Thaksin Given Ultimatum To Resign Within 48 Hours

[baht&sold]

My wife and my son are both Thai so I feel I have a vested interest in seeing the country stable. I would rather see TS in power and the country stable than see him out of power and a see some power vacuum make things substantially worse than they are with the present government.

Stable? For how long as is? Fair enough but perhaps a bit of a safe-justified, short term, short sighted, fearful play, esp from a guy whom espouses to advance the rights of foreigners and thus (one assumes?) advancement beyond the present day status quo deMOCKracy, "buy" the rule of law? (therefore negating the possibilty of advancing the country forward, including your family) A bit more faith and belief in the future aspirations of Thailand wouldn't hurt on balance perhaps?

The PAD's deadline ultimatum is patently ridiculous & a bit dangerous and pity the manipulated short sighted fool who can be bought by populist promises of laptops for grade 1's or an unsustainable 30 baht health scheme (all re-payable by the poor, like 1 million baht village loans).

Different rules apply for some who can AFFORD to evade taxes "buy" self structured bended law "buy" maintaining status quo control, at the expense of the very people who were unwittingly "baht" and thus unwittingly perpetuate the present day seemingly unbreakable cycle of designed dependence ( or fear or change.) Erm, sounds a bit familiar Luk? No offense but I'd expect you wouldn't be so unwitting but your constant comments beg to differ and reflect extremely limited vision and therefore limited future aspirations imho.

Do I trust the PAD any more than the CEO? He1L no. However, I firmly trust and believe in the future of Thailand, no fear, no limits and no doubts about it! Ultimately, if the institutions of democracy and associated watchdogs are allowed to evolve, it hardly matters who's running the show- this IS the point. However, anyone who accepts the present day status quo worries me somewhat tho

As long as protests to and fro remains peaceful, I say, let it go forward- as long as it remains peaceful... and that depends on certain HUGE fragile egos, HUGE face and this includes all extremely LIMITED, short sighted vested interests, savvy?

[jdinasia]

geeze B&S ... don't bring something like sense to this discussion!

[sriracha john]

Any speculation on how they plan to escalate this when Thaksin does NOT resign in about 24 more hours?

Another ultimatum per usual for the millionth time. (broken record comes to mind)

Sorry... but Thaksin holds the current world record for meaningless, absurd deadlines and ultimatums...

Bird flu eradicated in 60 days.... Drug free since 2003... Poverty free by 2008.... Resolve Deep South problems in 90 days (from 2005)... etc. etc... etc.... AND etc.

[terdsak_12]

Tick Tock, I think the 48 hours are up!!!! NOTHING.

[george]

Any alternative to Thaksin and TRT? Name and party, please!

[sriracha john]

Tick Tock, I think the 48 hours are up!!!! NOTHING.

Inexpensive, but ACCURATE watches are available at MBK shopping center..

[sriracha john]

Any alternative to Thaksin and TRT? Name and party, please!

For this "election"..... a tick in the box for "No Vote" of the "No Name Party" is the best bet...

[lukamar]

Different rules apply for some who can AFFORD to evade taxes "buy" self structured bended law "buy" maintaining status quo control,

B&S as a business man do you pay excess taxes? Do you pay taxes to Thailand and Canada, no you use the dual tax treaty between the two countries to avoid paying taxes twice. You probably use everything at your disposal to lower the taxes paid to the minimum, I lower my taxes as far as possible almost everyone does. The tax system is never fair the higher up the ladder you go in wealth the less you really have to pay in reality because you have the monetary means to avoid taxes with loopholes and investments. There are times in business when you don't pay any tax or you are awarded capital losses that can be used over time to lower your tax in the future. Thaksin's advisor's or his sons advisor's or someones advisor's used the tax law for the benefit of the taxpayer to lower the tax to the minimum, that's just good business and why these guys are rich and we are middle class.

[sriracha john]

The scare tactics continue... Surprising that they feel the need to resort to such under-handed measures when they are running unopposed in over half the constituencies in this "election"...

TRT has no exclusive right to B30 scheme

Thai Rak Thai has no right to include the 30-baht healthcare service in its election manifesto because the scheme belongs to the state, officials of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) said yesterday. A refusal to drop the campaign may violate the election law, they said.

