Pm Thaksin Resigns

[jdinasia]

Kuthep asks EC to cut funds to Democrat, Chat Thai

Thai Rak Thai Party MP Kuthep Saikrachang Tuesday called on the Election Commission to cut funds to the Democrat and Chat Thai parties on the grounds that they were undermining democracy by blocking the election.

Kuthep said the authorities should investigate the election boycott by the two parties to determine whether they were guilty of electoral offences.

They should not be given funds normally allocated to support political parties, he said.

"We have evidence the two parties supported the mob that gathered to block candidates from small parties as they tried to register their candidacies ... and former Democrat MPs also joined the [anti-Thaksin] rallies," he said.

He had also learned Democrats planned to hold rallies in Yasothon and Khon Kaen at which incidents similar to the ugly scene in Chiang Mai late last month would be repeated, he said. At the rally in Chiang Mai senior Democrats were pelted with chairs and rotting fruit.

Source: The Nation - 12 April 2006

Was that a threat?

[Jai Dee]

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gets a blessing from his deputy and acting government head Chidchai Vanasatidya ahead of the Thai New Year during a meeting at party headquarters yesterday.

Source: The Nation - 12 April 2006

[Hermano Lobo]

Blessed nuisance !

[sushiman]

Thaksin seeks meetings with world leaders

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asked to meet US President Bush, French President Chirac and British Prime Minister Blair when he visits their countries next month, the Associated Press reports.

The British Embassy confirmed the request and said it was under study.

Pitsuwan, deputy leader of the opposition Democrat Party, said the requests were "inappropriate. He wants to show that he still has a high profile and connections."

"We believe that within one year he will return as prime minister," Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said yesterday.

Three sources told the AFP news agency that Mr Thaksin told them this: "After a one-year hiatus I will totally wipe out the (opposition) Democrats."

(Compiled by Bangkokpost.com)

Souce - Bangkok Post Breaking News - click to follow the link

_______________________________________________________________________________

I thought he wil not be the care-taker PM after 1. May 2006 ??

Mr. Thaksins words and actions are as usual amazing, and trustful; in the same way he was not taking care of his business during his political term....

read also Quotes by Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra on en.wikiquote.org - click to follow the link

I wish someone would make a more up-to-date collection of Mr. Thaksin Quotes; I guess it would be very interesting to follow and to be able to determine, if his a man of contradictions or a man of his words or not

Edited April 12, 2006 by sushiman

[sushiman]

STOPPAGE TIME

Thank you, 'The Economist', from the bottom of my heart

Dear 'The Economist' editor,

What a great editorial! In fact, the article was so great that the first thing I did after finishing it was check the calendar. To my immense relief, April Fool's was over a week behind us. I love the headline "A blow to Thai democracy" very, very much, but love the kicker even more: "The mob has beaten the ballot box in South-East Asia".

You are such a brave lot of journalists. Do you know what would happen to you if you wrote anything like that in Thailand? My opponents would go over every advertisement in your publication with a microscope to see if there were any commercial windfalls coming from my government or telecom companies. Thank God it came from you, a prestigious international news magazine, and I can't wait to rub all my critics' noses in it.

Your sympathy and understanding brought tears to my eyes. "The political system in Thailand was not as badly broken as Mr Thaksin's opponents have often claimed," you said. "If it were, he would not have had to sell almost all of his family's assets in January, including the television station that is supposed to have been so central to his power. That sale made the most recent election at least reasonably free and fair."

This is spot on. So sick of those who saw nothing but greed in that Bt73,000,000,000 tax-free figure. And thank you for not mentioning Ample Rich and all the share transfers. I have tried to tell those stupid critics that it's not an important aspect of the Shin Corp-Temasek saga but they wouldn't listen. The Economist must know best, and your article will surely help my case here. (It would have been perfect, though, if you had endorsed my Nasdaq listing explanation and shut those bloody boo-boys up.)

And, yes, I can never win where iTV is concerned. Bought it and they cooked up some nonsense about media control; sold it and I'm a traitor who handed over a valuable national asset that is supposed to be independent from foreigners. The same goes for Shin Corp: kept it and they bombarded me with conflict-of-interest rubbish; sold it and more of the same garbage.

