Thaksin Hails 'Signs Of Reconciliation' At Mass Rally

[rubl]

I decided to spend Songkran in Siem Reap. I made that decision before the red shirt rally was announced.

I wasn't concerned about it, other than the potential impact on roads etc - I doubted that all the Isaan farmers would venture into Pub Street anyway. A couple of people were p!ssed off that they were not allowed to go to Angkor Wat yesterday as it had been 'reserved' for the red shirts.

On Saturday evening 3 of us decided to go to the 'red shirt' rally site. We took the view that, whilst we were not supporters of Thaksin, we were in Siem Reap and had the opportunity to see history happening at first hand.

First, I should comment on what appeared to be first-class organisation on the part of the hosts. When we arrived in Siem Reap on Friday night we saw how the site had been prepared with thousands of (red) seats, a stage, hundreds of stewards/police and a large army presence. I don't think any trouble was expected and security was as much for Thaksin's protection as anything.

We took a tuk-tuk out to the site and had to park about a kilometre away. We entered via an airport-type scanner and went to watch Thaksin - who at this point was singing on stage. I suggest that he does not pursue that as a career !!

The highlight was when he left. I say this because at this point he had whipped up the crowd, if not into a frenzy, at least to an excitable pitch of clapper clapping. It took sometime for the star of the show to exit the stage and make his way by car just past where we were standing. There were a dozen escort vehicles and probably 50 'special' security guys running alongside the car ready to 'take a bullet'.

Pure theatre.

Whilst walking out I passed within inches of, and made eye-contact with, Arisaman. I still can't believe how he evaded police custody...

The hosts were magnificent and the red shirt guests were impeccably behaved ( a little loud in a couple of tourist attractions - but that is the Thai way).

I have absolutely no idea how many people were there. I would estimate 10,000 to 15,000. A friend said 5,000 to 10,000.

According to the Nation.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his son, sister and Pheu Thai MPs led about 20,000 red-shirt people to make merit at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Reap Sunday.

http://www.nationmul...i-30179985.html

Two different locations, I think

[Ricardo]

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

Interestingly it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approx. 45 million eligible-voters, and with some of the incredible pre-election promises one might also argue that the bases had similarly been loaded at election-time.

Not quite similar is it - the referendum was a simple yes / no vote, 33% voted for it and it was still passed.

The election was a vote for several different parties, and you're right the bases were loaded, but not for the PTP.

If the PTP got 33% of the votes,I'll take your word for it but what percentage did the democrat party get, not including the other parties or lost votes, or no votes, just the democrat party expressed in the same way you expressed the PTP percentage?

Perhaps an aide memoir might be in order

33%..................?

I said "similar", not 'identical', and must disagree about whether the PTP's pre-election promises affected the outcome, I think they did. Pity for their supporters that they're now failing to deliver on so many.

You attempt to divert from my post, by introducing the Dems dismal election-performance, the point was that the 2007-Constitution (which you describe as "a shame") got the same level-of-support, that the PTP-government currently enjoys, would you describe them in the same way ?

I somehow doubt it.

Perhaps the wider point is that, in an emerging-democracy, more of the eligible-voters are needed to actually use their votes ? Can we agree on that, at least ?

[OZEMADE]

I decided to spend Songkran in Siem Reap. I made that decision before the red shirt rally was announced.

I wasn't concerned about it, other than the potential impact on roads etc - I doubted that all the Isaan farmers would venture into Pub Street anyway. A couple of people were p!ssed off that they were not allowed to go to Angkor Wat yesterday as it had been 'reserved' for the red shirts.

On Saturday evening 3 of us decided to go to the 'red shirt' rally site. We took the view that, whilst we were not supporters of Thaksin, we were in Siem Reap and had the opportunity to see history happening at first hand.

