New General Election Proposed For Oct. 22

[Jai Dee]

Three top courts tell three remaining EC commissioners to resign

The three highest courts Tuesday asked the three remaining Election Commission members to consider resign after Charupat Ruangsuwan has resigned.

The Supreme Court, Administrative Court and Constitution Court held a meeting Tuesday and agreed to renew the call for the EC to stand down.

The meeting also resolved that the EC could not set the new election on October 22 because the EC did not make quorum when it held a meeting on Monday to set the election date.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - May 16, 2006 : Last updated 02:46 pm (Thai local time)

[Jai Dee]

EC should resign : Three top courts

Three top courts recommend on Tuesday that three remaining Election Commissioners should decide to resign now that another commissioner Charupat Ruangsuwan has already resigned.

Supreme Court's Secretary General Charan Pakdithanakul said that the courts that met on Tuesday for the third time did not recognise a proposal that the new election is set on October 22 as not all political parties participated in the 15 meeting.

Charan was speaking after attending a meeting of Supreme, Constitution and Administration Courts. The first meeting of the three top courts took place after HM the King assigned the judiciary authorities to seek solution to the present political dilemma.

"Now that Gen Charupat has already resigned from the EC, the courts believe that the other three remaining commissioners should also resign," he told reporters.

The commissioners have so far refused to resign although the three top courts nullified the April 2 election because it was unconstitutional and the courts ordered a new election.

The EC however organised a meeting of some political parties to set the date for the election while Opposition parties; Democrat, Mahachon and Chat Thai, boycotted the meeting. The EC and the meeting agreed to propose the new election fall on October 2.

Charan told reporters that the courts did not recognise the proposal as the meeting did not include all political parties.

Source: The Nation - May 16, 2006

[tettyan]

“What policies do the opposition parties have other than claiming they are not corrupt?” said Giles Ungpakorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University. “As things stand now, Thai Rak Thai’s big advantage is policy. If anyone in the party does jump ship, then they can only be seen as an unprincipled politician. This is not an endorsement of Thai Rak Thai, but is that really something we should be voting for?”

Source: ThaiDay - 16 May 2006

Now that`s the $64,000 question. Any takers?

[Jai Dee]

Caretaker PM stated that he would still perform his task as a premier for another 5 months

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra stated that he would still perform his duties as the caretaker Prime Minister for the remaining five months.

He disclosed that he will be attending a meeting with concerned agencies tomorrow (17/05/06) at the Government House. The meeting will discuss the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne at the Government House.

Moreover, Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin has refused to talk about his future political career, adding that he would still be a candidate for the party list member of Thai Rak Thai Party.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

EC to hold a discussion over the resignation of Pol. Gen. Jaruphat

The Election Commission (EC) Chairman, Police General Wasana Permlap(วาสนา เพิ่มลาภ), stated that the EC will have to discuss the resignation of Election Commissioner Jaruphat Ruangsuwan (จารุภัทร เรืองสุวรรณ). At the same time, a group of students have gathered at Sri Chulasub (ศรีจุลทรัพย์) Building, demanding other EC members to resign.

Following the news that interim Senate Chairman Suchon Charliekleu (สุชน ชาลีเครือ) has admitted that Pol. Gen. Jaruphat has handed his resignation letter, Pol. Gen. Wasana said he has not received such document and he is unable to contact Pol. Gen. Jaruphat at the moment.

However, he disclosed that EC will hold a meeting to discuss over the performances of the remaining three members.

Only three members of EC namely, Police General Wasana, Mr. Parinya Nakchatree(ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์) and Mr. Veerachai Naewboonnean(วีระชัย แนวบุญเนียร), have traveled to EC office today. Mr. Parinya has declined the news citing that he would resign.

As for the atmosphere at Sri Chulasub Building, a group of students have gathered at the venue, demanding EC members to resign and around 15.00 hrs today, a core leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, Mr. Phiphop (พิภพ ธงไชย) Thongchai and Mr. Suriyasai Katasila (สุริยะใส กตะศิลา), PAD coordinator will be joining the rally as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 May 2006

[jdinasia]

OK ... this is the 3rd call from the courts for the EC to resign ....

looks like it is working ... though it would have looked better for them to resign en masse and issue a statement togethter ... the trickle down will work as well!

[Siripon]

It will take time for the judges to select the 10 candidates for the EC for The Senate to peruse.

I bet that there are 10 selected already ... should move forward fast

Small technicality, but I believe the EC consists of 5 commissioners, the selection committee chosing these commissioners has 10 members itself.

