PM Yingluck seeks House dissolution

[michaeljordan]

Well Well Well

The Yellows are in a state of shock. They wanted to kick the entire thing into a frenzy ending up in a coup today.

But now? The Lady PM smiles, announces a new election, and the air has come out of the balloon for the Gang in Yellow.

Funny thing is the Yellow boys know they will lose the election and thus be made to look like fools and losers. Not much losing face do we there do we?

I suppose they could try and attack a woman PM making themselves look like the low lives that they indeed are--likely going to the Hague for crimes, or they can simply keep moving their fat mouths spewing nonsense and be ignored.

After all, we have an election coming and the BIG mouth heading the Yellow is running for nothing. But he should be running because he is still wanted for crimes.

One, today's protest isn't a 'Yellow' only protest. If you have no understanding of who's who or what's what. then it's really better to do some research first before posting and looking not too smart.

Two, no one expected a coup today. What we do expect is a repeat of 2006 when there is a coup after the Dems decide not to contest the snap elections.

Three, the Hague war crimes? Really? Maybe you should stick to your namesake and just play basketball.

Like I said.

Fatmouth

How witty! Hope you didn't hurt yourself coming up with that brilliant comeback.

HAA HAA

My post is stupid and you answered it.

That makes you even --------more so.

Really--you know this BS in Thailand is a joke making the nation look like an 18th century clown spot. Yet you defend it.

WHY

Do you really need slave labor so much?

You do not mind this nation being known world wide as the place where coups take place often and where the poor are sold as sex slaves?

I would not be proud of that if it were my home.

Hint--the world laughs at this place and you are helping them to do so.

[jdinasia]

@michaeljordan

The reds do not make up the "majority"

The Hague has not accepted any case from Thailand re: war crimes and likely will not.

If The Hague ever does accept a case from Thailand involving political figures it will likely be on human trafficking. (Read up on YL's response to recent charges against Thailand re: the Rohingya. She sits as chair of the government committee on human trafficking but would not comment.

Political reform MUST happen in Thailand. If it does not we will have people in the streets forever (or worse). If it takes a Unity Government of some type then so be it. If it takes a non-elected government for a year to get reform off to a good start, again so be it. If you think that ANY stakeholders should be left out of the process of the country's future then you have no real idea of what democracy is really about.

[TVGerry]

HAA HAA

My post is stupid and you answered it.

That makes you even --------more so.

Really--you know this BS in Thailand is a joke making the nation look like an 18th century clown spot. Yet you defend it.

WHY

Do you really need slave labor so much?

You do not mind this nation being known world wide as the place where coups take place often and where the poor are sold as sex slaves?

I would not be proud of that if it were my home.

Hint--the world laughs at this place and you are helping them to do so.

Of course I would answer it. Why wouldn't I? It's like humoring a child.

Who cares how the nation looks to outsiders? What's important is that a corrupt and inept government is taken down. Poor sold as sex slaves? I have no knowledge of that but if that's happening, I really don't see the PTP government doing anything about it, do you?

You may not be proud but I am proud of the people who are brave enough to want to bring down a corrupt government. Good for them.

Once again, you put too much stock on who 'laughs' at this country. I however find it more funny that people like you accept a corrupt family who takes order from a convict overseas ruling this country. I find it amusing that people think it's okay for the country to lose trillions of baht through hare brained populist ideas and corruption. I find it amusing that people like you think dragging a country down the toilet is okay because it's 'democratic'. Uninformed people may want to vote for an inept and corrupt government but doesn't mean everyone else should suffer because of them.

[newcomer71]

I see nothing wrong with a peoples council, I'd believe it would include representation from all walks of life and all sides - maybe even red shirts provided they are not criminals or out on bail - seems pretty fair to me and the end game once they have made the progress needed would be a referendum to the people, I fail to see anything wrong with this

 

If I was Suthep I would go ahead and setup the council and open offers to Thais from all communities under the guidance of an international mediator, create a set of changes/proposals and put it to the people to vote on, then and only then would it be possible to hold elections

 

At this point having elections solves nothing

That would be them most next to a miracle.

Is there really anyone expecting Suthep doing something like that?

If he would really do that would be great. But I guess his target is a little different than that.

Sent from my Cynus T2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[mimithewoof]

I find it particularly depressing that the foreigners in Thailand should mostly support the anti-democratic yellow faction despite their history of seizing power through military and judicial coups and who are now attempting to do achieve the same result with a street mob. I can only conclude that these expats see their interests aligned with the status quo in Thailand as invested in the ammat. It's beyond me, for instance, that an observer can conclude that the factions are war here are characterized by corruption on the one hand and clean government on the other. The ammat have the overwhelming mass of wealth in the country, not Thaksin and his fellow cronies. Both sides buy votes and subsidize street protestors. Whether to the same degree or not, it's impossible, but to know, but the suggestion that Thaksin and co. bought all 15 million votes in the last election and are therefore illegitimate is ludicrous on the face of it. That's the sort of argument that only appeals to someone who has already decided that his interests lie with the rich, powerful, and undemocratic group in the country.

