Deputy PM and FM Give a Briefing on the current political situation

[tingtongteesood]

If you remember Ahbisit in 2010 appointed Suthep as CAPO spokesman.

I am utterly amazed that some people try to suggest its funny that YL is doing something just the same as Abhisit did in 2010.

http://www.thaigov.go.th/en/news-room/item/60298-capo-spokesperson-and-deputy-prime-minister-suthep-gave-a-press-conference-on-22-march-2010-on-security-measures-and-guidelines-for-military-personnel.html

Suthep was appointed by Abhisit as spokesperson for CAPO. The aticle in the link shows the military rushing to assist Suthep and Abhisit................. and yet here we are in 2013 and now the tables are turned yet again the military show they are yet again wearing Yellow shirts.........

And how in any way is this the same ? Once again the spurious arguments from pro red fools are comparing apples and oranges. Suthep was an MP like any other, unrelated to Abhisit in any way other than being a member of his cabinet hence a work colleague ( please correct me if I am wrong ).

In this case Surapong is Thaksin's coussin meaning that he is both related to the PM and related to the puppet master fugitive. This is pure and simple nepotism and trying to get your cronies in the necessary positions to tighten your grip on power. This is also the same person who renewed the passport of said convicted criminal on the run which I believe is against the law in most countries including this one. This government breaks the law repeatedly for its self serving purposes. This is part of the reason this government of crooks must be brought to an end...Whilst I admit the protests have taken a bad turn, as long as the Shin's grip on power ends, I will be happy at least till whoever comes after becomes as bad as they are.

[Emptyset]

Watched Yingluck's interview with Al Jazeera's Veronica Pedrosa. Apart from the fact that Pedrosa rather made mince meat of her the interview is very telling in that it shows not a smidgeon of compromise or remorse from Yingluck. She is not prepared to take any responsibility at all for the Amnesty Bill that caused all of this, still pretending it had nothing to do with her or her government but at the same time claiming that it was intended to bring about reconciliation which it obviously failed to do. There is no attempt to be proactive and conciliatory whatsoever. She could apologise for her government's ineptitude and deceptiveness in pushing the bill and come up with a plan to embark on various reforms, including ditching the ruinous rice pledging scheme and this would be a great excuse to do that. She could also offer to dissolve Parliament and resign as caretaker PM, vowing to leave politics for ever and leave the country immediately on a long vacation which would stop the protests in their tracks, despite Suthep's demands.

None of that. Her government has a majority in Parliament which means they are allowed to do whatever they dam_n well please and that is exactly what they are going to do, unless someone pushes them off their perch which now looks like a distinct possibility. It is difficult to feel much sympathy for her in the face of such obtuseness.

She should apologize, I agree. Government needs to admit serious mistakes were made and learn from this. But I don't recall Suthep ever showing much in the way of contrition. He needs to get around the negotiation table and the Democrats need to reaffirm commitment to parliamentary democracy. Yingluck hinted that she would consider resigning or dissolving house if Suthep negotiated, but he's made it clear he's not interested, so why single Yingluck out for intransigence?

I do agree with you that she should make a concrete offer to dissolve house in near future. Such an offer would shore up government's democratic legitimacy whilst putting ball firmly in protester's court. If Suthep refuses to accept the offer, then it's clear that he's only interested in victory whatever the cost of that victory might be.

[Halion]

i haven't got a side red or yellow but i do think she should stand her ground and resolve this in-house and not let the ppl who are there only for free food and a daily hand outs that probably don't know whats really going on being led by a guy who don't want to discuss this rationally saying its his way or no way. what im trying to say is if he wins then will they use the same thing everytime they dont like something and if that the case whats the point in any one leading the country it sort of throws them back into the dark ages or am i wrong ?

HAVEN'T YOU NOTICED, This country is still in the dark ages. The only actions seen in Thailand are either those who deem themselves omnipotent or the cave men.

[eddiench]

i haven't got a side red or yellow but i do think she should stand her ground and resolve this in-house and not let the ppl who are there only for free food and a daily hand outs that probably don't know whats really going on being led by a guy who don't want to discuss this rationally saying its his way or no way. what im trying to say is if he wins then will they use the same thing everytime they dont like something and if that the case whats the point in any one leading the country it sort of throws them back into the dark ages or am i wrong ?