Board member Kua Kaewket said Thai Rak Thai party members were telling people that if their party was not returned to government by the April 2 general election, the 30-baht scheme would be scrapped.

But any party coming into government would have to continue providing the service, he said.

''This is to announce to the public that the general health insurance scheme cannot be used to gain political advantage, because it is a legal right of the people and funding for the service comes from taxpayers,'' Mr Kua said.

Saree Ongsomwang, of the NHSO's public heath service quality and standard control committee, said the Thai Rak Thai party must drop the 30-baht medical service from its campaign.

''It has nothing to do with politics, but is about equal public access to healthcare. It is welfare that the state must provide, not a policy exclusive to Thai Rak Thai,'' she said.

Ms Saree said she would ask the Election Commission to look into whether Thai Rak Thai was violating the election law with its campaign. Its claim could be considered as a promise to give something, which was illegal.

Yupadee Sirisinsuk said people in many areas wrongly believed the healthcare service would end if Thai Rak Thai did not make it back into government.

Thai Rak Thai initially backed the 30-baht scheme to woo public support, but then ignored it and caused problems in management and the quality of healthcare, she said.

- BP

[rossigee]

Out of respect for our hosts and the fact that we are mere visitors to this country, I will keep my comments to myself.

However, I must state that I strongly oppose to the one farang that I saw present (on television) at the political demonstration and feel that he is out of line for even being there.

Why? Are you saying that only Thai's should be allowed to demonstrate?

There are many farang living and working in Thailand, helping to support the Thai economy, bringing money and experience to Thailand, supporting their Thai husbands/wives, family, friends and communities. Many also have Thai children, whose lives may be affected by the political decisions made in the present. Granted, we may just be 'farang' here, aren't really 'valued' much, and aren't eligible to vote ourselves, but I still think we should be allowed to represent and discuss our opinions and views amongst the voting Thais if we wish to.

Personally, I haven't had time to follow this story in detail, so I don't profess to have an informed opinion, but from what I can gather from my Thai friends, the news, the odd taxi-driver and the posts on this forum, it seems that this is a crap state of affairs. Not one party with a candidate worth voting for. Looks like there'll be months more bickering, and still no sign (yet?) of a decent party/candidate likely to actually use a position of power for the good of the Thai people instead of for their own personal gain. Is there really no-one in Thailand that can do the job without being corrupted by the power and the money?

[ColPyat]

Do I trust the PAD any more than the CEO? He1L no. However, I firmly trust and believe in the future of Thailand, no fear, no limits and no doubts about it!

On what else than wishful thinking is that statement based, please?

[Insight]

Peru - you get tossed into jail, and charged w/plotting against govt.

Bad idea to get involved one way or another. Best to stay neutral. What happens if crackdowns occur and you've been identified as a subversive supporting the losing side?

If that was a possibility in any way what so ever, I'd be on the first plane out of here, regardless of whatever demonstration is going on!

Thankfully it's not, and there's a good chance me and the g/f will be at this rally on Saturday.

[Plus]

I agree with Colpyat above,

No matter how much I admire people who join PAD rallies, come April 2 and we'll see how many Thais make the "wrong" choice.

There's no question that Thaksin is a crook who should be at least banned from politics, let's see how many people care. Let's see how many people put their little personal gains above the nation's interest.

On a good side, let's see how many people will tick "no vote" on their ballots.

Edited March 23, 2006 by Plus

[thanchart]

Wonder if any folks here know the lady (Miss Sarousha) who is often seen at rallies with Sondhi Limthongkul, local media mogul turned arch critic against Mr. Thaksin. She was dismissed some years back by a TV station in Singapore for dishonesty. I know that cos, I happen to know her personally

Also I was told by a very good friend in KhonKaen that the opposition parties are offering people 800฿ a day to go and attend their rallies in BKK. And all this time, they are accusing TRT of doing that?

While I am not supporting any partiucular party, I can see the progress Thailand has made as a whole, and yet the very people in BKK who beneifitted are making so much noise and joining in the protests. Hmm what will happen if the economy goes down badly again? Will they do the same thing?

[lukamar]

Is there really no-one in Thailand that can do the job without being corrupted by the power and the money?

