Democrats ask to have Pheu Thai dissolved

[Scamper]

Pheu Thai has to go to the Constitution Court to save its bacon. That must sting. But the reality of it is that the Constitution Court's rulings on these matters are just the tip of the iceberg. The rice scheme will likely be the definitive case of administrative malfeasance. Then there is the unrest on the streets and an election which has no hope of ever being finalized - constitutionally or otherwise. Pheu Thai has no administrative power. They were stripped of that on December 9 when they dissolved parliament. They are impotent at present and the foreseeable future - on all levels. Their only source of power is the emergency decree - itself likely to be challenged by the courts - though they are unable to open even government offices in Bangkok, let alone intractable provincial constituencies in the South. The prime minister and cabinet are shuffled in secret from location to location, Yingluck now being only accessible to an increasingly skeptical international media.

[retsdon]

Pheu Thai has to go to the Constitution Court to save its bacon. That must sting. But the reality of it is that the Constitution Court's rulings on these matters are just the tip of the iceberg. The rice scheme will likely be the definitive case of administrative malfeasance. Then there is the unrest on the streets and an election which has no hope of ever being finalized - constitutionally or otherwise. Pheu Thai has no administrative power. They were stripped of that on December 9 when they dissolved parliament. They are impotent at present and the foreseeable future - on all levels. Their only source of power is the emergency decree - itself likely to be challenged by the courts - though they are unable to open even government offices in Bangkok, let alone intractable provincial constituencies in the South. The prime minister and cabinet are shuffled in secret from location to location, Yingluck now being only accessible to an increasingly skeptical international media.

Sure, the Establishment alliance have succeeded in creating a vacuum where there should be a functioning government. Street protests, election boycotts, court petitions, refusal to participate in bi-lateral reform discussions, the forcible closure of government offices through intimidation and security forces who are a rule unto themselves - no government can function under such circumstances. But the central issue is not about the PTP. The central issue is about the constitutional right of Thai voters to choose their government through the ballot box. The Dems are more than happy to tear up that right in order to get themselves in and PTP out. And that's why they are far more dangerous and destructive than the corrupt and incompetent PTP.

[Spalpeen]

The obsessive brigade who bang on endlessly about "the rice scheme, the rice scheme....." as if it was something unique to Thailand seem to be unaware that virtually every western country has something similar. In the EU it's called the common agricultural policy and there's fraud and mismanagement in all those countries too. The difference is that in no other country on earth has the main opposition party withdrawn from the democratic process and tried to impose rule by an unelected junta.

[ShannonT]

The Democrats want national reform - but we don't even know if the majority of Thais want this reform or not.

Shouldn't there be a referendum be held first to ask if Thais even want this? Because if only the minority Democrats want it, it doesn't mean that it has to be implemented. After all, they haven't won an election in over 20 years.

And on top of that, the current election laws were signed and passed by Abhisit and Suthep before the 2011 elections. They thought that changing the election laws would help them win the election. Then in 2011 they lost and now they want to change it again.

Maybe they're not losing elections due to the law, but due to the fact that Thais do not want them in office.

They should clean up their own party first. But again, if they want reforms so bad, then a referendum is the way to go, not a street mob.

[kimamey]

The obsessive brigade who bang on endlessly about "the rice scheme, the rice scheme....." as if it was something unique to Thailand seem to be unaware that virtually every western country has something similar. In the EU it's called the common agricultural policy and there's fraud and mismanagement in all those countries too. The difference is that in no other country on earth has the main opposition party withdrawn from the democratic process and tried to impose rule by an unelected junta.

You're right that there is corruption in the EU common agricultural. The CAP not similar to the rice pledging scheme in Thailand and is far more complex. You'll also find that the main problems of corruption, as reported recently are with certain countries with a history of corruption and lack of policing of those actions. That would appear to be the problem in Thailand. It's there, everyone knows it's there but everyone complains and points to other places it's happening as an excuse for not doing anything.

[Melyn]

Dissolve them both, call fresh elections in 3 months and make it clear that dissolution is what happens if you don't follow the rules.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[LarryBird]

The obsessive brigade who bang on endlessly about "the rice scheme, the rice scheme....." as if it was something unique to Thailand seem to be unaware that virtually every western country has something similar. In the EU it's called the common agricultural policy and there's fraud and mismanagement in all those countries too. The difference is that in no other country on earth has the main opposition party withdrawn from the democratic process and tried to impose rule by an unelected junta.

