Constitutional Court to rule Friday on validity of Feb 2 election

[webfact]

Constitutional Court to rule Friday on validity of Feb 2 election
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 19 – The Constitutional Court announced it will give its verdict Friday on whether the Feb 2 general election will be annulled.

Three related parties – the caretaker government, Election Commission (EC) and Office of the Ombudsman – testified today before the Constitutional Court which assigned Judge Charan Phakdithanakul to hear their testimonies.

The government was allowed to submit additional documents to the court by tomorrow.

Ombudsman Pornpetch Vichitcholachai insisted that the Office of the Ombudsman was entitled by Section 245 (1) of the Constitution to petition the court, seeking a verification of the government-issued royal decree on the general election.

The Ombudsman said the Feb 2 nationwide poll should be nullified since the EC held the election in only 347 constituencies with 28 constituencies where balloting was not carried out.

There is no guarantee that voting in 28 pending constituencies will be held in 180 days as stipulated by the charter given the ongoing political unrest, said Mr Pornpetch.

He said the Constitutional Court had advised the caretaker government to discuss with the EC to resolve problems arising from the disruption of the election but nothing was done.

The government’s use of the emergency decree has been unfair to other political parties contesting the election, he said.

Mr Pornpetch claimed that the nationwide poll, if carried out, would negatively impact Thailand’s gross domestic product in light of ongoing conflicts and budget spending.

In addition, he said that the Feb 2 election created a rift in the country.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said the Ombudsman was not authorised to seek the charter court’s verification on the validity of the Feb 2 poll because the royal decree on election, announced by the government, did not contradict the Constitution.

Since balloting was disrupted in several constituencies on Feb 2, the EC was entitled to hold a new election in pending constituencies and such an action was in accord with the law, he said.

He ruled out the Ombudsman’s allegation that the emergency decree created disadvantages to some candidates and there have not been any complaints from any candidate so far.

He insisted that balloting in pending constituencies should be held, otherwise the caretaker government must be in office until the third quarter.

If that is the case, the country’s GDP in the third quarter will be affected, he said.

He complained that the caretaker government was given too little time to prepare its explanations in court. Mr Charan, the judge, allowed the government only until tomorrow to supply additional documents.

Mr Phongthep admitted to the court that a new election would not resolve the ongoing political conflicts but he nonetheless said it was a democratic process.

A judge asked if the caretaker government should be held responsible for failing to take action against those who disrupted the election, Mr Phongthep said the government had done its best and the people who obstructed the election must take the responsibility.

EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said the Ombudsman was not empowered to seek the Constitutional Court’s ruling to annul the election since the EC has organised the election under the 2013 royal decree, not the Constitution.

The EC has not acted against the Constitution, he said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-19

[PepperMe]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

[Scamper]

Beyond question Friday will be a day that enters the Thai history books, whatever happens. In some ways, it already has, because Pheu Thai has already gone on record saying that they will not respect the Constitutional Court's ruling, whatever it is. If such belligerence is present after the ruling, though, it will be a game changer. The Constitutional Court is the highest court in the land. What would happen if it was not adhered to ? The judicial system would be directly, brazenly threatened, and that has never happened before. That is why it is hard to discount the thought that Thaksin has pushed this button deliberately in order to force the army's hand. Perhaps by sensing that the courts will not sway in Pheu Thai's favour, he is going to attempt to undercut their authority. By any definition, this is desperate thinking, and suggests a man truly at the end of his rope. It is starkly irrational. With the UDD working itself up into confronting the NACC, on the face of it, this is actually a much more dangerous situation than the one experienced in 2010. But a key question is - what would Yingluck do ? Look the other way ? Or would she actually come on board and defy the Constitutional Court's ruling ? If she did, she would find very quickly that her international narrative would fall like a house of cards. No amount of Pheu Thai spin would be ever able to counteract that.

[WhizBang]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

We can only hope.

Either way, Friday looks to be real interesting. The big questions is, what will the UDD/Red Shirts do if the ruling is to anull the election?

[HonestQuietBob]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

Time is up for these old dinosaurs.

The interconnected, multimedia, smart phone owning, internet savvy younger generations cannot be kept in the dark and fed the same BS their grandparents were raised on.

Access to information abounds, no more secrets for anyone - not even the CIA can keep its dirty laundry hidden anymore.

