Opposition Dumps Thaksin's Election Plans

[LaoPo]

Please explain a little further, Bambi, since I don't understand the details here...

thanks

LaoPo

tomorrow na ja.. bambi is bimbo right now .. blank head

BTW , i dont get any penny from Tukky or TRT

i am not his mistress BTW

i dont cheer him , just think no one else comes close to his party right now

Whe you read this Bambi...I hope you slept well

LaoPo

[asd]

Protestors cheer opposition's boycott

By ThaiDay

27 February 2006 18:54

The three main opposition parties will boycott the April 2 snap election, despite earlier announcements to the contrary.

Anti-Thaksin demonstrators at Sanam Luang cheered the parties' decision when it was announced to them this evening by Samarn Yodpetch, a spokesperson for the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Leaders of the Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties jointly announced a boycott of the election and turned down the invitation by Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to meet with him and representatives of the 27 other registered parties tonight at the Senate building to discuss political reforms.

"The opposition parties have decided not to contest the April 2 election," Samarn told some 3,000 demonstrators on the second day of the anti-Thaksin protest.

"Let's fill Sanam Luang with millions of people and chase Thaksin out," he said to the crowd's loud cheers.

[kogrutter]

I don't know is an election with just one party possible "vote for TRT or TRT", even if only he alone vote for himself he get 100 %?

My wife thinks that the king will make a gouverment without election and election is somewhen later.

I have no idea, no situations like that in Austria, no experience with that......

I don't for one moment believe the King will interfere with the constitutional, elective process. I think the King is not an admirer of Mr. Taksin, but I do believe he is an admirer of the constitution.

If Taksin is elected by the people, then as they said in the USA when Jr. was elected, "deal with it". The very vocal minority should just SHUT UP. Sore losers are just that-losers.

[john b good]

Boycott is a stupid idea, obviously they are saying they can't win! (bit childish in a way)

How come it is childish.?? Taksin has to be one of the biggest "crims" that Thailand has ever seen. Is that childish too ??

[britmaveric]

Boycott is a stupid idea, obviously they are saying they can't win! (bit childish in a way)

How come it is childish.?? Taksin has to be one of the biggest "crims" that Thailand has ever seen. Is that childish too ??

And the opposition is just has guilty, I see no difference.

[peter48]

Yes - People like active politicians who do things - do you remember Margaret Thatcher in the UK she moved UK to the Right by her bourgeios revolution which gave back wealth to the middle classes - she won three times. Recently Tony Blair has appealed because he too has moved the UK back the other way to a modern progressive consensus which is more humane on education and health. Tony has won three times. They are liked because they are strong and they lead from the front and they create change! They are not typical politicians.

[asd]

Tension rises as opposition alliance boycotts election

By ThaiDay

Accusing caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of being insincere about making political reforms, the opposition alliance announced last night it was boycotting the April 2 general election.

"It has become clear that the [caretaker] premier does not genuinely intend to effect political reforms, which is central to resolving the current political crisis," the opposition leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said last night.

"He is just trying to play a political game to prolong his stay in power."

The toughened stance by the opposition alliance ? which comprises

the Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon parties ? came after Thaksin rejected their proposal to sign a joint-declaration binding all four parties to making constitutional amendments to pave the way for crucial political reforms.

After keeping the opposition alliance waiting for much of the day, Thaksin announced his rejection of the proposed four-party pact at a news conference held at about 4pm.

Instead, Thaksin invited the three opposition parties ? together with about two dozen small parties that are legally registered but were not represented in the former Parliament ? to meet at 6pm last night to discuss how best to proceed with political reforms.

In what is being seen as political posturing by both sides, the opposition alliance quickly rejected the 6pm meeting and instead returned to their respective headquarters.

Meanwhile, Thaksin met representatives from about 15 little-known parties at the Senate building. "I have tried my best. It?s up to each party to decide what to do," he told reporters.