Do you think the people really came out for free food? What hand outs (money?) are you talking about? Are you saying the people that came for the protest don't know what's going on? Mind you...the free food was provided because the donations was over-whelming. None of them was paid to come and most of them paid for themselves to go. The people that are there have to queue up to give voluntary donations because the collectors can't process them (receipts) fast enough. Most of all, unlike the reds, everyone there know what is going on...including the very elderly people.

I hate to burst your identity here...clearly you have chosen a side (or blinded by your red partner) and clearly, you have absolutely no idea what is going on when you make quotes of red or "yellow"

[englishoak]

i haven't got a side red or yellow but i do think she should stand her ground and resolve this in-house and not let the ppl who are there only for free food and a daily hand outs that probably don't know whats really going on being led by a guy who don't want to discuss this rationally saying its his way or no way. what im trying to say is if he wins then will they use the same thing everytime they dont like something and if that the case whats the point in any one leading the country it sort of throws them back into the dark ages or am i wrong ?

Do you think the people really came out for free food? What hand outs (money?) are you talking about? Are you saying the people that came for the protest don't know what's going on? Mind you...the free food was provided because the donations was over-whelming. None of them was paid to come and most of them paid for themselves to go. The people that are there have to queue up to give voluntary donations because the collectors can't process them (receipts) fast enough. Most of all, unlike the reds, everyone there know what is going on...including the very elderly people.

I hate to burst your identity here...clearly you have chosen a side (or blinded by your red partner) and clearly, you have absolutely no idea what is going on when you make quotes of red or "yellow"

Daz just stated he has no side as most of us dont, what we do see is a legitimate elected government being held to ransom by some clown who dosnt want another election dosnt want a dissolution and does want to escalate a previously non violent protest into a violent one.

You seen the drone images of who these protesters are ? what they are doing and whos doing them ? the families have long gone home and all thats left out there are thugs throwing things and trying to incite a very well controlled police force.

You can say what ever you will about the government's ability to competently govern but as far as this last week is concerned its really clear who wants violence and who dosnt. the government and police have shown admiral restraint and only a fool with all the press coverage and live feed would fail to see who is trying to escalate this into something more than it is..

Id be ashamed to be supporting these thugs under a guise of a name democratic... disgusting behaviour and the true colours if yellow are the yellow of cowardice from a man that has clearly lost the plot and just wants to see the country go down along with him... pathetic.

if anything this government has just shown it can deal with thugs without shooting people unlike 2010 and this maniac Suthep who gave the order to open fire killing more than 80... there is no comparison whom has shown restraint here this week .. the proof is for all to see.

Edited December 2, 2013 by englishoak

[smedly]

in reply to the OP - what a complete pile of garbage

If you (PTP) think that the international community don't understand exactly what is going on then you are blind as well as corrupt and stupid

Not one country has offered or mentioned support for the PTP Government - doesn't that tell you something ?

step down and take it on the chin - you messed up

[tingtongteesood]

if anything this government has just shown it can deal with thugs without shooting people unlike 2010 and this maniac Suthep who gave the order to open fire killing more than 80... there is no comparison whom has shown restraint here this week .. the proof is for all to see.

Once again spurious arguments from a red misted fool comparing durian to longans. In 2010 the reds had a campaign of terror involving a large amount of weapons and extreme intimidation not to mention crippling the economy by closing down half the tourist centre for weeks. The violent mob of rioters had to be met with violence, it was unfortunate but necessary and they deserved everything bad that happened to them. The recent protests were peaceful until the government's red rent a mob private militia decided to attack the students next door and shot one of them dead. It is a huge insult to compare the anti government protestors to the violent red rioters.

[Thait Spot]

This statement is very economical with the truth.

The amnesty bill in isolation is not the sole cause. The cheating and underhand methods were a disgrace.

The senate composition bill - cheating on the vote, cheating on document versions, cheating on the debate also riled the people

The same with the 2.2T loan bill - more stifling of debate and cheating

The Government also called for the Constitution Court's verdict to be ignored and now has the audacity to say that it wasn't the government but the Puea Thai party who said that when it is the government.

