Latest Developments on the Election Front

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Abhisit is willing to cooperate with every party to find solutions to the on-going situation

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) stated that he is ready to cooperate with every party to find the best solutions to the ongoing circumstances.

Mr. Abhisit referred to the advice of Privy Council President and Statesman Prem Tinsulanonda (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) towards concerned parties to seek solutions to the current situation and to consider the benefits of Thailand and its people as the main priorities.

He insisted that he is willing to cooperate with all parties especially the People’s Network for Elections in Thailand (PNET). He said every condition depends on the decision of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as he is able to make changes in this turmoil.

He has also requested the premier to stop giving interviews and speeches, as they could create more confusion in the society. Mr. Abhisit said his interviews and speeches can possibly aggravate the situation.

He added that the Election Commission is not solving the problems by postponing the general election date from the 2nd of April but it could rather create more troubles.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 March 2006

[Kerryd]

Everything I read here seems to indicate that the election is happening on 2 April.

Yet when I brought this up with my Thai neighbours, they were (are) insistent that the election is on 22 April ? As they don't read a lot of newspapers here, I'm assuming that they are getting their information either from the Television or through the bamboo-telegraph.

I imagine a lot of people would like to see the election rescheduled, to allow some of the TRT politicians to jump to the opposition parties.

I haven't seen a lot of electioneering going on, considering the elections are supposed to be in 2 weeks

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Paiboon said the Government should speed up the constitutional amendment

Phuket Senator Paiboon Upatising (ไพบูลย์ อุปัติศฤงค์) has suggested the government to work out the constitutional amendment as soon as possible, following the general election of April 2nd.

He said the issues related to the investigations of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other Ministers should be considered in particular. Over the past, many problems have occurred during the investigation between the administration and the legislative departments.

Mr. Paiboon has also urged every party to consider the benefits of the country and its people. He believes no party would like to see any violence, and there will be solutions to the ongoing crisis.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM refuses to talk to reporters in any matter

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is still performing his tasks, but he has refused to respond to the reporters’ queries following the presiding over the meeting to discuss plans to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne.

At 14.00 hours, the Korean Ambassador to Thailand will meet with the premier at Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก) House, and then, the premier is scheduled to preside over the opening ceremony at Thailand Cultural Center.

At 14.50 hours, the premier will use the service of a spa center at Dusit Thani Hotel.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

University rectors insist they will stay neutral and not take sides of any parties

The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) insist that they will stay clear of taking sides of all parties. CUPT said it is willing to halt its duties if all parties have lost their confidence in its performances.

Council of University Presidents of Thailand has declared its stance at Chulalongkorn University by the Director of Sukhothai Thammathirat University Pratchaya Wesarat(ปรัชญา เวสารัชช์) who is also President of CUPT.

President Pratchaya said CUPT has an intention of creating peace and harmony in the society and has no authority to give directions to any party.

He revealed that all parties agreed that Thailand is now faced with challenges as there are conflicts coming from various sectors.

He said CUPT would like the negotiations to take place in a peaceful manner, a different standpoint from the People’s Network for Elections in Thailand (PNET).

Mr Pratchaya said there are communuication problems from various sides. However, the CUPT will not disclose details unless they are confirmed from related agencies.

Director of Sukhothai Thammathirat University said he hopes the negotiation will take place soon to find proper solutions to the ongoing crisis.

He indicated if every party has lost its confidence in the performances of CUPT then it’s willing to halt its duties and allow other units to take over.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 March 2006

[TBWG]

Up until now I had assumed that a Thaksin victory was inevitable in the forthcoming election.

However having read the BBC world news update "See below" I am now not so sure.

Whilst he spends his time preaching to the converted, the opposition is united in bringing about his downfall even though they don't seem to have a viable alternative government.

IMHO if Thaksin does manage to get re-elected he may find it is a Pyrrhic victory.

TBWG

Thai politics in uncharted waters

By Kate McGeown

BBC News, Bangkok

The protests have been building for weeks

Thailand's charismatic prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has survived crises before, from criticism of his crackdown on drugs, to an insurgency in the country's south, and claims that he failed to declare all his wealth.

But nothing comes close to his present predicament.

For more than a month, Bangkok has played regular host to a snaking mass of demonstrators, all of whom have just one aim - to oust him from power.

Each week this rally seems to attract more supporters, angry at the $1.9bn (£1.1bn) sale of Mr Thaksin's family firm, Shin Corp. Critics accuse him of tax dodges and betraying the nation by selling an important national asset to Singaporean investors.

