Thaksin Announces House Dissolution, New Election

[RJJ]

All the bar owners need to send the girls back to their villages to inform the village people Toxin is restricting their income. (Stager the visits of course)!!!

There is your rural vote; what about the city voters?

Thailand; Now is your chance to do something.

[Jai Dee]

Thai Premier to Dissolve Parliament, Call Election (Update1)

Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today said he would dissolve parliament and call an early election just 12 months after winning the most decisive victory in Thailand's democratic history.

``We're dissolving the house,'' Thaksin told reporters at his party headquarters in Bangkok today. He will give more details in a televised address at 8:30 p.m. local time. The dissolution was approved by King Bhumibol Adulyadej late today.

Calls for Thaksin, 56, to step down intensified after his family last month sold their stake in communications company Shin Corp. to Singapore's Temasek Holdings Pte, netting a tax- free $1.9 billion. Opponents intend a Sunday protest rally in Bangkok to be the largest since the then-government was overthrown in 1992.

``Parliament dissolution is a good decision by Thaksin in an attempt to keep him in power,'' said Anusorn Limmanee, political academic at Chulalongkorn University. ``He will definitely win the election with his popularity in provinces in the northern, northeastern and central regions, even though his support in Bangkok has declined.''

Thaksin is the only Thai premier to have completed a four- year term since the kingdom changed to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. On Feb. 6 2005, he won a second term, with his Thai Rak Thai party securing a record 375 seats out of the 500-member parliament.

``If you are fed up with me let me know, if you want me to continue working for you, vote for me,'' Thaksin told a cheering crowd at a meeting of agricultural cooperatives in Bangkok earlier today.

Besides the controversial Shin Corp. share sale, Thaksin faces attacks over media freedom, ministerial ethics, education reforms, planned sales of shares in public utilities, and Muslim unrest in the south. Rallies criticizing him have been held in downtown Bangkok almost weekly since November.

Source: Bloomberg Asia

[camerata]

The fact he is disolving the house shows he is in serious trouble, the campaigners should absolutley not accept this and carry on with the rally accepting nothing less that his total resignation and exit from politics. If they carry on with the protests it's more than likley they will get what they want.

Chamlong Srimuang recently said they would continue the campaign to oust Thaksin even if he dissolves parliament and becomes PM again. But I think after he wins he'll feel more confident about taking harsh measures against protestors.

This problem - that the rural poor are politically apathetic and easily bought - isn't going to go away for decades. With a so-called populist party in power, the urban middle class are always going to be frustrated.

[h90]

do you have something more related to the topic to tell or is beeing sick of us, all the pro toxin arguments you have?

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

[Rinrada]

Until Friday's announcement, elections were not due in Thailand for another three years.

But now, under the Thai constitution, they must be held within 60 days.

from the BeeB...

Date set

The Election Commission said the poll would be held on 2 April.

Analysts said Mr Thaksin hoped the surprise announcement would quell the growing discontent amid various groups who have called for his resignation....

Get the BEER in lads ...Looks like tit Pubs shut again

[ray23]

The fact he is disolving the house shows he is in serious trouble, the campaigners should absolutley not accept this and carry on with the rally accepting nothing less that his total resignation and exit from politics. If they carry on with the protests it's more than likley they will get what they want.

Chamlong Srimuang recently said they would continue the campaign to oust Thaksin even if he dissolves parliament and becomes PM again. But I think after he wins he'll feel more confident about taking harsh measures against protestors.

This problem - that the rural poor are politically apathetic and easily bought - isn't going to go away for decades. With a so-called populist party in power, the urban middle class are always going to be frustrated.

First let me say that I have no idea what this country was like pre Taksin. So it's pretty hard to bash with very little history to draw from, maybe an improvement may not be I have no idea. It will be interting to see where this goes, a someone poitd out who will take his place? Will it be better or worse, that remains to be seen.

Edited February 24, 2006 by ray23

[schmokinn]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

no it comes from the fact that i hate to see the poor thai people being ripped off and given no future by a person who is not even thai!!!!

[breconman]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

Iam a Farang (correct name) and may I apologize for those Farangs that constantly take great delight in shooting their mouths off about somthing that they know diddly squat about.

Their verbosity outshines their viscosity,.

Fulungs do not have any right to comment about how Thailand runs it's affairs,we are guests in your country and should show respect, once again I apologize for those fulungs who know now better.

Breconman

[godforhire]

I'll make it my holy duty to persuade all bargirls tonight NOT to vote for Toxin again! Woohoo... another great excuse to go out

[TBWG]

House dissolution expected to be announced soon

BANGKOK: --

Earlier this month, Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong tendered her resignation saying she wanted to uphold political ethnics.

