Thai govt rejects election delay despite deadly violence

[blaze]

In what way were the elections held here not democratic?

Both Suthep and Korn hae stated to the foreign media that vote buying was not an issue.

[nottocus]

It's gonna repeat and repeat and repeat. Only chance is for one side to wipe the other out or force them into submission.

Civil War could be the only way to move the country forward.

[hcvc]

It is apparent the Election Commission (EC) is intimidated by the hardline tactics of Suthep. Certainly, they would prefer a proper election atmosphere for the country. While postponing the elections might temporarily appease Suthep – such an action by the EC might elicit a negative reaction from the disenfranchised.

[happysanook]

The government clings on to power? You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Same same, Mark clinking to power when order the use of live bullet to disperses the protesters that caused 90+ death. You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Violent protestors who are refusing a democratic election and want a set of unelected 'people's council' to run Thailand? They deserve nothing less than live bullets.

[Thaddeus]

"Bangkok-based middle class and elite against rural and working-class"

So tired of seeing this lazy cliched copy/paste "journalism". It's certainly not just affluent Bangkok people protesting against the PTP and Shinawatra clan. It's people from many provinces and many walks of life. And please, if anyone is elitist it's the Shinawatra family. By far the richest mob of all, and clearly determined to grab Thailand by the balls through their wealth and influence. Trying to portray the political situation as rich vs. poor is just plain stupid and wrong, and did I mention lazy journalism? The foreign press are especially getting the whole story wrong.

Bangkok elites 55.4 billion USD net wealth, VS Thaksin net Wealth 2.7 billion USD, that is just the top 10 wealthiest Thais, then you start adding up the rest of the elites and there money makes Thaksin look poor compared to them!

The real elites of Thailand probably couldn't care less about the ebb and flow of this charade that has been playing out for the last few months, to them, it is the equivalent of a Thai drama on Television.... watch the silly monkeys dance, shout, and shoot each other.

One monkey may come out on top, but to them, he/she, will still be a monkey that has no effect on their control.

[ggold]

Same same, Mark clinking to power when order the use of live bullet to disperses the protesters that caused 90+ death. You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

twisting History doesn't make your comment true! It is well known that Abhisit offered elections in 2010. It was the red Shirts who refused this offer. They had every intention of staying to burn Bangkok unless parliament was dissolved.

The reds would have left in a flash if Abihist said in 2010 we stay in government but Thaksin gets amnesty and his money back.

Yingluck can say what she likes but the next Thaksin government will be the same as the last 3 all about a Thaksin amnesty and his return to rule.

Please don't twist history.

Then: Abhisit offered to dissolved the house on condition that . . . . .

Now: Yingluck ALREADY dissolved the house.

And your point is?

[fasteddie]

Good for the government, this reactionary gang of thugs and murderers must not be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.

What democratic process? Do you seriously believe any elections in Thailand were democratic? Stop kidding yourself. What is happening these days in Bangkok is exact result of setting red thugs free instead of locking them up for good. As long as you have thugs like Jatuporn and Nattawut occupying public functions instead of being in jail there is no hope for Thailand. Red thugs from 2010 got rewarded for their crimes and terrorism. They set an example that being a thug pays off.

Oh please! you're just embarrassing yourself! not democratic indeed, if that were the case, the generals would have ousted this government in an instance. And as for being taught to be thuggish, the army set pretty good examples of that on a fairly regular basis.

[15Peter20]

Thaksin thinks "The Election Must Go On!!!". Pheua Thai Acts accordingly.

How ridiculous. Let me help you out:

The constitution says "The Election Must Go On!!!". Pheua Thai Acts accordingly.

If like Suthep you find the royally-endorsed constitution to be an inconvenience that should be circumvented through street violence, why not just come out and admit it expressly?

[NCFC]

"Bangkok-based middle class and elite against rural and working-class"

So tired of seeing this lazy cliched copy/paste "journalism". It's certainly not just affluent Bangkok people protesting against the PTP and Shinawatra clan. It's people from many provinces and many walks of life. And please, if anyone is elitist it's the Shinawatra family. By far the richest mob of all, and clearly determined to grab Thailand by the balls through their wealth and influence. Trying to portray the political situation as rich vs. poor is just plain stupid and wrong, and did I mention lazy journalism? The foreign press are especially getting the whole story wrong.

Bangkok elites 55.4 billion USD net wealth, VS Thaksin net Wealth 2.7 billion USD, that is just the top 10 wealthiest Thais, then you start adding up the rest of the elites and there money makes Thaksin look poor compared to them!

And another with an estimated wealth somewhere between 30-35 billion USD.

[Thait Spot]

Same same, Mark clinking to power when order the use of live bullet to disperses the protesters that caused 90+ death. You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

twisting History doesn't make your comment true! It is well known that Abhisit offered elections in 2010. It was the red Shirts who refused this offer. They had every intention of staying to burn Bangkok unless parliament was dissolved.

The reds would have left in a flash if Abihist said in 2010 we stay in government but Thaksin gets amnesty and his money back.