I don't agree with Suthep's demands but this administration has to go.

That's the crux of it. Thailand doesn't seem to have a mechanism for dealing with rogue governments

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[noitom]

The North only really gets tourism dollars from Chiang Mai, while probably about 80% of the revenue goes to Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui etc. Most Northeastern and Northern families rely on income from family members working in Bkk or the central region who could be replaced by cheaper foreign labour in the event of partition. Even their farming income is supplemented by tax levied largely from Bkk. In fact the rural areas which in the poast generated tax have since the 60s been net recipients of tax. The reality is that Bkk and the South could import rice for much less than it is paying for Thai rice but the North and the Northeast would be crippled economically if they had to pay for public services and infrastructure from the pitiful amount of tax raised there. They would have to whack up VAT to about 30%. Without the drain on public finances caused by the North and Northeast a Bkk government would have a lot of cash to spend on subsidising rubber farmers in the South and could develop the region, so as to narrow the gap with Malaysia which seems to do OK without a massive hinterland.

You are suggesting what ? that the north is not pulling its weight or costs more than it brings in ? The army that patrols the south and helps keep drugs and terrorists out isnt made up mostly of northerners ? as are the majority of most other labour forces in bangkok and around the country in all factories and industry including the tourist trade not to mention the bars etc ?

Im sure costs could be cut by using masses of say bangladeshi workers and make the rubber plantations workers obsolete too and while at is just strip the enire south and grow sugarcane and rubber that'll look just lovely... seriously need to get your head out of your butt and stop thinking one particular area is better than another.

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

In short the north is the backbone of the country and where the numbers hail from It may be inconvenient but its also the truth, I thought even a tourist after a few weeks would be aware of that.

Very good map. Thanks for posting.

[1daz]

i haven't got a side red or yellow but i do think she should stand her ground and resolve this in-house and not let the ppl who are there only for free food and a daily hand outs that probably don't know whats really going on being led by a guy who don't want to discuss this rationally saying its his way or no way. what im trying to say is if he wins then will they use the same thing everytime they dont like something and if that the case whats the point in any one leading the country it sort of throws them back into the dark ages or am i wrong ?

Do you think the people really came out for free food? What hand outs (money?) are you talking about? Are you saying the people that came for the protest don't know what's going on? Mind you...the free food was provided because the donations was over-whelming. None of them was paid to come and most of them paid for themselves to go. The people that are there have to queue up to give voluntary donations because the collectors can't process them (receipts) fast enough. Most of all, unlike the reds, everyone there know what is going on...including the very elderly people.

I hate to burst your identity here...clearly you have chosen a side (or blinded by your red partner) and clearly, you have absolutely no idea what is going on when you make quotes of red or "yellow"

eddie my wife lives with me in the uk with our children she really does not follow the news in thailand where as i do via this site, she is not red or yellow or any other colour they choose to wear what i was trying to say was this should be done properly and not through fighting on the streets and taking over buildings they the ppl voted her in they should vote her out but properly or their would be no use of a paliment or prime ministers this is what i was trying to say.. at no point did i think i took a side try reading it again eddie or point out the part where i was one sided

daz

[JRSoul]

The North only really gets tourism dollars from Chiang Mai, while probably about 80% of the revenue goes to Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui etc. Most Northeastern and Northern families rely on income from family members working in Bkk or the central region who could be replaced by cheaper foreign labour in the event of partition. Even their farming income is supplemented by tax levied largely from Bkk. In fact the rural areas which in the poast generated tax have since the 60s been net recipients of tax. The reality is that Bkk and the South could import rice for much less than it is paying for Thai rice but the North and the Northeast would be crippled economically if they had to pay for public services and infrastructure from the pitiful amount of tax raised there. They would have to whack up VAT to about 30%. Without the drain on public finances caused by the North and Northeast a Bkk government would have a lot of cash to spend on subsidising rubber farmers in the South and could develop the region, so as to narrow the gap with Malaysia which seems to do OK without a massive hinterland.