--TNA 2006-02-24

Besides wanting to uphold the ethnic Chinese, what other ethnic groups are represented in this government?

Think this was meant to read ethics

Tbwg

[jaapfries]

He will almost certainly win re-election although with a reduced majority.

He's called the elction because he knows he's in serious trouble and knows he will still win through the rural vote, even though they are voting whilst being misinformed, if they really knew the truth and got unbiased media reports it could be quite different.

The fact he is disolving the house shows he is in serious trouble, the campaigners should absolutley not accept this and carry on with the rally accepting nothing less that his total resignation and exit from politics. If they carry on with the protests it's more than likley they will get what they want.

There's no way a crook like this should be allowed to stand for re-election.

He should be behind bars.

================================================================

Well mate; you took the words right out of my mouth !

Totally agree; but that jail-cell better be a 'regular' one, not like some of these mafioso "arrange" ! !

That WOULD be democratic justice . . . . . .

[Hermano Lobo]

I've still got on my Astrologers' pointy hat and cloak with the stars on it ! Saturn causes hard work, restriction and a break on events. It can also cause ill health, usually through too much work and stress. It is also the teaching planet. Lessons will be learned. I agree with the journalistic soothsayers who say that Toxin will return to power with a very narrow majority. This will cause him no end of hard work and headaches!

Things are now cooking in the Philipines:-

Emergency declared in Philippines

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo has declared a state of emergency, after the army said it had prevented a coup.

She said was taking the action "because of the clear threat to the nation".

A top general is being held, suspected of planning to use rallies marking 20 years since the fall of President Ferdinand Marcos to launch a coup.

"The more Arroyo tries to take away our civil liberties, the more we will fight back"

Could Thailand reflect the events in the Philipines ?

[Siripon]

Look at it this way: you won an election only a year ago with a massive majority, 75 percent of the MPs; you control the TV stations, the majority of the Senate; so called independent organisations such as the NCCC and EC never make a stand against you.

The economy's ticking over, nothing great, but the working people aren't revolting.

And yet you have to dissolve the Parliament within one year!

Afraid of a real debate?

[griser]

I'm predictng he'll lose by a narrow margin, one significant factor that folks haven't factored in is the TEACHERS. city teachers and rural teachers hate the guy now.

Thai teachers rank up there with monks in respect given them by the rural population and those rural folks are gonna be listening to the teachers (my belief)

This teacher factor should shave off quite a few votes from Toxins bid.

Another factor, The farmers that are worse off now than they were before toxin became PM. More debt load means less food in the house.

Greg

[lung]

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[jaapfries]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

Iam a Farang (correct name) and may I apologize for those Farangs that constantly take great delight in shooting their mouths off about somthing that they know diddly squat about.

Their verbosity outshines their viscosity,.

Fulungs do not have any right to comment about how Thailand runs it's affairs,we are guests in your country and should show respect, once again I apologize for those fulungs who know now better.

Breconman

=============================================================

Here you go again "Breconman" I'll thank you very bloody much for not speaking (far less apologizing) on behalf of all us Farangs ! ! !

You have been putting your feet in your mouth for a long while now and I believe (and I am NOT speaking for all Farangs -although- ? !) that many of us Farangs are sick and tired of your arrogant crap !

I mean; where the hel_l do you get off stating something so spectacularly stupid as "Fulungs do not have any right to . . . . ." ? ? ? ? ? ?

Get a life, will you !

[Hollywood]

If your looking for another candidate...I'm in the U.S.A. and we will give you Bush !!!!!!

( actually,good luck to all)

[jaapfries]

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============================================================

Are you trying to make a point here, or are you pulling a covert "Breconman" ? ? ? ?

[chownah]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

no it comes from the fact that i hate to see the poor thai people being ripped off and given no future by a person who is not even thai!!!!

Toxin is not even Thai? You probably think that real Americans wear feathers, dance around fires to tom toms in the evening, and live in cone shaped houses covered with animal skins!!!

Edited February 24, 2006 by chownah

[marshbags]

An important observation that needs remembering.

Just because he has gone for re election does not absolve him from all the present financial

scandals and mis use of parliamentary privilidges for personal gain he is accused of.

No matter what happens this will continue to question his ethics and will never go away.

We should also witness just what kind of people the majority of TRT are about through there actions.

At the end of the day wether they wish to admit it in public or not the shin dealings.

Along with numerous other offences they are not in the spirit of the constitution and Thailands interests and what they where sworn in for.

They are not compatible with what they where elected for, nor for what there party was supposedly started for in there run against the democrats in 2000.

