Demonstrations And Rallies Leading Up To The Election

[sriracha john]

Just hours before voting begins and the Supreme Court is STILL busily disqualifying candidates...

Terrific idea having this snap election, huh?

The level of fraud is overwhelming the system:

In regard to disqualifications, two Trang candidates were removed from the race by a Supreme Court ruling.

The two are Patipat Kiarttheerawichai and Charat Maneesri, both of the Pattana Chart Thai party, who had failed to register their party memberships before the 90-day limit.

In Suphan Buri, 18 of 26 candidates were disqualified because 17 had violated the 90-day rule and one had dual party membership.

The eight candidates remaining in the race include five from the ruling party and three from small parties. Two of the five Thai Rak Thai candidates will run unopposed and need 20 per cent of the vote for victory.

In Phuket two Thai Rak Thai candidates are involved in one-horse races in their constituencies after the disqualification of minor-party candidates.

In Ranong, the Thai Citizen Party's Supha Tanthajina won his appeal to restore his candidacy and resumed his race with Thai Rak Thai's Pairoj Chanpanit.

In Ubon Ratchathani, nine Thai Rak Thai candidates found themselves running unopposed when other candidates were booted out for not being members of their small parties for 90 days.

In Phatthalung, seven minor party candiates were disqualified while one disqualified candidate in Constituency One, Khemawut Suwan of Pattana Chart Thai, was reinstated.

- TN

[lukamar]

Another scenario is re-structuring/re-forming/creating some fringe parties... get them their 90 day party registration done.. and then hold them as contestants in a new by-election... then TRT needs only win by 1 more vote and the 20% benchmark is gone.

Out of all this mess I'd like to see a new party emerge. One that's bright enough to understand how TRT organized in the rural areas and is willing to put in the effort to do the same and it wouldn't hurt to find a charismatic person that does not have strong ties to any of the existing parties to lead it. Thailand needs a party that takes the good points from all the existing parties, dumps the bad ones and emerges with a platform that will appeal to everyone, to some degree.

[sriracha john]

I wonder who got the contract for the rubber stamps?

Not sure, but they are extremely complex and very technical as their specific guidelines call for such precision that I'm sure only a high-tech firm would be given the contract:

I perceive a big problem coming from the Election Commission's website on how to use it properly... it's a bit confusing:

btw, this is a direct cut n paste of their instructions... and is TOTALLY UNEDITED....

Characteristic of valid ballot paper

1. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped 1 time by having the cross mark (x) explicitly appear in the “mark box”.

2. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time by having one cross mark (x) stamped over each another in the “mark box”. The cross mark can be explicitly seen.

3. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped and has a cross (x) written by pen explicitly stamped over on each another. The cross mark can be explicitly seen.

4. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more 1 than time. The cross mark can be explicitly seen.

5. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more 1 than time by having one cross mark (x) stamped over or overlap on each another. The cross mark can be explicitly seen.

6. Cross mark-rubber stamp is stamped 1 or more 1 than time by having cross marks (x) stamped over each another continuously. The cross mark can be explicitly seen.

7. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time. The cross mark (x) can be explicitly seen.

8. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped by having its crossing spot (x) appears inside the “mark box” and part of the cross (x) appears outside the “mark box”.

9. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time by having the line overlap with each another. The cross mark (x) can be explicitly seen.

10. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time by having the mark (x) as an overlying shadow, but the crossing spot is vague.

11. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time by having the mark (x) as an overlapping shadow, and the crossing spot is explicit.

12. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time by having the cross mark (x) stamped overlap on each another. The cross mark can be explicitly seen.

13. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped 1 time. The cross mark can be explicitly seen, but the crossing spot is vague.

14. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time. The cross mark can be explicitly seen, but the crossing spot is vague.

15. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time by having the mark (x) appear as explicit shadow.

Characteristic of void ballot paper

1. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped more than 1 time and appear as a flower, star or asterisk, without resemblance of a cross mark (x).

2. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped but appear as 2 straight lines, not recognised as a cross mark (x).

3. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped between 2 “mark boxes” by having the crossing spot on the boundary line separating mark boxes”, and consequently result the confusion on which candidate is voted for.

4. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped in the “mark box” and there also appears other noticeable mark such as “good guy”.

5. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped but appears as 3 straight lines, not recognised as a cross mark (x).

6. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped and there also appears a quadrangle surrounding the cross mark (x).

7. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped and there also appears a triangle overlapping the cross mark (x).

8. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped but appears as a “V” shape or acute angle, not recognised as a cross mark (x).

9. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped but appears as a straight line, not recognised as a cross mark (x)

10. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped and use a pen to write a cross mark (x) in the same “mark box” by having 2 cross marks (x) explicitly separated.

11. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped and appears as 2 explicitly separated marks in the same “mark box”.

12. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped and there also appears a circle surrounding the cross mark (x).

13. Cross mark-rubber stamp (x) is stamped outside the “mark box” by having part of cross mark located outside the “mark box”, but the crossing spot of the cross mark (x) is located outside the “mark box”

[seonai]

Sriracha John I was nearly in tears just now about your 'disqualifying' thread..... where did the quote come from - sorry if I missed something.

Your rubber stamp thing had me a bit confused though I have to say!!!

[seonai]

do we really have to be subjected to the horrid fact that the 'election' (if one can call it that) could just be an almighty sham because of rubber stamps.... ?

Edited April 1, 2006 by seonai

[sriracha john]

Sriracha John I was nearly in tears just now about your 'disqualifying' thread..... where did the quote come from - sorry if I missed something.

sorry, in the interest of brevity, I had gone to using abbreviations for news references at the end of articles... most commonly used ones:

- TN : The Nation (the source of the article you mentioned)

- BP : Bangkok Post

- TNNBPRD : Thai News Never-ending Blood Pressure Reducing Droll

.... JUST KIDDING JAI DEE... I LOVE THEM!... KEEP 'EM COMING...

actually, seonai, that is Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department

Your rubber stamp thing had me a bit confused though I have to say!!!

I think you're not alone in that regard, seonai...

Edited April 1, 2006 by sriracha john

[sonnyJ]

I'd like to know more about these stamping rules, thes are really official?? Sounds like a very serious problem.

Did EC say that every voting place will have stamps and pens to use? More vorrying. I will go check the situation at the nearest votin g place tomorrow.

My girlfriend did vote last saturday at prevote in Bangkok, or whats the better term, she stamped her ballot, there was no pen, nor did she ask for it.

[sonnyJ]

do we really have to be subjected to the horrid fact that the 'election' (if one can call it that) could just be an almighty sham because of rubber stamps.... ?

In america they used electric election apparatus.

Whats the difference?

[lukamar]

do we really have to be subjected to the horrid fact that the 'election' (if one can call it that) could just be an almighty sham because of rubber stamps.... ?

In america they used electric election apparatus.

Whats the difference?

Do a quick search of Diebold and you will see that the automatic system is not too good either and may well be more prone to hacking and vote rigging than the one Thailand is using in this election. There are problems with almost all systems. The question is which one is less prone to tampering.

The EC printed 100 million ballots for maybe a max of 30-35 million voters , figure that one out.

Black box

[sonnyJ]

do we really have to be subjected to the horrid fact that the 'election' (if one can call it that) could just be an almighty sham because of rubber stamps.... ?

In america they used electric election apparatus.

Whats the difference?

Do a quick search of Diebold and you will see that the automatic system is not too good either and may well be more prone to hacking and vote rigging than the one Thailand is using in this election. There are problems with almost all systems. The question is which one is less prone to tampering.

The EC printed 100 million ballots for maybe a max of 30-35 million voters , figure that one out.

Black box

As I hope you can see, I' talking of same problem, tampering, what ever. Actually warning of the possibility. It could be a lot worse you know.