More info on the EC member who resigned:

Gen Charupat resigns as election commissioner

Election Commissioner Gen Charupat Ruangsuwan resigned from his post yesterday amid intense pressure on all four members of the independent panel to step down after the nation’s top courts nullified the April 2 general election.

Gen Charupat submitted his resignation to the Senate and acting Upper House Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua said proceedings to fill the vacancy will begin as soon as possible.

A 10-member selection committee, comprising the presidents of the Constitutional and Supreme Administrative courts and representatives of top universities and major political parties, has to be formed to nominate new commissioners for the Senate’s consideration.

However, to further expedite the process, Suchon said it was possible to apply Article 138 (paragraph 3) of the Constitution, which states that the Supreme Court can make the required nominations in the absence of the selection committee.

The EC has been accused of bias toward Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai party and the courts had followed up their annulment order with a call for the EC to resign, after His Majesty the King’s comment that the April 2 election was “undemocratic.”

The EC should have five commissioners but following yesterday’s resignation and the death last year of Commissioner Jaral Buranapansri, only three remain on the panel.

Observers say Gen Charupat’s decision to step down will pile further pressure on his former colleagues to follow suit and enable the appointment of an entirely new panel.

“I think all the election commissioners will resign soon, maybe in a few days, because they cannot stay on in the big trouble that they are in,” said Kanin Boonsuwan, a member of the former Constitution Drafting Assembly.

“Constitutionally speaking, the three remaining could carry on performing their duties, but the political situation now is very serious and mostly poised on the EC, particularly the pressure for them to resign….”

Kanin said that Gen Charupat had wanted to resign following His Majesty’s address to senior judges on April 25 but had felt unable to do so until now. Moves to appoint a new commissioner must be undertaken within 45 days but Kanin believes it will not take that long in the current situation and a new five-member panel could be in place within a month of the remaining commissioners’ resignations.

Following the EC’s decision to set the general election date for October 22, there is no reason why a new EC cannot be in place in time to organize the new election, he added. However, a draft Royal decree announcing the election on that date must be signed by the caretaker prime minister before it is finalized.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Administrative Court yesterday upheld a Central Administrative Court injunction halting the third round of elections in 14 constituencies last month following charges that the EC had mishandled the process. The Central Administrative Court is due to rule on the case today.

- TD

The Senate consider the 10 candidates proposed, in this case by the judges; from that list of 10,

5 are then selected to be EC commissioners.

[sriracha john]

So what the Courts are also saying is....

October 22nd is cancelled as the election day?

*sigh*

[jdinasia]

it has not been submitted for Royal approval yet I think ... so far it is just a proposed date

[hammered]

it has not been submitted for Royal approval yet I think ... so far it is just a proposed date

It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval. As the courts have just said the EC was inquorate when they decided on the date it is highly unlikely that TRT would dare forwrad the date.

[tettyan]

it has not been submitted for Royal approval yet I think ... so far it is just a proposed date

It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval. As the courts have just said the EC was inquorate when they decided on the date it is highly unlikely that TRT would dare forwrad the date.

Check your facts again, it hasn't even reached that stage yet. The EC has only proposed the date to the Cabinet, there has been no official action on the part of the gov't yet.

[hammered]

it has not been submitted for Royal approval yet I think ... so far it is just a proposed date

It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval. As the courts have just said the EC was inquorate when they decided on the date it is highly unlikely that TRT would dare forwrad the date.

Check your facts again, it hasn't even reached that stage yet. The EC has only proposed the date to the Cabinet, there has been no official action on the part of the gov't yet.

cant see what is wrong with that statement. It is in the hands of the TRT governemnt and it is highly unlikely they will forward it, which means there will be no official action! What is your problem with that?

[tettyan]

It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval. As the courts have just said the EC was inquorate when they decided on the date it is highly unlikely that TRT would dare forwrad the date.

Check your facts again, it hasn't even reached that stage yet. The EC has only proposed the date to the Cabinet, there has been no official action on the part of the gov't yet.

cant see what is wrong with that statement. It is in the hands of the TRT governemnt and it is highly unlikely they will forward it, which means there will be no official action! What is your problem with that?

Read what you wrote again. You said that "It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval". That is not the case. The Cabinet has not even discussed the matter yet, so there's no way the government could have send the election decree for royal approval yet.

[hammered]

It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval. As the courts have just said the EC was inquorate when they decided on the date it is highly unlikely that TRT would dare forwrad the date.

