Establish People's Council, or no Election: Suthep

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Establish People's Council, Or No Election: Suthep



BANGKOK: -- Leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King as Head of State (PCAD) Suthep Thaugsuban has revealed preliminary details of his proposal for ′People′s Council′.

He also warned that he will do everything he can to prevent the next election from taking place unless the government agreed to establish the ′People′s Council′ as he demanded.

Mr. Suthep has previously refused to call off his campaign against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra even after Ms. Yingluck has dissolved the House and called new election, vowing instead to fight on until Thailand is ruled by an unelected ′People′s Council′ which would transform the nation into "absolute democracy".

Although he has promised many benefits Thailand would received under the ′People′s Council′, such as the eradication of corruption and evil politicians, Mr. Suthep has never explained in-depth details of the council, other than insisting that it would be composed of "moral" people.

But in a meeting with representatives of private sectors earlier today, Mr. Suthep finally shone some lights on his proposal. He told the delegates the People′s Council would contain 400 seats: 300 selected from "occupation-based" quota and another 100 seats would be given to "experts" selected by the PCAD.

In order to establish the Council, Mr. Suthep told the representatives from 7 organisations, the Prime Minister will have to resign, paving the way for Deputy House Speaker to ask His Majesty the King to appoint a new Prime Minister under Article 7 of the 2007 Constitution, which Mr. Suthep argued allowed the king to exercise his royal power in such manner.

Mr. Suthep did not mention who would be the royally appointed Prime Minister, but he said the premiere would act as a transitional leader, whose duty is to establish the People′s Council.

Mr. Suthep likewise did not name any potential candidate for the People′s Council, but said its members would not be registered to any political party.

He insisted to the delegates that such move will not affect the national economy, since similar incident has happened in the era of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn.

The PCAD secretary-general also told the private sector representatives that there are two ways the ongoing crisis could end: either the people seizing power in a popular revolution, or Ms. Yingluck resigning to allow the activation of Article 7.

"The faster Ms. Yingluck can resign", Mr. Suthep said, "the faster the nation will return to peace".

When the chairman of Thailand Tourism Council asked Mr. Suthep how he would return Thailand to its image as ′Land of Smile′, Mr. Suthep replied he would invite all political groups to join his effort to reform Thai politics, including the Redshirts, to display the Thai way of reconciliation to the world

However, when another representative inquired him whether the Redshirts would really be invited, Mr. Suthep conceded that he would welcome all Redshirts except a number of their leaders, such as Mr. Wirakan Musikkapong, Mr. Nattawut Saikua, and Mr. Jatupon Prompan.

"We are open to discussion, but we are not open to negotiation. Change must be made before next election," Mr. Suthep told the delegation, declaring that he will never allow the election to take place unless his "reforms" are completed first.

Asked whether he is willing to enter a dialogue with Ms. Yingluck, Mr. Suthep said he had already told Ms. Yingluck they will not meet again, because she had rejected his proposal for the ′People′s Council′ during one of their previous meetings.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5qZzBOalF5TlE9PQ==


-- Khaosod English 2013-12-13

[newcomer71]

Ok: no programs... and everything in his hands.

So, same book as Thaksin, but different page.

"next in line please!"

[NeverSure]

The term "loose cannon" comes to mind. He must know something I don't to carry on like this without getting busted for the Thai equivalent of treason. The Shins must know something to let him get away with it. Do they all believe he has the backing of the military?

What's going on that no one will touch him?

[ikke]

There are not only two ways to solve the crisis, the third and best way is to take out this dictator.

[edwinchester]

Wifey is spot on calling him 'mad dog'. She's a lifelong Dem supporter but hates this megalomaniac wannabe dictator.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[AbuBacon]

Has he been watching too many pol pot movies ? This is precious. Arrest the nutter

Sent from my Lenovo A516 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

Certifiable !

He should be locked in a bare room with Chalerm for company.

[chooka]

Idiot.

What's he going to do attack voters and place fear into the community?

If he doesn't want to partake in the election that is up to him but don't start trying to instil fear into everyone else.

[Thailand]

Is there any one else in the room apart from an auto camera where he is making yet another speech?

[ricku]

The term "loose cannon" comes to mind. He must know something I don't to carry on like this without getting busted for the Thai equivalent of treason. The Shins must know something to let him get away with it. Do they all believe he has the backing of the military?

What's going on that no one will touch him?

This.