First, I should comment on what appeared to be first-class organisation on the part of the hosts. When we arrived in Siem Reap on Friday night we saw how the site had been prepared with thousands of (red) seats, a stage, hundreds of stewards/police and a large army presence. I don't think any trouble was expected and security was as much for Thaksin's protection as anything.

We took a tuk-tuk out to the site and had to park about a kilometre away. We entered via an airport-type scanner and went to watch Thaksin - who at this point was singing on stage. I suggest that he does not pursue that as a career !!

The highlight was when he left. I say this because at this point he had whipped up the crowd, if not into a frenzy, at least to an excitable pitch of clapper clapping. It took sometime for the star of the show to exit the stage and make his way by car just past where we were standing. There were a dozen escort vehicles and probably 50 'special' security guys running alongside the car ready to 'take a bullet'.

Pure theatre.

Whilst walking out I passed within inches of, and made eye-contact with, Arisaman. I still can't believe how he evaded police custody...

The hosts were magnificent and the red shirt guests were impeccably behaved ( a little loud in a couple of tourist attractions - but that is the Thai way).

I have absolutely no idea how many people were there. I would estimate 10,000 to 15,000. A friend said 5,000 to 10,000.

According to the Nation.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his son, sister and Pheu Thai MPs led about 20,000 red-shirt people to make merit at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Reap Sunday.

http://www.nationmul...i-30179985.html

Two different locations, I think

No it's the same place as the lead story. Siem Reap.

[rubl]

I decided to spend Songkran in Siem Reap. I made that decision before the red shirt rally was announced.

I wasn't concerned about it, other than the potential impact on roads etc - I doubted that all the Isaan farmers would venture into Pub Street anyway. A couple of people were p!ssed off that they were not allowed to go to Angkor Wat yesterday as it had been 'reserved' for the red shirts.

On Saturday evening 3 of us decided to go to the 'red shirt' rally site. We took the view that, whilst we were not supporters of Thaksin, we were in Siem Reap and had the opportunity to see history happening at first hand.

First, I should comment on what appeared to be first-class organisation on the part of the hosts. When we arrived in Siem Reap on Friday night we saw how the site had been prepared with thousands of (red) seats, a stage, hundreds of stewards/police and a large army presence. I don't think any trouble was expected and security was as much for Thaksin's protection as anything.

We took a tuk-tuk out to the site and had to park about a kilometre away. We entered via an airport-type scanner and went to watch Thaksin - who at this point was singing on stage. I suggest that he does not pursue that as a career !!

The highlight was when he left. I say this because at this point he had whipped up the crowd, if not into a frenzy, at least to an excitable pitch of clapper clapping. It took sometime for the star of the show to exit the stage and make his way by car just past where we were standing. There were a dozen escort vehicles and probably 50 'special' security guys running alongside the car ready to 'take a bullet'.

Pure theatre.

Whilst walking out I passed within inches of, and made eye-contact with, Arisaman. I still can't believe how he evaded police custody...

The hosts were magnificent and the red shirt guests were impeccably behaved ( a little loud in a couple of tourist attractions - but that is the Thai way).

I have absolutely no idea how many people were there. I would estimate 10,000 to 15,000. A friend said 5,000 to 10,000.

According to the Nation.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his son, sister and Pheu Thai MPs led about 20,000 red-shirt people to make merit at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Reap Sunday.

http://www.nationmul...i-30179985.html

Two different locations, I think

No it's the same place as the lead story. Siem Reap.

The merit making was at Angkok Wat the article says, the evenig session was at a different location and not at Angkor Wat. Please note there is a province Siem Reap with city Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.

Anyway let's not getting into the number game again unless you want to know what lucky numbers may win you the lottery

Edited April 15, 2012 by rubl

[OzMick]

Two different locations, I think

No it's the same place as the lead story. Siem Reap.

Siem Reap or "Thailand defeated"

Whatever figure you wish to believe, understand it is a TINY part of the population. More show up for a football match.

