Govt vows "to protect democracy" : Nuttawut

[webfact]

POLITICS
Govt vows "to protect democracy" : Nuttawut

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar said Monday that the government would protect democracy from anti-government rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Nuttawut, who is also a red-shirt leader, said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles. "Suthep said he would end the rally within three days. If he is to do that, then he must use a way that is outside the democratic system," he said.

He added that the government would do their best to protect the principles of democracy.

The red shirts would also protect the "elected government" of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

He condemned the rally, saying its leaders were falsely accusing the Shinawatra family of lese majesty. He said that this action is violent, and does not give the Shinawatra family chance to defend themselves.


-- The Nation 2013-11-25

[rubl]

In related news Dept. Minister of Commerce, Pheu Thai party list MP and UDD co-leader Nattawut has filed an 'illegal copycat' suit against k. Suthep.

When asked k. Nattawut responded "when they played my shoutcasts during an illegal election rally at Rachadamri in 2011 I warned them they had to ask permission first."

tongue-in-cheeky

[patjem]

Quote: "He said that this action is violent, and does not give the Shinawatra family chance to defend themselves"

Erm.... the courts have been waiting for years for a certain Mr. Shinawatra to turn up to defend himself. He has had plenty of chance.

[gl555]

LOL and your violent mob 3 years ago was very democratic and with all the blood thrown at people's houses, it give the then government a chance to defend itself eh?

[bigbamboo]

Not even time for a 'mull'.

That shows how serious it is.

[smedly]

perhaps the PTP and the Red shirts need to do a little research as to what democracy actually is before trying to defend it, this seems to be a large part of the problem as they simply think if they win an election then they are free to do exactly what they want - unfortunately that is not how it works

Perhaps education is the key to all this, maybe start to run some education programs on prime TV to help the people understand how it is all supposed to work and expose how so many are getting it wrong

[Yunla]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Yunla

[JRSoul]

As long as Thaksin continues to pay them, Thailand's "red leader" millionaires will continue to spout whatever garbage Thaksin wants heard. Heaps of buzz words with no real substance, spiced with claims that the DSI will gather evidence of non-existent crimes.

[spirit47]

Go to daddy, before it's too late...

[assayer]

Nuttawut, who is also a red-shirt leader, said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles. "Suthep said he would end the rally within three days. If he is to do that, then he must use a way that is outside the democratic system," he said.

He added that the government would do their best to protect the principles of democracy.

The red shirts would also protect the "elected government" of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

I am of the opinion that the peaceful rallys which Suthep is leading is a vital part of the democratic process. For without them there would only be one --(Thaksin)---God.

[Thai at Heart]

Are these people schisophrenic?

They are able to behave as complete hypocrites with an amazing ability. What we did was democracy but what this guy is doing isn't. Is it some bizarre understanding of the buddhist "self" that allows these people to talk like this?

[siampolee]

Their best defence to protect democracy is to resign after first rejecting all links with the Thaksin clan and then leave the political arena forever.

What I find interesting and i am sure I am not alone in that interest is that in this P.T.P. democracy domestic news coverage is virtually non existent for both factions i.e Red Shirts and the Anti Government movement.

Asia update for the Red Shirt group viewpoint and Blue Sky for the anti government group viewpoint.

Now that is certainly an interesting view on democracy and the freedom of the press under this ''pro democracy" P.T.P. puppet government

Note that the Baht is a bit fluid at the moment so it seems as if the truth is reaching the outside world, one wonders how long before this democracy protecting and democracy supporting puppet government feel the need to adjust internet and all the other mass media channels so as to preserve democracy and stifle the unpalatable political truth?

Edited November 25, 2013 by siampolee

[Thainy Tim]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

Very good post Yunia.

I will expand on it if I may.

You are totally correct about elections only being one element in the big picture of a proper democratic system, and that seems to also go un-noticed with some TVF posters who continuously bleat the same old 'But they were elected' crap...

A true democratic election also uses debate. All standing politicians have the opportunity to debate their manifesto of policies and have them cross examined during the pre-election campaigning. If they present populist policies which are just thinly veiled vote buying strategies using the tax payer to foot the bill afterwards, then this will be exposed and hammered into the ground.... That's what it is all about. Putting everything under the microscope.

Buying votes with direct cash and populist policies is about as undemocratic as it gets. So in essence, they don't even deserve to be voted in to a democratic system if the method of voting is tarnished and undemocratic.

There is no point even holding fresh elections until the election commission has been totally overhauled to make them as democratic as possible.

