Talks the best way out of this mess: Thai Election Commission

[webfact]

POLITICS
Talks the best way out of this mess: EC
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN
THE NATION

Somchai offers to mediate negotiation between govt and PDRC so that a new poll can be held and a lower House formed

BANGKOK: -- IN ANOTHER effort to overcome the political deadlock, the Election Commission has offered - again -to mediate talks between the two warring parties.

EC Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, who supervises |elections, said holding several rounds of elections would not result in the constitutionally required 95 per cent of MPs being elected to enable the Lower House of a new parliament to convene.

Somchai said the only chance of that happening was for the opposing sides, especially the caretaker Yingluck government and the People's Democratic Reform Committee, to hold talks.

"It would be a way out for a |successful election. It's not too late to open talks," he said. "We are ready to mediate and won't be worried if it fails again because the situation now has changed."

Somchai said a successful outcome from the talks should be reached before the election for half of a new Senate on March 30.

He said previous talks failed because of the government, and if that happened again a political problem could turn into an economic problem in a few months.

Before the February 2 election, the EC discussed postponing the poll with political parties, but they failed to get together.

Somchai will invite government representatives to a meeting next Monday to discuss how to complete the election without breaking the |constitution.

Those invited include caretaker Deputy PM Phongthep Thepkanjana, caretaker PM's Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn, caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Pheu Thai strategy committee member Bhokin Bhalakula and former EC member Sodsri Sattayatham.

On the agenda will be how to get at least 475 MPs, or 95 per cent of the 500 House seats, in place within 30 days of the election so the House can convene.

Also on the agenda will be how to get all 500 MPs in place within the required 180 days, how to announce 125 party-list MPs without knowing the results from about 93,000 polling stations, and how to manage voting in polling stations blocked by protesters.

Somchai will brief his fellow EC commissioners on the meeting |outcomes. The EC will send a letter to the |government today proposing that it issue a royal decree to set a new election date for 28 constituencies in eight southern provinces which fielded no candidates at the ballot on Feb 2 because protesters blocked candidates from registering.

Somchai said if the government did not agree with the EC's proposal, the best solution would be for the Constitutional Court to rule on who has the authority to set a new date for the polls.


-- The Nation 2014-02-11

[TVGerry]

Any 'talk' that includes Chalerm will go nowhere. Why bother?

[Thait Spot]

Once again no Yingluck.

EC wants to talk. PM still under her bed. Same as last time.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[englishoak]

Any 'talk' that includes Chalerm will go nowhere. Why bother?

Could say the same re Suthep and whats the point of talking with someone with an arrest warrant out on them, talking hurts no one. although i dont think the EC can be said to be neutral it should be the Dems coming to talk as they are the political opposition in the elections not the PRDC who dont wish tom have them . We shall have to wait and see.

[mightyatom]

Any 'talk' that includes Chalerm will go nowhere. Why bother?

Could say the same re Suthep and whats the point of talking with someone with an arrest warrant out on them, talking hurts no one. although i dont think the EC can be said to be neutral it should be the Dems coming to talk as they are the political opposition in the elections not the PRDC who dont wish tom have them . We shall have to wait and see.

Those invited include caretaker Deputy PM Phongthep Thepkanjana, caretaker PM's Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn, caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Pheu Thai strategy committee member Bhokin Bhalakula and former EC member Sodsri Sattayatham.

Where does it say Suthep's name on this list?

You have a very unhealthy obsession with the man. I have lost count of the non-Suthep related threads that your first comment always mentions his name.

Even threads where it is non political context and you launch into your usual BORING anti-Suthep diatribe.

You are becoming excessively BORING!

Go take a holiday or something and get your mental issues sorted out..... It;s not healthy.

'The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.~ Aldous Huxley'..... Describes you beautifully.

Edited February 11, 2014 by mightyatom

[Robby nz]

Only 4 posts on this one before the reds got Suthep in to blame him.

You are doing better, the boss will be pleased.

