"Democrats Or Thaksin?" - PM Abhisit Turns Up Heat On Rivals As Vote Beckons

[webfact]

Thai PM turns up heat on rivals as vote beckons

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, June 24, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's prime minister launched a scathing attack on his political rivals Thursday in an attempt to reinvigorate his flagging fortunes ahead of an election seen as pivotal to the country's future.

The ruling Democrats' campaign rally at the site of a deadly military crackdown on opposition "Red Shirt" protesters last year underscored the deep political divide in the kingdom after years of political turbulence.

Addressing crowds of supporters, Abhisit Vejjajiva defended his handling of the protests and lashed out at the Reds' hero, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile.

"It's time to get rid of the poison of Thaksin," he said.

He said that if voters did not support the ruling party "in the future Thai people will be held hostage by people who love violence."

With polls showing them lagging the opposition Puea Thai ahead of the July 3 vote, Abhisit's Democrats are turning up the heat on their main rivals, accusing them of links to last year's political violence, the kingdom's worst in decades.

The Red Shirts criticised the decision to hold the rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection which was the focus of their demonstrations last year that left more than 90 people dead in clashes with armed troops.

"It's inappropriate because it will hurt the feelings of people who lost their loved-ones in the incident. They will feel insulted," said a senior Red Shirt leader, Nattawut Saikuar.

The opposition asked its supporters to stay away from Thursday's gathering, which took place in front of the shopping centre that was gutted by fire after soldiers firing live rounds and backed by armoured vehicles broke up the Red Shirt anti-government protests in May 2010.

The authorities blame the Red Shirts for the fire and the violent street clashes that preceded it, while the opposition movement accuses the army of starting the blaze and shooting unarmed civilians.

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

The Democrats took power in 2008 after a judicial ruling threw out the previous administration, and Abhisit is accused by critics of being an unelected puppet of the military and the establishment.

His main rival for the premiership is Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest sister.

Although he lives abroad to escape a jail term imposed in absentia for corruption, Thaksin is widely considered the de facto leader of the Puea Thai party and his politically inexperienced sister is viewed as his proxy.

His is hailed by his supporters -- particularly in the rural northeast -- for his populist policies while in power, but reviled by the Bangkok-based elite as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-06-24

[webfact]

RAJAPRASONG RALLY

'Democrats or Thaksin?'

By The Nation

Abhisit asks voters to make a clear choice; Chuan says ex-PMs sought party dissolution

Leading members of the Democrat Party yesterday put all blame for political trouble in the Kingdom over the past five years on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire PM was ousted in September 2006.

In a last-ditch bid to win support from voters for the July 3 election, the party took to a stage at Ratchaprasong Intersection, the focal point for a bloody red-shirt protest last year that ended with 91 people dead.

Money politics and double standards in the judicial system were a feature of Thaksin's era in power, the Democrats said.

Politicians who spent a lot of money to buy votes in elections tended to be corrupt when they sought a return for their outlay once they were in power, party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said.

"Nobody can take the politics out of this vicious circle but only the voters can kick tyrants out of politics," he said.

Money could buy everything in this country, even judges in the Constitution Court, Chuan said. "Some judges sold their soul to turn wrong into right."

Double standards, as widely decried these days, did indeed take place in Thaksin's time, when the then Constitutional Court use a different judgement to rule on similar cases - of Prayuth Mahakitsiri and Thaksin - he said. Prayuth was ruled guilty for concealment of assets in the morning while Thaksin walked free in the afternoon, although the two cases were ruled on by the same judges, Chuan said.

Thaksin's people were likely to have intervened in the judicial system even during the recent dissolution case involving the Democrats. Two former prime ministers made phone calls to Constitution Court judges in an attempt to force the judges to dissolve the Democrat Party last year, Chuan revealed.

Before the court's verdict, a group of red shirts rallied at the office of the Election Commission threatening to impeach them unless the Democrats were dissolved, he said.

Chuan, on the Ratchaprasong stage, urged voters to distinguish between bad and good. "The best national reconciliation is to exercise law enforcement accordingly - the law should not be abused to tackle anybody.

"Voters must choose between people who plan to grant an amnesty for those who did wrong and people who are ready to enforce the law to punish the wrongdoers," he said.

Chuan referred to HM the King's words that "there are good and bad people in the country, we cannot make all become good people but we can support the good people to rule the country".