Probably not at the present. You have to have power and money to be elected in the first place. It's like a giant whirlpool, you may be safe on the outside edge but once you get closer to the center you will get sucked down with everyone else.

[jdinasia]

^^^ 555 ^^^ not to sure if I buy that Than

[Insight]

Any alternative to Thaksin and TRT? Name and party, please!

Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat party leader.

Since I've lived here I've been hearing nothing but bad press about Thaksin. It seems that all political analysts, no matter from what background, are short on good words to say about him. On top of which, there was the crackdown on drugs (internationally condemmed), loss of press freedoms (NCCC investigating The Nation, BP being sueued), a very crappy handling of what's going on in the south, and infinately worse than any crime just listed - pretending to be interested in buying LFC.

Now there's a very real chance to get him out and people start whinging "well who's going to replace him?" Fair enough, good point - Good enough reason to leave Thaksin in power.

Even though poverty in Roi Et has been completely demolished and everybody is enjoying their new Milan-style villas and expensive European cars, I'm very much for this movement to oust him.

The guy's a crook. And a prick.

[Plus]

Opposition rallies in Bangkok? They never had rallies in Bangkok and there's only one rally scheduled for tomorrow. Are you sure that's the same one? Or do you mean PAD rallies? People have to buy their own food there, forget 800 baht.

[ColPyat]

Wonder if any folks here know the lady (Miss Sarousha) who is often seen at rallies with Sondhi Limthongkul, local media mogul turned arch critic against Mr. Thaksin. She was dismissed some years back by a TV station in Singapore for dishonesty. I know that cos, I happen to know her personally

Do you mean the lady titled "Sondhi's bimbo"?

She is cute.

Never listen though what she says.

[ColPyat]

Opposition rallies in Bangkok? They never had rallies in Bangkok and there's only one rally scheduled for tomorrow. Are you sure that's the same one? Or do you mean PAD rallies? People have to buy their own food there, forget 800 baht.

Actually, there is always free food at the PAD rallies. Not very good though.

I have already advised some relatives to go in daytime for their 500 baht to Chatuchak, and for some free grub in the evening to the Government house.

[thanchart]

^^^ 555 ^^^ not to sure if I buy that Than

U dun need to. I am only telling facts that I know. All I am saying is that there are 2 sides of the coin and often one needs to know what one wants. Politics is a dirty biz, let's face it/.

No government is perfect. "Perfect" Demoncracy is not perfect either, cos things dun get done.

[jdinasia]

well the PAD doesn't have the budget to bus people in ... certainly not from KK ... and The Opposition parties have had no rallies/protests. As for the chick with Sondi ... care to post a link about the firing for dishonesty?

Edited March 23, 2006 by jdinasia

[thanchart]

well the PAD doesn't have the budget to bus people in ... certainly not from KK ... and The Opposition parties have had no rallies/protests. As for the chick with Sondi ... care to post a link about the firing for dishonesty?

Think broader. Money dun have to come direct from PAD itself, There are many vested interests from many sources, maybe not all of them are Thai! I know my good friend (whom I talk to everyday) means a PAD rally - specifically the last one that took place.

As for that lady, her dismissal is a quiet affair and kept internal within the company, cos they dun want to destroy her future (many Asian companies do this). Mostly only her colleagues are aware. I dun think it is published anywhere. But u had watched her on television in a particular Singapore News channel and she suddenly was replaced, u will understand why.

[Insight]

well the PAD doesn't have the budget to bus people in ... certainly not from KK ... and The Opposition parties have had no rallies/protests. As for the chick with Sondi ... care to post a link about the firing for dishonesty?

Think broader. Money dun have to come direct from PAD itself, There are many vested interests from many sources, maybe not all of them are Thai! I know my good friend (whom I talk to everyday) means a PAD rally - specifically the last one that took place.

As for that lady, her dismissal is a quiet affair and kept internal within the company, cos they dun want to destroy her future (many Asian companies do this). Mostly only her colleagues are aware. I dun think it is published anywhere. But u had watched her on television in a particular Singapore News channel and she suddenly was replaced, u will understand why.

These are broad strokes mate, very broad.

[thanchart]

Do you mean the lady titled "Sondhi's bimbo"?

She is cute.

Never listen though what she says.

