Stop Bullying, Pheu Thai Told

[lovetotravel]

For sure. Pretty much all of my friends Thai wives speak better English than that. Disappointing. It doesn't have to be perfect, but that was pretty bad. Especially from someone with a masters degree from the US???

[mrtoad]

For sure. Pretty much all of my friends Thai wives speak better English than that. Disappointing. It doesn't have to be perfect, but that was pretty bad. Especially from someone with a masters degree from the US???

It does make me wonder about that... I was pretty sure that there were language standards required to study at most credible educational institutions.

[lannarebirth]

Any PTP victory will be disallowed because of Taksin interfering with Thai politics. I believe he is banned, O and a convicted felon.On the run from justice and a few other things in there as well.

Of course, but this month we're pretending to have an election.

[virtualtraveller]

..., Abhisit got a better reception in Samut Prakan - a so called Red stronghold - than Yingluck.

There is a pertinent factoid to ponder.

The Silent Majority exists and is not telegraphing it's intentions.

No matter how PTP spins it or how pretty her face, they are not getting 50%

more likely the typical 1/3rd they usually get, her face may counter act the Red faces a little.

But that always leaves 2/3rds of the voting public that are NOT and never were, for PTP/PPP/TRT. Even the one larger TRT coalition anomaly was partly smaller parties blocks being sold to Thaksin before the election, not after.

So regardless of spin and such, the silent majority will have it's say about the 'Reds work' last year, and whether they should be included in a new government. And given absolution for all sins.

How many average people in this country are truly for destruction as a way to win power?

That's correct, and though PTP should be rightly recognised as the most popular party should they win the largest share of the vote, they will only have themselves to blame if they fail to set up a coalition, this is because they have set this whole election up as a vote for and against Thaksin. They are not a political party they are Thaksin Inc. Their ideology is 'Thaksin thinks' - but he's banned from politics and has been exposed as a dishonest criminal. He's blatantly running the show, to their advantage, and will blatantly run the government if they get in, and that is not democracy. And those who make the key decisions, such as the middle sized parties, will not want to be part of that. They will get plenty of pressure during negotiations from various movers and shakers, not necessarily the elite and army. And Thaksin's pre-planned response to that is 'this is democracy stolen so we have every right to go back to the streets to get our power back'. It's all a game, designed to side step the social contract of democracy and try and legitimise himself through popularity. It doesn't alter the fact that he's a rat.

[hellodolly]

The former Bangkok governor said that he believed many eligible voters - particularly those in Bangkok - kept their true feelings about last year's unrest to themselves and would express their views when going to the poll on July 3. He said he was convinced that many people who told pollsters they were undecided had actually made up their minds but they simply did not want to cause hostility in a volatile political situation.

Probably yes, but it will be not the Democrats they will vote for.

Are you saying the undecided really support the carnage caused by the red shirts in Bangkok last year.

does that statement include the honest citizens who cleaned up after you left the area like a pig pen. You are in good company with those low life's. Remember you chose to side with them.

[hellodolly]

there's a well-fed looking group...

ef

Yes Thaksin pays well

[hellodolly]

Not quite sure what the Democrats are complaining about.Abhisit doesn't get too bad a reception:in fact people quite like him (everybody likes a gent) regardless of politics.Suthep gets a poor reception because Thai people, outside his NST bailliwick, recognise a crocodile when they see one.According to Andrew Barrow, blogger, Abhisit got a better reception in Samut Prakan - a so called Red stronghold - than Yingluck.

just watching Abhisit on a re-run of world report on the BBC

he came over very well , he is a very good ambassador/spokesman for Thailand

its hard to believe some people want to replace him with the bumbling Thaksin or his equally clumsy and frequently crying sister

basically, you are expressing the view that you judge a Thai politician's competency on the basis of his/her fluency in the English language. The attachment of the edited spooling of a Mr. Thaksin pausing while speaking demonstrates a condescending arrogance. .