If he is no longer in control of the government, he is in trouble

Pasuk Pongpaichitr

But these protesters are not Mr Thaksin's only problem. He also has to contend with an electoral process which is looking increasingly farcical.

In an effort to regain control and silence the demonstrators, the prime minister decided to call a snap election on 2 April, assuming he was certain to win because of his support in the rural heartlands.

The outcome is no longer so certain.

The three main opposition parties wrong-footed him by announcing they would boycott the poll. And even if he insists on going ahead with the election, analysts say he may not be able to form a government anyway, because not all seats in parliament will be filled.

Limited options

Mr Thaksin - who has held power since 2001 - has so far shown every determination to keep it.

Mr Thaksin has vowed to battle on

"If he is no longer in control of the government, he is in trouble," said political analyst Pasuk Pongpaichitr.

She said that rally organisers, who have said they want to pursue a case against him over the Shin Corp sale, would be given a free hand over the investigation.

"This could mean that some of his assets would be seized and he could be barred from politics for five years," she said.

Mr Thaksin has to do something, but the big question is what.

Analysts say his options are limited.

Under Thai law, if the prime minister resigns then the whole cabinet goes with him, and a royally appointed interim government is brought in.

For Mr Thaksin, there is no guarantee it would be to his liking.

Alternatively, he could step aside for a while, as he hinted he might on Wednesday, and go ahead with the election.

But this, too, is fraught with difficulties.

'Danger zone'

Under Thai election laws, elections are only deemed completed when all 500 seats are filled, and that is looking increasingly unlikely.

There is no specific law to solve this problem... it would be unprecedented

Chaiwat Khamchoo

Because the three main opposition parties have vowed to boycott the polls, Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party will run unopposed in more than half of the country's 400 constituencies.

By law, a candidate must get 20% of the eligible vote to be elected, and in some areas of Thailand this may well not happen.

In fact Pasuk Pongpaichitr estimates that 60 seats are in this danger zone - almost all of them in the south of the country or sections of Bangkok, where opposition to Mr Thaksin is fiercest.

If no candidate gets more than this critical 20% figure, new elections have to be held until one does, in order for parliament to be convened.

Another problem is that there are unlikely to be enough candidates to fill the remaining 100 seats in parliament which are decided by a party list system.

Thai Rak Thai has only 99 registered candidates, and it is unlikely any of the smaller parties contesting the election will get the 5% of the national vote required to be eligible for a party list seat.

"There is no specific law to solve this problem, and it will be up to the electoral commission to sort out," said Chaiwat Khamchoo, a lecturer in political science at Chulalongkorn University.

"It would be unprecedented," he said.

In fact, everything about Thailand's political situation is unprecedented, and few people can guess what the future holds.

While the crisis in Bangkok deepens, Mr Thaksin is campaigning in the north of Thailand, trying to look like a man in control of his country.

Despite his power and influence, and his huge personal fortune, few people in Thailand envy him now.

[sriracha john]

PM refuses to talk to reporters in any matter

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is still performing his tasks, but he has refused to respond to the reporters’ queries following the presiding over the meeting to discuss plans to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne.

At 14.00 hours, the Korean Ambassador to Thailand will meet with the premier at Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก) House, and then, the premier is scheduled to preside over the opening ceremony at Thailand Cultural Center.

At 14.50 hours, the premier will use the service of a spa center at Dusit Thani Hotel.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 March 2006

geez... and people were complaining the PAD rally blow-by-blow timetables were tedious....

oh... and btw, I know everyone is dying to know and so just to satisfy the over-riding question on everybody's mind about how exactly his time at the Dusit Thanin was spent.... the PM had a facial massage and a manicure there.

Seriously.... he did.

[Siripon]

So if after the election, either on April 2 or a few weeks later in late April, but certainly within the 60 days from dissolution set under the Constitution, Parliament cannot be convened due to the lack of the quorum of 500 MPs, then what will they do when Parliament has to be convened within 60 days from the election, as again set under the Constitution.

No Parliament, no passing of reforms of the Constitution!

And the man who dissolved Parliament because he couldn't bear to face any questioning regarding his actions used to say with a strong majority in Parliament, politics in Thailand would be smooth, secure, no more turbulence.

He had 374 MPs out of 500 !