We have seen electric system tested, so that should be terminated by now.

So whats the plan in Thailand with these 100 million ballots, and will end to what? Restamping of the Ballots, maybe for replacements? Just my first ideas consearning people who actually at power.

[seonai]

Well it, in continuation of this thread before, was on the 6 o'clock news on the radio last night. They said there was a possibility of problems and voters should take along a pen as pens won't be provided

[lukamar]

So whats the plan in Thailand with these 100 million ballots, and will end to what? Restamping of the Ballots, maybe for replacements? Just my first ideas consearning people who actually at power.

From what I can determine they are going to use the stamp system but accept pen marked ballots as well.

The disappearing reappearing ink scenario is interesting but probably not feasible in reality, it does show a possible problem though. I'm sure that everyone concerned will mark something in the polling station so they can have the ink tested. If TRT or the No Vote gets close to 100% in any riding it will be scrutinized very closely. One of the good points to paper ballots is that a recount is easy to do, that's not saying that stuffing etc has not happened in the past and probably will happen again in the future.

There really is no contest in this election, so all that everyone is looking at is TRT's % of the total vote. If TRT comes in with a high % again it's hard to deny they have majority support and that will have great weight with the courts that will rule, if the No Vote is extremely high countrywide it would have the same weight as well.. Personally I'm very interested in the Bangkok constituencies to see what split is there. That will give a good indication if the Bangkok vote is actually Pro or Anti Thaksin and the TRT.

The crunch is almost here and polls open in about 6 1/2 hours. The Thai voter will then have an opportunity, in private, to voice their opinion pro or con. It's in the hands of the Thai people and they will be the ones to decide in the end.

[sriracha john]

So whats the plan in Thailand with these 100 million ballots, and will end to what? Restamping of the Ballots, maybe for replacements? Just my first ideas consearning people who actually at power.

From what I can determine they are going to use the stamp system but accept pen marked ballots as well.

Actually, by court order, they are going to use a stamp or pen "system."

The disappearing reappearing ink scenario is interesting but probably not feasible in reality, it does show a possible problem though.

Actually it's very feasible... please refer to my previous post describing it.

I'm sure that everyone concerned will mark something in the polling station so they can have the ink tested.

You have far more trust in the system than most people. No mention anywhere of ink being testing as far as I can find.

If TRT or the No Vote gets close to 100% in any riding it will be scrutinized very closely. One of the good points to paper ballots is that a recount is easy to do, that's not saying that stuffing etc has not happened in the past and probably will happen again in the future.

There really is no contest in this election, so all that everyone is looking at is TRT's % of the total vote. If TRT comes in with a high % again it's hard to deny they have majority support and that will have great weight with the courts that will rule, if the No Vote is extremely high countrywide it would have the same weight as well.. Personally I'm very interested in the Bangkok constituencies to see what split is there. That will give a good indication if the Bangkok vote is actually Pro or Anti Thaksin and the TRT.

Or how well a party is at box stuffing, ballot alternations....

The crunch is almost here and polls open in about 6 1/2 hours. The Thai voter will then have an opportunity, in private, to voice their opinion pro or con. It's in the hands of the Thai people and they will be the ones to decide in the end.

anyway, off to the polling booth now with the family.... riding a sawng taew.... we have 8 "No Votes" and 1 "TRT Party Votes."

[lukamar]

The disappearing reappearing ink scenario is interesting but probably not feasible in reality, it does show a possible problem though.

Actually it's very feasible... please refer to my previous post describing it.

It's an easy test... Please refer to my next line down.

I'm sure that everyone concerned will mark something in the polling station so they can have the ink tested.

You have far more trust in the system than most people. No mention anywhere of ink being testing as far as I can find.

Yes there was John, I mentioned it 2 lines up, I hope you stamp something like your cigarette pack so that you know if it disappears or not,,, Ohhhh I forgot you can't vote.

