Thaksin Returns As Pm

[lukamar]

If TRT is to be dissolved completely it would in effect be handing government to a party with minority support and infuriate the majority of the countries voters. Sort of a coup by proxy.

An unnamed source said the new government may change the countries name to "Siamippines" so any civil unrest in Thailand will not effect the countries economy.

[hammered]

So the EC has passed the case on with no recommendation. Now if they resign or are removed the case will not be in the hands of a new EC, which should please TRT. That is unless the courts decide the Wassana ECs passing on of the documents was invalid! Confusing.

However, I did read somewhere that the AGs ofice will need 60 days or so to look into the allegations. Maybe we are just talking about buying time. Now when will that next election be? Now nobody in TRT would ever think of using election results to pressure courts into ignoring precedents and evidence. Now that would never happen would it?

[Old Man River]

Khunying Sudarat : TRT did not register for a new political party

Thai Rak Thai Party Deputy Leader Sudarat Keyuraphan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์) has insisted that her party did not register to establish a new political party. She believes the party members have confidence in the process of judgment.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 June 2006

While I very highly doubt the Constitutional Court would ever disband the TRT based on their past record, should it become politically necessary for the TRT to do something different, what are the rules relating to disbanding the TRT and then simply registering for a new political party and calling it something very similar?

[Plus]

How effective Thaksin has been since returning to care-taking? He has kept low profile comparing to his usual self.

Perhaps the matter has been resolved already and we are just watching the actors playing their roles out.

There are no mass defections at TRT - they look sure about their future. Perhaps only Thamarak and Thaksin will be sacrificed for now.

I heard some of the rumours on that Angkor site myself. And removing Garuda from ID cards has been mentioned here as well.

[penzman]

Far too little, far too late :

Thaksin’s Cabinet show their colors

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday ordered Cabinet members to wear the yellow shirts commemorating the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne everyday until June 15.

“On top of wearing them everyday until June 15, the Cabinet will also wear the shirts at the weekly Cabinet meeting every Tuesday until the end of this year,” said Thaksin.

Yellow really isn't their colour. Black and white would be appropriate.

Maybe even "guantanamo orange".

[Siripon]

How effective Thaksin has been since returning to care-taking? He has kept low profile comparing to his usual self.

Perhaps the matter has been resolved already and we are just watching the actors playing their roles out.

There are no mass defections at TRT - they look sure about their future. Perhaps only Thamarak and Thaksin will be sacrificed for now.

I heard some of the rumours on that Angkor site myself. And removing Garuda from ID cards has been mentioned here as well.

Actually they haven't been removed, it's just that they're invisible to the naked eye. An official explained that the Garuda, along with 7 personal items of data, were only visible to officials under an ultra-violet light.

But why on earth hide it? It's been a symbol of The Royal Thai government for years.

Regarding dissolution of parties, remember only the party's executives are banned,(is it for 5 years?).The ordinary MPs can switch or start parties, and so far the election date has not been endorsed, it could be put back further to allow homeless TRT MPs to find accommodation.

The problem for TRT is Thaksin created a large board, around 100 members, whilst The Democrats only have 39 I believe.

[John K]

I have to agree with Plus in post 304. If you can for a moment step way back from this issue and look at the behavior of the TRT then and now. Before they were arrogant or at least Thaksin made then to appear that way. Even as recent as the end of March they were still arrogant but the number of crackdowns George was posting had been reduced to just a trickle.

Now however they are acting similar to cockroaches with the lights on. They run and hide and are scurrying around under things in the dark out of the public’s sight doing what they can to keep the exterminator at bay. You don’t hear about any great plans. You do however hear about things that are not controversial and accepted by the general public. Examples include preparations for the Kings celebration the week, and just a few other minor things.

They for the moment are not even acting like politicians. it seems more like a silent “Keystone cops” movie of the 1920's with 10 people trying to climb a ladder at the same time pulling each other out of the way. At least in the USA they would step aside to not hurt the party. Now they are pointing fingers at each other, and loading up with deodorant hoping they will come out smelling like a rose and not like the back end of a skunk. In short totally unprofessional. I guess that is what you could expect to find in a corrupt party.

I don’t think jumping ship will make any difference. The police know where they live so to speak. I could be wrong but if convicted they are out even if they are in another party.

Someone please verify this as it is only an assumption.

