Suthep rejects proposed talk on election postponement

[Lite Beer]

Suthep rejects proposed talk on election postponement

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected a proposal of the caretaker prime minister to meet and discuss the postponement of the February 2 election as proposed by the Election Commission (EC)

Ms Yingluck Shinawatra’s proposed talks with all sides, including the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on January 15 came as the EC formally notified the prime minister to issue a royal decree to reschedule the date of the new general election, citing unpreparedness of the EC to supervise the election, notably understaff problem as well as numerous problems that would ensue if the February 2 still goes ahead.

Prime Minister’s secretary-general Suranant Vejjajiva said the caretaker prime minister has designated deputy prime minister Pongthep
Thepkanchana to invite all sides to a meeting to find a solution to the crisis.

Ms Yingluck said that if all sides taking part at the meeting, she would chair the meeting by herself, Suranant said.

At the same time, head of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order Surapong Vichakchaikul said he might propose the EC’s proposal of election postponement to the Constitution Court to rule whether the government has power to put off the election.

PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said Monday night that the door for talk has been closed and thus there would be no more room for negotiation with the caretaker prime minister.

He said those who wanted to mediate and to compromise should give up their minds if they expected to reach a win-win solution as the Private Sector always hoped for in doing business.

There is no win-win solution but either “win or lose” in such circumstance which the people have come out in full force with the only goal of defeating the Thaksin regime.

They came out together in mass because they were intolerable with the regime for a decade which had done so many crimes to their beloved country, he said.

There would be no talk whatsoever as they have come a long way and will not make a turn. It was a matter of win and lose, he said adding that the caretaker prime minister must step down by January 15 to pave the way for the formation of an interim government to prepare for national reform process.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/suthep-rejects-proposed-talk-election-postponement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=suthep-rejects-proposed-talk-election-postponement

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-13

[kkerry]

I'm shocked he rejected the proposed talks. I'm sure no-one expected such a response...

Edited January 13, 2014 by kkerry

[icare999]

No surrender you can't negotiate withl a scorpion or snake

Well done Suphet. Notice difference between red shirt thugs in 2010 and this protest. So fat totally peaceful no burnings no guns with protestors just a very large group of determined people who are totally sick and tired of Taksin and his lot just doing whatever they want.

I never thought Suphet it stood a chance but whatever Taksin supporters here say just going by crowds he obviously has massive support. And before we get a barrage of BS about elected government democracy elections and rest it is obvious to anyone not blind that Taksin and his vile government are not wanted by a very large section of Thais of all walks of life.

To hold an election on 2^nd feb is pointless and will achieve nothing. It would not even result in a government even if Taksin got 100% of vote since os many wont vote and their cant be enough MPs anyway. Even if Taksin managed to disregard rules again and try ot form a parliament it simply would not be accepted by so many it oculd not function and Army will not intervene.

So only way pout is for Yingluk to resign and a interim new caretaker government not linked to Taksin take over for a few months while reforms are put in place. Then have an election without Taksin (or it simply wont work) and most would accept a voted government even one most red shirts would want provided Taksin was not involved.

The only other way out is an army coup or Taksin pays enough to start a real civil war which in his desperation he could well try however I dont think that will work and I cant see cowardly reds supporting in enough numbers and so hell have to rely on paid mercenaries.

Before Taksin tries to turn Thailand into a sort of Syria he should but wont do decent thing for sake of Thailand. Being vile coward he is and fact all he cares for is his own then that is not going to happen.

[bkksteviejai]

Incredible. This man is golden. Just imagine what his peoples council reforms will be like. Surely if their is to be any peace he at least needs to show signs he's able to talk at least?.

Saw my first farang PDRC supporters on Thai PBS just now. Words fail me.

Sent from my GT-S7562 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[EricBerg]

Eventually both sides will have to talk. Nothing wrong in setting a new election date later. The dems then have to work hard. They must beat the reds on their home ground, in the north. Suthep should go meet the other side and negotiate an election date. Then step back and let others make strategy.