This diaper wearing geriatric generation of appointed civil servants should do the country a favour and shuffle off to spend their remaining years on earth enjoying the vast quantities of "brown paper bag" money they've accumulated over their decades of malfeasant service.

Yingluck has nothing to worry about from these old plodders.

[tim armstrong]

I somehow don't think the Army will stage a coup, if there is violence. But I think they will deal severely with the red thugs. However the political no mans land cant go on forever.

[HonestQuietBob]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

We can only hope.

Either way, Friday looks to be real interesting. The big questions is, what will the UDD/Red Shirts do if the ruling is to anull the election?

Friday will indeed be interesting.

In line with pretty much every verdict this court gives, most everyone expects a verdict annulling the election and all are making preparations for this outcome.

More interesting is what if they go the other way?

If they do, the whole show is over and Suthep is a dead duck.

A proper ruling in this case would be the quickest and most bloodless ending to the ongoing conflict that anyone could expect.

So despite the courts history of dubious verdicts...

Fingers crossed.

Edited March 19, 2014 by HonestQuietBob

[Mentors]

What Thailand needs is e-voting.

[Mentors]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

Time is up for these old dinosaurs.

The interconnected, multimedia, smart phone owning, internet savvy younger generations cannot be kept in the dark and fed the same BS their grandparents were raised on.

Access to information abounds, no more secrets for anyone - not even the CIA can keep its dirty laundry hidden anymore.

This diaper wearing geriatric generation of appointed civil servants should do the country a favour and shuffle off to spend their remaining years on earth enjoying the vast quantities of "brown paper bag" money they've accumulated over their decades of malfeasant service.

Yingluck has nothing to worry about from these old plodders.

Exactly, the time is running out for the sauriers incl. "the invisible hands" and they know this.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

Time is up for these old dinosaurs.

The interconnected, multimedia, smart phone owning, internet savvy younger generations cannot be kept in the dark and fed the same BS their grandparents were raised on.

Access to information abounds, no more secrets for anyone - not even the CIA can keep its dirty laundry hidden anymore.

This diaper wearing geriatric generation of appointed civil servants should do the country a favour and shuffle off to spend their remaining years on earth enjoying the vast quantities of "brown paper bag" money they've accumulated over their decades of malfeasant service.

Yingluck has nothing to worry about from these old plodders.

Yeeah, dream on. She should be very worried.

[MunterHunter]

Does anyone get a kind of De Ja Vu feeling here...

Thaksin, caretaker PM, time elapsed but he tried to stay on and cling to power...

Yingluck, caretaker PM, time elapsed but she is trying to stay on and cling to power...

PTP are pushing real hard for another coup, the Military are resisting this... once the courts throw YL's Government out then the Military can move in and clean house... this wont be a coup as the embattled caretaker PM will be offically thrown out of office by the courts and the military will be just policing this decision... End game at foot gentlemen, make sure your on the winning side.

[tezzainoz]

I somehow don't think the Army will stage a coup, if there is violence. But I think they will deal severely with the red thugs. However the political no mans land cant go on forever.

The army does not need to throw a coup

They can just simply decrare Martial Law

and ask for a part time committee to take over until an election can be held

[tezzainoz]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

We can only hope.

Either way, Friday looks to be real interesting. The big questions is, what will the UDD/Red Shirts do if the ruling is to anull the election?

Friday will indeed be interesting.

In line with pretty much every verdict this court gives, most everyone expects a verdict annulling the election and all are making preparations for this outcome.

More interesting is what if they go the other way?

If they do, the whole show is over and Suthep is a dead duck.

A proper ruling in this case would be the quickest and most bloodless ending to the ongoing conflict that anyone could expect.

So despite the courts history of dubious verdicts...

Fingers crossed.

every one keeps saying that is another election is held PTP will win with a massive majority again

Okay then if this is true and what they believe why do the not just anull the last election and hold election No. 2 and then they will go on to win again

Now I am waiting for all you Red Shirt, know it all to tell me why

Is it because they really worry they will loose and do not agree with the BS printed on TV

[chotthee]

I think I can guess the verdict already.

So can you.

[PepperMe]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

Time is up for these old dinosaurs.

The interconnected, multimedia, smart phone owning, internet savvy younger generations cannot be kept in the dark and fed the same BS their grandparents were raised on.

