Opposition Dumps Thaksin's Election Plans

[gurkle]

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.

'elected' ? Errrrrr...yes. Florida....Florida....Florida.

The guy did NOT win the election fairly.....period.

Jem

Actually he did, and has no bearing here!!

It's a good precedent. You can expect the opposition to have the same kind of future Kerry and Gore did after they complained about a rigged election - not much of one. Except maybe worse since they're boycotting this election.

[lukamar]

Here is another scenario that no one has thought of. What if some of the elected MP's from the 3 boycotting parties break away forming a new party. This new party fields candidates in ridings it has a good chance of winning, probably Bangkok, and forms a new opposition, albeit small. They would have the political push and spin from the protester/boycott group and could quite easily win some strategic seats and have a few years to organize for a countrywide election.

This scenario has played out in Canada under the Block party, that wants separatism for Quebec , and now they wield a large amount of power in Canada's parliament but only have members in Quebec.

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

From the Electoral commission of Thailand website..

5. Anyone who falsely accuses a candidate of fraud with the intend to have him or her excluded from the race is liable to 5-10 years' imprisonment or a fine of 45,000-200,000 baht and loss of election rights for 10 years.

6. A political party can be dissolved if its leader is found to have colluded in above action.

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

The 3 opposition parties and their leaders have been continually saying that TS has committed fraud. What if TS takes then to court and they had to prove it. I'm sure TS has a whole heard of high paid lawyers to make sure that no one could prove such an allegation in court, even if true. Poof no more big 3 opposition parties and poof to the ringleaders for 10 years.

[Ricardo]

Here is another scenario that no one has thought of. What if some of the elected MP's from the 3 boycotting parties break away forming a new party. This new party fields candidates in ridings it has a good chance of winning, probably Bangkok, and forms a new opposition, albeit small. They would have the political push and spin from the protester/boycott group and could quite easily win some strategic seats and have a few years to organize for a countrywide election.

Fine, except that the 90-day rule we've been mentioning here, would mean that none of the break-away MPs could stand, for this election.

The whole problem with the 90-day rule, which was supposed to bring more stability to local politics, is that it locks people into their current allegiencies, in this sort of situation.

DL called the short-notice election in order to lock-in his own 'supporters' - who were & are bailing-out on him - rather than resigning to let TRT stay in power, with a new leader & PM.

[sriracha john]

I was thinking of an interesting scenario - what if Thaksin resigned and then went campaigning again and was re-elected?

That's exactly what I would do if I were him now. It would totally catch the opposition (both parliamentary and the street mob) off guard. Of course, his ego may be too big to countenance such a move.

Not to mention the hypocrisy involved as he has stated 437 times that he would not resign ....

To resign now, some people might consider his statements not to do so as a lie... and everyone knows Thaksin never lies...

The need-not-to-be-said-condition of his resignation, of course, is that he would not run again.

Poof no more big 3 opposition parties and poof to the ringleaders for 10 years.

Are you trying to say that Thaksin is a "poofter"?

Edited March 2, 2006 by sriracha john

[lukamar]

Fine, except that the 90-day rule we've been mentioning here, would mean that none of the break-away MPs could stand, for this election.

Good point.... I did not consider that. I guess they are not running 90 day rule or not..

[Jai Dee]

Wang Nam Yen leader said today's application for party-list candidates will bring endless political whirlpool

Wang Nam Yen group has expressed that the application of party-list candidates scheduled to be held today will bring an endless political whirlpool.

Wang Nam Yen kingmaker Sanoh Thienthong (เสนาะ เทียนทอง) expressed his opinion yesterday that today's application of party-list candidates will bring an endless political whirlpool only because everything is under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's control.

Mr Sanoh added that the election boycott by several opposition parties will also intensify the restive situation in the southernmost provinces.

As for the prime minister's plan to take over Sanam Luang arena for the premier's stage of clarification, Mr Sanoh commented that there will probably be a clash between the 'Alliance for Democracy' and those who support the prime minister.

He then suggested that the prime minister use the government-controlled 'TV Pool' for that matter, while urging him to invite representatives of several sectors to brainstorm, for easier penetration to the problem.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

EC confirms election date on April 2nd will not be postponed

The Election Commission has reassured the initially set up date for the snap election on April 2nd will not be postponed.

After a meeting held yesterday the Election Commission has confirmed there will be no postponement of the election initially dated for April 2nd. The Commission reasoned that there is not enough reason to delay the date of the election despite constant demands from some political parties.

