New General Election Proposed For Oct. 22

[jdinasia]

Guess you missed the PAD supporting the Cts call for the resignation of the EC .... or calls for political reform .... etc etc ...

[ColPyat]

Guess you missed the PAD supporting the Cts call for the resignation of the EC .... or calls for political reform .... etc etc ...

It's always easy to campaign on a negative platform, and even there they have countless times contradicted each other. Which is natural, given that these folks come from widely differing political backgrounds. Only thing they seem to have in common is a rather fuzzy but extreme nationalism/patriotism. The difficult part starts with forming positive policies, and that they have never come up with yet.

Only being against something does not contribute much (and to be for a political reform without having any clear ideas how that might look like is still a thinly clouded negative stand).

[Jai Dee]

We’re thinking of bowing out, says Wasana

Election Commission Chairman Wasana Permlarp yesterday admitted the three remaining commissioners were contemplating stepping down following Gen Charupat Ruangsuwan’s resignation Monday.

“The remaining three members of the EC have a very strong spirit but we have started to discuss about resigning after Charupat left,” Wasana told reporters, However, Wasana said the panel would not quit until other issues had been settled, which included reaching verdicts on some 100 complaints about electoral violations.

He did not say how long it would take the commissioners to settle every dispute, and adamantly denied that the commissioners were staying to protect the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party from allegations that it hired small parties to participate in the April 2 election, which could lead to the party’s dissolution.

Wasana was reduced to tears for the second time in a week yesterday when hundreds of students and teachers from his hometown of Chanthaburi came to EC headquarters to offer their support.

However, after hugs and flowers were exchanged, the situation deteriorated when another group of his supporters calling themselves “The Silent Power for Thai society,” clashed with protesters who have been camping outside the EC offices.

A witness said scuffles broke out after EC supporters tried to destroy banners and tents belonging the protesters. EC supporters also verbally attacked members of the press, accusing them of biased reporting.

Wasana also defended the EC against the courts, which called for the remaining three commissioners to resign. On Tuesday, court spokesman Jaran Pakdeethanakul told reporters that the courts “will not take part in the next elections because the Constitutional Court verdict has already found that this Election Commission mishandled the election by making the voting not confidential.”

But Wasana said the Constitutional Court said no such thing, and pointed to page 44 of the court verdict that nullified the election. The court said the EC had used the same positioning of ballot booths during local elections in 2005 and that “nobody ever complained or argued that the election planning was unconstitutional.” In addition, it says the EC modeled the placing of ballot booths on polling stations in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, France and some states in the US.

“This shows that the intention of the EC for planning the new election is honest and aimed at creating fairness,” the Constitutional Court judges wrote.

The judges went on to say that the arrangement of the ballot booths had “enabled” people to see how others had voted, which meant it was “not confidential.”

Wasana also announced yesterday that a sub-committee report that earlier found senior TRT party members guilty of hiring smaller parties to run in the April 2 general election was considered “incomplete” by the panel.

“Not everyone involved has been questioned and some issues are still unclear. So the sub-committee has been instructed to conduct further investigations over the next seven days.”

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary-General Borwornsak Uwanno yesterday said the October 22 election date proposed by the EC should be changed because it may conflict with a Muslim holiday celebrating the last day of the holy month of Ramadan.

“I have instructed coordinating officials that the 22nd of October is a Muslim religious day, which may be a problem,” he said. “Most mosques will be used for celebrations and cannot be used as polling stations.”

However, Borwornsak indicated that the election date would not change drastically.

“There will be no delay in the election because the royal decree would’ve been issued on August 22, now it will be postponed to August 24,” he said.

Last week, the Constitutional Court nullified the boycotted April 2 election and called for another election to be held within 60 days of a new royal decree. At a meeting on Monday, three election commissioners and representatives from 20 mostly minor political parties said the amended royal decree would be issued on August 22, and the election would be held 61 days later on October 22.

If the government issues the new royal decree on August 24, then the election could be held October 23 at the latest if it follows the instructions of the Constitutional Court. But that might also be problematic, since the date of the religious holiday, known as Eid Al-Fitr, could change depending on the lunar cycle.

