Abhisit And Korn Also Have Much To Lose: Bangkok Election

[webfact]

Abhisit and Korn also have much to lose
Tanatpong Kongsai,
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The March 3 Bangkok election could prove to be a tipping point not just for the future of its candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra, but also for the party, its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Korn Chatikavanij.

If the party loses, the three high-profile Democrats may have to take a break or play lesser roles.

Sukhumbhand has already said that if he loses, he will take a break from politics and raise his grandson, while Korn said last month that he would quit his deputy leader's post to take responsibility.

Meanwhile, more pressure will be mounted on Abhisit because under his leadership, the Democrat Party will have lost two elections - the general election two years ago and the race for Bangkok governor, a seat it has occupied for the past eight years.

Selecting Sukhumbhand as its candidate for a second time reflects the politics within the party, especially the rift between party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on and his predecessor Suthep Thaugsuban.

Chalermchai has not once been seen helping Sukhumbhand in his election campaign, and neither have the Bangkok and district councillors who support Korn.

Chalermchai nominated Korn, the party's deputy leader who is in charge of Bangkok, but Suthep stepped in and started lobbying executive members to choose Sukhumbhand, which resulted in a 9:6 vote. Chalermchai's position in the party might be challenged if Sukhumbhand wins.


-- The Nation 2013-02-26

[bigbamboo]

The Democrats are in a real mess. No money, no leadership and no direction.

A radical overhaul is needed to stop Thailand effectively becoming a one party state.

[Markaew]

I wish I could care about the Democrats winning or losing. Personally, I see little difference in either party in power.

[Locationthailand]

Roll on Sunday. Some changes would be welcome to be sure in the Dems camp. Maybe Sukhumband would make a better leader and eventually PM as he certainly has the goolies for the job. THailand does not care about an educated leader or one with vision. They need a tough guy and Sukhumband fits that bill.

[ChrisY1]

The Democrats are in a real mess. No money, no leadership and no direction.

A radical overhaul is needed to stop Thailand effectively becoming a one party state.

Quite right....unless something "outstanding" comes out of the Democrats very soon...(which is very doubtful) they're gone....

The way things are progressing for PT at present, there is no real threat of them not achieving their goal of Thailand becoming a one party state....a presidency comes to mind.

[MaxLee]

Having more political parties who all have the same motive anyway is pointless for the future...

[h90]

Roll on Sunday. Some changes would be welcome to be sure in the Dems camp. Maybe Sukhumband would make a better leader and eventually PM as he certainly has the goolies for the job. THailand does not care about an educated leader or one with vision. They need a tough guy and Sukhumband fits that bill.

Right...as well in the time of Abhisit I didn't see any visions. It was slightly less corrupt government, but nothing more smart than the current one.

Sack Abhisit and put someone other as the party leader.

[h90]

The Democrats are in a real mess. No money, no leadership and no direction.

A radical overhaul is needed to stop Thailand effectively becoming a one party state.

Quite right....unless something "outstanding" comes out of the Democrats very soon...(which is very doubtful) they're gone....

The way things are progressing for PT at present, there is no real threat of them not achieving their goal of Thailand becoming a one party state....a presidency comes to mind.

Well I wouldn't count the military off, yet. It needs just one mid level military leader to stage a coup.

[tragickingdom]

As if it really matters who is at the helm at the not so Democrat party. Did any of the former leaders ever win a election? The answer is no, the not so democrat party only takes power when shady figures tell the army to take power. The democrat party should rename itself to the Putsch party,

[Arkady]

Sukhumbhand will take a break from politics, if he loses. What a joke. He won't have choice but he should taken the break beforehand and not insisted on running for a second term after a mediocre performance in the first term.

If the Dems lose, I think it really will be time for Abhisit to call it quits as leader to take responsibility for trouncing in two elections. In many countries he would have been forced to resign and not come back after the crushing general election defeat in 2011 when he went his own way, refusing to take any advice and ignoring the guns that Thaksin was lining up against him.

Surin is untested as a party leader but doesn't have the baggage of Abhisit and has more credibility in the Dems Southern stronghold than Korn who is not popular there.

However, poor the Dems may be they are still the only check against Thaksin's one party state, modelled on his fellow Hakkas in Singapore.

