Thai PM calls for peaceful end to political crisis

BANGKOK, December 31, 2013 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday urged a "peaceful solution" to bitter political divisions in the kingdom that have spurred sometimes bloody protests, causing the embattled premier to call snap polls.

Yingluck vowed not to give up working for reconciliation in the crisis-hit nation, where demonstrators have sought to unseat her government in a bid to rid the country of the influence of her polarising brother Thaksin -- a billionaire former premier.

"The entire Thai people, regardless of political ideology or different beliefs, (should) turn toward each other to find a peaceful solution for our country," she said in a New Year message on her official Facebook page.

Weeks of anti-government protests have shaken the Thai capital, throwing the country's fragile political system into fresh uncertainty and causing concern among the international community.

Demonstrators have vowed to step up their efforts to disrupt the polls on February 2, after a short lull in activity for New Year celebrations.

Thailand has been periodically convulsed by political bloodshed since Thaksin was overthrown by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago.

The protesters, a mix of southerners, middle-class Thais and the urban elite, accuse the tycoon-turned-politician of corruption and say he controls his sister's government from his self-exile in Dubai.

They want an unelected "people's council" to run the country to oversee loosely-defined reforms -- such as an end to alleged "vote buying" -- before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

Yingluck called elections in the hope of bringing an end to the rallies, which have drawn tens of thousands of people calling on her to step down.

Her party still enjoys strong support in the north and northeast of the country and is expected to win the election if it goes ahead.

The Election Commission last week urged the government to postpone the polls after protesters stormed a party registration venue in Bangkok, triggering clashes in which a policeman and a demonstrator were shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

The government rejected the plea, saying a delay would only bring more violence.

On Saturday a gunman opened fire at opposition protesters in Bangkok, killing one person and wounding several others.

Demonstrators also besieged a number of candidate registration venues in the opposition-dominated south on Saturday, forcing officials to suspend the process in seven provinces.

Several outbreaks of street violence in recent weeks have left eight people dead and about 400 wounded.

It is the worst civil strife since 2010, when more than 90 people were killed in a bloody military crackdown on pro-Thaksin Red Shirt protests under the previous government.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-31

Happy New Year Yingluck.

It's going to be one hell of a ride. Enjoy.

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

Wow, that was a really constructive and useful comment.

Let's see, Puea Thai won the last elections, meaning that most Thais still wanted this government.

Just because a minority who has lost elections for the past 23 years, well before Thaksin ever came to power, wants to overthrow an elected government, doesn't mean that the whole country has to follow it.

My suggestion, go to the polls if you want to change something. It's what grown ups in civilized countries do.

The solution is very simple! Resign!!

She should get out while the gettings good not going to happen until the by then it will be to late,makes me I think it's time too smell the but again I'm beating a ..................................................................................

PM Yingluck! You made the bed, now stay in it.

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

Wow, that was a really constructive and useful comment.

Let's see, Puea Thai won the last elections, meaning that most Thais still wanted this government.

Just because a minority who has lost elections for the past 23 years, well before Thaksin ever came to power, wants to overthrow an elected government, doesn't mean that the whole country has to follow it.

My suggestion, go to the polls if you want to change something. It's what grown ups in civilized countries do.

She "wants peace not power". Resigning would satisfy both of those.

PTP would still win elections. So "the people" would still have their party in power.

What are the alternatives to 'a peaceful solution'? ....a violent solution? ....a protracted solution? People like the Pope, the UN Secretary and certain PM's make such driveling statements sometimes - completely devoid of creative thinking.

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

Thailand is a democracy if you do not like it try not to slam the door

no single true word about doing a better job when reelected........how stupid must thai people be not to see the lack of any serious insight, no they really bring back all the shins on the list. 2014 will be a bumpy year for thailand with other countries loosing trust

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

Thailand is a democracy if you do not like it try not to slam the door

Is that all you have? It's a 'democracy'? Thanks for telling us!

Did she include a picture of herself crying to go with the FB post?

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

Thailand is a democracy if you do not like it try not to slam the door

Is that all you have? It's a 'democracy'? Thanks for telling us!

Still it's nice to finish the year off on a "if you don't like it, go home" post.

Kind of nostalgic to see such traditional knee jerk comments resurrected.