When they do the job well it should be easy for the voters in the north to see what the shinaclan really is about: pillaging and plundering on a scale comparable with the old war with the burmese, when Ayutthaya was burnt.

[Noi657]

Who's Suphet?

[catmac]

Well, there you have it. The Dear Leader has no intention of talking to anybody, he is above all that nonsence about dialogue, dscussion, give and take and all the other silly trapings of civilised life. Total surrender and total subservience to His demands, or else!

[Thait Spot]

Who's Suphet?

A diminutive for SuperSuthep

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Dogmatix]

Since Yingluck and her ministers have been repeating ad nauseam that it would be unlawful to postpone the elections, what would there have been to discuss?

[englishoak]

No surrender you can't negotiate withl a scorpion or snake

Well done Suphet. Notice difference between red shirt thugs in 2010 and this protest. So fat totally peaceful no burnings no guns with protestors just a very large group of determined people who are totally sick and tired of Taksin and his lot just doing whatever they want.

I never thought Suphet it stood a chance but whatever Taksin supporters here say just going by crowds he obviously has massive support. And before we get a barrage of BS about elected government democracy elections and rest it is obvious to anyone not blind that Taksin and his vile government are not wanted by a very large section of Thais of all walks of life.

To hold an election on 2^nd feb is pointless and will achieve nothing. It would not even result in a government even if Taksin got 100% of vote since os many wont vote and their cant be enough MPs anyway. Even if Taksin managed to disregard rules again and try ot form a parliament it simply would not be accepted by so many it oculd not function and Army will not intervene.

So only way pout is for Yingluk to resign and a interim new caretaker government not linked to Taksin take over for a few months while reforms are put in place. Then have an election without Taksin (or it simply wont work) and most would accept a voted government even one most red shirts would want provided Taksin was not involved.

The only other way out is an army coup or Taksin pays enough to start a real civil war which in his desperation he could well try however I dont think that will work and I cant see cowardly reds supporting in enough numbers and so hell have to rely on paid mercenaries.

Before Taksin tries to turn Thailand into a sort of Syria he should but wont do decent thing for sake of Thailand. Being vile coward he is and fact all he cares for is his own then that is not going to happen.

Negotiation is the ONLY way forward, like it or not nothing will change until all sides are considered and included in how to move forward.

Suthep can sound like a broken record all he wants and the few thousand people with him, the truth is it dosnt represent more than a few % of the people however much youd like it to.

Respect the vote and go work on a real opposition party, if things are to be changed you do it only by respecting all sides and the right to vote.

Dems go away and get some decent policies and pitch it to the people like any other decent party, until then they are just unelectable and politically youll get what Thailand deserves.

Sutheps demands of instilling a peoples China bureau has absolutely no international support and hardly any from the people, they are so out of touch with what people want its laughable.

People want fair and fully represented reforms, that means it has to include ALL including the reds and yellows around a table and all working towards a positive change. Suthep has missed the wave of support in the beginning to drive this support into a brick wall by making demands that border on the insane. In short the dems have totally blown any credibility by hitching its coat to the madman.

Internationally this whole attempt to be undemocratic is seen as a massive step backwards and Thailand's image has suffered more in the last decade simply because it has deviated from the democratic process. This is the fault of the elite making demands when they dont win in elections and has set a bad example how to gain control. This time it has totally missed the opportunity and sympathy of the people by continuing to demonstrate the lack of willingness to negotiate and being the healing process.

Im not a red supporter but image wise this government have not reacted the way the dems did and that is what is important, they are also asking for talks, only an imbecile refuses to take part and Suthep is playing his part perfectly being one. He had the time he had the chance and threw it away with excessive demands and claims, just like now by refusing to talk.

In short he is now

[retsdon]

Just another common or garden Thai coup engineered by the usual suspects. Anyone who ever thought otherwise has been deluded. They don't like democracy, they never did like democracy, and they've decided to knock the experiment on the head once and for all. So there's nothing to talk about. At least Suthep is being honest.