From the four-point statement Thaksin read to the press, it is clear the Thai Rak Thai party's perception of how best to proceed with political reforms differs from that held by the opposition alliance.

Whereas the opposition wants a joint declaration by the four parties that were represented in the former House, TRT wants all registered parties to have a say.

More significantly, while the Democrat party wants a small panel of seven neutral people to be appointed by His Majesty the King to take charge of amending the Constitution, TRT wants a larger panel, similar to the 1997 Constitution-drafting assembly, or another similarly large assembly of charter drafters chosen from various professional affiliations.

And while the opposition wants specific changes to specific provisions in the present Constitution, Thaksin suggested that parties competing in the upcoming election should make ?public pledges? of their preferred amendments while campaigning.

Meanwhile, the opposition's boycott was cautiously welcomed by protest leaders at Sanam Luang.

"It's good that the opposition still has some conscience," said anti-Thaksin crusader Sondhi Limthongkul.

"They [opposition parties] know if they play along with the TRT's games, they will end up supporting a dictatorship in the guise of democracy.?

However, he doubted the opposition's move would significantly affect the campaign to oust Thaksin.

"We have believed all along that it's people power that will help achieve our objective."

[Anon999]

Yes - People like active politicians who do things - do you remember Margaret Thatcher in the UK she moved UK to the Right by her bourgeios revolution which gave back wealth to the middle classes - she won three times. Recently Tony Blair has appealed because he too has moved the UK back the other way to a modern progressive consensus which is more humane on education and health. Tony has won three times. They are liked because they are strong and they lead from the front and they create change! They are not typical politicians.

Oh yeah! Blair won because he made "promises" and he was charismatic. Then he employed unelected "spin doctors" like Alistair Campbell to lie 24/7. Your assessment is totally inaccurate unless you include the murder of a respected and honest Doctor who knew there were no WMSD in Iraq as acceptable behavior?

[britmaveric]

Yes - People like active politicians who do things - do you remember Margaret Thatcher in the UK she moved UK to the Right by her bourgeios revolution which gave back wealth to the middle classes - she won three times. Recently Tony Blair has appealed because he too has moved the UK back the other way to a modern progressive consensus which is more humane on education and health. Tony has won three times. They are liked because they are strong and they lead from the front and they create change! They are not typical politicians.

Oh yeah! Blair won because he made "promises" and he was charismatic. Then he employed unelected "spin doctors" like Alistair Campbell to lie 24/7. Your assessment is totally inaccurate unless you include the murder of a respected and honest Doctor who knew there were no WMSD in Iraq as acceptable behavior?

Suicide would be the proper terminology!!!

[Anon999]

Oh yeah! Blair won because he made "promises" and he was charismatic. Then he employed unelected "spin doctors" like Alistair Campbell to lie 24/7. Your assessment is totally inaccurate unless you include the murder of a respected and honest Doctor who knew there were no WMSD in Iraq as acceptable behavior?

Suicide would be the proper terminology!!!

That was the term used by the government. However, Blair, Campbell, et al denials and their constant public harassment of him, to the point of a mental breakdown, caused his death. That was effectively murder. They did not want it to become public knowledge that he was RIGHT, they wanted to go to war in Iraq, come what may. Public harassment of dissenters of the goverment has been a enduring feature of the Blair regime for many years, with more than one death as a result.

[asd]

I would like to listen this music. Does anybody know where i can get or download this song ?

[kai50]

Sorry I cannot agree with most of you.

I think boycotting the election is a great idea. they are NOT stupid... they know if he gets re-elected that all h@ll will break loose because he will not have been democratically elected if there was no opposition

One thing you cannot call Thaksin is stupid, corrupt , but not stupid.. thats why he has called a snap election.. C'mon you have all read the papers, what goes around comes around...and he knows he is on his political ARSE! He is on his way OUT one way or another.

Why would he not be elected democratically? as I recall votings a duty in Thailand. If your going to show up at the polls might as well vote. The sunni minority tried a boycott in the first Iraqi election, changed their tune the next election.