Take away vote buying and insane populist policies aimed at only a specific demographic rather than the good of the nation as a whole. Then you will have the first real steps towards a true and fair democracy that is a fantastic basis for Thailand to flourish.

[Thai at Heart]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

democracy supposes you can lose the academic discussion and debate honourably. Maybe it is this whole "face" nonsense that prevents Thailand from really getting to grips with democracy.

.

It doesn't matter if you lose, as long as you can bring the biggest mob, you can win

[Baerboxer]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

Wonder if they will ask about the illegal passport - hope so. The reply will be priceless - maybe ask for another extension !

[lemoncake]

He said that this action is violent, and does not give the Shinawatra family chance to defend themselves.

Sorry, but yours trully did have a chance in court to defend himself, but chose NOT to show up and hide away

[Bluespunk]

"Govt vows "to protect democracy" : Nuttawut"

Ha, ha, ha, good one.

[Robby nz]

I see a recent statement elsewhere from the Ex PM Somkid that protest leaders must know that their supporters have honest intentions and that it is the responsibility of the leaders to prevent confrontations deaths, injuries and destruction.

I would suggest he should have told that to Nuttawut and his fellow red shirt leaders in 2010.

However as he didn't, it still shows where he believes the responsibility for all the death in the red riots lies.

[smileydude]

..brought to you live from the guy who said to "Burn the city down to the ground, I take full responsibility"

Democracy, yeah right. More like lackey to the highest degree.

Reading anything that spews from his mouth just makes me feel like I've lost a few more brain cells listening to stupidity.

[pookiki]

I think it is quite farcical to think that only one political party buys votes in Thailand. As opposed to buying votes, I guess it is a much better option for a political party to be installed via a coup. If one truly thinks that there is not a social divide in Thailand, they are only fooling themselves. It is not only a social divide, it is blatant discrimination. If parliament is dissolved and a new election is held, the PTP will win, again - albeit by a slimmer margin. Then, the cycle will start all over.

Edited November 25, 2013 by pookiki

[siampolee]

Robbynz post # 18

I see a recent statement elsewhere from the Ex PM Somkid that protest leaders must know that their supporters have honest intentions and that it is the responsibility of the leaders to prevent confrontations deaths, injuries and destruction.

I would suggest he should have told that to Nuttawut and his fellow red shirt leaders in 2010.

However as he didn't, it still shows where he believes the responsibility for all the death in the red riots lies.

Could one expect anything else from a member of the Thaksin clan Nepotism rules.

[marcusd]

In what I can see... This government is saying all the right things..

Fully elected senate..ok

Rice scheme to help farmers... Ok

Water scheme to help,the country...ok

Democratic principles...ok

BUT...and a V E R Y BIG BUT.. They do nothing but rort rort rip,off steal,lie cheat.

Shoot the lot and let there be no,government.

The people are nice fair happy and reasonable.

Enough.

Sent from my RM-892_apac_laos_thailand_219 using Tapatalk

[easybullet3]

"He added that the government would do their best to protect the principles of democracy."

- by trying to press charges against the judges?

[moe666]

All the PTP needed to do was what is really best for the country fair policies that could have benefited everyone not nonsense 1rst time car buyers scam, not the dodgy Ipad scheme for schools, not Ipad, and not the budget busting country bankrupting rice scam. If he had been fair about what he wanted his rent boys and girls to do he would have been welcomed home with open arms.

[tingtongteesood]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

Hit the nail right square on the head. I wish all the sheeple could see the truth.

[mrtoad]

In any mature democracy, Nattuwat would be in jail, he certainly wouldn't be a minister.

[Rich teacher]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

What a one-eyed, biased piece of rubbish post!

Since when did the Democrats cross the floor during their tenure. NEVER is the answer. They pushed through constitutional amendments to change the electoral system in their favour with no concern for the protests & debate from the opposition. They expedited the 'buffet budget' just before the election as a massive populist push to win votes, even though it was almost unanimously disliked by economists, industry & business leaders alike.

The PTP have systematically fulfilled the election promises that they were elected on. Rice pledging, minimum wage, infrastructure spending, reconciliation, constitutional amendments,...were all in the party manifesto prior 2011 victory. They aren't doing anything more or less than they promised.

[bunuel]

[

Precisely.

The Yellow Shirts live in a state of denial - they have lost every election, and could only come tp power after a military coup and major judicial chicanery. If they want regime change, try winning an election. That is called democracy,

By the way, Pheua Thai won the last election in a landslide victory. Since then, the country has done pretty well, and PM Yingluck deserves some credit, surely. Maybe the amnesty bill wasn't such a great idea - but it covered yellow shirts and army accused of murder in 2010, not just Thaksin - and now it is withdrawn.