Personally I'm very interested in the Bangkok constituencies to see what split is there. That will give a good indication if the Bangkok vote is actually Pro or Anti Thaksin and the TRT.

Or how well a party is at box stuffing, ballot alternations....

John.. I'll concede that the PAD and the EX-Opposition parties just might resort to ballot stuffing but I would hope they will not.

The crunch is almost here and polls open in about 6 1/2 hours. The Thai voter will then have an opportunity, in private, to voice their opinion pro or con. It's in the hands of the Thai people and they will be the ones to decide in the end.

anyway, off to the polling booth now with the family.... riding a sawng taew.... we have 8 "No Votes" and 1 "TRT Party Votes."

Ya that's what they told you when you handed them the 1000Bt....LOL Just like all the comments about the TRT taking their voters to the poll isn't it....

[sriracha john]

The disappearing reappearing ink scenario is interesting but probably not feasible in reality, it does show a possible problem though.

Actually it's very feasible... please refer to my previous post describing it.

It's an easy test... Please refer to my next line down.

Yes, I agree it's an easy test... the question was will the Election Commission actually conduct the test on every stamp pad... I think not.

I'm sure that everyone concerned will mark something in the polling station so they can have the ink tested.

You have far more trust in the system than most people. No mention anywhere of ink being testing as far as I can find.

Yes there was John, I mentioned it 2 lines up, I hope you stamp something like your cigarette pack so that you know if it disappears or not,,, Ohhhh I forgot you can't vote.

I was referring to any reference in the media about testing the marks made on balloted votes made with the rubber stamp. There is none that I've seen.

As for my not voting... in essence "my" vote was reflected in the voting just completed by family members. Last year, it was 2 Democrat Party votes and 7 TRT Party votes. Today it was 8 No Votes and 1 TRT Party vote... a changeover loss of 6 out of 9 votes. I can't claim total responsibility for all of "my" 6 votes, but I undeniably played a role in their decision reversal over the past year. Education is a wonderful instrument, isn't it?

Personally I'm very interested in the Bangkok constituencies to see what split is there. That will give a good indication if the Bangkok vote is actually Pro or Anti Thaksin and the TRT.

Or how well a party is at box stuffing, ballot alternations....

John.. I'll concede that the PAD and the EX-Opposition parties just might resort to ballot stuffing but I would hope they will not.

If that wasn't so ridiculous, it might merit a real response. There are no other parties running, unless you count the Thailand Tapioca Harvesters Party...

The crunch is almost here and polls open in about 6 1/2 hours. The Thai voter will then have an opportunity, in private, to voice their opinion pro or con. It's in the hands of the Thai people and they will be the ones to decide in the end.

anyway, off to the polling booth now with the family.... riding a sawng taew.... we have 8 "No Votes" and 1 "TRT Party Votes."

Ya that's what they told you when you handed them the 1000Bt....LOL Just like all the comments about the TRT taking their voters to the poll isn't it....

I don't need to bribe anyone... as they are all clear-thinking Thais... they know what's what... They are also honest people, so wouldn't accept a bribe, even if one was offered.

Also, they provided their own transportation as they all independent Thais, as well. I was invited by them to go along and observe as I have for every election since arriving.

Once there, I will say it was a bit of a disappointment this year as the polling station did not provide ink pens in the polling booth. But that's ok, the box of 100 ink pens I brought was gratefully received and distributed to each booth. They even got string from the classrooms (the polling station is a school) and attached the pens to the polling booth.

It's so short-sighted and unimaginative to think farang have no role or bearing in this election.

[bulmercke]

Sondhi arrives from China - The Nation -

Sondhi Limthogkul, a decision maker of the people's Alliance for Democracy, arrived at the Don Muang International Airport at 11:00 am Sunday.

Sondhi said he went to take a break in China and did not intend to flee lese majesty charges as his opponents had spread the rumours.

Sondhi said he would not go to vote but would go home to take a rest.

He said he was ready to defend himself in court.

