Yingluck's pleas are mere wordplay to her opponents

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Yingluck's pleas are mere wordplay to her opponents
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The government is facing a credibility crisis similar to an analogy drawn from one of Aesop's Fables - the Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf.

The anti-amnesty movement has grown by leaps and bounds since Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made her televised speech on the amnesty bill last week.

Why? It can be attributed to Yingluck's failure to show remorse.

The government relied on a deceitful ploy by revising the amnesty draft in order to absolve former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as well as grant clemency in corruption cases.

Yingluck made a murky rebuttal, accusing her opponents of spreading false allegations about the amnesty bill impacting on graft violations.

She also ignored the fact that the actual draft did specify clemency in cases such as those involving her brother Thaksin.

Although her comments on amnesty might signal a retreat by giving the green light for the Senate to defeat the bill, she ended up inflaming the opposition.

Faced with angry sentiment, the government mobilised its supporters to reaffirm it was backing down from the bill.

Pro-government senators such as Nikom Wairatpanij, Direk Teungfung and Prasit Pothasuthon pledged to reject the bill.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed the ruling party was abandoning the bill.

But neither Yingluck nor Phumtham spelled out clearly whether the coalition would rekindle the amnesty debate within the 180-day deadline.

The anti-amnesty protests persist as the government relies on wordplay rather than genuine action to pacify its opponents.

After the opposition movement intensified its calls for the ousting of the government, the chief coalition whip stepped forward to announce a full retreat by agreeing to withdraw all six amnesty-related bills.

Yingluck clarified her previous statement to mean there would be no more pushing for amnesty in the future.

On Saturday, Pheu Thai Party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan and coalition partners inked a ratification agreement against reviving the amnesty effort.

Protesters have carried on rallying despite the coalition attempts to appease them.

The opposition seems to have gained strength after the red shirts organised a series of rallies designed to shield the government.

Under the legislative procedures, the blanket amnesty would remain as a dormant agenda in the House, even though the Senate might have rejected its passing on its first reading.

The House would retain the discretion to debate the bill at a given time in future, as deemed appropriate.

Should this happen, the lawmakers can pass the bill by a simple majority without having to seek senatorial consent.

Therefore, amnesty opponents suspect the government is buying time before mounting the next push for the bill's passage.

So long as the government does not remove the bill from the legislative agenda, the amnesty debate could be rekindled at any time.

With lingering doubts about the government's true intention over amnesty, more and more people have been taking to the streets to protest what they see as an unacceptable push to whitewash graft offences.

The government is truly faced with the dilemma of lacking credibility to convince its opponents to stop protesting.

And prolonged protests could spell a doom scenario for the government, as well as put an end to the Thaksin regime, the populist brand championed by the former prime minister.


-- The Nation 2013-11-12

[lovetotravel]

Well written article. I now understand why they are still protesting. Best of luck to the Thai people.

[soi41]

Darling Yingluck!! Ofcourse we believe in the word of a Shinawattra!!

[ramrod711]

The government is truly faced with the dilemma of lacking credibility to convince its opponents to stop protesting.

Politicians are not given credibility, they earn it, and this government simply hasn't done that. Why would anyone believe PTP, they won't even admit who's in charge.

[Thainy Tim]

Well written article. I now understand why they are still protesting. Best of luck to the Thai people.

Yup.

Nobody truly believes that the government are finished with this amnesty malarkey.

They are so twisted they could hide behind a corkscrew, and that goes for the man in the sand.

[Ricardo]

Failure-to-show-remorse seems to be a family trait, sadly.

"Thank You 3 Times, and Good-Bye, Poo !"

[Hawkman]

The government have only themselves to blame. Trying to hide behind fancy words such as 'reconciliation', 'forgiveness' and 'unity' when anyone with half a brain know what they really mean are 'whitewash', 'get away with murder' and mainly 'he will come back'.

The best thing now will for the government to somehow legally sign they won't bring up the bill again in any form. But, that won't happen due to too many self interests and greed.

It's a horrible state of affairs which unfortunately I see the government winning. They know that they can just wait, the protests will die down naturally and then by the time they vote on it again - they will be better prepared for the protests. And blood will spill.

Just have to hope the people win this and don't let this bill through. Really shows how corrupt, greedy and arrogant this government really are.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Edited November 12, 2013 by Hawkman

[noksidam]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

[Crushdepth]

Epic FAIL :-)

Will be most amusing when their pants-on-head idiot murder charges against the opposition go down the tubes.