[Snig27]

No surrender you can't negotiate withl a scorpion or snake

Well done Suphet. Notice difference between red shirt thugs in 2010 and this protest. So fat totally peaceful no burnings no guns with protestors just a very large group of determined people who are totally sick and tired of Taksin and his lot just doing whatever they want.

I never thought Suphet it stood a chance but whatever Taksin supporters here say just going by crowds he obviously has massive support. And before we get a barrage of BS about elected government democracy elections and rest it is obvious to anyone not blind that Taksin and his vile government are not wanted by a very large section of Thais of all walks of life.

To hold an election on 2^nd feb is pointless and will achieve nothing. It would not even result in a government even if Taksin got 100% of vote since os many wont vote and their cant be enough MPs anyway. Even if Taksin managed to disregard rules again and try ot form a parliament it simply would not be accepted by so many it oculd not function and Army will not intervene.

So only way pout is for Yingluk to resign and a interim new caretaker government not linked to Taksin take over for a few months while reforms are put in place. Then have an election without Taksin (or it simply wont work) and most would accept a voted government even one most red shirts would want provided Taksin was not involved.

The only other way out is an army coup or Taksin pays enough to start a real civil war which in his desperation he could well try however I dont think that will work and I cant see cowardly reds supporting in enough numbers and so hell have to rely on paid mercenaries.

Before Taksin tries to turn Thailand into a sort of Syria he should but wont do decent thing for sake of Thailand. Being vile coward he is and fact all he cares for is his own then that is not going to happen.

That's a pretty one sided POV. Firstly if Suthep has the numbers you claim then why not take it to an election. You are more or less admitting that he does not. Secondly if the vast majority or even a simple electoral majority (as per the way the system is designed to work) support PT and Yingluck, you and the mob have no right, either moral or real, to overturn that. Thirdly, if people don't vote then they have no right to complain - that's how democracy works even if you seem not to quite understand that.

You can not dictate to the electorate who they vote for and decide to exclude people simply because you don't want them to run. That is completely abhorrent in a democratic system. In the US, millions (probably a far, far higher percentage than dislike Thaksin) despised George W. Bush and felt that he was tainted by heinous crimes but the system still allowed him to run. Unless Yingluck is banned by the courts - and until she is banned - she is entitled to run and people are entitled to vote for her. End of story.

And who are you to risk a civil war and the lives of your countrymen and women? That's awful. "I don't think" and "I can't see" one happening is not good enough.

The simple fact is the only way out of this for the nation to survive and have a future is for elections to proceed. Democracy and the rule of law are only advanced in a civilised nation (and Thailand for all the whinging is increasingly one) through the electoral process. If this does not happen and an elected government is tossed out by a mob - no matter how big - the primary loser is the future of Thailand and the Thai people.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Snig27

[NHT]

Corrupt or not,

more corrupt or less,

the fact is, she is the democratically elected PM,

what's wrong with that, if she'd "chair" a talk with all sides?

The fact that this clown rejects her offer tells you ANY and EVERYTHING how far backwards this country will go if he or any of his circus clowns and animals would reign.

I never was a friend of any sides, but now it's sure, this dried up dwarf - promoting something he himself is dismantling it.

How sick can Hippocratic get?

Edited January 13, 2014 by NHT

[Hulkster]

Of course he rejects a postponement. He doesn't want an election full stop because the yellow bellies won't win.

He like the rest of the elites know what's best for the uneducated rural citizens. What they need is an unelected peoples council consisting of 9 Sino-Thais with their mitts in every pie and 1 token stooge from Surat Thani

[Ozymandias]

Eventually both sides will have to talk. Nothing wrong in setting a new election date later. The dems then have to work hard. They must beat the reds on their home ground, in the north. Suthep should go meet the other side and negotiate an election date. Then step back and let others make strategy.

When they do the job well it should be easy for the voters in the north to see what the shinaclan really is about: pillaging and plundering on a scale comparable with the old war with the burmese, when Ayutthaya was burnt.