This results in the unalteration of the earlier designated dates for the electorial application, which falls on March 2nd to 3rd for party-list candidates and March 4th to 8th for constitutency contenders. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as the head of the Thai Rak Thai Party, is filing his application this morning.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

There were two very interesting editorials in The Nation this morning:

THE NATION COMMENT

It's all over, Prime Minister Thaksin

Time for the super CEO to call it a day - for the sake of the company

This is not the time to debate whether you should have paid taxes. Or what you set up Ample Rich for. Or whether the election boycott is right or wrong. Or whether you have given the country more or less than what you have taken from her. We've gone way past such matters. With the nation on the brink of violent confrontation, this is the time to think, with a clear conscience and true patriotism, about what you should do next and now.

It's over, Mr Prime Minister. If you insist it is not, there will only be dire consequences, and not for any particular individual but our whole country. "Thak-sinomics" and Thailand have gone as far as they can. There are some good legacies after five years, but the fact that two major social forces are set to collide is the best testimony that your system does not suit the entire nation. You were a great CEO, so you should know better than anyone what should be done if a firm's employees are split and at each other's throat.

Yes, it's bottom-line time. A good CEO wouldn't dwell on which side he is on, but only how to save the company. And if the CEO knew it was him who caused the detrimental divide, what would he do? Should he persist on proving that he's right and set both camps on a war-path, and endanger the entire firm? Or should he make the biggest sacrifice by stepping aside and seeing how things go without him?

The nation is in turmoil, and this is totally because one group believes you are a liability, and the other thinks you are an asset. We don't need to list here who are on which side, but it's so obvious that those who are against you are not a one-dimensional movement driven by malicious political purposes. It consists of several social spheres which are unanimous, solid, sophisticated and believe they have good reasons to reject your rule. And until they see the end of your era these forces won't stop their campaign.

What will Thailand's CEO do? The bottom line is no longer his own survival. The country faces a serious threat of political violence that could severely hamper progress. Major policies are now in limbo because the other side does not trust you. Urgent reform is impossible while the other side considers you the root cause of the present political crisis. The economy will be held hostage by never-ending trouble.

It's time you made that ultimate sacrifice, the one every leader who loves his country is supposed to make. Never mind that you have been accused of thinking about yourself and serving just yourself. There's still time for you to show that you are a leader who really cares - and be remembered that way.

_____________________________________________________________________________

THAI TALK:

Resolve crisis by removing root cause - Thaksin

The current political crisis isn't all that complicated - and the "deadlock" isn't all that hard to resolve.

This isn't about a conflict between the government and the legislative branch. Neither is it about a confrontation between the government and the opposition.

The crux of the issue is Thaksin Shinawatra. It's about the end of his legitimacy as the country's prime minister. It's about his blatant violation of political ethics. It's about how he has failed miserably in managing social conflicts. The last thread of trust between the governor and the governed has snapped.

Thaksin claims he dissolved the House of Representatives and called a snap election on April 2 to "return the power to the people." The truth is more frightening. He simply wanted to silence the growing number of people calling for his ouster and to come back for another four-year term.

Thaksin has become "the country's No 1 problem" because he would do anything to stay in power even if it means that in the process he will tear the nation apart. He has wrapped himself in a cocoon of delusion, arguing that 19 million people had voted for him in the last election and acting under the misguided notion that winning an election gives you the blanket right to commit any political crime and ignore any dissident opinion.

Thaksin's most serious political mistake was to confuse legality with legitimacy - putting self-interest above moral judgement. His legitimacy was lost forever when he ignored the ethical aspect of his family's sale of Shin Corp's shares to Singapore's Temasaek, defending the controversial sell-off of the country's major satellite and television stations only on legal grounds.

Even when every tax-paying citizen was questioning the dubious technicalities used to avoid paying a single baht of tax of the Bt73 billion deal, Thaksin was still out there provoking public anger with his deadpanned: "But I have done nothing wrong, legally anyway."

When the crowd calling for his ouster grew louder, instead of facing the challenge head-on, Thaksin dragged the whole country into a political quagmire by dissolving the House of Representatives, calling a snap election that will put him back in a more powerful position in the hope that he can use this electoral mandate to stop any call for his impeachment or for embarking on genuine political reform. This despite the fact that there was no real conflict between the executive and the legislative branches, usually the only legitimate reason to "return the power to the people."

