Yingluck: We'll Reconcile

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck: We'll reconcile

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Final Pheu Thai rally vows to allow independent truth panel to continue its work

The opposition Pheu Thai Party's final election campaign push yesterday highlighted national reconciliation, promising to empower the existing panel set up after the bloody protests last year to continue its work.

If it took power, Pheu Thai would allow the Independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (ITRCT), chaired by lawyer |Kanit na Nakorn, to continue |its fact-finding task, the |party's prime minister |candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said.

"We would love, not quarrel with each other anymore," she said. "The party will bring peace and international respect back to our country."

Kanit's panel was set up nearly a year ago to probe the military crackdown on the red-shirt protests that caused 91 deaths. The panel has yet to yield any results.

Yingluck said she would bring more lawyers who specialised in public law to the panel to boost its efficiency.

Key leaders of the Pheu Thai Party took to the stage at Rajamangala National Stadium amid heavy rain yesterday to explain their policies to run the country.

Yingluck, who is tipped to become the next prime minister, began her speech by denying accusations made by rightist movements that the Pheu Thai was anti-monarchy.

She told a crowd of thousands that it was not true. "But I don't want to pay much attention to the issue or settle any scores," she said. "I would use my brain and heart to create policies to run the country in accordance with Vision 2020," she said, referring to the party's plans to develop the country over the next nine years.

The party has a clear policy to reduce living costs by terminating the fuel fund, she said. |It would review prices of goods once it got the chance to run |the government. It would also review the healthcare system and ensure it had good medicine and adequate hospitals, she said.

The party has a policy to allocate Bt100 million to every province to establish a fund for women, she said. It would also adjust incomes for the ageing population as well as issue credit cards to farmers and energy cards to taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers, she said.

If the party won the election and took power, by next January all grade one students would get tablet PCs, while maximum personal income tax would be reduced from 30 to 23 per cent. The minimum wage would be raised to Bt300 and basic salaries for bureaucrats adjusted to Bt15,000. Those buying their first cars and houses would get a tax refund from the government, she said.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Surasawadee told the crowd that the time was up for Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat Party leader.

"The time for the Pheu Thai Party has arrived, Yingluck's time has come," Plodprasop shouted.

Traffic on Ramkhamhaeng Road was jammed from 4.30pm onwards. Supporters took the initiative of distributing party leaflets or setting up stalls selling Yingluck and Pheu Thai T-shirts.

Pheu Thai supporters at the stadium expressed confidence that the party would win tomorrow's election.

"The poor people will get out for this election. In the past they've stayed in, but they're going to be No 1," said one woman from the Northeast.

Whether there will be peace after the election is the big question, however.

The prospect of violence seemed to lurk in the back of the minds of attendees. Those that did acknowledge it expressed a range of emotions, from belligerence to fear.

"I've thought about it for a long time and I've made up my mind not to be afraid," said an elderly attendee. "If they come, so be it."

A monk in attendance admitted to being worried and confused about the state of the country after the election. Still, he was firm in his support for Pheu Thai.

"They might not complete 100 per cent of their policies but they'll probably still do good work," he said.

One foreign student from Ramkhamhaeng University who was at the event expressed fear.

"I have the same feelings that other people have, I know what happened last year," he said.

Still, the general atmosphere at the stadium in advance of this crucial election was one of excitemen

-- The Nation 2011-07-02

[whybother]

"The party has a clear policy to reduce living costs by terminating the fuel fund," - won't that increase costs ... of everything?

"by next January all grade one students would get tablet PCs" - and ensure the infrastructure is there so that they can use the internet? And have a teaching program so that the children actually use them for learning?

"basic salaries for bureaucrats adjusted to Bt15,000" - I thought it was basic salaries for graduates?

"maximum personal income tax would be reduced from 30 to 23 per cent." - that will help the poor farmers!

"They might not complete 100 per cent of their policies" - I'm expecting 100% of their "Vision 2020" policies to be incomplete.

"Traffic on Ramkhamhaeng Road was jammed from 4.30pm onwards." - It was Friday afternoon. It's always jammed from 4:30pn onwards.