Yingluck can say what she likes but the next Thaksin government will be the same as the last 3 all about a Thaksin amnesty and his return to rule.

Please don't twist history.

Then: Abhisit offered to dissolved the house on condition that . . . . .

Now: Yingluck ALREADY dissolved the house.

And your point is?

Get your facts right. Simple.

Don't lie

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jaidam]

In what way were the elections held here not democratic?

Both Suthep and Korn hae stated to the foreign media that vote buying was not an issue.

Ordering the voting booths to be positioned so that observers could clearly see the way ballots were being filled was not very democratic. In fact, it is extremely intimidating when put hand in hand with the vote buying. We gave you 500 baht now make sure you vote the right way or else, and yes we can see how you vote. You think that is democratic? There is a well known photo of the beautiful Pojaman filling out her voting slip. You probably haven't seen it on red TV though, try a google search. The truth shall set you free.

[Thailand]

Delaying the election would keep the current PTP government in power, is that correct?

If that is so then Suthep and the Undems should contest the election and see what the people really want, oops they can't can they, could not get through to register because of the rent a mob.

Hopefully, in the case of military intervention, the Army etc would realise that Suthep et al are the real aggressors and put him and his minions away. But of course it is a very unlikely scenario if the powers behind etc are who it is intimated.

[Nowhereman60]

The election should be delayed. But only after Suthep and his thugs leave town and a group of respected citizens are appointed to try to form a council for reforms recommendations. The PM would stay as caretaker of the government until new elections are held and reforms implemented. This should take no more than a year.

[Valentine]

Thaksin thinks "The Election Must Go On!!!". Pheua Thai Acts accordingly.

How ridiculous. Let me help you out:

The constitution says "The Election Must Go On!!!". Pheua Thai Acts accordingly.

If like Suthep you find the royally-endorsed constitution to be an inconvenience that should be circumvented through street violence, why not just come out and admit it expressly?

Seems to me very recently PTP refused to accept a decision by the Constitution Court, an institution put in place to rule on matters pertaining to the constitution.

[jackrich]

Delaying the election would keep the current PTP government in power, is that correct?

If that is so then Suthep and the Undems should contest the election and see what the people really want, oops they can't can they, could not get through to register because of the rent a mob.

Hopefully, in the case of military intervention, the Army etc would realise that Suthep et al are the real aggressors and put him and his minions away. But of course it is a very unlikely scenario if the powers behind etc are who it is intimated.

I am thinking that those behind Suthep don't have a year left. They can't have Yingluck as PM when something that is bound to happen happens...

[webfact]

ELECTION
No law to support election postponement: Bhokin
The Nation


File photo of Bhokin Bhalakula

BANGKOK: -- The government insisted that it has no legal power to postpone the election from February 2.

The Election Commission urged the government to delay the election until there was "mutual consent between all related parties". Anti-government demonstrators insist they will not allow an election to take place until Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resigns.

"The February 2 election will go ahead," Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said in a televised address.

"There is no law allowing the government to delay the election."

Separately, Pheu Thai Party’s legal expert Bhokin Bhalakula said before the House was dissolved, public perception is the House dissolution and the return of power to people would ease conflicts. There is no law to empower the government in postponing the election.

"The Election Commission’s statement somewhat indicates lack of responsibility and tendency to respond to demonstrators’ demand. The violence happened only in Bangkok. The EC is thus urged to proceed with its duty. Postponing it and expecting that it would end conflicts.... the result may not be as expected or it could spur conflicts. The people should show their judgement through the election," he said.

He does not expect the EC would do more than issue the statement.

"The EC just expressed its concern," he said.

On the reports that the commissioners may resign (which would automatically postpone the election), Bhokin said "They are recognised for their honour and dignity and they have volunteered to do this job. I believe that the commissioners would maintain their grace in solving problems for the country."

Pheu Thai party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan added that the best solution now is to return the power to people. He also urged the EC to be firm in its mission, by completing the election.


-- The Nation 2013-12-27

[Jay Sata]

All good news for those of us planning to spend money in Thailand in 2014.

The baht's on a nice slide and the turmoil will help it tumble downhill.

[tominbkk]

I hear a man in the desert yelling into his Skype program:

"I Think, You Do!

Meanwhile, this man's sister prepares for another public cry:

And then seconds later:

Good Job!

He who laughs last...

[patjem]

The government clings on to power? You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Same same, Mark clinking to power when order the use of live bullet to disperses the protesters that caused 90+ death. You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Not the same. Thailand currently has a caretaker government, Mark was fully the PM, and offered elections, which were initially accepted, until somebody received an SMS from Dubai

[gabruce]

I noticed a change in Suthep T. today now this moment on Blue sky ......he does suddenly not smile anymore in panorama style......

Maybe because the violence is escalating?

[Tatsujin]

A great day today, when the government and police force cut off the thug mob. Well timed, as it was extremely clear that the "protestors" were not there to protest but instead intent on preventing the necessaries of preparing for the election to take place, and by any means necessary. Clearly tyranny and mob rule was preparing to become the order of the day.