EXACTLY!! If people have siphoned off money the real problem here is that is that they don't have a mechanism to properly prosecute and execute justice. Not that they're actually interested in change/reform, but if they wanted to improve their society, they should start with the judicial system, which really is the backbone to a government, like it or not. Instead, they blame democracy!

This is the Dems whole argument "Rice scheme blah blah Thaksin blah blah Skype blah blah Dubai blah blah Dictator blah poor people are dumb blah blah red thugs blah.."

Kind of like in America when we questioned the war in Iraq, we were told we hated freedom and America. It's all quite lame, to be honest.

[rickirs]

Sputter, sputter - Suthep is running out of political gas. But judging from his latest allegations against the Democratic administration, he has a great future as a comedian.

[rickirs]

What world is Thailand in?

Dems violate every law, block registration and voting, and then claims that PT is to blame/ fault? Dilusional at best.

It is rather amusing that the leader of an unconstitutional insurrection is charging the administration with irregularities in an election that he has interferred with and deprived voters of their right to vote. Frankly, if there was some legal way to do it, both the PTP and Democrats should be banned from elected office and the party voted with the next most votes gain control of the government. Clean sweep with fresh new leaders. Just daydreaming.

[drand11]

If military/ police do their jobs, they will open and maintain the remaining voting booths and the election will be finalized, PT will rule w more power due to the Dems ignorance. I personally think the next step should be that Yingluk announce that upon completion of elections, she will step aside and all the PT to vote in a new PM. This cleans the waters, maintains democracy and allows Thailand to move on.

[drand11]

@retsdon

I believe that if you took all the voting ballots into 1 pile, Dems would pour fuel on it and burn them. They so much hate the power if the vote!!

[mikemac]

Why should the Democrats be charged for something that former MPs did after they quit the party?

Sent from my phone ...

Abhisit never quit the party. He is the acting chairman of the Democrat Party, yet has publicly called for people not to go vote, joined protest stages that shut down the city and violated countless laws and he himself has violated the law again as well by not voting, which is mandatory under Thai law.

At least he is not a criminal on the run pulling the Democrat party strings from let's say...............the Middle East !

[rickirs]

The so-called 'Democrat' party has made itself unelectable. As things stand, they will never win an election in Thailand. If they were wise they would wind up the party and re-launch under a new name, without the likes of Abhisit and Suthep.

The word that springs to mind every time I see Abhisit is 'simpering', or in the case of Suthep....'Heeeere's Johnny!'.

Birds of a feather come to mind when I look at your likes. You have blinkers on and will not take them off to look around, that's why your posts are getting cried down,

look at the whole picture,

You want to retain this present rabble up to you, don't blame everyone else the same the government are doing, instead of looking at the feed back, but when has the government been interested in feed back--when have they made U-Turns when a policy has gone wrong ??--- Thailand controlled from another country is NEVER ON.--hence the problems ---you are not interested though. it shows.

.

Well the present rabble have just won their sixth election in a row, probably with a record number of seats. The losing rabble, on the other hand, haven't won an election for more than 20 years. I'd say it was time for the losing rabble to have a long hard think.

Democrats definitely need to rebrand themselves to distance the party from the millitary coup and current disaster with the elections. I'm thinking of at least a name change like People for Uncorrupted Government (PUG) or Party of Enlightened Elitist Peace (PEEP).

[drand11]

Reform is a funny thing. Do we not remember when the military Couped and put many Dems in power to manage / execute "Reforms". So they have done this once just a few years ago! Now, who was part of that process? Suthep and the Dem leader! How did they do? 60+ citizens murdered at 1 protest site? Who was head of Security? Mr Suthep.

[Melyn]

Sputter, sputter - Suthep is running out of political gas. But judging from his latest allegations against the Democratic administration, he has a great future as a comedian.

In what way is the current administration democratic?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Crushdepth]

The so-called 'Democrat' party has made itself unelectable. As things stand, they will never win an election in Thailand. If they were wise they would wind up the party and re-launch under a new name, without the likes of Abhisit and Suthep.

The word that springs to mind every time I see Abhisit is 'simpering', or in the case of Suthep....'Heeeere's Johnny!'.

Birds of a feather come to mind when I look at your likes. You have blinkers on and will not take them off to look around, that's why your posts are getting cried down,

look at the whole picture,

You want to retain this present rabble up to you, don't blame everyone else the same the government are doing, instead of looking at the feed back, but when has the government been interested in feed back--when have they made U-Turns when a policy has gone wrong ??--- Thailand controlled from another country is NEVER ON.--hence the problems ---you are not interested though. it shows.

