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

[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

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....

Panic? Probably wishful thinking of some redshirt farangs!

[hellodolly]

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.

Surely you are joking.

You claim "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. "

Just what do you think Thaksin was trying to do in his failed rebellion. You know the one where he paid people to sieze public domain to kill people to invade hospitals to try to burn Bangkok down.

Surely you are aware of that if not you might want to study up on what your pay master is really like.

[Chinavet]

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!

"and Suthep accusing Jatuporn of killing Seh Daeng!" ........you do remember Seh Daeng's comments to the press hours before he was assassinated? His revelations about Red leadership at that point in time? He had just become a government asset. It took about long enough for a phone call and time to move a sniper in place.

[webfact]

Thaksin in a plea for forgiveness on Twitter

By The Nation

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has apologised and asked for forgiveness from those he offended, vowing not to exact revenge on his opponents.

To mark the June 24 advent of democracy, Thaksin posted Twitter message via his account @ThaksinLive, calling for Thais to bring about reconciliation and make a fresh start.

"We live in the country filled with differing ideas. But the differences could be channelled constructively instead of ending up in divisiveness," he said.

"To whom I might have caused discomfort, dissatisfaction and resentment from the past to the present, I apologise and beg forgiveness."

"To those scolding, hurting and criticising me, I forgive and hold no grudges. We should overcome the past in order to advance the country forward."

-- The Nation 2011-06-24

[JohnAllan]

Double standards, Nattawut?

[hyperdimension]

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.

Technically, I didn't call last night's event a protest. I used the word "protest" in the form of a verb in reference to the UDD's big "peaceful protesters, not terrorists" protest to get the point across that if the UDD behaved the way the people last night did then they would have gained more respect and credibility.

[ToffeEFCpower]

The western diplomat in Bangkok is way off the mark and knows nothing about Thai society. In Bangkok there are many "middle class citizens" who are red shirts, and always have been

[Samuian]

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

By chance I saw and heard Suthep Thaugsuban 2 weeks ago at the 'walking street" market down here at lamai... yeah it's time they say it ALL loud and clear...that if the people take it for money and value 500 baht or promises more then clear cut politics and good leadership and not the old fashioned "siamese clan rulership" which lined the pockets of so many, so well... well maybe then one day itindeed may become a genuine functioning democracy with some healthy social overtones, as free education, health care, social benefits!

[JohnAllan]

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.

The Dems unelectability, following 1997, was much less to do with corruption, and much more to do with the party in power having to make the unpalatable decisions - watch Greece over the coming months. And the UK, no more than four years hence.

And the reasons for the 2006 coup were, I'm sure, more complex than appeared on the surface. Thaksin was, you might recall, literally offering to buy-up other parties, thus it would have been only a matter of time before Thailand became a more-or-less one-party state.

[hardy1943]

The western diplomat in Bangkok is way off the mark and knows nothing about Thai society. In Bangkok there are many "middle class citizens" who are red shirts, and always have been

I have many of my wife relatives living there some own 1-3 houses but all red to the bone.

[letitbe]

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

not only germany what about uganda pol pot mugabwie and all rest

[hardy1943]

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.

We are guest here and have the Thai decide their destiny. I always question why wait 5 years for an election and always knew someone was scared to call it earlier. Now I know why!

What ever the outcome lets except it and it is their country.

[whybother]

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.

We are guest here and have the Thai decide their destiny. I always question why wait 5 years for an election and always knew someone was scared to call it earlier. Now I know why!

What ever the outcome lets except it and it is their country.

Umm ... it's only been 3 & 1/2 years since the last election. They only HAVE to be called every 4 years.

NOW you know why they weren't called earlier. Because they didn't have to be.

And besides you're error, the Democrats have had only 2 & 1/2 years to show something, and that was interspersed with the Global Financial Crisis, and a couple of large and violent protests.

[rubl]

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.

We are guest here and have the Thai decide their destiny. I always question why wait 5 years for an election and always knew someone was scared to call it earlier. Now I know why!

What ever the outcome lets except it and it is their country.

Some corrections. The last General Election was in December 2007. With FOUR year intervals the coming General Election on the 3rd of July IS called earlier than strictly, lawfully necessary.

This may effect your 'scared to call earlier' and 'now I know why' as those statements were based on incorrect information

[hellodolly]

The western diplomat in Bangkok is way off the mark and knows nothing about Thai society. In Bangkok there are many "middle class citizens" who are red shirts, and always have been

I have many of my wife relatives living there some own 1-3 houses but all red to the bone.

Sounds like you married into money.

[KKvampire]

Anecdotal claptrap from falang,I know poor thais who sell fried chicken on the strret who hate the reds and shinawatras ,so lets not claim toknow who supports who

.of course its thais who decide but if the leadership of any government wants to pass laws to let criminals amd terrorists go free and be ministers then thais who find this unacceptable may well take matters further

[rixalex]

We are guest here and have the Thai decide their destiny. I always question why wait 5 years for an election and always knew someone was scared to call it earlier. Now I know why!

What ever the outcome lets except it and it is their country.

You talk about accepting outcomes when you yourself would not accept Abhisit as Prime Minister because you didn't like the way he came to power. Like it or not, it was in line with parliamentary process and it was legitimate. You therefore should have accepted it. You didn't. Practice what you preach. Or stop preaching.