Are you fluent in Thai? Are you capable of giving an eloquent address in Thai? I think not. Have you listened to some of the world's past and present political leaders stumble about in a foreign language? The UN Secretary General is considered to be quite good and yet his English skills are not impressive. Merkel, Sarkozy, and Zapotero stumble when speaking english too. What's your point? Canada had a PM that mangled the english language and yet he was able to balance the budget. Yes, PM Abhisit looks nice and yes he speaks english well. So what? In Asia, the dominant economies are India and China and the last time I heard their leaders speak, their english language skills were poor as well.

The ability to express your self clearly on difficult subjects in a second language is an excellent indication of how well you can do it in your native tongue.

Also how well you understand the subject.

[jdinasia]

The ability to express your self clearly on difficult subjects in a second language is an excellent indication of how well you can do it in your native tongue.

Also how well you understand the subject.

And when both Yingluck and Abhisit have degrees earned overseas (though Abhisit's is from a significantly better institution) ... English is a fair medium to use to look at the potential leader of the country's government. A PM that doesn't have to rely on an interpreter to use English is a good thing

[animatic]

The ability to express your self clearly on difficult subjects in a second language is an excellent indication of how well you can do it in your native tongue.

Also how well you understand the subject.

And when both Yingluck and Abhisit have degrees earned overseas (though Abhisit's is from a significantly better institution) ... English is a fair medium to use to look at the potential leader of the country's government. A PM that doesn't have to rely on an interpreter to use English is a good thing

Samaks last interviews proved that point loudly.

[ianbaggie]

Not quite sure what the Democrats are complaining about.Abhisit doesn't get too bad a reception:in fact people quite like him (everybody likes a gent) regardless of politics.Suthep gets a poor reception because Thai people, outside his NST bailliwick, recognise a crocodile when they see one.According to Andrew Barrow, blogger, Abhisit got a better reception in Samut Prakan - a so called Red stronghold - than Yingluck.

just watching Abhisit on a re-run of world report on the BBC

he came over very well , he is a very good ambassador/spokesman for Thailand

its hard to believe some people want to replace him with the bumbling Thaksin or his equally clumsy and frequently crying sister

basically, you are expressing the view that you judge a Thai politician's competency on the basis of his/her fluency in the English language. The attachment of the edited spooling of a Mr. Thaksin pausing while speaking demonstrates a condescending arrogance. .

Are you fluent in Thai? Are you capable of giving an eloquent address in Thai? I think not. Have you listened to some of the world's past and present political leaders stumble about in a foreign language? The UN Secretary General is considered to be quite good and yet his English skills are not impressive. Merkel, Sarkozy, and Zapotero stumble when speaking english too. What's your point? Canada had a PM that mangled the english language and yet he was able to balance the budget. Yes, PM Abhisit looks nice and yes he speaks english well. So what? In Asia, the dominant economies are India and China and the last time I heard their leaders speak, their english language skills were poor as well.

Thats a capital "E" for English by the way - some cant even communicate in their own language can they?? !!!

[ianbaggie]

Not quite sure what the Democrats are complaining about.Abhisit doesn't get too bad a reception:in fact people quite like him (everybody likes a gent) regardless of politics.Suthep gets a poor reception because Thai people, outside his NST bailliwick, recognise a crocodile when they see one.According to Andrew Barrow, blogger, Abhisit got a better reception in Samut Prakan - a so called Red stronghold - than Yingluck.

just watching Abhisit on a re-run of world report on the BBC

he came over very well , he is a very good ambassador/spokesman for Thailand

its hard to believe some people want to replace him with the bumbling Thaksin or his equally clumsy and frequently crying sister

basically, you are expressing the view that you judge a Thai politician's competency on the basis of his/her fluency in the English language. The attachment of the edited spooling of a Mr. Thaksin pausing while speaking demonstrates a condescending arrogance. .

Are you fluent in Thai? Are you capable of giving an eloquent address in Thai? I think not. Have you listened to some of the world's past and present political leaders stumble about in a foreign language? The UN Secretary General is considered to be quite good and yet his English skills are not impressive. Merkel, Sarkozy, and Zapotero stumble when speaking english too. What's your point? Canada had a PM that mangled the english language and yet he was able to balance the budget. Yes, PM Abhisit looks nice and yes he speaks english well. So what? In Asia, the dominant economies are India and China and the last time I heard their leaders speak, their english language skills were poor as well.