[boomerangutang]

Think of the hundreds of thousands of hours - that protesters have had to devote to dealing with this. Time which they could have been doing other things. Think of the months wasted by PT trying desperately to bring T back a hero, and put him in the PM's seat (or eventually, in an even more prestigious seat). ....while neglecting to deal with all sorts of serious issues that affect regular Thais and their tattered country. Thailand: The Hub of Wasted Time and Opportunities.

[noikrit]

Time for her to run up country again for some more shopping ... or maybe just feed the fish again

Edited November 12, 2013 by noikrit

[Thait Spot]

Poo is going to find out that not very many people trust her and her administration any more.

She's shot her bolt

[JRSoul]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

So what do you do with a blatantly corrupt government? Ask the RTP to intervene; after they have refused to prosecute a clear case of perjury?

BTW I assume you were referring to the last Democrat government. FYI they had a majority (by coalition) of elected MPs, not an unusual way to form a government in a democracy.

[mrtoad]

When Yingluck thinks, no one listens

[noksidam]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

So what do you do with a blatantly corrupt government? Ask the RTP to intervene; after they have refused to prosecute a clear case of perjury?

BTW I assume you were referring to the last Democrat government. FYI they had a majority (by coalition) of elected MPs, not an unusual way to form a government in a democracy.

Well obviously that was not what the people wanted or they'd still be in power and wouldn't have to use undemocratic means to take it back again.

[JRSoul]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

So what do you do with a blatantly corrupt government? Ask the RTP to intervene; after they have refused to prosecute a clear case of perjury?

BTW I assume you were referring to the last Democrat government. FYI they had a majority (by coalition) of elected MPs, not an unusual way to form a government in a democracy.

Well obviously that was not what the people wanted or they'd still be in power and wouldn't have to use undemocratic means to take it back again.

Was that meant to be an answer to the questions? By 'undemocratic means' are you advocating another armed insurrection; after all the last one failed?

FYI (again) the people don't get to choose a government. They elect an MP who then votes for a governing party.

Edited November 12, 2013 by JRSoul

[h90]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

why?

It isn't that there are many wonderful parties waiting.

Better having a military dictator who isn't corrupt and respects the human rights than having these criminals.

While I don't think that the Surayud government was shining, it was still the best government I say in Thailand.

[Artisi]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

So what do you do with a blatantly corrupt government? Ask the RTP to intervene; after they have refused to prosecute a clear case of perjury?

BTW I assume you were referring to the last Democrat government. FYI they had a majority (by coalition) of elected MPs, not an unusual way to form a government in a democracy.

Well obviously that was not what the people wanted or they'd still be in power and wouldn't have to use undemocratic means to take it back again.

Unfortunately money is god in Thailand, and when many can't see or don't really care or the ar_se of their pants is hanging out or their kids need new shoes, who is in power in irrelevant -- a few hundred Baht can buy a lot of votes.

Don't blame the people, blame the parasites who pray on these people promising all sorts of goodies solely in there own interests.

[mrtoad]

Yingluck will probably spend the day shopping today anyhow, as that's far more important and more in her skill set. Chewing gum and walking would probably be a brain overload for this current Caddied PM.

[noksidam]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

So what do you do with a blatantly corrupt government? Ask the RTP to intervene; after they have refused to prosecute a clear case of perjury?

BTW I assume you were referring to the last Democrat government. FYI they had a majority (by coalition) of elected MPs, not an unusual way to form a government in a democracy.

Well obviously that was not what the people wanted or they'd still be in power and wouldn't have to use undemocratic means to take it back again.

Was that meant to be an answer to the questions? By 'undemocratic means' are you advocating another armed insurrection; after all the last one failed?

I'm not advocating anything. You seem to be the one who wants to overthrow an elected government. You say they are corrupt? Of course they are. Who isn't in this country? The Dems are not corrupt? The Upper and Middle class Bangkokians got what they wanted and should go home. It's good they protested, it was very healthy. The Lower class in the provinces won't get what they want because none of those who killed their friends and family members won't ever be troubled but they made their voice heard, sort of. But if the yellows jump on the occasion to oust the government again I don't see how this would benefit the country.