Big cities are generally democratic, as well as union. trade association etc but rural areas where the majority of people live are more conservative, they are people who have to work for life on its most basic level.

The majority of posters on this board come from socialist europe, they feel more comfortable with a nanny goverment, like the cradle to grave comfort of big brother watching over them, wiping their asses and giving them comfort. Hence the proliferation of prodemo posts, and anti Taksin messages found on this board. well I'm never voting in a Thai election and very ###### few of you will. I constantly read negativity against the PM but very few comments about whats occurred thats been good. I go with my Thai wife on this one, she points out all the good Taksins done vs what occurred before he took office. She has no reason to be happy with the man, didn't like him before he took office, and as she worked for a company that he owned and lost her job when he closed it, she certainly didn't vote for the man. But she recognizes what many things that've improved. 30 baht health visits, wipe out of world bank debt in such a short period of time, it surprised all, building projects all around the country etc..

I think alot people dislike the intrusion into their enjoyments, bars closing earlier, crackdown on drugs, an increase in what it takes to stay in Thailand monetarily etc None of which will affect me, I'm happily married, drink rarely , bars aren't my cup of tea anymore, and if I want live music I'll buy an electronic piano as I can't play my guitars anymore.

But I guess my point is most here wish to import their values from home and place them in Thailand. Same as Muslims wish to do in Europe(world) and many are starting to resent that. I say let the Thais decide, many on board have a tendency toward elitism, as if their smarter, better than the Thais. I'm not smarter or better than anyone, I recognize that fact, my values aren't necessarily thai values, although many coincide, but I'll not try to force them on anyone

You are a wise one. I hope others will listen. Mahalo, Kai

[Ricardo]

quote name='haha' date='2006-02-28 01:42:03' post='660861']

I just want this country to prosper. that is why I even bother to do my "2 cents".

the only guy I see trying is thaksin. you see him in all the news all the time trying this or that.

haha , could this be due to the ownership & control of the media, rather than the quality of DL ?

those other guys...

...well, all they do is complain.

That's what we call peaceful democratic opposition, tough concept or what ?

I remember reading about that one young guy who pushed through the BTS extension, that was cool. those are the kind of things I like to see politicians engaged in. but he needs to be more pro-active and do more things.

But DL would prefer to spend money on his home-town, rather than the needed improvements in Bangkok, where they don't like him. And has said he won't spend money on areas that don't vote TRT, some responsible PM, huh ? I mean - why didn't the south get any government help - after the latest floods ?

frankly, that's why I like thaksin. he is trying. ..even if he is not successful, he tries.

Agree that he is TRYING, that's why he isn't liked, although I would repeat that this is NOT to say that I don't have great respect for his political skills. Too clever for the country's good.

frankly, those politicians should do more than just go to meetings and state dinners. they should go out there, and talk to the people - focus on projects to overcome problems whereever they might be.

Agreed , we used to call it 'management by walking around' , but I don't mean visiting the countryside with your biker buddies, to hand out 1000-baht notes, and put on your face-cream.

From the comments in this thread, the anti-opposition people, or 'believers in democracy' as they like to portray themselves, think this boycott is childish. They don't seem to comment on DL's refusal to give his own TRT-MPs the chance to vote-with-their-feet, despite which a number of them are doing so, at considerable personal cost.

Personally I believe that, if the game is rigged against you, the only way to win, is to refuse to play.

why no one asks for , why Sonthi wanna fight?

So he lost his TV-programme, for exposing too much corruption, got banned from trying to hold legal public-rallies, had his offices bombed (twice), received death-threats & had to retire to a wat, got sued for a billion baht, had the (legal) sale of his VCDs banned, got called a 'barking dog' by DL, etcetera. So why he want to fight ? Must be a bad loser, or something, or self-interested ?

No - Like many another former Thaksin/TRT-supporter - he has lost faith in DL.

