse

ok so you are defending the man who indirectly protects your views, but please dont claim that you care for democracy or press freedom.

and you are defending a man who doesn't give a fig about democracy

''its just a vehicle''

http://www.thaivisa....is-not-my-goal/

PM'S DECLARATION:'Democracy is not my goal'

[timekeeper]

it must comfort you to know Abhisit cracks down heavily on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment. the concept of free speech under this goverment is non existant.

if you truely support democracy , i really wouldnt be gloating.

Who has Abhisit cracked down on?

A few people have been charged with LM crimes ... by the army and police.

A few people have been charged with terrorism and other crimes in relation to the protests last year ... by the police.

A few unlicenced radio stations have been shut down ... by the police.

dont remember this article ?

http://nationmultime...on_30045480.php

Junta's bills stifle free expression in run-up to vote

Thailand will vote tomorrow in a national referendum for a new constitution that the government says will guarantee democratic rights, including press freedom and freedom of expression.

Published on August 18, 2007

<br class="clear-all"> <br class="clear-all"> Yet before people can vote, the military-appointed legislature is ramming though a series of restrictive new laws that will make a mockery of these constitutional protections.

The legislature is now rushing to enact as many as eight new laws, which for broadly defined reasons of national security will strictly limit the charter's media freedom guarantees and once implemented will undermine further the country's fading democratic credentials.

The legislation entails some of the most restrictive and potentially punitive measures for governing the Internet anywhere in the world. The new Computer Crime Act, which came into force on July 19, gives Thai authorities broad discretionary censorship powers and entails possible prison terms for people who use proxy servers to access government-blocked materials on the Internet.

Since last September's coup, military-appointed authorities attached to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry have on then dubious legal authority moved to block several politically-oriented websites, particularly those that have reported favourably on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In a move that made global headlines, the ICT Ministry blocked popular video-sharing website YouTube after anonymous contributors posted video clips that, in violation of the country's strict lese majeste laws, which carry possible 15-year jail terms, lampooned His Majesty the King.

The government's new willingness to openly censor Internet-posted news suddenly puts Thailand in league with Asia's more notorious media freedom violators, including the likes of China, Vietnam and Burma.

More broadly, it shows how the application of laws intended to protect the honour of Thailand's widely revered monarch can have a sweeping and adverse impact on freedom of expression. With YouTube blocked, the Thai people are cut off from a vital new tool of global communication.

Despite the military's promise to hold elections and restore democracy by the end of this year, there are more media restrictions in the interim government's legal pipeline. Apart from the already passed Computer Crime and Film and Video acts, the appointed National Assembly is hastily drafting bills for governing broadcasting and television operations, public-broadcasting organisations, printing and publishing, and the suppression of so-called "dangerous behaviour instigation".

Several media freedom and pro-democracy advocates in Thailand fear that in varying degrees and forms, every one of the eight bills will include new restrictions and limitations on the media and stall the once constitutionally mandated process of shifting ownership of the broadcast media frequencies from state to private hands. Currently, all of the country's six main television stations are state-owned and since last year's coup on military orders news broadcasts have been heavily self-censored.

Not only do the proposed bills represent a significant step backward from the various media liberalisation and press-freedom guarantees enshrined in the now abrogated 1997 constitution, but their proposed restrictions chillingly hark to the darkest days of Thailand's long history of military rule.

For instance, the new print bill now under deliberation will likely leave in place the 1941 Printing and Publishing Act, which gives government authorities broad discretionary powers to close down newspapers for reasons of national security. Thai journalists have for years been campaigning to have the draconian law taken off the books.

Even with the more progressive 1997 constitution in place, Thai journalists were already working in an increasingly hostile environment. Deposed prime minister Thaksin filed several crippling criminal and civil defamation suits against journalists and editors and guided big state advertising contracts away from the few critical local newspapers that refused to tow his government's line.

But the military-appointed interim government's repeated promise to take a more enlightened approach towards press and media freedom issues nearly 11 months later clearly has not been honoured. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont in particular had vowed not to use the same "carrot and stick" approach to media management that the previous government employed.