You're absolutely right but I'm afraid that the voters in the North have been aware for years how the Bangkok elite has been plundering the resources of the country. Now that they want their piece of the cake, Bangkok isn't happy and wants to pretend that it is Thailand. Unfortunately, although the high rise hairdos and stiff-necked Dems will tell you of the poor education in the provinces (which in the past has benefitted them by providing them with a passive populous who voted against their own interests) the rural populous to the north and north east are not as stupid as Bangkok thinks. Because now they understand the power of their vote, they will never again give it to the patronising bigots who are still deluded enough to think they can keep things firmly stuck in the 1960s.

This is why getting rid of the Shinawatras (however nice that will be) will make no difference to the Dems & their ilk long term. Though Thaksin courted the rural vote for selfish purposes, he has changed the country and there's no going back.

The future of this country will no longer be decided by the minority in Bangkok.

[Mackie]

Im not a red supporter but image wise this government have not reacted the way the dems did and that is what is important....

Many people here are being dishonest but this one takes the biscuit... If you need an example of dishonesty just have a look at the quoted statment...He's not a red supporter...The joke of the month...

[ggold]

No surrender you can't negotiate withl a scorpion or snake

Well done Suphet. Notice difference between red shirt thugs in 2010 and this protest. So fat totally peaceful no burnings no guns with protestors just a very large group of determined people who are totally sick and tired of Taksin and his lot just doing whatever they want.

I never thought Suphet it stood a chance but whatever Taksin supporters here say just going by crowds he obviously has massive support. And before we get a barrage of BS about elected government democracy elections and rest it is obvious to anyone not blind that Taksin and his vile government are not wanted by a very large section of Thais of all walks of life.

To hold an election on 2^nd feb is pointless and will achieve nothing. It would not even result in a government even if Taksin got 100% of vote since os many wont vote and their cant be enough MPs anyway. Even if Taksin managed to disregard rules again and try ot form a parliament it simply would not be accepted by so many it oculd not function and Army will not intervene.

So only way pout is for Yingluk to resign and a interim new caretaker government not linked to Taksin take over for a few months while reforms are put in place. Then have an election without Taksin (or it simply wont work) and most would accept a voted government even one most red shirts would want provided Taksin was not involved.

The only other way out is an army coup or Taksin pays enough to start a real civil war which in his desperation he could well try however I dont think that will work and I cant see cowardly reds supporting in enough numbers and so hell have to rely on paid mercenaries.

Before Taksin tries to turn Thailand into a sort of Syria he should but wont do decent thing for sake of Thailand. Being vile coward he is and fact all he cares for is his own then that is not going to happen.

That's a pretty one sided POV. Firstly if Suthep has the numbers you claim then why not take it to an election. You are more or less admitting that he does not. Secondly if the vast majority or even a simple electoral majority (as per the way the system is designed to work) support PT and Yingluck, you and the mob have no right, either moral or real, to overturn that. Thirdly, if people don't vote then they have no right to complain - that's how democracy works even if you seem not to quite understand that.

You can not dictate to the electorate who they vote for and decide to exclude people simply because you don't want them to run. That is completely abhorrent in a democratic system. In the US, millions (probably a far, far higher percentage than dislike Thaksin) despised George W. Bush and felt that he was tainted by heinous crimes but the system still allowed him to run. Unless Yingluck is banned by the courts - and until she is banned - she is entitled to run and people are entitled to vote for her. End of story.

And who are you to risk a civil war and the lives of your countrymen and women? That's awful. "I don't think" and "I can't see" one happening is not good enough.

The simple fact is the only way out of this for the nation to survive and have a future is for elections to proceed. Democracy and the rule of law are only advanced in a civilised nation (and Thailand for all the whinging is increasingly one) through the electoral process. If this does not happen and an elected government is tossed out by a mob - no matter how big - the primary loser is the future of Thailand and the Thai people.