Thaksin has become the country's real problem because with his latest political act, he has put the nation in a precarious position. He has forced people to go back to the polling booths, not to choose between his policies and those of the opposition - but to force the voters to make a very bizarre choice: Between him and what he arbitrarily labels "mob rule" - painting himself as the good, devoted politician being bothered by what he portrays as a group of law-breaking citizens, who happen to include some of the country's most respected academics, opinion-leaders, independent law-makers, a large segment of the middle-class, local community leaders, disgruntled teachers, members of the non-government organisations (NGOs) and the critical media.

Thaksin has become the country's biggest political liability because he no longer can claim the right to lead the nation's political reform despite his desperate attempt to exploit "political reform" to legitimise his further consolidation of power.

With the opposition parties boycotting the snap election, Thaksin is effectively isolated. The country has been plunged into a state of confusion that threatens to get worse if he stubbornly clings on to power.

When all is said and done, it's not the system that's the issue. It's not even the constitution that has caused the current political turmoil. It's Thaksin manipulating the system and exploiting the constitution that is the only cause of the ongoing political "impasse."

It wasn't that long ago that people were asking: "If not him, who?"

Now, the question on everybody's lips, it seems, is: "If he stays, everybody else will go down the drain."

The time has come for Thaksin to realise that he will serve the country best when he stops serving.

[lukamar]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

[marquess]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

[sriracha john]

At around 9PM, Prime Minister Thaksin showed a billboard stating the address of Government House. He invited the people to express their love...

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 March 2006

Actually, I don't believe the TNNBPRD looked closely at the billboard... which reveals why he really invited people to express their love...

[Jai Dee]

You're getting better and better every day with Photoshop John.

Or did that come from the Bangkok Herald Examiner?

[lukamar]

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

Have a decent platform, run decent candidates, campaign hard, win the election, form the government and put in a new PM. That's the way to replace a PM. The opposition knows that doing that is virtually an impossibility so they have decided to boycott and not enter the fray. That's not the way to make changes or form a government, that's defeatist.

[Jai Dee]

Head of Wang Nam Yen faction said that registration for party-list MPs election will cause further problems.

Head of the Wang Nam Yen (วังน้ำเย็น) faction expressed views that the registration of party-list MPs today will cause further problems.

Mr. Sanoh Tienthong (เสนาะ เทียนทอง), leading member of the Wang Nam Yen faction, said that the registration for party-list MPs in the April 2nd election beginning today will cause further problems, adding that the problems originated from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawat. Mr. Sanoh added that violence in the three southernmost provinces will escalate, as the opposition, which is dominating the areas, has boycotted the election, possibly causing dissatisfaction among the locals. He also expressed belief that votes in each constituency will not reach 100,000, and the Election Commission will not be able to endorse the election.

As for the Thai Rak Thai party’s rally at Sanamluang, Mr. Sanoh expected that violence will occur due to those losing faith in the prime minister. Therefore, he said that the rally should not be held at Sanamluang, but the premier can declare all facts and information via the national television and invite representatives from all sectors to discuss the issues.

He expressed belief that it will be the best way out, which will not bring about violence and social division.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

[marshbags]

by penzman

Wasn't this topic titled : " Opposition Dumps Thaksin's Election Plans"?

In what I've quoted above, not a single word relates to this topic...

unquote.........................................................................

..................................end

Well said penzman, these guys are turning every debate into a slanging match for individual agenda,s and as a consequence going way off the topics completely.

It,s one thing to make a brief point so long as it is relevant to the subject matter but you people seem to be looking at every one of these threads with a view to disrupting sensible debate.

Take the blinkers off gentlemen and look at the broader picture.

With your actions you are..............................................................

Consequently stifling positive comments both for and against what is after all a very important

and interesting discussion.

We do not have to agree with each others observations but if we ignore the non productive comments and exchange our views in an adult way we may be able to reach some common ground.

That is what is achieved through reasonable debate and hopefully becomes a just outcome for all.

Today 02-03-06 at 11.30 a.m.

It has just shown the Kamoy on Channel 3 saying the election must be held and the other parties have to send there people to vote, naming the leaders of the relevant parties

Has anyone else noticed how desperate his voice is sounding now, not the authouritive sounding...

" I know what is going to happen so listen, take notice and i,m in charge. " in the usual confident tone.

He really sounded like someone who was no longer in charge and was flapping.

May i offer you some advice, kamoy in chief

Take your chance while you can, resign with at least a bit of dignity ( for now ).

This of course is in my usual humble opinion.

But remember you have already earned your day of recogning from the Thai people due to your own greed, arrogance and insulting there intelligence.