>>>>>>>

Unfortunately, expect Sondhi's arrest on 'charges' of lese majeste sometime today or tomorrow.

[lukamar]

I don't need to bribe anyone... as they are all clear-thinking Thais... they know what's what...

I was just joking with you John... We know that you didn't have to bribe them.. as "they know what's what" or possibly what side their bread is buttered on.

Once all the votes are tallied we will all know the outcome. No use arguing or bragging about something that is out of our hands. Whatever it is, I'll accept the result of the majority, too bad others will not.

[Orion76]

Army chief slams absent Sondhi over royal remark

Army commander-in-chief General Sonthi Boonyaratklin yesterday lashed out at Sondhi Limthongkul, a key leader of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, for making a remark deemed "insulting" to His Majesty the King.

"Such a remark upsets members of the armed forces [who serve under HM the King]," Sonthi said.

Asked how the armed forces would react to the incident, he said: "I think you know what could happen if the armed forces are displeased."

According to the Army chief, peaceful demonstrations are acceptable in a democracy, but the highly revered King should not be mentioned in a disrespectful manner.

Sondhi, the media firebrand who has been co-leading the anti-Thaksin movement in the past few months, earlier mentioned the King in a manner that could be deemed as lese majeste while he attacked Thaksin Shinawatra, the caretaker prime minister.

Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanont, the Navy chief, said Sondhi's reference to the King was unacceptable and police are investigating the case.

Meanwhile, Sondhi yesterday postponed his return from Guilin in China, saying he could not get a seat on a Bangkok Airways flight.

Bangkok Airways yesterday reported it had received a bomb threat at Don Muang International Airport, resulting in the delay of its Guilin-bound flight in the afternoon.

Officials did not find any explosives aboard the jetliner and it was cleared to depart for the Chinese tourist city. Sondhi had planned to return to Bangkok last night on the aircraft.

Besides the bomb threat, a group of people had earlier said they would hold a rally at Don Muang to protest against Sondhi for making the "insulting" remark concerning the King.

[Orion76]

The above is from The Nation.

I'm not sure if I am allowed to repeat Sondhi's comments with regards to HM, so I won't, but it was rather insulting and I suspect he's in pretty serious trouble...

"Asked how the armed forces would react to the incident, he said: "I think you know what could happen if the armed forces are displeased.""

Edited April 2, 2006 by Orion76

[lukamar]

"Asked how the armed forces would react to the incident, he said: "I think you know what could happen if the armed forces are displeased.""

Gen Sonthi's comments in the Post were even more pointed. No wonder Sondhi is trying to arrange political asylum,,, Ohhhh... Ohhhh... Resting in China When you are a naughty child you can expect to get your butt paddled when you get home...

Army chief rebukes Sondhi for remarks

By Post reporters

Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin has for the first time strongly rebuked Sondhi Limthongkul, saying the media mogul offended His Majesty the King in his speech. Gen Sonthi said he had studied a VCD of Mr Sondhi's controversial speech and thought it was lese majeste.

Sonthi: Studied VCD of Mr Sondhi's speech

''I think he should stop doing so. I want him to know that we soldiers are not happy and not satisfied with what he did,'' he said.

Asked what the military would do about the matter, Gen Sonthi said: ''Just wait and see.''

He said Mr Sondhi's abrupt departure for China was possibly because many people have filed lese majeste complaints against him nationwide.

Gen Sonthi, however, said the situation did not warrant a military coup.

Navy chief Sathiraphan Keyanont said Supreme Commander Gen Ruangroj Mahasaranont and the three armed forces chiefs are not happy with Mr Sondhi's speech.

''We will closely follow developments,'' he added.

Gen Sonthi and Adm Sathiraphan commented on Mr Sondhi's speech while visiting the Red Cross fair last night.

Meanwhile, more people have filed lese majeste charges against Mr Sondhi over his comments published in the Kom Chad Luek daily.

