All Bangkok's 50 election directors resign

[oztaurus]

I can't believe that they have only just realised that a quorum would not be elected and the elections would be useless.

It is the quorum that is the easiest thing to change

Change it downwards for 6 - 12 months so parliament can sit ... problem solved.

....

Except that changing the quorum would require a change to the constitution, which would require a referendum, and all the people who would need to organise that just resigned ... Catch 22

[falangadang]

This entire scenario from the protests to the election is a complete fiasco!

Really, the only thing we could possible hope for from all of this is "order out of chaos"!

[LarryBird]

This whole thing is about power. Rich Bangkok folks don't want to be governed by the elected officials of poor farmers. Is there really anything more to it than that? What is money for if it can't be used to play chess with people?

Malcolm Gladwell wrote what I consider to be a great article regarding the behavior of pro -sports franchise owners in the states.. He explained how back in the day, an owner would make an irrational economic decision in favor of the satisfaction they got from racially discriminating against minorities..

Here is the article: http://grantland.com/features/psychic-benefits-nba-lockout/

Anti Democrats will win, the game has changed though, they can't just send the tanks out. They will buy the right people, and the rest is history.

[rubl]

This whole thing is about power. Rich Bangkok folks don't want to be governed by the elected officials of poor farmers. Is there really anything more to it than that? What is money for if it can't be used to play chess with people?

Malcolm Gladwell wrote what I consider to be a great article regarding the behavior of pro -sports franchise owners in the states.. He explained how back in the day, an owner would make an irrational economic decision in favor of the satisfaction they got from racially discriminating against minorities..

Here is the article: http://grantland.com/features/psychic-benefits-nba-lockout/

Anti Democrats will win, the game has changed though, they can't just send the tanks out. They will buy the right people, and the rest is history.

Rich upcountry overlords also don't like to be governed by elected official of poor farmers. That's why they appoint their own choice of officials. Ask the Silpa-archas, the Chidlobs, the Shinawatra's, various other 'families', all regional 'political powers'. The Democrat party as regional power down South, although their middle class support is more spread over the country.

So who are the Rich Bangkok folks you're talking about?

[tingtongteesood]

Lets take a name check on these 50 persons and keep track of where they end up, it is only a matter of time before the Democrats are back in power and no doubt these names will reappear in various 'positions'then.

You mean like the red shirt terrorists Jatuporn, Nuttawat and Arisman who told his sheeple to burn down Bangkok who aafterwards were all made MP's ?

Resigning from your job because you don't agree with what is happening is a basic human right, same as voting, they had a right to show their disgust at being forced into an election they disagree with.

Good on 'em ! A brave and selfless action.

[smutcakes]

Lets take a name check on these 50 persons and keep track of where they end up, it is only a matter of time before the Democrats are back in power and no doubt these names will reappear in various 'positions'then.

You mean like the red shirt terrorists Jatuporn, Nuttawat and Arisman who told his sheeple to burn down Bangkok who aafterwards were all made MP's ?

Resigning from your job because you don't agree with what is happening is a basic human right, same as voting, they had a right to show their disgust at being forced into an election they disagree with.

Good on 'em ! A brave and selfless action.

Yes like the red shirts, following the precedent of Foregin minister Kasit from the Yellow shirt terrorists.

You must have come down with the last shower if you really think the resignation of all of them is a brave and selfless act on their behalf.

[tingtongteesood]

Sadly I think the caretakers will just replace them all with red stooges regardless of the legality or not of doing such a thing and will just bumble on regardless...

[tingtongteesood]

Not unexpected at all, and apparently, the only way that they could possibly make the lady see sense.

What is now required is for her to make a public appearance announcing that the election is off, she and her caretaker government are stepping down, Suthep can therefore call off the street protests, and the business of carrying out necessary reforms can get under way.

She must also make it very clear to the Red Shirt extremists that their cause is over, and they should return to their homes; furthermore, anyone caught involved in any acts of shootings or bombing in response to the resignation of the government should be made to face the full extent of the law.

And if the caretaker govt steps down, who will govern? And do you think that there won't be further protests?

If the REDs were to take to the streets, I would then believe in claims of millions marching.

