Thai Democrats Dump Sonthi On Doubts Over His Actions

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Democrats dump Sonthi on doubts over his actions

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The House committee on reconciliation appears to be burning bridges rather than mending fences.

Yesterday nine Democrats resigned in protest at committee chair Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who refused to heed their minority demand for a review of the King Prajadhipok's Institute report on reconciliation measures.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva issued three open letters reminding the committee that the KPI report, if hastily implemented, could trigger a new round of political turbulence. But Sonthi decided to turn a deaf ear.

Back in January, Sonthi seemed to have basked in the limelight. He hosted a luncheon to kickstart the reconciliation process attended by key party leaders, including Democrat Abhisit and Pheu Thai's Yongyuth Wichaidit.

Less than three months later, he is being seen as a snake-oil salesman pushing for a rescue of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the very man he ousted from power in 2006, instead of building a consensus on reconciliation.

Even if he has good intentions, he appears to be doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Following the disbanding of the junta in 2007, the former coup leader enjoyed a quiet life in retirement. Critics claimed that the pro-Thaksin camp convinced him to enter politics in the wake of the political unrest in 2010.

At the time, the Matubhum Party was undergoing a transformation and Sonthi became party leader. Many believe veteran politician Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a Thaksin supporter, had a hand in engineering Sonthi's comeback.

His party managed to win just two House seats in the general election last July. But he gained a prominent role beyond the dreams of a first-time MP. Thaksin suddenly cited a mantra of forgiveness. And Pheu Thai MPs began treating him like a long-lost friend - not a foe who committed the cardinal sin of seizing power.

Sonthi began his legislative career by portraying himself as a changed man who wanted to rectify the coup damage.

Coalition and opposition lawmakers rallied behind him after realising his potential to bring about reconciliation. The House voted to install him as chair of the bipartisan committee for mending the bitter political division.

Early this month, the KPI submitted a preliminary study preceding a full report in the next few weeks. The study spawned a fiery debate on several contentious issues, notably a recommendation to repeal the work of the Asset Examination Committee.

In addition to addressing the amnesty issue for those involved in the political disturbances, the KPI study touched on the perceived injustice caused by the AEC, the coup-appointed agency responsible for targeting Thaksin and his accomplices for graft proceedings.

Sonthi fanned the controversy by hinting at his support to repeal the AEC's work. This prompted an angry reaction because many saw an ulterior motive to help Thaksin evade his conviction and punishment. The former PM was sentenced to two years jail by the Supreme Court in late 2008 for a land purchase by his wife, deemed to be improper, but fled overseas before the ruling was handed down and claims the verdict was unjust.

Although the KPI study team subsequently issued a series of clarifications, outlining three options on what to do with the AEC's work, each having pros and cons, Sonthi ploughed on to cite the study as the basis of the committee's report.

After the KPI threatened to withdraw its report and several leading figures, including Abhisit and Chart Thai Pattana MP Sanan Kachornprasart, aired their opposition, Sonthi softened his stand to factor in all dissenting views in his final report.

He insisted, however, on highlighting the option calling for a repeal of the AEC work, arguing the House will debate and make a final decision on the matter.

But his committee is no longer bipartisan; reconciliation seems to have broken down in the House.

-- The Nation 2012-03-27

[CalgaryII]

"Coalition and opposition lawmakers rallied behind him after realising his potential to bring about reconciliation. The House voted to install him as chair of the bipartisan committee for mending the bitter political division"

Can 'bitter political relations" be ameliorized via fuzzy, feel-good reconciliation stuff? Are 'bitter political relationships' in fact 'bitter', or just "political diversity"? Are political realities bitter for those on the political sidelines only? Would elections accomplish what 'reconciliation fuzzies' cannot?............questions, questions, questions.

[Pib]

This reconciliation process is moving along in such a friendly and smooth manner.

[IMA_FARANG]

Hee Hee Hee

It;s going to be a fun month of May.