They no longer associate the 'yellow shirts' and this time its all working of life.

Everything you said above is completely the opposite of the truth- now thats depressing how a foreigner could support a fugitive's graft, nepotism, and puppet gov't. Too many brews and farm girls?

Given that this foreigner is, obviously, female - 'brews and farm girls' have no part in my understanding of this mess, so can we please keep sexism out of it for a minute or two?

Firstly, Thailand, along with the USA and Europe including the UK, conforms to the 80/20 rule - 20 per cent (or less, here) of the population owns 80 per cent of the wealth. Welcome to the 21st century, the century of greed.

Secondly, I believe that the vast majority of expats living here have enough common sense to see that the last few days' developments have nothing at all to do with the advancement of democracy, but everything to do with the 'power-over' complex all too frequently seen in developed as well as developing countries.

Thirdly, yes, corruption is endemic, but where isn't it?

Fourthly, Bangkok is NOT Thailand, just as London is not the UK and New York is not the USA.

Fifthly, 60,000 protestors are NOT the 60 million Thai nationals, however much Suthep would like to believe they are.

Lastly, over the last 100 years or so, some form of democracy, however tentative and flawed, has been shown to be the only way forward, in that it avoids the dangers of fascism, communism and oppressive regimes.

Take your pick, guys.

[drteelark]

K

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[binjalin]

how true this is:

The Pheu Thai leader had words of advice for the Democrat Party. "Don't be afraid of an election. Don't play a street game. Although you have lost in the last eight elections, one day you might win."

[DonThaiToMe]

HAA HAA

My post is stupid and you answered it.

That makes you even --------more so.

Really--you know this BS in Thailand is a joke making the nation look like an 18th century clown spot. Yet you defend it.

WHY

Do you really need slave labor so much?

You do not mind this nation being known world wide as the place where coups take place often and where the poor are sold as sex slaves?

I would not be proud of that if it were my home.

Hint--the world laughs at this place and you are helping them to do so.

Of course I would answer it. Why wouldn't I? It's like humoring a child.

Who cares how the nation looks to outsiders? What's important is that a corrupt and inept government is taken down. Poor sold as sex slaves? I have no knowledge of that but if that's happening, I really don't see the PTP government doing anything about it, do you?

You may not be proud but I am proud of the people who are brave enough to want to bring down a corrupt government. Good for them.

Once again, you put too much stock on who 'laughs' at this country. I however find it more funny that people like you accept a corrupt family who takes order from a convict overseas ruling this country. I find it amusing that people think it's okay for the country to lose trillions of baht through hare brained populist ideas and corruption. I find it amusing that people like you think dragging a country down the toilet is okay because it's 'democratic'. Uninformed people may want to vote for an inept and corrupt government but doesn't mean everyone else should suffer because of them.

I, however, find it funny that people are falling for the oppositions charade. That people actually believe that they are some kind of Robin Hoods, doing everything in their power to serve the people. I find it amusing that people support the leaders of the opposition, who 3 years past sat in a bunker and ordered the slaughter of almost 100 of their own countrymen.

It´s tragic that people can´t see it for what it is. A power struggle.

[zydeco]

Since one quote is not enough, here is another, from last night:

Suthep said foreigners have been sent to spy among the protesters. They might cause chaos, light fire, and frame the protesters.

From last night, via @Aim_NT / The Nation

Well, if you and your like and Nostitz are down there stirring up trouble, I can see his point.

[firestar]

I see nothing wrong with a peoples council, I'd believe it would include representation from all walks of life and all sides - maybe even red shirts provided they are not criminals or out on bail - seems pretty fair to me and the end game once they have made the progress needed would be a referendum to the people, I fail to see anything wrong with this

If I was Suthep I would go ahead and setup the council and open offers to Thais from all communities under the guidance of an international mediator, create a set of changes/proposals and put it to the people to vote on, then and only then would it be possible to hold elections

At this point having elections solves nothing

People council will be good for the Thai people.

Because it is form by the people for the people (not by politicians).

One of the founding principles of Facism. Congrats.

[jdinasia]

@ Mimi --- 60,000???? Try over 500k maybe 1M. (CAPO has revised estimates to 155k) BBC says larger than the 24th...

Your concept of what this is about is radically different than that of the average protester on the streets. Please note that protests are going on from Chiang Mai to Yala. This fairly well crushes your Thailand=/=BKK since these protests are happening everywhere. Happily, so far, no reports of violence upcountry though in some areas people have been warned off from places for fear of attack by reds. (not an unreasonable assumption in places like Udon, yet there are protesters out in Ubon.)