Edited July 1, 2011 by whybother

[EyesWideOpen]

Well as long as she is setting up fact finding commissions to find the truth about the 91 people that were killed last year, how about setting up another commission to find out the truth about the 3000 people her brother killed in the " drug crack down".......

[geriatrickid]

"The party has a clear policy to reduce living costs by terminating the fuel fund," - won't that increase costs ... of everything?

No, because the fund is basically empty now. It is an acceptance of the fact that a continuation of the fuel fund is a waste of limited funds.

"by next January all grade one students would get tablet PCs" - and ensure the infrastructure is there so that they can use the internet? And have a teaching program so that the children actually use them for learning? Are you aware that India is launching a similar program? 2200rupee tablets (1500 baht) India and Thailand have a similar situation, and yet India is lauded for the program.

"basic salaries for bureaucrats adjusted to Bt15,000" - I thought it was basic salaries for graduates?

15,000 baht is basically a subsistence income in some areas of the country. Are you opposed to people earning a liveable wage?

"maximum personal income tax would be reduced from 30 to 23 per cent." - that will help the poor farmers!

It will encourage people to pay their taxes if the system is fair and will not punish those that earn more from hard work. It does not refer to corporate taxes. Nor does it refer to the elimination of tax loopholes. That too will be included in such a plan. It is a cornerstone of belief of conservatives to lower personal income taxes. So much for PTP being a bunch of commies.

"They might not complete 100 per cent of their policies" - I'm expecting 100% of their "Vision 2020" policies to be incomplete.

So? Would you rather they didn't have a vision or some stated goals like the Democrats? Without goals how can there be a direction? I take it you prefer the rudderless Democrat led government that is drifting in a lazy circle?

Traffic on Ramkhamhaeng Road was jammed from 4.30pm onwards." - It was Friday afternoon. It's always jammed from 4:30pn onwards..

Ok. The report did state; Supporters took the initiative of distributing party leaflets or setting up stalls selling Yingluck and Pheu Thai T-shirts". Are you complaining just for the sake of complaining?

Edited July 2, 2011 by geriatrickid

[jonnyscot]

I dread to think how the next few years will affect Thailand, as I think it looks likely that her promises dream sharing may see her over the winning line over an Abhisit led government that has provided progression (albeit slow), but also stability through these difficult financial times, I just hope also that it is independantly minded lawyers that are selected to beef up this ITRCT panel and that they are not pressured in any way in achieving the result of their findings..

[whybother]

"The party has a clear policy to reduce living costs by terminating the fuel fund," - won't that increase costs ... of everything?

No, because the fund is basically empty now. It is an acceptance of the fact that a continuation of the fuel fund is a waste of limited funds.

So you're saying that increasing fuel costs will decrease the cost of living?

"by next January all grade one students would get tablet PCs" - and ensure the infrastructure is there so that they can use the internet? And have a teaching program so that the children actually use them for learning? Are you aware that India is launching a similar program? 2200rupee tablets (1500 baht) India and Thailand have a similar situation, and yet India is lauded for the program.

Is India also ensuring that the people with the tablets can access the internet and have a teaching program for them? ... by January?

"basic salaries for bureaucrats adjusted to Bt15,000" - I thought it was basic salaries for graduates?

15,000 baht is basically a subsistence income in some areas of the country. Are you opposed to people earning a liveable wage?

I'm not opposed to it, but originally Pheu Thai were saying that the 15,000 baht was for ALL graduates.

"maximum personal income tax would be reduced from 30 to 23 per cent." - that will help the poor farmers!

It will encourage people to pay their taxes if the system is fair and will not punish those that earn more from hard work. It does not refer to corporate taxes. Nor does it refer to the elimination of tax loopholes. That too will be included in such a plan. It is a cornerstone of belief of conservatives to lower personal income taxes. So much for PTP being a bunch of commies.

So poor people (the ones that barely earn 10,000 per month) who work hard to get into 30% tax bracket (ie 80,000 baht per month) will now only have to pay 23%?

"Nor does it refer to the elimination of tax loopholes. That too will be included in such a plan." ... so you've seen that plan?