.

Well the present rabble have just won their sixth election in a row, probably with a record number of seats. The losing rabble, on the other hand, haven't won an election for more than 20 years. I'd say it was time for the losing rabble to have a long hard think.

If the "present rabble" get impeached, dissolved for electoral fraud or otherwise chucked out of office for the third time running - perhaps they will spare a thought for the law next time.

[rickirs]

The Democrats want national reform - but we don't even know if the majority of Thais want this reform or not.

Shouldn't there be a referendum be held first to ask if Thais even want this? Because if only the minority Democrats want it, it doesn't mean that it has to be implemented. After all, they haven't won an election in over 20 years.

And on top of that, the current election laws were signed and passed by Abhisit and Suthep before the 2011 elections. They thought that changing the election laws would help them win the election. Then in 2011 they lost and now they want to change it again.

Maybe they're not losing elections due to the law, but due to the fact that Thais do not want them in office.

They should clean up their own party first. But again, if they want reforms so bad, then a referendum is the way to go, not a street mob.

LOL Hold a referendum? The Democrats would treat that like any other election vote...boycott it, block voters, and prevent distribution of ballots.

[Spalpeen]

If the "present rabble" get impeached, dissolved for electoral fraud or otherwise chucked out of office for the third time running - perhaps they will spare a thought for the law next time.

.

Dissolve-reform-win election, dissolve-reform-win election, etc..... This cycle will continue until the judges finally get it through their heads that the democratic will of the people is a greater power than their yellow tinted interpretation of the law................dissolve-reform-win election........

[ginjag]

Reform is a funny thing. Do we not remember when the military Couped and put many Dems in power to manage / execute "Reforms". So they have done this once just a few years ago! Now, who was part of that process? Suthep and the Dem leader! How did they do? 60+ citizens murdered at 1 protest site? Who was head of Security? Mr Suthep.

Bad memory, T.S. 2500 so called drug offenders murdered. and the cause of these problems AND the ones your talking about--DUH

[ginjag]

The so-called 'Democrat' party has made itself unelectable. As things stand, they will never win an election in Thailand. If they were wise they would wind up the party and re-launch under a new name, without the likes of Abhisit and Suthep.

The word that springs to mind every time I see Abhisit is 'simpering', or in the case of Suthep....'Heeeere's Johnny!'.

Birds of a feather come to mind when I look at your likes. You have blinkers on and will not take them off to look around, that's why your posts are getting cried down,

look at the whole picture,

You want to retain this present rabble up to you, don't blame everyone else the same the government are doing, instead of looking at the feed back, but when has the government been interested in feed back--when have they made U-Turns when a policy has gone wrong ??--- Thailand controlled from another country is NEVER ON.--hence the problems ---you are not interested though. it shows.

.

Well the present rabble have just won their sixth election in a row, probably with a record number of seats. The losing rabble, on the other hand, haven't won an election for more than 20 years. I'd say it was time for the losing rabble to have a long hard think.

If the "present rabble" get impeached, dissolved for electoral fraud or otherwise chucked out of office for the third time running - perhaps they will spare a thought for the law next time.

Tried but failed to get to swap normal posts--mission impossible, all you get is-----DEMS cannot win elections-------just yawn now---robot answers that's all.

[ShannonT]

The Democrats want national reform - but we don't even know if the majority of Thais want this reform or not.

Shouldn't there be a referendum be held first to ask if Thais even want this? Because if only the minority Democrats want it, it doesn't mean that it has to be implemented. After all, they haven't won an election in over 20 years.

And on top of that, the current election laws were signed and passed by Abhisit and Suthep before the 2011 elections. They thought that changing the election laws would help them win the election. Then in 2011 they lost and now they want to change it again.

Maybe they're not losing elections due to the law, but due to the fact that Thais do not want them in office.

They should clean up their own party first. But again, if they want reforms so bad, then a referendum is the way to go, not a street mob.

LOL Hold a referendum? The Democrats would treat that like any other election vote...boycott it, block voters, and prevent distribution of ballots.

True. How sad is it that a "Democrat" party is now against any kind of election and only supports a "people's council" like North Korea or China has. They don't even bother to give it a different name.

[whybother]

If military/ police do their jobs, they will open and maintain the remaining voting booths and the election will be finalized, PT will rule w more power due to the Dems ignorance. I personally think the next step should be that Yingluk announce that upon completion of elections, she will step aside and all the PT to vote in a new PM. This cleans the waters, maintains democracy and allows Thailand to move on.