“We are not sure if the holiday will be on the 22nd or the 23rd,” Nitti Hassan, an official with the Foundation of Islamic Center of Thailand, said yesterday. “This is up to the calendar.”

Regardless of when the new election will be held, Borwornsak claimed that the remaining three election commissioners are still able to oversee the election. In a meeting on Tuesday, the three highest judges in the country declared Monday’s meeting between the EC and the political parties illegitimate because only three commissioners attended.

“We will continue with the proceedings because [EC Chairman] Wasana [Permlarp] has made it clear that the discussion on May 15 was not a conference of the EC but only a meeting to receive ideas, and that the EC would conduct another legal conference afterwards,” he said.

Gen Charupat attended the meeting, but resigned afterwards.

“It is possible based on the law that the three remaining members of the EC can continue their duties, but its resolutions must be unanimous,” Borwornsak said. “But if only two members are left, that would be a problem.”

Source: ThaiDay - 18 May 2006

[jdinasia]

Smart move ... would you want to be one of the 3 People that the PAd were focussing on? We have seen ho effective they were in seeing the resignation of Dr T

[tettyan]

Only being against something does not contribute much (and to be for a political reform without having any clear ideas how that might look like is still a thinly clouded negative stand).

The inability to come to an agreement with TRT on constitutional and political "reform" was obsetsibly the main reason given by the Democrats for boycotting the April election. Fine, so what reforms exactly do they want implemented? I've hear no concrete proposals from either the PAD or the Democrats, except for the usual vauge platitudes like "dismantling the Thaksin system", which can mean all sorts of things.

What do they plan to do with the 90-day rule? How about reforming the Senate? Should MPs continue to be barred from sitting in the Cabinet? What about the restriction that bans non-degree holders (90% of the population) from running for parliament? Which laws on conflict of interest should be tightened, and how should they be enforced? How should the process of selecting members of independent commissions be changed? What kind of restrictions on campaign finance and donations to political parties should be introduced? How about expanding public financing of political parties? What should be done about decentralisation, which is mandated by the current constitution?

Someone in the political arena needs to be discussing these sorts of questions. In the long run, these issues will be more important than the immediate question of whether a particuarly rotten prime minister should be allowed to cling to power. With all that's been going on, the Dems and the PAD now have a free mouthpiece. I suggest they use it for productive ends while they still have the chance.

[Plus]

Still have the chance? What do you mean?

It's not the time yet to discuss these questions. Nothing can be started without the Parliament and the Senate anyway.

The first thing is to set up a body acceptable to all parties. What will be the composition of this body? Who will be on the selection commitee? What will be its legal status? This will be the first set of proposals.

Setting it up would take a couple of months once the parliament is in place, then this body will come up with reform proposals, then they will be put to a referendum, I suppose.

[Jai Dee]

A tearful Wasana at the EC yesterday, where he received roses from supporters.

Source: ThaiDay - 18 May 2006

[tettyan]

Still have the chance? What do you mean?

When the media (including outlets usually not opposed to Thaksin, like Thai Rath), still are focused on every movement of the PAD and the Democrats. If they just keep mum for now, who knows who'll be listening to them a year from now?

It's not the time yet to discuss these questions. Nothing can be started without the Parliament and the Senate anyway.

The first thing is to set up a body acceptable to all parties. What will be the composition of this body? Who will be on the selection commitee? What will be its legal status? This will be the first set of proposals.

Setting it up would take a couple of months once the parliament is in place, then this body will come up with reform proposals, then they will be put to a referendum, I suppose.

It's always time to discuss these questions. It doesn't matter if the process for amending hasn't started yet - everyone seems to agree that some reforms are inevitable, so what's wrong with debating now? The people need to seriously discuss what shape they would like Thai politics and political institutions to take for the future, rather than blaming all the country's problems on a handful of rotten individuals. The root of the problems was never Thaksin in the first place, but the entire socio-economic-political system that allowed him to come about. I'd insist it's the responsibility and duty of public figures to foster this kind of debate. If they don't want to, then they should reconsider their roles in public life.