You are suggesting what ? that the north is not pulling its weight or costs more than it brings in ? The army that patrols the south and helps keep drugs and terrorists out isnt made up mostly of northerners ? as are the majority of most other labour forces in bangkok and around the country in all factories and industry including the tourist trade not to mention the bars etc ?

Im sure costs could be cut by using masses of say bangladeshi workers and make the rubber plantations workers obsolete too and while at is just strip the enire south and grow sugarcane and rubber that'll look just lovely... seriously need to get your head out of your butt and stop thinking one particular area is better than another.

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

In short the north is the backbone of the country and where the numbers hail from It may be inconvenient but its also the truth, I thought even a tourist after a few weeks would be aware of that.

"the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue."

That statement flies in the face of reality. Every tonne of rice exported, and the millions of tonnes rotting in warehouses at huge storage expense, is a nett drain on revenue thanks to the rice scam.

[englishoak]

if anything this government has just shown it can deal with thugs without shooting people unlike 2010 and this maniac Suthep who gave the order to open fire killing more than 80... there is no comparison whom has shown restraint here this week .. the proof is for all to see.

Once again spurious arguments from a red misted fool comparing durian to longans. In 2010 the reds had a campaign of terror involving a large amount of weapons and extreme intimidation not to mention crippling the economy by closing down half the tourist centre for weeks. The violent mob of rioters had to be met with violence, it was unfortunate but necessary and they deserved everything bad that happened to them. The recent protests were peaceful until the government's red rent a mob private militia decided to attack the students next door and shot one of them dead. It is a huge insult to compare the anti government protestors to the violent red rioters.

And that is a disgusting thing to say about anyone this is a typical attitude of the mob and an uneducated one... no one deserves to be killed my friend it is always a tragedy. This rhetoric of revenge and deserving death in a Buddhist country is truly shameful.

Ill say it again I am not red nor are most here we are but observers and pathetic attempts at trying to claim it so just makes those claimants look particularly stupid and as narrow minded as it gets.

Mob rule is not acceptable and belongs in the stone age and third world banana republics, Thailand is better than that and at the moment it seems this government really are doing what they can to avoid further violence whereas the thugs out there atm are just acting like animals.

This isnt an opposition this is a is a gang mentality and a poorly led one, at this rate there wont be an opposition the next election and the democrats will only have themselves and people like you to blame.. Nice one

[MAJIC]

Watched Yingluck's interview with Al Jazeera's Veronica Pedrosa. Apart from the fact that Pedrosa rather made mince meat of her the interview is very telling in that it shows not a smidgeon of compromise or remorse from Yingluck. She is not prepared to take any responsibility at all for the Amnesty Bill that caused all of this, still pretending it had nothing to do with her or her government but at the same time claiming that it was intended to bring about reconciliation which it obviously failed to do. There is no attempt to be proactive and conciliatory whatsoever. She could apologise for her government's ineptitude and deceptiveness in pushing the bill and come up with a plan to embark on various reforms, including ditching the ruinous rice pledging scheme and this would be a great excuse to do that. She could also offer to dissolve Parliament and resign as caretaker PM, vowing to leave politics for ever and leave the country immediately on a long vacation which would stop the protests in their tracks, despite Suthep's demands.

None of that. Her government has a majority in Parliament which means they are allowed to do whatever they dam_n well please and that is exactly what they are going to do, unless someone pushes them off their perch which now looks like a distinct possibility. It is difficult to feel much sympathy for her in the face of such obtuseness.

"much sympathy" or none? a bit like the out of hours reissue of Big Ts Passport,nothing to do with me.

Not a shred of believability!

[ramrod711]

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

It certainly is, the rice scheme is taking the economy into the toilet

[Bender]

Secondly, we hope that the United Nations bodies and agencies could make a similar show of support, especially in light of relevant conventions and international laws.

oh come on, i am pretty sure that U.N. will be over happy if you shoot a few hundreds of these yellow pig,

come on don't restraint yourself.

