Bloomberg interview with Abhisit: 'It's time for reform. Why can't the govt accept that'

[webfact]

INTERVIEW
'It's time for reform. Why can't the government accept that'


Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit Vejjajiva tells Bloomberg's Haslinda Amin that Thailand can only prosper through free and fair elections brought by corruption-beating reforms

Khun Abhisit, did you vote?

No, I didn't because I think the elections are unconstitutional. The Election Commission has submitted that it cannot hold free and fair election according to the Constitution. It's clear that the election cannot deliver a parliament with a quorum. We have insisted for a number of weeks now that the best way forward for the country, rather than wasting Bt3 billion and risking the lives of people, is for the government to recognise the need for a postponement.

But how can the Democrat Party function in the name of democracy without observing the whole democratic process?

Well, I think free and fair elections are important for democracy.

But it is free and fair, according to the prime minister.

The election commission said clearly that in the current circumstances, it cannot hold a free and fair election. It recommended [postponing the poll] to the prime minister and she refused. It has taken this to the court and the court said it is within the power of the prime minister, after listening to the Election Commission report, to postpone the election. We are not saying no to elections, we are saying free and fair elections, and we have to build the circumstances to make sure that happens.

You are contesting the same Constitution you observed when you were prime minister. Why it is no longer good enough for you?

We are not contesting anything in the Constitution, unlike the current prime minister, who has refused to accept a verdict of the Constitutional court, who has refused to accept the Constitution and yet is willing to take power from the Constitution. We respect the Constitution, we respect the law, we haven't engaged in election fraud. We accepted all of the verdicts of the Constitutional court and Election Commission. We are following the law.

But why must the government step down when it was legitimately elected with the votes of 16 million people?

They had that mandate, they ran the country for two years and then they betrayed the mandate, betrayed the trust of the people by trying to push through the amnesty bill, which they said they campaigned on during the election, but did not. And that led to mass protests. They dissolved the House and announced a caretaker government. The caretakers cannot pursue policy, so if the people are demanding somebody they can trust to oversee the election after some initial reforms take place, why can't the government make some sacrifices to ensure the country moves forward?

Why has the Democrat Party backed the anti-government protest led by Suthep Thaugsuban?

People protesting on the street are doing so on their own initiative. Suthep and the protest leaders have resigned from the Democrat Party because they want to be an independent movement. We are saying we no longer tolerate Thaksin [shinawatra] and this Thaksin-supported government and we think it's time to have some key reforms, not just free and fair elections but also that our democratic process should not be abused by people like Thaksin and Yingluck.

Do you agree with strategy adopted by protesters?

I don't agree with all that the PDRC does. I don't agree with all of their demands, but I can understand the anger and frustration of people over corruption that is taking place, and the anger at intimidation of political opponents which has been going on for I don't know how many years now. They are freezing people assets, threatening us with arrest warrants. There are serious shootings and grenade attacks on opposition politicians. This should be stopped to get the country out of the circle of conflict and violence that is hurting Thailand, that has hurt people economically as well. It is time for reform. Why can't the government accept that?

How do you see your political career?

My political career is not as important as the direction the country is taking. It's time we took a new direction. We need fresh reforms, we need fresh rules to move ahead.

Can you lead the country in this direction, with the international community watching?

It's up to the people, the Thai people.

How do you view the international community?

Why does the international community not mind abuse of power like extrajudicial killings in the South, the war on drugs?

Two wrongs don't make a right.

What have I done wrong? I respect the law. I respect the Constitution. I am exercising my rights.

But democracy is in question however you look at it.

Democracy is in question because democracy has been abused by Thaksin's governments. Now we are going to put that right by having a sustainable democracy, one that works for the people, not for one family via corruption and abuse of power.

What do you say to people who say you have a different concept of democracy.

I think in every democracy you have to have the rule of law. You don't allow the majority to put themselves above the law. Tell me in which democracy do they allow that? We don't. The international community cannot just pay attention to democracy at election time. They should see how the government of majority doesn't attend Parliament, doesn't answer questions in the House, is not accountable, puts itself above the law and doesn't accept court verdicts.

PM Yingluck says she wants negotiations. Is the Democrat Party willing to make concessions?

That is not true. She has preconditions [for talks]. We can't discuss the election postponement, we can't discuss the government's caretaker status. There is no point talking, with preconditions like that. We are open to ideas from any political party with real commitment to reforming and giving people back their trust in the election process. That's all we are asking for, but she refuses.

We have a map showing how Thailand is deeply politically divided. Where is the solution to this problem?