Hahahaha you are very funny. Reds had about 100,000 at the height of their occupation / riots in 2010 and a great many of them were only there because they were paid ( proven, unlike the similar accusations against the current protestors for which I have seen no shred of evidence other than 'my wife said' ).

Now they can't afford to pay the farmers what they are owed so how can they bribe the sheeeple out on the streets ? These demos will be small and embarrassing for sure. Look forward to seeing it, just as long as they don't come to Bangkok and repeat 2010...

[casualbiker]

Why so you can post your <deleted> about Thailand having a constitution like the US's right to bear arms.. you fascist

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Intemperate language.....always a sure sign of an argument lost!

sez the one with THIS as a signature "Life is like a shit sandwich. The more bread you have the less shit you get."

[Thai at Heart]

This whole thing is about power. Rich Bangkok folks don't want to be governed by the elected officials of poor farmers. Is there really anything more to it than that? What is money for if it can't be used to play chess with people?

Malcolm Gladwell wrote what I consider to be a great article regarding the behavior of pro -sports franchise owners in the states.. He explained how back in the day, an owner would make an irrational economic decision in favor of the satisfaction they got from racially discriminating against minorities..

Here is the article: http://grantland.com/features/psychic-benefits-nba-lockout/

Anti Democrats will win, the game has changed though, they can't just send the tanks out. They will buy the right people, and the rest is history.

Rich upcountry overlords also don't like to be governed by elected official of poor farmers. That's why they appoint their own choice of officials. Ask the Silpa-archas, the Chidlobs, the Shinawatra's, various other 'families', all regional 'political powers'. The Democrat party as regional power down South, although their middle class support is more spread over the country.

So who are the Rich Bangkok folks you're talking about?

The problem is that under try/ptp all of a sudden, money really started to flow into the provinces. Just look at the up country development in the last 10 years.

If thaksin goes now, all that money dries up, and it will ruin quite a lot of the wealthy up country. You think they are going to just sit back and watch it happen? They might not be bangkok rich but they have a Bob or two.

[Dogmatix]

Not unexpected at all, and apparently, the only way that they could possibly make the lady see sense.

What is now required is for her to make a public appearance announcing that the election is off, she and her caretaker government are stepping down, Suthep can therefore call off the street protests, and the business of carrying out necessary reforms can get under way.

She must also make it very clear to the Red Shirt extremists that their cause is over, and they should return to their homes; furthermore, anyone caught involved in any acts of shootings or bombing in response to the resignation of the government should be made to face the full extent of the law.

And if the caretaker govt steps down, who will govern? And do you think that there won't be further protests?

If the REDs were to take to the streets, I would then believe in claims of millions marching.

Hahahaha you are very funny. Reds had about 100,000 at the height of their occupation / riots in 2010 and a great many of them were only there because they were paid ( proven, unlike the similar accusations against the current protestors for which I have seen no shred of evidence other than 'my wife said' ).

Now they can't afford to pay the farmers what they are owed so how can they bribe the sheeeple out on the streets ? These demos will be small and embarrassing for sure. Look forward to seeing it, just as long as they don't come to Bangkok and repeat 2010...

Perhaps the farmers will have no choice. Join the red shirts for B500 a day or starve to death and lose your land to loan sharks.

[tsnyder]

Lets take a name check on these 50 persons and keep track of where they end up, it is only a matter of time before the Democrats are back in power and no doubt these names will reappear in various 'positions'then.

You mean like the red shirt terrorists Jatuporn, Nuttawat and Arisman who told his sheeple to burn down Bangkok who aafterwards were all made MP's ?

Resigning from your job because you don't agree with what is happening is a basic human right, same as voting, they had a right to show their disgust at being forced into an election they disagree with.

Good on 'em ! A brave and selfless action.

Yes like the red shirts, following the precedent of Foregin minister Kasit from the Yellow shirt terrorists.

In reality, the precedent was set a year before them by Red Shirt Terrorist and current Yingluck Cabinet Minister Natthawut, et al in 2007.

We still await their prosecution for that as well as their repeated terrorism in 2009 and once again in 2010.