[whybother]

"They might not complete 100 per cent of their policies" - I'm expecting 100% of their "Vision 2020" policies to be incomplete.

So? Would you rather they didn't have a vision or some stated goals like the Democrats? Without goals how can there be a direction? I take it you prefer the rudderless Democrat led government that is drifting in a lazy circle?

The Democrats have brought the country through the GFC and internal strife with the economy performing quite strongly. They have put forward plans to increase minimum wages that won't cause inflation to spike. They have stated realistic goals.

What they haven't done is spouted some completely unachievable "goals".

Traffic on Ramkhamhaeng Road was jammed from 4.30pm onwards." - It was Friday afternoon. It's always jammed from 4:30pn onwards..

Ok. The report did state; Supporters took the initiative of distributing party leaflets or setting up stalls selling Yingluck and Pheu Thai T-shirts". Are you complaining just for the sake of complaining?

Complaining? I'm just wondering why they talk about Ramkhamhaeng being jammed at 4:30pm, when it's ALWAYS jammed at 4:30pm.

Edited July 2, 2011 by whybother

[jonclark]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

[canardo]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

You are right, but she is NOT driving a school bus, she is the FACE of a potential leading party and if she / her party win the election, behind her will be a set up of professionals / experienced leading the country.

Like it or not, she is popular and I assume she will win in, well TIT.

And honestly, neither being a Yellow or a Red shirt here, but what the current government have been doing the last 18 month is quite poor, beside the Red shirt protest treatment last year, the conflict with cambodia, the ongoing trouble in the south, no wonder the tourists are staying away from Thailand...

(not mentioning the incredible raising i.e. Gasoline prices over the last 18 month and the hard to chuckle exchange rate)

[Britannia]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

Third World countries have quite often been led by people that have never been in Government before, Sometimes very successfully (for the majority) of the people of that country.

It’s not about you or me it’s about them, Thai people, Thailand.

It can take 2 or maybe 3 generations to change the fate of a sector of society but there has to be a starting point

[Ricardo]

Well as long as she is setting up fact finding commissions to find the truth about the 91 people that were killed last year, how about setting up another commission to find out the truth about the 3000 people her brother killed in the " drug crack down".......

But in fact she isn't setting-up any new commission, "Pheu Thai would allow ... the ITRCT to continue it's fact-finding task", so she will merely permit the Dems' investigation already-underway to continue.

However "she would bring more lawyers who specialised in public law to the panel to boost its efficiency", ie load the panel with PTP-selected people, after-all we wouldn't want them to report anything too damaging to the Red-Shirt leaders who will now be her fellow PTP-MPs, and give the wrong impression as to who was to blame for that bloody mess, would we ?

But it's not all bad news.

"The party would bring peace and international respect back to our country", trans. the hamster will be paid-off, so the damaging propaganda overseas ceases, and there wouldn't be any need to fund further 'peaceful demonstrations' here at home.

[jonclark]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

You are right, but she is NOT driving a school bus, she is the FACE of a potential leading party and if she / her party win the election, behind her will be a set up of professionals / experienced leading the country.

Like it or not, she is popular and I assume she will win in, well TIT.

And honestly, neither being a Yellow or a Red shirt here, but what the current government have been doing the last 18 month is quite poor, beside the Red shirt protest treatment last year, the conflict with cambodia, the ongoing trouble in the south, no wonder the tourists are staying away from Thailand...

(not mentioning the incredible raising i.e. Gasoline prices over the last 18 month and the hard to chuckle exchange rate)

Doesn't really fill you with confidence though if you are a passenger on the bus and a man in a suit is telling the bus driver;

"Stop, stop the lights red" or No, you're not allowed to get on the pavement." or Well done, you didn't crash"

I honestly wish her well, but this country needs a leader all people can unit behind. A leader directs the country, she will be (visibly) directed by others.

Edited July 2, 2011 by jonclark

[jonclark]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

Third World countries have quite often been led by people that have never been in Government before, Sometimes very successfully (for the majority) of the people of that country.

It's not about you or me it's about them, Thai people, Thailand.