[Siripon]

I have to agree with Plus in post 304. If you can for a moment step way back from this issue and look at the behavior of the TRT then and now. Before they were arrogant or at least Thaksin made then to appear that way. Even as recent as the end of March they were still arrogant but the number of crackdowns George was posting had been reduced to just a trickle.

Now however they are acting similar to cockroaches with the lights on. They run and hide and are scurrying around under things in the dark out of the public’s sight doing what they can to keep the exterminator at bay. You don’t hear about any great plans. You do however hear about things that are not controversial and accepted by the general public. Examples include preparations for the Kings celebration the week, and just a few other minor things.

They for the moment are not even acting like politicians. it seems more like a silent “Keystone cops” movie of the 1920's with 10 people trying to climb a ladder at the same time pulling each other out of the way. At least in the USA they would step aside to not hurt the party. Now they are pointing fingers at each other, and loading up with deodorant hoping they will come out smelling like a rose and not like the back end of a skunk. In short totally unprofessional. I guess that is what you could expect to find in a corrupt party.

I don’t think jumping ship will make any difference. The police know where they live so to speak. I could be wrong but if convicted they are out even if they are in another party.

Someone please verify this as it is only an assumption.

I think a few things should be borne in mind.

TRT is first and foremost a political vehicle for Thaksin, he's blundered this year, but he's also very shrewd, he should never be underestimated in terms of cunning subterfuge.

He is capable of attempting anything and he has the money.

Having said that, maybe he would like it if TRT was dissolved. He could wash his hands of politics, saying he'd done his best, a clean break.

The factions in TRT of Suriya and Somsak are powerful, regardless of Thaksin. They will be a force to be reckoned with under a new name, even if TRT are dissolved.

TRT still control Thai TV, an esential tool in forming the majority public opinion.

[John K]

As I understand it if the party is dissolved all active members at the time of the crime will be barred from politics for 5 years. This is guilt by association with the assumption you benefitted from the crime. Again however I don’t know for sure and I am requesting clarification.

[penzman]

Now however they are acting similar to cockroaches with the lights on. They run and hide and are scurrying around under things in the dark out of the public’s sight doing what they can to keep the exterminator at bay. You don’t hear about any great plans. You do however hear about things that are not controversial and accepted by the general public. Examples include preparations for the Kings celebration the week, and just a few other minor things.

Someone please verify this as it is only an assumption.

Once the upcoming celebrations are over and the lights are switched off, they'll start all over again.

[sriracha john]

Will the TRT Party dissolution come to a screaching halt now???

Surely the EC knew the ramifications of not making any recommendation when they turned in their report, yes??? Since they obviously did, can we now feel obligated to going to EC's offices and prying the chumps out of their chairs with a crowbar and escorting them out of the building... to deposit them in the rubbish bin where they belong?

EC report on TRT ‘may be invalid’

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) yesterday said documents submitted by the Election Commission (EC) concerning allegations of electoral fraud by Thai Rak Thai may be invalid, as the commission failed to recommend appropriate charges or penalties.

The OAG said there were inconsistencies in two EC reports regarding the possible dissolution of parties accused of giving or taking money to run in the inconclusive April 2 election.

OAG spokesman Attapol Yaisawang said that, unlike its first report concerning the Pattani Chat Thai and Thai Ground parities – in which it recommended they be disbanded – the EC’s second report may be invalid as it failed to offer guidance as to what to do if TRT is found guilty.

“Even though it was submitted and signed by EC Chairman Wassana Permlarp, the document contradicts those recently submitted regarding the dissolution of two smaller parties,” he said.

EC’s subcommittee found TRT guilty of electoral fraud and recommended it be dissolved, although the EC‘s three remaining commissioners stopped short of following suit.

TRT is accused of hiring minor parties to run in the election to ensure its candidates had opposition. Unchallenged candidates required 20 percent of the vote in each constituency in order to win a lower house seat.

A senior EC official yesterday told ThaiDay he could not comment on the contents of the document signed by Wassana, pictured, because no one had seen it. He said it had been passed directly to the Attorney-General after it was signed.

However EC spokesman Pol-Gen Prasert Suthisont denied the commissioners were guilty of wrongdoing, saying the report was perfectly legal.

“The EC has done everything according the Constitution,” he said. “Article 67 doesn’t state that the EC or the political registration officers have to recommend a penalty or charge of dissolution of a particular party.

