Abhisit In A Televised Address Thursday, Aug 4

[webfact]

Abhisit in a televised address Thursday

By The Nation

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will on Thursday's night address the nation to mark the end of his government and deliver a summation of current situation for the incoming administration.

"Abhisit will make a 10-minute speech for television broadcast at 8.30 pm to outline the current situation to the people and the new government," PM's Offce Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said on Wednesday.

The speech would be recorded and aired via the television pool.

Satit said the PM will touch on the economy, the national security, the neighbourly ties, the national reconciliation and the work awaiting the incoming government.

Abhisit's speech will precede the Friday's House vote to elect the new prime minister.

-- The Nation 2011-08-03

[JurgenG]

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will on Thursday's night address the nation to mark the end of his government

_

Edited August 3, 2011 by JurgenG

[JurgenG]

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will on Thursday's night address the nation to mark the end of his government

Just joking !

Edited August 3, 2011 by JurgenG

[JurgenG]

Coincidence ?

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul on Wednesday saw his earlier acquittal overtuned in the wake of an appellate decision finding him guilty of libel and sentencing a suspended jail term.

The Appeals Court ruled to convict Sondhi for defaming the Damapong family in connection with his remarks against the Thaksin Shinawatra government in 2006.

The high court penalised Sondhi with a six-month imprisonment and a Bt50,000 fine. It then cited leniency to suspend the jail term for three years.

It took 5 years for democracy to be restored, a bit of cleaning is long overdue ...

Edited August 3, 2011 by JurgenG

[aussiebebe]

I live in Bangkok so I'm used to seeing Abhisit on the evening news but for some reason I quite like him now he's out of office. When he was PM he came across as a big posh sod with plums in his mouth, but now he's out he still gets loads of airtime and seems more mellow, you see him at Royal ceremonies, special events, grand openings and the like. He's quite likable now, I reckon 'Abbey' would be quite a good nickname for him. Suits him more than Mark.

[webfact]

one post deleted. Think twice before you post, I have a posting-rights-suspension-button on my keyboard....

[MegaRanter]

How about that debate he always wanted? To Talk issues with Yingluck. I hope he has a lot of time now to talk to Suthep about ruining his political future with all the grandstanding of two years.

If I were him , I ll join Puea Thai.

[phiphidon]

I can only imagine that after he has outlined his governments sucess in the first four subjects, the remaining nine and a half minutes will be detailing the mess they've left for the PTP to sort out, namely the economy, national security (another 30 helicopters please, oh and a few submarines) neighbourly ties, which will have to be re-knotted and national reconcilliation. Should make for rivetting television.

[rixalex]

I can only imagine that after he has outlined his governments sucess in the first four subjects, the remaining nine and a half minutes will be detailing the mess they've left for the PTP to sort out, namely the economy, national security (another 30 helicopters please, oh and a few submarines) neighbourly ties, which will have to be re-knotted and national reconcilliation. Should make for rivetting television.

Fortunately for the PT party, the mess you mention was to a large degree of their own making and so they are well placed to clear it up.

[hammered]

Be interesting to see if he wishes them all the best and keeps to non-controversial topics or decides to warn them not to do this and that

[Bkkorupcountry]

Be interesting to see if he wishes them all the best and keeps to non-controversial topics or decides to warn them not to do this and that

In his heart of hearts, he might want to do the former but I don't see how he has any choice other than to present themselves as strong opposition and a watchdog over the new government. The Dems would already be looking towards the next election and the campaigning starts now.

[random]

Hopefully he has a new magic act and makes himself, suthep and kasit disappear. oh no wait, on second thoughts i would rather they all stick around and stand trial.

the guy is a failure, lets hope he admits as much tonight and doesn't start whinging, mud slinging, making excuses etc, i would like him if he stood there, admitted how he came to power, admitted he wasn't ready for power, and admit that in fact he was just a figurehead and held no real power actually, suthep and the army pulled the strings, then let the face the charges.

we can all hope

[KKvampire]

Abhisit can hold his head high for doing the best for the Country and its people, with his hands tied in many ways

Lets see how the new Puppet PM with the party of criminals and thugs(a proven fact) behind her fair,

[Siripon]

How about that debate he always wanted? To Talk issues with Yingluck. I hope he has a lot of time now to talk to Suthep about ruining his political future with all the grandstanding of two years.

If I were him , I ll join Puea Thai.

Yingluk didn't dare debate him, his grasp of issues and articulate speech would overwhelm her and most Pheua Thai MPs.

The Democrats' well thought out policies were no match for the Pheua Thai pie in the sky dreams, as seen in a blind poll.

He needs to go upcountry more, widen his social group and revamp the Democrat party offices in Issan and the north. Not an easy task with intimidation from the red shirts thugs but it must be done.

[rixalex]

Hopefully he has a new magic act and makes himself, suthep and kasit disappear. oh no wait, on second thoughts i would rather they all stick around and stand trial.

the guy is a failure, lets hope he admits as much tonight and doesn't start whinging, mud slinging, making excuses etc, i would like him if he stood there, admitted how he came to power, admitted he wasn't ready for power, and admit that in fact he was just a figurehead and held no real power actually, suthep and the army pulled the strings, then let the face the charges.

we can all hope

Not just talking about Abhisit and co. here, but anyone who goes to trial under this up-coming government has surely a right to ask, "if the leader of the country can break the law, attempt to bribe the courts, fail in that attempt, get convicted, flee from the country, and then return without facing any punishment whatsoever... well, if the leader can do all that, what am i even doing here in front of the courts?!"

[jayboy]

Yingluk didn't dare debate him, his grasp of issues and articulate speech would overwhelm her and most Pheua Thai MPs.

The Democrats' well thought out policies were no match for the Pheua Thai pie in the sky dreams, as seen in a blind poll.

He needs to go upcountry more, widen his social group and revamp the Democrat party offices in Issan and the north. Not an easy task with intimidation from the red shirts thugs but it must be done.

If Yingluck and her advisors decided Abhisit would get the better of her in a debate, then didn't she make the right decision since she easily won the election? It's politics you know not a high school debate.

My own view is that the debate if it had taken place, it would not have been as one sided as you suggest.It would have been a difficult challenge for Abhisit (debating a woman, trying not to appear not smartarse or arrogant etc etc) and he would have probably been ready to settle for a draw.Think the encounter between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden which a smart old pol like Biden played it very gingerly and it ended up as a draw.

Tony Blair refused to debate with his opponents because didn't think it would be to his advantage as a front runner.I guess Yingluck made the same calculation.

Nixon with the benefit of hindsight would not have repeated his 1960 debate with JFK, and Nixon was by far the more experienced politician and I think also the smarter man.

Remember also that Abhisit has the personal magnetism of a dead hedgehog while Yingluck has an attractive and outgoing personality.

As to your suggested remedies for Abhisit, well good luck with that.Frankly it seems rather implausible.

Odd thing is I would have voted for him - upper middle class tribalism I suppose.

[rixalex]

Odd thing is I would have voted for him - upper middle class tribalism I suppose.

Upper middle class?! I'm shocked.