Something is going on, and I think we'll find out very soon.

There is no way he would keep pushing like this, unless he knows he has a chance.

There is no way the police wouldn't arrest him, unless they know that he has serious backing.

Edited December 13, 2013 by ricku

[RickBradford]

He told the delegates the People′s Council would contain 400 seats: 300 selected from "occupation-based" quota and another 100 seats would be given to "experts" selected by the PCAD.

Suthep must have been reading Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and decided that winding the clock back 2000 years to create a new Roman 'senate' is the way to go.

Not, perhaps, what most people would regard as 'absolute democracy'.

[Thailand]

Certifiable !

He should be locked in a bare room with Chalerm for company.

He certainly qualifies as the maddest of hatters. He is a serious embarrassment to the country.

[wimpey1946]

If this man can lead a country, I can too and everybody else can.

stupid fool

[bangkokheat]

nice touch the thai flag on his shirt, he must be a real patriot, you can trust him

[mca]

Thamon? Give me strength. You can loathe thaksin with all your heart but if people are still considering this guy as a spokesperson for the way Thailand should move forward then they're as mentally unhinged as the most rabid red shirt

[bobdown1]

i guess wiki leaks opinion on Suthep!! 1995 to present corruption scandal[edit]

As part of the Sor Por Kor 4-01 (สปก.4-01) land reform scheme, Suthep gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills of Phuket province to 489 farmers. It was later found that members of 11 wealthy families in Phuket were among the recipients. Suthep addressed a huge crowd in his Surat Thani constituency a month before a no-confidence debate and called on his supporters to march on Bangkok in the hundreds of thousands to defend his reputation.^[3] The scandal led Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party to dissolve the House of Representatives in July 1995 in order to avoid the no-confidence debate.^[4] In subsequent elections, Thai Nation Party won a majority, leading to the downfall of Chuan Leekpai's Democrat Party-led government.

2009 disqualification as MP[edit]

In 2009, Suthep was accused of violating the Constitution of Thailand by holding equity in a media firm that had received concessions from the government. Under the 1997 Constitution of Thailand, which Suthep had supported, Members of Parliament are banned from holding stakes in companies which have received government concessions. In July 2009, the Election Commission announced that it would seek a ruling by the Constitutional Court to disqualify Suthep.

Suthep held a press conference a day later, announcing his decision to resign from Parliament. Suthep's resignation as an MP did not affect his status as a Deputy Prime Minister and as a Cabinet member. If his case had been submitted to the Constitution Court, he would have been suspended from duty as Deputy Prime Minister. He insisted his resignation was not a proof that he had done anything wrong but that he was worried about status as Deputy Prime Minister.^[5]

If this man can lead a country, I can too and everybody else can.

stupid fool

[Thailand]

The term "loose cannon" comes to mind. He must know something I don't to carry on like this without getting busted for the Thai equivalent of treason. The Shins must know something to let him get away with it. Do they all believe he has the backing of the military?

What's going on that no one will touch him?

Or--?

[jaltsc]

" 'The faster Ms. Yingluck can resign' "... " 'the faster the nation will return to peace ' "

I believe the original quote was: "The sooner Hindenburg resigns, the faster the nation will return to peace".

[ratcatcher]

Certifiable !

He should be locked in a bare room with Chalerm for company.

He certainly qualifies as the maddest of hatters. He is a serious embarrassment to the country.

Indeed he may be "the maddest of hatters', but he has young Alice seriously worried.

[Bender]

So to sum, after the Prear Vihar story where they tried to provoke trouble with Cambodia,

now Suthep just say if you dont give me power i will start a ... civil war???

[pxlgirl]

Suthep has/had a couple of arrest warrants, and the fact that he hasn't been arrested to this day does indicate that something else is going on behind the scenes. I'm not sure if it will be something good to know about.

[tx22cb]

I deplore corruption, but Suthep is a poacher turning gamekeeper using dubious methods.

If this were not so serious, I would have thought that Suthep was from the Monster Raving Loony Party - with which Abhisit will be familiar as he was in the UK during its inception.

Saddest part is that the Democrat party might actually be coerced by Suthep to boycott the February general elections, thereby further tarnishing its reputation as the champions of democracy in Thailand, a deserved title they earned when they stood up against the various military juntas which controlled Thailand 30 years ago.