“The EC is only duty bound to gather all the relevant information and evidence and submit it to the Attorney-General’s Office.” A committee chaired by Deputy Attorney-General Chaikasem Nitisiri was set up Tuesday and is due to hold a press conference on its preliminary findings today.

The OAG is also considering a number of other cases calling for the dissolution of both TRT and the Democrat party, which boycotted the April 2 poll. The election was later nullified after top judges ruled the election was unconstitutional.

Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, yesterday said the her TRT party was not concerned by the charges and was ready to defend itself in the courts if necessary.

she's become quite the little vocal woman of the Party lately...

“The party is not worried about the outcome as we are still confident that each procedure will be conducted fairly under the law,” she said.

- TD

[lukamar]

as the commission failed to recommend appropriate charges or penalties.

The courts have already ruled they cannot make "any" decisions because they do not have a quorum and will not recommend replacements for the missing members. Now the OAG is complaining that they did not make a decision. The whole thing is laughable.

================

Courts defend national-saviour role

SUPAWADEE INTHAWONG -BP-

The three top courts defended their role as saviours of the nation yesterday, insisting that their duty to ensure justice extends beyond the courtroom.

The most senior members of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court and the Constitution Court emphasised the great danger posed by corrupt politicians and the necessity that the judiciary rescue the nation from distress.

Who is going to rescue the nation from them???

Supreme Court president Charnchai Likhitjittha pointed the finger at corrupt politicians and government officials who were causing problems for the nation.

''Corruption, vote buying at local and national levels, bidding for positions, bid rigging, lobbying for high positions, embezzlement of secret budgets and tax evasion are becoming the norm in society,'' he told a forum on the role of lawyers under His Majesty the King at Thammasat University.

Wait.... How do you get to be a High Court Judge. You lobby for the High court position, a bit of a conflict there..

The forum was organised by the law faculties of Thammasat, Chulalongkorn, Sukhothai Thammathirat and Ramkhamhaeng universities.

Mr Charnchai defended the right of the judiciary to end any wrongdoing on the grounds that judges were a part of the democratic system. They were knowledgable and rational enough to be of service to the country, he said.

The King often emphasised that justice mattered more than the letter of the law and so those in the judicial professions had to ensure justice and not be rattled by influence.

''But most practitioners of the law tend to lose sight of that and become fixated on what they've been taught,'' he said.

The three courts stepped in to find a way out of the political crisis following advice offered by the King during audiences with judges on April 25.

Still Waiting, and waiting and waiting..

Supreme Administrative Court president Akhrathorn Chularat said the executive branch had to strictly abide by the law, be answerable to the judiciary and comply with the constitution and other laws. The law could be exercised to oust any government official who had a hidden agenda, he said.

Who's going to protect the country from court, now that they have declared themselves National-Saviour's, and all along I thought Thaksin was on a power trip.

[John K]

Unknown to many and guarded by heavily armed security guards in the basement of the government house you will find Thailand’s big red reset button,

Your mission should you decide to accept it is to push that button.

This message will not destruct in 5 seconds... good luck

Edited June 8, 2006 by john Krukowski

[sriracha john]

Less political posturing

Yesterday’s resignation of the secretary-general of the Cabinet, Borvornsak Uwanno, can be seen to have served as a signal that the caretaker Thaksin Shinawatra government is up against the ropes and facing the judiciary court order to dismantle it.

Borvonsak, who holds a public law doctorate from Paris University, had served the Thaksin regime since its beginning six years ago. He tendered his resignation letter to the caretaker Prime Minister giving the reason that the ongoing political situation in the country was constraining him from performing his duties effectively.

He also explained in the letter that the current fluctuating political events, which seemed to be dragging on for a longer time than expected, had affected him and his family and made him feel uneasy at continuing serving in his bureaucratic post.

Borvornsak asked that his resignation be effective from June 10, the date he will enter the Buddhist monkhood in order to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary of accession to the throne.

The outgoing Cabinet secretary general did not elaborate on specific facts that made him decide to leave government service in the light of the country’s worst political situation in years. However, his resignation prompted comments from political pundits and analysts.

Another event, not greatly reported by the Thai press, was the bombing of two arch windows on Rajadamnern Avenue which were there to celebrate HM the King’s 60th anniversary accession to the throne.