[slimdog]

This is a problem for the EC to sort out. Whilst a great deal has been made of the fact that the full quorum will almost certainly not be met, the EC will have to decide whether the full 400 elected and 100 party list members are needed for a parliment to re-convene. Should it decide that all 500 persons do need to be present then the full implications could be very far reaching, as this will mean that in future elections, when hopefully all parties participate, the party or coalition of parties that have the greatest number of votes could be held to ransom by a single person refusing to participate. There should also be some form of allowance for illness, death and juristic actions.

[sriracha john]

This is a problem for the EC to sort out. Whilst a great deal has been made of the fact that the full quorum will almost certainly not be met, the EC will have to decide whether the full 400 elected and 100 party list members are needed for a parliment to re-convene. Should it decide that all 500 persons do need to be present then the full implications could be very far reaching, as this will mean that in future elections, when hopefully all parties participate, the party or coalition of parties that have the greatest number of votes could be held to ransom by a single person refusing to participate. There should also be some form of allowance for illness, death and juristic actions.

The decision won't stop at EC's doorstep... any modifications to the established laws will require the issue go to the courts...

[jdinasia]

from The Nation .....

8:15 pm: Announcer Samran Yodphet tells the crowd at the Misakawan Intersection that it appears that the April 2 election would not take place now the Supreme Court upholds the Election Commission's ruling to disqualify a Thai Rak Thai candidate in Samut Sakhon's Constituency 3.

.

Edited March 16, 2006 by jdinasia

[sriracha john]

Supreme Court upholds disqualification ruling against Thai Rak Thai candidate

The Supreme Court Thursday assigned 15 teams of judges to conduct appellate reviews on candidacy qualifications in a bid to expedite the ruling ahead of the April 2 election.

The court anticipated a deluge of appeals as the Election Commission had disqualified 320 of 941 constituency candidates.

Every disqualified candidate is entitled to contest the EC decision via a judicial review.

In a first appellate ruling yesterday, the high court confirmed the disqualification of Thai Rak Thai candidate Udom Kraiwatnussorn on grounds that he had failed to vote in the last general election.

The result of the disqualification is that there will be no candidates running for the Samut Sakhon's constituency 3 seat. Local voters will have the choice to cast a party-list vote or tick the "no vote" box.

In another ruling, the court dismissed an appeal to restore the party-list candidates from the Social Action Party saying the court's jurisdiction covers constituency candidates, not the party-list.

- TN

[sriracha john]

Election will go ahead, vows defiant Thai PM

By Connie Levett

Sydney Morning Herald Correspondent in Bangkok

March 17, 2006

THE Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, insisted yesterday he would not resign and that the controversial general election would go ahead despite new questions about its legality.

Mr Thaksin returned to Bangkok after several days of campaigning in northern Thailand but avoided protesters camped outside Government House by holding his morning meeting at the Foreign Ministry.

Despite his insistence that the snap poll set for April 2 will proceed, the situation has descended into a farce, with all the major parties, including Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, wanting to postpone or cancel the poll.

The opposition Democrats have boycotted the election and will stand no candidates for the 500-seat parliament.

A government spokesman, Surapong Suebwonglee, yesterday admitted Thai Rak Thai had also requested the election be postponed.

On Wednesday the Election Commission raised the possibility of a postponement because of the number of seats being contested by only one candidate.

There are 400 constituency seats and 100 party list seats in the parliament. Owing to the boycott, up to 274 of the 400 constituency seats will have only one candidate.

A lone candidate must win at least 20 per cent of the vote for the outcome to hold. Voting is compulsory but there is a "no vote" option on the ballot paper.

Every seat in parliament must be filled, so the disqualification of one candidate means parliament cannot be convened.

The commission's chairman, Wassana Permlarp, said he would wait for a Supreme Court ruling on whether it would disqualify any more candidates before deciding on a postponement.

[Hermano Lobo]

Thaksin will have to be dragged kicking and screaming before he leaves office.

I really don't know how they will remove the limpet?

Thaksin digs in his heels

(TNA) – The government has boycotted a preparatory meeting with its two key opponents for a proposed public debate next week aimed at breaking the current political impasse.

Before returning to Bangkok today, Mr Thaksin talked to an ecstatic crowd of 50,000 in Nakhon Ratchasima, and turned stubborn again.

"The talk of the town is that I am about to bow out, that I'm giving up, resigning. How can I do that when so many people turn up to give moral support?" he asked rhetorically. "Only a man who is out of his mind would bow to mob rule."

Once again, he said he might quit, but not now:

"I work for the nation and I still have something very small to accomplish, and after I complete that I don't know what else I would hang on for."