[noksidam]

Yingluck will probably spend the day shopping today anyhow, as that's far more important and more in her skill set. Chewing gum and walking would probably be a brain overload for this current Caddied PM

Abhisit style sexism? Disgusting.

[Rob8891]

I wonder if anyone in government is smart enough (SHUT UP LAUGHING AT THE BACK!) ....smart enough to see that pushing the bill through after 180 days would be tantamount to signing Big Brother's death warrant. I cannot see him surviving the triumphal return for long.

Not that I am advocating murder - just foreseeing it.

[boomerangutang]

Yingluck will need some pastry boxes. Hmmm, how to get them? Oh yes, she can buy jelly donuts by the dozen, - and will have all those yummy donuts to eat. Careful, don't get any jelly on those handsome designer clothes.

[noksidam]

So what would the democratic thing to do be? It can't be a military backed unelected party taking control again, right?

why?

It isn't that there are many wonderful parties waiting.

Better having a military dictator who isn't corrupt and respects the human rights than having these criminals.

While I don't think that the Surayud government was shining, it was still the best government I say in Thailand.

You maybe right. Weed out the parasites, be honest too just flat out admit that Thailand can't handle democracy and go from there. I doubt such a fine dictator exists though.

[thaidel48]

Seems to me that all that needs to happen is that the graft busters investigate the cases of those in high public office first. Then an election would have to be held due to a lack of enough left free to vote on anything !

[AleG]

The anti-amnesty protests persist as the government relies on wordplay rather than genuine action to pacify its opponents.

Such as vowing that they were not aiming at whitewashing Thaksin since they began their "amnesty" proposals... and then voting in a bill that would whitewash Thaksin at 4:25 AM. The justification given for the man who introduced the contentious changes? he met Thaksin in Hong Kong and he told him he wanted to come home.

How could they expect anyone to believe them in anything they say anymore? Even some heavely numbed Red Shirts are starting to see through the lies.

[thaidel48]

In my opinion Thai's should adopt the American style of " Terms Limits". If they had this adopted this law from the start all of those Dinosaurs in the present Gov would have vanished long ago.

[JRSoul]

I'm not advocating anything. You seem to be the one who wants to overthrow an elected government. You say they are corrupt? Of course they are. Who isn't in this country? The Dems are not corrupt? The Upper and Middle class Bangkokians got what they wanted and should go home. It's good they protested, it was very healthy. The Lower class in the provinces won't get what they want because none of those who killed their friends and family members won't ever be troubled but they made their voice heard, sort of. But if the yellows jump on the occasion to oust the government again I don't see how this would benefit the country.

Your answer appears to be to trust them not to pass this law, and allow them to continue their corruption excesses until their term expires. And should the country head towards bankruptcy, allow them to borrow another few trillion baht. While democratically correct, it fails a few other measures like financial and ethical sense.

I don't want to overthrow an elected government, but I certainly understand those who are not happy with a corrupt elected government and wish to overthrow it. I would be much happier to see an independent police force who would investigate conflict of issue cases, and with the power to arrest MPs who vote corruptly in their own interest or that of the corrupt criminal paying them.

[Halion]

This is a truly divided country, divided by intellect,education,culture and aptitude and is in no way ready or capable of accepting democracy. It also has a shortfall on the true meaning of democratic rule and an equal shortfall of candidates who posses the quality's to provide a stable platform for democracy to prosper.

Nepotism, corruption,deceit and deception are all so heavily ingrained into the Thai mentality. There exists plurality in all forms of administration including the legal system which has to form the backbone of any truly democratic future,the police who have the responsibility for egalitarian enforcement.

Thai culture is too obsessed with the cosmetics of governance with little or no regard to the character of governance.

Stability,equality and democracy have little chance to develop whilst these traits are part of the national heritage.

A massive make-over is required.

[kingstonkid]

Well written article. I now understand why they are still protesting. Best of luck to the Thai people.

Yup.

Nobody truly believes that the government are finished with this amnesty malarkey.

They are so twisted they could hide behind a corkscrew, and that goes for the man in the sand.

PTP

Unfortunately find themselves in a NO WIN position.

When the guy at the top putting the money into the machine is a convicted felon on the run that thinks he should be brought back a free man the only thing you can do is keep pushing his amnesty from every different angle.

Remember PTP may say it is a party of the people but just like all the others Thaksin family have been involved in it is still

Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts

Yingluck has really no alternative but to do what big brother and his handlers tell her.