Since there was no casualty or serious damage at the bombed sites, government authorities merely pointed out the incident was the work of some ‘naughty’ persons.

Could this incident end up the same way as the bombing of a guard booth in front of Privy Council Chairman Prem Tinasulanonda’s residence, and the shooting at the Manager newspaper office? Both of the former incidents occurred two months ago, and no one was arrested in connection with the bombings.

The latest bombing at two of the arch flower windows in the middle of Rajadamnern Avenue was a signal that the bombers, or whoever was behind them, did not have a high regard for the forthcoming auspicious royal event.

Also, the refusal by the three remaining election commissioners to comply with the recommendation of the country’s top courts – the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, and the Constitution Court – to resign from their posts, have sent a message that the ongoing political stalemate has developed into a head-on crash between the conflicting sides in Thai society.

Last week, the Supreme Court rejected a proposal by the caretaker President of the Parliament, Suchon Chaleechand, to have the court nominate candidates to fill the two vacated seats of the EC. The court said the three remaining EC members had no more legitimacy to carry on with EC functions.

Seventy-two out of the eighty-two members of the Supreme Court voted to reject the caretaker parliament president’s proposal. Only four voted to accept the request, while six abstained.

The Supreme Court also said the three election commissioners must resign in order to pave the way for the court to nominate appropriate persons to be selected.

On Monday, several members of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) spoke out to protect the three beleaguered EC members and lashed out at the Supreme Court’s decision. Their act was understandable in that they feared that once a new EC is set up, it is likely that the ruling TRT would be dismantled.

Some members of the TRT even risked the charge of contempt of court. They declared that bloodshed was likely if the TRT was declared illegitimate, because of its serious violation of the Constitution during the previous snap election on April 2. They said the 16 million people throughout the country who cast their votes for the TRT candidates in the April 2 snap election would rise up against such a court verdict.

All the above recent events are indicating that political turmoil will likely resume and rock the country after this month’s celebration of HM the King’s 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.

Only caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin can prevent the bloodshed by peacefully retiring from politics. At this moment, for the sake of the coming auspicious royal celebrations, he should control his TRT members closely in order to give proper honour to the royal event.

- Business Day Editorial

[sriracha john]

Decision on iTV delayed

The Prime Minister's Office yesterday delayed state action against iTV, the broadcasting firm owned by Shin Corp founded by caretaker PM Thaksin Shinawatra, told by the Administrative Court to repay annual concession fees to the government and re-install news-oriented programmes. The government could have imposed a fine worth billions of baht.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/08Jun2006_news13.php

hmmm....

Edited June 8, 2006 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

NIGHT SAFARI PARK

Activists seek court ruling against zoo

(Chiang Mai) A civic group and people affected by construction of the Night Safari Park yesterday asked the Administrative Court to revoke a royal decree setting up a special public organisation to administer the zoo and to remove the organisation's director, Plodprasop Suraswadi, from his post. They also sued caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Mr Plodprasop for developing the zoo in a national park.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/08Jun2006_news07.php

[sriracha john]

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seen at Government House

Thai prosecutors probe PM's party on irregularities

BANGKOK - Thai prosecutors are looking into allegations Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party paid two small parties to run in the aborted April 2 snap poll boycotted by the opposition, the attorney general said on Tuesday.

The investigation, which began last week, followed an initial report by an Election Commission panel, which accused Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party guilty of bankrolling small parties, Attorney General Pachara Yutidhammadamrong said.

"I appointed a panel last week to probe all the allegations again," Pachara told Reuters, adding that the investigation would take 60 days to complete.

Last month, a probe panel told the Election Commission's board that two Thai Rak Thai leaders gave leaders of two fringe parties money to pay their candidates' registration fees to run against Thai Rak Thai, avoiding the problem of an uncontested candidate having to get 20 percent of the eligible vote to win.

In the end, despite subsequent by-elections, some seats were left unfilled because of the rule, parliament could not meet to form a new government and the courts annulled the election.

The investigation panel suggested that the board should conduct further investigation to disband Thai Rak Thai.

The Election Commission did not expand the probe, but forwarded the report to the Attorney General's Office to decide.

Pachara said his office would not consider that report because it was not the commission's ruling, and his office had begun its own probe on the allegations, which Thai Rak Thai denies.