Check your facts again, it hasn't even reached that stage yet. The EC has only proposed the date to the Cabinet, there has been no official action on the part of the gov't yet.

cant see what is wrong with that statement. It is in the hands of the TRT governemnt and it is highly unlikely they will forward it, which means there will be no official action! What is your problem with that?

Read what you wrote again. You said that "It has to be sent by the governement for royal approval". That is not the case. The Cabinet has not even discussed the matter yet, so there's no way the government could have send the election decree for royal approval yet.

"It has to be sent..." is a statement of a fact of how the process works. It does not have any implication that the government have sent anything yet. In fact I speculate it is highly unlikely that they will send anything. I hope that is clear enough.

[Ricardo]

Pity, this proposed-date in October looks unlikely to happen, this would have allowed ample time for restructuring of the monolithic TRT, if it is ever going to happen, and proper campaigning by all parties.

This would have seemed to be an excellent opportunity for burying of differences & moving-forward democratically as suggested by the higher authority.

Oh well , TiT

[tettyan]

"It has to be sent..." is a statement of a fact of how the process works. It does not have any implication that the government have sent anything yet. In fact I speculate it is highly unlikely that they will send anything. I hope that is clear enough.

Sorry, my bad. Looks like I didn't catch all of it the first time I looked at it. Guess that's what happens when you're trying to do several things at once. I'll try to be more careful next time.

[sriracha john]

TRT says it's not worried, as 2 MPs quit

The Thai Rak Thai Party said yesterday no one would quit the party if the election is held in five months' time and bragged that members of other parties would seek to join them.

However, two party-list members - Sarit Santimetaneedol and Likhit Dhiravegin - submitted letters of resignation prior to yesterday's party meeting. They did not give any reason for quitting.

After the meeting, deputy spokesman Sutin Klungsang said most members were concerned because the political situation was unclear. For while the Election Commission on Monday listed October 22 as the date for a new poll, party members were concerned about the economic situation, he said.

"Some are concerned the political crisis will occur again if the political situation remains unclear," he said.

When asked about the chance of Thai Rak Thai members leaving to join another party, because they may no longer be bound by the "90-day rule", Sutin said all faction members had been asked about this and insisted they would not quit.

"But we found some members from other political parties willing to join our party instead."

"However, the party will monitor members' reactions again at a party seminar from June 2-4, when we will set policies to campaign for the fresh election," he said.

Thaksin compared his party members to football players. "When the season is over players can find a new club to play for - to try to get into a strong team," he said during the meeting.

Sutin said: "Our leader told members that if they want to move they can, and he said good luck to them."

Pimuk Simaroj, another deputy spokesman, said Thaksin wanted party members to work with the people and asked them to go to their constituencies to listen to people's problems, in order to set new policies for the next ballot.

"Because the political situation is unclear, he [Thaksin] told members not to debate, but to work for the people," Pimuk said.

"Yet, Thaksin was asked about his viewpoint because most members want him to be the premier. But Thaksin didn't reply [about that]. He just said he would get Thai Rak Thai party to continue to work."

Wang Nam Yen faction member Chalong Riewrang, a former Nonthaburi MP, said he would not want to leave the party. But he admitted some former Nonthaburi MPs might join another party. The main reason was the party's popularity has been dropping, he said.

Wang Nam Yom's Theerachai Saenkaew said over 100 members of his faction insisted they would not leave the party. He said while it now appeared to be open for members to switch parties, this would not affect Wang Nam Yom members.

And he said members from another party would apply to become Thai Rak Thai members.

And despite Thaksin refusing to talk about his future, most members wanted him to be prime minister again, he said.

- TN

[sriracha john]

For the EC, there can only be one outcome

Yesterday's statements by the secretary-general of the Supreme Court make it clear Vasana and company must go

Somehow, the Election Commission has failed to get the message - or simply pretended not to - and it is struggling to survive against all odds.

After the Constitution Court nullified the April 2 snap election, the EC, which arranged the "rushed" national ballot, can no longer claim legitimacy.

The method by which the snap poll was arranged raised numerous concerns about the EC's impartiality and lawsuits are piling up against it.

The only way out is for all the EC commissioners to quit. Yet the body seems to want to carry on as if nothing has happened.

The commissioners held a meeting with political parties on Monday - most of them small and virtually unknown - to set a new election date.

It did so to avoid its past mistake of only consulting the ruling party and setting the election date 37 days after the House of Parliament was dissolved.