In Narathiwat, representatives of kamnans and village headmen from 13 districts, led by Seri Nimayu, yesterday filed a lese majeste complaint against Mr Sondhi with Muang district police.

Pol Lt-Col Suthon Sukviset, the police station's deputy chief, said he would summon Mr Sondhi and the Kom Chad Luek editor for questioning and issue arrest warrants if they failed to show up.

In Rayong, Phinit Thanaporn, a member of tambon Thung Kwai Kin municipality council, and Sompote Thithuan, headman of village group 1 in tambon Nong Lalok in Ban Khai district, filed the same charges against Mr Sondhi and the newspaper editor with Muang district police.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, members of the Khon Thongthin Korat (Korat natives) group, led by Pho Klang tambon administration organisation president Sawai Khanphakwaen, did the same in Muang district.

Pol Col Prachuab Chanprawit, chief of Muang Nakhon Ratchasima police station, promised to look into the complaint and take action if it was backed by solid evidence.

Around 300 villagers rallied in front of the statue of Thao Suranaree in downtown Nakhon Ratchasima demanding that Mr Sondhi and four other leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy leave the country forever, for causing disunity among Thais.

In Bangkok, businessmen submitted a complaint to Privy Council chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda at his Si Sao Theves residence, accusing Mr Sondhi of lese majeste.

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said Mr Sondhi had explained clearly that he did not make any lese majeste remarks.

Also yesterday, two committees related to the Oct 6, 1976 incident called on the conflicting parties in the political turmoil to stop citing the royal institution to back their fight against one another.

The Committee on 30 Years of the Oct 6 Event and the Committee of Relatives of the Oct 6 Heroes also strongly condemned those resorting to violence in various forms.

The siege outside the office of the Kom Chad Luek newspaper in Bang Na, harassment at the office of the Manager newspaper in Bang Lamphu, the use of force to disrupt the Democrat party's rally in Chiang Mai, and threats to the lives of members of the Santi Asoke religious sect who staged a sit-in protest near Government House showed signs of open violence, while the government and authorities failed to take action, they said.

''We experienced a loss of flesh and blood in the Oct 6, 1976 event which stemmed from accusations of lese majeste, and do not want to see a recurrence of the incident,'' they said

Edited April 2, 2006 by lukamar

[Orion76]

I think Sondhi may not be protesting in public again, he certainly does not want to risk running into any militant street sweepers for the time being

[sushiman]

I think Sondhi may not be protesting in public again, he certainly does not want to risk running into any militant street sweepers for the time being

Does anyone has a link or so of actually what Mr. Sondhi said?

As already mentioned in this forum, this hot-topic shouldn't actually (due to local laws)

be reprinted or outlined here in Thailand. Did any foreign journalist commented in details

on this matter?

As I still am a bit confused what the contents of the wrong-doings should be? According some other people it could be, that just some people want Mr. Sondhi not to be able to rally anymore?

Please note as you all know now, don't paste if found anything here, just link it, if it's been published best outside Thailand (local laws).

Thanks for any claryfications on this point.

Edited April 2, 2006 by sushiman

[seonai]

[bulmercke]

BREAKING NEWS

Thaksin hints at crackdown - The Bangkok Post -

Prime Minister Thaksin voted on Sunday and then dropped a strong hint that he has seen just about enough mass protests.

He showed up with his three children, and all cast their votes. His wife, Khunying Potjaman, votes in a separate constituency, and also voted on Sunday morning - ironically at the same polling station, and almost at the same time as opposition leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.

A main organiser of the People's Alliance for Demcoracy protests, Sondhi Limthongkul, returned from China (see separate story). He told an interviewer for CNN last week that he did not intend to vote, and apparently did not.

That would make him ineligible for all political offices and many duties in the event he and PAD achieve their goal of forcing Mr Thaksin out of office.

But the prime minister, who started his career as a police officer, hinted Sunday that in the post-election period he might be less tolerant of civil disobedience and street protests..

"It's time to bring law and order," Mr Thaksin said to journalists before speeding away from the Bang Plad polling station.