Somewhere down the road you will be accountable along with your cronies, come what may.

marshbags

Edited March 2, 2006 by marshbags

[Jai Dee]

Election to go ahead on April 2nd, as the government cannot find alternatives to compromise with the opposition.

Government spokesperson Surapong Suebwonglee (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี) indicated that the Thai Rak Thai party needs to insist on April 2nd as the election date, because of time constraints, adding that the party has tried but failed to compromise with the opposition parties.

Mr. Surapong said that it is still too soon to estimate the number of votes the Thai Rak Thai party will receive after the three main opposition parties have refused to field their candidates. He said that it is still unclear which parties are registering today. However, he said that many parties that had wide support in the past, such as the Prachakorn Thai (ประชากรไทย) party, are also fielding their candidates in the election.

Therefore, he said that the party will have to wait until March 3rd, which is the last day of the registration to evaluate the situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

[chownah]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

Marquess,

You are absolutely wrong here. The last post from the Nation contained two editorial pieces....these absolutely do no state facts....they absolutely do state opinons.

Chownah

PS If the posters here can't tell the difference betwee a news article which should conatin facts and an editorial article which should contain opinions then TV will lose its objectifity....as if!

Chownah

[sriracha john]

You're getting better and better every day with Photoshop John.

Or did that come from the Bangkok Herald Examiner?

neither actually... it was a screen capture from television that I was able to get when our cable tv provider slipped up and inadvertantly allowed ASTV to be aired for a few minutes...

[Jai Dee]

The last post from the Nation contained two editorial pieces.... these absolutely do not state facts.... they absolutely do state opinions.

You are 100% correct there Chownah.

[ColPyat]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

I would also say that The Nation seriously starts losing objectivity. Instead of reporting it does become partisan, especially to a cause i would call everything else than democratic.

<snip>

/Mod Edit - please do not post any material concerning the Thai Royal Family.

Please read the Forum Rules

Edited March 2, 2006 by Jai Dee

[sriracha john]

Mr. Surapong said that it is still too soon to estimate the number of votes the Thai Rak Thai party will receive after the three main opposition parties have refused to field their candidates. He said that it is still unclear which parties are registering today. However, he said that many parties that had wide support in the past, such as the Prachakorn Thai (ประชากรไทย) party, are also fielding their candidates in the election.

Therefore, he said that the party will have to wait until March 3rd, which is the last day of the registration to evaluate the situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

such confidence... they're not sure how many votes TRT will get versus two dozen fragmented, fringe groups with a few dozen supporters each?

then Khun Surapong sagely states there is "wide support" for Prachakorn Thai party?

How many MP's did they have with the 2001 election? zero

How many MP's did they have with the 2005 election? zero

Who was the leader of Prachakorn Thai party when they last DID have MP's? Everyone's favorite ex-Bangkok governor, Samak...

[Jai Dee]

Thai Rak Thai receive number 2 in today's registration of party-list MP candidates; Thaksin pleads for all parties to send in candidates

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is pleading for all political parties to send in candidates to run for the upcoming election in order to allow the people to decide.

This morning the atmosphere outside the Nimibutr (นิมิบุตร) building at the National Stadium was lively despite the 3 of 4 major political parties; Democrat, Mahachon and Chart Thai; not having been present. A large number of people had traveled to wait for the prime minister to arrive to register in today's registration of party-list MPs. The crowd cheered on when the prime minister arrived and their efforts to show support to the premier, including many who tried to dart in to hand roses to the premier, made the process of entering the building cumbersome for the prime minister who was also accompanied by his son Phanthongthae Shinawatra (พานทองแท้ ชินวัตร) and Thai Rak Thai party members.

Mr. Thaksin told reporters at the site that most people in his party-list were old faces that worked with him before. He also said he would like to see every party compete in this election as that would allow the people to make the decision. Remarking on the case of the 3 Opposition Parties' decision to not participate in the election, Mr. Thaksin said that should not present a problem but he would like to say that the election law currently in use was issued by an administration under the Democrat Party and he was not involved.

The first 6 names in the Thai Rak Thai party-list comprise Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ), Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์), Mr. Somkid Jatusriphitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์), Mr. Bhokin Balakula (โภคิน พลกุล) and Mr. Suwat Liptaphanlop (สุวัจน์ ลิปตพัลลภ).