Access to information abounds, no more secrets for anyone - not even the CIA can keep its dirty laundry hidden anymore.

This diaper wearing geriatric generation of appointed civil servants should do the country a favour and shuffle off to spend their remaining years on earth enjoying the vast quantities of "brown paper bag" money they've accumulated over their decades of malfeasant service.

Yingluck has nothing to worry about from these old plodders.

Seek help.......

Now on my ignore list along with probably everyone else's

Goodbye.

[HonestQuietBob]

Does anyone get a kind of De Ja Vu feeling here...

Thaksin, caretaker PM, time elapsed but he tried to stay on and cling to power...

Yingluck, caretaker PM, time elapsed but she is trying to stay on and cling to power...

PTP are pushing real hard for another coup, the Military are resisting this... once the courts throw YL's Government out then the Military can move in and clean house... this wont be a coup as the embattled caretaker PM will be offically thrown out of office by the courts and the military will be just policing this decision... End game at foot gentlemen, make sure your on the winning side.

PTP are pushing real hard for a coup?

The military are resisting?

Seems to me you've got the roles reversed here.

Regardless,

Lets assume PTP get tossed out and an unelected group step in.

What do you think happens next?

Everyone kisses and makes up and on we go?

You honestly believe hordes upon hordes of mad as hell Reds won't descend upon the city?

Once they get here do you honestly think the army just has to shoot and kill about 90 of them and it will all end as per 2010.

No way!

The only reason the army has sat on their asses in their floral bedecked bunkers is because they know they can't win an open confrontation against the Reds in the streets.

If push comes to shove and it all turns to crap, after the bloodbath, when the people have won it will be the Reds ramming through their constitution dealing the death blow to the yellow scourge that has plagued this nation for so many decades.

The cowards behind Suthep are happy to risk the lives of the fools that follow them, but they sure as hell don't want to risk their own existence by creating a situation that results in the Reds having absolute control over everything.

After the brinkmanship, this will be negotiated, and this time the Reds will give less concessions to the losers.

Slowly, slowly it is all ending for the anti - democracy yellows.

Good Night aparthied, Good Morning freedom

Edited March 19, 2014 by HonestQuietBob

[PepperMe]

The army will never stage a coup. If they ever had any intention of doing so, it would have been during that very dark week where police and their terrorists were killing people on Phan pha bridge and children were murdered by Thaksin's militia.

The courts will annul this election and another won't be called until the election process can be reinforced to make them free and fair and devoid of Thaksin's interference... won't take long, maybe a week or two.

In the meantime the courts will almost certainly remove Yingluck and probably the rest of the PTP party and a few of their 'owned senators'.

Nice house cleaning and new elections held. But hopefully any party suspected of being under the influence of Thaksin will be immediately removed from running in the election. (How it should be).

Declare Thaksin an outlaw and official terrorist.

The reds rise up against any of this, martial law declared nationwide and the head cut off the snake. Taking out all the red leaders and basically outlawing the movement and anarchical secessionists as an official terrorist organization.

That;s what I would do anyway.

Edited March 19, 2014 by PepperMe

[HonestQuietBob]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

We can only hope.

Either way, Friday looks to be real interesting. The big questions is, what will the UDD/Red Shirts do if the ruling is to anull the election?

Friday will indeed be interesting.

In line with pretty much every verdict this court gives, most everyone expects a verdict annulling the election and all are making preparations for this outcome.

More interesting is what if they go the other way?

If they do, the whole show is over and Suthep is a dead duck.

A proper ruling in this case would be the quickest and most bloodless ending to the ongoing conflict that anyone could expect.

So despite the courts history of dubious verdicts...

Fingers crossed.

every one keeps saying that is another election is held PTP will win with a massive majority again

Okay then if this is true and what they believe why do the not just anull the last election and hold election No. 2 and then they will go on to win again

Now I am waiting for all you Red Shirt, know it all to tell me why

Is it because they really worry they will loose and do not agree with the BS printed on TV

I believe the Reds are more than happy to re-run the elections.

What they have a problem with is the 18 - 24 months of unelected rule the other side want to impose before elections are held.

The Reds would love to have these elections annulled and a new election contested in 6 weeks time. They would win and Suthep's goose would be cooked.

Why do the other mob insist on a period of unelected rule?