It can take 2 or maybe 3 generations to change the fate of a sector of society but there has to be a starting point

You're right sometimes it has been successful. Lets hope the cup is half full and not half empty this time! There are so many hurdles to overcome just hope she has the legs for the run.

[gregb]

It’s not about you or me it’s about them, Thai people, Thailand.

Speak for yourself. When you say "them", you are talking about my wife and my children. Probably my grandchildren as well someday. You will forgive me for wanting them to have the absolute best possible environment to live their lives. I may not have the right to vote here, but I have a big stake in what turns out, and take a very personal interest in the state of affairs in this country. It most certainly is about me. If you have no ties here, then you are correct. It is not about you.

It can take 2 or maybe 3 generations to change the fate of a sector of society but there has to be a starting point

Yes, and this starting point needs to be bringing terrorism charges against the demagogue and despot who started this crisis and is currently hiding out in Montenegro and Dubai. Only after he has been brought to justice and any fear of his return has gone can we start on the other cretins who also need to be punished. You are correct though. Thoroughly routing out the poison Thaksin has infected Thai society with will take generations if it is possible to remove it at all.

The only thing that is absolutely certain is that the demagogue's sister does not stand for any type of reconciliation. The only thing she will bring is more division and civil war. Reconciliation would mean seeing her brother at the end of a rope after being convicted of terrorism.

Edited July 2, 2011 by gregb

[canardo]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

You are right, but she is NOT driving a school bus, she is the FACE of a potential leading party and if she / her party win the election, behind her will be a set up of professionals / experienced leading the country.

Like it or not, she is popular and I assume she will win in, well TIT.

And honestly, neither being a Yellow or a Red shirt here, but what the current government have been doing the last 18 month is quite poor, beside the Red shirt protest treatment last year, the conflict with cambodia, the ongoing trouble in the south, no wonder the tourists are staying away from Thailand...

(not mentioning the incredible raising i.e. Gasoline prices over the last 18 month and the hard to chuckle exchange rate)

Doesn't really fill you with confidence though if you are a passenger on the bus and a man in a suit is telling the bus driver;

"Stop, stop the lights red" or No, you're not allowed to get on the pavement." or Well done, you didn't crash"

I honestly wish her well, but this country needs a leader all people can unit behind. A leader directs the country, she will be (visibly) directed by others.

Yeah, you are right, but we are still talking about Thailand here, right?

I am not saying the current government is better or worse compared what we could expect from a Yinluck driven government, I just wanted to state how rather disappointed I am with the current one and that the FACE Yinluck will have a professional team around her, like Georg W. had around him, leading the country.

(I do NOT compare George W. directly with Yinluck, dear fellow Republicans, just compare leaders of a party and the professional team around them to lead, because one man / woman alone can not, whoever they are and whatever political movement they belong to)

[whybother]

You are right, but she is NOT driving a school bus, she is the FACE of a potential leading party and if she / her party win the election, behind her will be a set up of professionals / experienced leading the country.

Like it or not, she is popular and I assume she will win in, well TIT.

And honestly, neither being a Yellow or a Red shirt here, but what the current government have been doing the last 18 month is quite poor, beside the Red shirt protest treatment last year, the conflict with cambodia, the ongoing trouble in the south, no wonder the tourists are staying away from Thailand...

(not mentioning the incredible raising i.e. Gasoline prices over the last 18 month and the hard to chuckle exchange rate)

Well, actually, the tourists AREN'T staying away from Thailand. Some western tourists are, but maybe that has something to do global economy.

Thailand doesn't really have much control over global fuel prices or the strength of the $US.

[canardo]

You are right, but she is NOT driving a school bus, she is the FACE of a potential leading party and if she / her party win the election, behind her will be a set up of professionals / experienced leading the country.

Like it or not, she is popular and I assume she will win in, well TIT.

And honestly, neither being a Yellow or a Red shirt here, but what the current government have been doing the last 18 month is quite poor, beside the Red shirt protest treatment last year, the conflict with cambodia, the ongoing trouble in the south, no wonder the tourists are staying away from Thailand...