Big thanks for not going along with the accusations that I'm a control freak. Why they call it a broken checks-and-balances system is beyond me. The Constitution Court is alive and well, despite what every pretentious intellectual in Thailand would have you believe. The National Counter Corruption Commission may have stopped functioning (the members' genuine need for a salary hike was unfortunately overly politicised), but the Anti-Money Laundering Organisation will still be able to look into corrupt journalists' bank accounts as usual.

Yes, the system remains healthy like you suggested. Guess you must have been laughing yesterday, too, when all major newspapers published a joint editorial lamenting media "intimidation" and "interference". What a bunch of jokers! A little slap on the wrist and they whine like babies. Those liars should have been born in Burma.

"It's a great pity that the mob was in the end allowed to beat the electoral system. The correct way to oust Mr Thaksin should have been at the ballot box." You said this with overwhelming authority and I hope my publicists learn a thing or two from your article. Those losers retreat into their shells every time they hear anyone quote my "Democracy is not my goal" statement. Of course I said that, but, hey, if you folks from a truly democratic country don't mind, why should Thai people?

"While Thaksin is undoubtedly a disease in the body politic, the cure that has just been applied is worse than the illness itself." You hit the nail on the head again. I never said I'm perfect, but look at those people.

You are so right to call those protesters a "mob". They tried to be peaceful and civilised but at the end of the day they wanted to undermine an electoral process, which you correctly imply is the sole essence of democracy. You are also right to ignore their talk about ethics, legitimacy and good governance.

Be careful, though, because they may go after you by citing your tough stance on accountability and transparency in the wake of the Enron fraud. But I'm sure you'll cope with that. Just repeat your punch line: Election is democracy. Election is democracy. Election is democracy. And everything will be fine.

Yours sincerely and thanks a lot again,

Someone once called Thai Con

Tulsathit Taptim

Source - The Nation - click to follow the link

[Bryan in Isaan]

While ever there is cronyism and lack of transparency these projects are reduced to inferior

outcomes and will not last.

Just to take Bryans reference to roads. ( Not having a personal go at you B.i.I. )

I live in Isaan and the new main roads are constantly being repaired due to funding being cut via the bribes according to rank and position.

Take a look at the new bye pass through Udon going towards NongKhai for a classic example, it,s being repaired / botched up on a weekly basis.

It,s a joke.

The envelope passing left little to do the job properly someone in the know told me when i mentioned the fact it was like this from immediately after it was opened.

I.E. 10% to the top official 5% to the next 3% to the next ect. ect. This is fact posters.

I can't deny the problem of corruption and kickbacks. The local asphalt roads sometimes fall apart after the first rain or last as long as a couple of years. It is corruption for sure. One stretch of road lasts a month, the next stretch of road lasts two years, the next stretch, one year, etc..., according to which contractor built it.

The new four lane hiways I was referring to look like the quality of construction is better. These are the main highways running between provinces - KhonKaen to Mahasarakham to Roi Et, and the last stretch before Mukdahan. It is still too early to tell though.

Looks like this is an ongoing TIT problem. I have thought a good solution would be to maintain large signs with the contractors name and picture next to the stretch of highway he built and keep the sign up for ten years. A system of accountability like that would be implemented about the same time hel_l freezes over.

As to whether or not the Thaksin administration is better in this aspect than previous administrations, I don't have enough information to make a case. I only see that there is a lot of construction going on, more than in past years. To the laymen, it gives the appearance that the present administration is doing more than previous ones.

Edited April 12, 2006 by Bryan in Isaan

[Plus]

I have thought a good solution would be to maintain large signs with the contractors name and picture next to the stretch of highway he built

Now that the most practical idea I heard in many years.

To keep it real, why don't good companies put signs on the roads they built - and there are many good roads in Thailand.

It will set a standard for other road builders to follow, and if it has an influence on bidding commitees we'll see big improvments really soon.

The road extention they build to the new airport is a prime example - the airport is not even open yet, but the road is all patched in black asphalt already. It looks like shit, and it drives over like shit. The biggest and the best airport in the whole world, if you believe this kind of TRT reports.

[sushiman]

TRT gets all 100 list seats

Thai Rak Thai, the only major party to contest the April 2 general election, received 16.4 million party votes and won all 100 list-MP seats, the Election Commission said in its official release of the party list results yesterday. The commission said there were 9.05 million abstention votes in the party list system, with 1.6 million invalid ballots cast.