[JohnAllan]

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

I'm sorry? New laws to 'admonish' guilty politicians? By that, do you mean watered-down laws that give them a smack on the wrist? Or something else?

And trust, if they get any power, it will only be the reins, and not the reigns.

[patjem]

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!

"and Suthep accusing Jatuporn of killing Seh Daeng!" ........you do remember Seh Daeng's comments to the press hours before he was assassinated? His revelations about Red leadership at that point in time? He had just become a government asset. It took about long enough for a phone call and time to move a sniper in place.

Must have been a "fake sniper"

[WeeGB]

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.

Civil War ?? Will that be known as "Cavaliers against the Squareheads" ?

There should be NO amnesties, it's the only possible way to a true democracy. If the Democrats had taken action against the PAD leaders, instead of allowing them to stall seemingly forever, the forthcoming election would be a no-contest. As it is, there seems to be only red shirt leaders serving any jail time. How can reconcilliation ever take place under those circumstances?

[jdinasia]

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.

We are guest here and have the Thai decide their destiny. I always question why wait 5 years for an election and always knew someone was scared to call it earlier. Now I know why!

What ever the outcome lets except it and it is their country.

Some corrections. The last General Election was in December 2007. With FOUR year intervals the coming General Election on the 3rd of July IS called earlier than strictly, lawfully necessary.

This may effect your 'scared to call earlier' and 'now I know why' as those statements were based on incorrect information

They were even offered earlier (on two different occasions, both of which would have happened last year), The first offer was made before the reds started tossing molotov cocktails on April 9th, 2010. (The offer was made during televised negotiations between the reds and the government at the end of March 2010 --- it almost looked as if the reds were about to accept. Then one of them got an SMS .....

[MAJIC]

The western diplomat in Bangkok is way off the mark and knows nothing about Thai society. In Bangkok there are many "middle class citizens" who are red shirts, and always have been

Not many Middle Class Red shirt Citizens,

More like a huge amount of Working Class Red Shirt Citizens,

,and mostly from Isaan Province,

Didn't you know they all flock to Bangkok for work?

Edited June 24, 2011 by MAJIC

[rixalex]

If the Democrats had taken action against the PAD leaders, instead of allowing them to stall seemingly forever, the forthcoming election would be a no-contest. As it is, there seems to be only red shirt leaders serving any jail time. How can reconcilliation ever take place under those circumstances?

It's not for any government to interfere with judicial proceedings, so quite how you think the Dems should have prevented PAD leaders from stalling their cases, i'm not sure.

They couldn't, no more than they could have prevented Potjaman from being the free woman she remains to this day, despite being convicted and sentenced many many months ago.

[jdinasia]

If the Democrats had taken action against the PAD leaders, instead of allowing them to stall seemingly forever, the forthcoming election would be a no-contest. As it is, there seems to be only red shirt leaders serving any jail time. How can reconcilliation ever take place under those circumstances?

It's not for any government to interfere with judicial proceedings, so quite how you think the Dems should have prevented PAD leaders from stalling their cases, i'm not sure.

They couldn't, no more than they could have prevented Potjaman from being the free woman she remains to this day, despite being convicted and sentenced many many months ago.

On the other hand which red leaders are serving jail time? There are quite a few PAD members that have been convicted and civil suits have been won against the PAD leaders. The only UDD leaders that I know of who are in jail are not "serving time", their bail was revoked for bad behavior.

[ToffeEFCpower]

"Huge amount of working class red shirt citizens mostly from Issarn" I wouldn't know but I will take your word for it.

Out of all the middle class red shirt citizens that I know, yes some come from north east as well as the north and of course from Bangkok.

And yes they too are workers

[jdinasia]

"Huge amount of working class red shirt citizens mostly from Issarn" I wouldn't know but I will take your word for it.

Out of all the middle class red shirt citizens that I know, yes some come from north east as well as the north and of course from Bangkok.

And yes they too are workers

Wow! I don't know ANY "middle-class" reds in BKK. I know of a couple of wealthy ones, and I know where to find the working-class reds around BKK, but I don't know a single middle class redshirt there!

(There is a difference between middle-class and working-class --- working-class is commonly used to describe either the labor or the income --- most often both --- of people. Working-class folks spend the majority of their income on survival while the middle-class spends it on life-style.)

[ianbaggie]

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

The enemies of Thailand of democracy and of fair free justice? The majority will vote PT?? Probably but that doesnt make it democracy when its bought with Thaksins stolen billions.

[ianbaggie]

If Thaksin comes back the hatred the other side feels for him will be far greater than the red shirts feel for Abhisit - How safe will Thaksin be from a snipers bullet - it will only take one. AND HE KNOWS IT!!!

[Buchholz]

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

How many Democrats do you know?

How many incidences of bribing servants did you witness?

.

Edited June 24, 2011 by Buchholz

[lannarebirth]

The western diplomat in Bangkok is way off the mark and knows nothing about Thai society. In Bangkok there are many "middle class citizens" who are red shirts, and always have been

I have many of my wife relatives living there some own 1-3 houses but all red to the bone.

Grandpa wasn't big on "the rule of law" I suspect.