Thai PM calls for peaceful end to political crisis

Calls in (by Facebook) from hundreds of kilometers away.

I suspect Ms Yingluck really doesn't want to be PM. She's doing it to please her brother, and it's also the best platform for aiding her brother coming back to Thailand a hero - and taking back the PM's seat for himself. It's plain what she really likes: traveling to farang countries and buying expensive vanity items. Indeed, that's what all Thai politicians (and their wives) want to do, more than anything else. I sense Ms Yingluck is a good person, but she's in the wrong league. My advice to her: Take a break. Take your mega-baht and travel and shop. Give yourself leave, and give the Thai people an option for getting effective leaders (if that's possible).

Resign my dear, the people voted for your populist policies, not for you or your family.

Put Thailand first, you and your family have plenty of money, enjoy it.

Get out of politics and let the people of Issan and the north form a party of people who really care about them.

They don't need millionaires any more.

It would be east to say that with 18 coups and several mass killings of students and killings of other protesters over the last 80 years and a south Thailand in a state of terror with guerilla bombings for 12 years that THailand has been in a constant state of terror and protest. They've double talked and bullied their way around it, stifled media, arrested for writing, thousands of extrajudicial killings in 2003 to fight a drug problem never solved.

I suspect Ms Yingluck really doesn't want to be PM. She's doing it to please her brother, and it's also the best platform for aiding her brother coming back to Thailand a hero - and taking back the PM's seat for himself. It's plain what she really likes: traveling to farang countries and buying expensive vanity items. Indeed, that's what all Thai politicians (and their wives) want to do, more than anything else. I sense Ms Yingluck is a good person, but she's in the wrong league. My advice to her: Take a break. Take your mega-baht and travel and shop. Give yourself leave, and give the Thai people an option for getting effective leaders (if that's possible).

I think you are spot on!

Yingluck is clearly not a politician and clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But according to people who know her a very decent person, who on parties can be very funny.

So dear Yingluck make the last dreaded call to Dubai and tell your egomanic brother, that you had it!

Enjoy life with your partner and son and do what makes you happy! Better for you, better for Thailand!

On a simular note, I met former Financeminister Korn Chakivanij in my coffee-shop today, and he looked happy and relaxed now, that has left the political nonsense behind him. Refused to be reelected to the executive board of the Democrats. (to the fashion-police here: He was wearing short trousers!! )

Makes you wonder, why some politicians kling on to power at any price? Money is sometimes the reason, but not always, so power must be like a drug??

The dateline on this story is Bangkok. Is that where she issued her statement?

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

Thailand is a democracy if you do not like it try not to slam the door

Zimbabwe and North Korea have general elections too, so I suppose they too are democratic? :-)

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

Wow, that was a really constructive and useful comment.

Let's see, Puea Thai won the last elections, meaning that most Thais still wanted this government.

Just because a minority who has lost elections for the past 23 years, well before Thaksin ever came to power, wants to overthrow an elected government, doesn't mean that the whole country has to follow it.

My suggestion, go to the polls if you want to change something. It's what grown ups in civilized countries do.

yes lets have another 4 years of this vile corrupt government who's only care is one mans megalomaniac desire to turn Thailand into his own one party dictatorship. When will people like you understand their is no democracy when elections are bought and when just because Taksin manages to buy most votes its fine to do whatever he wants irrespective of human rights. laws and anyone who dares oppose they better watch out or hell let loose again his red thugs.

Hitler was voted in so was Idi Amin and Poll pot and Mugabwie so I rest my case. Further ask 99% of thais how MP's are lected and they don't have a clue about party lists and anyway only care for next 500 baht.

Thank you ill take my chances with the inevitable coup and thank goodness theirs one body able to stop Taksin and his evil clan.

All peace needs is fork ne man to withdraw and take his clones and clan with him to exile wherever and at last Thailand would be rid of this curse and then many would be content with letting a new non Taksin government of whatever persuasion or colour have a chance. I also think although Abahist is by far IMO best PM he should withdraw to help heal wounds and Suphet. If that happened and Taksin went with rest then Thailand would have a chance.

As it is are you Naive enough to think an election is going to stop those totally opposed to Taksin who loathe and hate him. SO a coup for 2-3 years is best and most likely outcome which many would as before welcome.

You really think Thialand is anyway on par with Uk for instance in being able to have a proper free election. Well go back to your bubble world.

