Thaksin Returns As Pm

[Martin]

I think that Pol Captain Chalerm is guilty of a major 'non sequitur' when he says:

"the country is faced with a constitutional crisis and needs a quick solution".

This 'constitutional crisis' does not show any of the classic signs of 'needing a quick solution'.

The baht is holding up quite nicely, which shows that the rest of the world is quite confident that Thailand can chunter along perfectly well with only a caretaker Government.

And nobody is pointing any guns at anybody.

I am reading a book about Thailand's constitutional history in which one academic is quoted as describing Thailand's political organisation as "institutionalised anarchy". That is, "long-organised no-goverment".

And, in Thailand's circumstances (which are dis-similar to all other countries, especially Western ones) that makes a lot of sense.

With the great majority of votes in the provinces, but the great majority of the money in the capital city, strong government would not be wise.

Maybe this will all amble along with less and less notice being taken of it and finally there will be a General Election.

And anybody who asks "Did Thaksin return successfully to PM in May/June?" will get a puzzled look and the reply "Well, maybe he did, but it is rather doubtful".

[Old Man River]

I have not heard any words of denial from the TRT in recent days. It lends to thinking there is some major scheming underway. And oh yes delay delay delay.....

Absolutely, John. The PM is multiples smarter and more devious than any of his adversaries. He is putting things in place prior to the national election so that if the unforseen were to happen, it would no longer matter. While we will know for sure in a few days, it looks like he and his designates are going to be in control of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for many, many years to come.

[Jai Dee]

Labourers are given more information about political reform

The Thai Labour Museum Foundation is educating workers on political reform and helping them keep pace with latest political situation.

Foundation adviser Adisorn Po-arn (อดิศร โพธิ์อ่าน) said labourers should know more about politics so they could elect the right men for the task of tackling problems of grassroots people.

The foundation organized a seminar on “Labourers and Political Reform” yesterday. Mr. Adisorn is son of Thanong Po-arn (ทนง โพธิ์อ่าน), a labour leader who had vanished without trace for 15 years.

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

[Martin]

I notice the words "...elect the right men...".

Who knows, someday the women (who do constitute a high proportion of the 'labourers') might also get a look-in.

[John K]

I have not heard any words of denial from the TRT in recent days. It lends to thinking there is some major scheming underway. And oh yes delay delay delay.....

Absolutely, John. The PM is multiples smarter and more devious than any of his adversaries. He is putting things in place prior to the national election so that if the unforseen were to happen, it would no longer matter. While we will know for sure in a few days, it looks like he and his designates are going to be in control of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for many, many years to come.

Good thought on that. Also the EC is right in that they did nothing wrong, they just did not do enough.

I don’t want to sound off base here but I have been watching this for a long time. Although it is the dream of many people in countries around the world that they live with a democratic government, however some places it may not be possible yet. I had this belief all my life that democracy was the best government there could be. But in recent years that opinion started to change.

My first observation was when some of the Baltic countries started to open up. The first thing that happened when the repressive government removed its big thumb, people started killing each other based on ethnic hatred.

The next thing was Saddam Hussein. As soon as he was out of the picture the same thing started to happen in Iraq.

I know that both examples are based on ethnic hatred and perhaps it is part of the problem in the southern Thailand. It would seem some people have not yet risen to a civilized level and they must be kept in check.

In Thailand it is like a bunch of gang members shaking down the locals. They were given free run but their greed got in the way. A democratic government is possible in Thailand but it looks like the King may have to keep them on a short leash. It would appear that they are not ready for untethered responsibility. What I am saying is the new constitution should empower the King to step in as needed and do some weeding.

Edited June 19, 2006 by john Krukowski

[sriracha john]

I notice the words "...elect the right men...".

Who knows, someday the women (who do constitute a high proportion of the 'labourers') might also get a look-in.

cue coincidental headline:

Thai feminist plans to form all-women party

BANGKOK - One of Thailand's best-known feminists said Saturday she plans to form the country's first all-women political party ahead of upcoming elections to provide a platform for more women to enter politics.