I've been in Bangkok before when May was a hot and muggy month. People sweltering on the non-airconditioned buses and acing touchy and irritable.

Looks like it might be the same thing again this May.

And I'm not talking about the weather either.

Love that (W) rec (k) conciliation stuff.

[tragickingdom]

Sonthi was the one and only reason that the democrats could form a government. They never won an election they never will win one. THey have to bend over very deeply of Sonthi and his criminal friends pass bye. Without them Suthep was never be able to steal that much, the Democrats were never be able to distribute rotten fish to victims in Izan and their CP friends would never be able to make much money off a rotten deal with the CAT.

It seems that Suthep and Abhisit are mooing even quicker to the International Court of Justice than expected.

[animatic]

Maybe someone should look into Sonthi's finances and see if any Thaksin derived 'Unusual Wealth' is evident?

It seems a rather abrupt and inverse about face to be pluggin for Thaksin all of a sudden.

Everyone seems to have their price in Thailand, I wonder if his has been reached?

[Siripon]

Sonthi cited 4 reasons for the coup at the time

1.Corruption.

2. Interference in the independent organisations- checks and balances.

3. Threats to the monarchy.

4. Danger of imminent violence between the red and yellow shirts.

I would like to ask him now what he thinks of those reasons, I believe numbers 1 and 2 are certainly still valid today,and his bland remarks about how we should forget the past are foolish and dangerous in the extreme.

If Thai society cannot learn from the past it will be condemned to repeat it.

To save his own skin, Sonthi is prepared to sell Thailand down the river.

Initially despised by the red shirts- I had to laugh when Jatuporn said he had forgiven him- people should listen to some of the bile the red shirt leaders came out with against Sonthi over the last few years, now he's their friend. I wonder what those red shirts who really believe in democracy feel when they see the red shirts leaders cosying up to the coup- maker

[anterian]

Asking who is Sonthi's real boss, where his loyalties lie, might help you to understand the present turn of events.

[Thai at Heart]

Asking who is Sonthi's real boss, where his loyalties lie, might help you to understand the present turn of events.

Then why? And if we can maybe work out who his real boss is, then why would the democrats walk out?

Unless of course, his real boss is Thaksin?

[anterian]

No it is not Thaksin. Sorry I cannot say more.

[sparebox2]

No it is not Thaksin. Sorry I cannot say more.

In Thailand, 100% of Thai respect a single person.

And his/her name is not Thaksin?

Edited March 27, 2012 by sparebox2

[h90]

Sonthi was the one and only reason that the democrats could form a government. They never won an election they never will win one. THey have to bend over very deeply of Sonthi and his criminal friends pass bye. Without them Suthep was never be able to steal that much, the Democrats were never be able to distribute rotten fish to victims in Izan and their CP friends would never be able to make much money off a rotten deal with the CAT.

It seems that Suthep and Abhisit are mooing even quicker to the International Court of Justice than expected.

??? They could form a government because they had a majority together with the coalition partners. While the democrat lead government wasn't impressive it was far less corrupt than the TRT, PPP, PTP governments before and after.

And of course it wasn't the first time and not the last the Democrats formed the government (if you learn a bit about Thailands history).

[anterian]

Sonthi was the one and only reason that the democrats could form a government. They never won an election they never will win one. THey have to bend over very deeply of Sonthi and his criminal friends pass bye. Without them Suthep was never be able to steal that much, the Democrats were never be able to distribute rotten fish to victims in Izan and their CP friends would never be able to make much money off a rotten deal with the CAT.

It seems that Suthep and Abhisit are mooing even quicker to the International Court of Justice than expected.

??? They could form a government because they had a majority together with the coalition partners. While the democrat lead government wasn't impressive it was far less corrupt than the TRT, PPP, PTP governments before and after.

And of course it wasn't the first time and not the last the Democrats formed the government (if you learn a bit about Thailands history).