One way or the other we will know what the TRT rank and file truly represent for it,s citizens.

It,s just a pity the 90 day rule comes into play regarding the election , but after, well that,s another matter.

Hopefully, even if they do get back in there majority will be much less and gives others a chance to do something with the legislation within the house and senate this time.

Remember it,s Education! Education! Education! or else......................i,m sorry to say.

Same old game with more to come.

marshbags

Edited February 24, 2006 by marshbags

[Greer]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

If you think the current political mess that engulfs the country is due to the farang hatred of the PM, then perhaps you need to read more news reports - note that the the mass anti-Thaksin demonstrations are not farang organised, nor are the voices of dissent those of the farang.

The dissolution was brought about in large part by the PMs own doing - what farang think of the state of the nation does not influence the PM or the government - it is what the Thai public are demanding that has forced this.

Don't try to use this thread as a springboard for racist comments please - it is not necessary, and it is off-topic.

[kenk3z]

The most predictable near-term effect is a doubling of taxi fares in Bangkok within the next 30 days.

Or at least a promise to do the same.

kenk3z

[dan10400]

it is interesting that the TV commentary (thai) is basically saying that

taxsin should should resign. there is no reason to dissolve parliment.

it would be interesting to have an idea of what this will cost the thai

economy. my understanding is that the government picks up the

tab for campaign costs. that of course will be nothing to the new

"initiatives" (aka, budget-busting proposals to raise tax deductions,

raise minimum wage, etc.) as well as stalled projects awaiting the

new government. i guess vote-buying proceeds are both a cost and

an economic catalyst...

as marshbags pointed out, now is not the time for the oppostion to

get slack about things. they will need to strive to defeat taxsin

through the ballot box as well as the court system.

[bggg]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

no it comes from the fact that i hate to see the poor thai people being ripped off and given no future by a person who is not even thai!!!!

Is it beyond your comprehension that a farang could care about Thailand and the Thai people. We are not all so shallow as to only care about our money. I am sorry to say he probably will be re-elected but by a much smaller majority. The uneducated are waking up to his B.S that is doing nothing but hurting them. He is slick with this move and unfortunately it will probably work in his favor! I do not know enough specifics about the system here to know how they might stop him from running again but certainly there should be a way.

[deminister]

It seems to me that the people in bangkok are quite misinformed. Believing in a general old style like chamlong or a crook like Sondhi who is using the masses to solve his own business conflicts seem to me misinformed. informed seem to me, a very high economical growth, a universal health schedule, and a great funding of schools this time also in the country side. A better minimum wage and so on. Thaksin will make a great come back and because kingmakers like Sanoh cannot run! They will the one who loses out.! let;s hope that the uniformed masses in Bangkok respect the results of an election this time. After all it is just plain jealousy what is the real reason here!

[kyselak]

The full text of the latest REUTERS news:

UPDATE 4-Thai PM calls early election on April 2=

(Adds election date, comments)

By Nopporn Wong-Anan BANGKOK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Thai Prime

Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called an election on April 2,

three years early, as he launched a stunning counter-attack on

Friday against a rapidly growing campaign to oust him.

"I dissolve parliament," he told reporters after an

audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej. "I will explain on

television tonight," Thaksin added of an address his cabinet

secretary said would take place at 1330 GMT.

Election Commission Chairman Wassana Permlarb told

reporters he had accepted the April 2 date proposed by Thaksin,

who won in a landslide a year ago, for a vote analysts said

they expected to return him to power with a reduced majority.

Thaksin had held out the threat of an early vote in a

speech to cheering farmers earlier on Friday, two days before

opponents planned to bring 100,000 people onto the streets of

Bangkok to crank up the pressure on him to go.

"If you are sick of me, send me home," he told 3,000

farmers near Bangkok, emphasising his considerable support in

the countryside where 70 percent of Thais live. "But if you

want to continue using me, vote for me and I will work for

you."

Then he went into a meeting with businessmen and government

officials to propose a pay rise for civil servants and tax

breaks for professionals, street hawkers and office workers to

undermine the campaign centred on Bangkok.

The details would be worked out over the next week,

officials said.

Analysts said such populist measures might only give more

ammunition to critics who have multiplied since his relatives

sold Shin Corp, the telecommunications empire Thaksin founded,

to a Singapore state firm for a tax-free $1.9 billion.

Nor, some economists said, could the government afford them

with fears rising that the political crisis could become a drag

on the economy with financial markets showing signs of nerves

over the last few weeks.

"RIGHT CALL"

But one top banker said Thaksin, 56, was right to call an

early election to resolve the crisis.