As far as Democracy is best..... history shows us that a benign despotism is best. The failure of that system is what happens when change occurs. So, in the long run, I would agree that democracy is often and perhaps usually the best system. We have however seen countries which were democracies in name only. The experiment with democracy in Thailand is very new. It has had to restart too many times in the last 80 years.

Frankly it needs a restart now too. Ideally it would be with an elected Unity government. If that fails then I predict an unelected unity government for a short term while political reform is codified and sent to the people via referendum.

[TVGerry]

HAA HAA

My post is stupid and you answered it.

That makes you even --------more so.

Really--you know this BS in Thailand is a joke making the nation look like an 18th century clown spot. Yet you defend it.

WHY

Do you really need slave labor so much?

You do not mind this nation being known world wide as the place where coups take place often and where the poor are sold as sex slaves?

I would not be proud of that if it were my home.

Hint--the world laughs at this place and you are helping them to do so.

Of course I would answer it. Why wouldn't I? It's like humoring a child.

Who cares how the nation looks to outsiders? What's important is that a corrupt and inept government is taken down. Poor sold as sex slaves? I have no knowledge of that but if that's happening, I really don't see the PTP government doing anything about it, do you?

You may not be proud but I am proud of the people who are brave enough to want to bring down a corrupt government. Good for them.

Once again, you put too much stock on who 'laughs' at this country. I however find it more funny that people like you accept a corrupt family who takes order from a convict overseas ruling this country. I find it amusing that people think it's okay for the country to lose trillions of baht through hare brained populist ideas and corruption. I find it amusing that people like you think dragging a country down the toilet is okay because it's 'democratic'. Uninformed people may want to vote for an inept and corrupt government but doesn't mean everyone else should suffer because of them.

I, however, find it funny that people are falling for the oppositions charade. That people actually believe that they are some kind of Robin Hoods, doing everything in their power to serve the people. I find it amusing that people support the leaders of the opposition, who 3 years past sat in a bunker and ordered the slaughter of almost 100 of their own countrymen.

It´s tragic that people can´t see it for what it is. A power struggle.

It's even funnier when people talk about the 90 lives taken while conveniently ignoring the thousands killed in the 'drug war' and the various massacres in the south by the person ruling this country by proxy.

[jdinasia]

I, however, find it funny that people are falling for the oppositions charade. That people actually believe that they are some kind of Robin Hoods, doing everything in their power to serve the people. I find it amusing that people support the leaders of the opposition, who 3 years past sat in a bunker and ordered the slaughter of almost 100 of their own countrymen.

It´s tragic that people can´t see it for what it is. A power struggle.

Redshirt hyperbole "ordered the slaughter..."

Don --- Uthai Yodmanee ---- leader of the Student's group. Not a "yellow" though he does have some friends that are. Same with the labor union leadership that backed this protest.

BTW --- arrest warrants against Uthai Yodmanee and 12 other protest leaders were denied today. One would assume that the arrest warrant against Suthep may be invalidated.

[wellred]

Anyone know how this is likely to affect tourists? Will the protests stop until the election is held? When will the election be held?

[jdinasia]

One of the founding principles of Facism. Congrats.

Inaccurate --- neither "by the people" nor "for the people" has any place in a Fascist doctrine. Nice try though!

Apparently elections have been called for Feb 2nd, subject to EC and other approval.

[firestar]

BTW --- arrest warrants against Uthai Yodmanee and 12 other protest leaders were denied today. One would assume that the arrest warrant against Suthep may be invalidated.

That was quick. Court cited "improving situation" although the protesters are still marching on towards government house.

Far from me to criticize the impartiality of the courts, that would be unlawful. (which in itself says a lot). People can form their own opinion.

[rubl]

""The government has exhausted every means to solve the country's political conflict but to no avail."

The government has tried every trick on the book to get Thaksin the Innocent back, but to no avail. Now preparing for a renewed 'Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts' election to show the world that Thaksin is not involved in politics

[firestar]

One of the founding principles of Facism. Congrats.

Inaccurate --- neither "by the people" nor "for the people" has any place in a Fascist doctrine. Nice try though!

You can play with semantics all you want and call a non-elected commitee "by the people" " for the people". The idea that the poor are too dumb and too corrupt to vote and need an elite to know what's good for them IS one of the founding principles of Fascism.

[jdinasia]

BTW --- arrest warrants against Uthai Yodmanee and 12 other protest leaders were denied today. One would assume that the arrest warrant against Suthep may be invalidated.

That was quick. Court cited "improving situation" although the protesters are still marching on towards government house.

Government stepped down.

Civil disobedience simply is not treason. Urging armed conflict is.

Hate him and the others that are continuing to protest all you want but the protests have been peaceful with nobody on the stages calling for violence. In fact, Suthep's call for people to just "sit down" if the police try and arrest them actually honors the tradition of non-violent civil disobedience.