I cringe when this idiot of a puppet uses the word "reconciliation". It's just another word for bringing big brother back. Doesn't matter how many votes you win, you're not there working for the people, you're just there to enrich your family and whitewash your brother's crimes.

Thailand is a democracy if you do not like it try not to slam the door

Thialand a democracy best laugh I've had this year I think

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

Wow, that was a really constructive and useful comment.

Let's see, Puea Thai won the last elections, meaning that most Thais still wanted this government.

Just because a minority who has lost elections for the past 23 years, well before Thaksin ever came to power, wants to overthrow an elected government, doesn't mean that the whole country has to follow it.

My suggestion, go to the polls if you want to change something. It's what grown ups in civilized countries do.

So for you it doesn't matter how corrupt the government might be or how they try to twist the constitution for their own aims! Just as long as they were democratically elected. May I suggest your post is equally constructive, NOT

Resign my dear, the people voted for your populist policies, not for you or your family.

Put Thailand first, you and your family have plenty of money, enjoy it.

Get out of politics and let the people of Issan and the north form a party of people who really care about them.

They don't need millionaires any more.

If this simultaneously happened with resignation of Abhisit and Suthep, it could be the solution to all Thailands problems really.

Wont happen but

well just go away along with rest of your evil clan hardly wanting peace when they put up all clan members as MP's in party list and stuff every important post with their own family members and cronies

I just hope whole rotten evil lot would sink into slime they came from

Wow, that was a really constructive and useful comment.

Let's see, Puea Thai won the last elections, meaning that most Thais still wanted this government.

Just because a minority who has lost elections for the past 23 years, well before Thaksin ever came to power, wants to overthrow an elected government, doesn't mean that the whole country has to follow it.

My suggestion, go to the polls if you want to change something. It's what grown ups in civilized countries do.

Well that was a constructive and useful comment.

- Because pt won (won?) the last election doesn't automatically mean all their voters still support them, Failed logic here.

- a. Just because a minority..... Again overall failed logic in this comment

- b. Just because a minority...... you might like to remember that the paymaster and other leaders (leaders?) of trt, xxx, pt etc., have openly said on numerous occasions 'if you don't vote for us we give you nothing'. In other words zero respect for the minority groups. Shoot yourself in the foot comes to mind.

- Go to the polls. Well yes, when there are some checks and balances in place to stop vote buying (by all parties), stop cronyism, stop massive corruption and stop nepotism.

Reform before elections is the only way.

The solution is very simple! Resign!!

It would have been enough, if not 5 Shinawatras family members are to be elected.

If they would have said "we leave for the good of the country" the protesters wouldn't have any enemy anymore.

(I recall her talk that she don't want to stick to the power, and in the first 5 positions you have 3 family members)

Yingluck must surely realize that these sentiments - like so many similar ones she has expressed over the years - have no teeth. They are words that have not been backed up by her actions, outside of the rammed through initiatives of Thaksin, which have been zealously pursued by this administration. It is impossible to believe that she can be so disconnected to the core reasoning of the protests - her administration's lockstep with Thaksin - and the denials have now evolved from being tiresome to simply annoying. How can dialogue succeed when she seems unable ( but really unwilling ) to grasp that fundamental argument and at least credit people's intelligence by admitting the problem ? In any event, such a recognition is now truly a lost cause, and although it is sad to say - in a sea of initiatives, culminating in the amnesty bill - she has lost all credibility for her calls for meaningful reform. And an election call that was clearly intended to actually cement the administration's intransigence towards reform, will actually accomplish nothing other than to divide the people further, and cause more violence and unrest. However, with the South poised to register a massive " no " vote - even under the assumption all the constituencies there are opened up - she will not have even close to the 95 % of duly elected representatives she needs to convene parliament - no where near - and that's without even taking Bangkok into consideration. Any constituency where the " no " vote exceeds the leading candidate nullifies that particular constituency. And less than 95 % means that parliament will simply not be able to convene. So reform will indeed be the result of this election, after all.

The solution is very simple! Resign!!

Resign on 1st January, and be reelected on 2nd February

Yingluck message is always soft and reconciliary. The extreme opposite of Suthep and his thugs who can only bark their hate back.

Happy new year anyway (Yingluck too !!!)

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