Rabiabrat Phongpanich, a senator and well known activist for feminist causes, said it's time for women to have a stronger presence in the male-dominated world of Thai politics.

"I am forming the Thai Women's Party to promote the role of Thai women in politics," she said, adding that women have yet to make up more than 10 percent of the 500-seat lower house of Parliament or the 200-seat upper house.

"The political crisis hit the country because Thai politics are lacking morality," said Rabiabrat, adding that the party will be based on bringing morals back to political leadership.

Rabiabrat is known for speaking out against contemporary fashions favored by scantily clad women and Thai magazines that carry advertisements of near nud_e female models , all of which she warned were eroding traditional Thai values.

Thailand currently has about 40 registered political parties in addition to the ruling Thai Rak Thai party and the opposition Democrat Party.

- The Associated Press

[ando]

BANGKOK - One of Thailand's best-known feminists said Saturday she plans to form the country's first all-women political party ahead of upcoming elections to provide a platform for more women to enter politics.

Just when it looked like things couldnt get any worse!

[Siripon]

I like Rabiabrat but many young Thais think she's a fuddy-duddy and many older women dislike her aggressive approach, her car stickers were certainly to the point regarding adultery by wandering husbands.

If Wisanu resigns from The Cabinet tomorrow a very likely candidate to replace him is Deputy Permanent Secretary for The Justice Ministry, Tongthong Chandrangsu, but would he be willing to implement Thaksin's wishes?

[John K]

I just did a google search on “Thaksin Shinawatra lawsuit” it came up with 29500 hits. It appears this habit goes way back before he was PM. No wonder he is back to his old ways.

I guess the number of lawsuits Thaksin has entered in the Thai legal system rivals the number of posts that Dr. Pat Pong made on TV.

[Martin]

In post #726, it says that the lady who is starting the Thai Women's Party said:

""The political crisis hit the country because Thai politics are lacking morality" .

It would be just as true to say that the Thai political parties are lacking policies of any sort.

Their electoral appeal seems to be "Elect us and we'll muddle through (and I'll get your village another street concreted)".

Not surprising, when you consider the difficulties of 'marrying' hierarchical mindset with democratic ideals.

The formation of the "Labourer's" and the "Women's" parties are strides in the right direction of getting political policy discussed, and from there (over a generation or two) the conditions for a practical low-corruption society.

I have been interested to find, over the past few days, that all industrialising nations have had high levels of corruption at the time when they were 'modernising' rapidly.

And it has been, and is, a rapid transformation for Thailand.

Only twenty years ago, the emphasis was on increasing agricultural exports and only developing industry as necessary for import substitution.

Overseas investment funds flowing in to capitalise industry for industrial exports came quite suddenly 'out of the blue'. The political maturity in the electorate that is needed to cope with the changed, and ever changing, circumstances can't develop as quickly.

Taking the broad view, Thailand is coming on well.

[sriracha john]

Between civilain lawsuits he's filed, plus criminal and civilian lawsuits that he faces himself, Thaksin's going to end up using all his Shin windfall on legal fees...

Thaksin Shinawatra Will Go On Trial In September, in the South Bangkok Criminal Court

[Siripon]

The dissolution of TRT may be no great deal if.... The Great Leader is not implicated in the hiring small parties scam.

If the party is dissolved members can join Paen Din Thai or the other party formed by Pichet, and although ex- TRT executives cannot hold a similar position they can still be ordinary MPs and consequently elected as Cabinet members and PM by a nominee executive.

So if Thaksin is not implicated in the present case, there is nothing to stop him coming back as PM elected by the executive board of an unknown party.

However if TRT, now Paen Din Thai, are not the party with the largest number of seats, then Thaksin cannot be The Leader Of The Opposition for that position falls to the executive leader of the biggest party of The Opposition, not a ordinary member.