The Dems could form a government and appoint Abhisit its leader because most of their opposition had been removed either by the army or the courts, this left them with a house majority and the legal right to form a government. However, and as was made clear in the next general election, they never had a public mandate to govern.

Most governments formed under such circumstance would have immediately held a general election to confirm such a mandate, Abhisit did not and this directly led to the Red riots and deaths.

The Dems were legally correct but morally wrong, most Thais understand this.

[bigbamboo]

Sonthi cited 4 reasons for the coup at the time

1.Corruption.

2. Interference in the independent organisations- checks and balances.

3. Threats to the monarchy.

4. Danger of imminent violence between the red and yellow shirts.

I would like to ask him now what he thinks of those reasons, I believe numbers 1 and 2 are certainly still valid today,and his bland remarks about how we should forget the past are foolish and dangerous in the extreme.

If Thai society cannot learn from the past it will be condemned to repeat it.

To save his own skin, Sonthi is prepared to sell Thailand down the river.

Initially despised by the red shirts- I had to laugh when Jatuporn said he had forgiven him- people should listen to some of the bile the red shirt leaders came out with against Sonthi over the last few years, now he's their friend. I wonder what those red shirts who really believe in democracy feel when they see the red shirts leaders cosying up to the coup- maker

No specific mention of interference in the Army hierarchy as a cause for the coup then? That's strange, as I seem to remember a lot of consternation on that subject shortly before the coup itself.

However, it does appear to the neutral observer than Sonthi has sold what was left of his soul to the highest bidder.

Edited March 27, 2012 by bigbamboo

[DP25]

The Dems could form a government and appoint Abhisit its leader because most of their opposition had been removed either by the army or the courts, this left them with a house majority and the legal right to form a government. However, and as was made clear in the next general election, they never had a public mandate to govern.

Most governments formed under such circumstance would have immediately held a general election to confirm such a mandate, Abhisit did not and this directly led to the Red riots and deaths.

The Dems were legally correct but morally wrong, most Thais understand this.

YAWN. Dems had more of the popular vote in 2007 and had just as much right to form a coalition since neither had a majority of seats, especially since every disqualified MP had a by election to chose a new one. The red riot had zero to do with this, the sole cause of their riot was the court's decision to confiscate part of Thaksin's 76 billion baht, which is why red publications made death threats on the judiciary the week before the verdict and the day after the verdict the protest began. The violence was an attempt by Thaksin to create a massacre in order to bring down the government, reverse the court's decision, and return his money. When that plan didn't work, he moved on to his new plan, orchestrating a war with his buddy Hun Sen in order to split the yellow shirts from the Democrats. This plan did work, and the yellow shirt boycott allowed his party to barely win the election, although they again did not get a majority of the popular vote.

As for why Sonthi is doing this it's impossible to say right now.

[phiphidon]

Sonthi was the one and only reason that the democrats could form a government. They never won an election they never will win one. THey have to bend over very deeply of Sonthi and his criminal friends pass bye. Without them Suthep was never be able to steal that much, the Democrats were never be able to distribute rotten fish to victims in Izan and their CP friends would never be able to make much money off a rotten deal with the CAT.

It seems that Suthep and Abhisit are mooing even quicker to the International Court of Justice than expected.

??? They could form a government because they had a majority together with the coalition partners. While the democrat lead government wasn't impressive it was far less corrupt than the TRT, PPP, PTP governments before and after.

And of course it wasn't the first time and not the last the Democrats formed the government (if you learn a bit about Thailands history).

I suggest you look at the corruption perception index before you state something as definitive as that.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/07/09/thailands-corruption-record/

[anterian]

The Dems could form a government and appoint Abhisit its leader because most of their opposition had been removed either by the army or the courts, this left them with a house majority and the legal right to form a government. However, and as was made clear in the next general election, they never had a public mandate to govern.

Most governments formed under such circumstance would have immediately held a general election to confirm such a mandate, Abhisit did not and this directly led to the Red riots and deaths.

The Dems were legally correct but morally wrong, most Thais understand this.