Thats a capital "E" for English by the way - some cant even communicate in their own language can they?? !!! -

Oh and don't forget to start sentences, especially your first sentence with capital letters.

Edited June 19, 2011 by ianbaggie

[JAG]

Thats a capital "E" for English by the way - some cant even communicate in their own language can they?? !!! -

Let alone use apostrophes!

Edited June 19, 2011 by JAG

[webfact]

Get the reds in order, PM tells Yingluck

By The Nation

Says Pheu Thai nominee doesn't deserve to be leader if she can't stop abusive mobs, after incidents in Samut Prakan

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday to get red shirts to stop bullying him.

Abhisit made the demand after he cut short a campaign rally in Samut Prakan after a group of over 200 red shirts gathered to protest against him at a fresh market.

Abhisit said if Yingluck could not control the behaviour of the red shirts she would not deserve the prime minister's post.

The Democrat leader said he would not file a complaint yet with the Election Commission, as he did not want to see Pheu Thai cry foul that he was persecuting it.

Abhisit said the Pheu Thai supporters in Samut Prakan behaved in a way that ended with security officials asking him to stop campaigning. "I would like to call on Yingluck to express her stand to keep her supporters in control so that other parties can hold election campaigns," Abhisit said. "If she is unable to tell her supporters to stop, how can she run the country?"

Abhisit met several groups of red shirts holding signs and symbols to protest against him while he campaigned in Samut Prakan from 7.25am to 11:25am early yesterday.

Samut Prakan is known to be a red-shirt area with many ardent Pheu Thai supporters.

Abhisit kicked off the campaign in front of the Tambon Samrong Nua Municipality at 7.25 am. The PM and party-list candidate Alongkorn Pollabutr turned up to help Soracha Wirachartwattana campaign in Samut Prakan's Constituency 2.

His vehicle procession moved past the Imperial Samrong shopping mall to Soi Dan Samrong to campaign at the local community.

Then several red shirtsturned out to shout and cursed Abhisit. While his procession was heading deeper into the soi at the Likhit Fresh Market, local residents came out with red-shirt symbols and displayed banners attacking him.

His procession moved past a Pheu Thai campaign vehicle and a spokesman asked people not to show hostility against Abhisit. The prime minister waved to the Pheu Thai campaign team and smiled when hearing the spokesman speak.

At 10.30am, Abhisit campaigned at the Praeksa Market in Muang district. He thanked his supporters for showing support for the Democrats. He said he was not discouraged by the "welcome" of local red shirts.

At 11am, Abhisit arrived at the Eam Charone Market. Here, Democrat supporters tussled briefly with the red shirts, who came to protest against the prime minister.

A mob of 200 red shirts gathered, holding banners that criticised the prime minister and kept shouting at him.

Abhisit stopped the campaign at 11.25am before his group reached the spot where the 200 red shirts stood. He returned immediately to the Democrats' head office.

Yingluck said later her party had nothing to do with people showing opposition to the PM. She said the people had a right to explain their opinions, but they should do it peacefully.

Meanwhile, Abhisit said Pheu Thai should not be worried by the Democrats' plan to rally at Central World near Rajprasong. He said the rally would not block nearby roads.

"We won't incite anything but we will tell the people about the cause of problems which the country is facing," Abhisit said.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday that the Democrats were not worried about consequences of the rally.

"We can't be worried by anything," Suthep replied when reporters asked if the rally would fuel anger among red shirts. "We only think that Thais who own the country should hear information from all sides and use their own judgement instead of only listening to distorted information of the Pheu Thai every day."

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

[ianbaggie]

" Abhisit said. "If she is unable to tell her supporters to stop, how can she run the country?"