But I doubt Thaksin is interested in being in The Opposition!

[penzman]

A Chart Thai Party deputy leder asks the EC to sacrifice for the country by stepping down

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

Not now, let them screw up one last time now the ball is in their camp.

[sriracha john]

Any other EC members going to go for this positive reinforcement?? or are the remaining three going to stubbornly wait around to receive the the negative reinforcement??

Democrats let former EC man off the hook

The Democrat Party's deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senniam has "rewarded" former Election Commissioner Charupat Ruangsuwan for resigning a month ago - by dropping criminal charges against him and lauding him as a man worthy of respect.

"With his sense of responsibility, he realised the body wasted money, time and caused social rifts and so he resigned to follow his conscience. He deserves to be lauded," Thaworn told the four judges while the three remaining commissioners sat in court.

"To try him would not benefit society, so I beg the court to allow me to withdraw the lawsuit."

Continued here:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20/hea...es_30006861.php

[sriracha john]

Election Commission to be tried in July

The Criminal Court will begin on July 3 the trial of three Election Commission members accused of malfeasance relating to their alleged failure to promptly investigate the funding of small parties to contest the April 2 election.

The court has released the three defendants on bail of Bt120,000 each.

Continued here:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20/pol...cs_30006871.php

[sriracha john]

Who's really in charge of dealing with southern strife?

When caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to abruptly end his political break last month his excuse was that his leadership was needed to address mounting problems facing the country.

Assuming that he wasn't merely doing one of his political flip-flops, whatever problems he had in mind certainly didn't include the spiraling violence in the South.

In fact, despite all his talk, terrorism in southern region has never been his priority. Thaksin has indeed been talking tough. But in practice, in his five years in office he has done little to seriously find a solution to the problem.

Continued here:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20...on_30006822.php

[Jai Dee]

The Criminal Court will try poll commissioners for alleged malfeasance next week

The Criminal Court will hear the malfeasance case brought against three poll commissioners by the Democrat Party on June 27.

Democrat deputy secretary-general Thaworn Sen-niam (ถาวร เสนเนียม) accused Election Commission (EC) chairman Wasana Permlarp (วาสนา เพิ่มลาภ), Parinya Nakchatree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์) and Weerachai Naewboonnian (วีระชัย แนวบุญเนียน) of violating the laws by holding the election on April 23 and allowing candidates who failed in the April 2 snap election to run again in different constituencies.

The suit against Jarupat Ruangsuwan (จารุภัทร เรืองสุวรรณ) has been withdrawn as he has already resigned as EC member.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Court grants bail to three commissioners

The Criminal Court yesterday approved bail applications for three election commissioners charged with malfeasance by Democrat party secretary-general, Suthep Thaugsuban.

Bail was granted on condition that the three commissioners not delay the progress of the case and provide full cooperation in providing information requested by the plaintiffs.

Suthep dropped charges against former commissioner Charupat Ruangsuwan.

Suthep said he was satisfied that Charupat’s resignation soon after the Constitutional Court’s decision to nullify the April 2 election indicated his acknowledgement of EC impropriety.

Suthep has accused EC commissioners of violating election laws to unfairly aid caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai party during the April 2 general election.

The first day of the trial is set for July 3.

Source: ThaiDay - 20 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

HM defended freedom of the press

His Majesty the King once refused to endorse legislation that would impose enormous fines against newspapers found guilty of criminal libel, illustrating that His Majesty is a guardian of freedom of expression, a former MP said yesterday.

This historical snippet was revealed by Phra Pavorasangkho, the ordination name of former Cabinet secretary-general Bowornsak Uwanno, pictured, who said it took place in the aftermath of the Black May incident in 1992 when authorities felt the press had abused its freedom and wanted to impose exorbitant libel fines.