(not mentioning the incredible raising i.e. Gasoline prices over the last 18 month and the hard to chuckle exchange rate)

Well, actually, the tourists AREN'T staying away from Thailand. Some western tourists are, but maybe that has something to do global economy.

Thailand doesn't really have much control over global fuel prices or the strength of the $US.

Many western tourist had to stay away from Thailand over month, because of the then steady curfew in BKK, which made it impossible for European tour operators to fly in their guests over BKK, becaue of the insurance sitation (holiday insurances do not cover up in countries with active curfew) and the bad headlines in western press about Thailand left a big negative impact what will last a while.

I agree of course that Thailand has no influence of the global oil prices and the US Dollars exchange rate, but the gasoline price did not went up 30% in other countries, even here in the region. When I started to drive here about March 2010 the 91 gasoline price was about 32 THB (correct me if I am wrong) and we had 45 THB 4 weeks ago per liter!

[whybother]

Many western tourist had to stay away from Thailand over month, because of the then steady curfew in BKK, which made it impossible for European tour operators to fly in their guests over BKK, becaue of the insurance sitation (holiday insurances do not cover up in countries with active curfew) and the bad headlines in western press about Thailand left a big negative impact what will last a while.

I agree of course that Thailand has no influence of the global oil prices and the US Dollars exchange rate, but the gasoline price did not went up 30% in other countries, even here in the region. When I started to drive here about March 2010 the 91 gasoline price was about 32 THB (correct me if I am wrong) and we had 45 THB 4 weeks ago per liter!

What steady curfew? There was a curfew for a week, and that was only in Bangkok. And maybe that was caused by a protest group shooting at the army and burning down buildings. Maybe it's the annual protests that are having an affect on tourism.

According to http://www.oil-price.net/ oil prices have risen from about $80 to $120 per barrel in the last year, dropping back to about $110 more recently.

Edited July 2, 2011 by whybother

[canardo]

Many western tourist had to stay away from Thailand over month, because of the then steady curfew in BKK, which made it impossible for European tour operators to fly in their guests over BKK, becaue of the insurance sitation (holiday insurances do not cover up in countries with active curfew) and the bad headlines in western press about Thailand left a big negative impact what will last a while.

I agree of course that Thailand has no influence of the global oil prices and the US Dollars exchange rate, but the gasoline price did not went up 30% in other countries, even here in the region. When I started to drive here about March 2010 the 91 gasoline price was about 32 THB (correct me if I am wrong) and we had 45 THB 4 weeks ago per liter!

What steady curfew? There was a curfew for a week, and that was only in Bangkok. And maybe that was caused by a protest group shooting at the army and burning down buildings. Maybe it's the annual protests that are having an affect on tourism.

According to http://www.oil-price.net/ oil prices have risen from about $80 to $120 per barrel in the last year, dropping back to about $110 more recently.

Sorry, I mixed up curfew with State of Emergency - my bet, not a native speaker as you may figured out already ;o)

Again, I did not saw the gasoline prices going up 30% anywhere else, neither in Europe, nor here in some other regional countries.

Let's hope for the best in Thailands future, it is not in our hands, we can only sit at the fence and playing "Waldorf and Statler" a bit...

(off for now, buying stock of food and drinks in case of the Red shirts occupying my street again for weeks - LOL)

Edited July 2, 2011 by canardo

[Britannia]

It’s not about you or me it’s about them, Thai people, Thailand.

Speak for yourself. When you say "them", you are talking about my wife and my children. Probably my grandchildren as well someday. You will forgive me for wanting them to have the absolute best possible environment to live their lives. I may not have the right to vote here, but I have a big stake in what turns out, and take a very personal interest in the state of affairs in this country. It most certainly is about me. If you have no ties here, then you are correct. It is not about you.

It can take 2 or maybe 3 generations to change the fate of a sector of society but there has to be a starting point

Yes, and this starting point needs to be bringing terrorism charges against the demagogue and despot who started this crisis and is currently hiding out in Montenegro and Dubai. Only after he has been brought to justice and any fear of his return has gone can we start on the other cretins who also need to be punished. You are correct though. Thoroughly routing out the poison Thaksin has infected Thai society with will take generations if it is possible to remove it at all.