- Reuters

[ando]

The courts have already ruled they cannot make "any" decisions because they do not have a quorum and will not recommend replacements for the missing members. Now the OAG is complaining that they did not make a decision. The whole thing is laughable.

================

This whole debacle is turning into nothing more than a circus.

There seem to be a lot of inconsistencies here.

Now, someone please put me right if I have got things wrong.

The courts wont allow a new election date to be set because the EC does not have a quorum.

But the courts wont allow new appointments to the EC to make up a quorum until the 3 existing members resign.

There are multiple claims and counter claims before the courts re improper and/or illegal activities by numerous individuals in the previous nullified April 2 election.

The courts have obviously decided that nothing in the current political crisis will be allowed to progress until they have cleared up all the allegations from the previous nullified election.

In effect, the restoration of an effective and democratically elected government is now being stalled not by street protesters or boycotts by political parties, but by the courts themselves. Apart from giving a huge advantage to the parties with only minority support from the countries voters, what befit is it to the country in holding up the restoration of effective government through democratic elections while going through possible illegal practices in an past election that has already been declared null and void? Maybe they have a grand plan, maybe they have a road-map for Thailand's political future?

The courts have been charged with getting Thailand's political system back on track ASAP and within the law. Something that has a very "future tense" connotation to it. But what do they do but put the countries future on hold while they go back in time and look at the possible wrongs committed at the LAST nullified election.

It may well prove to be too much to expect the courts to sort out the mess and keep things moving forward, because courts by their very nature traditionally analyze past events in great detail before making any rulings that may affect the future. A bank of good lawyers can keep complex court cases going for years. Political ethics (if there is such a thing anywhere) and the economic good of the country however, require a much faster paced decision making process to work properly. Sure the basic laws, the checks and balances must be there to keep the politicians honest, but governments can not be decided in court through a retrospective process in a true democracy.

I really think the courts have missed the point here by a long shot. They seem to think their job is to decide who is fit to govern the country based on the outcome of cases filed over what happened at the last nullified election rather than to get the country moving forward by ensuring proper checks and balances are in place for the next election. If they cant do that I think it is the courts who should resign and not the politicans. ?Think I heard that somewhere before?

[lukamar]

This whole debacle is turning into nothing more than a circus.

Maybe they have a grand plan, maybe they have a road-map for Thailand's political future?

Maybe the courts have a grand plan but it's looking more like a road map to political failure.

Prinya Nakchudtree has stated. “Certain political parties must be dissolved. The evidence we have now shows more than one party will be dissolved.” Possibly the Democrats are one of those parties, That would answer why they are pushing so hard to have the TRT dissolved, to deflect anything from themselves. If I remember correctly, one of the smaller parties fingered the Democrats as hiring them to setup the TRT a while back and that would also be illegal. Wouldn't that be a hoot.......

[sriracha john]

The courts have already ruled they cannot make "any" decisions because they do not have a quorum and will not recommend replacements for the missing members. Now the OAG is complaining that they did not make a decision. The whole thing is laughable.

================

This whole debacle is turning into nothing more than a circus.

There seem to be a lot of inconsistencies here.

Now, someone please put me right if I have got things wrong.

The courts wont allow a new election date to be set because the EC does not have a quorum.

But the courts wont allow new appointments to the EC to make up a quorum until the 3 existing members resign.

There are multiple claims and counter claims before the courts re improper and/or illegal activities by numerous individuals in the previous nullified April 2 election.

The courts have obviously decided that nothing in the current political crisis will be allowed to progress until they have cleared up all the allegations from the previous nullified election.

I believe their efforts and concern are more centered on getting a new EC rather than letting EC continue on mudding up the shortcomings of the previous nullified election.

In effect, the restoration of an effective and democratically elected government is now being stalled not by street protesters or boycotts by political parties, but by the courts themselves.

Up to this point, I believe you have it correct, but the hold-up now is with the EC. Their resignation is needed to clear up the log jam. Once cleared out, it would free up the selection of a new EC who then can go and get the elections back on track.

Apart from giving a huge advantage to the parties with only minority support from the countries voters, what befit is it to the country in holding up the restoration of effective government through democratic elections while going through possible illegal practices in an past election that has already been declared null and void? Maybe they have a grand plan, maybe they have a road-map for Thailand's political future?