In the constituency system, there were 9.6 million abstention votes and 3.7 million dud ballots, which accounted for more than 13% of the nationwide turnout.

The results were announced for 398 constituencies, excluding Nonthaburi's constituency 3 and Samut Sakhon's constituency 3. The number of voters casting ballots for the party list election was higher than in the constituency system because only the party list election was held in Nonthaburi's constituency 3 and Samut Sakhon's constituency 3, where candidates were disqualified before polling day.

The number of votes received by the parties:

FThai Rak Thai party, 16,420,755

FThai Farmer party, 675,662

FPeople Power party, 305,015

FPrachakorn Thai party, 292,895

FDhammocratic party, 255,853

FThai Chuay Thai party, 146,680

FPattana Chat Thai party, 134,534

FThai Ground party, 125,008.

The EC said only the Thai Rak Thai party gained more than 5% of the total party-list votes cast and was the only party qualified for the 100 list MP seats.

Source - Bangkok Post - 13APR 2006

[sushiman]

Thaksin leaves for England and the US

Thai Rak Thai Party leader Thaksin Shinawatra has left for London after casting a ballot for a senatorial election on Thursday.

"I'll take this chance to relax and meet old friends. I want to take a break. I'm getting old," Thaksin, 56, told reporters before heading to Bangkok's international airport.

When asked if he would hold talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Thaksin said, "I'll meet with familiar leaders. We could possibly have some coffee. But my meeting is unofficial. It has nothing to do with politics or business."

One of Thaksin's daughters is studying in London.

The Nation reported that Thaksin is seeking a meeting with Blair and leaders of some countries he would visit. His proposed meeting has caused uncomfortably among diplomatic communities as his present status is still unclear.

Thaksin said he would then fly to the United States to visit universities in Kentucky and Texas where he received a masters and a doctorate in criminal justice.

He will return to Bangkok on April 19 and attend a meeting of his party on April 24 before flying off to China and Japan later in the month.

"I will travel more as many countries have invited me to give lectures on economy and how to solve ecnomic-related problems," he said.

On April 4, Thaksin announced he would step down as prime minister despite his party's victory in the previous weekend's election, which was boycotted by the main opposition parties.

He chose his top deputy and justice minister, Chidchai Vanasathidya, to replace him until a new prime minister is named.

He also criticised Democrat Party's deputy leader Surin Pitsuwan, also a former foreign minister, of making not creative comments about his trips abroad. Surin had criticised Thaksin's trip as a political ploy.

"[surin] should allow the right side of his brain to work a little bit more in order to make more creative comments. He should use his free time during Songkran holiday to take a rest and suggest more creative comments for the sake of the country," Thaksin said.

The Nation

Source - The Nation 13 April 2006

Personal comment:

1) Brain solutions:

"[surin] should allow the right side of his brain to work a little bit more in order to make more creative comments.

While I agree with him that the Democrats, should try to be a bit more future oriented (with more political proposals instead of corruption digging), I can't resisit to with his same old . Remember after the Shin deal he countered his critics with: "I'm a big guy, the critics should better use their 2 brain sides".... Yes, yes we know you are the only one, functioning with both brain sides...

2) Lecture

"I will travel more as many countries have invited me to give lectures on economy and how to solve ecnomic-related problems," he said.

Yes and please don't forget to introduce once again your very own Website http://www.thaksinomics.com/ See the news headlines on the bottom left with the gloryfing news about his current activities.

He upsets people most of the times, but also is some times good for a big

Cheers Thaksin enjoy your holiday (maybe during this time, maybe some watchdogs, will be maybe a bit more brave to cover up some election and other stories)

Happy Songkarn everyone!

Edited April 13, 2006 by sushiman

[sushiman]

Maybe during his holiday he could meet up with Berlusconi to discuss how they could "even better" control the media, to win back the next election.

ciao a tutti

Edited April 13, 2006 by sushiman

[Hermano Lobo]

Maybe during his holiday he could meet up with Berlusconi to discuss how they could "even better" control the media, to win back the next election.

ciao a tutti

Berlusconi ! Berlusconi !

Berlusconi go to jail

You'll get there without fail

Singing on a cruising ship

Wasn't really hip

Whatsa matter you ?

What you think you do ?

Where's alla da money

Italians no think that funny !

I think there may be similarities with Berlusconi and Thaksin.