Local press freedom advocates, including the vocal Campaign for Popular Media Reform, have called on the military-appointed legislature to cease passing any additional media-related laws until a new democratically elected government is installed early next year. Even as questions linger about the legality of last year's military intervention, the appointed legislature is now rushing to enact laws that seem partially designed to stifle critical debate about the military's controversial plans to extend its influence over Thai politics even after this year's elections.

The people of Thailand are being asked to make a decision about their political future in an environment in which the flow of information and ideas is deeply curtailed. The fact that new laws are being rammed through before and outside of the referendum raises questions about the legitimacy of the entire constitutional process.

The Thai people are not being given a say on their rights to freedom of expression - the future on that crucial democratic score, it seems, has already been decided.

And just exactly what has something the military did two governments before the current one, have to do with Abhist?

reds are desperate individuals who have to make tenuous links to try to make sense to themselves as to how they can be supporting a criminal terrorist and why they are doing it

any sensible being can see it does not make any sense to follow these people and revel in traitorous behaviour dressed up as democracy

[timekeeper]

it must comfort you to know Abhisit cracks down heavily on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment. the concept of free speech under this goverment is non existant.

if you truely support democracy , i really wouldnt be gloating.

Who has Abhisit cracked down on?

A few people have been charged with LM crimes ... by the army and police.

A few people have been charged with terrorism and other crimes in relation to the protests last year ... by the police.

A few unlicenced radio stations have been shut down ... by the police.

i will try to keep it simple for you

you made a statement in a previous post, you have been asked by a number of TV members to justify it

heres the question again:

''please show your sources to support your claim that Abhisit has personally cracked down on ''on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment.''

your silence speaks volumes

[bungalownights]

i will try to keep it simple for you

you made a statement in a previous post, you have been asked by a number of TV members to justify it

heres the question again:

''please show your sources to support your claim that Abhisit has personally cracked down on ''on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment.''

your silence speaks volumes

sometimes, particualy when words are twisted (an extremely common and lowbrow tactic of the vocal anti-thaksin minority), I wont dignify a response.

ill say two things though.

1. were did I say "personally".

2. as PM, dont you think Abhisit should take some responsibility for these numbers ?

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2004: 54

2005: 107

2010: 153

http://en.rsf.org/pr...-2010,1034.html

Edited June 3, 2011 by bungalownights

[gemini81]

anyone know a word that rhymes with "bungalow?"

forum rules ?

typical behaviour of a red bully, tries to intimidate everyone who disagrees with them then runs to the authorities when they get hurt............

really, you should know better.

because he allowed them to do these criminal activities more in excess of two months. beyond comprehension. now after the videos and proven knowledge of statements from Thaksin, why shouldn't he take responsibility?

And why shouldn't yingluck take responsibility for holding shares of her brothers that were proven corrupt? And why is their corruption so bold and obvious, yet one cant pinpoint a single thread of evidence of corruption against the current PM? Some say one doesn't know how good they've got it until it's gone.

[timekeeper]

i will try to keep it simple for you

you made a statement in a previous post, you have been asked by a number of TV members to justify it

heres the question again:

''please show your sources to support your claim that Abhisit has personally cracked down on ''on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment.''

your silence speaks volumes

sometimes, particualy when words are twisted (an extremely common and lowbrow tactic of the vocal anti-thaksin minority), I wont dignify a response.

ill say two things though.

1. were did I say "personally".

2. as PM, dont you think Abhisit should take some responsibility for these numbers ?

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2004: 54

2005: 107

2010: 153

http://en.rsf.org/pr...-2010,1034.html

you are correct, you did not say personally when referring to Abhisit but as you are trying to now wriggle on the hook and dissasociate yourself from actually saying that it was Abhisit directly who was responsible for cracking down then your next question should be given equal status

so as he is now not personally responsible for cracking down as you said before then how can he be held responsible for these numbers?

(no double standards - remember the red mantra.....)

Edited June 3, 2011 by timekeeper

[whybother]

it must comfort you to know Abhisit cracks down heavily on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment. the concept of free speech under this goverment is non existant.

if you truely support democracy , i really wouldnt be gloating.

Who has Abhisit cracked down on?

A few people have been charged with LM crimes ... by the army and police.

A few people have been charged with terrorism and other crimes in relation to the protests last year ... by the police.