The Thai Rak Thai Party acquired number 2 in the number draw for parties that are fielding party-list candidates. Number 1 went to the Thai Farmer Party, Number 3 went to People Power Party, Number 4 was drawn by the Thai Citizen Party, and Number 5 was drawn by the Thai Ground Party.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

[thedude]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

lets put it this way, the Nation is pushing for an unconstitutional overthrow of a popularly elected prime minister. one could easily argue that they are inciting civil unrest and promoting instability. why hasn't thaksin the dictator shut them down?

lets do a quick recap. the petition to the highest power went unanswered. allegations of misconduct in the shin deal found no legal redress. the constitutional court couldn't find the grounds to get involved. the mob then changed tack and demand his resignation on 'moral' and 'ethical' grounds. what are these moral and ethical grounds? the argument will come back those same unproven allegations. they just want to see blood.

its been one back step after another for the anti-thaksin mob. and all along the way the Nation chooses to speculate on government suppression, police interference, rumours of a coup attempt. they then talk about how its all over for Thaksin, how he must surely see that his time is near. this really doesn't sound like balanced and professional journalism to me.

we live under a democratic constitution, if people have a problem with the leadership, they change it through an election process. the next elections was supposed to be 3 years away. it is now 1 month away because the prime minister listened to the vocal minority and wanted to prevent an escalation into violence (which could easily be caused by irresponsible reporting). the dissolution of parliament is the fairest way to hand the power back to the people under this constitution, and a fair and objective newspaper should realise that. press freedom must come with responsibility.

Edited March 2, 2006 by thedude

[sriracha john]

Actually, these fringe parties can be very interesting (and entertaining) to learn about:

Some fine examples...

SOLIDARITY PARTY

former Secretary General: everyone's favorite TRT dweeb of bird flu fame, Khun Newin

Party Campaign Slogan: By people for new generation

THAI CITIZEN PARTY

former Leader: ex-Bangkok Governor, Samak (prior to being the PT Party leader)

Party Campaign Slogan: The country have a problem. Thai Citizen Party volunteer to corrected.

SOCIAL ACTION PARTY

former Secretary General: current Deputy PM (TRT), Suwit

Party Campaign Slogan: We can do, we've done it and we shall continue it.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY

former Secretary General: current Deputy PM (yep, another one)/Olympic Gold Medal Thief, Suwat

Party Campaign Slogan: National Development Party for develop the nation

MASS PARTY

former Leader: Infamous cop-killer Duangchalerm's Dad, Chalerm

Party Campaign Slogan: A better choice

-------------------------------------------------------

Good luck Thailand.... yer gonna need it.

[Jai Dee]

Mahachon party leader confirms his party's standpoint on not sending its members to join in the snap election

The Mahachon Party leader, Maj. Gen. Sanan Kajornprasart (สนั่น ขจรประศาสน์), has reaffirmed his party’s standpoint by not fielding any of his party member to run in the upcoming general election. He views that this general election will not go in line with the intention of the constitution.

Earlier, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra requested the three opposition parties to take part in this election. However, Maj. Gen. Sanan has insisted that the Opposition has already determined its resolution by not sending their members to compete in the election. He has predicted that the small political parties will not play influential roles in the general election, which will be held on April 2nd. He added that there would be a political disorder following the general election if people do not vote for the Thai Rak Thai Party, especially the southern locals, as there would not be enough candidates for voters to choose, and this would not correspond to the constitutional intention.

He said that the Opposition will tomorrow discuss the plan to hold a public meeting, aimed at informing the people why the three parties do not participate in the election. He said that the parties aim to visit major provinces, and the core leaders of each party will take turn to visit these provinces. He said that this will not infringe the election laws as the Thai Rak Thai Party has scrutinzed.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 March 2006

[sriracha john]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

lets put it this way, the Nation is pushing for an unconstitutional overthrow of a popularly elected prime minister. one could easily argue that they are inciting civil unrest and promoting instability. why hasn't thaksin the dictator shut them down?

I agree with Chownah and Jai Dee in that they are indeed opinions expressed as editorials voicing their opinion on the matter, which falls under the Constitution-guaranteed freedom of the press and is a common practice world-wide from a wide assortment of media forms.

lets do a quick recap. the petition to the highest power went unanswered. allegations of misconduct in the shin deal found no legal redress. the constitutional court couldn't find the grounds to get involved. the mob then changed tack and demand his resignation on 'moral' and 'ethical' grounds. what are these moral and ethical grounds? the argument will come back those same unproven allegations. they just want to see blood.