Other key Democrat figures tried last night to set the record straight about last year's unrest and rioting in the capital. They all dismissed claims that party leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered a "massacre of red shirts".

At CentralWorld shopping complex, party heavyweights - including leader Abhisit, plus secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and deputy Korbsak Sabhavasu - addressed a large crowd consisting mostly of party supporters and local and foreign reporters.

In the background on the stage was a large national flag, with the message: "Democrat Party Extinguishes the Country's Fire".

CentralWorld is adjacent to Ratchaprasong, where the red shirts staged their long anti-government rally last year from March to May.

Suthep told the crowd that Abhisit was wrongly accused of being a killer and ordering a massacre of the people. He said that Abhisit, as the prime minister, had in fact made every possible move to end the political crisis peacefully but his peace plan was rejected by red-shirt leaders during their talks in late March 2010.

He also warned that some red-shirt leaders had a plan to change the country's political system - but he did not spell out what that was.

The deputy PM in charge of security, Suthep said Abhisit was not directly involved with security operation orders during the protest. In a shaky voice, he said the government made every effort to avoid violence.

Suthep also rejected the claim that protesters were killed at Ratchaprasong Intersection during the protest dispersal on May 19. He said nobody was killed at the main protest site.

Of the 91 deaths during the 10-week protest and rioting, which also took place in Ratchadamnoen Avenue, 26 were killed on April 10 near the Democracy Monument when soldiers were attacked by a group of armed men in black.

Forty-two other people were killed between May 14 and 18 after security forces set up checkpoints near the main protest site at Ratchaprasong. Clashes occurred, he said, when armed men attacked soldiers stationed at the checkpoints.

Other victims included police officers stationed near Lumpini Park and passers-by in Silom.

Suthep said the attacks by armed men in black were well planned and involved heavy weapons such as M97 rockets, AK47 and M16 assault rifles, and hand grenades. He expressed wonder at how these people could get through well-guarded barricades set up by the red shirts.

He said a number of suspects were later arrested in connection with the attacks and that they confessed to the crime.

To support his claims, Suthep also played video recordings and still photos of men in black and red-shirt leaders ordering "burning of the city" - most had been shown on TV by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation during last year's turmoil.

-- The Nation 2011-06-24

[webfact]

From an observer at Ratchaprasong rally

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

I did not know what to think as I watched about 5,000 Democrat Party supporters cheering as Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban tearfully declared that he "greatly regrets the deaths [of 92 mostly red-shirt protesters] every day" even though it was the fault of the reds and men in black.

He was speaking at the party's huge rally held outside CentralWorld yesterday evening.

In the speech, Suthep also insisted that "innocent" red shirts had been brainwashed by their leaders over the past two to three years of "agitation".

After all, his boss, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was also to address the crowd later that evening, set up the Truth for Reconciliation Commission and appointed its chairman in the aftermath of the violent crackdown that ended on May 19 last year. A year later, Thai society is as divided as ever as to who were behind the deaths and who burned down the buildings around Ratchaprasong Intersection, as the commission has so far failed to provide any conclusive answer. Not a single person, not one soldier, or killer, or executioner has been charged or arrested so far.

How is that possible?

And I did not recall hearing either Suthep or Abhisit apologise. But now Suthep was telling the crowds loud and with tears, that not a single day passes without him regretting….

Earlier, at about 4.30pm, I eavesdropped on three supporters of the Democrat Party, and the gist of it went like this:

Man No 1: "The military knows that the reds are out to overthrow the monarchy."

Man No 2: "The Pheu Thai Party is the most evil political party ever set up."

Man No 3: "Journalists who support Thaksin [shinawatra] must have been [generously] paid on a monthly basis by the man. And many newspapers have now been bought by Thaksin."

Man 1: "[Yellow-shirt] leader Sondhi Limthongkul must have gone mad to have said Abhisit is worse than Thaksin."

The reds, by the way, are as bitter and resentful, especially after all that happened in April and May last year, which includes some 2,000 injuries and no arrests.

"They are adding insult to injuries," red-shirt member Noppakao Kongsuwan told this writer as she came to the intersection, a day earlier, to participate in a curse on Abhisit and his party in a black-magic ritual.

Hearing all this, it became clear that perhaps all this talk by politicians and the media about reconciliation being the national goal of the moment is a fraud and a mistake. What is needed, perhaps, is for Thailand to try to face political conflict head-on, with little or no violence, without censorship or self-censorship, without inviting yet another military coup, and without calling for the intervention of the so-called "invisible hand" or the "special power" that appears too willing to oblige.