At the moment there is no elected government! Parliament was dissolved. there is only a caretaker government, or didn't you notice that?

[Snig27]

Im not a red supporter but image wise this government have not reacted the way the dems did and that is what is important....

Many people here are being dishonest but this one takes the biscuit... If you need an example of dishonesty just have a look at the quoted statment...He's not a red supporter...The joke of the month...

Why is it a joke? I don't think most of us on here who are questioning Suthep's posturing and the grave longterm danger to Thailand if he succeeds are red supporters. We're perhaps just capable of standing back a little trying to throw a little sanity into the endless "man from Dubai" and evil-reds rants.

The "joke of the month" quip adds nothing to the conversation nor does it detract from what was a very well considered post by englishoak. And he's right.

[Snig27]

No surrender you can't negotiate withl a scorpion or snake

Well done Suphet. Notice difference between red shirt thugs in 2010 and this protest. So fat totally peaceful no burnings no guns with protestors just a very large group of determined people who are totally sick and tired of Taksin and his lot just doing whatever they want.

I never thought Suphet it stood a chance but whatever Taksin supporters here say just going by crowds he obviously has massive support. And before we get a barrage of BS about elected government democracy elections and rest it is obvious to anyone not blind that Taksin and his vile government are not wanted by a very large section of Thais of all walks of life.

To hold an election on 2^nd feb is pointless and will achieve nothing. It would not even result in a government even if Taksin got 100% of vote since os many wont vote and their cant be enough MPs anyway. Even if Taksin managed to disregard rules again and try ot form a parliament it simply would not be accepted by so many it oculd not function and Army will not intervene.

So only way pout is for Yingluk to resign and a interim new caretaker government not linked to Taksin take over for a few months while reforms are put in place. Then have an election without Taksin (or it simply wont work) and most would accept a voted government even one most red shirts would want provided Taksin was not involved.

The only other way out is an army coup or Taksin pays enough to start a real civil war which in his desperation he could well try however I dont think that will work and I cant see cowardly reds supporting in enough numbers and so hell have to rely on paid mercenaries.

Before Taksin tries to turn Thailand into a sort of Syria he should but wont do decent thing for sake of Thailand. Being vile coward he is and fact all he cares for is his own then that is not going to happen.

That's a pretty one sided POV. Firstly if Suthep has the numbers you claim then why not take it to an election. You are more or less admitting that he does not. Secondly if the vast majority or even a simple electoral majority (as per the way the system is designed to work) support PT and Yingluck, you and the mob have no right, either moral or real, to overturn that. Thirdly, if people don't vote then they have no right to complain - that's how democracy works even if you seem not to quite understand that.

You can not dictate to the electorate who they vote for and decide to exclude people simply because you don't want them to run. That is completely abhorrent in a democratic system. In the US, millions (probably a far, far higher percentage than dislike Thaksin) despised George W. Bush and felt that he was tainted by heinous crimes but the system still allowed him to run. Unless Yingluck is banned by the courts - and until she is banned - she is entitled to run and people are entitled to vote for her. End of story.

And who are you to risk a civil war and the lives of your countrymen and women? That's awful. "I don't think" and "I can't see" one happening is not good enough.

The simple fact is the only way out of this for the nation to survive and have a future is for elections to proceed. Democracy and the rule of law are only advanced in a civilised nation (and Thailand for all the whinging is increasingly one) through the electoral process. If this does not happen and an elected government is tossed out by a mob - no matter how big - the primary loser is the future of Thailand and the Thai people.

At the moment there is no elected government! Parliament was dissolved. there is only a caretaker government, or didn't you notice that?

Umm ... perhaps the part about how the elected government becomes the caretaker government eludes you? The constitution determines this to be case. They may be the caretaker government but they are such because they were the elected government in the first place. Or didn't you notice that?

Edited January 13, 2014 by Snig27

[kimamey]

Corrupt or not,

more corrupt or less,

the fact is, she is the democratically elected PM,

what's wrong with that, if she'd "chair" a talk with all sides?