To say the petition went unanswered is indeed "quick"... too quick. As for the Shin Deal, you might want to familiarize yourself with the guilty findings of his son (who by all reasonable accounts is nothing more than a proxy for Dad). This occured despite the obvious control placed upon by the SEC by Dad. Remember, if you will, the SEC ruled initially that no rules were broken before even ANY investigation was carried out and mere hours after the deal had been completed. There was no change in opposition forces demands from dissolving Parliment to demanding his resignation. Resignation, from day one, was their plea. It was Thaksin's idea to try and placate opponents by dissolving Parliment in a slanted and tainted manner (not allowing for 90 day switch-overs). The only "blood" that has been wanted has come from Thaksin's hands, whether it was the drug war non-judicial murders or the Tak Bae massacre.

its been one back step after another for the anti-thaksin mob. and all along the way the Nation chooses to speculate on government suppression, police interference, rumours of a coup attempt. they then talk about how its all over for Thaksin, how he must surely see that his time is near. this really doesn't sound like balanced and professional journalism to me.

Speculation?? The government suppression is quite-well documented on another thread. I'd encourage you to give it a read: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=61034&hl=

As for rumours of a coup, they are quoting the words of the Generals themselves, incredible as they are. If they had remained silent, then there wouldn't have been anything to report on and thus no rumours. The Nation is not making up statements and assigning them to the military.

we live under a democratic constitution, if people have a problem with the leadership, they change it through an election process. the next elections was supposed to be 3 years away. it is now 1 month away because the prime minister listened to the vocal minority and wanted to prevent an escalation into violence (which could easily be caused by irresponsible reporting). the dissolution of parliament is the fairest way to hand the power back to the people under this constitution, and a fair and objective newspaper should realise that. press freedom must come with responsibility.

To be a truly democratic election process, it needs to follow some basic principles such as proper timing allowing for the free selection of candidates, allowing the governmental voting process to be conducted in an accurate manner, etc. To say, "we're having a nation-wide election next month" is not a democratic or fair process. He did not announce this election because he "listened to vocal minority"... no one was asking for it. They were asking for his resignation. He did it as a pre-meditated ploy to try to placate the electorate and throw off his opponents. He stacked the deck in such a pre-determined manner as to ensure his victory and THEN announced, "we're having a nation-wide election." If he was truly interested in a free and open and honest election, he would have announced it far enough into the future to allow for candidates to chose the party of their choice, it wouldn't conflict with the Senate elections, and allow time for proper campaigning and debate... once a reasonable date could be established, he could THEN dissolve Parliment. It was cold and calculated manuver, which is completely in keeping with Thaksin's style. The only thing that threw a monkey wrench into his scheming was not predicting the unprecedented boycott by the opposition parties. All the responsibility for the current turmoil surrounding this alledged election falls upon Thaksin's doorstep.

[Siripon]

The Nation is becoming so biased in it's constant vision that TS is the all encompassing evil that it seems to have lost all it's objectivity.

Just like you it would seem! The Nation is stating facts, the problem is the PM, remove, him and there is no need for the current crises. Or is the understanding of such a matter beyond your ken?

lets put it this way, the Nation is pushing for an unconstitutional overthrow of a popularly elected prime minister. one could easily argue that they are inciting civil unrest and promoting instability. why hasn't thaksin the dictator shut them down?

lets do a quick recap. the petition to the highest power went unanswered. allegations of misconduct in the shin deal found no legal redress. the constitutional court couldn't find the grounds to get involved. the mob then changed tack and demand his resignation on 'moral' and 'ethical' grounds. what are these moral and ethical grounds? the argument will come back those same unproven allegations. they just want to see blood.

its been one back step after another for the anti-thaksin mob. and all along the way the Nation chooses to speculate on government suppression, police interference, rumours of a coup attempt. they then talk about how its all over for Thaksin, how he must surely see that his time is near. this really doesn't sound like balanced and professional journalism to me.

we live under a democratic constitution, if people have a problem with the leadership, they change it through an election process. the next elections was supposed to be 3 years away. it is now 1 month away because the prime minister listened to the vocal minority and wanted to prevent an escalation into violence (which could easily be caused by irresponsible reporting). the dissolution of parliament is the fairest way to hand the power back to the people under this constitution, and a fair and objective newspaper should realise that. press freedom must come with responsibility.

But the constitution is not being implemented democratically, the Dude. Every independent organisation is stacked with Taksin's men with the exception of the Administrative court, the electonic media is muzzled, there are no political talk shows now, the Community Radio bill has been stalled and now Taksin's called a totally unnecessary election when if he had nothing to hide he could just go on TV,(Thai Visa or nationwide TV), and discuss the issues with The Opposition.