At some point, people will have to learn to understand that handling conflict in a mature and responsible manner without violence, and by speaking more frankly, truthfully and transparently without fear, is essential for any society to become democratic.

-- The Nation 2011-06-24

[KKvampire]

People will not resort to violence if a new government does not subvert the law or pass new laws to admonish guilty politicians and even give these criminals the reigns of power

If that happens good people will not stand by and watch

[huanga]

"It's inappropriate because it will hurt the feelings of people who lost their loved-ones in the incident. They will feel insulted," said a senior Red Shirt leader, Nattawut Saikuar.

Because the people will finally realize that the accuser "Red Shirt" is actually the killer? If Reds want to refute it, come up with their own photo evidence then. Now, who is good at talking??

His main rival for the premiership is Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest sister.

How can a Thai or any Thai trust his/her country to someone who just hasn't had any experience as a public servant. Learn on the job??? With almost 70 million people's livelihood on just the good looks? For the next 4 years or more? If it's to pick a lesser of two evils in this election, I will still bet on someone who at least in the past two years has shown that he could at least handle some hairy situations. Good of bad handling, but at least he showed that he handled it.

God bless Thai and may they please wake up.

[virtualtraveller]

What they should have said, but couldn't directly, is if you grant unconditional amnesty to those involved in 'political crimes' since 2006, then you are writing a blank cheque of freedom to any future perpetrators of coups, city/parliament/airport sieges, arsonists, and so on. That is the direction we might heading with this country...

[animatic]

It was a bout time they stood up and stated all this,

to face down the blatant lies the other side has been saying.

At least some seem to see clearly the issues and players.

Man No 1: "The military knows that the reds are out to overthrow the monarchy."

Man No 2: "The Pheu Thai Party is the most evil political party ever set up."

Man No 3: "Journalists who support Thaksin [shinawatra] must have been [generously] paid on a monthly basis by the man. And many newspapers have now been bought by Thaksin."

Man 1: "[Yellow-shirt] leader Sondhi Limthongkul must have gone mad to have said Abhisit is worse than Thaksin."

[SomTumTiger]

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

[hyperdimension]

It looks like the event went by peacefully. It demonstrates to everyone how to protest in a democratic and civilized manner.

Natthawut needs to be interrogated regarding his "evidence" of planned violence during the event. If he can't produce the evidence then he should be sued. He may have simply been spreading fear in order to reduce the number of attendees.

[ballpoint]

Addressing crowds of supporters, Abhisit Vejjajiva defended his handling of the protests and lashed out at the Reds' hero, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile.

"It's time to get rid of the poison of Thaksin," he said.

He said that if voters did not support the ruling party "in the future Thai people will be held hostage by people who love violence."

A politician telling the truth. Whatever will they think of next?

[gregb]

What they should have said, but couldn't directly, is if you grant unconditional amnesty to those involved in 'political crimes' since 2006, then you are writing a blank cheque of freedom to any future perpetrators of coups, city/parliament/airport sieges, arsonists, and so on. That is the direction we might heading with this country...

I'd go one further. If they actually passed a law that granted unconditional amnesty, I would hope the military immediately initiates a coup and claim amnesty for their actions based on the current law. I mean, the exact date of the offense shouldn't really matter much. If a little amnesty for criminals is good, alot of amnesty is clearly better.

Talking isn't enough. I would hope the military actually shows the people the direction that they themselves selected. A blanket amnesty is like a take over the government free card.

[webfact]

Abhisit pleads with electorate to help Democrats win over 250 seats

BANGKOK, June 24 -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday appealed to the electorate in the capital to choose Democrat candidates to help the party win more than 250 seats in the upcoming election to eventually "help detoxify the Thaksin poison" from Thailand.

Addressing a crowd of supporters gathered outside CentralWorld shopping mall at the Ratchaprasong intersection, last year's rally site for the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) movement, Prime Minister Abhisit defended his government's handling of last year's protests and asked voters to decide between the Democrat and Pheu Thai agenda for the country.

The premier also urged voters to cast their ballots for the Democrats to help the party to win more than 250 seats in order to "detoxify the Thaksin poison" and let the country move forward.

Mr Abhisit promised that if the party receives the opportunity to form a government after the election, he will work for all groups of people, no matter what their politics, or what colour of shirt they wear.

