Censure Motion Sets The Scene For Further Division: Thailand

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Censure motion sets the scene for further division

The Nation

Tomorrow's House debate on the performance of the justice minister as head of flood relief will certainly not be confined to this controversial topic

This Sunday's censure and impeachment motions against Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, in his capacity as the director of the Flood Relief Operations Centre, may not result in an Earth-shaking change in the political landscape. But it does show that politicians are at least performing their duty, according to the democratic system, in allowing their counterparts to address serious concerns over flood-relief management.

The opposition Democrat Party filed an impeachment motion against Pracha, and seven other Pheu Thai MPs, saying that Pracha had failed in flood-control efforts and had condoned irregularities in the distribution of relief supplies. The upcoming censure motion tomorrow is likely to be a re-run of the recently concluded general motion, but it promises to add to the intensity of the political debate in the months to come, especially as the government puts forward its planned amnesty bill to Parliament. This debate provides an opportunity for opposition politicians to take up public concerns such as how money has been spent on flood relief.

The movements of the small parties are also worth watching. The censure motion was signed only by Democrat Party MPs, while MPs from other opposition and coalition parties have not signed the motion. In particular, MPs of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, whose de facto leader is Newin Chidchob, and the Matubhum Party of the former coup-leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, missed the signing of the censure motion. Sonthi led the coup that ousted the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on September 19, 2006.

While Pracha will naturally be the centre of the debate, recent incidents including the robbery (allegedly of millions of baht in cash) at the home of suspended Transport Ministry permanent secretary Suphoth Sublom are expected to add more spice to the censure motion.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said earlier during the House debate that, according to the police investigation so far, the money was obtained from corruption involving subway line extensions.

His remark has invited a swift response from the Bhum Jai Thai Party's Sophon Saram, who was the previous transport minister. Sophon accused Chalerm of fabricating a story about kickbacks in order to divert attention from the government's failure to control the floods and the Thaksin pardon controversy.

This exchange is simply an overture to what will follow during the censure motion. While it will be interesting to see how the Pheu Thai Party and Bhum Jai Thai Party will handle this issue tomorrow, there is also speculation about whether Bhum Jai Thai will try to patch things up with Pheu Thai after the motion. If that does happen, any shift in political affiliation by Bhum Jai Thai will not come as a surprise. Newin Chidchob used to be a wingman for Thaksin before he switched sides and formed Bhum Jai Thai and supported the Democrat-led coalition during the previous administration.

A similar situation is said to be happening at Sonthi's Matubhum Party. This is despite the fact that Sonthi was the coup leader who toppled the Thaksin government. Sonthi recently chaired a House committee meeting on national reconciliation. In the meantime, Chalerm has said the government will put in place an amnesty law that will "restore justice to all parties" who were involved in the political conflict, including Thaksin.

Sunday's censure debate may be just a prelude to a real parliamentary war, which promises to erupt as early as the first half of next year, when an amnesty bill is expected to be sponsored by the Yingluck government.

This week's debate will not only create a forum to allow politicians to address the concerns of the public; instead of letting conflicts worsen on the streets, it will also serve as an indicator for the future political scene. This one-day censure motion may carry more significance than simply defining the future of Pracha.

-- The Nation 2011-11-26

[binjalin]

Same conflict for political point scoring - will nothing pull these people together? Hasn't Thailand suffered enough?

[Cuchulainn]

Why oh why oh why oh why oh why do these fools (on all sides) elect the same old corrupt, useless scum year in year out when it's plain to see that these vermin are only interested in their own ends rather than giving one dam_n about the people?

[animatic]

Expect distracting loudness in the press and a surprise HUGE announcement from Chalerm tomorrow and/or the next day to drive this story from the public consciousness. Look, LOOK what WE'VE FOUND... THEY did it, the evil opposition. We found the truth forgotten at a BUS STOP ooh ohh! yada yada yada.

They will move heaven and earth to prevent as many as possible of the the still wet people from realizing the truth of how they have performed.