Edited April 15, 2012 by OzMick

[cardholder]

According to the Nation.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his son, sister and Pheu Thai MPs led about 20,000 red-shirt people to make merit at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Reap Sunday.

http://www.nationmul...i-30179985.html

Two different locations, I think

No it's the same place as the lead story. Siem Reap.

Two different locations.

The rally was at a specially prepared site some 5km outside Siem Reap.

The merit making was at Angkor Wat - the largest and most famous of the Angkorian temples. I believe that Thaksin was to have his feet bathed in traditional Songkran style.

We left Siem Reap at 11.45 am and the site had been cleared of stages and seating etc. We saw many buses heading for the road to Poipet/Aranyapratet and pased several other heading for our border point at Cho-Am/Chong Sa Ngam.

[KireB]

Mr Thaksin was deposed in 2006 bloodless coup. He has been living in self exile ever since, mostly in Dubai, to avoid serving a two-year jail term for violating a conflict-of-interest law.

(MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-15

What a drivel! He left Thailand in 2008, under the premises of going to the Olympics in Beijing! He saw the writings on the wall that he would be convicted.

The argument that this was a political conviction holds no water cause the Constitution under which he was sentenced was approved by the people of Thailand! The majority of Thais, including the red shirts, approved the Constitution by referendum! An argument that is swept under the carpet by the Shinawatra Dynasty!

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

That the other 67% was not interested to get their vote out (maybe there were no hand-outs this time), doesn't mean the the referendum fdid not follow the so-called democratic processes! The majority of the Thai voters, including those in the 'red villages' voted the new post coup Constitution in! The whole attempted Red Revolution in which Democracy was claimed back holds no ground other than pure hypocrisy! The red Revolution was only about one family, its lackeys, its lackeys'-lackeys and its lackeys'-lackeys'-lackeys to get their 'fair' share of the corruptible pie back! Sad but true!

[nickjam]

Oh to hear someone, anybody, say something like "There are signs of justice, everyone wants it" As long as reconciliations and amnesties are the order of the day, this country will remain in the political dark ages of elitism, cronyism and corruption.

[MEL1]

#12

Thank you rubl.

Thats exactly what this is about.

So it's not all about Thaksin, it's about the truth of the numbers of ordinary people who attend rallies in a completely different country having paid their own way to get there?

Ordinary people who attend rallies?

Did you read about how many actually turned up in Laos? Under 1,000, and most of them were his haunchmen and families in tow. The reality is that of the Esan red-shirts NOBODY could be even bothered to go.

Now Thais much love Laos compared to going to Cambodia. FACT!

So the number quoted by the newsman of closer to 10K, as opposed to the lubricated figure of 30K is probably even exagerrated itself. We all know it was already deemed and set for circa 5K security personnel set in Cambodia, and God only knows why cos nobody could even be bothered to assassinate this sad loser..... he aint worth the effort!

So take them out, then take out the Cambodians give a few Baht to up the numbers, like 4,000, and then take away his entourage of cronies, and what you got?

Nobody is interested in the cretinous loser, and he just isn't going to get the message that he isn't welcome anymore. He is so self-delusional that his narcissism is helplessly out of control. He really does still think he is a messiah in this land, but can't see that nobody gives two hoots about him. He's deserate to return because he is penniless, disregarding all the acrimonious reports of him still having wealth - they've all been frozen. He's a desperate man, desperate to get his stolen money back. Well he isn't going to. Fat chance in your or my or his life-time will he make it back without serving time, and then, even then, he will have no possibility of political play in any kind of role.... apart from swinging sister. But she swings anyway, nothing new there.

PhiPhi, you have to accept that your loser of an icon is not an icon. He has more holes all over and in him than, forget sieve but say an amateur's dart-board.

-mel.

[phiphidon]

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

Interestingly it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approx. 45 million eligible-voters, and with some of the incredible pre-election promises one might also argue that the bases had similarly been loaded at election-time.

Not quite similar is it - the referendum was a simple yes / no vote, 33% voted for it and it was still passed.