Yes she is And sweet and gentle too, as one would expect from a typical well-groomed thai lady. She speaks good English cos US educated (or how to be a journalist on english lang TV?). We have met for a meal and we speak in English and Thai.

[jdinasia]

broad ... urban legend like .... innuendo ... and factless

[sriracha john]

well the PAD doesn't have the budget to bus people in ... certainly not from KK ... and The Opposition parties have had no rallies/protests. As for the chick with Sondi ... care to post a link about the firing for dishonesty?

Think broader. Money dun have to come direct from PAD itself, There are many vested interests from many sources, maybe not all of them are Thai! I know my good friend (whom I talk to everyday) means a PAD rally - specifically the last one that took place.

As for that lady, her dismissal is a quiet affair and kept internal within the company, cos they dun want to destroy her future (many Asian companies do this). Mostly only her colleagues are aware. I dun think it is published anywhere. But u had watched her on television in a particular Singapore News channel and she suddenly was replaced, u will understand why.

If she had worked for Pre-Thaksin ITV and lost her job when he removed independence from the staff after he took over, it'd definitely be plausible.

[jdinasia]

I don't know crap about Singapore (except how to identify someone from there by their slang/word usage )... was ITV a Singapore station? ((I know it is a Thai station))

And how can one infer why someone was no longer an on air personality from their absence?

Edited March 23, 2006 by jdinasia

[h90]

is that a "smart" way to make someone looking ugly without telling any facts?

If it was so quiet affair that noone know about anything, than leave it quiet or bring some facts....

well the PAD doesn't have the budget to bus people in ... certainly not from KK ... and The Opposition parties have had no rallies/protests. As for the chick with Sondi ... care to post a link about the firing for dishonesty?

Think broader. Money dun have to come direct from PAD itself, There are many vested interests from many sources, maybe not all of them are Thai! I know my good friend (whom I talk to everyday) means a PAD rally - specifically the last one that took place.

As for that lady, her dismissal is a quiet affair and kept internal within the company, cos they dun want to destroy her future (many Asian companies do this). Mostly only her colleagues are aware. I dun think it is published anywhere. But u had watched her on television in a particular Singapore News channel and she suddenly was replaced, u will understand why.

[sriracha john]

The dirty tactics continue:

Witnesses 'falsely reported missing'

Suthep: TRT putting pressure on relatives

There have been attempts to falsely report four people testifying against Thai Rak Thai as missing and to obtain search warrants for his house in Surat Thani where they are staying, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

Last week, Mr Suthep alleged that three Thai Rak Thai executives _ deputy leader Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya and deputy secretaries-general Pongsak Raktapongpaisal and Prommin Lertsuridej _ plotted to hire small parties to run in the general election and had meddled with the Election Commission's database to enable unqualified candidates to stand.

He later presented three witnesses from the Pattana Chart Thai party and video footage in which another member of a small party implicated Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan, spokesman Sita Divari and two soldiers in the alleged poll fraud.

At Democrat party headquarters yesterday, Mr Suthep demanded that Thai Rak Thai stop intimidating relatives of his four witnesses and forcing them to falsely report their disappearance in a bid to acquire warrants to search his house.

Mr Suthep insisted the four were staying at his house in Phunphin district of Surat Thani of their own free will and had been in constant touch with their relatives.

The four would testify to support his allegations that Thai Rak Thai was behind the hiring of small parties to contest the April 2 polls so it would not be the lone candidate and could win House seats without having to get at least 20% of the constituency vote.

They admitted meeting with Thai Rak Thai executives to discuss the payment, he said.

The four are Chavakarn Tosawat, a Pattana Chart Thai candidate in Bangkok's constituency 29 (Bangkok Noi), Suksant Chaithes, Pattana Chart Thai's campaign director, Monthiraporn Pimchan, Mr Suksant's assistant, and Rattima Pavalee, the Phaendin Thai party's list-MP candidate.

Mr Suthep said he had asked EC investigators to question the four at the Region 8 Police Bureau in Surat Thani instead of in Bangkok for safety reasons.

Ms Rattima's husband, who works for a municipality in Roi Et, was ordered by a superior to inform local police that his wife was missing, he said.

The wife of Mr Suksant, in Nakhon Phanom, was coerced by people claiming to be provincial officials and reporters to reveal her husband's whereabouts.

- BP