The courts have been charged with getting Thailand's political system back on track ASAP and within the law. Something that has a very "future tense" connotation to it. But what do they do but put the countries future on hold while they go back in time and look at the possible wrongs committed at the LAST nullified election.

The "law" is what preventing the courts from just out-right dumping the EC. They are not empowered to do so.

It may well prove to be too much to expect the courts to sort out the mess and keep things moving forward, because courts by their very nature traditionally analyze past events in great detail before making any rulings that may affect the future. A bank of good lawyers can keep complex court cases going for years. Political ethics (if there is such a thing anywhere) and the economic good of the country however, require a much faster paced decision making process to work properly. Sure the basic laws, the checks and balances must be there to keep the politicians honest, but governments can not be decided in court through a retrospective process in a true democracy.

I really think the courts have missed the point here by a long shot. They seem to think their job is to decide who is fit to govern the country based on the outcome of cases filed over what happened at the last nullified election rather than to get the country moving forward by ensuring proper checks and balances are in place for the next election. If they cant do that I think it is the courts who should resign and not the politicans. ?Think I heard that somewhere before?

I believe the courts are doing the best they can within the framework of the law as it currently stands. The EC is the one "missing the point" by turning a deaf ear to practically everyone's call for them to vacate.

[konangrit]

Now, someone please put me right if I have got things wrong.

The courts wont allow a new election date to be set because the EC does not have a quorum.

But the courts wont allow new appointments to the EC to make up a quorum until the 3 existing members resign.

The date has already been decided, October 15th. Today is the last day for MPs to switch parties before the 90 day rule comes into effect. The EC doesn't need a quorum, it didn't have one at the last election either. Thai Rak Thai has said the date may change if a new EC replaces the current one. It can't issue the royal decree until at least 60 days prior to the election, which gives the EC another 10 weeks to hang on and then they can claim immunity when the new election is called.

[sriracha john]

This whole debacle is turning into nothing more than a circus.

Maybe they have a grand plan, maybe they have a road-map for Thailand's political future?

Maybe the courts have a grand plan but it's looking more like a road map to political failure.

Prinya Nakchudtree has stated. “Certain political parties must be dissolved. The evidence we have now shows more than one party will be dissolved.” Possibly the Democrats are one of those parties, That would answer why they are pushing so hard to have the TRT dissolved, to deflect anything from themselves. If I remember correctly, one of the smaller parties fingered the Democrats as hiring them to setup the TRT a while back and that would also be illegal. Wouldn't that be a hoot.......

Not wholly unsuprising that people desperate to hold onto their job in the face of over-whelming pressure will resort to that sort of extremely-vague-to-the-point-of-being-absurd innuendo:

Election commissioner Prinya tries to intimidate critics

BANGKOK: Politicians calling for commissioners to resign “fear the EC will expose their wrongdoing.”

The embattled Election Commission (EC) yesterday issued a thinly veiled threat, apparently aimed at the Democrat Party, that it could be dissolved.

Election commissioner Prinya Nakchudtree said that more than one political party would be dissolved for violating the law.

“Big or small, any political party that violates the law will face dissolution,” he said.

“When (the EC) has all the necessary evidence, the violating parties will be dissolved. The evidence now points to more than one political party,” he added.

"Bad people should be removed from our political society,” he said on a morning television show.

- The Star Online

[Jai Dee]

Prasert Sutthison, the EC’s public relations director, rebuts criticism of the agency at a press conference yesterday.

Source: The Nation - 08 June 2006

[tettyan]

Prinya Nakchudtree has stated. “Certain political parties must be dissolved. The evidence we have now shows more than one party will be dissolved.” Possibly the Democrats are one of those parties, That would answer why they are pushing so hard to have the TRT dissolved, to deflect anything from themselves. If I remember correctly, one of the smaller parties fingered the Democrats as hiring them to setup the TRT a while back and that would also be illegal. Wouldn't that be a hoot.......

Those allegations against the Democrats are still just that - allegations. I have seen nothing out there put out by anyone to back it up. My initial attitude toward Suthep's allegations against TRT was also similarly skeptical. That is, until the Nam report came out. But instead of directly refuting the allegations, TRT's spin-doctors try to obfuscate the issue by claiming it's all a frame-up by the Democrats. Which is not really belieivable. Even if they wanted to, the Dems have little to gain from bribing anybody, because their opponents are always capable of offering more. But this isn't really about making rational arguments anymore. This is really just meant for the consumption of Thaksin"s remaining supporters.