A few unlicenced radio stations have been shut down ... by the police.

dont remember this article ?

http://nationmultime...on_30045480.php

Junta's bills stifle free expression in run-up to vote

Thailand will vote tomorrow in a national referendum for a new constitution that the government says will guarantee democratic rights, including press freedom and freedom of expression.

Published on August 18, 2007

And that's related to Abhisit how?

[Buchholz]

'English is way over-rated'.

What a stupid banana republic outlook. Have no idea of her English ability, but if she struggles with it (as her brother does), what happens when she's out & about representing her country?

You be the judge. Here's her interview with Australian news:

Video News - ABC News interview

http://www.abc.net.a.../01/3233091.htm

Having seen this interview in a language not her own

It was in a language that she is supposedly proficient enough at to obtain a Masters degree in it.

Anyway, bring on the debate.... in any language.

[whybother]

http://en.rsf.org/pr...-2010,1034.html

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2004: 54

2005: 107

2010: 153

yes it got worse with Thaksin but Abhisit was even more worse

ok so you are defending the man who indirectly protects your views, but please dont claim that you care for democracy or press freedom.

Thailand has slipped 23 places to the ranking of 153rd on the press freedom index after two foreign journalists were killed and 15 others wounded while covering the army's dispersing against the red shirts protesters in Bangkok, reported the 2010 World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF).

An Italian and a Japanese journalists were killed during the attempts to re capture the Ratchaprasong areas where the pro-Thaksin protesters had occupied for months.

Considering that some of those deaths and injuries were caused by red shirts, you can't really put the drop at the feet of Abhisit can you?

Edited June 3, 2011 by whybother

[timekeeper]

i will try to keep it simple for you

you made a statement in a previous post, you have been asked by a number of TV members to justify it

heres the question again:

''please show your sources to support your claim that Abhisit has personally cracked down on ''on those (justified or not) critical of his goverment.''

your silence speaks volumes

sometimes, particualy when words are twisted (an extremely common and lowbrow tactic of the vocal anti-thaksin minority), I wont dignify a response.

ill say two things though.

1. were did I say "personally".

2. as PM, dont you think Abhisit should take some responsibility for these numbers ?

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2004: 54

2005: 107

2010: 153

http://en.rsf.org/pr...-2010,1034.html

its curious that in almost every post that you make you refer to ''the vocal anti-thaksin minority''

yet your posts solicit responses from many anti thaksin members

you seem to fail to get any support from other thaksin supporters when posting

so as theres one of you and about five of us (at least on this thread), i think that makes you the minority.............

Edited June 3, 2011 by timekeeper

[rubl]

Just adding all years available and Thailand's position and numbers 50 and 100

reporters without borders

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX:

2002: 65 - 22.75 (50: Panama 15.50, 100: Turkey 33.50)

2003: 82 - 19.67 (50: Australia 9.25, 100: Haiti 31.00)

2004: 54 - 14.00 (50: Albania 11.50, 100: Zambia 29.75)

2005: 107 - 28.00 (50: Chili 11.75, 100: Kosovo 25.75)

2006: 122 - 33.50 (50: Israel 12.00, 100: Turkey 15.00)

2007: 135 - 53.50 (50: Mauritania 15.50, 100: Indonesia 30.50)

2008: 124 - 34.50 (50: South Korea 9.00, 100: Honduras 21.50)

2009: 130 - 44.00 (50: Romania 12.50, 100: Guinea 28.50)

2010: 153 - 56.83 (50: Italia 15.00, 100: Georgia 27.00)

For most movements there are various factors which may or may not be used to explain a countries position. Just like politics and polls it tends to depend on viewpoints

Still puzzled as to what these stats have to do with the OP? Ms. Yingluck still ready and waiting for the right moment

Edited June 3, 2011 by rubl

[timekeeper]

'English is way over-rated'.

What a stupid banana republic outlook. Have no idea of her English ability, but if she struggles with it (as her brother does), what happens when she's out & about representing her country?

You be the judge. Here's her interview with Australian news:

Video News - ABC News interview

http://www.abc.net.a.../01/3233091.htm

Having seen this interview in a language not her own

It was in a language that she is supposedly proficient enough at to obtain a Masters degree in it.