The election was a vote for several different parties, and you're right the bases were loaded, but not for the PTP.

If the PTP got 33% of the votes,I'll take your word for it but what percentage did the democrat party get, not including the other parties or lost votes, or no votes, just the democrat party expressed in the same way you expressed the PTP percentage?

Perhaps an aide memoir might be in order

33%..................?

I said "similar", not 'identical', and must disagree about whether the PTP's pre-election promises affected the outcome, I think they did. Pity for their supporters that they're now failing to deliver on so many.

You attempt to divert from my post, by introducing the Dems dismal election-performance, the point was that the 2007-Constitution (which you describe as "a shame") got the same level-of-support, that the PTP-government currently enjoys, would you describe them in the same way ?

I somehow doubt it.

Perhaps the wider point is that, in an emerging-democracy, more of the eligible-voters are needed to actually use their votes ? Can we agree on that, at least ?

"The 33% support the government enjoys" I don't understand where you got this figure from - don't tell me it was a poll?

[phiphidon]

Mr Thaksin was deposed in 2006 bloodless coup. He has been living in self exile ever since, mostly in Dubai, to avoid serving a two-year jail term for violating a conflict-of-interest law.

(MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-15

What a drivel! He left Thailand in 2008, under the premises of going to the Olympics in Beijing! He saw the writings on the wall that he would be convicted.

The argument that this was a political conviction holds no water cause the Constitution under which he was sentenced was approved by the people of Thailand! The majority of Thais, including the red shirts, approved the Constitution by referendum! An argument that is swept under the carpet by the Shinawatra Dynasty!

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

That the other 67% was not interested to get their vote out (maybe there were no hand-outs this time), doesn't mean the the referendum fdid not follow the so-called democratic processes! The majority of the Thai voters, including those in the 'red villages' voted the new post coup Constitution in! The whole attempted Red Revolution in which Democracy was claimed back holds no ground other than pure hypocrisy! The red Revolution was only about one family, its lackeys, its lackeys'-lackeys and its lackeys'-lackeys'-lackeys to get their 'fair' share of the corruptible pie back! Sad but true!

Do a little bit of investigation. Do not take all your information from here or wikipedia and do please remember to think before posting. Hint : the "red villages" did not exist when the referendum for the constitution was held.

[tlansford]

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

Interestingly it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approx. 45 million eligible-voters, and with some of the incredible pre-election promises one might also argue that the bases had similarly been loaded at election-time.

it seems a stretch to compare loading via election promises and loading via making campaigning illegal ... not to mention martial law.

[philw]

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

Interestingly it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approx. 45 million eligible-voters, and with some of the incredible pre-election promises one might also argue that the bases had similarly been loaded at election-time.

it seems a stretch to compare loading via election promises and loading via making campaigning illegal ... not to mention martial law.

Not seems, IS a stretch.............

Apples and oranges and all that.

However, stretching it ( one way or the other ) is about par for the coup lovers on here.

Edited April 15, 2012 by philw

[volk666]

Campaigning to vote "no" to 2007 constitution wasn't illegal and was actually quite successful. In Isan, for example, "no" votes far outweighted "yes".

The fact that only 33% of eligible voters approved of it doesn't mean anything - as people pointed out here PTP got over 50% of parliament seats on the same percentage of eligible voters, with only about a third of voting population that voted for them.

PTP also got over 50% of seats even if less than 50% of people who went to the polling stations voted for their candidates. After the previous elections they were similarly overrepresented and no one complained.

Such are the arithmetics of "democracy".

[tlansford]

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

Interestingly it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approx. 45 million eligible-voters, and with some of the incredible pre-election promises one might also argue that the bases had similarly been loaded at election-time.

it seems a stretch to compare loading via election promises and loading via making campaigning illegal ... not to mention martial law.

Not seems, IS a stretch.............

Apples and oranges and all that.