YAWN. Dems had more of the popular vote in 2007 and had just as much right to form a coalition since neither had a majority of seats, especially since every disqualified MP had a by election to chose a new one. The red riot had zero to do with this, the sole cause of their riot was the court's decision to confiscate part of Thaksin's 76 billion baht, which is why red publications made death threats on the judiciary the week before the verdict and the day after the verdict the protest began. The violence was an attempt by Thaksin to create a massacre in order to bring down the government, reverse the court's decision, and return his money. When that plan didn't work, he moved on to his new plan, orchestrating a war with his buddy Hun Sen in order to split the yellow shirts from the Democrats. This plan did work, and the yellow shirt boycott allowed his party to barely win the election, although they again did not get a majority of the popular vote.

As for why Sonthi is doing this it's impossible to say right now.

It looks like you need to catch up on some sleep, perhaps then you might remember Newin's role.

[geriatrickid]

Ahh I see. Now that the Democrats disagree and Mr. Abhisit is showing a bit of fear for his day of reckoning, General Sonthi must be corrupt. Was Mr. Abhisit and his coup backers expecting a lapdog? Maybe, General Sonthi is trying to be neutral and not take sides? Or maybe, he recognizes that the coup was wrong and that there were other ways to initiate change? Sometimes people after a great deal of thought and soul searching realize the error of their ways.

The attempt to link the General's actions to being bribed by Thaksin as is claimed by some idiots is an attempt to detract from what is in effect a middle of the road position, especially since he has not made any statement in support of Mr. Thaksin. And yes the word idiot is appropriate as it is idiotic to disparage a man's character in the absence of any evidence that he was bribed as is claimed. As usual, when the desperate faction can not come up with a reasonable argument, they resort to character assassination.

I do not support General Sonthi, and believe he committed a criminal act when he participated in the coup, I do not see him as a friend of Thaksin and if anything expect him to pull a fast one.

[sparebox2]

If Sonthi did take money from Thaksin in 2012, I wonder who he took money from back in 2006 to organise the coup? Thaksin's wife?

Edited March 27, 2012 by sparebox2

[CalgaryII]

"But his committee is no longer bipartisan......."^

It isn't?

Reconciliation efforts sometimes surfaces 'inconvenient truths'. Be careful what you wish for when projecting a reconciliation-friendly image.

Edited March 27, 2012 by CalgaryII

[WackySomchai]

Sonthi cited 4 reasons for the coup at the time

1.Corruption.

2. Interference in the independent organisations- checks and balances.

3. Threats to the monarchy.

4. Danger of imminent violence between the red and yellow shirts.

I would like to ask him now what he thinks of those reasons, I believe numbers 1 and 2 are certainly still valid today,and his bland remarks about how we should forget the past are foolish and dangerous in the extreme.

If Thai society cannot learn from the past it will be condemned to repeat it.

To save his own skin, Sonthi is prepared to sell Thailand down the river.

Initially despised by the red shirts- I had to laugh when Jatuporn said he had forgiven him- people should listen to some of the bile the red shirt leaders came out with against Sonthi over the last few years, now he's their friend. I wonder what those red shirts who really believe in democracy feel when they see the red shirts leaders cosying up to the coup- maker

All of the above reasons are still valid more than ever, especially item 1, 2 and 3. The fugitive will not stop his rape of our country unless someone stops him ones and for all ...

[volk666]

Ahh I see. Now that the Democrats disagree and Mr. Abhisit is showing a bit of fear for his day of reckoning...

I thought they called it "reconciliation".

I don't know what has happened to Sonthi, he is largely irrelevant now, but PTP is testing the waters again against all the warnings from both local and international concerned parties - do not provoke another round of conflicts.

Now it's hard to disagree with Democrats that PTP's real agenda is Thaksin's well-being, not the country's. Yingluck was given a chance but she seems largely irrelevant, too.

Perhaps it's a banned 111 plan to destabilize the country and the government so that they can force new elections and resume all political powers.