PAD is scheduled to resume public protests on Wednesday in Hat Yai, and then in Bangkok on Friday evening at the Makhawan Bridge, scene of a lengthy street gathering last month. (BP, from agency reports)

>>>>>>>>>

The iron fist emerges from the "velvet glove".

[francois]

I mistyped poll results earlier today. 34.5% of voters in Bangkok are going to vote for Thaksin, down from 46% a week earlier.

It looks like he's not going to get his 50% here to resign in peace, but Isan and the North will certainly give him enough votes to face the burden of staying and dealing with the mess.

On the other hand, he's got only 60% of votes in last elections - 19 mil vs 13 mil for the opposition parties. It's not unimaginable that 3 mil people have changed their minds since last year.

Hope Banharn knows that he's a mediator now. A week ago he refused.

hi'

don't be so sure about Isaan and north, stone head they are

they could vote right the opposite of what is expected and this would be fun!

francois

[hammered]

I mistyped poll results earlier today. 34.5% of voters in Bangkok are going to vote for Thaksin, down from 46% a week earlier.

It looks like he's not going to get his 50% here to resign in peace, but Isan and the North will certainly give him enough votes to face the burden of staying and dealing with the mess.

On the other hand, he's got only 60% of votes in last elections - 19 mil vs 13 mil for the opposition parties. It's not unimaginable that 3 mil people have changed their minds since last year.

Hope Banharn knows that he's a mediator now. A week ago he refused.

hi'

don't be so sure about Isaan and north, stone head they are

they could vote right the opposite of what is expected and this would be fun!

francois

My wife is from the northern region where Thaksin hails from and in her village there will not be no where near total support for TRT. In fact they will struggle to get half the vote, but there is a worry about poll fraud up there too as the functionaries are all known to be linked to TRT, and transportation of th boxes is a wory so I hear.

There are also districts which will vote 80% TRT, to be fair.

[bulmercke]

I may sound naive, but Sondhi surely loves his King - just as all other Thai citizens do.

So why would he want to publicly slander His Majesty the King?

I think what has happened is that he, perhaps, got carried away with comments, that could perhaps be construed as being "critical" of His Majesty.

Here in Thailand, even an indirect inference, whether intentional or not, whether implied and deliberate or not can land you in "lese majeste" trouble, particularly if your enemies are biting at your heels!

Perhaps these comments have been seriously misconstrued for political reasons.

However, all this talk of lese majeste is detracting from the main issue -

- Thaksin's a totally corrupt dictator, and more importantly, today Thai people have an opportunity to depose him.

I wish Sondhi luck.

Edited April 2, 2006 by bulmercke

[francois]

hi'

Asked what the military would do about the matter, Gen Sonthi said: ''Just wait and see.''

"It's time to bring law and order," Mr Thaksin said to journalists before speeding away from the Bang Plad polling station.

looks ike a nice built up

snap election, toxin still here, army getting on the start of action, and some protesters(300), ask for 4 pad leaders to leave, who paid them?

anyone think that they went on their own decision? b******

WHO PAID THEM?

LOS is in real trouble!

a dictator who wants full power through "democratic" way, so it will be easier to walk on it later, and the army following like a sheep, greedy of power!

everyone knows that army in los has a large influence and used force badly not so long ago ...

just have to expect that toxin will be nothing after this election ...

BUT, who expect that he will do what he said, if the ballot give him a victory

even just of one vote, los is going to live a very troubled time ...

and they'll forget until the next time to show off...

I really believed mr sondhi could make something, illusion!

they will bury him with craps in order to stop a disturbing movement, and this is what they like to call democracy

francois

[sushiman]

Thaksin's a totally corrupt dictator, and more importantly, today Thai people have an opportunity to depose him.

I wish Sondhi luck.

Unquote

[seonai]

Burmerke, I like Sondhi too.

Bit scary about the iron fist and velvet glove stuff - but you are totally right.