Chart Thai 'Will Lead A Coalition You Could Trust'

[webfact]

JULY ELECTION

Chart Thai 'will lead a coalition you could trust'

By The Nation

Abhisit says he does not know what Banharn is alluding to

The Chart Thai Pattana Party hopes to lead an alliance that would keep its electoral promises - but it is the voting outcome that will determine the coalition, the party's chief adviser Banharn Silapa-archa said yesterday.

"I don't want to speculate on the winning party that will lead the coalition," he said, reminding all sides not to jump to conclusions before counting of the ballots.

Banharn said a winning party should emerge by Sunday night after the unofficial outcome.

He ruled out speculation about post-election chaos, arguing that the winning party would have a first chance at forming the government. If the first round of government formation collapses, then the runner-up party will get the opportunity, he said.

Reacting to Banharn's remarks, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not know which party or promise Banharn was alluding to.

When Chart Thai Pattana joined the Democrat-led coalition in 2008, the Democrats reportedly promised to push for charter amendments designed to repeal party dissolution as a punishment, and to pardon barred party executives, including Banharn.

The promise was not fulfilled because the Democrats cited conflict of interest, since they too were targeted for a court battle that could have resulted in their party's disbandment.

In another development, Pheu Thai candidate Natthawut Saikua said he suspected the motive of certain elements in society was to derail the balloting.

Natthawut said the People's Alliance for Democracy and former charter-drafting chairman Prasong Soonsiri were trying to negate the vote, hinting at attempts to deny Pheu Thai's likely victory.

Former coup proponents, such as General Somjet Boonthanom, had set up a movement to sling mud at Pheu Thai, he said, voicing concern the stage was being set for power seizure.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said all sides should not try to involve the military in politics.

Prayuth said the Army would stay inside the barracks regardless of the winning party. He said the military did not want to take sides in the face of social and political divisions.

The Armed Forces would accept the voting outcome and could live with it, he said, dismissing suggestions that the military would intervene in the event of a Pheu Thai victory.

He urged political parties and opposing sides to abide by the rule of law. The country will never be at peace if politicians act above the law in their power struggle, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-01

[Siripon]

In an interview yesterday, Banharn said that sometimes people get bored of their partner and need a change.

Of course the slippery eel will do anything to be in the government, I'd love to see him consigned to the opposition, unable to reach into the cookie jars for tourism or sports.

[gregb]

There is no "coalition you can trust". There are only corrupt coalitions that will try and pardon despots, and corrupt coalitions that will leave the despot pouting overseas.

As long as whichever corrupt coalition wins does not succeed in returning the despot to Thailand where he will incite civil war, then I think Thailand will survive. Whether or not Banharn gets his amnesty or not. He is nothing more than a minor irritant on an otherwised diseased organism.

Trust first requires an egalitarian society. Unless you feel someone is your equal, there is no shame in how you treat them, and thus no concern about lying to them. With the probably exception of Abhisit, there are no Thai politicians I am aware of who would actually like to see an egalitarian society. As was explained to me by a very influential figure with government officials, "Thais actually hate other Thais. We are always amazed at foreigners who like us." He was generalizing of course, but the sentiment is true. Thais above a certain level of the social hierarchy do not feel that other Thais outside of their narrow band are their equals, and Thais in the lower echelons of the heirarchy generally care about supporting someone who will elevate them above others. There is no need for trust in this situation. If the electorate is foolish enough to believe you, so much the better. You have no obligations to them, save what is necessary to trick them into voting for you. In government, Thais work for themselves, not for the country.

Governing in Thailand is about being ruthless, not trustworthy. Nobody cares about trust. They care about how much you steal from other segments of society to give to them. That makes them realize they are gaining on the others, and that they supported the right patron. This is the reality in Thai politics. Double standards is nothing more than a marketing slogan designed to garner international support. And many farangs are foolish enough to fall for it.

Sadly, the only government you could actually trust in the last decade was the one appointed after the military coup. They were generally good people just trying to do the right thing for Thailand. Unfortunately, because they tried to engender trust and heal divisions rather than oppress their enemies, they were totally ineffective. The Democrats have been equally ineffective because they realized too late in the game that this was the truth.

If Banharn forms an alliance with the PT, they will be ruthless, and I will simply stock up on my dimenhydrinate and prepare to endure all the nauseating rhetoric that they will spew while they are in power. I don't think they can really do much more harm to the country as long as they leave the demagogue overseas. If they do try and bring Thaksin back though, prepare for a battle. That will not be allowed by the people who actually put the country first.

Otherwise, I will trust Banharn's coalition about as much as I trust Yingluck's testimony in court.

[animatic]

Egalitarian is the french word for equality for all,

and yet there is not a truly trustworthy coalition even then.

Trust comes from checks and balances to keep em honest,

not from some theoretical philosophical base to say it is so.

PS. They have many more than ONE Demagogue....

But only one aspiring and acquiring Demi-Godhead offshore.

Edited July 1, 2011 by animatic

[Longtooth]

Egalitarian is the french word for equality for all,

and yet there is not a truly trustworthy coalition even then.

Trust comes from checks and balances to keep em honest,

not from some theoretical philosophical base to say it is so.

Good point ^ above!

Thailand has a lot of people who want to "check" other people.

Perhaps what it lacks is the LEGAL system of "balances".

[Schmeen]

Banharn.....trust....hmmmm.....trust......Banharn..... Nope, can't relate to those two words together.

A man whose small stature has not affected his performance....after all, all his deals are done under the table.

[webfact]

Chart Thai Pattana Chief Adviser Fed Up with Lack of Integrity

The Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser admits that he does not want to work with those who cannot keep their word, while saying that a coalition government with less than 300 seats may not necessarily have difficulty maintaining stewardship.

Chief adviser to Chart Thai Pattana Party Banharn Silpa-archa disagreed with Chart Pattana Puea Paendin Party leader Suwat Liptapanlop's remark that the new government will have difficulty maintaining authority unless it has more than 300 seats.

He noted that the government's stability depends rather on how well each coalition party can supervise their members.

Regarding speculations that chaos would break out regardless of whether Democrat Party or Pheu Thai Party wins the upcoming poll, Banharn would not comment, as his remarks could affect the election.

However, he said whatever party gets the most votes should have the honor of leading the coalition government.

The veteran politician added that he can work with anyone, as long as they are not the type of people that go back on their own words.

He is unconvinced about the possibility of coup.

Regarding the Democrat Party spokesman's remark that the party has an idea of proposing amnesty for banned politicians, Banharn said it is nothing more than empty rumors and should not be taken seriously.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-01

[slapout]

I think the only workable solution to the madness is to equate the various appointments/kickbacks positions within any Thai government, to a buffet line with servers instead of fill your own plate. Grant them their 5% of all contracts, payoffs, etc, anyone who abuses the take, will be executed at high noon in their home village. The nature of the beast is such that, unless controlled, is contrary to the thinking of leaving the society/country better, for the future generations.

[Payboy]

Chart Thai Pattana Party hopes to lead an alliance

So, this time they won't be "pressured" in to taking sides against their will.