Anyway, bring on the debate.... in any language.

you know thats a really awful still picture

every time i see her on TV or in other pictures i think of this one

i can only think ABC froze it there as some kind of a penalty for wasting their time .........

[animatic]

Abhisit's government has proven to be just all talks. Hopefully it won't be the same with Yingluck.

But will Yingluck beats the person who's only good with talks and debate? Perhaps not.

Apparently you have no actual memories of PPP in government..... all talk, or actions that were patently illegal and cost cabinet members their jobs. There track record is pathos in inaction.

I have asked repeatedly, and never get an answer. One more time.

"What legislation and actions in the legislature have the PPP and PTP MPs, done for the Poor Of Thailand. What have the actually brought to the lower house floor? What have the3 voted for that helps the poor? Is there any substantive legislation that got through proper constitutional court scrutiny that has helped ANY of thew poor of Thailand? And I don't mean promises and attempts at sops to their political cronies or political network patrons."

Never ONCE has anyone come up with a list or even a single example.

Oh and the PPP completely MISSED the world economic collapse.

Even as ex TRT Devakula and Korn were doing multiple Op-editorials about it. Competence as national leaders seems to have escaped their grasp.

Edited June 3, 2011 by animatic

[metisdead]

Off topic baiting posts have been removed.

[yeeowww]

she did fine.

now...... just a small note for the ThaiVisa casual reading audience:

there are a vocal minority of anti-thaksin posters on here that are hell bent in potraying everything about Thaksin in a bad light. essentially a propaganda squad loosely united by hate.

they are actually doing thaivisa a disservice by dragging the quality of dialoge down. now, if you do decided to read their posts, take what you see with a grain of salt.

take this thread for example, read some of the melodramatic comments then watch the interview , and let yourself be the judge.

like I said earlier, she didn't do too badly at all.

Are you disoriented "bungalownight"? Nothing that came out of her mouth made any sense nor addressed the question put to her! But of course what else would one expect from a member who admires her so much that he/she uses her picture as their avatar.

And the Thaksin haters have good reason to hate him... he has brought it on himself. He's a very despiseable character who is reaping what he has sown. Let's take a little trip down memory lane here for all you nostalgic folk. Gee... ain't he wonderful! Doesn't his humanitarianism just bring fuzzy warm tears of love to your eyes?

[yeeowww]

she did fine.

now...... just a small note for the ThaiVisa casual reading audience:

there are a vocal minority of anti-thaksin posters on here that are hell bent in potraying everything about Thaksin in a bad light. essentially a propaganda squad loosely united by hate.

they are actually doing thaivisa a disservice by dragging the quality of dialoge down. now, if you do decided to read their posts, take what you see with a grain of salt.

take this thread for example, read some of the melodramatic comments then watch the interview , and let yourself be the judge.

like I said earlier, she didn't do too badly at all.

Are you disoriented "bungalownight"? Nothing that came out of her mouth made any sense nor addressed the question put to her! But of course what else would one expect from a member who admires her so much that he/she uses her picture as their avatar.

And the Thaksin haters have good reason to hate him... he has brought it on himself. He's a very despiseable character who is reaping what he has sown. Let's take a little trip down memory lane here for all you nostalgic folk. Gee... ain't he wonderful! Doesn't his humanitarianism just bring fuzzy warm tears of love to your eyes?

[rubl]

DSI to interrogate Yingluck about red-shirt related lese majeste and terrorism cases on June 21

Why? Was she even there when they supposedly committed the crime?

Is this actually reported somewhere?

TAN NETWORK

Just searching TAN website I find five recent newsflashes about DSI, but none with Ms. Yingluck. Can you provide a link please?

No answer till now, maybe a misunderstanding?

Only item found for the 21st of June is

"Kaewsun Atibodhi told a press conference at Parliament building that the signature campaign would begin at Thammasat University in the afternoon on June 18. He said the signature list and the complaint against Yingluck would be submitted to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on June 21."

[animatic]

Maybe she is waiting to get the scrambled ear and nostril radio implants so her handlers can hear the questions and feed her the answers and no one knows she is just mouthing her inner earbuds feed?