Now the elected government which has the responsibility of acting responsibly towards the countries institutions and in the best interests of governing for the common good, now and in the future, has made the wise decision to control the mob and stay the course leading up to the preparations for the election, not postponing it, which would leave nothing more than a yawning abyss for the mob and it's leaders to stir up additional trouble with no end in sight. Fortunately Yingluck and the government remain the adults in the room and the only ones with a sensible plan towards navigating a way forward with a fresh election and a commitment to reforms. There is no other responsible plan put forward and everyone involved would be wise to get on board and see it through.

I'm speechless . . . you seriously think that the "ShinGov" has the best interests of governing for the common good, now and in the future . . . and that . . . Yingluck and the government remain the adults in the room and the only ones with a sensible plan towards navigating a way forward with a fresh election and a commitment to reforms . . . ?

Blind.

[binjalin]

The EC may well resign (in cowardly fashion) to force the postponement they look very jittery to me

IF there is a postponement the caretaker government will continue so the Fascists won't win that way - nor will they win IF there is an election

so where next?

Students fighting AGAINST democracy here and FOR in many other countries - what a farce!

[PeterSmiles]

The government clings on to power? You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

And what would that be?

Because the amnesty bill gonna come back in what is it now 130 days ( ? ) , and they want to be in power that day to pass it through the lower house.

If there is no government on that particular day, the bill is waisted.

I don't think the bill will be seen again in it's current form. We are witnessing a sea change in Thai society, it's different to previous uprisings. The will of the minority will not prevail in this circumstance, but that does not mean that Thaksin will be coming back any time soon. If push comes to shove as it appears, Suthep will not last. Nor will his loyal supporters. The army will go to the winningest side, in this case it will tacitly support the government. The dems will have to distance themselves from the stuff that's going down in BKK... it's getting too hot in the kitchen. The dems need to make coalition partners and develop a "team" to win a majority, to do this they have to compromise... something they are unaccustomed to. IMHO.

I think you missed something. The amnesty bill has been sent for Royal approval, if it isn't approved it will be sent back to the lowerhouse after 180 days. At that point the lowerhouse can vote it into law in a single session, no need to get approval from the Senate anymore.

PTP has the majority in the lowerhouse, so the opposition can't do anything about.

Currently there is no lowerhouse since it is dissolved, so Yingluck Thaksin want to be sure that he has a majority in the lowerhouse on the day the bill is returned. If there is no legal government on that day, the bill will be invalidated.

So he want to avoid reform ( delay) before election because that would mean no government on D-day.

[rwhoov]

Thaksin thinks "The Election Must Go On!!!". Pheua Thai Acts accordingly.

And the source for your information is... Suthep!

[phantomfiddler]

How about Abhisit and thaksin "duking it out" and the winner takes all for 4 years ? A lot of lives will be saved, and hopefully in the interests of the country Abhisit will win

[diehard60]

The government clings on to power? You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

And what would that be?

Do you need to borrow my glasses? Or do you need to have every word translated in to English for you?

[diehard60]

The government clings on to power? You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Same same, Mark clinking to power when order the use of live bullet to disperses the protesters that caused 90+ death. You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Spot on. The protestors caused 90+ death. 20 of them were officials.

Wrong buffalow breath. Suthep ordered the snipers and police and the army to open fire with live rounds.

[rwhoov]

Good for the government, this reactionary gang of thugs and murderers must not be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.

What democratic process? Do you seriously believe any elections in Thailand were democratic? Stop kidding yourself. What is happening these days in Bangkok is exact result of setting red thugs free instead of locking them up for good. As long as you have thugs like Jatuporn and Nattawut occupying public functions instead of being in jail there is no hope for Thailand. Red thugs from 2010 got rewarded for their crimes and terrorism. They set an example that being a thug pays off.

Please give sources for your statements. I'm so tired of hearing "vote buying" without any direct evidence or convictions for voter fraud. Is an unelected committee to run the country a beaming democratic solution?

[Estrada]

The government clings on to power? You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

Same same, Mark clinking to power when order the use of live bullet to disperses the protesters that caused 90+ death. You can form your own view. Most intelligent people can see what is going on.

The live bullet that killed a policeman was fired by the anti-government protesters and not by the police who were shooting rubber bullets. There have been no anti-government supporters killed during the protests. The only deaths have been red shirts and a policeman.

[Spalpeen]

Delaying the election would keep the current PTP government in power, is that correct?

If that is so then Suthep and the Undems should contest the election and see what the people really want, oops they can't can they, could not get through to register because of the rent a mob.

Hopefully, in the case of military intervention, the Army etc would realise that Suthep et al are the real aggressors and put him and his minions away. But of course it is a very unlikely scenario if the powers behind etc are who it is intimated.

I am thinking that those behind Suthep don't have a year left. They can't have Yingluck as PM when something that is bound to happen happens...

.

Getting close to the truth now !