But, although he may have started the ball rolling, he is now just a minor part of the PAD.

[sriracha john]

I would like to listen this music. Does anybody know where i can get or download this song ?

did haha compose this eloquent song?

[haha]

Oh yeah! Blair won because he made "promises" and he was charismatic. Then he employed unelected "spin doctors" like Alistair Campbell to lie 24/7. Your assessment is totally inaccurate unless you include the murder of a respected and honest Doctor who knew there were no WMSD in Iraq as acceptable behavior?

Suicide would be the proper terminology!!!

That was the term used by the government. However, Blair, Campbell, et al denials and their constant public harassment of him, to the point of a mental breakdown, caused his death. That was effectively murder. They did not want it to become public knowledge that he was RIGHT, they wanted to go to war in Iraq, come what may. Public harassment of dissenters of the goverment has been a enduring feature of the Blair regime for many years, with more than one death as a result.

you really don't get it, do you?

someone declared war on the usa. they bombed us. ..for the past 75 years, these islamic fanatics have been murdering americans and british citizens at their leisure.

and then, you say we don't have the right to fight back? the leaders in iraq and afganistan were supporting those a##holes, and you say we shouldn't fight back at those supporting the guys who declared war on us?

and before you say that they never proved that saddam was supporting bin laden. let me remind you that that al zaqawi dude is over there leading the resistence as we speak. what more proof do you need?

yeah. I know. your saying - there were "innocents". so then, what do you think we should do? sit on our butts while those a##holes keep murdering our citizens?

oh. I see, maybe we should walk into their homeland and search door to door for the murderers? is that what you think we should do?

...talking about innocents. there were over 3000 of them on 9/11. why don't you complain to the muslims about their deaths?

how about the innocents murdered in london by those suicide bombers?

now we have these fanatics murdering people over cartoons. and not one complaint out of you on that, right?

if one of those countries drops an atom bomb on us, the next thing I expect to hear from you is quote, "the usa, england and all the western powers deserve it."

we now have some fanatics in iran talking about blowing up people, and you still persist in your criticism on the west?

get real.

http://www.almidfarah.fanspace.com/islamic_terr_even.htm

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/

[tettyan]

Oh yeah! Blair won because he made "promises" and he was charismatic. Then he employed unelected "spin doctors" like Alistair Campbell to lie 24/7. Your assessment is totally inaccurate unless you include the murder of a respected and honest Doctor who knew there were no WMSD in Iraq as acceptable behavior?

There are limits to the UK government's ability to control "spin". You can't argue that Thai broadcast media (MCOT, the Army, the PRD) enjoy the same freedom to air crticism of the government that the BBC has.

Enough with these comparisons of Thaksin with Bush & Blair. You can hate all three all you want, but Thaksin is operating in a completely different institutional framework.

Edited February 28, 2006 by tettyan

[haha]

quote name='haha' date='2006-02-28 01:42:03' post='660861']

I just want this country to prosper. that is why I even bother to do my "2 cents".

the only guy I see trying is thaksin. you see him in all the news all the time trying this or that.

haha , could this be due to the ownership & control of the media, rather than the quality of DL ?

those other guys...

...well, all they do is complain.

That's what we call peaceful democratic opposition, tough concept or what ?

I remember reading about that one young guy who pushed through the BTS extension, that was cool. those are the kind of things I like to see politicians engaged in. but he needs to be more pro-active and do more things.

But DL would prefer to spend money on his home-town, rather than the needed improvements in Bangkok, where they don't like him. And has said he won't spend money on areas that don't vote TRT, some responsible PM, huh ? I mean - why didn't the south get any government help - after the latest floods ?

frankly, that's why I like thaksin. he is trying. ..even if he is not successful, he tries.

Agree that he is TRYING, that's why he isn't liked, although I would repeat that this is NOT to say that I don't have great respect for his political skills. Too clever for the country's good.

frankly, those politicians should do more than just go to meetings and state dinners. they should go out there, and talk to the people - focus on projects to overcome problems whereever they might be.