The only thing that is absolutely certain is that the demagogue's sister does not stand for any type of reconciliation. The only thing she will bring is more division and civil war. Reconciliation would mean seeing her brother at the end of a rope after being convicted of terrorism.

Sir. Respectfully, you are concerned about your wife and Children and so you should be. Yes Sir I also have a wife here have been together many years but as you say it is not about me, though you think it’s about you; does your wife share your anger?

Also it’s never about the individual, it’s about the majority The whole society

You talk about a civil war almost as if you are wishing it

Is this a case of I don’t get what I want then nobody plays?

Sir reading your response would seem like your in favor of a demagogue leader, but from the opposite side

[rixalex]

Sir. Respectfully, you are concerned about your wife and Children and so you should be. Yes Sir I also have a wife here have been together many years but as you say it is not about me, though you think it's about you; does your wife share your anger?

He said that if you don't have any ties, such as family, then it isn't about you. Since you do have ties, then i would say it is about you and that you have every right to form an opinion and share it, if you so wish. If you don't, fine. Your decision.

[hellodolly]

Well as long as she is setting up fact finding commissions to find the truth about the 91 people that were killed last year, how about setting up another commission to find out the truth about the 3000 people her brother killed in the " drug crack down".......

She is not setting up a commission she is just adding people who will find what Thaksin tells them to find to the committee.

I liked ythis part.

"We would love, not quarrel with each other anymore," she said. "The party will bring peace and international respect back to our country."

She forgot to mention that that would not be there intentions if they were not elected.

How in the name of whatever does she expect international respect for a country who elects a fugitive who is running from the law to be PM.

Sounds like she wants to set up another hub.

This one for being international joke.

[Bakseedaa]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

Everyone has a high public figure to aspire to...... Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And this election is certainly not the same song on a different record... just watch the overseas investments dry up... and this money is what has been keeping Thailands head above the water for the last few years.. corruption is killing this beautiful land. Thaksin = corruption on a Grand Scale.. Today, say goodbye to the Thailand you knew...........!

Edited July 2, 2011 by cdnvic
fixed quote code

[livinthailandos]

1. i know this whole issue is about thailand's election. But when it comes to all politicans globally wise they all make a lot of promising campaign speeches on how there going to improve, fix or change things just so they'll get elected. The reality is while its is easy to say all of those feel good speeches the reality is that actually making those changes is a whole different issue.

2. On the whole issue of reconcilation, how can one make a statement when in the past compromises never could happen.

3. The real outcome will be decided tomorrow. Based on what seems to be coming out it would seem the Pheu Thai Party might win anyway but maybe not enough to be a majority government if so the reds shirts may not accept this and just decide to go ahead anyway and have their temper tantrum.

The only thing everyone can do is pray for the best possible non violent outcome but prepare for the worst case scenario.

[canardo]

1. i know this whole issue is about thailand's election. But when it comes to all politicans globally wise they all make a lot of promising campaign speeches on how there going to improve, fix or change things just so they'll get elected. The reality is while its is easy to say all of those feel good speeches the reality is that actually making those changes is a whole different issue.

2. On the whole issue of reconcilation, how can one make a statement when in the past compromises never could happen.

3. The real outcome will be decided tomorrow. Based on what seems to be coming out it would seem the Pheu Thai Party might win anyway but maybe not enough to be a majority government if so the reds shirts may not accept this and just decide to go ahead anyway and have their temper tantrum.

The only thing everyone can do is pray for the best possible non violent outcome but prepare for the worst case scenario.

I salute this!

[OzMick]

"If it took power, Pheu Thai would allow the Independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (ITRCT), chaired by lawyer |Kanit na Nakorn, to continue |its fact-finding task, the |party's prime minister |candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said."

What will she do if the commission's findings, quite accurately, are that her brother instigated a feeling of resentment in Isaan by giving the people false information about the formation of the Abhisit government; inflamed passions with paid propagandists and agitators such as Jatuporn, Arisman, Weng and Nattiwhut; paid people whose ire he had instigated to protest in BKK; and used this protest as camouflage for an armed insurrection; the sole aim being to overthrow the government to restore himself to power and have his lost wealth returned.

will she confirm the terrorism charges already brought against him? In a pig's eye!