Thats obvious Mr PM - SHE wont and was never going to be running it!! More red bullying and violence only makes the silent majority who havent released details of their intentions to polls yet ask "do we really want the pigs to be running the sty. At least the grenades theyre throwing have changed from M79 to M23. Their supply may have ran out. If Thailand votes for the Democrats who it seems have made up some ground over the last week will they find an excuse to be back on the streets.

[webfact]

Yingluck confirms she has no authority over the red-shirts to order them to stop disrupting the Democrat campaign /TAN_Network

[Ricardo]

Yingluck said later her party had nothing to do with people showing opposition to the PM. She said the people had a right to explain their opinions, but they should do it peacefully.

But these weren't just regular "people" were they, they were Red-Shirts & thus members of Ms Yingluck's political-organisation, and any appearance of 'her' people intimidating other parties might revive memories of last year's tragic protests by them.

Not good for her chances of winning the election outright.

She needs to show her 'democratic credentials', with a stronger speech warning her followers to permit others to campaign freely, she might perhaps do this by congratulating those who did so peacefully in Samut Prakan. But this might risk upsetting her UDD/Red-Shirt-leader running-mates, if they perceive her to be criticising last-year's tactics, dictated by her 'clone' from afar.

Not an easy path to steer ... time to display some of her political-acumen, perhaps ?

[jayboy]

She needs to show her 'democratic credentials', with a stronger speech warning her followers to permit others to campaign freely, she might perhaps do this by congratulating those who did so peacefully in Samut Prakan. But this might risk upsetting her UDD/Red-Shirt-leader running-mates, if they perceive her to be criticising last-year's tactics, dictated by her 'clone' from afar.

Huh?

As you suggest the redshirts protested in an orderly and peaceful manner at Samut Prakan yet The Nation report gives a completely opposite impression.The blogger Andrew Barrow who was actually there has commented The Nation report bears no resemblance to what actually happened - and he was there all the time.Barrow is no redshirt sympathiser and has written very warmly about Korn.He also earlier in the day at Samut Prakan noted that Abhisit had got a better reception than Yingluck.

So we seem to be faced here with a barefaced lie by Abhisit and the Democrat leadership (if what The Nation reports is true).The strategy is all too obvious but I think it will fail - if the PTP and the redshirts keep their cool.

[sbk]

Notification to all political posters:

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This nonsense will cease in these threads. Members will find their posting rights suspended until after if they cannot maintain civility and follow forum rules and this will be done without any prior notification other than the warn. This IS your notification.

TONE IT DOWN NOW

[hyperdimension]

The ability to express your self clearly on difficult subjects in a second language is an excellent indication of how well you can do it in your native tongue.

Also how well you understand the subject.

And when both Yingluck and Abhisit have degrees earned overseas (though Abhisit's is from a significantly better institution) ... English is a fair medium to use to look at the potential leader of the country's government. A PM that doesn't have to rely on an interpreter to use English is a good thing

Samaks last interviews proved that point loudly.

On youtube:

[webfact]

Yingluck says she cannot tell red shirts to stop bullying Abhisit

By The Nation

Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said Monday that she cannot tell the red-shirt people to stop protesting against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during campaign rallies.

She said the Pheu Thai did not send the red-shirt people to bully Abhisit and she could not tell the red-shirt people to stop.

She said she learned about the red-shirt people's bullying Abhisit in Samut Prakan Monday morning after the incident took place on Sunday.

Yingluck insisted that she wanted to see constructive election campaigns so that the country could leave the election conflicts behind after the election.

She said she would like to call on all sides to exercises their utmost patience and express their feelings through the vote on 3 July.

Asked whether she felt discouraged following relentless criticisms by the Democrat Party, Yingluck said she was not discouraged and still wanted to serve and solve the people and lead the country out of the conflicts.

On Sunday, Abhisit called on Yingluck to tell the red-shirt people to stop bullying him after his campaign in Samut Prakan was curt short.

Abhisit went to Samut Prakan to help a Democrat candidate campaign but he met several groups of red-shirt people carrying banners to protest him and shouted abusive words at him.

About 200 red-shirt people gathered at a market where Abhisit would make a speech, prompting him to cancel his campaign there.