Edited November 26, 2011 by animatic

[janverbeem]

Why oh why oh why oh why oh why do these fools (on all sides) elect the same old corrupt, useless scum year in year out when it's plain to see that these vermin are only interested in their own ends rather than giving one dam_n about the people?

Maybe because there is no choice of a different kind available

[bigbamboo]

Why oh why oh why oh why oh why do these fools (on all sides) elect the same old corrupt, useless scum year in year out when it's plain to see that these vermin are only interested in their own ends rather than giving one dam_n about the people?

Maybe because there is no choice of a different kind available

Ditto to both.

[yoshiwara]

The censure motion from the Democrats rather than setting the scene for further division is a response and fight for the political agenda.

The government (PM and cabinet members selected by Thaksin) has shown itself spectacularly inept dealing with the flood crisis and spectacularly stupid (again agenda set by Thaksin)pushing the return Thaksin issue to the fore while the flood crisis still in motion.

[jayboy]

The censure motion from the Democrats rather than setting the scene for further division is a response and fight for the political agenda.

The government (PM and cabinet members selected by Thaksin) has shown itself spectacularly inept dealing with the flood crisis and spectacularly stupid (again agenda set by Thaksin)pushing the return Thaksin issue to the fore while the flood crisis still in motion.

Well let's see how the censure motion goes.The government's handling of the flooding crisis wasn't impressive and it's a useful occasion for the opposition to put those responsible on the spot.It's a valuable element of a working democracy.

Turning to your post let's see what aspect you consider significant and important.Oh what a surprise, it's more about the return of Thaksin.

[rubl]

The censure motion from the Democrats rather than setting the scene for further division is a response and fight for the political agenda.

The government (PM and cabinet members selected by Thaksin) has shown itself spectacularly inept dealing with the flood crisis and spectacularly stupid (again agenda set by Thaksin)pushing the return Thaksin issue to the fore while the flood crisis still in motion.

Well let's see how the censure motion goes.The government's handling of the flooding crisis wasn't impressive and it's a useful occasion for the opposition to put those responsible on the spot.It's a valuable element of a working democracy.

Turning to your post let's see what aspect you consider significant and important.Oh what a surprise, it's more about the return of Thaksin.

Actually it's about the head of FROC, Pol.Gen Pracha. Still we had a few sidetracks, from Thai Live Sunday:

#14: MPs gather to censure Justice Minister Pracha from 9am-midnight; 10 Democrat MPs to debate; red-shirts show up to support Pheu Thai/TAN_Network

#19: RT@tulsathit: Hundreds of community leaders and villagers from Northeast gathering at Parliament to give Pracha support b4 censure. -@nnanews

#22: RT@tulsathit: Jurin asks why Pracha had to wait until Thaksin wrote his denial letter before clarifying royal pardon issue.

#22: RT@tulsathit: Chalerm: Jurin was using his imagination throughout. Boos and jeers by opposition as Chalerm tries to rebut Jurin

#25: PM may address House herself if she's discussed in today's censure debate; lets ruling coalition MPs decide for themselves on censure vote/TAN_Network

#32: Chalerm asks for few weeks to seek evidence in Trans perm-sec Supoj's graft case;challenges frm trans min Sopon to prove innocence in court/TAN_Network

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement, why do NorthEast village heads show up? I wasn't aware that since the invocation of the 'disaster law' and the creation of FROC (2011-10-07) there was much water at all in NorthEast? Maybe some Pheu Thai party list MPs who happen to be UDD leaders and deep into 'red shirt villages' had anything to do with this?

[phiphidon]

The censure motion from the Democrats rather than setting the scene for further division is a response and fight for the political agenda.

The government (PM and cabinet members selected by Thaksin) has shown itself spectacularly inept dealing with the flood crisis and spectacularly stupid (again agenda set by Thaksin)pushing the return Thaksin issue to the fore while the flood crisis still in motion.

Well let's see how the censure motion goes.The government's handling of the flooding crisis wasn't impressive and it's a useful occasion for the opposition to put those responsible on the spot.It's a valuable element of a working democracy.

Turning to your post let's see what aspect you consider significant and important.Oh what a surprise, it's more about the return of Thaksin.