Berlusconi was a crooner on a cruise ship

Thaksin was a copper in Chiang Mai

Not exactly the best paid jobs in the World ?

Berlusconi controls a large media empire

Thaksin has just sold an enormous telecom business

-did he pay any taxes ?

Both are stinking rich

"No, basta, my mama say I not a member of da mafia, mama say Silvio

good boy !"

Italian Mafia ?

Thai-Chinese Mafia ?

Berlusconi got to jail !

Thaksin go to jail !

Edited April 13, 2006 by Hermano Lobo

[Heng]

TRT gets all 100 list seats

[Hermano Lobo]

Thaksin leaves for London holiday

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra left for London this morning, saying he would spend holidays with his daughter, and leaving Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya in full charge at home.

"I will let Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai work with the cabinet ... while I go overseas in a private capacity to take a rest, not to work," Mr Thaksin told reporters.

Mr Thaksin announced last week that he was taking "a break" from politics, pending the convening of Parliament and the formation of a new government.

Prior to his departure, Mr Thaksin cast his ballot near his Bangkok residence at Bang Plad constituency for advance voting in the Senate election, less than a week before eligible voters go to the polls on April 19.

Meanwhile, many eligible voters in provinces nationwide reportedly exercised their right in advance voting as well.

Voters are choosing from among 1,477 candidates for a 200-seat Senate with six-year terms.

Mr Thaksin said he would seek to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W Bush on private visits after his holiday, but dismissed accusations from opposition politicians that there was some hidden agenda in such meetings.

It remained uncertain whether he would be able to meet those foreign leaders as requested, he said.

The caretaker prime minister said he planned to return to Bangkok on April 19 and then he would proceed with private visits to China and Japan on April 25 after attending a special meeting of his Thai Rak Thai party one day earlier. - (TNA)

.

In half an hour I will arrive at Heathrow Airport ready to meet the Thaksin plane(poor passengers !) I have a bag of rotten eggs and tomatoes.

Ex-PM Thaksin will be my target !

Then he will arrive in the UK with EGG ON HIS FACE ! I hope the politicians will shun this has-been insider trader ?

Edited April 13, 2006 by Hermano Lobo

[lukamar]

In half an hour I will arrive at Heathrow Airport ready to meet the Thaksin plane(poor passengers !) I have a bag of rotten eggs and tomatoes.

Ex-PM Thaksin will be my target !

Then he will arrive in the UK with EGG ON HIS FACE ! I hope the politicians will shun this has-been insider trader ?

You go for it Hermano and when they let you out of jail and you are blacklisted from entering Thailand, you can tell us all if it was worth it... I'll turn on BBC Newsworld so I can catch your performance...

[lukamar]

'Bullied' Thai Rak Thai's membership on the rise

The number of people registering as members of the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party has increased since caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced earlier this month that he will step down as prime minister when a new government is elected, said the party's electoral campaign speaker, Aekaporn Rakkwamsuk.

The increase is especially noticeable in the North and Northeast, but there have also been some increases in party membership in the South, he said.

"We think the increase is partly due to the fact that people perceive that the Thai Rak Thai Party has been bullied," Aekaporn said, referring to the mass anti-Thaksin protests and calls for royal intervention to oust the prime minister, which eventually led to what Aekaporn called Thaksin's "temporary departure".

Aekaporn said the people still want Thai Rak Thai as their governing party, so that it can continue several of its policies. After a one-year period of political reform, new political parties will probably emerge with clear ideological stances, such as a socialist party or a green party, he said. However, Thai Rak Thai will reaffirm its bond with the people as the ultimate source of its policies, he said.

With more Thai Rak Thai MPs being elected in the South, the time is ripe for more southern members to be added to the party's executive board, the spokesman said.

From :- the Nation

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

ROTFLMAO

[Hermano Lobo]

In half an hour I will arrive at Heathrow Airport ready to meet the Thaksin plane(poor passengers !) I have a bag of rotten eggs and tomatoes.

Ex-PM Thaksin will be my target !

Then he will arrive in the UK with EGG ON HIS FACE ! I hope the politicians will shun this has-been insider trader ?

You go for it Hermano and when they let you out of jail and you are blacklisted from entering Thailand, you can tell us all if it was worth it... I'll turn on BBC Newsworld so I can catch your performance...