I propose we start here. I don't have the authority to start a thread on this forum, but maybe what we need is a politics thread where the words "Thaksin", "TRT", "Chamlong", "Sondhi", and "Abhisit" are banned and where the discussion is focused on what sort of structural reforms are necessary in Thai politics. But perhaps I may ask too much.

[Jai Dee]

Gen Sonthi concerned about King

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin yesterday requested an audience with His Majesty the King, whom he felt was “suffering” because of the political turmoil.

“I feel that His Majesty the King is really depressed because of the many problems facing the country,” Gen Sonthi said.

“I have been told that during this political crisis His Majesty the King has often stood by the shore and gazed out to sea. I think he is suffering.”

Gen Sonthi said he wanted to comfort His Majesty and assure him that the military would do its best to bring an end to the almost daily violence in the southern border provinces.

The Army chief also again assured the nation that there was no threat of a military coup to try and end the months of political turmoil.

Source: ThaiDay - 18 May 2006

[Plus]

The local news pages in the Naiton are already overwhelmed with current issues. If someone comes up with refrom proposals now they'll get an inch or two somewhere in the back.

One thing at a time, EC resignation and TRT investigation make daily news plate full already.

We can, of course, discuss reforms here on TV, however if our ideas are not based on some concrete proposals from real people it will be largely daydreaming.

For starters, what to do with 90 day rule? Party hopping is a problem, too.

Perhaps the rule should be relaxed for snap elections - that way you can't catch defectors off guard, unable to run for office again.

[tettyan]

For starters, what to do with 90 day rule? Party hopping is a problem, too.

Perhaps the rule should be relaxed for snap elections - that way you can't catch defectors off guard, unable to run for office again.

I confess to being a little confused on this one myself. Originally, I was under the impression that you had to be a member of a party for 90 days before the date of the election. But now, the media seem to talk like the rule is 90 days before the candidate registration deadline. I'm not sure if the news editors are qued into the details, but 90 days before candidate registration is far too long, considering that elections have to take place within 60 days if there's a snap dissolution and within 45 days if parliament's regular term expires.

You also have to be able to punish defectors if their demands are too unreasonable. In other countries where multi-party coalition governments are common, such as Italy and Israel, a small party or faction can hold hold an entire country hostage by threatening to bolt the coalition if their parochial demands are not met. At the same time, you don't want snap elections to just be a free ride for incumbents. So perhaps just reducing the 90 day rule to 30 days before the registration deadline isn't too unreasonable. That would still leave a very brief window for the cabinet to dissolve parliament to punish defectors, while the risk for the defectors would not be as great.

[Jai Dee]

Mr.Prapat: many MPs from other parties would like to transfer to Chart Thai

Chart Thai Party Secretary-General Praphat Pothasuthon (ประภัตร โพธสุธน) informed that many MPs from the Democrat Party and the Thai Rak Thai Party would like to transfer themselves to his party.

In regard to the new general election, he said that the Chart Thai Party has not set the candidates for the new poll as the party views that the new poll date has not been issued yet. However, he admitted that many MPs, who used to be the Chart Thai Party MPs, have shown their intention to rejoin his party, but the party has not made a decision on this matter yet. He said that the subjects must be considered by the party’s executives before any action is taken.

Mr. Praphat has reaffirmed that the party will field its members to join in this election even though the Election Commission is responsible for holding this election. He reasoned that the party wants to follow His Majesty the King’s speech.

Referring to the policies use to solicit votes, he informed that the Chart Thai Party still emphasizes on political reform and social problem dissolution. The relevant unit in his party is gathering details to propose to the party’s leader for consideration on May 22nd.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Democrat party is confident that militants will not stage a revolution

The Democrat Party is confident that Thai military will not stage a revolution as every side would like the country to move forward.

In response to Commander in Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin’s (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) warning for the 10th pre cadets to stay calm and not to create any political movement, Democrat Spokesperson Ong-art Klampaiboon (องอาจ คล้ามไพบูลย์) expressed his confidence that the Thai army will not stage a revolution.

He said that all army officers have a good understanding on the political situation and every side is willing to follow His Majesty the King’s royal remarks.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Banharn requests the govt not to break its word

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa’s (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) has demanded the government not to revoke one’s word on withdrawing the 90-day transferring of political members requirement, while urging it to clearly set the new poll date soon.