You might remember another time in Thailand when leaders were telling people to bring 1 million empty bottles with them, they would fill them with petrol in BKK and burn it down. That, good sir, is not non-violence, nor is it civil disobedience. Having an armed paramilitary in your midst is not either.

One could wish that this entire event had been non-violent, but it wasn't. Violence certainly wasn't part of the outline for the demonstrations though!

[rubl]

One of the founding principles of Facism. Congrats.

Inaccurate --- neither "by the people" nor "for the people" has any place in a Fascist doctrine. Nice try though!

You can play with semantics all you want and call a non-elected commitee "by the people" " for the people". The idea that the poor are too dumb and too corrupt to vote and need an elite to know what's good for them IS one of the founding principles of Fascism.

"Fascist ideology consistently invokes the primacy of the state. Leaders such as Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany embodied the state and claimed undisputable power. Fascism borrowed theories and terminology from socialism but applied them to what it saw as the more significant conflict between nations and races rather than to class conflict, and focused on ending the divisions between classes within the nation.^[12] It advocates a mixed economy, with the principal goal of achieving autarky to secure national self-sufficiency and independence through protectionist and interventionist economic policies.^[13] Fascism supports what is sometimes called a Third Position between capitalism and Marxist socialism.^[14]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

[gemini81]

Watch Yingluck's interview! It is beyond a doubt the worst, and most failed interview ever by any politician.

Warning: Exposure to this full video may cause sever brain damage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzhhf94TZ0E

OMG and this is the bungling idiot that is supposed to PM of Thailand - seriously

And we have fools on here defending her, now that is shocking! Can you imagine how many brain cells they have killed in pubs to reach the bottom where you love a sister as puppet PM of one of the most evil, corrupt despots?

[jdinasia]

You can play with semantics all you want and call a non-elected commitee "by the people" " for the people". The idea that the poor are too dumb and too corrupt to vote and need an elite to know what's good for them IS one of the founding principles of Fascism.

Nope. This is not the place for a discussion of fascism feel free to open a topic in General about it and I am sure people will be glad to play.

February 7th is the last possible date for new elections in Thailand. The 2nd is a Sunday. I think the EC will allow that date. It is subject to other approval.

The question remains will all the major parties contest the elections though?

Again without the presumption of an agreement to form a Unity Government to deal with political reform, I rather doubt it. I would like to be proven wrong, but I am still seeing failed elections for Feb 2nd as the most likely outcome.

[gemini81]

Watch Yingluck's interview! It is beyond a doubt the worst, and most failed interview ever by any politician.

Warning: Exposure to this full video may cause sever brain damage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzhhf94TZ0E

OMG and this is the bungling idiot that is supposed to PM of Thailand - seriously

I guess you liked George W's speeches as well. :-)

What does that have to do with anything? George is still loads smarter than her..just listen! No brain, no thoughts whatsoever

[AlphMichaels]

What does this mean?

End of protests?

Not a chance. Now everyone will jump into the fray. Count on it. This has only just begun.

[waza]

I think Tarit of the DSI just ran out of friends

[zydeco]

I think Tarit of the DSI just ran out of friends

He might want to check with the airline counter to see if anybody left a ticket for him.

[MilesofSmiles]

heres your chance then ..the first protesters in bangkok were/and are the dharma army a buddhist group nothing to do with the dems who like suphap jumped onboard very late in the day,because they never had the &lt;deleted&gt; to go it alone by themselves....the very same people that (FACT) have been <snip>

Excuse my ignorance, but is this group a political party that will/has run for office in elections ?

They sound like the sort of political movement that would be a credible alternative to the 2 majors.

[belg]

as my wife says : oh no anothel election

[AlphMichaels]

My advice to the protesters is to keep marching...

Right! Keep marching then watch the masses flood in from the north, see the tempers escalate to an all out civil war. That should do it.

Lest we forget Bangkok is not the sum of Thailand and all the people of Thailand voted 2 years ago. If the elections were rigged (500THB vote), there should have been an immediate outcry and call for recount. There was not.

I take no sides here except to say I don't want anyone else hurt. Whether you like her or not..., believe she has been "unconstitutional" in her handling of government or not..., in this case I think she's following it and trying to keep things from falling into total anarchy.

I pray for a peaceful outcome to this mess and for the people of Thailand.

[gbswales]

She still needs to take a big step and resign from politics. She has to admit that she put the interests of her brother before the interests of the nation.

you seem to be ignoring the likelihood that there are more people in Thailand who would prefer a Thaksin regime how do you deal with that? Even if the Thaksin family go others will wave similar flags and get elected. The opposition cannot "protest" its way into power - they must find a way to become popular with rural Thais and they wont do that by demanding an end to democracy