Ninja attack unseen !

I Brasilian tribe also taught me how to disappear !

Hermano Lobo aka 'Mr Smoke & Shadows'

Edited April 14, 2006 by Hermano Lobo

[lukamar]

In half an hour I will arrive at Heathrow Airport ready to meet the Thaksin plane(poor passengers !) I have a bag of rotten eggs and tomatoes.

Ex-PM Thaksin will be my target !

Then he will arrive in the UK with EGG ON HIS FACE ! I hope the politicians will shun this has-been insider trader ?

You go for it Hermano and when they let you out of jail and you are blacklisted from entering Thailand, you can tell us all if it was worth it... I'll turn on BBC Newsworld so I can catch your performance...

Ninja attack unseen !

I Brasilian tribe also taught me how to disappear !

Hermano Lobo aka 'Mr Smoke & Shadows'

You must be good. I watched BBC until I had an accent and not a word about it...

[Jai Dee]

POLITICS / EC ENDORSEMENT, TRT FIGHTING BACK, BID TO BLOCK PROXIES

Wins in 134 more seats up for approval

House may still open on time, says expert

The Election Commission is expected to endorse the elections of House candidates in 134 more constituencies on Monday. EC secretary-general Ekkachai Waroonprapa said he would propose the commission endorse the results of the April 2 general election in 134 more constituencies on Monday as the by-elections in 40 constituencies on April 23 are being prepared.

The EC decided to call the by-elections in the 40 constituencies _ 38 of them in the South _ after lone candidates failed to gain support from 20% of eligible voters in the constituencies on April 2, as required by law if they are to take a seat in the House.

Pol Maj-Gen Ekkachai said the commission has received complaints of alleged poll violations in 17 constituencies around the country.

Most complaints relate to poll fraud and violations of election law.

Earlier, the agency vowed to punish the Progressive Democrat party for falsifying documents for three candidates who ran in Trang's constituencies 1, 2 and 4. The agency found the three candidates, Nipha Chanpoti, Ratchanoo Tangsri and Suvit Ob-oon, who lacked the 90-day membership requirement, were hired to join the race.

The commission would await the outcome of the election in Samut Sakhon's constituency 3 before endorsing party-list MP candidates.

The EC on Wednesday endorsed the wins of 209 constituency candidates, almost all from the Thai Rak Thai party.

It also announced the ruling party won all 100-party list House seats.

Meanwhile, Sukhumpong Ngonkham, a Thai Rak Thai legal expert, believed invoking article 266 of the constitution would enable parliament to convene its first session although the 500-seat Lower House _ 400 from constituencies and 100 from the party lists _ would still lack a quorum.

Article 266 says that in the event of conflicts over the authority and duty of independent organisations set up under the constitution, the organisations or the president of parliament may recommend a solution to the Constitution Court.

Mr Sukhumpong said article 159 said that parliament must convene its first session 30 days after candidates' wins were endorsed. However, the by-elections have yet to begin.

If the House has to convene on schedule, then the three affected parties _ the EC, parliament and the government _ could resort to article 266 to ask the Constitution Court to find a solution. They could jointly submit their petition to the court or do it separately, he said.

He lashed out at the Democrats' call for the invocation of article 7 to bring about a royally-installed prime minister, saying they had an ulterior motive. No one had invoked article 7 before, which is normally reserved for filling a political vacuum.

The Democrats and the People's Alliance for Democracy are calling for the nullification of the general election and invocation of article 7 to pave the way for intervention by the King via appointment of a royally-bestowed prime minister.

Source: Bangkok Post - Saturday April 15, 2006

[ando]

Well the constitutional legal experts will have to make some kind of decisions soon if the country is not to fall into limbo and anarchy. The democrats have timed their tactical coup well to coincide with the Royal celebrations in June in order to offer some protection from being forcibly subdued. Their disruptive behavior would not be tolerated in any western democracy for this long. If the courts cant find a way out of this political chaos in the next couple of months, I believe the military will step in to restore an effective government shortly after the royal celebrations. I dont believe that the democrats strategy of seeking protection behind the lead up to the Royal celebrations will endear them to the military if it becomes necessary to restore a functional government by force. And I dont believe anyone wants to let it go that far. So it all rests in the lap of the courts to get the government back on track for the benefit of the country. Technical, legal points of law may have to be overlooked, or at least viewed in the context of the times, in order to avoid another military takeover. It is indeed ironic that the democrats have forced a situation that will eventually defeat the altruistic goals they are striving for.