"This will not have an impact on the overall economy. If he

had not done it, things could have got worse," said Apisak

Tantivorawong, head of state-owned Krung Thai Bank.

He also won praise for taking the constitutional road in

the crisis rather than risk a brawl in the streets of a country

with a long history of military coups.

"Markets will be positive in the sense that we are going by

the constitution instead of trying to do strange things that

are unconstitutional like getting mobs on the streets," said

Mark Greenwood of Finansa Securities.

"Thailand is passed that. We don't need that any more."

But Thaksin's announcement did not persuade his opponents

to call off Sunday's demonstration.

"We will certainly rally to confirm our demand to have the

prime minister resign," said Suriyasai Katasila, a spokesman

for the People's Alliance for Democracy which is running the

campaign against Thaksin.

Fears the demonstrations against Thaksin -- Sunday's will

be the third in a month -- could turn violent have increased as

more groups joined the campaign.

The latest was the Dharma Army of Chamlong Srimuang, 70, an

ascetic former general who led a successful "people power" 1992

revolt against the then military government in which nearly 50

people were killed. He was Thaksin's first mentor.

The addition of the man who brought Thaksin into politics

added momentum to the campaign and increased the fears of

violence.

"We are mostly concerned that someone will create a

situation in which two opposing groups of people meet in one

place and start making trouble," said Defence Minister

Thammarak Isaranura, echoing the fears of many people in

Bangkok.

Although Chamlong said his followers would not start

anything, businessmen are nervous and appealed to both sides to

act with restraint at a rally where riot police and water

cannon will be deployed.

Even so, the main Thai stock index, which has wobbled as

the anti-Thaksin campaign grew, rose 1.24 percent on Friday,

largely, analysts said, because foreign investors reckoned

Thaksin would find a way out of the mess.

Thaksin's popularity has fallen to 34.5 percent this month,

according to a nationwide poll by Bangkok's Assumption

University, compared with 77.5 percent right after he won

another landslide election victory a year ago.

That was his second big election victory on the back of

solid support in the countryside into which he has pumped large

amounts of money.

[asd]

******* Thaksin is a liar. ********

February 9, 2549

He claimed with TRT supporters that he would neither resign nor dissolve Parliament to pave the way for new elections.

He will win the new election. He,however, will destroy this country.

Edited February 24, 2006 by asd

[Tarragona]

Toxin has once again outsmarted the opposition. He has basically given them what they wanted and now there is no one in the wings who can beat him in a new election. I think he will be around for a LONG time to come. Between now and April the opposition has to come up with a viable candidate. I don't see that happening.

Don't confuse the demonstration leaders with the political opposition. The main opposition party is the Democrats. They have a leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva. He was once the darling of the Bangkok middle classes and seen as a very capable young man destined for the top job. His performance as leader has probably been disappointing to many and the Democrats have not really taken a visible role against the PM. He would be the most obvious political alternative to Thaksin.

In Thailand parties can spring up overnight over a certain issue, only to disappear just as quickly shortly afterwards. I don't know if it's possible for a new party to be formed by the anti-Thaksin allies or whether they would be united enough to get anywhere. It would probably be better for them to put their collective weight behind the Democrats to try and dislodge the PM. A tough job, I think.

[nasa]

Thailand have no great leader currently except Thaksin. He is the man for Thailand. It will be a stupid idea and a great lost for the Kingdom of Thailand to see this man go away. Make sure to see him win in this snap election.

I don't belong to Thailand but to me he is the best after ex-premiere Suchinda

LONG LIVE THAKSIN

[breconman]

I am sick of the farangs whose hatred of Thaksin stems from nothing more than them having to pay a few more satang for their visas

Iam a Farang (correct name) and may I apologize for those Farangs that constantly take great delight in shooting their mouths off about somthing that they know diddly squat about.

Their verbosity outshines their viscosity,.

Fulungs do not have any right to comment about how Thailand runs it's affairs,we are guests in your country and should show respect, once again I apologize for those fulungs who know now better.

Breconman

===========================================================

Here you go again "Breconman" I'll thank you very bloody much for not speaking (far less apologizing) on behalf of all us Farangs ! ! !

You have been putting your feet in your mouth for a long while now and I believe (and I am NOT speaking for all Farangs -although- ? !) that many of us Farangs are sick and tired of your arrogant crap !

I mean; where the hel_l do you get off stating something so spectacularly stupid as "Fulungs do not have any right to . . . . ." ? ? ? ? ? ?

Get a life, will you !

breconman does not answer to illfounded comments ,please restructre your posting in a polite manner, one does so hope that this is within your comprehension.