Good luck with that.

[khaowong1]

This reconciliation process is moving along in such a friendly and smooth manner.

Falling over laughing.. good one

[ballpoint]

"But his committee is no longer bipartisan......."^

It isn't?

Reconciliation efforts sometimes surfaces 'inconvenient truths'. Be careful what you wish for when projecting a reconciliation-friendly image.

I'd have thought someone with a direct line to the PTP would have warned them of that by now.

[whybother]

Sonthi was the one and only reason that the democrats could form a government. They never won an election they never will win one. THey have to bend over very deeply of Sonthi and his criminal friends pass bye. Without them Suthep was never be able to steal that much, the Democrats were never be able to distribute rotten fish to victims in Izan and their CP friends would never be able to make much money off a rotten deal with the CAT.

It seems that Suthep and Abhisit are mooing even quicker to the International Court of Justice than expected.

What did Sonthi have to do with the Democrats forming government?

[FangFerang]

Even the casual observer notices that repeated outcries against "any policy changes that benefit only one man" really means "any policy changes must not benefit this one man". So....everyone should be pardoned except the one guy the opposition hates. Its a one-sided war cry.

Edited March 27, 2012 by FangFerang

[volk666]

everyone should be pardoned except the one guy the opposition hates.

I don't remember Abhisit or yellow shirt leaders ever asking for pardons for themselves, or for red shirts for that matter.

It's the "other side" that wants pardons and insist on Abhisit et al being included as some sort of a trade off.

They have untold billions to recover, Thaksin coming back, and hundreds red shirts released from jail - Abhisit is not even charged with anything, what kind of deal is that?

[phiphidon]

Sonthi was the one and only reason that the democrats could form a government. They never won an election they never will win one. THey have to bend over very deeply of Sonthi and his criminal friends pass bye. Without them Suthep was never be able to steal that much, the Democrats were never be able to distribute rotten fish to victims in Izan and their CP friends would never be able to make much money off a rotten deal with the CAT.

It seems that Suthep and Abhisit are mooing even quicker to the International Court of Justice than expected.

What did Sonthi have to do with the Democrats forming government?

There were two coups, the first a military one led by Sonthi. This led to a constitution being ripped up and replaced by a new one. The new one placed overwhelming power into the hands of the Judiciary. This power coupled with a compliant EC paved the way for the dissolution of political parties at will. Commonly known as the Judicial Coup. Parties fell, one party emerged out of the dust and the rest is history. Well for them it is, luckily.

[metisdead]

Post and replies with reference to HM the King have been removed. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

[tlansford]

The Dems could form a government and appoint Abhisit its leader because most of their opposition had been removed either by the army or the courts, this left them with a house majority and the legal right to form a government. However, and as was made clear in the next general election, they never had a public mandate to govern.

Most governments formed under such circumstance would have immediately held a general election to confirm such a mandate, Abhisit did not and this directly led to the Red riots and deaths.

The Dems were legally correct but morally wrong, most Thais understand this.

YAWN. Dems had more of the popular vote in 2007 and had just as much right to form a coalition since neither had a majority of seats, especially since every disqualified MP had a by election to chose a new one. The red riot had zero to do with this, the sole cause of their riot was the court's decision to confiscate part of Thaksin's 76 billion baht, which is why red publications made death threats on the judiciary the week before the verdict and the day after the verdict the protest began. The violence was an attempt by Thaksin to create a massacre in order to bring down the government, reverse the court's decision, and return his money. When that plan didn't work, he moved on to his new plan, orchestrating a war with his buddy Hun Sen in order to split the yellow shirts from the Democrats. This plan did work, and the yellow shirt boycott allowed his party to barely win the election, although they again did not get a majority of the popular vote.

As for why Sonthi is doing this it's impossible to say right now.

Yawn, ...

maybe if the dems had held an election right after ascending to power, they could have won a mandate. Or perhaps not lost by 22 points ...