There would be no amnesty for anyone who breaks the law, he pledged.

Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives in self-imposed exile, but still plays a key role in the Pheu Thai party and supports his youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in her campaign for the top position in the party's candidate list in the July 3 general election.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Democrat deputy leader, gave the opening speech to the crowd gathered in an open space in front of CentralWorld shopping complex at 6pm, followed by former prime minister Chuan Leekpai and the party chairman for the committee on party strategies Korbsak Sabhavasu, respectively.

Mr Abhisit was the last person to speak before the rally ended about 10pm. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-24

[anotheruser]

It looks like the event went by peacefully. It demonstrates to everyone how to protest in a democratic and civilized manner.

It wasn't a protest it was a political rally. what were they protesting the fact it is becoming more likely they might lose? Anyway good there was no violence but this certainly was no protest.

[JurgenG]

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

Do we need to say more ?

I can confirm, all the democrats I know are now in full panic mode. I witnessed really hilarious situation, the good people of Bangkok are now bribing their servants to deliver the right vote. The enemies are at the gates

[webfact]

Emotional Democrat Rally at Ratchaprasong

The Democrat Party held a major campaign rally at Ratchaprasong Intersection last night, the main objective being to clarify the state's crackdown on the red-shirt rally last year.

The Democrat Party's campaign at Ratchaprasong Intersection was held in the area in front of the Central World shopping complex.

Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared on stage late in the evening and immediately asked everyone to stand for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the red-shirt rally in April and May last year.

Abhisit then countered the claim made by the red-shirt group that he's a murderer, saying he has never intentionally tried to hurt anyone, but the red-shirt group attempted to create scenarios of unrest during its rally last year.

Abhisit said he tried his best to negotiate with the group, but failed in every attempt.

Despite that, he continued to move forward with the administration of the country with the goal of preventing chaos.

In an emotional and shaky voice, Abhisit said he felt wretched and wept the night of April 10 when soldiers and civilians were killed at the Kokwua Intersection during a red-shirt rally there.

Before Abhisit took to the stage, Democrat Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversaw security during the red-shirt rally, also addressed the crowd.

He claims there has been an attempt to damage the image of the Democrat Party via various media sources like the radio, the Internet, and newspaper, as well as distribution of leaflets and groups of people going door-to-door to spread the word that Abhisit is a murderer.

Suthep showed pictures and videos from the crackdown, which featured men dressed in black with war weapons.

He claimed that no civilians were killed at the hands of state officials, and evidence proved that the deaths of 26 civilians were by the hands of men dressed in black, who were later arrested and found to be former red-shirt guards.

With tears in his eyes, Suthep said Abhisit has been through a lot, including allegations of being a murderer, but he endured and continued working so the country's development would not be delayed.

Security was tight during the gathering, with police posted at all entrances and exits.

Traffic around the area was heavily congested.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-24

[drronnie]

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

Do we need to say more ?

I can confirm, all the democrats I know are now in full panic mode. I witnessed really hilarious situation, the good people of Bangkok are now bribing their servants to deliver the right vote. The enemies are at the gates

Same like the middle class German were thinking that Hitler was not so bad after all

[Oberkommando]

What they should have said, but couldn't directly, is if you grant unconditional amnesty to those involved in 'political crimes' since 2006, then you are writing a blank cheque of freedom to any future perpetrators of coups, city/parliament/airport sieges, arsonists, and so on. That is the direction we might heading with this country...

It's an inevitability, as is the result of this election as anyone could see months ago, if they were paying attention.

The Bangkok Dems support base now ebbing away and Suthep accusing Jatuporn of killing Seh Daeng! They are unravelling at the seams!

Same like the middle class German were thinking that Hitler was not so bad after all

Godwinned already and only 16 posts in!

Edited June 24, 2011 by Oberkommando

[evanson]

People will not resort to violence if a new government does not subvert the law or pass new laws to admonish guilty politicians and even give these criminals the reigns of power

If that happens good people will not stand by and watch

Oh yes they will. Happens all the time here. And the 'does not subvert the 'Law'' laughable. Reeds in the wind.

Edited June 24, 2011 by metisdead
Do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes.

[evanson]

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

Do we need to say more ?

I can confirm, all the democrats I know are now in full panic mode. I witnessed really hilarious situation, the good people of Bangkok are now bribing their servants to deliver the right vote. The enemies are at the gates

They will simply take the money and vote Red anyway.