There's nothing fair about Thaksin dissolving Parliament without warning, locking in his MPs, especially when he's promised countless times over the last few weeks he would never do that. It's the action of a coward and liar.

Don't worry about foreign investment, it will come back once The Constitution is fine-tuned to limit the abuses we've seen.

[bulmercke]

Thaksin is doomed, say diplomats THAIDAY

By Daniel Ten Kate 2 March 2006 14:49

It is highly unlikely that caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will reemerge as the country’s leader, foreign diplomats said yesterday, while acknowledging that the outcome of the political crisis was difficult to predict.

“I don’t see any exit strategy that enables Thaksin to continue as prime minister,” said a European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We understand the opposition’s right to boycott the election, as well as the prime minister’s view that he is playing by the rules. But, on a practical level, the crisis has passed the point of no return, and the general feeling is that the prime minister will have to leave soon.”

Though Thaksin’s position appears untenable, some foreign observers caution that predictions are useless as Thai politics always contains an element of surprise. Nonetheless, the conflict appears to have no obvious solution, and a prolonged debacle could further undermine the country’s fledging democratic institutions and deter investment in the country and the region.

“What’s happening now in two ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, Thailand and the Philippines, is not looking good for investment in the region as a whole,” an ASEAN diplomat said yesterday. “When investors look at Southeast Asia, they look at the entire region. They don’t make a distinction between Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, so this could hurt all the ASEAN countries.”

While the conflict may be complicated, diplomats were quick to say that neither side was right or wrong. Thaksin has legitimate claims to being a democratically elected leader, while the opposition is within its rights to boycott the election.

“Thaksin is caught between a rock and a hard place,” a Western diplomat said. “On the face of it, going to the people for a mandate is not a terribly unattractive way to solve the problem. But then again, the new institutions are not working the way they were intended to under the 1997 Constitution. Even so, in the West it would probably require more substantive allegations to cause the fall of a government.”

Violence can never be ruled out, the diplomats said, but the possibility of it occurring is much less likely than a decade ago. Most of the speculation is because past crises have involved bloodshed, which is not necessarily a proper bellwether for the current stalemate.

If the election takes place in accordance with the Constitution, the international community will have to accept it. And as long as the opposition plays within the rules, the boycott is perfectly democratic.

As Thaksin’s current problems stem from his family’s 73.3-billion-baht sale of its Shin Corp stake to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, some diplomats fear that the conflict may result in anti-foreigner sentiment. At many of the rallies held by the People’s Alliance for Democracy, speakers have accused Thaksin of “selling off” the country to foreigners.

Moreover, as the crisis focuses so much on so-called ‘moral legitimacy’ and raises the prospect of palace intervention, some diplomats worry that a new wave of nationalism will sweep the country. Thais may reject comparisons with Western democratic systems and hail their own traditions under the country’s constitutional monarchy.

“The crisis may cause Thais to become nationalistic and introspective,” said a foreign diplomat. “With the concept of ‘moral legitimacy’ comes a certain concept of ‘Thainess,’ and they may tell foreigners to butt out by saying: ‘How dare you judge us?’ That attitude may prevail in the future.”

COMMENTARY: Were Thaksin to depart, would the heavens fall?

By Pansit Torsuwan 2 March 2006 14:48 THAIDAY

Thai politics has polarized into just one question: are you for him or against him?

The anti-Thaksin lobby tends to attack the caretaker prime minister for alleged abuse of power and corruption, while his supporters prefer to respond to these allegations by asking who is capable of replacing him, hinting that any change would bring an economic meltdown.

Both camps, however, and even expatriates here, in general subscribe to the notion that Thaksin Shinawatra’s character has become besmirched by allegations of abuse of power, impartial treatment, nepotism and cronyism. His image has been further eroded by what is perceived to be widespread corruption in government megaprojects and interference in the activities of supposedly independent organizations and the media.

Despite the fact that the anti-Thaksin movement is growing larger by the day, many of those who are dissatisfied with the government are still keeping their opinions to themselves.

The main source of public discontent is Thaksin’s stubborn refusal to respond to his critics. Rather than answering allegations of abuse of power and rampant official corruption, Thaksin gets angry, chiefly with the media. His aggressive response to his detractors demonstrates perfectly how a guilty conscience can induce anti-social behavior.

Thailand became a democracy some 70 years ago. Since then, the Constitution has been redrafted and amended many times, and there have been many changes in leadership. We have now had 23 prime ministers, yet politics in this country is still in its infancy.