Delegates from the three main opposition parties and from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the coalition of groups behind anti-government rally campaign, showed up at the meeting venue today, but after three hours it was obvious that no government representative would attend.

The election watchdog, the People’s Network for Elections (P-Net), had earlier proposed that the government, the opposition parties and the PAD send their representatives to Bangkok’s Manangkasila House to discuss the preparations and agenda of the public debate scheduled for Friday of next week.

Among key issues to be discussed today were the future of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the possible postponement of the April 2 snap general election.

However, the government had made it clear it wanted the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) to organise such a forum, saying its proposal was more likely to defuse the political situation.

Details of the proposal would be clear in a next few days, Dr Surapong claimed.

Earlier, the CUPT proposed that the discussions should be held behind closed doors and chaired by a neutral mediator.

Meanwhile, opposition representative Sathit Wongnongtoey insisted that the three parties would not agree to a closed-door, tripartite discussion. He stressed that the talks should be open to both public and media.

[britmaveric]

As I expected.... no way Thaksin will resign, asking him to step down is a non-starter. They should be working on reforms.

[jdinasia]

My money is on him stepping down ... either because he gets his one little thing done (collects 2Bn) or someone important whispers in his ear!

[britmaveric]

My money is on him stepping down ... either because he gets his one little thing done (collects 2Bn) or someone important whispers in his ear!

Loss of Face least you forget!

[jdinasia]

not forgetting ... but the loss of face when this snap election on the 2nd cannot happen or cannot seat a new Patlaiment .... that's gonna be huge ....

for the PDA and Opposition Parties to win ... all they have to do is stop Thaksin from winning.

The South is gonna be teaching a lesson of why Pluralism is important in Democracy

[britmaveric]

not forgetting ... but the loss of face when this snap election on the 2nd cannot happen or cannot seat a new Patlaiment .... that's gonna be huge ....

for the PDA and Opposition Parties to win ... all they have to do is stop Thaksin from winning.

The South is gonna be teaching a lesson of why Pluralism is important in Democracy

And if he wins????

[sriracha john]

DEFIANT THAKSIN:

I'll retreat no further

After 'fleeing' for another 'exile trip', beleaguered PM insists he'll decide after April 2 poll on whether to 'take a break'

A day after the Privy Council president pleaded for all parties in the political crisis to restore peace -which has been labelled a "direct message" to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to make a "major decision" - the caretaker premier insisted yesterday he would wait until after the April 2 election before deciding whether or not to take a break from politics.

"I haven't considered taking a pause," he told reporters at a campaign stop in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday. "But after the election, I might or might not be the prime minister. This is the way of democracy."

Thaksin will continue his "exile trips" to the provinces and may not return to his Government House office until the election, to avoid confronting protesters besieging the compound, reports say.

Anti-government demonstrators who were waiting to meet Thaksin at Government House yesterday were disappointed to learn that he changed his mind about visiting his office in compound.

Instead, Thaksin held the meeting on organising the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob said Thaksin wanted to avoid a confrontation that could have lead to violence.

Government Spokesman Sura-pong Suebwonglee, however, gave another reason.

He said Thaksin did not want to cause trouble for Cabinet members and their aides who would have to brave the crowds besieging Government House.

Thaksin's response yesterday to questions about whether he would take a break from politics contradicted statements he made on Wednesday.

Then, he said he was considering "going on a break" but only in the best interests of the country and not under pressure from his opponents.

In response to a proposal that he take his "political pause" after the Constitution is amended, he said it was an irresponsible suggestion.

"Why don't they write in the charter that Thaksin [shinawatra] is not allowed to enter politics?" he said. "Some people would love to see it."

best idea all year

A number of anti-Thaksin groups have called for his resignation as caretaker PM to end the political crisis and pave the way for a royally-sponsored prime minister to oversee charter amendments before an election takes place.

Thaksin also responded to Privy Council President Prem Tinsula-nonda's plea on Wednesday to take a "step back" for reconciliation.

A source quoted a trusted aide of Prem as saying the statement was a "direct message" to Thaksin to step down.

Thaksin said he had made attempts to reconcile with his critics during recent weeks.

"I've already made several steps back," he said. "All sides need to play by the rules. If they do, the crisis will surely end. I myself stick strictly to the rules."

Thaksin has been away from Bangkok during recent weeks, campaigning in the provinces while thousands of people have been besieging Government House to pressure him to quit.

He left Nakhon Ratchasima for Bangkok early yesterday morning to chair a government meeting and preside over an education fair.