Agreed , we used to call it 'management by walking around' , but I don't mean visiting the countryside with your biker buddies, to hand out 1000-baht notes, and put on your face-cream.

From the comments in this thread, the anti-opposition people, or 'believers in democracy' as they like to portray themselves, think this boycott is childish. They don't seem to comment on DL's refusal to give his own TRT-MPs the chance to vote-with-their-feet, despite which a number of them are doing so, at considerable personal cost.

Personally I believe that, if the game is rigged against you, the only way to win, is to refuse to play.

why no one asks for , why Sonthi wanna fight?

So he lost his TV-programme, for exposing too much corruption, got banned from trying to hold legal public-rallies, had his offices bombed (twice), received death-threats & had to retire to a wat, got sued for a billion baht, had the (legal) sale of his VCDs banned, got called a 'barking dog' by DL, etcetera. So why he want to fight ? Must be a bad loser, or something, or self-interested ?

No - Like many another former Thaksin/TRT-supporter - he has lost faith in DL.

But, although he may have started the ball rolling, he is now just a minor part of the PAD.

in my opinion, complaining without constructive feedback is a waste of time.

as for thaksin "controlling" the media... I don't think he was controlling the nation or the bangkok post. they are part of the media, right?

as for politicians only reserving their focus for their hometowns. well, isn't that the problem with the minority parties? if they would have spent more time with the poor farmers out in the villages, maybe they would have been more of a force in the previous election. if they still haven't figured this out yet, what can you say?

on the problems in the south, you blame thaksin for the problems down there. my question is - where are the politicians who represent that area? why are people not blaming them first for not doing anything? before I would scream at thaksin, I would scream at them to get off their butts and produce. thaksin is only one man.

on sondhi.. I didn't listen to any of his programs. but if he was spreading lies around without any proof to back up his accusations, I would have shut him down too. slander is a criminal offense. if sondhi wants to do something constructive to improve his approach, might I suggest he built a case based on ironclad evidence before opening his mouth. he would get more listeners if he did.

and last but not least... those guys who gave up and decided not to oppose thaksin. well, when they did that, they didn't just give up on themselves, they gave up on the country. this is their country. they should be working with the majority party to fix the problems. not go to some corner and cry. right?

[Plus]

Bangkok Post and the Nation's combined readership is nothing. You can't even buy them upcountry.

Thais get their news from TV first, newspapers second. TV is fully controlled by the governement and newspapers got critical of Taksin only recenlty. Even then one of the major Thai dailies didn't report on the first Royal Plaza rally at all. It's more like Zimbabwe than the UK, if you want to compare.

And Taksin's name won't be on any ballot - he's a party list candidate, there will only be a party's name. As for constituency candidates - people have voted for the same MPs forever, no matter what party they are from. That's what Taksin did in his first election - bought all the local big shot MPs en masse, with all their respective parties joining TRT.

As for the South - MPs don't run the show there. They just represent locals in Parlament. All day to day work is done through the unelected governors appointed by Interior Ministry and often sent from outside the area.

MPs can bargain for some budget allocations but Democrats are not in a position to bargain with TRT, and no Democrat will ever be allowed to even try to influence the army and police who suppress the militant uprising there. Even NRC with Anand as a head doesn't have any influence, even poster boy Chaturon couldn't do a thing. It's Taksin all the way.

And, Haha, don't even try to defend "no money for those provinces that didn't vote TRT" policy. Taksin heads the national government living off the taxes collected nationwide. What exactly he's trying to do here, Haha? He's trying something but I don't think you should appload him for that.

[sriracha john]

Are the Democrats strategy having an effect?:

Thaksin agrees to draft new charter

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday announced that he agreed with the Democrat’s proposal to amend the current Constitution so that a new better version of charter could be drafted.