It is therefore not unreasonable to conclude that our current political problems have come not from a failure of the Constitution or the corrupt activities of some politicians, but because of the tendency of Thais to put their own interests and those of their friends and relatives before the interests of others. If that is the case, would it make any difference if Thaksin were to be replaced? On the other hand, if you don’t subscribe to the notion that nepotism is an integral part of the Thai character, then you shouldn’t fear change or listen to the prophets of doom who warn of economic catastrophe if Thaksin were to depart.

After all, didn’t Thailand bounce back after the 1997 economic crisis? Thaksin has certainly always claimed credit for that feat. Whether he is personally responsible for Thailand’s early settlement of its International Monetary Fund loan is debatable. But one thing he has succeeded in doing is inculcating in the public’s mind a sense of economic complacency and dependence on government assistance; he has hooked the populace on policies like the Village Fund and the so-called ‘Ua Athorn’ housing project for the poor.

Perhaps this goes some way toward explaining why large strata of society have simply overlooked government corruption and abuse of power. After all, if Thaksin were to go, would the handouts cease to arrive with their customary regularlty?

The government has had some successes, for example its war on drugs, but that doesn’t excuse the ethos of materialism it has instilled in the populace; certainly, the determination with which government officials have pursued wealth and power has made them poor role models.

Just because you have been democratically elected doesn’t mean you have a licence to do anything you want. Democracy doesn’t begin and end at the ballot box, and 19 million votes aren’t a mandate to carry on anyway one chooses.

In searching for a resolution to the ongoing political crisis, it is useless to ask whether Thaksin should be ousted or who his successor should be. The question we should be asking ourselves is: what is more important, morality or materialism? When we have answered that one, then we can start talking about the Gross Domestic Product.

Edited March 2, 2006 by bulmercke

[Plus]

Editorials in The Nation simply repeat what other people have been saying all along. I haven't seen any original ideas in them.

Everyone understands that Taksin is the cause of the current standoff, not the parlament. Those protesters at Sanam Luang didn't say they have a problem with MPs or government ministers. They might have, but they all dwarth in comparison with the "Taksin problem".

Calls for Taksin's resignation, increasingly unified now, come from all sectors of society including parts of military. What's wrong with the Nation senior editors joining in?

Someone said The Nation hates Taksin for no reason. Do you remember how Taksin's buddy at AMLO started secret investigations into Nation's editors bank accounts for alleged money laundering, or maybe drug trafficing, or prostitution, or organised crime - the offences that come under AMLO's jurisdiction, on an unanonimous, unspecified tip off letter?

Was that an act of love? Do you think Taksin has retained any trust at The Nation's offices after that? Do you think he DESERVES any trust from them?

And Bangkok Post, with billion dollar lawsuits for printing the story planted by Taksin's henchmen, do you think they have lost trust in him for no reason?

He hasn't behaved like a lamb for the past five years and has no reason to expect any mercy from people he tried to intimidate, manipulate, suffocate and bankrupt all that time.

In fact his only "friends" in the media are only the ones paid to do so.

[ColPyat]

Thaksin is doomed, say diplomats THAIDAY

Thaiday is owned by Sondhi, therfore not really what you might call independent reporting.

Since when had diplomats anyhow much understanding on political affairs? Diplomats are posted somewhere else every few years, and very few of them ever reach an expert status on a particular country, or region.

I do miss independent reporting.

-I would really like if Thaiday, the Nation, or any other publication here would make a research into Sondhi's finances. How much money does he actually make from the demonstartions. I don't know if anyone has noticed, but you can buy Sondhi's TV shows on CD's in single CDs or as a collection pack. You also have the opportunity to subscribe to Sondhi's TV channel.

It is only good and proper to look as far as one can into Thaksin's finances and dirty dealings, but why does nobody have a look into Sondhi's dirt, starting from his bancrupcy of his empire, especially the megalomaniac "Asia Times" project, that never came off, and most staff were cheated of their salaries. Many have not received the money owned until today.

-What about Chamlong? Isn't it a bit strange that a member of a fundamentalist Buddhist sect is now turning against the man he brought into politics, but has supported him while thousands of people were executed in the drugwar?

-And why do the English language papers do not explain their readers about the motivations behind those yellow shirted people, that the motivations to demonstrate are not only to get rid of Thaksin, but to return to something similar like absolute monarchy?

Instead all we get to read is rumors and one-sided reporting. I don't need to be told over and over again that Thaksin is not what i would call a democratically inspired prime minister. I can see that by myself. But i do not enjoy to be barred from vital information in order to properly understand the present situation.