What yellow shirts are trying to do now is a putsch, as they say in Germany. It is wrong, and hopefully it will end before anyone gets hurt.

quote name=Thai at Heart" post="7080600" timestamp="1385380371]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

democracy supposes you can lose the academic discussion and debate honourably. Maybe it is this whole "face" nonsense that prevents Thailand from really getting to grips with democracy.

.

It doesn't matter if you lose, as long as you can bring the biggest mob, you can win

[rubl]

said that Suthep's action is contrary to democratic principles

So is having a redshirt House Speaker who takes orders on affairs of state from non-elected person who is also a convicted felon and residing abroad, triple treason, and Somsak was caught on tape doing so. It doesn't get any less democratic than that, folks. You have to be elected by the people, and to put your policies through the chambers of debate at length and with consensus success, to give orders in a democratic state. And Thaksin is not elected, on the contrary, he is a wanted criminal.

Its amazing that PTP can actually even keep a straight face when they talk about democracy. They had their redmob bootboys handing out home addresses of dissenting judges, homes where women and children lived. With possible intimidation or even violence as a possible outcome of that action. There is nothing democratic about that. Democracy begins and ends on the floor of debate. There are no private-armies, bootboys, unelected rulers, or threats in a democracy. Democracy solves ALL problems on the debating room floor. Done and dusted, top to toe.

And why that is extra ironic is that Yingluck avoids debates like other people avoid dogdirt on the pavement. She is a paragon of anti-democracy. She stands against everything that matters in a democracy, primarily using debating skills to put forth a winning argument which achieves consensus by being a worthy suggestion. This never happens with Yingluck or PTP. They avoid debates, and they steamroller their policies through with concrete earmuffs on so they don't hear what anyone else says. In a democracy you always listen to everybody's views, if you disagree you debate it, and if your argument is the one that emerges ontop after being cross-examined at length, you win and your policy goes through.

There is nothing at all democratic about PTP. Getting votes in an election is not democracy. That is simply election into a democratic system. It is like being born. After you are elected it is your debating skill and the common-sense strengths of your arguments that win the day, and that is what democracy is about. When you are elected you are a new-born baby, but you grow to democratic adulthood in the chambers of debate. And if your arguments are constantly wrongheaded then your policies will be rejected and you will remain a democratic child. See above. On the floor of debate Yingluck would be asked "why do you want Thaksin to have a new passport, why do you want him to escape his criminal conviction" and the only answer she would be able to offer is "because he is my brother" at which point her argument would die and so would all policies associated with it. However she avoids this problem by avoiding all debates, and just steamrollering policies through and hoping for a lucky win without anybody noticing.

What a one-eyed, biased piece of rubbish post!

Since when did the Democrats cross the floor during their tenure. NEVER is the answer. They pushed through constitutional amendments to change the electoral system in their favour with no concern for the protests & debate from the opposition. They expedited the 'buffet budget' just before the election as a massive populist push to win votes, even though it was almost unanimously disliked by economists, industry & business leaders alike.

The PTP have systematically fulfilled the election promises that they were elected on. Rice pledging, minimum wage, infrastructure spending, reconciliation, constitutional amendments,...were all in the party manifesto prior 2011 victory. They aren't doing anything more or less than they promised.

What a one-eyes, biased piece of rubbish post indeed!

Mind you, unlike your's yunla's was on topic.

The only thing I may agree with is the "They aren't doing anything more or less than they promised. ". forget about the Nation, big Brother want's to come back home.

Edited November 25, 2013 by rubl

[WitawatWatawit]

[

Precisely.

The Yellow Shirts live in a state of denial - they have lost every election, and could only come tp power after a military coup and major judicial chicanery. If they want regime change, try winning an election. That is called democracy,

By the way, Pheua Thai won the last election in a landslide victory. Since then, the country has done pretty well, and PM Yingluck deserves some credit, surely. Maybe the amnesty bill wasn't such a great idea - but it covered yellow shirts and army accused of murder in 2010, not just Thaksin - and now it is withdrawn.

What yellow shirts are trying to do now is a putsch, as they say in Germany. It is wrong, and hopefully it will end before anyone gets hurt.

Bunuel - such a distinguished name. Pity you have hijacked it.

"Since then, the country has done pretty well, and PM Yingluck deserves some credit, surely. "

The country has "done pretty well" despite, not because of, Yingluck. Nothing her administration has done has had the slightest impact on advancing "the country". It's big business that is driving the country, not the govt.

Edited November 25, 2013 by WitawatWatawit