[ColPyat]

Maybe during his holiday he could meet up with Berlusconi to discuss how they could "even better" control the media, to win back the next election.

ciao a tutti

There is a difference:

Berlusconi was voted out of office. Which is part of the democratic process.

Thaksin was forced out of office by a minority demonstrating to the extend that public life in the capital almost came to a standstill. Which is not exactly democratic.

Anyhow, i just returned from another, less devolped country in the region, and there the situation in Thailand is seen with great concern by many people. Investors fear instability in Thailand as it will negatively affect all countries in the region depending on the economical powerhub Thailand. Others are more than concerned that the demonstrations in Thailand and the result so far severely hinder emerging democracies in the region.

Anyhow, i am still waiting for any sort of policy the democrats are putting forward. Just being against Thaksin and asking for constitutional amendmends is not exactly a policy that will convince voters that they can do it better than Thaksin.

Anybody here can enlighten me about the Democrat's policies?

[boppia]

It's funny how rightwing people and communists go hand in hand. They both accuse the average people of being from the other side.

The current political situation wasn't lead by the Democrats. Thailand's problems are a result of Thaksin not the people. Do you get that. This situation didn't drop in from outer space and its not some grand scheme of the Democrats. So give up the idea.

I just don't understand how anyone could support a corrupt dictator? But there are people who would die for Hitler. And there are people proud that Amelda has 3,000 pairs of shoes. And many people thought Suharto's family and friends owning everything in Indonesia was good. Some people think rape is good. Some people think kiddy porn is good. Some people think beating their wives and kids is good. I guess there are people out there who are in your camp and 'knowingly' will support a corrupt leader.

[Hermano Lobo]

Maybe during his holiday he could meet up with Berlusconi to discuss how they could "even better" control the media, to win back the next election.

ciao a tutti

There is a difference:

Berlusconi was voted out of office. Which is part of the democratic process.

Thaksin was forced out of office by a minority demonstrating to the extend that public life in the capital almost came to a standstill. Which is not exactly democratic.

Anyhow, i just returned from another, less devolped country in the region, and there the situation in Thailand is seen with great concern by many people. Investors fear instability in Thailand as it will negatively affect all countries in the region depending on the economical powerhub Thailand. Others are more than concerned that the demonstrations in Thailand and the result so far severely hinder emerging democracies in the region.

Anyhow, i am still waiting for any sort of policy the democrats are putting forward. Just being against Thaksin and asking for constitutional amendmends is not exactly a policy that will convince voters that they can do it better than Thaksin.

Anybody here can enlighten me about the Democrat's policies?

Mr Belusconi says it is too close "I amma still Primo ! I amma still in ma officio!"

Khun Thaksin was told in no uncertain terms to step aside by His Royal Highness.

Witness the ashen-faced Thaksin on TV.

Democracy Democracy ?

A minority demonstrating ! 100,000 in a demonstration is hardly a minority. It usually represents a far larger amount of people.

Democracy Democracy ? = You pay off a load of illiterate farmers to vote for you.

That is Democracy ?

Look at the amount of professionals and academics against Thaksin. They know he is a bloody crook ! Bloody in the South and Bloody against alleged drug dealers !

Thaksin is illegal, immoral and doesn't pay tax.

Normally sitting Prime Ministers are afforded protection against prosecution when in power.

Berlusconi go to Jail !

Thaksin go to Jail !

Blair go to Jail !

[ColPyat]

It's funny how rightwing people and communists go hand in hand. They both accuse the average people of being from the other side.

The current political situation wasn't lead by the Democrats. Thailand's problems are a result of Thaksin not the people. Do you get that. This situation didn't drop in from outer space and its not some grand scheme of the Democrats. So give up the idea.

I just don't understand how anyone could support a corrupt dictator? But there are people who would die for Hitler. And there are people proud that Amelda has 3,000 pairs of shoes. And many people thought Suharto's family and friends owning everything in Indonesia was good. Some people think rape is good. Some people think kiddy porn is good. Some people think beating their wives and kids is good. I guess there are people out there who are in your camp and 'knowingly' will support a corrupt leader.