Thaksin told a press conference that the Thai Rak Thai agreed to amend Article 313 as proposed by the Democrat so that the new charter could be drafted by either a neutral committee or a people's assembly.

After drafting the new draft constitution would be subject to a national referendum and ratification by all political parties.

Thaksin said all political parties will meet at Room 309 of Parliament Building to discuss the details of how to implement the charter amendment at 6 pm.

[haha]

Bangkok Post and the Nation's combined readership is nothing. You can't even buy them upcountry.

Thais get their news from TV first, newspapers second. TV is fully controlled by the governement and newspapers got critical of Taksin only recenlty. Even then one of the major Thai dailies didn't report on the first Royal Plaza rally at all. It's more like Zimbabwe than the UK, if you want to compare.

And Taksin's name won't be on any ballot - he's a party list candidate, there will only be a party's name. As for constituency candidates - people have voted for the same MPs forever, no matter what party they are from. That's what Taksin did in his first election - bought all the local big shot MPs en masse, with all their respective parties joining TRT.

As for the South - MPs don't run the show there. They just represent locals in Parlament. All day to day work is done through the unelected governors appointed by Interior Ministry and often sent from outside the area.

MPs can bargain for some budget allocations but Democrats are not in a position to bargain with TRT, and no Democrat will ever be allowed to even try to influence the army and police who suppress the militant uprising there. Even NRC with Anand as a head doesn't have any influence, even poster boy Chaturon couldn't do a thing. It's Taksin all the way.

And, Haha, don't even try to defend "no money for those provinces that didn't vote TRT" policy. Taksin heads the national government living off the taxes collected nationwide. What exactly he's trying to do here, Haha? He's trying something but I don't think you should appload him for that.

regarding the south...

if what you say is true, and there are no elected officials to represent the people down south, then, it just seems logical that a change in the laws need to be implemented to provide for representatives from that area. right?

[Lord Toad]

To clarify what a boycott will do. If under 20% of the electorate, in a single constituency, vote then that result is void. It needs 500 seats out of 500 to vote in a government. So if say 30/50 seats are not filled the whole parliament will be invalid and unable to govern. Nobody quite knows what happens after that!!!!!

But that is the point of the boycott!

[CL0R0X]

maybe somebody should send a group of protester over to the Singapore embassy and protest there, there was a deal with Thanksin that if there a protest in front of the Singapore embassy the Shin deal is off, no money, no Thaksin.

[samran]

Oppositions boycott elections when the process is a sham.

Many people have been saying here that essentially that the opposition are sore losers, so will boycott knowing the can not win. That ignores the fact that Thaksin has over the past 5 years manipulated the media, courts and election laws in his own favour so that no opposition, not even a popular one, would stand a chance of getting a fair fight.

So what you do then is boycott the election. Thaksin may chose to go ahead with it, but in the eyes of a good many, he will have no legitimacy. He may win 80% of the vote, but Kim Jong-il and Fidel Castro also regularly 'win' their elections by spectacular margins.

If the Opposition did decide to contest the election, they would surely lose, but at the same time Thaksin could turn around and say 'look the Thai people have re-newed my mandate - shut up and don't critisise'.

[lukamar]

Bangkok Post and the Nation's combined readership is nothing. You can't even buy them upcountry.

Can get both in Chiang Mai go to a 7-11, the one 1/2 block from our condo had both. You can also get them at Airport and Central.

[samran]

Bangkok Post and the Nation's combined readership is nothing. You can't even buy them upcountry.

Can get both in Chiang Mai go to a 7-11, the one 1/2 block from our condo had both. You can also get them at Airport and Central.

That is neither here nor there, as farmer Somchai from Baan-Nork in Issan will stuggle to read the constitutional struggles in Thai, let along English. If he can read Thai to a stunning grade 4 level, then it is going to be via government controlled press anyway. And even if he developed a bit of independent thought in his years in the rice paddy, his village cheif, who has accepted and dolled out or sorts of TRT goodies to his flock over the past 5 years will tell Somchai how to vote anyway when he gives him his TRT bag of rice with 500 baht taped to it.