AND ...

QUOTE

Mr Abhisit promised that if the party receives the opportunity to form a government after the election, he will work for all groups of people, no matter what their politics, or what colour of shirt they wear.

UNQUOTE

So where's he been for the past two years?

The words 'politician' and 'promise' an oxymoron. Don't think they've come up with a term for a 'THAI politician' and 'promise' yet.

Edited June 24, 2011 by metisdead
Do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes.

[webfact]

Pheu Thai Party: Democrat Rally Offered No Policies

The Pheu Thai Party deputy leader said that the Democrat's Ratchaprasong rally did not present any new policies to the people.

Pheu Thai Party Deputy Leader Plodprasop Surasawadee criticized that the Democrat's Ratchaprasong rally yesterday did not inform the people of any of their new policies.

He feels the rally was organized based on the Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's hope to gain more votes only for himself.

He said other Bangkok MP Constituency candidates from the party must have been against the action, as the stage speakers only included Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chuan Lekphai, Kobsak Sapavasu, and Suthep Thaugsuban.

Moreover, he said most of the listeners traveled from the South, as he had checked with the Hua Lum Pong and other transport hubs in Bangkok.

Plodprasop believes the Democrats will come up with more tactics to cut the Pheu Thai Party's vote base as election day approaches.

He added that at the recent rally, the Democrat Party only expressed negative views of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was a member of the Pheu Thai Party Party, but did not attack the Pheu Thai Party itself.

Plodprasop reiterated that the Pheu Thai Party has nothing to fear as several polls showed that the Pheu Thai Party has led against the Democrats in all areas.

He said the Pheu Thai Party will continue with its election campaign and will only focus on tactics to increase living standards for the people.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-24

[LomSak27]

well PT are up by 13 % in the latest unofficial predictions and their lead is increasing.

In truth, the Dems have had 5 years - since 2006 to show something ... anything. Unfortunatly they seem more content with squabbling among themselves and not wooing away the reds supporters. Its basically in the too little too late zone -

Better stock up my liquor, make sure I pick up a multi re-entry permit next week.

[MunterHunter]

He added that at the recent rally, the Democrat Party only expressed negative views of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was a member of the Pheu Thai Party Party, but did not attack the Pheu Thai Party itself.

Banned politician, convicted criminal, party member...

Where's the EC? Surely this is enough to dissolve the party and ban the execs (again)... we all know its coming, its just a question of WHEN?

(my guess is July 2nd)

[webfact]

Abhisit hurting himself: Thida

Red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth on Friday rebutted Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he had nothing new to say about the 91 deaths in connection to last year's protests.

"Abhisit has revealed his true self by passing the blame," she said.

Thida said she saw Abhisit as making an inexcusable mistake of trampling on the people's feelings.

Abhisit would end up hurting himself and his party, she said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-24

[Ricardo]

well PT are up by 13 % in the latest unofficial predictions and their lead is increasing.

In truth, the Dems have had 5 years - since 2006 to show something ... anything. Unfortunatly they seem more content with squabbling among themselves and not wooing away the reds supporters. Its basically in the too little too late zone -

Better stock up my liquor, make sure I pick up a multi re-entry permit next week.

In truth, the Democrat-led coalition has only been in-power for half of that time, the junta-appointed government was faily-bad, & the two PPP-led coalitions even worse.

[webfact]

Pheu Thai not to sling mud at Democrats: Natthawut

By The Nation

The Pheu Thai Party will not engage in a war of words but to sue the Democrats for defamation, party-list candidate Natthawut Saikua said on Friday, reacting to last night's campaign speeches at Ratchaprasong.

"Pheu Thai will not get involved in a spat because every word was a lie which should be rebutted in courts," he said.

Natthawut said his party's legal team was collecting evidence before petitioning the Election Commission to probe the Democrats for framing Pheu Thai, an offence punishable by party dissolution.

He said his party would also launch court battle against the Democrats.

In their speeches, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and his party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban had no fresh evidence on the bloodshed but aimed at driving a deeper wedge in society, he said.

Suthep had shwon a video clip of his speech to the red shirts at a Chanthaburi rally, portraying him as ordering arson attacks, he said, arguing the speech clip was edited out of context.

His speech at Chanthaburi had no linkage to last year's red-shirt protests, he said.

He said the Democrats had misplaced their attention at Thaksin Shinawatra, who is not in the race.