If Yingluck had any intention of stepping down, she should do it now, rather than after elections are complete. That is something that would get the protesters of the streets.

But she has no intention of resigning. She "wants Peace Power not Power Peace".

[whybother]

Reform is a funny thing. Do we not remember when the military Couped and put many Dems in power to manage / execute "Reforms". So they have done this once just a few years ago! Now, who was part of that process? Suthep and the Dem leader! How did they do? 60+ citizens murdered at 1 protest site? Who was head of Security? Mr Suthep.

Which Democrats were in power during the junta government?

[diehard60]

This whole thing is not going to end in a very good way. For sure there will be more blood in the streets. The protests should all go home they have done enough damage to this country.

[Spalpeen]

If Yingluck had any intention of stepping down, she should do it now, rather than after elections are complete. That is something that would get the protesters of the streets.

But she has no intention of resigning. She "wants Peace Power not Power Peace".

.

Welcome to the parallel universe of anti-democracy where everything is back to front. In this universe a successful prime minister who has just won two general elections in a row, the second one with an increased majority, should resign immediately. Meanwhile, she should be replaced by the leader of a failed political party who didn't even bother to vote, and whose party no longer feels the need to take part in elections.

The Twilight Zone indeed!

[ginjag]

This whole thing is not going to end in a very good way. For sure there will be more blood in the streets. The protests should all go home they have done enough damage to this country.

Another way to look at it, the government should go HOME, it's they that has damaged the country over 3 years, NOT the protesters.

I asked many times for a list of say top ten that Yingluck has achieved in 3 years. No one can come up with a top ten substantial achievements.

Always reply about Suthep or the Dems B/S. Any apologists want the challenge ??? surely someone who is smacking the protesters every day can give me a list ???

1-10. ??? if nothing it will speak volumes.

[ginjag]

If Yingluck had any intention of stepping down, she should do it now, rather than after elections are complete. That is something that would get the protesters of the streets.

But she has no intention of resigning. She "wants Peace Power not Power Peace".

.

Welcome to the parallel universe of anti-democracy where everything is back to front. In this universe a successful prime minister who has just won two general elections in a row, the second one with an increased majority, should resign immediately. Meanwhile, she should be replaced by the leader of a failed political party who didn't even bother to vote, and whose party no longer feels the need to take part in elections.

The Twilight Zone indeed!

Same twaddle-----Dems and elections, not Yinglucks achievements. the courts will give her the chance to explain--I want to hear it.

[peecee]

The so called Dems are a bunch of losers who know there only chance of Government is through the back door if they had of been good whilst in office a couple of years ago the people would have voted for them when they held the election , this was not the case they are no better than the shin clan. The man in Dubai has got one over them it was he who gave the poor of Thailand the right to vote it was he that introduced the hospital treatment 30baht program that is why the poor love home and the elite hate him

Trouble is that the judiciary/military have in the past let the Dems in through the back door; so they see no need to change their cronyism politics or develop policies designed to win popular support outside of Bangkok.

Someone should form a party called "New Democrats" and include reforms that the people will want to vote for. Sorry I'm dreaming again, bring on the coup!

[Spalpeen]

If Yingluck had any intention of stepping down, she should do it now, rather than after elections are complete. That is something that would get the protesters of the streets.

But she has no intention of resigning. She "wants Peace Power not Power Peace".

.

Welcome to the parallel universe of anti-democracy where everything is back to front. In this universe a successful prime minister who has just won two general elections in a row, the second one with an increased majority, should resign immediately. Meanwhile, she should be replaced by the leader of a failed political party who didn't even bother to vote, and whose party no longer feels the need to take part in elections.

The Twilight Zone indeed!

Same twaddle-----Dems and elections, not Yinglucks achievements. the courts will give her the chance to explain--I want to hear it.

[ratcatcher]

Pheu Thai Party strikes back, wants Democrat Party dissolution Democrats ask to have Pheu Thai dissolved

Real war is a dirty, bloody business usually initiated by politicians and governments and resulting in thousands of military and civilian deaths.

What is happening at the moment is a war of words between the Puea Thai Party and the Democrats. Since it is being conducted by politicians in a gentlemanly way perhaps we can call it "civil war:". Colloquially it is called a "pissing contest"

How much longer it can go on, no-one really knows but eventually unless cool heads prevail, it might become real war.