Abhisit might do this either for political expediency (unlikely to get a majority anyway), or because nowadays any criticism of the PCAD will get a vitriolic mouthful from Suthep from his pulpit - as happened to Korn Chatikavanij, deputy Democrat Party leader when he disagreed with the PCAD breaking into the Finance Ministry offices, with Korn obviously concerned for his former staff when he was Finance Minister in the previous government.

I respect Korn for having the kahunas to say what any Oxford-educated person would think - unlike the silent (but fellow Oxonian) Abhisit, whom Suthep has curled around his pinky.

Jeez - in the US we got George W Bush - not once, but twice - but that's democracy for you. We had to endure 8 years being the butt of the world's jokes, but we did not resort to this sort of lunacy. And like Dubya, Suthep is spitting either you're with us or you're "anti-Thai, anti-Institutions, anti-flag, pro-corruption".

Frankly, if Suthep tried this in Texas, he's be in the brig for treason in a jiffy.

[cms22]

What a complete prat. Absolutely no idea.

And for all those farang TV members who have been supporting both this idiot and his 'unelected people's council' ideas... LMFAO!

[MaiChai]

Its easy to judge him as a crackpot, but i have a feeling he is being backed. Thai politics is rarely straightforward or clean. This looks like a power struggle between the new and old money. Maybe the Shins only have minor control over the armed forces? The only thing i can say is expect the unexpected.

[klauskunkel]

Certifiable !

He should be locked in a bare room with Chalerm for company.

Great idea...,however, they'll come out together as a brand new political party, and then:

[smutcakes]

Suthep has/had a couple of arrest warrants, and the fact that he hasn't been arrested to this day does indicate that something else is going on behind the scenes. I'm not sure if it will be something good to know about.

Not really, when was anyone with money, let alone a politician arrested and charged with anything???

The only person ever charged and found guilty was Thaksin (but shhh it was not political!!!!)

[Zolt]

Something is going on, and I think we'll find out very soon.

There is no way he would keep pushing like this, unless he knows he has a chance.

There is no way the police wouldn't arrest him, unless they know that he has serious backing.

Fog of war: He acts crazy, so the Shins think "He must have support from the generals to act like this, let's not touch him!", and the show goes on. The generals think "The Shins are acting meek, they must be in a difficult position, let's wait and see which way the wind is blowing before I choose sides".

Everyone involved is a lot more stupid than you give them credit for.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Zolt

[lifeincnx]

As there is nothing "public" about it, I suggest Suthep's "People's Council" be renamed to "Fixed Private Council" so there is no confusion.

[Alwyn]

Absolute Democracy you say.... So one mad person who is as corrupt as Thaksin, talks about eradicating corruption, want a non-elected "people's council" which will contain people who don't belong to any political party (bunch of his mates maybe?) and some "experts". Telling the King he's going to be fronting it, no idea on who PM will be... Is facing murder and insurrection charges... yeah, sounds legit to me

[tingtongteesood]

There are not only two ways to solve the crisis, the third and best way is to take out this dictator.

I assume you must be talking about Thaksin the fugitive puppet master dictator...? Can't you understand that the Shin's are the cause of all political problems we are seeing here ? The Dems don't win elections because Thaksin is so corrupt, 3 of his parties have been dissolved when the members were banned for 5 years being convicted of electoral fraud ! Thaksin managed to avoid the bans as he gets everyone else to do his dirty work. This is why Suthep denounces elections as Thaksin will once again get his flunkies to do whatever it takes no matter how dirty to win. The fugitive ( I won't call him a 'man' as he plainly isn't gentlemanly in the least ) has no morals, no scruples, no ethics, he doesn't know the meaning of a fair fight. There can never be a 'fair' election as long as Thaksin is behind one of the sides. And look at the state of the country - rice scam, corruption, useless corrupt police, rampant inflation - the PT administration has been completely useless and done NOTHING good for the country. Thaksin is at the top of the corruption chain and it reaches down to all sectors of society. WE NEED CHANGE NOW ! Forget everything else that is going on - Suthep is simply going head to head with the Shin regime, Yingluck is being just as stubborn as he is. If she would leave then it's all over and back to business and we can hold a new election without the Shin corruption. I admit Suthep's tactics have been a bit crazy but whatever it takes to cut the Shin cancer out of the system is good in my book. Yingluck ok bai, Thaksin ok bai, Surapong ok bai, Thaksin's other relatives and cronies in power ok bai, PT ok bai. Can only be a step up for the country.