During the in-bound trip, Thaksin made a stop at Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district to preside over the opening of the "Cowboy Market".

He stopped next at Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district to greet thousands of grass-root supporters from the North and the Northeast who are walking to Bangkok to try to overshadow the anti-Thaksin protestors at Government House.

After chairing the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thaksin spent about an hour after lunch at the Dusit Thani Hotel's Devarana Spa, where he normally gets his hair cut.

Thaksin will campaign today in Kanchanaburi and travel to the North next week.

"I can administer the government over the telephone," Thaksin said in response to questions about how he could run his government while being "in exile" from the capital.

He declined, however, to say whether he intended to keep a distance from his Government House office until the election.

Thaksin last night reportedly changed his regular route to his residence in Soi Charunsanitwong 69, which normally passes Government House, in order to avoid passing the protesters.

The Nation

Edited March 16, 2006 by sriracha john

[lukamar]

And if he wins????

A lot of people refuse to consider that option, but they should.

If TRT wins a total of 251 seats or more they would hold the parliamentary majority, and they will defiantly have the highest percentage of the popular vote. This would put great pressure on the EC and the courts because the majority vote has selected the TRT even though there are many vacancies across the country. It's new ground for everyone and just like a prize fight that goes the distance you will not know the result until the final decision has been rendered. It would be very hard however for any court or authority to overturn the will of a majority vote.

The reason that the PAD is telling it's supporters to go vote "No Vote" is so they well not be disqualified from voting in future elections. If the PAD was serious about a boycott they would boycott the election "across the board" refusing to even vote to show their reserve, but they don't have the fortitude to stand and take the higher ground, they only hiked half way up the hill once again. If you are willing to die for the cause, as Sondhi stated, not voting is a minor concession.

[jdinasia]

555 ... no again ... if the PAD told people NOT to vote they would be breaking the law! As it is they are working within the law!

[sriracha john]

And if he wins????

A lot of people refuse to consider that option, but they should.

If TRT wins a total of 251 seats or more they would hold the parliamentary majority, and they will defiantly have the highest percentage of the popular vote. This would put great pressure on the EC and the courts because the majority vote has selected the TRT even though there are many vacancies across the country. It's new ground for everyone and just like a prize fight that goes the distance you will not know the result until the final decision has been rendered. It would be very hard however for any court or authority to overturn the will of a majority vote.

The reason that the PAD is telling it's supporters to go vote "No Vote" is so they well not be disqualified from voting in future elections. If the PAD was serious about a boycott they would boycott the election "across the board" refusing to even vote to show their reserve, but they don't have the fortitude to stand and take the higher ground, they only hiked half way up the hill once again. If you are willing to die for the cause, as Sondhi stated, not voting is a minor concession.

whoa there... hold your horses... the PAD is merely advocating that people follow the Constitutional mandate that every citizen votes. By voting for the "No Candidate Party" they show more, not less, fortitude. Perhaps the disqualified TRT Party candidate (disqualified for not voting) should take a lesson from them.

Frankly, I don't see any election happening on April 2nd, so the courts won't likely have to go against the Constituton and seat an incomplete Parliament. The decision on how to manage this all is in their hands, but I don't see that they will seat a Parliament that doesn't have an MP from every constituency (due to the TRT candidate mentioned earlier being disqualified, there are NO candidates for an MP in that constituency ) and they will have to come up with some other alternative plan.

Lastly... as for the court over-turning the will of the "majority vote".... what happens if the "No Candidate Party" IS the majority vote? wouldn't that be ironic??

Edited March 16, 2006 by sriracha john

[lukamar]

Frankly, I don't see any election happening on April 2nd, so the courts won't likely have to go against the Constituton and seat an incomplete Parliament. The decision on how to manage this all is in their hands, but I don't see that they will seat a Parliament that doesn't have an MP from every constituency (due to the TRT candidate mentioned earlier being disqualified, there are NO candidates for an MP in that constituency ) and they will have to come up with some other alternative plan.

Lastly... as for the court over-turning the will of the "majority vote".... what happens if the "No Candidate Party" IS the majority vote? wouldn't that be ironic??

I agree that probably the best course would be to hold off on the elections but time is ticking and they would have to make that decision very quickly. I could see seating parliament with a few, fill in your own number here, your guess is as good as mine (1,5,??), seats missing and holding by-elections on the missing seats in the following 45 days to help defuse the situation as it stands. I do not see parliament sitting with any large number of MP's missing.