However, stretching it ( one way or the other ) is about par for the coup lovers on here.

Albeit a different form of comparison / stretch, the other logic that is misplaced is to compare the results of a yes/no vote (referendum) with the vote for 1 party (PTP) among 40 (general election), and then say that similar percentage has some kind of relevance.

Further, the point about campaign promises affecting the outcome - well, first of all, one would imagine it should be that way, after all, the "promises" were part of the campaign platform ! In other words the PTP had a platform and ran on it. So did the Dems, etc. Secondly, the PTP campaign promises were not made in a vacuum. There was a political discussion around the PTP and the Dem platforms. It was certainly not "illegal" for the dems to criticize the PTP election promises / platform, which they did amply.

So to say that the "outrageous" campaign promises were just another way to buy an election ignores the fact that the PTP platform was criticized by their opponents during the campaign and the voters were allowed to cast their ballots with all the arguments on the table.

All of which makes for a more or less normal election cycle and this stands in very stark contrast to the conditions of the 2007 referendum.

Let me add, just for good measure, ... "IMO", of course.

[tlansford]

Campaigning to vote "no" to 2007 constitution wasn't illegal and was actually quite successful. In Isan, for example, "no" votes far outweighted "yes".

The fact that only 33% of eligible voters approved of it doesn't mean anything - as people pointed out here PTP got over 50% of parliament seats on the same percentage of eligible voters, with only about a third of voting population that voted for them.

PTP also got over 50% of seats even if less than 50% of people who went to the polling stations voted for their candidates. After the previous elections they were similarly overrepresented and no one complained.

Such are the arithmetics of "democracy".

Please check your facts - campaigning against the referendum was made illegal, and it was also enforced.

Voting "no" was not illegal....

[volk666]

It was illegal to campaign against the referendum itself, not to campaign for "no" vote.

There were quite a few episodes where "vote no" campaigners were unfairly and unjustly restricted but there was no legal basis for this persecution and the scale of the reported abuse wasn't big enough to affect the outcome, and media coverage was favorable to the victims and the "vote no" campaign itself.

[rubl]

Just a shame that only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution in the referendum and that was with all the bases loaded.

Interestingly it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approx. 45 million eligible-voters, and with some of the incredible pre-election promises one might also argue that the bases had similarly been loaded at election-time.

it seems a stretch to compare loading via election promises and loading via making campaigning illegal ... not to mention martial law.

Especially since those were 'campaign promises' only

[smedly]

Every time I read a headline with the word "reconcilliation" I can't help thinking that it is not the correct word being used - reconcilliation in basic terms means forgive and forget - I hardly think red shirt mass rallies - Fugitive Thaksin claiming to be the peoples savior and threatening constantly to return is anything like reconcilliation - to me it's more like a war being called on those that don't want him here and would prefer he was arrested silenced and thrown in jail

What word would you put in place of reconcilliation to correctly reflect what is really going on here ?

[AleG]

Every time I read a headline with the word "reconcilliation" I can't help thinking that it is not the correct word being used - reconcilliation in basic terms means forgive and forget - I hardly think red shirt mass rallies - Fugitive Thaksin claiming to be the peoples savior and threatening constantly to return is anything like reconcilliation - to me it's more like a war being called on those that don't want him here and would prefer he was arrested silenced and thrown in jail

What word would you put in place of reconcilliation to correctly reflect what is really going on here ?

I don't think that's the correct meaning of reconciliation, in my view reconciliation (the concept, not what the UDD/PTP/Thaksin means by the word) is bringing together two parties that at some point diverged on matters of opinion, actions, goals, etc... and reach a common understanding on how to adapt each other towards for the common good.

Unfortunately, reconciliation as presented in Thailand hinges on a binary conundrum, "Thaksin ruling Thailand" or "nuts!". There can't reconcile a binary setup, it's either one or the other.

Edited April 16, 2012 by AleG

[Crushdepth]

"... I will not die". Oh my! Delusions of immortality, as well as many other less charming traits.

