Avoid Divisive Campaign, Parties Urged

[webfact]

Avoid divisive campaign, parties urged

By Khanittha Thepkhajorn,

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

Violence, fierce campaigning and heightened conflict before the July 3 election might lead the country to another political deadlock rather than paving the way out, a seasoned politician and an academic warned yesterday.

The on-going violence, either through the killings of canvassers and protests and disruption of campaign rallies by supporters of rival parties, would undermine the legitimacy of the election outcome, veteran politician Suwat Liptapanlop said.

If violence is widespread during the campaign, it might lead to a political deadlock as those who did not want the election to take place might take the opportunity to intervene, said Suwat who was banned from politics after the 2006 coup.

He is now associated with the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party.

"The situation may lead the country to a confrontation, which does not bode well for it," Suwat said in a special interview at his Bangkok residence.

"So, I would like to call on all sides to help keep peace and order. All parties should campaign peacefully. They should avoid using personal emotion in their campaigns so that it would be possible to cooperate after the election and solve the country's problems."

Asked to comment on the Democrat Party's plan to hold an election rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection, Suwat said the place did not matter as much as the content of the campaign speeches.

"We should reduce the atmosphere of conflict from now until election day. If the conflicts are too intense and people are killed, the situation may develop into a political deadlock," Suwat said.

"If all sides care only to win as many House seats as possible, the country may not survive. I would like to see all parties cooperate and accept the election results. After the election, the government and the opposition should be able to work together constructively."

He said he had talked to people from all walks of life and they said they did not care who would be the next prime minister and form the next government as long as violence and conflict would end after the election.

Suwat predicted that the next prime minister would come from either the Democrat or Pheu Thai because the two major parties had left the others far behind in terms of popularity.

Thammasat University deputy rector Prinya Thewanaruemitkul said major parties that have a chance to win and run the country should look beyond an electoral victory.

"The major rivals should not widen the national division in their campaign," he said. "They should not continue the conflict which took place in our country over the past four or five years but should look at ways to reconcile."

The ruling Democrat and Pheu Thai parties are accusing each other of triggering the conflict and pointing fingers at each other to take responsibility for the bloody incidents last year.

Prinya suggested that all politically related cases should be settled in the court, rather than being used as accusations against each other for political gain.

"I don't believe the party which highlights these conflicts would be voted for," he said.

Many undecided voters are now waiting for alternatives and directions from political parties on how they could reconcile the country, he said.

"These groups have not subscribed to any camp and they are really bored of conflict, so the political parties should propose something to them, rather than make politics more boring," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

[sillybilly]

It mentions he feels it should be decided in the courtroom, Can somebody please tell me when this is due to start? When are we expecting to see the first lot of charges heard against either side?

Sorry but I`m not sure where to look to find the answers...

[animatic]

Please, now turn the other cheek so your devout political enemy can slap it.

The main mission of the current political campaigns IS predicated on divide and conquer logic.

Either small parties with narrow issues, or larger parties trying come hell or high water to whittle down the numbers of other large parties.

Don't run divisive campaigns!

HA,,,,,,,,, ROTFLOL,

they wouldn't have a clue what to do other wise,

and besides they just wouldn't work.

Edited June 20, 2011 by animatic

[lannarebirth]

It mentions he feels it should be decided in the courtroom, Can somebody please tell me when this is due to start? When are we expecting to see the first lot of charges heard against either side?

Sorry but I`m not sure where to look to find the answers...

I'm not sure whay you're referring to but I'm going to assume it's a Red/Yellow thing? Except for many Red Shirts involved in the 2009 riots, most parties have been charged. Yellows who took control of airport are due in court next month. The worst of the Reds are trying to get themselves elected and granted amnesty or immunity.

[sillybilly]

It mentions he feels it should be decided in the courtroom, Can somebody please tell me when this is due to start? When are we expecting to see the first lot of charges heard against either side?

Sorry but I`m not sure where to look to find the answers...

I'm not sure whay you're referring to but I'm going to assume it's a Red/Yellow thing? Except for many Red Shirts involved in the 2009 riots, most parties have been charged. Yellows who took control of airport are due in court next month. The worst of the Reds are trying to get themselves elected and granted amnesty or immunity.

Thanks for the reply.

What about the everyday reds that don`t manage to get bail?

Will they have days in court one by one or they all be there together?

[dinooz]

It mentions he feels it should be decided in the courtroom, Can somebody please tell me when this is due to start? When are we expecting to see the first lot of charges heard against either side?

Sorry but I`m not sure where to look to find the answers...

I'm not sure whay you're referring to but I'm going to assume it's a Red/Yellow thing? Except for many Red Shirts involved in the 2009 riots, most parties have been charged. Yellows who took control of airport are due in court next month. The worst of the Reds are trying to get themselves elected and granted amnesty or immunity.

Thanks for the reply.

What about the everyday reds that don`t manage to get bail?

Will they have days in court one by one or they all be there together?

I would say they would all be out on bail if their leader showed any gratitude to his sacrifical lambs,he seems to have the finances to afford it, wouldn't you say? Maybe thats a wakeup call to them how much he cares for the poor.........zilch

[sillybilly]

It mentions he feels it should be decided in the courtroom, Can somebody please tell me when this is due to start? When are we expecting to see the first lot of charges heard against either side?

Sorry but I`m not sure where to look to find the answers...

I'm not sure whay you're referring to but I'm going to assume it's a Red/Yellow thing? Except for many Red Shirts involved in the 2009 riots, most parties have been charged. Yellows who took control of airport are due in court next month. The worst of the Reds are trying to get themselves elected and granted amnesty or immunity.

Thanks for the reply.

What about the everyday reds that don`t manage to get bail?

Will they have days in court one by one or they all be there together?

I would say they would all be out on bail if their leader showed any gratitude to his sacrifical lambs,he seems to have the finances to afford it, wouldn't you say? Maybe thats a wakeup call to them how much he cares for the poor.........zilch

Very hard not to appear biased based on the fact that they are still there.

As mentioned the people that asked to them to join them in protest should be doing a lot more to try and help them. Has there been any mention of Yingluck trying to visit them yet? Or is the PT still saying that the Reds are not part of them, even if their not, you would think that at least she would see them to show that at least they are both trying to fight for the same thing...