.

[Gweiloman]

Not unexpected at all, and apparently, the only way that they could possibly make the lady see sense.

What is now required is for her to make a public appearance announcing that the election is off, she and her caretaker government are stepping down, Suthep can therefore call off the street protests, and the business of carrying out necessary reforms can get under way.

She must also make it very clear to the Red Shirt extremists that their cause is over, and they should return to their homes; furthermore, anyone caught involved in any acts of shootings or bombing in response to the resignation of the government should be made to face the full extent of the law.

And if the caretaker govt steps down, who will govern? And do you think that there won't be further protests?

If the REDs were to take to the streets, I would then believe in claims of millions marching.

Hahahaha you are very funny. Reds had about 100,000 at the height of their occupation / riots in 2010 and a great many of them were only there because they were paid ( proven, unlike the similar accusations against the current protestors for which I have seen no shred of evidence other than 'my wife said' ).

Now they can't afford to pay the farmers what they are owed so how can they bribe the sheeeple out on the streets ? These demos will be small and embarrassing for sure. Look forward to seeing it, just as long as they don't come to Bangkok and repeat 2010...

For all our sakes, I hope you are right.

But we will never know, as the country is going to elections on Sunday and guess who will win?

Hahaha - hey you are right, I am funny

[peecee]

Not unexpected at all, and apparently, the only way that they could possibly make the lady see sense.

What is now required is for her to make a public appearance announcing that the election is off, she and her caretaker government are stepping down, Suthep can therefore call off the street protests, and the business of carrying out necessary reforms can get under way.

She must also make it very clear to the Red Shirt extremists that their cause is over, and they should return to their homes; furthermore, anyone caught involved in any acts of shootings or bombing in response to the resignation of the government should be made to face the full extent of the law.

If I were her I'd appoint the military to administer the election and stop them sitting on the fence. Democracy has to start somewhere and troops obeying their political masters is a first step that should not be understated. If they refuse it illustrates to the world that Thailand cannot accept elected government no matter how many elections they have. It's not politics, it's anarchy!

The Egyptians and half the middle east are finding democracy (without the military's acceptance of civil governments right to govern when elected by the majority of the country) a tough nut to crack.

The English started their political reformation against autocratic rule in 1215 with Magna Carta and it took a couple of civil wars and several dynasties until parliament exerted political control after deposing the last Stuart's in 1714; so I guess if the mother of parliamentary democracy is anything to go by, Thailand's in for a bumpy transition (that only got going in 1935 when the King threw in the towel and moved to England after a couple of years as a constitutional Monarch plagued by government corruption! What's changed? ).

[tingtongteesood]

Uh uh nope, the military should serve the best interests of the country, not the best interests of a group of corrupt politicians. Keeping out of politics is the best thing the military can do at this point.

[GeorgeO]

Not unexpected at all, and apparently, the only way that they could possibly make the lady see sense.

What is now required is for her to make a public appearance announcing that the election is off, she and her caretaker government are stepping down, Suthep can therefore call off the street protests, and the business of carrying out necessary reforms can get under way.

She must also make it very clear to the Red Shirt extremists that their cause is over, and they should return to their homes; furthermore, anyone caught involved in any acts of shootings or bombing in response to the resignation of the government should be made to face the full extent of the law.

If I were her I'd appoint the military to administer the election and stop them sitting on the fence. Democracy has to start somewhere and troops obeying their political masters is a first step that should not be understated. If they refuse it illustrates to the world that Thailand cannot accept elected government no matter how many elections they have. It's not politics, it's anarchy!

The Egyptians and half the middle east are finding democracy (without the military's acceptance of civil governments right to govern when elected by the majority of the country) a tough nut to crack.

The English started their political reformation against autocratic rule in 1215 with Magna Carta and it took a couple of civil wars and several dynasties until parliament exerted political control after deposing the last Stuart's in 1714; so I guess if the mother of parliamentary democracy is anything to go by, Thailand's in for a bumpy transition (that only got going in 1935 when the King threw in the towel and moved to England after a couple of years as a constitutional Monarch plagued by government corruption! What's changed? ).