“But His Majesty refused to sign [the proposed legislation] in order to protect freedom of expression,” the former academic said at a lecture entitled “The Ten Royal Virtues” at Chulalongkorn University’s law faculty.

Phra Pavorasangkho recalled another incident three years ago when His Majesty refused to endorse legislation on upgrading teachers and educational staff because it contained many loopholes and mistakes.

He said there is a misconception among westerners that His Majesty wields supreme power since whenever Thailand faces a crisis, the people turn to His Majesty to resolve it.

“In fact, the King supports democratic rule and does not exercise his power beyond that stipulated in the Constitution, no matter how serious a national crisis becomes,” said the monk, citing a recent example when His Majesty declined to sack the caretaker Prime Minister and grant a royally-appointed premier, as requested by the People’s Alliance for Democracy and the opposition Democrat party.

Phra Pavorasangkho said another little known Royal characteristic is His Majesty’s preference to not be above the law.

“When a law on minerals was being drafted with a provision to exempt the digging of mining tunnels beneath the palace, the government at the time was told by one of the privy councillors that the King had expressed his wish to be treated equally without any exemption,” the monk said.

He added that as His Majesty has adhered to the “Ten Royal Virtues” throughout his reign, Thai people view him as the nation’s father who would help them without being asked.

“Some foreigners don’t understand; they mistake this as a modified type of feudalism. We have to forgive them because they leave their parents while they are young and don’t understand how parents love their children. His Majesty is truly the father of all Thai people,” he said.

The monk concluded by saying that the country would be less chaotic than it is today if politicians and the heads of government agencies followed His Majesty’s adherence to the “Ten Royal Virtues”.

Source: ThaiDay - 20 June 2006

[sriracha john]

Attention Class. I hope all of you are recording these notes on which dates events are going to be happening and why. It is necessary for proper timetabing of the thread.

Ahh.. and for another class notice I need to make is that there will be a test on October 15 (or thereabouts... or perhaps not) covering all the areas of the past 4 months. As with most history classes, keeping good notes is key to having a successful final test :

The Criminal Court will hear the malfeasance case brought against three poll commissioners by the Democrat Party on June 27.

violating the laws by holding the election on April 23 and allowing candidates who failed in the April 2 snap election to run again in different constituencies.

Suthep has accused EC commissioners of violating election laws to unfairly aid caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai party during the April 2 general election.

The first day of the trial is set for July 3.

Edited June 20, 2006 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok Post also quote the start date for the trial as July 3.

See this bulletin.

[Jai Dee]

Three poll commissioners fighting negligence charges are freed on bail

The Criminal Court yesterday granted bails for three poll commissioners facing negligence charges filed against them by Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban (สุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ).

Mr. Suthep objected to the release of Election Commission (EC) Chairman Wassana Permlarp (วาสนา เพิ่มลาภ), Mr. Parinya Nakchatree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์) and Mr. Weerachai Naewboonnian (วีระชัย แนวบุญเนียน), saying they may tamper with the evidence.

The court, however, freed them on a 120,000-baht bail each after Pol. Gen. Wassana said all documentary evidence was with an investigation sub-committee and that poll commissioners had never intimidated witnesses.

In the lawsuit, Mr. Suthep said the EC failed to check if the Thai Rak Thai Party had bribed small parties to contest the April 2nd election as alleged.

He had withdrawn the charge against Mr. Jarupat Ruangsuwan (จารุภัทร เรืองสุวรรณ), who resigned earlier from the EC.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 June 2006

[digitele]

Long overdue payback time:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20...es_30006856.php

Can't wait to see the outcome.

[ColPyat]

“Some foreigners don’t understand; they mistake this as a modified type of feudalism. We have to forgive them because they leave their parents while they are young and don’t understand how parents love their children.

This monk should keep his fingers out of politics, especially when making ridicously stupid statements about "some foreigners". When some of us decide to view something as a form of feudalsim, than we base our judgements on facts, and don't suffer from symptoms described by Freud.

Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to counter argue and support our points in public here because of certain laws that are remnants of feudalism.

[TokyoT]

“Some foreigners don’t understand; they mistake this as a modified type of feudalism. We have to forgive them because they leave their parents while they are young and don’t understand how parents love their children.

This monk should keep his fingers out of politics, especially when making ridicously stupid statements about "some foreigners". When some of us decide to view something as a form of feudalsim, than we base our judgements on facts, and don't suffer from symptoms described by Freud.

Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to counter argue and support our points in public here because of certain laws that are remnants of feudalism.

Agreed ColPyat -

Yes, certainly above the comprehension of the farang – we can never understand the love of our parents, nor how we love our own children.

Equally

[jdinasia]

I rather think that some posters should be a tish more careful about 1) reading what was said and 2) about whom ((in this case The King)) and by whom 3) a monk ....

and avoid criticism that might be misconstrued.

[ando]

Long overdue payback time:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20...es_30006856.php

Can't wait to see the outcome.

If Thaksin does end up going down on this charge I certainly hope its AFTER this political mess has blown over and has been well and truly settled.

There is potential for the outcome of this case to cause a lot of animosity towards westerners in Thailand if a Thaksin is removed from the political scene subsequent to charges brought by a farang.

Such outcome probably wouldn't affect farangs in city areas, but could set back community relations for upcountry westerners.

[Old Man River]

Long overdue payback time:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20...es_30006856.php

Can't wait to see the outcome.

If Thaksin does end up going down on this charge I certainly hope its AFTER this political mess has blown over and has been well and truly settled.

There is potential for the outcome of this case to cause a lot of animosity towards westerners in Thailand if a Thaksin is removed from the political scene subsequent to charges brought by a farang.

Such outcome probably wouldn't affect farangs in city areas, but could set back community relations for upcountry westerners.

Although the court system has improved markedly from just 10 years ago, this is the type of lawsuit that will drag on and on and on. Don't expect this one to be adjudged anytime soon.

[ando]

Who's really in charge of dealing with southern strife?

When caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to abruptly end his political break last month his excuse was that his leadership was needed to address mounting problems facing the country.

Assuming that he wasn't merely doing one of his political flip-flops, whatever problems he had in mind certainly didn't include the spiraling violence in the South.

In fact, despite all his talk, terrorism in southern region has never been his priority. Thaksin has indeed been talking tough. But in practice, in his five years in office he has done little to seriously find a solution to the problem.

Continued here:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20...on_30006822.php

And the Democrats policy on how to solve the problem is --- ???

Just another example of biased literature from The Nation.

Negative campaining can and has made the difference in many elections in many democracies, but it does the public no good unless the criticism is backed up with an alternative.

[hammered]

Who's really in charge of dealing with southern strife?

When caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to abruptly end his political break last month his excuse was that his leadership was needed to address mounting problems facing the country.

Assuming that he wasn't merely doing one of his political flip-flops, whatever problems he had in mind certainly didn't include the spiraling violence in the South.

In fact, despite all his talk, terrorism in southern region has never been his priority. Thaksin has indeed been talking tough. But in practice, in his five years in office he has done little to seriously find a solution to the problem.

Continued here:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/20...on_30006822.php

And the Democrats policy on how to solve the problem is --- ???

Just another example of biased literature from The Nation.

Negative campaining can and has made the difference in many elections in many democracies, but it does the public no good unless the criticism is backed up with an alternative.

I doubt whether anyone who thinks about this for 5 seconds really thinks the Democrats would do a worse job of the southern situation than TRT. After all for years they have been the elected representatives of the southerners, and it was not the Democrats who introduced certain policies that went against muslim beliefs. Infact there wasnt even much of a southern problem until TRT came to power. Sometimes it is a good idea to put blind hatred of a political party behind one and consider the facts (paraphrasing one of the old pro-Thaksin groups responses).

Edited June 20, 2006 by hammered