[Thai at Heart]

Sukhumbhand will take a break from politics, if he loses. What a joke. He won't have choice but he should taken the break beforehand and not insisted on running for a second term after a mediocre performance in the first term.

If the Dems lose, I think it really will be time for Abhisit to call it quits as leader to take responsibility for trouncing in two elections. In many countries he would have been forced to resign and not come back after the crushing general election defeat in 2011 when he went his own way, refusing to take any advice and ignoring the guns that Thaksin was lining up against him.

Surin is untested as a party leader but doesn't have the baggage of Abhisit and has more credibility in the Dems Southern stronghold than Korn who is not popular there.

However, poor the Dems may be they are still the only check against Thaksin's one party state, modelled on his fellow Hakkas in Singapore.

The Dems are so riven with infighting about who is popular where, and who has a stronghold where that they completely lack any unity of purpose. They are a shambles and I really can't see them winning anything for a very long time.

[Soi Sauce]

As if it really matters who is at the helm at the not so Democrat party. Did any of the former leaders ever win a election? The answer is no, the not so democrat party only takes power when shady figures tell the army to take power. The democrat party should rename itself to the Putsch party,

PTP did not win an election. The country is governed by a coalition, or haven't you noticed?

[backtonormal]

As if it really matters who is at the helm at the not so Democrat party. Did any of the former leaders ever win a election? The answer is no, the not so democrat party only takes power when shady figures tell the army to take power. The democrat party should rename itself to the Putsch party,

PTP did not win an election. The country is governed by a coalition, or haven't you noticed?

Is that a misprint. PTP gained enough seats on their own. They formed a coalition after to fend off their majority dropping if some members defected (given an offer they coundn't refuse from a name that cant be mentioned). It really does not matter who leads the Dem party its still viewed as a pig in the voters eyes. So making it a pig with lipstick will still make it a pig. Unelectable for the next decade

Edited February 26, 2013 by backtonormal

[hellodolly]

The Democrats are in a real mess. No money, no leadership and no direction.

A radical overhaul is needed to stop Thailand effectively becoming a one party state.

The current party in power is more interested in making it a dictatorship.

[rubl]

As if it really matters who is at the helm at the not so Democrat party. Did any of the former leaders ever win a election? The answer is no, the not so democrat party only takes power when shady figures tell the army to take power. The democrat party should rename itself to the Putsch party,

PTP did not win an election. The country is governed by a coalition, or haven't you noticed?

Is that a misprint. PTP gained enough seats on their own. They formed a coalition after to fend off their majority dropping if some members defected (given an offer they coundn't refuse from a name that cant be mentioned). It really does not matter who leads the Dem party its still viewed as a pig in the voters eyes. So making it a pig with lipstick will still make it a pig. Unelectable for the next decade

This topic is not on whether or not the current government is a coalition government, even though the coalition partners may be a wee bit disappointed.

The topic is about 'Abhisit and Korn have much to lose'. I must admit a certain level of indifference to that, but I fear for the Bangkok people who need a governor who cares about them and not about the central government

[hellodolly]

Roll on Sunday. Some changes would be welcome to be sure in the Dems camp. Maybe Sukhumband would make a better leader and eventually PM as he certainly has the goolies for the job. THailand does not care about an educated leader or one with vision. They need a tough guy and Sukhumband fits that bill.

Right...as well in the time of Abhisit I didn't see any visions. It was slightly less corrupt government, but nothing more smart than the current one.

Sack Abhisit and put someone other as the party leader.

Indeed I feel you are right. The voters will never take into account the number of people the Democrats had to cater to. For sure the PT will put 100% of the blame on the Dems. All though Abhist would probably be the best mam for the job the voters will never accept him. The Democrats will havwe to come up with a man who has more charisma. Ability is not a criteria here.

Thai's go more for photo ops.

[h90]

As if it really matters who is at the helm at the not so Democrat party. Did any of the former leaders ever win a election? The answer is no, the not so democrat party only takes power when shady figures tell the army to take power. The democrat party should rename itself to the Putsch party,

last time before they took the helm, after the same shady persons that are in the PTP now made Thailand bankrupt in the 1997 crises.....