Mr. Banharn refused to comment on the remaining three Election Commissioner’s insistence to continue their post. He said that he will reveal his personal view on the matter on May 22nd.

Besides, he admitted that some MPs have shown their intention to join his party.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Military top brasses to discuss political situation this evening

Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanon said Thursday that the top brasses will hold a meeting in the evening to discuss the current national situation.

He said the top brasses would discuss and evaluate the situation before seeking an audience with His Majesty the King to brief him of the situation.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - May 18, 2006 : Last updated 03:25 pm (Thai local time)

[Jai Dee]

Police intervene in a clash between protesters and supporters of the Election Commission at the agency’s office yesterday. A number of journalists were assaulted during the confrontation.

Source: The Nation - May 18, 2006

[Siripon]

Colpyat, how does "satun" measure in your book of offensive Thai words? It wasn't in that song, is it THAT bad?

You ask me?

Well, i just had a look at the calendar - in a bit more than two weeks we have the "THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF HIS MAJESTY’S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE" with lots of Royals from all over the world attending. If i am not completely mistaken this might draw at least some media attention, and i can imagine the tone of the articles, such as: Thailand holds grand celebrations while political cises still unsolved, demonstrations of government supporters and opponents clash while Thailand holds grand celebrations, etc .

Now, that is gonna be really good for tourism, one of the big foreign currency earners forThailand. Not speaking of the big investors staying away from Thailand until this mess is solved. Just swell, really swell...

I thought people were asked to let the courts do the job? Which they so far have done. Why the need to keep on demonstrating?

Because whilst the courts have done their job, the EC unfortunately haven't done theirs, namely taken the advice of the courts and resign.

It won't be long now though.

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Jatuporn disagreed with PAD's decision to hold its rally on May 22nd

Thai Rak Thai Party Deputy Spokesman Jatuporn Prompan (จตุพร พรหมพันธ์) views that People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) should not hold a rally to encourage the court on May 22nd as the movement may pressurize the ruling of the court.

In regard to the criticism that the government does not follow His Majesty the King’s speech, he argued that the government’s implementations always go in line with the court’s verdict.

As for the PAD’s refusal for Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra to resume his political role, Mr. Jatuporn said that the PAD is only concerned with its personal interests, and it will weaken itself eventually.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2006

[cclub75]

In addition, it says the EC modeled the placing of ballot booths on polling stations in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, France and some states in the US.

Lies, lies, more lies. Will this guy ever stop ? Will he shut his big mouth ?

In France, we have CLOSED booth (with curtains), where people go (close the curtain), put their ballot paper inside an enveloppe and then vote.

[sriracha john]

In addition, it says the EC modeled the placing of ballot booths on polling stations in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, France and some states in the US.

Lies, lies, more lies. Will this guy ever stop ? Will he shut his big mouth ?

In France, we have CLOSED booth (with curtains), where people go (close the curtain), put their ballot paper inside an enveloppe and then vote.

Same Same in the USA... privacy and confidentiality are paramount... NO polling station would ever conduct voting with the open-to-all-to-see style that Thailand just had.

Obviously, the Courts recognized that and as such declared the entire election... VOID... and along with the 3 BILLION baht of hard-earned taxpayer's money squandered by the EC, not to even mention the time... and the energy utilized to run a nation-wide election process.

After such a complete and utter waste of such preciously needed national resources... it is beyond belief that the EC didn't IMMEDIATELY hang their collective heads in shame, tender their resignations, and profusely apologize to the nation as a whole for their actions.

Instead, they defiantly hold their ground... making this excuse and telling that lie... causing more turmoil... prompting more bad feelings.... creating a greater division... wasting more time... using more taxpayer money... at a time when this nation can least afford it... delaying any progress in this quagmire... and at a time when the Nation should be rejoicing and celebrating at the majestic and unprecedented reign of His Majesty The King...

If they aren't protecting someone ... they ARE NOT convincing me ... and from the looks of things, I'm certainly not alone.

[sriracha john]

The "wolf" is on the prowl again.... Look out, EC....