To further salvage its credibility, the EC has asked the Supreme Court to help it supervise the new electoral process. This came after head judges from the Supreme, Administrative and Constitution courts urged the commissioners to resign to pave way for the appointment of a new set of commissioners.

The judges noted that the public appears to have lost confidence in the current Election Commissioners ability do their job impartially and appropriately, as outlined under the Constitution.

As expected, the main opposition parties boycotted the EC's meeting on Monday on the grounds that they could not work with officials who they say have lost all credibility.

Only the Thai Rak Thai and 18 tiny parties took part before coming up with the new election date of October 22.

This would automatically unlock the 90-day restriction that requires political candidates to be members of parties for 90 days before they are eligible to stand in an election.

Thaksin Shinawatra has welcomed the move and signalled that anybody who wants to switch parties is welcome to do so.

But the election date is not the big issue right now.

What the public want, is the resignation of the commissioners, headed by Vasana Puemlarp, so that a more credible EC is appointed to organise the election in a free and fair manner.

Charupat Ruangsuwan, one of commissioners, bowed on Monday to the pressure by submitting his resignation.

This has left the body with only three commissioners - out of five. They are Vasana, Prinya Nakchudtree and Weerachai Neawbunnien.

The fifth commissioner, Jaral Burana-pansri, died last year and he has yet to be replaced.

Charan Phakdi-thanakul, secretary-general of the Supreme Court, said yesterday all the commissioners should stand down.

This was the resolution of the top judges of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court and the Constitution Court, who were of the view the EC had caused grave damage to the country through its handling of the April 2 election.

If the current commissioners are allowed to organise the next election, there was a possibility it would not be carried out in an orderly, honest and fair manner as stipulated by the Constitution, he said.

"The quicker the EC commissioners resign, the less damage the nation will face.

"If they don't make a decision or decide to delay it, the damage will spread out and in the future the EC will suffer from this damage too," Charan said.

Given this ultimatum from the judiciary, the way out for the EC is very clear.

The three remaining commissioners' resignations are only a matter of time.

- TN

[Jai Dee]

Two ex-TRT MPs resign

Two former Thai Rak Thai MPs resigned from the party yesterday.

Sarit Santimatanedol (สฤต สันติเมทนีดล), who used to represent Khon Kaen, did not say in his resignation letter why he decided to leave the party.

Likhit Deeravegin (ลิขิต ธีระเวคิน), a former list MP, said he could no longer work as party members.

There were no reports about what they planned to do in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Senate will seek a Constitution Court's ruling on the selection of new EC members

Caretaker Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua (สุชน ชาลีเครือ) will ask the Constitution Court to decide whether Article 138 (3) of the constitution can be invoked for the nomination of election commissioners.

Article 138 (3) trusts the Supreme Court’s general assembly to name candidates for seats on the Election Commission in case normal selection process can not be carried out. Mr. Suchon said he will ask the court to have its ruling in 7 days.

Jarupat Ruangsuwan (จารุภัทร เรืองสุวรรณ) resigned as an EC member yesterday.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2006

[jdinasia]

2 more party-list MP's down ... 97 to go?

and another EC?...

the trickle continues .... I think TRT may bleed out quickly

[tettyan]

Contradictory stories in today's Post and Nation. Is Purachai (Mr. "Social Order" Campaign) making a return to politics? Is he going to join Sanoh (his former rival within TRT) and his Maharaj Party? Or the hithero unheard of Palang Pandin Party, which the Nation says may merge with Maharaj anyway.

In the end, I don't think TRT is going to bleed very many members, probably no more than 30-40 at most. Having Thaksin on your campaign poster is still very much a vote-winner in most areas upcountry.

====

New parties sprouting already

The Nation

May 17, 2006

The People's Alliance for Democracy has decided to jump into the political fray by founding a new party called the "Mass Party". And its one aim is to crusade against Thaksinomics.

The party has an unconventional political agenda. It vows not to field any MP candidates in its first five years.

"Our objective is to campaign against Thaksinomics," a PAD leader, Somkiat Pongpaibun, said yesterday. "If we field MP candidates, we will be trapped in vicious circles of money politics."

Somkiat would be joined by former Palang Dharma Party leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong and the Campaign for Popular Democracy's Pipop Thongchai to continue the political activities established under the PAD banner, a source said.

Mass Party will be just one of the new political parties that are set to spring up following the apparent ability of MPs to change allegiance with 90 days to establish party membership and qualify for candidacy under the terms of the Constitution.

Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart is lobbying former Democrat Party secretary-general Pradit Pattaraprasit, who recently quit the Democrats, to join Mahachon and bring his businessmen colleagues to finance the party.

The reason behind Pradit's departure from the Democrats became clear when he spoke about a return to politics.

"I need more time to decide, because politicians have to be able to answer the public [when they're asked] what they can deliver," he said. "I have to admit that Thaksinomics has greatly increased political awareness among the people. Any political parties that want to challenge the Thai Rak Thai Party must [be able to] answer this question first. If there is no answer for this, I do not want to take the risk. I am already happy."

Pradit said a deciding factor on whether he goes back to politics is his desire to contest a clean and fair ballot under a new Election Commission.

If he finally decides to join Mahachon, political analysts believe Pradit will opt for the position of party secretary-general rather than its leadership, as he believes he is more suited to the former role.

Although many factions in Thai Rak Thai Party have so far refused to switch camps, academic Likhit Theeravekin, a founding member of the party, has decided to defect, with a plan to establish a new party to push for political reform.

Likhit is not the first defector. Several other key founding members of Thai Rak Thai Party have also left, including Social Order crusader Purachai Piumsombun. Anek Laothammathat, the former Mahachon Party leader, has joined the Maharaj Party and is lobbying Purachai to head the party with Anek as secretary-general.

The party will include academics from Mahachon, plus political activists calling themselves "Crisis Watch" and led by Uaychai Watha. The New Aspiration Party, led by Chingchai Mongkoltham, is also planing to merge with Maharaj.

Outgoing Senators Kraisak Choonhavan and Karun Saingam will also join Maharaj Party, and are lobbying other senators to join, a source said.

====

Parties urge Purachai to make poll comeback

Bangkok Post

May 17, 2006

Former deputy prime minister Purachai Piumsombun has been asked to make a political comeback in the coming general election by some leading parties, his close aide said yesterday. Noppadol Inna said many parties had contacted Mr Purachai and there was a possibility his boss would return to politics.

However, Mr Purachai needed to thoroughly consider everything, including the present political situation, before making a decision, Mr Noppadol said.

Mr Purachai had vowed not to remain idle while the country had problems, but this did not mean he would re-enter politics to help tackle them, the aide said.

It was also too early to say which party he would join.

But sources said he had two options _ either take over the leadership of the Pracharaj party from Sanoh Thiengthong or form a new party under the Palang Pandin banner.

Palang Pandin has been linked to former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, former Mahachon party chief Anek Laothamatas and some popular academics and politicians, the sources said.

Defections from the Thai Rak Thai party have already begun, with at least two members resigning yesterday _ Likhit Dhiravegin, a party-list member, and Sarit Santimataneedol from Khon Kaen.

Mr Likhit, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University, said he wanted to concentrate on teaching. But he admitted he had also been asked to set up a new political party by former members of the New Aspiration party.

Mr Likhit also praised Mr Purachai for his anti-corruption efforts and his ''Mr Clean'' image. But his lack of flexibility was his weakness, the academic said.

Mr Purachai was not available for comment yesterday.

[Plus]

There's little "bleeding" because Thaksin is still very much in the picture, or rather MPs hope that he will be in the picture. They won't make up their mnds until Thaksin announces his plans, then they'll look at the public reaction and where the wind is blowing.

Democrats, btw, can easily campaign on the doom and gloom scenario and that TRT's policies do not address any actual problems - oil prices, inflation, baht appreciation, tax collection shortages and so on.

Once these problems move into a front public space and Democrats start capitalising on them, TRT MPs will start thinking about deserting.

[jdinasia]

Should the Cts decide that TRT or Thaksin violated the law as apparently described by the EC committee ... TRT will bleed out so fast it'll make us all gasp ... I think the MP's are measuring that now. Way more credibility if they were NOT part of the party before that happens (if it happens)

[tettyan]

\

Democrats, btw, can easily campaign on the doom and gloom scenario and that TRT's policies do not address any actual problems - oil prices, inflation, baht appreciation, tax collection shortages and so on.