There should be common ground [formed of] respect for rule of law and the democratic process. The Yingluck government won a majority. It was allowed to run the country. But the Yingluck government said people in areas who didn't vote for her would not get development or budget funds, or their projects were cancelled. Is that how you respect the people's rights in a democracy? We respected her right to a mandate. The protest only erupted because she betrayed that trust. There is plenty of middle ground: people only need to respect the law and the [reform] process and we can move ahead.

Can there be a solution to this crisis in the near future?

There is, but the prime minister has to take that first step of admitting that this election is getting us to nowhere, that there need to be talks, a postponement, and that she might have to step aside so that people have faith in a free and fair election.

What will you do if you return to lead the country?

I will have to push forward reform that is very much needed right now to get rid of corruption and move the country forward so that we can actually fulfil our economic potential.

The above are excerpts of an interview for Bloomberg Television's "On the Move" programme.

-- The Nation 2014-02-07

[Thait Spot]

Great interview.

Articulate and to the point

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sharecropper]

A load of hypocritical rubbish from a seemingly intelligent guy.

The unasked question was how can the Democrat Party, who themselves are mired in massive crony corruption and vote-buying, be trusted to do anything about corruption when their noses are in the trough once again? They have done nothing about it previously, so why suddenly now?

[howzat]

He had a chance before. He is a pussy cat.

[Yunla]

Haslinda added me on her FB friend list in 2008, in my opinion she is an incredibly intelligent person and all her interviews and reports are outstanding. Abhisit was lucky he didn't get burned down lol. In any case, he should be fighting for reform within the system, it is a slow process but it is the only way to achieve change legitimately. I actually supported Abhisit in 2010 because I admired the way he showed restraint and kindness for months in the face of the "burn the city, kill the elites" stage-speeches by the reds. But I stopped supporting him when he joined the overthrow movement recently, because the problems are state issues and should be resolved by relentless and thorough pressure within state, not on the streets. Overthrow movements, especially by suspect interests who refuse to outline their agenda, is a dangerous road to travel.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Yunla

[millwall_fan]

He says the election was flawed, and yet it was his friends in the PDRC that caused them to be flawed.- the EC had submitted that they couldnt hold free and fair elections - because his friends were disrupting them. He repeats the phrase 'rule of law' but until Thailand has a truly independent, unbiased judiciary, there will be no respect for the 'rule of law' and finally he states The Yingluck government won a majority. It was allowed to run the country. that is the most telling comment of all. The Ruling Elite (of which the Democrat party is the political wing) have been allowing the government to run the country as long as it is within the strictures of the undemocratic 2007 constitution.Now they want power back.

[chainarong]

The government can't except reform on other peoples terms ,except their own terms, because of a few suspected skeletons in the closet, they could find themselves in an untenable situation, if in the event of transparency laws, with the checks and balances properly done , would reveal something that the PTP would most likely want to hide, perhaps the who shebang looking out from inside.

[Spalpeen]

As rich a vein of hypocrisy as you're ever likely to find. 'We support free and fair elections' says the guy who boycotted an election and whose associates did their best to prevent people from voting in a free and fair manner. A valuable insight into the thinking of a hypocrite.

[Bluespunk]

He says the election was flawed, and yet it was his friends in the PDRC that caused them to be flawed.- the EC had submitted that they couldnt hold free and fair elections - because his friends were disrupting them. He repeats the phrase 'rule of law' but until Thailand has a truly independent, unbiased judiciary, there will be no respect for the 'rule of law' and finally he states The Yingluck government won a majority. It was allowed to run the country. that is the most telling comment of all. The Ruling Elite (of which the Democrat party is the political wing) have been allowing the government to run the country as long as it is within the strictures of the undemocratic 2007 constitution.Now they want power back.

You are contesting the same Constitution you observed when you were prime minister. Why it is no longer good enough for you?

We are not contesting anything in the Constitution, unlike the current prime minister, who has refused to accept a verdict of the Constitutional court, who has refused to accept the Constitution and yet is willing to take power from the Constitution. We respect the Constitution, we respect the law, we haven't engaged in election fraud. We accepted all of the verdicts of the Constitutional court and Election Commission. We are following the law.

But why must the government step down when it was legitimately elected with the votes of 16 million people?

They had that mandate, they ran the country for two years and then they betrayed the mandate, betrayed the trust of the people by trying to push through the amnesty bill, which they said they campaigned on during the election, but did not. And that led to mass protests. They dissolved the House and announced a caretaker government. The caretakers cannot pursue policy, so if the people are demanding somebody they can trust to oversee the election after some initial reforms take place, why can't the government make some sacrifices to ensure the country moves forward?