[Jai Dee]

EC insists an election will take place on April 2nd

The Election Commission has insisted there will be an election on April 2nd.

The Election Commission convened yesterday to discuss the arrangements for the coming election on April 2nd. The application date for paty-list candidates will fall on March 2nd and 3rd, and the process will be carried out at the National Stadium. As for the constituency candidates, the application will take place from March 4th to 8th at each district office. In addition, the number of representatives from the provinces of Chiang Mai, Krabi, Chonburi, and Narathiwat will be increased to 8, whereas Suphanburi, Phitsanulok and Bangkok will be given one less representative compared to their former quota.

Election Commissioner Parinya Nakchattree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์) said the election date which comes sooner than expected should not affect any party's election campaigns, for each party has constantly assessed and been aware of the political climate and its own popularity. The Election Commission also gave an assurance that it is not responsible for determining the election date.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 Febuary 2006

[george]

Overseas vote to begin March 17

BANGKOK: -- Thai nationals who live overseas can cast their ballots from March 17 through March 26, said Election Commissioner Parinya Nakchatri.

The commissioners, racing against time to prepare for a general election only a month from now, met Monday with all agencies concerned to set preparations in motion for the April 2 general election.

After the meeting of election organisers, Mr Parinya said the Election Commission (EC) will ask both military officials and teachers to oversee the polling booths during the election as in the past. Attending the meeting were officials from the ministries of education, interior and defence.

Eligible voters will be allowed to cast their votes in advance on March 25-26 at 400 polling booths.

Elligible voters who cannot return to cast their votes in their home towns can inform the authorities of their need to vote in other areas, but requests must be made by March 4.

A budget for the general election has been set at about Bt2.2 billion (US$55 million), he added.

The Election Commission also said it will announce changes in some constituencies in eight provinces.

The election commissioner reiterated that--contrary to some rumours which have circulated--he would not resign from his post, insisting that he would complete his term.

--TNA 2006-02-28

[Jai Dee]

Khunying Sudarat said she does not understand the Opposition's move in refusing to join a declaration and deciding to boycott the elections.

Deputy Thai Rak Thai party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์) said she does not understand the opposition’s stance, following their refusal to sign a joint declaration and boycott the elections.

Khunying Sudarat said that the signing of declaration by Thai Rak Thai party and 15 other small parties will lead to political reforms and constitutional amendments, demanded by many groups including opposition parties. She said that she does not understand the opposition’s decision not to join the meeting and boycott the elections, as the Thai Rak Thai party has followed the opposition’s demands, although details of the matters are different.

She said that the differences are normal as the Democrat party and the Chart Thai party also have slightly different stance, adding that Thai Rak Thai party is entitled to declare its own position on the issues.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 Febuary 2006

[BigSnake]

No doubt about it Thaskin will win the Northeast, The Big money machine is already in motion up here, conversations with will inform locals. Let the games begin.

[p_brownstone]

To clarify what a boycott will do. If under 20% of the electorate, in a single constituency, vote then that result is void. It needs 500 seats out of 500 to vote in a government. So if say 30/50 seats are not filled the whole parliament will be invalid and unable to govern. Nobody quite knows what happens after that!!!!!

But that is the point of the boycott!

Exactly what I was going to Poat.

The whole point of the Boycott by the Opposition parties is that under the Constitution some Constituencies will end up having NO elected Member of Parliament, because only those voters who back TRT will vote and in many parts of the Country TRT does not have 20% of the electorat on their side - for example in the South where the Democrats have always been stronger than any other party; some Constituencies in Bangkok may also not reach the 20% level.

Without a full 500 Seats filled the Parliament is unconstitutional and simply cannot function.

This will create a true Constitutional crisis and quite possibly lead to military intervention - if that does not happen before April 2 which is also quite possible.

Patrick