[prvtdetdave]

 

The North only really gets tourism dollars from Chiang Mai, while probably about 80% of the revenue goes to Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui etc. Most Northeastern and Northern families rely on income from family members working in Bkk or the central region who could be replaced by cheaper foreign labour in the event of partition. Even their farming income is supplemented by tax levied largely from Bkk. In fact the rural areas which in the poast generated tax have since the 60s been net recipients of tax. The reality is that Bkk and the South could import rice for much less than it is paying for Thai rice but the North and the Northeast would be crippled economically if they had to pay for public services and infrastructure from the pitiful amount of tax raised there. They would have to whack up VAT to about 30%. Without the drain on public finances caused by the North and Northeast a Bkk government would have a lot of cash to spend on subsidising rubber farmers in the South and could develop the region, so as to narrow the gap with Malaysia which seems to do OK without a massive hinterland.

You are suggesting what ? that the north is not pulling its weight or costs more than it brings in ? The army that patrols the south and helps keep drugs and terrorists out isnt made up mostly of northerners ? as are the majority of most other labour forces in bangkok and around the country in all factories and industry including the tourist trade not to mention the bars etc ?

Im sure costs could be cut by using masses of say bangladeshi workers and make the rubber plantations workers obsolete too and while at is just strip the enire south and grow sugarcane and rubber that'll look just lovely... seriously need to get your head out of your butt and stop thinking one particular area is better than another.

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

In short the north is the backbone of the country and where the numbers hail from It may be inconvenient but its also the truth, I thought even a tourist after a few weeks would be aware of that.

"You are suggesting what ? that the north is not pulling its weight or costs more than it brings in?"

Exactly that. Just think about where the tax revenue comes from. The rural areas generate net negative tax revenue and the North has only one large city. In the unlikely event that separation were to occur, Bangkok and the South could still import food from the N and the NE but would not have to subsidise it. It could also hire labour, including soldiers from there, but without the obligation to. Basically, if you don't have Bangkok and Phuket, you are in serious trouble economically.

 

Oh how wonderful it would be to see it. (Hypothetically)

OMG! Work? Cook my own food? Wash my own clothes? No one to exploit? No poor people to cheat?

What is the world coming to.

[englishoak]

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

It certainly is, the rice scheme is taking the economy into the toilet

Did I mention the rice scheme ? no i think not The north IS the rice bowel of Thailand and Exports and revenue that provides are quite substantial. The rice growing location will not change, are you people stupid or just arguing about a scheme that can be turned off at a trice ?

I never once mentioned the crappy rice scheme, some here seem to think itll last forever, which it wont and that means the rice growing area will be as needed in the future as it is now... so excuse me if I don't swallow the BS about Issan and the north not pulling it weight, it is and provides for a good % of the world rice demand, and thats fact not fiction.

Oh and one other thing, the Thai economy sure is not going down the toilet

Edited December 3, 2013 by englishoak

[Dogmatix]

 

The North only really gets tourism dollars from Chiang Mai, while probably about 80% of the revenue goes to Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui etc. Most Northeastern and Northern families rely on income from family members working in Bkk or the central region who could be replaced by cheaper foreign labour in the event of partition. Even their farming income is supplemented by tax levied largely from Bkk. In fact the rural areas which in the poast generated tax have since the 60s been net recipients of tax. The reality is that Bkk and the South could import rice for much less than it is paying for Thai rice but the North and the Northeast would be crippled economically if they had to pay for public services and infrastructure from the pitiful amount of tax raised there. They would have to whack up VAT to about 30%. Without the drain on public finances caused by the North and Northeast a Bkk government would have a lot of cash to spend on subsidising rubber farmers in the South and could develop the region, so as to narrow the gap with Malaysia which seems to do OK without a massive hinterland.

You are suggesting what ? that the north is not pulling its weight or costs more than it brings in ? The army that patrols the south and helps keep drugs and terrorists out isnt made up mostly of northerners ? as are the majority of most other labour forces in bangkok and around the country in all factories and industry including the tourist trade not to mention the bars etc ?

Im sure costs could be cut by using masses of say bangladeshi workers and make the rubber plantations workers obsolete too and while at is just strip the enire south and grow sugarcane and rubber that'll look just lovely... seriously need to get your head out of your butt and stop thinking one particular area is better than another.

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

In short the north is the backbone of the country and where the numbers hail from It may be inconvenient but its also the truth, I thought even a tourist after a few weeks would be aware of that.

"You are suggesting what ? that the north is not pulling its weight or costs more than it brings in?"