Actually it's about the head of FROC, Pol.Gen Pracha. Still we had a few sidetracks, from Thai Live Sunday:

#14: MPs gather to censure Justice Minister Pracha from 9am-midnight; 10 Democrat MPs to debate; red-shirts show up to support Pheu Thai/TAN_Network

#19: RT@tulsathit: Hundreds of community leaders and villagers from Northeast gathering at Parliament to give Pracha support b4 censure. -@nnanews

#22: RT@tulsathit: Jurin asks why Pracha had to wait until Thaksin wrote his denial letter before clarifying royal pardon issue.

#22: RT@tulsathit: Chalerm: Jurin was using his imagination throughout. Boos and jeers by opposition as Chalerm tries to rebut Jurin

#25: PM may address House herself if she's discussed in today's censure debate; lets ruling coalition MPs decide for themselves on censure vote/TAN_Network

#32: Chalerm asks for few weeks to seek evidence in Trans perm-sec Supoj's graft case;challenges frm trans min Sopon to prove innocence in court/TAN_Network

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement, why do NorthEast village heads show up? I wasn't aware that since the invocation of the 'disaster law' and the creation of FROC (2011-10-07) there was much water at all in NorthEast? Maybe some Pheu Thai party list MPs who happen to be UDD leaders and deep into 'red shirt villages' had anything to do with this?

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement why did Jurin ask Pracha about alleged royal pardon of Thaksin?

[whybother]

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement why did Jurin ask Pracha about alleged royal pardon of Thaksin?

Possibly to see if Pracha was concentrating more on Thaksin than on the floods.

[phiphidon]

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement why did Jurin ask Pracha about alleged royal pardon of Thaksin?

Possibly to see if Pracha was concentrating more on Thaksin than on the floods.

i thought that was Chalerm who was being accused of spending too much time on that, I can't keep up with all these democrat accusations. Scatter gun technique I suppose.

[whybother]

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement why did Jurin ask Pracha about alleged royal pardon of Thaksin?

Possibly to see if Pracha was concentrating more on Thaksin than on the floods.

i thought that was Chalerm who was being accused of spending too much time on that, I can't keep up with all these democrat accusations. Scatter gun technique I suppose.

"Thaksin Pardon Petition Handed To Pracha"

http://www.thaivisa....nded-to-pracha/

I was going to say that you must have missed it, but I noticed you posted in the thread, so maybe you just "forgot".

Edited November 27, 2011 by whybother

[phiphidon]

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement why did Jurin ask Pracha about alleged royal pardon of Thaksin?

Possibly to see if Pracha was concentrating more on Thaksin than on the floods.

i thought that was Chalerm who was being accused of spending too much time on that, I can't keep up with all these democrat accusations. Scatter gun technique I suppose.

"Thaksin Pardon Petition Handed To Pracha"

http://www.thaivisa....nded-to-pracha/

I was going to say that you must have missed it, but I noticed you posted in the thread, so maybe you just "forgot".

Didn't forget, hardly read the OP - I was just replying to a post that stuck out for me as a particularly rude and nasty stereotype that seems to curry favour with the anti red/PTP types.

[Buchholz]

BTW as this is about (alleged) flood mismanagement why did Jurin ask Pracha about alleged royal pardon of Thaksin?

Possibly to see if Pracha was concentrating more on Thaksin than on the floods.

i thought that was Chalerm who was being accused of spending too much time on that, I can't keep up with all these democrat accusations. Scatter gun technique I suppose.

"Thaksin Pardon Petition Handed To Pracha"

http://www.thaivisa....nded-to-pracha/

I was going to say that you must have missed it, but I noticed you posted in the thread, so maybe you just "forgot".

Chalerm was only the instigator of the vow to absolve Thaksin. They need to scatter around the different roles to that end.

It was Pracha, in one of his multi-tasking roles, of Justice Minister, that had to process the pardon.

Perhaps that might account for his slip-shod performance as FROC Director. He was preoccupied with other, more important, tasks.

.

Edited November 27, 2011 by Buchholz