The fact that this clown rejects her offer tells you ANY and EVERYTHING how far backwards this country will go if he or any of his circus clowns and animals would reign.

I never was a friend of any sides, but now it's sure, this dried up dwarf - promoting something he himself is dismantling it.

How sick can Hippocratic get?

I do think that there needs to be some negotiation eventually. Although there's some doubt you could trust what PTP say it will still need to be done.

To be correct Yingluck was elected by the democratic principals in Thailand but she wasn't elected to parliament by the country.

Thaksin wasn't even in the country so wasn't elected by anyone but he would appear to be in charge and that's the real problem. The Dems aren't contesting this election but then neither is Thaksin but if there is an election then he will be in charge again undemocratically.

[djjamie]

When you have a PTP MP like Natisorn Thongtirach that states to the judge regarding parliamentary voting….and I will quote this muppet "I like to vote more than once. I've been doing it for more than 10 years" Then you kinda understand why Suthep wants to hold off on elections. No wonder the PTP only adhere to 1 principle of democracy. They can manipulate it and with a foul breeze of dictatorial unbelievability they show they have no understanding of it being wrong apparently. The only principle they adhere too and even the understanding of that one is not fully understood. They are lucky rice farmers make up the majority. In any other country the majority would know better. As education raises the benefits of civic participation, it raises the support for more democratic regimes relative to dictatorships. This increases the likelihood of democratic revolutions against dictatorships. It will take years of reconditioning the minds of weak minded Thai's so that they can understand that they are the source of the fuel to the dictatorship. It is slow process, but it is achievable. I pity the simple uneducated Isaan folk.

Edited January 13, 2014 by djjamie

[musiclover]

Eventually both sides will have to talk. Nothing wrong in setting a new election date later. The dems then have to work hard. They must beat the reds on their home ground, in the north. Suthep should go meet the other side and negotiate an election date. Then step back and let others make strategy.

When they do the job well it should be easy for the voters in the north to see what the shinaclan really is about: pillaging and plundering on a scale comparable with the old war with the burmese, when Ayutthaya was burnt.

You're absolutely right but I'm afraid that the voters in the North have been aware for years how the Bangkok elite has been plundering the resources of the country. Now that they want their piece of the cake, Bangkok isn't happy and wants to pretend that it is Thailand. Unfortunately, although the high rise hairdos and stiff-necked Dems will tell you of the poor education in the provinces (which in the past has benefitted them by providing them with a passive populous who voted against their own interests) the rural populous to the north and north east are not as stupid as Bangkok thinks. Because now they understand the power of their vote, they will never again give it to the patronising bigots who are still deluded enough to think they can keep things firmly stuck in the 1960s.

This is why getting rid of the Shinawatras (however nice that will be) will make no difference to the Dems & their ilk long term. Though Thaksin courted the rural vote for selfish purposes, he has changed the country and there's no going back.

The future of this country will no longer be decided by the minority in Bangkok.

That's a pretty accurate summary of the real situation !!!! But who else will believe it ??P

[SamMunich]

englishoak claimed"

Im not a red supporter but image wise this government have not reacted the way the dems did and that is what is important....

Many people here are being dishonest but this one takes the biscuit... If you need an example of dishonesty just have a look at the quoted statment...He's not a red supporter...The joke of the month...

Of course not! The reds were told to go underground, and for heavens sake no more red shirts or anything you could spot them by. They are now the 150% Suthep followers... More Suthep than he himself!

The former communist party members (after 1973 and even more so after 1976) that are now in the second line of command at the red shirts have drawn on their experience in underground work. What they completely forgot is the issue, they used to fight for: equal rights and equal opportunity for all Thais, not only for the rich and superrich (read: Toxin and friends).

These people always remind me of Horst Mahler, a former communist and left wing lawyer, who after some years ended up as a right-wing lawyer and member of the German Nazi party NPD...

[retsdon]

"....... but if there is an election then he will be in charge again undemocratically.