All this nonsense hasn't been for nothing, they've clearly got something up their sleeve and as soon as they can get PTP out of the way who knows what they'll spring on everyone.

Election is called immediately, caretaker government continues as is until a victor is declared in 6 weeks.

Seems pretty straight forward - Democrats reject it out of hand (they know they'll lose)

[ginjag]

Does anyone get a kind of De Ja Vu feeling here...

Thaksin, caretaker PM, time elapsed but he tried to stay on and cling to power...

Yingluck, caretaker PM, time elapsed but she is trying to stay on and cling to power...

PTP are pushing real hard for another coup, the Military are resisting this... once the courts throw YL's Government out then the Military can move in and clean house... this wont be a coup as the embattled caretaker PM will be offically thrown out of office by the courts and the military will be just policing this decision... End game at foot gentlemen, make sure your on the winning side.

PTP are pushing real hard for a coup?

The military are resisting?

Seems to me you've got the roles reversed here.

Regardless,

Lets assume PTP get tossed out and an unelected group step in.

What do you think happens next?

Everyone kisses and makes up and on we go?

You honestly believe hordes upon hordes of mad as hell Reds won't descend upon the city?

Once they get here do you honestly think the army just has to shoot and kill about 90 of them and it will all end as per 2010.

No way!

The only reason the army has sat on their asses in their floral bedecked bunkers is because they know they can't win an open confrontation against the Reds in the streets.

If push comes to shove and it all turns to crap, after the bloodbath, when the people have won it will be the Reds ramming through their constitution dealing the death blow to the yellow scourge that has plagued this nation for so many decades.

The cowards behind Suthep are happy to risk the lives of the fools that follow them, but they sure as hell don't want to risk their own existence by creating a situation that results in the Reds having absolute control over everything.

After the brinkmanship, this will be negotiated, and this time the Reds will give less concessions to the losers.

Slowly, slowly it is all ending for the anti - democracy yellows.

Good Night aparthied, Good Morning freedom

Try living inside of a red village, and be told which way to vote, be told to mind what you say, you should be left alone not forget to buy some drink for the village head man now and again.

But with your attitude you will be the talk of the town and very much invited to all functions VIP style.

[winstonc]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

Time is up for these old dinosaurs.

The interconnected, multimedia, smart phone owning, internet savvy younger generations cannot be kept in the dark and fed the same BS their grandparents were raised on.

Access to information abounds, no more secrets for anyone - not even the CIA can keep its dirty laundry hidden anymore.

This diaper wearing geriatric generation of appointed civil servants should do the country a favour and shuffle off to spend their remaining years on earth enjoying the vast quantities of "brown paper bag" money they've accumulated over their decades of malfeasant service.

Yingluck has nothing to worry about from these old plodders.

Seek help.......

Now on my ignore list along with probably everyone else's

Goodbye.

yes he is predictably boring and wrong 100%.of the time..every village has one.though..no i dont mean a post office..

[MunterHunter]

I believe the Reds are more than happy to re-run the elections.

What they have a problem with is the 18 - 24 months of unelected rule the other side want to impose before elections are held.

The Reds would love to have these elections annulled and a new election contested in 6 weeks time. They would win and Suthep's goose would be cooked.

Why do the other mob insist on a period of unelected rule?

All this nonsense hasn't been for nothing, they've clearly got something up their sleeve and as soon as they can get PTP out of the way who knows what they'll spring on everyone.

Election is called immediately, caretaker government continues as is until a victor is declared in 6 weeks.

Seems pretty straight forward - Democrats reject it out of hand (they know they'll lose)

Maybe at the start of this round of conflict, your prediction would have been true... but now, after losing a lot of support i beleive the PTP family would struggle to get enough votes to become the 'second party' in a coalition, this is something both the PTP and red Shirt movement are most scared of.

PTP couldnt rely on the farmers vote any more, this part of the electorate could very easily swing into the Democrats side or at the very least, swing away from the PTP side.

PTP lost a few of the recent by-elections as i remember, and some of those in areas considered to have been Red strong holds. There is also a lot more dissent in some of the more traditional Red areas... this is shakey ground for PTP as losing these areas to either the Democrats or some of the smaller parties pushes them further and further away from taking government again.

Do you think the current coalition partners will remain loyal to the PTP after this mess? They know if they support them things will heat up for them very quickly and any association with the failed schemes of the government could lead to law suits, so this time around i expect to see a swing in the alliegence of a lot of these smaller parties.