[h90]

Roll on Sunday. Some changes would be welcome to be sure in the Dems camp. Maybe Sukhumband would make a better leader and eventually PM as he certainly has the goolies for the job. THailand does not care about an educated leader or one with vision. They need a tough guy and Sukhumband fits that bill.

Right...as well in the time of Abhisit I didn't see any visions. It was slightly less corrupt government, but nothing more smart than the current one.

Sack Abhisit and put someone other as the party leader.

Indeed I feel you are right. The voters will never take into account the number of people the Democrats had to cater to. For sure the PT will put 100% of the blame on the Dems. All though Abhist would probably be the best mam for the job the voters will never accept him. The Democrats will havwe to come up with a man who has more charisma. Ability is not a criteria here.

Thai's go more for photo ops.

No Abhisit is not the best man for the job, because he doesn't take risks. On the first day he should have fired the police boss and many corrupt government clerks. Maybe even complete restructure the police. Instead he tried to make a silent thinking PM in a very troublesome time. If you have good ideas but don't take the risks than you aren't able. Charisma, motivating people and populism are big parts of being a politician.

And all the lies make it worse...the army didn't shoot (of course they did in self defense), the Prince airplane isn't state property, etc etc..

[hellodolly]

Roll on Sunday. Some changes would be welcome to be sure in the Dems camp. Maybe Sukhumband would make a better leader and eventually PM as he certainly has the goolies for the job. THailand does not care about an educated leader or one with vision. They need a tough guy and Sukhumband fits that bill.

Right...as well in the time of Abhisit I didn't see any visions. It was slightly less corrupt government, but nothing more smart than the current one.

Sack Abhisit and put someone other as the party leader.

Indeed I feel you are right. The voters will never take into account the number of people the Democrats had to cater to. For sure the PT will put 100% of the blame on the Dems. All though Abhist would probably be the best mam for the job the voters will never accept him. The Democrats will havwe to come up with a man who has more charisma. Ability is not a criteria here.

Thai's go more for photo ops.

No Abhisit is not the best man for the job, because he doesn't take risks. On the first day he should have fired the police boss and many corrupt government clerks. Maybe even complete restructure the police. Instead he tried to make a silent thinking PM in a very troublesome time. If you have good ideas but don't take the risks than you aren't able. Charisma, motivating people and populism are big parts of being a politician.

And all the lies make it worse...the army didn't shoot (of course they did in self defense), the Prince airplane isn't state property, etc etc..

Abhist could not take the risks he had to many non Democrats to please. People tend to forget that.

Or treat it as if it was no big thing.

Does any one think Yingluck would still be Prime Minister if she didn't have all the votes in her pocket no need to please other parties. She would have been out on her ear after the fifth Photo Op.

[Soi Sauce]

As if it really matters who is at the helm at the not so Democrat party. Did any of the former leaders ever win a election? The answer is no, the not so democrat party only takes power when shady figures tell the army to take power. The democrat party should rename itself to the Putsch party,

PTP did not win an election. The country is governed by a coalition, or haven't you noticed?

Is that a misprint. PTP gained enough seats on their own. They formed a coalition after to fend off their majority dropping if some members defected (given an offer they coundn't refuse from a name that cant be mentioned). It really does not matter who leads the Dem party its still viewed as a pig in the voters eyes. So making it a pig with lipstick will still make it a pig. Unelectable for the next decade

They did not gain an overall majority, hence a cashalition was required.

Pls prove me wrong.

[Ricardo]

265 seats out of 500 (the PTP score with 48.4% of the vote in 2011) is generally taken as an overall majority of seats, subject to the EC's confirming the odd electoral/political-corruption case, however the technically-unnecessary coalition permits more snouts in-the-trough, and that deters any breakaway-groups like Newin's Friends.

A failure by the Dems to hold onto Bangkok would be worrying, but former-PM Abhisit has already resigned after the general-election and been re-elected to lead his party, so whether another stand-down might be appropriate now is debatable. However the failure of the Dems to be seen to reform, or of new potential-leaders to emerge, can be read as weakness or unity, depending on how they spin it.

The need for at least one strong opposition-party, in a healthy democracy, is clear. Then again, 10+ million votes and 165 seats isn't weak, just not strong enough to gain an overall majority on their own, this is however quite normal in Thailand.

Edited February 28, 2013 by Ricardo