Once again the EC tries to get some sense talked into PT but very much doubt if it will do any good, they only want what they want and that is that.

But the big boss has been next door making merit and possibly witchcraft so soon things will all come right.

[chainarong]

The reason for this mess originally, is in Dubai, the next is the corruption within the Thai system , the next is arrogance in governance , next is immature attitude in community leaders , the next is hate at all levels across Thailand , now try talking through that mess and you will be a awarded an piece award from the UN, there wont be much mileage made in talks with the PTP the arrogance resounding from these ranks is overwhelming.

[PatOngo]

I only hope they talk through their mouths, not their a@$es

[tomacht8]

Noble idea, but that will not work with these people.

The problem is that incumbent politicians have a deep hatreds against each other, making conversations impossible.

It would be better if both sides would call each other people.

For example, the Government shall appoint three persons from the opposition camp and, conversely,
the opposition rename three persons from the government camp in order to find a solution.

That would make maybe a constructive discussion possible.

That would at least lead to a moderation.

[Blackmirage2013]

Talk is cheap if the talkers are bullshitters...

I do think there needs to be third party mediators... It is clear that because the politicians involved are acting immature like children, they need supervision and adults to make decisions for them.

This is like nursery school. If we view it that way, we can quickly get through this problem and move forward.

I love Thailand, and there is charm with, for example, how lovely women are when they act all giggly and cute... but the downside is what we have in front of us... blustering men with big egos who need to show off and bully others. It is a classic case of truncated emotional development... not a criticism, just an interpretation of what I have been witnessing for the past years! ;-)

[lucjoker]

wrong title :" bribes" the best way out of this mess

[pipkins]

The only blocking one now is Suthep.

The Governemtn have publically called for talks, but they want the full ouster and Poodle Council.

EC talking to the wrong people and they are part of the problem as ever

[Anon999]

The only blocking one now is Suthep.

The Governemtn have publically called for talks, but they want the full ouster and Poodle Council.

EC talking to the wrong people and they are part of the problem as ever

Pipkins your posts, on average 22 per day, are so inane, inaccurate and deliberately 'misleading' that one has to wonder who you represent? This is sometimes obvious from the construction of your sentences, like you are Thai. If for once you stated the facts it would be appreciated by many TV posters.

[Scamper]

As the Yingluck administration continues to refuse to talk to the EC - as they are constitutionally compelled to - the only solution will be a ruling from the Constitutional Court.

[mightyatom]

There ya go....

RT@tukky_nt: EC resolved to hold new advance voting on April 20 for polling stations there were blocked on Jan 26 (1)

RT@tukky_nt: EC will hold new elections on April 27 for the polling stations that were blocked on February 2 (END)

Looks like they will conclude these ones.... By the time it happens all PTP MPs will be banned and so will yingluck... It will however show the international community exactly how much their mandate was watered down.

PTP have had all their voters balloted already, the rest will be 'no votes'.

Loving it.

[pipkins]

The only blocking one now is Suthep.

The Governemtn have publically called for talks, but they want the full ouster and Poodle Council.

EC talking to the wrong people and they are part of the problem as ever

Pipkins your posts, on average 22 per day, are so inane, inaccurate and deliberately 'misleading' that one has to wonder who you represent? This is sometimes obvious from the construction of your sentences, like you are Thai. If for once you stated the facts it would be appreciated by many TV posters.

Dismiss your tardy post as usual with a google link to the many times Suthep has point blank refused it.

He even blasted it out on Bluesky when the Gov sent a delegation to asoke to talk with him. Your post is absolutly the worst ill informed dross I have seen today.

there are links on here to all Thai media , bloomberg, AU media, India media, most US media.

So, just you in the whole wide world thinks Suthep is prepared to sit down and talk? Well done

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=suthep+refuses+talks

[Crushdepth]

The only blocking one now is Suthep.

The Governemtn have publically called for talks, but they want the full ouster and Poodle Council.