Thaksin is not exactly a dictator as he was elected, re-elected, and re-elected again. The comparism to Hitler is not only completely off the mark as Hitler has more or less straight away done away with even the slightest resemblence of Democracy as soon as he was elected. It also is an insult to the victims of Hitler and the Nazis to compare Thaksin with Hitler's crimes against humanity.

Thaksin used nationalism in a pragmatic way to get votes, the NSDAP was rabidly racist-nationalist. Therefore, the only party here which could be somewhat compared with Nazi ideology is the PAD as one of their main inspirations was the book "Royal Power" whose racist tone is not dissimilar to the work's of the "Volkisch" movement preceding and inspiring the NSDAP. I wish people would at least read up on history before making ridiculous statements.

And, yes, we all know that the Democrats did not lead the demonstrations. Nevertheless, they took advantage of the situation created, and led the election boycott. Given that they are a political party, they must have some sort of program, policy, or whatever in order to get elected. I would like to know what their program is.

Or, you may favor the aims of the PAD, and only want to have a Royaly appointed interim prime minister as a solution to all of Thailand's problems, or go straight with Pramuan, and get back into an aera of absolute monarchy. I wonder though what that has to do with democracy...

Just because some group attaches itself the label of "Democratic" does not mean that they actually are...

[ColPyat]

Mr Belusconi says it is too close "I amma still Primo ! I amma still in ma officio!"

Khun Thaksin was told in no uncertain terms to step aside by His Royal Highness.

Witness the ashen-faced Thaksin on TV.

Democracy Democracy ?

A minority demonstrating ! 100,000 in a demonstration is hardly a minority. It usually represents a far larger amount of people.

Democracy Democracy ? = You pay off a load of illiterate farmers to vote for you.

That is Democracy ?

Look at the amount of professionals and academics against Thaksin. They know he is a bloody crook ! Bloody in the South and Bloody against alleged drug dealers !

Thaksin is illegal, immoral and doesn't pay tax.

Normally sitting Prime Ministers are afforded protection against prosecution when in power.

Berlusconi go to Jail !

Thaksin go to Jail !

Blair go to Jail ![/b]

Shouting does not make your post any more intelligent or coherent.

If you take into consideration that Thailand has a population of over 60 million, then 100 000 demonstrators are a minority. And they may represent a larger group, but Thaksin has gotten more than 16 million votes, which, according to all mathematics, makes him the person representing the largest sector of Thai society.

And, i wonder which insights you have into palace politcs, as i have not read that "Khun Thaksin was told in no uncertain terms to step aside by His Royal Highness" (i guess you meant to say 'His Majesty' as the title of 'Royal Highness' is reserved for the other members of the Royal family. Additionally, with this statement you have breached right now the lese majeste law, which clearly states that even interpreting statements of the Royal Family is against the law. Inventing them is a bit worse, i would say.

The only thing we can go with is the statements of members of the Privy Council. And those statements are rather clear: the Privy Council has refused in every released statement to take sides in the ongoing political conflict, and has severely criticised any side that tried to force the King into taking sides.

[Hermano Lobo]

It's funny how rightwing people and communists go hand in hand. They both accuse the average people of being from the other side.

The current political situation wasn't lead by the Democrats. Thailand's problems are a result of Thaksin not the people. Do you get that. This situation didn't drop in from outer space and its not some grand scheme of the Democrats. So give up the idea.

I just don't understand how anyone could support a corrupt dictator? But there are people who would die for Hitler. And there are people proud that Amelda has 3,000 pairs of shoes. And many people thought Suharto's family and friends owning everything in Indonesia was good. Some people think rape is good. Some people think kiddy porn is good. Some people think beating their wives and kids is good. I guess there are people out there who are in your camp and 'knowingly' will support a corrupt leader.

Bravo !

I think copycat work for TRT Government ?

Is not shouting.... is singing

Berlusconi go to Jail !

Thaksin go to Jail !

Blair go to Jail !

[ColPyat]

Edited April 15, 2006 by ColPyat

[Hermano Lobo]

Curious and more curious ?

Thaksin 'still has total power'

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra still maintains full powers although he appears to have delegated most of his authority to the first deputy premier, Chidchai Vanasatidya, a Government House source said yesterday.

A letter prepared by the Cabinet Secretariat to all deputy premiers said that during Thaksin's absence from work, Chidchai would assume authority, except when the need arose for Thaksin to perform such duties as head of government, the source said.