Why has the Democrat Party backed the anti-government protest led by Suthep Thaugsuban?

People protesting on the street are doing so on their own initiative. Suthep and the protest leaders have resigned from the Democrat Party because they want to be an independent movement. We are saying we no longer tolerate Thaksin [shinawatra] and this Thaksin-supported government and we think it's time to have some key reforms, not just free and fair elections but also that our democratic process should not be abused by people like Thaksin and Yingluck.

Do you agree with strategy adopted by protesters?

I don't agree with all that the PDRC does. I don't agree with all of their demands, but I can understand the anger and frustration of people over corruption that is taking place, and the anger at intimidation of political opponents which has been going on for I don't know how many years now. They are freezing people assets, threatening us with arrest warrants. There are serious shootings and grenade attacks on opposition politicians. This should be stopped to get the country out of the circle of conflict and violence that is hurting Thailand, that has hurt people economically as well. It is time for reform. Why can't the government accept that?

[Bluespunk]

As rich a vein of hypocrisy as you're ever likely to find. 'We support free and fair elections' says the guy who boycotted an election and whose associates did their best to prevent people from voting in a free and fair manner. A valuable insight into the thinking of a hypocrite.

Do you agree with strategy adopted by protesters?

I don't agree with all that the PDRC does. I don't agree with all of their demands, but I can understand the anger and frustration of people over corruption that is taking place, and the anger at intimidation of political opponents which has been going on for I don't know how many years now. They are freezing people assets, threatening us with arrest warrants. There are serious shootings and grenade attacks on opposition politicians. This should be stopped to get the country out of the circle of conflict and violence that is hurting Thailand, that has hurt people economically as well. It is time for reform. Why can't the government accept that?

[Thailand]

As rich a vein of hypocrisy as you're ever likely to find. 'We support free and fair elections' says the guy who boycotted an election and whose associates did their best to prevent people from voting in a free and fair manner. A valuable insight into the thinking of a hypocrite.

He should not be allowed to be involved in anything remotely connected to politics in this country ever again along with many of his cronies.

Incredible bunch of hypocrites. I would love to have sen a real " hard talk" type of interview, he would have been ripped apart.

[englishoak]

Such an irritating hypocrite. We havnt done anything wrong ... pffft

[Thait Spot]

A load of hypocritical rubbish from a seemingly intelligent guy.

The unasked question was how can the Democrat Party, who themselves are mired in massive crony corruption and vote-buying, be trusted to do anything about corruption when their noses are in the trough once again? They have done nothing about it previously, so why suddenly now?

"massive crony corruption" - proof?

"vote-buying" - proof?

There are millions of articles in the public doamin showing the 2 offences above being committed by the Shinawatra administrations - but I think you're just posting nonsense

Edited February 7, 2014 by Thait Spot

[ikurauni]

Good interview. He is a wise man and made his points clear.

It will never happen under the current government but it would be interesting to see a public debate among the political leaders to exchange their opinions freely on any subjects they wish to discuss.

The brainwashed farmers should learn and realize the truth about the dictatorship and abuse of power. The farmers are not stupid but the government keeps them ignorant. It is time for them to wake up.

[rogerdee123]

At last .... !!!

This interview will help the international media realize that in Abisit they have someone who can actually make a complete sentence and speak intelligently abut Thai politics.

This will be the first of many interviews.

[spirit47]

Maybe hes a good bureaucrat, but for the job to make real reforms, he dont have the balls. I dont like this politicans bla bla, I want to hear clear words. And to say it clearly, that he leads the country is not the intention of the Protestors. A peoples council for reforms is the goal, he would not change anything, because he is a puppet too. The Dems can reform their own party first...

[darren84310]

Abhisit is probably the best man to be PM. However, he made too many errors last time round, maybe thinking they had seen the last of Thaksin. He needs to be stronger if he gets another chance, win over the people in the north and don't take any shit from the elites.

Whoever gets power needs to erradicate corruption. I can't see a Thaksin backed government doing that.

[Thailand]

Abhisit is probably the best man to be PM. However, he made too many errors last time round, maybe thinking they had seen the last of Thaksin. He needs to be stronger if he gets another chance, win over the people in the north and don't take any shit from the elites.

Whoever gets power needs to erradicate corruption. I can't see a Thaksin backed government doing that.

The last thing Thailand needs is a well spoken spineless PM.

There must be somebody out there whether they be red white or blue, but yet to step up to the plate.