"what happens if the "No Candidate Party" IS the majority vote?" That's also an interesting scenario and in some areas that could easily happen. There are probably a lot of constitutional lawyers burning the midnight oil over all this as we speak.

[Bryan in Isaan]

Mr. Abhisit is willing to cooperate with every party to find solutions to the on-going situation

..clip..

He has also requested the premier to stop giving interviews and speeches, as they could create more confusion in the society. Mr. Abhisit said his interviews and speeches can possibly aggravate the situation.

..clip..

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 March 2006

This is a weird statement on its own, to request the PM not to speak, but especially as the opposition has been issuing asinine speeches, name calling and insults around the clock for weeks now.

Some people who are against Thaksin have already discounted Sondhi and his group as being only tools to bring down the Prime Minister. That may be the case but here is the head of the leading political party of the opposition. He should be trying to emerge as a leader at a time like this.

Bryan

Edited March 17, 2006 by Bryan in Isaan

[Plus]

It's not up to the EC to decide to convene the parlament with less than 500 MPs. Their job is to hold the elections and endorse 500 people. Until they do that the House cannot sit. It different from the case where someone fails to show up, falls sick, or dies - Constitution clearly says that if the seat become vacant or there's no full quorum - just go ahead.

There's a remote chance that some small party gets 1-1.5 mil votes and helps to fill party list MPs because TRT has only 99 candidates.

But what can EC do if there are no candidates for Samut Sakon constituency? There's no way they can solve this problem without holding by-elections about a month later.

April 2 elecions will not produce full house, even if everything else goes Taksin's way in constituencies with only TRT candidates.

What will the EC do? Simply postponing the elections will not achieve much if opposition still boycottes them.

At this moment Taksin is still asked to resign, if he doesn't start listening, he'll be TOLD to resign, and if he delays sitting down to talks with PAD and Opposition any longer there's a good chance that he will be dragged out of his office kicking and screaming.

[Jai Dee]

Minister Yongyut says to uphold democratic principles

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Yongyut Tiyapairat, stated that the best way out for the political crisis would be for those involved to adhere to democratic principles.

Mr. Yongyut revealed that the best method for resolving the tension of the current political crisis would be to uphold democratic principles. If the people thought that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was corrupt and immoral, then they should leave it to the National Counter Corruption Commission to sort out the issue.

Mr. Yongyut said that if Prime Minister Thaksin actually resigned from office due to the Democratic Front's protest pressure, then this would set a bad precedence for other citizens to do the same. The minister said this would lead to bad public image for Thailand and may affect investment in the nation.

The minister denies any involving in the hiring of agriculture vehicles filled with farmers to come into Bangkok to support Mr. Thaksin, and said these people can of their own free will.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 March 2006

[Plus]

This is a weird statement on its own, to request the PM not to speak, but especially as the opposition has been issuing asinine speeches, name calling and insults around the clock for weeks now.

Errr... has anyone heard the opposition calling names and throwing insults at Taksin? Can you give an example please? It appears that your statement is not based on any facts.

And yes, the statement is weird on its own, but in the contest it is probably right - Taksin's speeches aimed at rallying his troops probably do not help any reconciliation efforts at all. I, for one, can't see what the long awaited talks will achieve if Taksin keeps on saying what he says now.

[Plus]

Mr. Yongyut revealed that the best method for resolving the tension of the current political crisis would be to uphold democratic principles. If the people thought that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was corrupt and immoral, then they should leave it to the National Counter Corruption Commission to sort out the issue.

What's he saying this for? It's a non-starter, there's no NCCC at the moment. Is he suggesting that PAD pack their bags, go home and wait for NCCC? What are the chances of that happening.

Is that his idea of a "... best way out for the political crisis..."? How's that for incompetence!

[Jai Dee]

The Dept of Mental Health has opened a hotline for people suffering stress resulting from poltiical situation.

The Department of Mental Health has warned the people of a new symptom resulting from the political problems, while opening the hotline 1323 to listen to the people’s opinions, allowing them to release their stress.

Director-general of the Mental Health Department Mom Luang Somchai Jakkapan (สมชาย จักรพันธุ์) said that the risk group of the new symptom include politicians, those who follow political news, and those who already demonstrate symptoms of mental diseases.

He said that the symptoms include insomnia, headache, chest pain, moodiness, lack of concentration, and problems in social interactions. He said that if the symptoms continue more than one week, the people should consult psychiatrists immediately.

In addition, the Department of Mental Health has opened up hotline 1323 for the people to call and relieve their stress from political arguments.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 March 2006