Edited July 2, 2011 by OzMick

[gregb]

Also it’s never about the individual, it’s about the majority The whole society

You talk about a civil war almost as if you are wishing it

Is this a case of I don’t get what I want then nobody plays?

Sir reading your response would seem like your in favor of a demagogue leader, but from the opposite side

In this case, it is mostly about a single individual. The issues that affect the whole society could be dealt with through negotiations. But the issues of one demagogue in exile can only be resolved by removing him as a threat.

I don't want a civil war. No rational person does. I fear it if Thaksin is allowed to continue in his quest for absolute power.

I am quite willing to compromise. I will happily help you go after any person who you think has wronged you. Just recognize that Thaksin has wronged all of us and agree to remove him first. Reconciliation comes by blanket punishment and adherence to the rule of law, not blanket amnesty and disregard for the rule of law.

I do not favor a demagogue at all. A demagogue is someone who plays on people's emotions by latching onto a group of people or narrative in society and attempting to blame them/it for all social ills. As Thaksin does with his unnamed elite. As Hitler did with the Jews. I simply fear one single demagogue because of his nature. Remove him, and I won't worry about the rest. Thaksin is every bit as bad as Hitler. Germany would have been better off if someone had removed Hitler before he could bring war and misery. Thailand will be better off if we can remove Thaksin before he brings about war and misery.

I love this country and I want my children to have a good home. I encourage everyone to denounce Thaksin before it is too late. I will continue to encourage that until the threat of his return is ended. Reconciliation can not happen while he still threatens the good people of this country. His return can only bring civil war.

[canardo]

...And this election is certainly not the same song on a different record... just watch the overseas investments dry up... and this money is what has been keeping Thailands head above the water for the last few years.. corruption is killing this beautiful land. Thaksin = corruption on a Grand Scale.. Today, say goodbye to the Thailand you knew...........!

I thought the same, when I read about 9 month ago, that PepsiCo investing about 100 USD into a new facility in Vietnam to produce RTD's for the region. Vietnam over Thailand? Wow...

[jonclark]

It is time to stop all the bickering and just let the chips fall where they will. PTP or Dems, it's just the same song on a different record. My only reservation about Yingluck is this. To use an analogy: You wouldn't give a man the job of driving a school bus if he had never driven before. Yet here we stand on the cusp of an election and the prospect of a women, who has never been in parliament, with no political experience about to take the reins of the country. If fear she will be torn to shreds in the lions dens and a crash maybe imminent. It's all well and good on the election trail with prepared notes and choreograph routines, i feel she will be in for a harsh and brutal shock and she may rue the day she was chosen for this.

But on a more positive note its great for women to actually have a high profile public figure to aspire to.

Everyone has a high public figure to aspire to...... Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And this election is certainly not the same song on a different record... just watch the overseas investments dry up... and this money is what has been keeping Thailands head above the water for the last few years.. corruption is killing this beautiful land. Thaksin = corruption on a Grand Scale.. Today, say goodbye to the Thailand you knew...........!

Most Thais are Buddist, so excuse their lack of interest.

But, as you rightly say, it will be interesting to see what happens to the foreign investment if / when the government changes.

[OzMick]

"The party has a policy to allocate Bt100 million to every province..................."

"If the party won the election and took power, by next January all grade one students would get tablet PCs............."

"...........maximum personal income tax would be reduced from 30 to 23 per cent."

......... basic salaries for bureaucrats adjusted to Bt15,000."

" Those buying their first cars and houses would get a tax refund from the government,........"

And let's not forget the rice subsidy of B200,000,000,000. 2 days ago we had an economic report that said the budget was tight with little room for increased spending or borrowing. Yet she promises huge expenditure increase while reducing taxation. The woman is either a business genius, an economic moron, or a incorrigible liar. Given her past performance and pending (?) charges, I know which I will vote for.

The sad part is, the lemmings will keep running off the cliff thinking that heaven waits at the bottom.