[Katipo]

A load of hypocritical rubbish from a seemingly intelligent guy.

The unasked question was how can the Democrat Party, who themselves are mired in massive crony corruption and vote-buying, be trusted to do anything about corruption when their noses are in the trough once again? They have done nothing about it previously, so why suddenly now?

Perhaps I am being overly optermistic, but perhaps this is the crisis point the Democrats finally needed. That is, perhaps finally there are enough people within the party who realise that things really do need to change if the party is going to survive. Much like an alcoholic who crashes the car on the way home nearly killing themselves and realising it is time to sobre up.

The Democrats, much like the alcoholic, aren't sobreing up for anyone, but for their very survival. The resulting consequences are better for everyone. These consequences might include paying real attention to the less developed parts of Thailand, a noticable reduction in the amount of corruption going on (although I don't kid myself that it will be eliminated anytime soon), and a Thailand that really does start to love itself more than just in rhetoric.

Perhaps they have finally realised by being a party party they make the country a better place while still enjoying the fruits of power.

Then again, perhaps I am just being overly optimisitic.

Either way, the country can't be allowed to continue on the course it is now with Thaksin and his family with a very large finger in pretty much every pie.

[englishoak]

At last .... !!!

This interview will help the international media realize that in Abisit they have someone who can actually make a complete sentence and speak intelligently abut Thai politics.

This will be the first of many interviews.

You think ?Speaking english has nothing to do with being credible. I think he comes across pretty badly and weak with reasoning, any political editor or decent hard talk will rip him to shreds.get him on hard talk RT or Jeremy Paxman he would get chewed to bits.

Hes out giving interviews atm to try to deflect the huge criticism the Democrats are getting being tied at the hip with the PDRC and defending them wont help him. Had to laugh when he went into his why other countries blah blah and democracy bit.

Some viewers will like it no doubt politically astute ones will laugh at it.

Edited February 7, 2014 by englishoak

[Thailand]

A load of hypocritical rubbish from a seemingly intelligent guy.

The unasked question was how can the Democrat Party, who themselves are mired in massive crony corruption and vote-buying, be trusted to do anything about corruption when their noses are in the trough once again? They have done nothing about it previously, so why suddenly now?

"massive crony corruption" - proof?

"vote-buying" - proof?

There are millions of articles in the public doamin showing the 2 offences above being committed by the Shinawatra administrations - but I think you're just posting nonsense

You are seriously trying to say the Dems are not involved in vote buying and corruption?

Come on you can't possibly be that naive can you?

[rogerdee123]

At last .... !!!

This interview will help the international media realize that in Abisit they have someone who can actually make a complete sentence and speak intelligently abut Thai politics.

This will be the first of many interviews.

You think ?Speaking english has nothing to do with being credible. I think he comes across pretty badly and weak with reasoning, any political editor or decent hard talk will rip him to shreds.get him on hard talk RT or Jeremy Paxman he would get chewed to bits.

Hes out giving interviews atm to try to deflect the huge criticism the Democrats are getting being tied at the hip with the PDRC and defending them wont help him. Had to laugh when he went into his why other countries blah blah and democracy bit.

Some viewers will like it no doubt political astute ones will laugh at it.

well .... stay tuned and watch the fun

[speedtripler]

As rich a vein of hypocrisy as you're ever likely to find. 'We support free and fair elections' says the guy who boycotted an election and whose associates did their best to prevent people from voting in a free and fair manner. A valuable insight into the thinking of a hypocrite.

He should not be allowed to be involved in anything remotely connected to politics in this country ever again along with many of his cronies.

Incredible bunch of hypocrites. I would love to have sen a real " hard talk" type of interview, he would have been ripped apart.

interviews like that are scripted , he would have got the questions in advance and decided which ones they were allowed to ask him and refused any questions like

YOU WERE CORRUPT THE LAST TIME ,WHATS CHANGED NOW ?

he would have refused the interview if the questions were too tough

[nullx8]

Great interview.

Articulate and to the point

i dont see the Greatness, he keeps repeating himself with zero hint on "how such a thing can even be done"

well we all know this can not be done in days/weeks/years ... the changes they asking for will require Cultural ajustments as well .. and this take generations if a civil war to be avoided.

i'm sure he knows that too.

but admitting this would render all the current activities to useless.

btw. was the Reporter at least once able to finish her sentence ?

so much for being "democratic"

Edited February 7, 2014 by nullx8

[Spalpeen]

"It's time for reform. Why can't the government accept that?" Doesn't that sound exactly like the petulant whining of a child? "Why does nobody ever listen to me around here.........waaaaahhhh!" Maybe if the Democrats had a more intelligent leader they would have a better chance of winning an election one day. Abhist would be better off preparing his defence against the murder charges he faces.