" .....an AFP reporter at the scene said the crowd appeared closer to 10,000." Would that include the 4500 Cambodian security, and the Red Guards (I assume paid attendees),

Don´t forget the "rented" Cambodian Redshirts.

Cheaper than Thai ones

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[scorecard]

Campaigning to vote "no" to 2007 constitution wasn't illegal and was actually quite successful. In Isan, for example, "no" votes far outweighted "yes".

The fact that only 33% of eligible voters approved of it doesn't mean anything - as people pointed out here PTP got over 50% of parliament seats on the same percentage of eligible voters, with only about a third of voting population that voted for them.

PTP also got over 50% of seats even if less than 50% of people who went to the polling stations voted for their candidates. After the previous elections they were similarly overrepresented and no one complained.

Such are the arithmetics of "democracy".

Please check your facts - campaigning against the referendum was made illegal, and it was also enforced.

Voting "no" was not illegal....

Voting is compulsory in several countries and has been for decades, and in at least one country that I am very aware of the population at large believe that voting should be compulsory.

[KireB]

That the other 67% was not interested to get their vote out (maybe there were no hand-outs this time), doesn't mean the the referendum fdid not follow the so-called democratic processes! The majority of the Thai voters, including those in the 'red villages' voted the new post coup Constitution in! The whole attempted Red Revolution in which Democracy was claimed back holds no ground other than pure hypocrisy! The red Revolution was only about one family, its lackeys, its lackeys'-lackeys and its lackeys'-lackeys'-lackeys to get their 'fair' share of the corruptible pie back! Sad but true!

Do a little bit of investigation. Do not take all your information from here or wikipedia and do please remember to think before posting. Hint : the "red villages" did not exist when the referendum for the constitution was held.

Don't know why you would refer this forum or Wikipedia, kind of a weak argument on your side. Are you trying to tell me that these 'Red villages' were build in the last 3/4 years? Why don't you argue the fact that the present Constitution was brought forth by a completely Democratic Referendum!

Please show me your references if foul play was committed! How did you do your investigation?

[phiphidon]

That the other 67% was not interested to get their vote out (maybe there were no hand-outs this time), doesn't mean the the referendum fdid not follow the so-called democratic processes! The majority of the Thai voters, including those in the 'red villages' voted the new post coup Constitution in! The whole attempted Red Revolution in which Democracy was claimed back holds no ground other than pure hypocrisy! The red Revolution was only about one family, its lackeys, its lackeys'-lackeys and its lackeys'-lackeys'-lackeys to get their 'fair' share of the corruptible pie back! Sad but true!

Do a little bit of investigation. Do not take all your information from here or wikipedia and do please remember to think before posting. Hint : the "red villages" did not exist when the referendum for the constitution was held.

Don't know why you would refer this forum or Wikipedia, kind of a weak argument on your side. Are you trying to tell me that these 'Red villages' were build in the last 3/4 years? Why don't you argue the fact that the present Constitution was brought forth by a completely Democratic Referendum!

Please show me your references if foul play was committed! How did you do your investigation?

Are you trying to tell me that these 'Red villages' were build in the last 3/4 years?

I think you've just proved my point, you really don't know do you? The "red shirt villages" are not pieces of real estate built by UDD friendly developers <deleted>!

Do a bit of research and then come back and tell me my arguments are "weak", but don't bother too soon, will you.

[Ricardo]

"The 33% support the government enjoys" I don't understand where you got this figure from - don't tell me it was a poll?

With respect, the source of your confusion seems to be that you have changed the basis-of-comparison mid-stream, an easy mistake to make.

In Post #49, you said "only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution". (my emphasis)

In my Post #52 I have pointed out that "it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approximately 45 million eligible voters". The source for eligible voters is Wikipedia, by the way.

So the source for my claim of "a similar proportion" (I didn't actually say "the 33% support the government enjoys" anywhere) is indeed a poll, the July-2011 election.