Abhisit said Monday that he was disappointed that Yingluck would not take any action to ensure that the red-shirt people would stop bullying other parties.

Abhisit said it was clear that those who bullied him during the campaign in Samut Prakan turned up to show support for the Pheu Thai.

"They did not only protest but they also came to support the Pheu Thai," Abhisit said.

"I am disappointed to hear Yingluck say she can't do anything because red-shirt leaders are among Pheu Thai party-list candidates. If the they can't do anything, the situation will be very worrying."

Abhisit said Yingluck should have at least expressed her stand that she disagreed with the behaviors that disrupted election campaigns of other parties.

Meanwhile, Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, the secretary-general of the EC Office, said he had instructed the EC officials in Samut Prakan to conduct an investigation as to whether the disruption of the campaign by the red-shirt people violated Article 53 of the MPs and Senators Election Act or not.

The article prohibited anyone from using force or influence to intimidate election candidates.

Sutthipol said the Samut Prakan election officials informed him that no violence took place and no election candidate filed a complaint with the Samut Prakan election office.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

[trisailer]

"Meanwhile, Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, the secretary-general of the EC Office, said he had instructed the EC officials in Samut Prakan to conduct an investigation as to whether the disruption of the campaign by the red-shirt people violated Article 53 of the MPs and Senators Election Act or not"

No surprise here. If you can't win with a legitimate campaign, just ban the opposition. Oh, wait...they already did that.

The whole election is a farce because it's pretty certain that when the PTP wins the army will just pull another coup.

Transparency International scores Thailand's corruption at 3.5 (the US is 7.1) it is 78th out of 178 countries in the world. That number represents about 20% of Thailand's GDP or $116,953 BILLION dollars per year. Imagine what the country could do with that money. That's a lot of education and small business loans. Abhisit has failed to reduce this number at all. This is free money if he just had what it takes to get it. No tax increase, no program reductions.

Say what you want about Thaksin, but I would put my money on him to get it done before I would Abhisit.

[lannarebirth]

"Meanwhile, Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, the secretary-general of the EC Office, said he had instructed the EC officials in Samut Prakan to conduct an investigation as to whether the disruption of the campaign by the red-shirt people violated Article 53 of the MPs and Senators Election Act or not"

No surprise here. If you can't win with a legitimate campaign, just ban the opposition. Oh, wait...they already did that.

The whole election is a farce because it's pretty certain that when the PTP wins the army will just pull another coup.

Transparency International scores Thailand's corruption at 3.5 (the US is 7.1) it is 78th out of 178 countries in the world. That number represents about 20% of Thailand's GDP or $116,953 BILLION dollars per year. Imagine what the country could do with that money. That's a lot of education and small business loans. Abhisit has failed to reduce this number at all. This is free money if he just had what it takes to get it. No tax increase, no program reductions.

Say what you want about Thaksin, but I would put my money on him to get it done before I would Abhisit.

Did your plane just land?

"Corruption is normal"

--Thaksin Shinawatra on one of his weekend self promotion radio shows.

Edited June 20, 2011 by lannarebirth

[jdinasia]

"Meanwhile, Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, the secretary-general of the EC Office, said he had instructed the EC officials in Samut Prakan to conduct an investigation as to whether the disruption of the campaign by the red-shirt people violated Article 53 of the MPs and Senators Election Act or not"

No surprise here. If you can't win with a legitimate campaign, just ban the opposition. Oh, wait...they already did that.

The whole election is a farce because it's pretty certain that when the PTP wins the army will just pull another coup.

Transparency International scores Thailand's corruption at 3.5 (the US is 7.1) it is 78th out of 178 countries in the world. That number represents about 20% of Thailand's GDP or $116,953 BILLION dollars per year. Imagine what the country could do with that money. That's a lot of education and small business loans. Abhisit has failed to reduce this number at all. This is free money if he just had what it takes to get it. No tax increase, no program reductions.

Say what you want about Thaksin, but I would put my money on him to get it done before I would Abhisit.

Huh? It is a PERCEPTION index. The creators state that it cannot be compared year-on-year etc etc etc .... but anything to spin a story.