Audit probes EC spending

Jaruvan wants written response by May 25

The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) yesterday moved to scrutinise the Election Commission's (EC) spending in the last general election and by-elections, its confidential budgets and expenses allocated to its commissioners.

A senior official who asked to remain anonymous said the Audit office was looking into hard evidence and exact figures of the EC's expenses because the election seemed to have caused damage to the nation and taxpayers.

The investigation was crucial and not normal because there have been complaints and court cases against the poll agency and more could be filed in the future, said the official.

In an urgent letter to the Election Commission dated May 17 and signed by Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka, the office demands the EC clarify all spending from the date of the House dissolution until the day the Administrative Court and the Constitution Court ruled the April 2 election invalid.

Asking for a written response by next Thursday , it says the clarifications must clearly explain the agency's spending in detail. The OAG also asks the EC about the budget for the new election and questions if the budget for the last election was allocated from the 2006 annual budget.

The House was dissolved on Feb 24. The Constitution Court ruled the poll unconstitutional on May 8 and the Administrative Court on Tuesday invalidated the election.

The source said the OAG will compare the amounts of money spent in the last election with previous polls to see if there are any differences in spending and find out how and from which budget the government located the grants for the EC this year, among other things.

The last general election cost 2.02 billion baht.

Excluding that sum, the EC this year granted 272 million baht to 24 political parties, with Thai Rak Thai receiving the biggest chunk as the largest party with 156 million baht. The party this year also received donations of 80 million baht from Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin.

The official denied the probe was motivated by the Students Federation of Thailand's complaint.

''Under the current situation, we need a more in-depth investigation,'' said the official. ''But at the same time we want to give the EC a chance to clarify figures and evidence.''

EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapha said the EC was preparing documentation and clarification in writing, but its management would not yet be required to give statements in person.

The OAG will also investigate the EC's confidential and reception budgets, including the issue of whether they were also allocated to EC chairman Wassana Permlarp and the three other commissioners, said the official.

Confidential budgets should be used by those taking part in under secret operations or by undercover officials, not by management, said the official, adding that the commissioners' role in handling this kind of budget is not to keep and spend it, but to approve and endorse it.

The OAG also wanted to find out if Mr Wassana and other commissioners hold guest reception budgets as well.

''We don't know yet about their payment process but it must be transparent,'' said the official.

''The office needs to look into actual expenses [of the EC] to strictly control spending of public money.''

- BP

[penzman]

EC chief: Nothing amiss with trip

MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Election Commission chairman Wasana Permlarp denies there was anything irregular about his trip to Australia last week, during which a person with links to Thai Rak Thai sat next to him on both the outbound and return flights On May 11 the EC chairman took the TG 995 flight of Thai Airways International from Bangkok to Sydney. He was seated in first class beside Sawang Mankong- charoen, a real estate developer who is close to the Thai Rak Thai party.

Sitting behind him were Paithoon Pongkaysorn, a deputy director-general of the Revenue Department, and Jintana Kruapim, whose public relations firm clinched a 77-million-baht election campaign contract with the EC.

Pol Gen Wasana flew back to Bangkok from Melbourne on TG 994 on Monday . He was again seated beside Mrs Sawang.

Flight records show Pol Gen Wasana occupied seat 4J and Mrs Sawang 4K.

''I travelled alone. I bought the ticket with my own money. I didn't use anyone's money to pay for it,'' Pol Gen Wasana said yesterday.

The EC is under fire for supposed links with Thai Rak Thai. Critics say it agreed to hold the April 2 election _ since overturned _ to favour the government.

He admitted to sharing the same flight from Bangkok to Australia with Mrs Paithoon but said they did not sit side by side.

Mrs Paithoon, who previously defended tax-free share transfers between caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his wife Khunying Potjaman and relatives, refused to elaborate, saying it was personal.

Pol Gen Wasana said he knew the deputy director-general so he greeted her. No ''political conversation'' took place between them as reported, he said.

Bangkok Post

[Jai Dee]

A human rights group demands election compensation from the EC

A human rights group has demanded the Election Commission (EC) compensate for financial damage caused to the state after the April 2 snap election was invalidated by the Constitution Court.