Your Post #55 aide memoire, with the actual results of the July-2011 election, confirms the 15.7 million votes for PTP, and gives the total "Valid Votes" as 32.5 million.

'Valid votes' cast in a particular election is not the same as your original 'eligible voting population', as I'm sure you now realise ?

Edited April 16, 2012 by Ricardo

[Skywalker69]

Every time I read a headline with the word "reconcilliation" I can't help thinking that it is not the correct word being used - reconcilliation in basic terms means forgive and forget - I hardly think red shirt mass rallies - Fugitive Thaksin claiming to be the peoples savior and threatening constantly to return is anything like reconcilliation - to me it's more like a war being called on those that don't want him here and would prefer he was arrested silenced and thrown in jail

What word would you put in place of reconcilliation to correctly reflect what is really going on here ?

White-wash.

[waza]

PTP,s reconsiliation should be called a general amnesty

[volk666]

There are signs of reconciliation everywhere indeed, in a sense that both sides are starting to realize that they aren't really enemies. Yellows don't mind PTP running the country and reds have no reasons to be passionate about anymore as coup makers and Prem have been given "red amnesty".

The only loser is Thaksin who is becoming increasingly irrelevant because his personal "misfortune" fails to resonate with people's current problems and aspirations.

Edited April 16, 2012 by volk666

[KireB]

Are you trying to tell me that these 'Red villages' were build in the last 3/4 years?

I think you've just proved my point, you really don't know do you? The "red shirt villages" are not pieces of real estate built by UDD friendly developers <deleted>!

Do a bit of research and then come back and tell me my arguments are "weak", but don't bother too soon, will you.

I actually know quite well what I am talking about as I live in one these 'Red villages' most of my time. And that village has been around for quite some time now, way back before the referendum we were discussing. The people in this village were already fervent Thaksin/TRT supporters. Nothing new here.

So now please stop side tracking and explain (my initial point) why the present Constitution is unconstitutional and did not come forth through a democratic process. Your demand of me doing some research is nothing but pathetic, and indeed very weak. Just answer the question and please show me the references as you are so keen on doing research.

Edited April 16, 2012 by KireB

[phiphidon]

"The 33% support the government enjoys" I don't understand where you got this figure from - don't tell me it was a poll?

With respect, the source of your confusion seems to be that you have changed the basis-of-comparison mid-stream, an easy mistake to make.

In Post #49, you said "only 33% of the eligible voting population voted for the 2007 constitution". (my emphasis)

In my Post #52 I have pointed out that "it was a similar proportion who voted for PTP in the July-2011 election, 15.7 million votes out of approximately 45 million eligible voters". The source for eligible voters is Wikipedia, by the way.

So the source for my claim of "a similar proportion" (I didn't actually say "the 33% support the government enjoys" anywhere) is indeed a poll, the July-2011 election.

Your Post #55 aide memoire, with the actual results of the July-2011 election, confirms the 15.7 million votes for PTP, and gives the total "Valid Votes" as 32.5 million.

'Valid votes' cast in a particular election is not the same as your original 'eligible voting population', as I'm sure you now realise ?

No wonder I'm confused, I'm accused of making up "your words", (I didn't actually say "the 33% support the government enjoys" anywhere) and lo and behold, part of your post #62 states

You attempt to divert from my post, by introducing the Dems dismal election-performance, the point was that the 2007-Constitution (which you describe as "a shame") got the same level-of-support, that the PTP-government currently enjoys

No you didn't say 33% but that was the same level of support that the constitution got for the Yes vote. Some coincidence, huh?

But The PTP got 48% of the available electorate vote hence my question where does the 33% come from - you can't blame the PTP for the rest of the electorate not voting - who knows where their vote would have gone?

The referendum had 2 choices to vote for not 10 so you cannot compare the referendum with the election.

Edited April 16, 2012 by phiphidon