Isn't that an index of the perception of people? Ooooops that's right, it isn't a real number at all. Talk about it openly and admit it exists and what does that do to perception? You seem to forget that Thaksin has already been judged as corrupt, and that he has many more cases that are either waiting for a first appearance in court by him, or have yet to be lodged against him. That's right

Thaksin wins this one too Convicted of corruption Thaksin :1 Abhisit :0

[trisailer]

"Meanwhile, Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, the secretary-general of the EC Office, said he had instructed the EC officials in Samut Prakan to conduct an investigation as to whether the disruption of the campaign by the red-shirt people violated Article 53 of the MPs and Senators Election Act or not"

No surprise here. If you can't win with a legitimate campaign, just ban the opposition. Oh, wait...they already did that.

The whole election is a farce because it's pretty certain that when the PTP wins the army will just pull another coup.

Transparency International scores Thailand's corruption at 3.5 (the US is 7.1) it is 78th out of 178 countries in the world. That number represents about 20% of Thailand's GDP or $116,953 BILLION dollars per year. Imagine what the country could do with that money. That's a lot of education and small business loans. Abhisit has failed to reduce this number at all. This is free money if he just had what it takes to get it. No tax increase, no program reductions.

Say what you want about Thaksin, but I would put my money on him to get it done before I would Abhisit.

Huh? It is a PERCEPTION index. The creators state that it cannot be compared year-on-year etc etc etc .... but anything to spin a story.

Isn't that an index of the perception of people? Ooooops that's right, it isn't a real number at all. Talk about it openly and admit it exists and what does that do to perception? You seem to forget that Thaksin has already been judged as corrupt, and that he has many more cases that are either waiting for a first appearance in court by him, or have yet to be lodged against him. That's right

Thaksin wins this one too Convicted of corruption Thaksin :1 Abhisit :0

There are historical TI numbers if you look for them. Take a moment to look at the factors that make up the TI index. It is a widely used and respected orgainization. If you have another orgainazations numbers you want to present than do it. Abhisit is a figurehead selected by the powers that be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_Thailand

2 were appointed by the Army, 4 were selected by the House of Representives (who were voted in by the people) they were PPP members unsuitable to the powers that be and so the House of Representives was dissolved and Abhisit was then appointed by a new, rigged, House of Representives. That's 5 PM's since Thaksin. How can anyone sat that Abhisit is a democratically elected PM? This is his first election and he's going to loose because he hasn't addressed any of the county's concerns.

Why don't you tell us where the TI index comes from. You can read it as well as I.

[whybother]

There are historical TI numbers if you look for them. Take a moment to look at the factors that make up the TI index. It is a widely used and respected orgainization. If you have another orgainazations numbers you want to present than do it. Abhisit is a figurehead selected by the powers that be http://en.wikipedia....ers_of_Thailand

2 were appointed by the Army, 4 were selected by the House of Representives (who were voted in by the people) they were PPP members unsuitable to the powers that be and so the House of Representives was dissolved and Abhisit was then appointed by a new, rigged, House of Representives. That's 5 PM's since Thaksin. How can anyone sat that Abhisit is a democratically elected PM? This is his first election and he's going to loose because he hasn't addressed any of the county's concerns.

Why don't you tell us where the TI index comes from. You can read it as well as I.

TI ARE a respected organization, who specifically say that it is not an index that you can compare over time.

Given its methodology, the CPI is not a tool that is suitable for trend analysis or for monitoring changes in the perceived levels of corruption over time for all countries. Year-to-year changes in a country/territory’s score can result from a change in the perceptions of a country’s performance, a change in the ranking provided by original sources or changes in the methodology resulting from TI’s efforts to improve the index.

And even if you take that into account, your argument is still wrong. The report from each year is taken from surveys over the previous 12-18 months. The 2010 report was taken from surveys between Jan 2009 and Sept 2010. In 2009 (a measurement of 2008/2009), Thailand's ranking was 84 and in 2010 the ranking decreased to 78, so Abhisit has done something.