The PTP are NOT the "political masters" of the military. This is a caretaker administration, so any suggestion that the military should be used to deal with the current tensions would have to be considered by a committee comprising of all major parties, and the military themselves...!!

[dharmabm]

so, did they resign or not? looks like this story was a fake based on new reports today, but this was just swept under the rug and pretended it was never reported?

[Skywalker69]

All election directors of Bangkok’s 50 districts have resigned en masse, Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a member of the Election Commission revealed today.

I wonder how much bribe Khun Somchai is taking home from this move, Election Commission sold to highest bidder

What would you have done???

The Department of Special Investigation has threatened to take legal actions election officials for their alleged partially and deliberate failure to stage advance voting in several polling units.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/election-officials-may-face-criminal-charges/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=election-officials-may-face-criminal-charges

[aimbc]

A lot of people do not understand the issue that this caretaker govt. have broken laws and have no rights to govern. So for them to call an election is illegitamate. The reason they have not been charged is because law enforcement units like DSI refuse to look into things. And most of you know why. The PM should have been impeached for neglecting her duty. If only the check and balance was working. As it should in any functioning democracy.

But you all finally see now that they broken the law with the constitution as found by the court. YS govt, have essentially comitted fraud to about the 1.4 million farmers on the purchase of their rice. It is like writing a rubber check. In the US it is a federal crime to write a check knowing that there is insufficoent funds. And the reason the govt. can not give the rice back because it got sold already. Leaving only the old rice. But the new crop was sold at an old rice price or as a G-G deal that never existed. You all will see how the elaborate scam was done soon. These are the things that should have expelled this govt out of their position a long time ago. But because the check and balance were essentially dismantle by corruption, they never were able to bring them to justice.

Many other policies, like the tablet, which is another huge corruption ready to be exposed. 800,000 at a value of 4,000 baht each has yet to be delivered. I believe it has been paid for. The last news is that the company needs another 180 days to deliver. And the company that won the contract never was in the tablet business before.

These my TV friends is why the protesters do not recognize this govt as legit. They have no right to declare an election. They have lost all authority. YS was offered a chance to bow out gracefully, but she chose to be defiant. Now she will have to face her actions.

This call for a snap election is just a smoke screen to distract everyone away from their criminal acts. Calling for a democratic election by an undemocratic govt. What a joke.

[JohnP1752]

They did not resign, it is only propaganda being spread by media companies owned by the PDRC group. Even if they did resign it would be up to the EC to replace them and not the Government.

I doubt if either the EC board or its members would resign en masse, this would help the government by forcing them to step in and participate in the selection process.

[blaze]

Another paid Thaksin troll heard from.

Why is that these accusations of being paid to disagree with the mob usually come only from only one side of the color line?

Does it indicate a sincere hope to dialogue? Or are these kind of posts a prelude to book burning?

[mimithewoof]

Given the fact that many posters on this and other threads have mentioned the fact that Suthep and his crowd are anti-foreigner, I find it amazing that so many seem to want the man to get what he's aiming for.

I sincerely hope that, as we're all exiting the kingdom without our money, homes, possessions, valuables, dogs, hopes, dreams and even families, you remember to thank him for giving you the opportunity to return to your beloved home countries where you can live in style and continue failing to understand the reality of life.

If I meet any of you on the way out - watch out!

hahahahaha scary eh...would love to see you take your home with you...broad shoulders no-doubt...safe flight now....

Mimi, stop being such a drama queen. It's not that bad, you're just scaremongering. Now be a good dog and lie down now.

OK, I admit that, on occasion and when provoked, I can be a drama queen - but I've always believed that imagining the worst scenario gives one a base from which to operate objectively in troubled times. It's just a way of thinking ahead...essential in life and in business.

Back in the day, a professional Asian family fresh out of Zimbabwe became my neighbours and friends. One day, talking together about what they'd been through and lost, the husband said 'I should have seen it coming - I felt it coming, but didn't take notice and didn't plan ahead'. I've never forgotten that, as it coincided with what I believed.

What worries me is that blaming others for everything which goes wrong is a classic symptom of the 'power over' mentality, also seen in violently abusive marriages where the abuser egotistically blames the victim for his own mistakes rather than facing up to his personal problems. Sounds familiar?

