Thai Democrats to shun council if amnesty bid not halted

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POLITICS
Democrats to shun council if amnesty bid not halted
Pimnara Pradubwit,
Kesinee Tangkhieo
The Nation


Ong-art

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party, said yesterday he would not change his mind about boycotting the prime minister's proposed political-reform council as long as the government insists on passing an amnesty law.

"The government must withdraw the bill, which is the condition that's creating conflicts,'' he said.

Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon, head of the party's Bangkok MPs, said that of those expected to participate in the council, 60 per cent were allies of the government and shared the same mind-set about political reform; 20 per cent held the government in high esteem, and the rest did not have a clear stance.

With such a profile, the government could already count on the conclusion of the council's deliberations, which was none other than to rewrite the whole charter and grant an across-the-board amnesty, Ong-art said.

"The government aims to use this platform as a front to give it legitimacy. Not only will this plan not work and fail to provide a solution for the country, the government might also have to find an emergency exit for its Cabinet,'' he said.

There was no hope for the council to achieve reconciliation since its members sided with the government. The government has also rejected proposals lodged by many groups to reduce differences between the political camps, he said. "The ultimate objective of the council is to restructure the entire Constitution," he said.

Although the leadership of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy had decided to step down, they would resume their fight against the Thaksin regime when the time is right, he said. PAD supporters have approached the Democrat Party about working together to campaign against the government, he said.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the Green Politics movement, said the government was using the council to prolong its life. "The government has abused its power and has failed to solve the people's problems, while allowing the red shirts to intimidate independent organisations,'' he said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-26

[Siripon]

Dear Prime Minister,

Several studies have been done in recent years about reform:

Khun Anand's, Khun Prawet's and Khun Khanit's.

Please open the folders and read.

[jaidam]

Never mind shunning the council, the Democrat party should disband and cease to be.

Thailand desperately needs its own "Jonestown" event, to begin the reconciliation and process of healing divides. By that I mean that every time it seems Thailand is on the verge of a political disaster the army steps in and installs the democrats. This must stop.

In this case we have one brutally corrupt scumbag attempting a hostile takeover of Thailand plc for his own selfish ends. Any interference in his meteoric rise to the top will further galvanize his supporters will and resolve. The PTP supporters, like the Jim Jones supporters before them, must be allowed to drink the koolaid as only then will they know that he is not their saviour.

That it may put them and their families in severe debt, destroy any business they have, erode any personal freedoms they enjoy for the next few generations is an unfortunate side-effect of their choice to elevate one criminal and his family to be their only political rulers.

In Jonestown the day before the koolaid incident that I liken Thaksin's thai takeover, 99.9% of the inhabitants thought only Jim Jones can lead us, everybody else is evil. The day after the koolaid incident 99.9% of the residents hated Jim Jones and saw they had been duped by him. That almost all of them had to die for the survivors to see this was the price that had to be paid. Imagine if the FBI stormed Jonestown the day before the massacre and took away Jim Jones, he would still be an icon and hero to this day.

For the Khun T's non-believers remember if it smells like bitter almonds don't drink it, for the rest, Cheers and Enjoy!!

[bubblegum]

Seems you've been drinking it yourself

[Chrisswe]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

[ridkun]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

How about through the House's members vote last time?

[MILT]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

Surly to be this sure. The Democratic party it seems is the oldest party in Thailand.

Vote buying and unrealistic promises, violence, intimidation, and blatant lies and propaganda can and will be the only means of keeping the Pardon Thaskin party in power.

One voice in this case is not the people's voice.

I have lived in Thailand many years before the Thaskin Dynasty entered politics. The difference in the stability of this country is "Day and Night"

[billd766]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

How about in 1997 when they came in to clean up the financial disaster caused by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Banharn Silpa Archa.

Funny thing was that Thaksin was a minister in both governments.

[Nickymaster]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

Yeeaaah! Eat this!

I thought that the issue here is amnesty. Didn't know it was about elections.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Nickymaster

[khunken]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

Trolling.

[silopsist]

Sure that's the only way for Democratic party to survive. They can only come to power through a military coup or other kind of violence !!

Surly to be this sure. The Democratic party it seems is the oldest party in Thailand.

Vote buying and unrealistic promises, violence, intimidation, and blatant lies and propaganda can and will be the only means of keeping the Pardon Thaskin party in power.

One voice in this case is not the people's voice.

I have lived in Thailand many years before the Thaskin Dynasty entered politics. The difference in the stability of this country is "Day and Night"

Better the Devil you know...........................

In the past the military cliques would fight one another for power, now instead of the establishment fighting amongst themselves, they are fighting against the nouveau riche.

This new way is much better as the fights are much more drawn out which has the benefit of providing a false sense of stability.

Truth be told we are just waiting for the deck of cards to come tumbling down again, and this amnesty may well be the catalyst.

Edited August 26, 2013 by silopsist