Exactly that. Just think about where the tax revenue comes from. The rural areas generate net negative tax revenue and the North has only one large city. In the unlikely event that separation were to occur, Bangkok and the South could still import food from the N and the NE but would not have to subsidise it. It could also hire labour, including soldiers from there, but without the obligation to. Basically, if you don't have Bangkok and Phuket, you are in serious trouble economically.

 

Oh how wonderful it would be to see it. (Hypothetically)

OMG! Work? Cook my own food? Wash my own clothes? No one to exploit? No poor people to cheat?

What is the world coming to.

In this highly unlikely hypothetical situation there would still be plenty of labour in Bangkok and the South and most of it would come from the North and Northeast but wouldn't have citizen rights where they worked any more. How do you think the Emiratis manage being with citizens only accounting for 10% of their populations?

[rubl]

I don't think Chaturon will ever be PM because he doesn't have an independent support base within the party. It's a shame because I think he'd be better than Yingluck. In the early 90s, both Abhisit and Chaturon were bright young things who were going to change Thai politics for the better, but it hasn't quite worked out the way people hoped. Anyway, wasn't he on stage on Saturday night after bloodshed had already begun? Not sure how you can pin that on him. No one that listened to his or Jatuporn's speech was involved in the violence as far as I know. A foreign journalist on the scene claim reds came from local area, not from inside stadium.

"A foreign journalist on the scene claim reds came from local area, not from inside stadium."

Does that really matter?

[Dogmatix]

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

It certainly is, the rice scheme is taking the economy into the toilet

Did I mention the rice scheme ? no i think not The north IS the rice bowel of Thailand and Exports and revenue that provides are quite substantial. The rice growing location will not change, are you people stupid or just arguing about a scheme that can be turned off at a trice ?

I never once mentioned the crappy rice scheme, some here seem to think itll last forever, which it wont and that means the rice growing area will be as needed in the future as it is now... so excuse me if I don't swallow the BS about Issan and the north not pulling it weight, it is and provides for a good % of the world rice demand, and thats fact not fiction.

Oh and one other thing, the Thai economy sure is not going down the toilet

The PT government has shown no signs of even acknowledging there is a problem with the ruinous rice pledging scheme, so it is fair to assume it will continue as long as they are in power. Meanwhile it is seriously eroding the competitiveness of rice cultivation because none of the massive amount of government funding is going into improving quality and productivity. Farmers are just encouraged to produce volume and many people who could be productively employed elsewhere are encouraged to plant rice on land that is unsuited for rice.

The fact that the North and Northeast are not pulling their weight in terms of government financing is indisputable since those regions are net recipients of tax revenue.

[rubl]

the north is the rice bowel of Thailand and its exports are not a small part of its revenue.

It certainly is, the rice scheme is taking the economy into the toilet

Did I mention the rice scheme ? no i think not The north IS the rice bowel of Thailand and Exports and revenue that provides are quite substantial. The rice growing location will not change, are you people stupid or just arguing about a scheme that can be turned off at a trice ?

I never once mentioned the crappy rice scheme, some here seem to think itll last forever, which it wont and that means the rice growing area will be as needed in the future as it is now... so excuse me if I don't swallow the BS about Issan and the north not pulling it weight, it is and provides for a good % of the world rice demand, and thats fact not fiction.

Oh and one other thing, the Thai economy sure is not going down the toilet

The PT government has shown no signs of even acknowledging there is a problem with the ruinous rice pledging scheme, so it is fair to assume it will continue as long as they are in power. Meanwhile it is seriously eroding the competitiveness of rice cultivation because none of the massive amount of government funding is going into improving quality and productivity. Farmers are just encouraged to produce volume and many people who could be productively employed elsewhere are encouraged to plant rice on land that is unsuited for rice.

The fact that the North and Northeast are not pulling their weight in terms of government financing is indisputable since those regions are net recipients of tax revenue.

Getting a bit off topic I'm afraid, but does anyone have data on rice crop tonnage per region? I thought that the Central Plains may be less in size that North / NorthEast, but produce a larger part of the rice crop in Thailand. That would also give that area a larger economical and possible political influence.