Sure, I don't KNOW the same will happen here, but given the minimum amount of faith I have left in humanity, I'd not be amazed if it did. I didn't think the riots, arson and street violence in London several years ago would ever happen in my home country, but they did.

And yes, my shoulders are very broad, and we dogs can bite as well as snarl, bark, look cute and cuddle up in bed!

[gregb]

This whole thing is about power. Rich Bangkok folks don't want to be governed by the elected officials of poor farmers. Is there really anything more to it than that? What is money for if it can't be used to play chess with people?

Malcolm Gladwell wrote what I consider to be a great article regarding the behavior of pro -sports franchise owners in the states.. He explained how back in the day, an owner would make an irrational economic decision in favor of the satisfaction they got from racially discriminating against minorities..

Here is the article: http://grantland.com/features/psychic-benefits-nba-lockout/

Anti Democrats will win, the game has changed though, they can't just send the tanks out. They will buy the right people, and the rest is history.

Rich upcountry overlords also don't like to be governed by elected official of poor farmers. That's why they appoint their own choice of officials. Ask the Silpa-archas, the Chidlobs, the Shinawatra's, various other 'families', all regional 'political powers'. The Democrat party as regional power down South, although their middle class support is more spread over the country.

So who are the Rich Bangkok folks you're talking about?

The problem is that under try/ptp all of a sudden, money really started to flow into the provinces. Just look at the up country development in the last 10 years.

If thaksin goes now, all that money dries up, and it will ruin quite a lot of the wealthy up country. You think they are going to just sit back and watch it happen? They might not be bangkok rich but they have a Bob or two.

That is not really the issue. Newin and Bhumjai Thai would easily direct as much money to the provinces as Thaksin and then some. There are 2 real problems that are intractible.

One, Thaksin has had more than a decade to put the tentacles of his network into everything. It has nothing to do with money going to the provinces, it has to do with money going to the entrenched elite old boys network that Thaksin has created. Money would still go to the provinces if he were gone and someone else took his place, but it wouldn't go to *THEM*. This could have been avoided, and of course everyone expected it would resolve itself, after the coup in 2006 when Thaksin was offered the opportunity to retire in luxury abroad. If he had simply had an iota of sense instead of an ego the size of a planet, there would be no issues at all right now. But he dug in, and now his supporters really are royally screwed. This time, if he goes down, they are going to be kicked to the curb, and they know it. That makes them really dangerous.

The second issue is the fact that "Love Thaksin" has advanced to a religion in many places throughout the North and the Northeast. You can no longer reason with these groups, or speak to them using logic. Much like any religious fanatics, if you attempt to discredit their lord and saviour, you are simply accused of blasphemy. Contradictory evidence, no matter how strong, is ignored because it must be wrong as it disagrees with their dogma. This is not a healthy environment for a democracy. If we are ever going to get back to a secular democracy, it is necessary to address this religious component, and this can not be done while the lord and saviour is still preaching to his flock.

Anyone who wants to make peace needs to figure out how to institute a massive reeducation program among the whole Thai population and fast. Some of the nicest people I know are mebers of the "Love Thaksin" religion. I think about this every time I get angry with the red shirts for being intransigent. No matter how unreasonable they are, deep down I really don't want to see them hurt, as I imagine how I would feel if they were the red shirts I know and call friends. But religious wars have a way of spiraling out of control, and unless we can do something about the square faced fugitive in Dubai and reeducate the cult of people who worship him, I think a bloody civil war is much more of a certainty than many of us care to admit.

This is not a simple problem of money and/or power, and anyone who thinks it is hasn't spent enough time analyzing the situation. This is a tremendous cultural divide that has been nurtured for more than a decade. How anyone thinks you can have a legitimate democracy right now is beyond me. We need a unifying element to remind all of Thailand what it is we have in common, and then over time the "Love Thaksin" religion can be eradicated, and with it the reactionary "Hate Thaksin" side. The larger issue may not be all about one man, but the solution requires the removal of this man if there is any hope to avoid bloodshed.