[JoeThePoster]

'It's time for reform. Why can't the govt accept that'

Translation - It's our turn at the trough. And why isn't the army isn't stepping in to put us there? Boo Hoo Hoo!

[gemini81]

A load of hypocritical rubbish from a seemingly intelligent guy.

The unasked question was how can the Democrat Party, who themselves are mired in massive crony corruption and vote-buying, be trusted to do anything about corruption when their noses are in the trough once again? They have done nothing about it previously, so why suddenly now?

The accusations are unable to be proven; but the proof for the above accusations is the opposing party. Color blind?

[DirtFarmer]

Well Mark E Mark..ya had a shot at it... you could have taken the high road... but once again you trotted out the dead horse in almost every answer and the most you could offer when asked what reform.... was ' get rid of corruption... HOW do you propose to do this...? It is not an easy answer but someone needs to address how...not trot out the billboard and point to a photo of Siggy and yourself beating a dead horse... your govt...her govt have the right to propose mandates/bills/referendums .... and if flawed will be rejected as hers was...and withdrawn I might add... that does not give you the right to use that as a repeated springboard ad nauseum because you can't come up with a better reason for reform nor platform OF reform!... corruption bleeds down to the schools our children attend... they model themselves after corrupt people in corrupt environments with corrupt figureheads... none of you or your street army ever address this...you merely mock the face slapping bishes on the Thai Soap Operas every night of the week,,, and rely on polarization of thought rather than collective integration of thought.. we all know Yingluck has reached out and asked for negotiations time and time again...she has made concessions...... many of them since this all began... you say that is not true...BS Kuhn Abhiset...you fare well with politic speak to a point by not answering the question directly and spinning it...but because you say that it is not true... and then insert your spin as the answer...you conveniently avoid bringing anything new to the table...anything new to inspire hope...you refuse to perceive the underlying offer... negotiation... it is all for you the Dems or nothing...right? Same stance as Siggy... your veiled attempts at distancing yourself from the inmates of the asylum gets a HUGE FAIL in my book... You had two outstanding opportunities to use the failed rice scheme and the Amnesty bill to spend the sponsored Millions on political outreach and electorate consensus, educating the voting populous on why your reform was better for them, why change was necessary....and at the very least outlining a step by step understanding of an endemic cancer that will take decades to excise...getting to the grass roots level and dealing with it on their level... roll up the shirt sleeves get out there among them... away from your Ivory Tower...mingle and learn and then actually use ( if you can remember how) the education you got.... to help in the process of change from the ground up.. you never have had a job... you have been insulated by uber rich all your life... you have no idea what the majority wants or needs... you have been a mouthpiece for the elite...since you were 27 (?) Yes? How can you even begin to think you deserve another chance at governing people you are so far out of touch with...?.In a realistic world..why not act in a way that models a higher road, that models actual reform and allow your numbers to grow based on a positive collective effort perceived as it actually is...visibly attempting to alter a decades old habit/addiction... Unfortunately you never saw this interview as something more than defending the mob and attacking the other one..instead hashed over the contrived, worn out same same pablum that stained your bib months ago...make it a fully elected Parliament... reach out to members on both and/or all sides of the aisles, build consensus by your actions rather than a faded bumper sticker with hot buttons...think outside the box... think separately from your "advisers" ....look at the whole picture.....and show the Thai people something tangible...not your Status Quo... it seems you have learned nothing from all of this ........these canned answers were the same tripe we have heard from you for 5 years now... I was so hoping for something more... but didn't get it.... SOS with a few minor substituted issues cut and pasted... because that is what the money has mandated and you must follow...right...? got it...Next!

[Bluespunk]

Love the fact so many feel that the leadership of PT does not have it's share of elite members and the backing of a wealthy elite behind them. Kind of disturbing really.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Bluespunk

[rixalex]

Incredible bunch of hypocrites. I would love to have sen a real " hard talk" type of interview, he would have been ripped apart.

As I recall, Abhisit has been on Hard Talk before. He had his stronger moments on it, and his weaker moments, but don't ever recall him being "ripped apart".

And just the other week I saw on BBC an interview with him and Mr Head in which Mr Head certainly went at him all guns blazing, Hard Talk style. Again, Abhisit pretty much held his own.

Don't see anyone from the government side being brave enough to do anything other than carefully scripted interviews.