Don`t hold your breath, it`s still very much an uphill climb for the Dems. Deservedly or not, economic policy is Thaksin`s strong point. If the next election is about the economy (and NOT about Thaksin`s authoritarian tendecies, abrasive personality, or corruption), Thaksin (or Somkid, depending on the circumstance) would win hands-down. Most Thais still give him credit for the recovery from the slump after 1997. Of course, you`re right that Thailand faces many economic problems right now, but TRT can easliy blame that on the current political stalemate (and the opposition). Meanwhile, the Dems have hardly suggested any concrete economic policies. Thaksin`s policies may not do much to alleviate the economic situation (I happen to think they often exacerbate it), but at least he has policies, and he always gives off the IMPRESSION that he`s always trying to do something about Thailand`s problems.

Are there any Democrats reading this board? I`m still looking for a VISION. If you can`t come up with one yourselves, I`m willing to write one for you myself, free of charge.

[Jai Dee]

Dem elex spokesperson believes Dr Thaksin will back a comeback to politics

Democrat Party election spokesman Thepthai Senapong(เทพไท เสนพงศ์) believes that Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is to make a comback to politics again, to run the country. BR>

Mr. Thepthai said in response to a report on a group of people alleged to instigate chaos and that the administration of the country will deteriorate if Dr Thaksin does not take the helm of the premiership post.

He said such news is groundless. Mr Thepthai further added that Dr Thaksin's return to politics will interfere with the upcoming election. He commented that the caretaker government should be withdrawn it fails to perform at the utmost.

Mr. Thepthai, however, has praised Election Commissioner Jaruphat Ruangsuwan(จารุภัทร เรืองสุวรรณ) who has resigned from his post as to show his responsibility to the nation. He has urged the remaining EC members to resign as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Interim senators seek the dissolution of TRT

A group of interim senators will file a complaint seeking the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) with the Attorney-General for forwarding to the Constitution or the Criminal Court.

Interim senator Chirmsak Pinthong (เจิมศักดิ์ ปิ่นทอง) said the move followed a finding by an Election Commission investigation panel that TRT had hired small parties to contest the April 2 snap election as alleged.

Mr. Chirmsak said the senators are exercising their right under Article 63 of the constitution which states that people knowing of any move to undermine the country’s democratic system can ask the Constitution Court to dissolve political parties involved.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Khunying Sudarat: TRT members has freedom to resign from party

Deputy leader of Thai Rak Thai party Sudarat Keyuraphan(สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์) stated that the party has no objection if its members would like to resign from the party. She has refused to give any comment over the decisions of Election Commission and political parties to set the new polling date on the 22nd of October.

Khun Ying Sudarat referred to the resolution of EC which earlier discussed the new election date with the political parties and has designated 22nd of October to be the election date, adding that it is in accordance with the Constitute. She confirmed that TRT party will follow the rules and regulations.

She said the party is preparing for the upcoming general election and would not like to express any opinion. TRT deputy leader said she is not worried about the news claiming that two members of the party will resign.

Khun Ying said she has no idea about TRT leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whether he would still stay out of politics, as the party has not discussed about this issue.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2006

[jdinasia]

\

Democrats, btw, can easily campaign on the doom and gloom scenario and that TRT's policies do not address any actual problems - oil prices, inflation, baht appreciation, tax collection shortages and so on.

Don`t hold your breath, it`s still very much an uphill climb for the Dems. Deservedly or not, economic policy is Thaksin`s strong point. If the next election is about the economy (and NOT about Thaksin`s authoritarian tendecies, abrasive personality, or corruption), Thaksin (or Somkid, depending on the circumstance) would win hands-down. Most Thais still give him credit for the recovery from the slump after 1997. Of course, you`re right that Thailand faces many economic problems right now, but TRT can easliy blame that on the current political stalemate (and the opposition). Meanwhile, the Dems have hardly suggested any concrete economic policies. Thaksin`s policies may not do much to alleviate the economic situation (I happen to think they often exacerbate it), but at least he has policies, and he always gives off the IMPRESSION that he`s always trying to do something about Thailand`s problems.

Are there any Democrats reading this board? I`m still looking for a VISION. If you can`t come up with one yourselves, I`m willing to write one for you myself, free of charge.

The big assumption here is that TRT is still around to contest the next elections ... that very well may not be the fact

[Plus]

Tettyan, I'm not trying to defend Democrats, but when dust settles a little bit it will be clear that TRT doesn't have any policies either. They used to, but not anymore.

Look at April's elections campaign - it was all the old stuff, recycled numerous times. If the present issues take up central stage in the next election, 30-baht scheme or SML fund is not going to cut it.

At this point both parties need to come up with something new.

TRT might try to blame it anyone else, but if Democrats decide to run on "doom and gloom" they will have a rather strong message. The country is deep in the shit now, it's time to turn it around.