Red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth on Friday rebutted Abhisit, saying he had nothing new to say about the 91 deaths in connection to last year's protests.

"Abhisit has revealed his true self by passing the blame," she said.

Thida said she saw Abhisit as making an inexcusable mistake of trampling on the people's feelings.

Abhisit would end up hurting himself and his party, she said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-24

[CWMcMurray]

He added that at the recent rally, the Democrat Party only expressed negative views of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was a member of the Pheu Thai Party Party, but did not attack the Pheu Thai Party itself.

Banned politician, convicted criminal, party member...

Where's the EC? Surely this is enough to dissolve the party and ban the execs (again)... we all know its coming, its just a question of WHEN?

(my guess is July 2nd)

I am sure the courts want to at least give the DEMs a chance to win on their own first... if not, they can always step in and dissolve the party after the election like last time...

[Who, me ?]

I want to hear from some TV red shirts, I need some levity!

A Western diplomat in Bangkok suggested the campaign gathering was designed to woo wavering voters in the capital, where polls suggest the party's traditional strong voter base is ebbing.

He said there was "a real fear that middle-class Bangkok might be thinking about (Puea Thai) not being so bad after all."

Do we need to say more ?

I can confirm, all the democrats I know are now in full panic mode. I witnessed really hilarious situation, the good people of Bangkok are now bribing their servants to deliver the right vote. The enemies are at the gates

You did witness that ? I know a lot of democrats, and they are certainly not in "panic mode", and certainly do not bribe their employees. I know a lot of undecided, and they are not to reveal who they are going to vote for. But I can not feel any panic....

[Oberkommando]

He added that at the recent rally, the Democrat Party only expressed negative views of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was a member of the Pheu Thai Party Party, but did not attack the Pheu Thai Party itself.

Banned politician, convicted criminal, party member...

Where's the EC? Surely this is enough to dissolve the party and ban the execs (again)... we all know its coming, its just a question of WHEN?

(my guess is July 2nd)

If that happens, then there will be civil unrest, then a coup, then quite possibly civil war.

Unfortunately the Dems and their military backers are in the 'at all costs' brigade and will do anything to stay in power despite tearing apart the country to do so.

They must let the people decide regardless of Thaksin. Their big mistake was staging a coup to get rid of him in the first place and it has taken almost 5 years treading water to the same outcome.

The Dems have been unelectable since the last Chuan admin was removed because of corruption (funnily enough a guy called Suthep was directly involved in that) and for even the most casual observer of Thai politics this was the only possible outcome.

[hellodolly]

well PT are up by 13 % in the latest unofficial predictions and their lead is increasing.

In truth, the Dems have had 5 years - since 2006 to show something ... anything. Unfortunatly they seem more content with squabbling among themselves and not wooing away the reds supporters. Its basically in the too little too late zone -

Better stock up my liquor, make sure I pick up a multi re-entry permit next week.

In truth, the Democrat-led coalition has only been in-power for half of that time, the junta-appointed government was faily-bad, & the two PPP-led coalitions even worse.

This is politics he is not interested in the truth.

[webfact]

Suthep: Democrat Party popularity rising

BANGKOK, June 24 - Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday said the popularity of the Democrat Party is gradually rising as the public have more information for their voting decision-making following the Democrat's major election campaign rally at Ratchaprasong Thursday evening.

Speaking in his capacity as deputy leader of the Democrat party, Mr Suthep said theThursday night rally at Bangkok's prime commercial and shopping area Thursday evening reminded the public of last year's incidents and gave them more information before making up their minds as to who who they should vote for, particularly the facts about recent political demonstrations.

"As I know the popularity of the Democrat party keeps rising and I'm confident that we will win 26 out of 33 seats in the capital," asserted Mr Suthep.

Mr Suthep said he was told by an unnamed friend that fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has a close aide seeking cooperation from coalition parties to form a new government with the Pheu Thai Party, and that those parties have been offered benefits and interests in return.

The Democrat deputy leader noted that with such a move it can be surmised that the Pheu Thai party's claim that it can win as many as 270 seats is unlikely.

"I believe the Pheu Thai party will gain no more than 200 MP seats, while the Democrats will get some 200 seats as well," said Mr Suthep.

The Democrat rally at Ratchaprasong, last year's rally site for the anti-government Red Shirt movement, was aimed at explaining facts to the public over the clashes between security forces and protesters, as well as appealing the “silent group” who remain undecided to cast their ballots. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-24