[Jai Dee]

There is an interesting editorial opinion on the subject of the EC in The Nation today... titled "Last gasp of a desperate EC"

Read it here.

The summary paragraph is a beauty...

Never before has corruption at the highest level been played out in public in such great detail over such an extended period of time, leaving no one in any doubt whatsoever as to who the bad guys are and how they do their evil deeds. This could be a first-class political education, if only the right lesson is learned.

[Insight]

Not wholly unsuprising that people desperate to hold onto their job in the face of over-whelming pressure will resort to that sort of extremely-vague-to-the-point-of-being-absurd innuendo:

Election commissioner Prinya tries to intimidate critics

BANGKOK: Politicians calling for commissioners to resign “fear the EC will expose their wrongdoing.”

The embattled Election Commission (EC) yesterday issued a thinly veiled threat, apparently aimed at the Democrat Party, that it could be dissolved.

Election commissioner Prinya Nakchudtree said that more than one political party would be dissolved for violating the law.

“Big or small, any political party that violates the law will face dissolution,” he said.

“When (the EC) has all the necessary evidence, the violating parties will be dissolved. The evidence now points to more than one political party,” he added.

"Bad people should be removed from our political society,” he said on a morning television show.

- The Star Online

The gall of this needs to be seen to be believed. To the Democrats they're saying "watch your back - we're onto you", yet to TRT they're saying "well, it's not up to us really...".

The next few weeks are going to be pretty interesting times.

[slimdog]

Those allegations against the Democrats are still just that - allegations. I have seen nothing out there put out by anyone to back it up.

Just because you haven't seen anything doesn't mean that the allegations have been ignored.

There was a report in todays Nation, that at least one case involving the democrat party has been forwarded to the OAG from the EC.

[Plus]

They seem to think their job is to decide who is fit to govern the country based on the outcome of cases filed over what happened at the last nullified election

I also think that this is exactly the courts job - weed out "criminals" from the system and leave only people "fit to govern".

rather than to get the country moving forward by ensuring proper checks and balances are in place for the next election.

That's what they are doing with EC - ensuring proper checks and balances for the next elections.

Edited June 8, 2006 by Plus

[sriracha john]

Those allegations against the Democrats are still just that - allegations. I have seen nothing out there put out by anyone to back it up.

Just because you haven't seen anything doesn't mean that the allegations have been ignored.

There was a report in todays Nation, that at least one case involving the democrat party has been forwarded to the OAG from the EC.

I'm having difficulty locating that article as described. Do you have a link to that story?

The only report I found was the Attorney General is considering an appeal, not from the EC, but from TRT-government supporter Surapong Towijakchaikul, leader of something called the "Network of People's Power for Democracy" to disband the Democrat Party on a totally unrelated manner.

That article, coincidentally, is certainly more damaging to TRT than it is to the Democrats:

Attorney-General faults EC for double standards

Commission accused of failing to record its conclusion

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and critics yesterday blamed the Election Commission (EC) for failing to indicate if the Thai Rak Thai Party had violated the law and if it should be dissolved when it passed on the evidence to the OAG.

Continued here:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/08/pol...cs_30006045.php

================================================================

however, if there's another article as you describe, I'd be very happy to read it.

*edit*.... and by the by, that citizen petition from Surapong had already been previously thrown out by the Constitution Court:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30004892

Edited June 8, 2006 by sriracha john

[hammered]

They seem to think their job is to decide who is fit to govern the country based on the outcome of cases filed over what happened at the last nullified election

I also think that this is exactly the courts job - weed out "criminals" from the system and leave only people "fit to govern".

rather than to get the country moving forward by ensuring proper checks and balances are in place for the next election.

That's what they are doing with EC - ensuring proper checks and balances for the next elections.

This sounds about right to me. Remove the totally discredited EC, which will take time. Consider charges against TRT and rule one way or the other on them. Then an election can be held with the people able to choose from those who didnt break any rules/laws. The courts will not be choosing the government the people will, but the courts will insure the elections are fairer, and if necessary that people or parties who undermined democracy will not be in those elections. Cant see much wronmg with that.

By the way I cant see much happening for the next week or so for obvious reasons. I also think that it was always intended to keep the hard pruning until after this period too, as it will not be nice.