Why? Any decent political campaign manager would be wetting his pants at the thought of running a campaign against PTP with all the ammunition they'd given him. Why is the DP so cowardly and lazy that it prefers to throw its weight behind a thinly disguised coup rather than fight a winnable democratic election against a corrupt and incompetent administration?

In effectively spitting in the faces of the people whose votes they would need to win an any future election, the DP are basically signaling that they have no interest in winning fairly at the ballot box - ever. They're doing far more harm to the development of an adult democracy in Thailand than Thaksin ever has.

[djjamie]

I smirk when the PTP/UDD incessantly repeat elections in every comment they ever quote as if like sheep they blindly follow regimes like in Syria, Zimbabwe and Sudan. All having or have had democratic leaders that abused their majority rule under a guise of democracy. No other principle is ever quoted or highlighted. It is all about elections. The one principle that is not really the start, middle and end of democracy, but a gate way in allowing a govt to show the world it is democratic. I would have much more respect in PT or UDD comments if they mentioned democracy post ballot box. Though I doubt that would happen. Where would they start? Sad thing is the rebuttals on my comment will ignore every aspect of my argument and it will no doubt begin with "Well the DEMS did ……. and …….. and Abhisit did …… and don't forget Suthep was a ….." When you fear a govt and what they and their paramilitary arm (UDD) can do to you then they are no longer a govt. They are a regime. Govt's should not be feared. In Thailand that is not the case. Good luck Suthep. Save the majority from themselves.

[retsdon]

I smirk when the PTP/UDD incessantly repeat elections in every comment they ever quote as if like sheep they blindly follow regimes like in Syria, Zimbabwe and Sudan........

Are you saying that PTP stuffed the ballot boxes or falsified the count?

[musiclover]

I smirk when the PTP/UDD incessantly repeat elections in every comment they ever quote as if like sheep they blindly follow regimes like in Syria, Zimbabwe and Sudan. All having or have had democratic leaders that abused their majority rule under a guise of democracy. No other principle is ever quoted or highlighted. It is all about elections. The one principle that is not really the start, middle and end of democracy, but a gate way in allowing a govt to show the world it is democratic. I would have much more respect in PT or UDD comments if they mentioned democracy post ballot box. Though I doubt that would happen. Where would they start? Sad thing is the rebuttals on my comment will ignore every aspect of my argument and it will no doubt begin with "Well the DEMS did . and .. and Abhisit did and don't forget Suthep was a .." When you fear a govt and what they and their paramilitary arm (UDD) can do to you then they are no longer a govt. They are a regime. Govt's should not be feared. In Thailand that is not the case. Good luck Suthep. Save the majority from themselves.

Well I smirk at such a naive commentary .......it's nowhere near the real situation ...

[SamMunich]

I smirk when the PTP/UDD incessantly repeat elections in every comment they ever quote as if like sheep they blindly follow regimes like in Syria, Zimbabwe and Sudan. All having or have had democratic leaders that abused their majority rule under a guise of democracy. No other principle is ever quoted or highlighted. It is all about elections. The one principle that is not really the start, middle and end of democracy, but a gate way in allowing a govt to show the world it is democratic. I would have much more respect in PT or UDD comments if they mentioned democracy post ballot box. Though I doubt that would happen. Where would they start? Sad thing is the rebuttals on my comment will ignore every aspect of my argument and it will no doubt begin with "Well the DEMS did ……. and …….. and Abhisit did …… and don't forget Suthep was a ….." When you fear a govt and what they and their paramilitary arm (UDD) can do to you then they are no longer a govt. They are a regime. Govt's should not be feared. In Thailand that is not the case. Good luck Suthep. Save the majority from themselves.

You forgot to mention countries like Cambodia, and - in the eyes of our right-wing friends - Vietname and Laos, not to mention China...

Come to think of it, the Nazis had several elections AFTER 1933, so they were the good people, I guess. Sure they won all elections, with the likes of SA and similar groups to make sure everybody toes the line. And of course lots of promisses...