The Committee on the Study and Investigation of Legal and Human Rights Violations yesterday handed a letter to the Finance Ministry calling for action against the EC for wasting 2.2 billion baht in that poll.

The committee demanded the ministry investigate the poll commissioners and order them to pay compensation if found they really caused damage to the state.

It said the Finance Ministry has to take action in 90 days or face a charge of negligence to be filed with the Administrative Court.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The government denies seeking the postponement of the October 22 election

Cabinet secretary-general Bavornsak Uwanno (บวรศักดิ์ อุวรรณโณ) denies the government has asked the Election Commission (EC) to postpone the election tentatively scheduled for October 22 until after the Ramadan.

Mr. Bavornsak said the EC solely has power to schedule the election date so the government can not ask for any change. He said the government only told the EC that Muslims may still obseve the Ramadan on October 22 and so may not turn out to cast their ballots while polling stations in mosques may not be allowed.

Mr. Bavornsak said the government will not issue the royal decree calling the election until the EC officially sets the date.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 May 2006

[Old Man River]

In addition, it says the EC modeled the placing of ballot booths on polling stations in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, France and some states in the US.

Lies, lies, more lies. Will this guy ever stop ? Will he shut his big mouth ?

In France, we have CLOSED booth (with curtains), where people go (close the curtain), put their ballot paper inside an enveloppe and then vote.

Same Same in the USA... privacy and confidentiality are paramount... NO polling station would ever conduct voting with the open-to-all-to-see style that Thailand just had.

Obviously, the Courts recognized that and as such declared the entire election... VOID... and along with the 3 BILLION baht of hard-earned taxpayer's money squandered by the EC, not to even mention the time... and the energy utilized to run a nation-wide election process.

After such a complete and utter waste of such preciously needed national resources... it is beyond belief that the EC didn't IMMEDIATELY hang their collective heads in shame, tender their resignations, and profusely apologize to the nation as a whole for their actions.

Instead, they defiantly hold their ground... making this excuse and telling that lie... causing more turmoil... prompting more bad feelings.... creating a greater division... wasting more time... using more taxpayer money... at a time when this nation can least afford it... delaying any progress in this quagmire... and at a time when the Nation should be rejoicing and celebrating at the majestic and unprecedented reign of His Majesty The King...

If they aren't protecting someone ... they ARE NOT convincing me ... and from the looks of things, I'm certainly not alone.

They were protecting someone else, but right now they are protecting themselves. With lawsuits filed, they are worried that a voluntary resignation could be viewed by judges as an admission of guilt. For the most part the courts will work around them and in time, they will get what they deserve. Right now, having lost all credability, they really cannot harm anyone anymore.

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin to be granted an audience with HM the King

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be granted an audience with HM the King this afternoon, a highly-place source said on Friday.

Thaksin will meet the King who is now at Klaikangwon Place in Hua Hin, Prachub Khiri Khan.

Objective of the audience is not yet known.

Earlier Thaksin who refused to resign announced his resignation in March hours after he was granted audience with HM the King.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - Fri, May 19, 2006 : Last updated 13:45 pm (Thai local time)

[Jai Dee]

Col. Winai becomes the new member of the Democrat Party

Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party Alongkorn Polabutr (อลงกรณ์ พลบุตร) has annouced that Col. Winai Sompong (วินัย สมพงษ์) is the new member of the Democrat Party.

The news was issued after Col. Winai chaired a meeting with the Democrat Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ), the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Democrat Party, Mr. Chuan Leekpai (ชวน หลีกภัย), Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thuagsuban (สุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ) to acknowledge the party’s framework of implementation. He said that he may be assigned to take care of Bangkok and the Northeast of Thailand.

As for his reason for transferring to the Democrat Party, he said that the party respects the systems of parliament and the constitutional court. The party also allows the media the perform their tasks without interference.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Auditor-General inspecting April election expenditures

Embattled Election Commission Chairman Wasana Permlarp greets supporters from Ramkhamhaeng University in his office yesterday.

Despite their dogged determination to keep their jobs, the pressure on the election commissioners continued to grow yesterday as the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) launched an investigation into the billions of baht spent on the failed April 2 general election.