EC talking to the wrong people and they are part of the problem as ever

Pipkins your posts, on average 22 per day, are so inane, inaccurate and deliberately 'misleading' that one has to wonder who you represent? This is sometimes obvious from the construction of your sentences, like you are Thai. If for once you stated the facts it would be appreciated by many TV posters.

<snip>

He even blasted it out on Bluesky when the Gov sent a delegation to asoke to talk with him. Your post is absolutly the worst ill informed dross I have seen today.

<snip>

You should check out some of the posts by pipkins some time. He's a right nutter.

[fab4]

As usual the Election Commision, well Somchai anyway, (where is the head of the EC, shouldn't he be the one making decisions) is talking out of the side of their mouths.

Just two weeks ago he said this

The election commission says there might not be a quorum to open parliament and choose a government.

"The election result might not yield enough seats," Mr Somchai said.

"It might take four to six months to convene parliament."

The election commission said it would hold by-elections until all parliamentary seats are filled.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-28/an-thai-pm-maintains-election-date-after-meeting-with-election-/5223836

Edited February 11, 2014 by fab4

[Phuket Stan]

Any 'talk' that includes Chalerm will go nowhere. Why bother?

Could say the same re Suthep and whats the point of talking with someone with an arrest warrant out on them, talking hurts no one. although i dont think the EC can be said to be neutral it should be the Dems coming to talk as they are the political opposition in the elections not the PRDC who dont wish tom have them . We shall have to wait and see.

Those invited include caretaker Deputy PM Phongthep Thepkanjana, caretaker PM's Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn, caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Pheu Thai strategy committee member Bhokin Bhalakula and former EC member Sodsri Sattayatham.

Where does it say Suthep's name on this list?

You have a very unhealthy obsession with the man. I have lost count of the non-Suthep related threads that your first comment always mentions his name.

Even threads where it is non political context and you launch into your usual BORING anti-Suthep diatribe.

You are becoming excessively BORING!

Go take a holiday or something and get your mental issues sorted out..... It;s not healthy.

'The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.~ Aldous Huxley'..... Describes you beautifully.

He just may have the "Hots" for Khun Suthep

[Anon999]

The only blocking one now is Suthep.

The Governemtn have publically called for talks, but they want the full ouster and Poodle Council.

EC talking to the wrong people and they are part of the problem as ever

Pipkins your posts, on average 22 per day, are so inane, inaccurate and deliberately 'misleading' that one has to wonder who you represent? This is sometimes obvious from the construction of your sentences, like you are Thai. If for once you stated the facts it would be appreciated by many TV posters.

Dismiss your tardy post as usual with a google link to the many times Suthep has point blank refused it.

He even blasted it out on Bluesky when the Gov sent a delegation to asoke to talk with him. Your post is absolutly the worst ill informed dross I have seen today.

there are links on here to all Thai media , bloomberg, AU media, India media, most US media.

So, just you in the whole wide world thinks Suthep is prepared to sit down and talk? Well done

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=suthep+refuses+talks

You do not even understand the English language! Oxford English Dictionary of "tardy":

• delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late:please forgive this tardy reply

  MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES
• 1.1slow in action or response; sluggish:

My reply was the one immediately after your post. The fact the farmers now realise that they have been screwed means they have woken up and the previous views about them can change. Was you aware of that? Therefore you are unable to find any quote from Suthep that is recent, consequently your comment is, as usual, crass.

However, I must congratulate you on having the time to make 30 or 40 posts every day including the one's that do not tick up if they're on the same thread, watch TV, find time to eat go to the toilet and maybe sleep. Have you been outside your office recently?

Edited February 11, 2014 by Anon999

[ikurauni]

They should all talk to end this mess. It is up to them if they want to do a fair talk.

I suggest that they should do the talk on national TV and let people watch them.

Thai people have the rights to know what they are talking about.

Many people are already disgusted by the current crisis but at least they can still entertain us if they do a live talk on TV.