[Baerboxer]

No surrender you can't negotiate withl a scorpion or snake

Well done Suphet. Notice difference between red shirt thugs in 2010 and this protest. So fat totally peaceful no burnings no guns with protestors just a very large group of determined people who are totally sick and tired of Taksin and his lot just doing whatever they want.

I never thought Suphet it stood a chance but whatever Taksin supporters here say just going by crowds he obviously has massive support. And before we get a barrage of BS about elected government democracy elections and rest it is obvious to anyone not blind that Taksin and his vile government are not wanted by a very large section of Thais of all walks of life.

To hold an election on 2^nd feb is pointless and will achieve nothing. It would not even result in a government even if Taksin got 100% of vote since os many wont vote and their cant be enough MPs anyway. Even if Taksin managed to disregard rules again and try ot form a parliament it simply would not be accepted by so many it oculd not function and Army will not intervene.

So only way pout is for Yingluk to resign and a interim new caretaker government not linked to Taksin take over for a few months while reforms are put in place. Then have an election without Taksin (or it simply wont work) and most would accept a voted government even one most red shirts would want provided Taksin was not involved.

The only other way out is an army coup or Taksin pays enough to start a real civil war which in his desperation he could well try however I dont think that will work and I cant see cowardly reds supporting in enough numbers and so hell have to rely on paid mercenaries.

Before Taksin tries to turn Thailand into a sort of Syria he should but wont do decent thing for sake of Thailand. Being vile coward he is and fact all he cares for is his own then that is not going to happen.

That's a pretty one sided POV. Firstly if Suthep has the numbers you claim then why not take it to an election. You are more or less admitting that he does not. Secondly if the vast majority or even a simple electoral majority (as per the way the system is designed to work) support PT and Yingluck, you and the mob have no right, either moral or real, to overturn that. Thirdly, if people don't vote then they have no right to complain - that's how democracy works even if you seem not to quite understand that.

You can not dictate to the electorate who they vote for and decide to exclude people simply because you don't want them to run. That is completely abhorrent in a democratic system. In the US, millions (probably a far, far higher percentage than dislike Thaksin) despised George W. Bush and felt that he was tainted by heinous crimes but the system still allowed him to run. Unless Yingluck is banned by the courts - and until she is banned - she is entitled to run and people are entitled to vote for her. End of story.

And who are you to risk a civil war and the lives of your countrymen and women? That's awful. "I don't think" and "I can't see" one happening is not good enough.

The simple fact is the only way out of this for the nation to survive and have a future is for elections to proceed. Democracy and the rule of law are only advanced in a civilised nation (and Thailand for all the whinging is increasingly one) through the electoral process. If this does not happen and an elected government is tossed out by a mob - no matter how big - the primary loser is the future of Thailand and the Thai people.

At the moment there is no elected government! Parliament was dissolved. there is only a caretaker government, or didn't you notice that?

Umm ... perhaps the part about how the elected government becomes the caretaker government eludes you? The constitution determines this to be case. They may be the caretaker government but they are such because they were the elected government in the first place. Or didn't you notice that?

Umm - and what brought all the protesters out on the streets in the first place? Why was the party list elected appointed PM/DM forced into dissolving parliament and calling a snap election, after weeks of denying she would do this?

This is not a PM and government elected by a majority. It's a government elected with the largest minority vote that have been forced to dissolve parliament because of the way it acts. However the democratic system works, getting elected is not a mandate for corruption or being above the law. Or do you believe elected governments can do "what they want"?

Edited January 13, 2014 by Baerboxer

[Emptyset]

Since Yingluck and her ministers have been repeating ad nauseam that it would be unlawful to postpone the elections, what would there have been to discuss?

They say they can't see a legal basis, ECT don't seem sure either. But they could ask the court to rule on it. What's the point if Suthep doesn't accept it and Democrats don't commit to a May election though? Might as well just go ahead with the elections now as planned.