Clinging to their seats after arguing earlier in the week that they must stay to complete ongoing investigations, the remaining EC commissioners said they will not take after Gen Charupat Ruangsuwan, who bowed to public pressure and resigned on Monday.

Criticism of the EC shifted gears last week following the Constitutional Court’s annulment of the April 2 general election, with many people calling for the commissioners to resign for wasting public funds by allowing the doomed election to proceed.

The office of Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka requested documents detailing the cost of the election, speculated to be at more than two billion baht, from the EC yesterday.

The OAG’s investigation was prompted by a complaint lodged by the Students Federation of Thailand, which argued that the EC commissioners should take the blame and resign for wasting taxpayer money.

The EC has since insisted that the OAG’s investigation is intended to put further pressure on the commissioners to quit.

Yet Ekachai Warunprapha, the secretary-general of the EC, said the OAG probe was a normal occurrence.

“We will comply completely with the OAG and the documents will prove that there were no spending discrepancies in the general election,” he said.

The investigation was supported by caretaker Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya, who said it was within the OAG’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, Thanong stated that the Finance Ministry may conduct a similar probe if documentary evidence supports it.

Despite their putting on a brave face, it would seem the commissioners are starting to crack under the increasing pressure for them to leave.

Addressing supporters on Wednesday, a teary-eyed EC Chairman Wasana Permlarp denied that he and the remaining two commissioners would resign, saying there was still much work for them to complete.

In staying put, the EC commissioners are rejecting the blunt recommendation of the Supreme, Supreme Administrative and Constitutional courts on Tuesday that they leave. The courts’ recommendation also said the EC was wrong to put forward October 22 as the new election date.

Putting more pressure on Wasana and his colleagues to leave, a group of 30 senators led by Niphon Visityuthasat, the former deputy Senate speaker, plan to submit a letter claiming the commissioners’ stubbornness is creating more problems for the country and requesting they vacate their posts immediately.

The Democrat party also criticized the EC commissioners’ reasons for staying on.

“They will not be able to complete the work anyhow so it would be better to allow new people who have the trust of the people to come in instead,” said Ong-art Klampaiboon, Democrat spokesman. “It is just a poor excuse to remain in their seats.”

On a separate front, acting Senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua announced he would not continue to seek the appointment of a replacement for Charupat.

Suchon stated yesterday that he felt he was getting negative signals regarding his move as the courts appear to prefer a solution that would replace all the commissioners at once.

“I want to help forge a solution to the situation,” he said. “Ways that can lead to solutions should be pursued while dead-ends should not.”

Source: ThaiDay - 19 May 2006

[Hermano Lobo]

Ominous !

Army chief insists no coup

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said Thursday no coup would be staged.

"I can hereby affirm that there will be no coup," Sonthi said.

He said it was the right thing for the military to distance itself from politics.

He said although he would have a dinner with caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana Thursday, they would not discuss any political situation.

He said Kongsak invited him to the dinner only because Kongsak was his senior friend from the same military school.

The Nation

URGENT

Thaksin to be granted an audience with HM the King

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be granted an audience with HM the King this afternoon, a highly-place source said on Friday.

Thaksin will meet the King who is now at Klaikangwon Place in Hua Hin, Prachub Khiri Khan.

Objective of the audience is not yet known.

Earlier Thaksin who refused to resign announced his resignation in March hours after he was granted audience with HM the King.

The Nation

Edited May 19, 2006 by Hermano Lobo

[Jai Dee]

Former BKK MP believes that EC will resign after they has cleared their work

Former Bangkok MP Wattana Sengpairoh (วัฒนา เซ่งไพเราะ) believes that the remaining Election Commissioners will resign from their posts after they have cleared their works.

As for Navy Commander Satirapan Keyanon’s (สถิรพันธ์ เกยานนท์) request for the Election Commission (EC) to consider the Constitutional Court's verdict that suggested them to resign, Mr. Wattana views that the EC should be given a chance to complete their duties before they will leave their positions.

Besides, he agrees with the three courts's demand for the People’s Alliance for Democracy not to hold its rally on May 2nd. He said that every side should end their movements and wait for the courts' consideration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 May 2006