"The document shows Thaksin still has full authority and that he is ready to assume it any time he wants," the source said.

Copies of the letter, dated last Friday, have also been sent to other Cabinet members, state agencies, provincial governors and foreign embassies.

On Tuesday night last week, amid mounting pressure for him to step down, Thaksin announced in a nationally broadcast he would not accept the prime minister post in the next government.

According to the letter, Thaksin told the Cabinet at its special meeting on Wednesday last week that he was acting because he wanted to take a rest after five years of working non-stop. He also wanted unity among conflicting groups.

Chidchai has worked on Thaksin's behalf since the Thai Rak Thai party leader moved out of Government House on Wednesday last week.

Kasem Sorasakkasem, a legal expert from Chat Thai Party, yesterday said the Cabinet Secretariat's letter contained vague statements about Thaksin's reasons for taking a break.

Thaksin should have made it clear whether he was taking official leave, as he had not put it in writing, Kasem said.

-The Nation Sat, April 15, 2006

[sushiman]

Hi ColPyat

I think you still don't get your stand. If you support TRT and Thaksin (or do nothing against it), you support:

- people being cheated

- chronies and TRT allies buying (what was that GAT story again, and more coming or already happended?) up the whole country, and one day as Thaksin did, sell most companies to the best bidden party to foreign investors (i'm not against global market, but if the money has been collected, by amending laws in favour of those companies and people have been urged to get bank loans, so more cash can be spend also on those companies, I think people and the coutnry are being cheated)

- democratical system is being cheated by vote buying, opposition party organizing (so the elections can get running with nearly only one major dog in the race) and making nearly 50% of the more understanding people angry

than I'm sorry you just didn't get the whole pic. You have your right to have your doubts of course against the Democrats, of course (and your scare for change in the country), but than if

you on the other hand have to make a decision,

Would you vote TRT?? If so, please for once and all explain us why?

What is TRT doing to help the country go foward in med-to long term?

I never heard Thaksin speaking about clever politics, he's whole talks are a total one-sided PR machine, with superficial stupid short-minded political ideas, which in all Universities and with most acedemics, bring great fear and headache for the long term! Go and talk to the people, who understand a bit more about economics etc. Everybody is warning about TRT's short-minded

views and actions (including cheating, buying off etc., supressing the media so only PR talks go through etc.)

Don't tell us again that they are helping the poor, as these money lendings with no smart support for them, will bring the whole upcountry into big depts and nothing else. What's the point, if the poors have short cash, but the whole country will be sinking, if Thailand will be further sucked up, by only a view rich people, who help TRT to help them and be paid for it.

Give us a clear list, why you should support a corrupt party, who buys everything in order to stay in power, even the watchdogs etc.

Why??

May khao chay??

[ColPyat]

Hi ColPyat

I think you still don't get your stand.

Not understanding something is at least a good start.

No, i do not support TRT. No, i would not vote TRT. My wife has not voted TRT either, she used the 'No' option. before she voted Democrats. I would vote Democrats as i see they are the lesser of the evils.

But i do support the democratic process. And part of that is accepting the majority vote even though it is not my choice. I do definately not support an extraparliamentary opposition that is mixed up with racist elements, with people of known extremist positions, with some of the worst crony capitalists and mafia politicians in Thailand, that represents one class, excluding the majority.

My stand is rather simple: i see at the present moment a continued rule of Thaksin as the least of the evils threatening Thai society and Thailand's emerging democracy, as he and his party is the elected government of Thailand. And that will not change until the moment the Democrats can get their shit together and manage to get Thaksin voted out of office, which i do hope for.

As to your other accusations, all parties use vote buying, all parties are corrupt. Give me a non corrupt party that is democratic and moderate, that has feasable policies - and i will try my best to convince my wife to become a member of that party.

[boppia]

You are certainly wrong about "the majority". Describe this majority please. And how do you get your information? Are you in Thailand talking to the majority or looking at your computer? Does the number of farmers I have connections to represent the "one class"? Since you are so upset about 'racism' what's your background?

As for corruption, there's way too much here in Thailand. What's happening now is called people power. These events are inspirational giving hope to the majority that I know. The TRT is looking for bullshit explanations for all its abuses; Now that's progress.