Thats the real reason why PTP dont want this ellection annuled, they will lose some of the seats they *think* they have won up north... they are desperate for this election to be concluded because of this.

[h90]

What Thailand needs is e-voting.

yes instead of rigging the votes of millions you only need to pay for 1 smart guy on the computer.

[dru2]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

Time is up for these old dinosaurs.

The interconnected, multimedia, smart phone owning, internet savvy younger generations cannot be kept in the dark and fed the same BS their grandparents were raised on.

Access to information abounds, no more secrets for anyone - not even the CIA can keep its dirty laundry hidden anymore.

This diaper wearing geriatric generation of appointed civil servants should do the country a favour and shuffle off to spend their remaining years on earth enjoying the vast quantities of "brown paper bag" money they've accumulated over their decades of malfeasant service.

Yingluck has nothing to worry about from these old plodders.

You want to bet?

All mouth and trousers, no knowledge.

[ChrisY1]

Does anyone get a kind of De Ja Vu feeling here...

Thaksin, caretaker PM, time elapsed but he tried to stay on and cling to power...

Yingluck, caretaker PM, time elapsed but she is trying to stay on and cling to power...

PTP are pushing real hard for another coup, the Military are resisting this... once the courts throw YL's Government out then the Military can move in and clean house... this wont be a coup as the embattled caretaker PM will be offically thrown out of office by the courts and the military will be just policing this decision... End game at foot gentlemen, make sure your on the winning side.

PTP are pushing real hard for a coup?

The military are resisting?

Seems to me you've got the roles reversed here.

Regardless,

Lets assume PTP get tossed out and an unelected group step in.

What do you think happens next?

Everyone kisses and makes up and on we go?

You honestly believe hordes upon hordes of mad as hell Reds won't descend upon the city?

Once they get here do you honestly think the army just has to shoot and kill about 90 of them and it will all end as per 2010.

No way!

The only reason the army has sat on their asses in their floral bedecked bunkers is because they know they can't win an open confrontation against the Reds in the streets.

If push comes to shove and it all turns to crap, after the bloodbath, when the people have won it will be the Reds ramming through their constitution dealing the death blow to the yellow scourge that has plagued this nation for so many decades.

The cowards behind Suthep are happy to risk the lives of the fools that follow them, but they sure as hell don't want to risk their own existence by creating a situation that results in the Reds having absolute control over everything.

After the brinkmanship, this will be negotiated, and this time the Reds will give less concessions to the losers.

Slowly, slowly it is all ending for the anti - democracy yellows.

Good Night aparthied, Good Morning freedom

Do you really think like this???.....

It sounds as though you really want some serious action here......have a good sleep and don't forget to take your medication !

[HonestQuietBob]

Does anyone get a kind of De Ja Vu feeling here...

Thaksin, caretaker PM, time elapsed but he tried to stay on and cling to power...

Yingluck, caretaker PM, time elapsed but she is trying to stay on and cling to power...

PTP are pushing real hard for another coup, the Military are resisting this... once the courts throw YL's Government out then the Military can move in and clean house... this wont be a coup as the embattled caretaker PM will be offically thrown out of office by the courts and the military will be just policing this decision... End game at foot gentlemen, make sure your on the winning side.

PTP are pushing real hard for a coup?

The military are resisting?

Seems to me you've got the roles reversed here.

Regardless,

Lets assume PTP get tossed out and an unelected group step in.

What do you think happens next?

Everyone kisses and makes up and on we go?

You honestly believe hordes upon hordes of mad as hell Reds won't descend upon the city?

Once they get here do you honestly think the army just has to shoot and kill about 90 of them and it will all end as per 2010.

No way!

The only reason the army has sat on their asses in their floral bedecked bunkers is because they know they can't win an open confrontation against the Reds in the streets.

If push comes to shove and it all turns to crap, after the bloodbath, when the people have won it will be the Reds ramming through their constitution dealing the death blow to the yellow scourge that has plagued this nation for so many decades.

The cowards behind Suthep are happy to risk the lives of the fools that follow them, but they sure as hell don't want to risk their own existence by creating a situation that results in the Reds having absolute control over everything.

After the brinkmanship, this will be negotiated, and this time the Reds will give less concessions to the losers.

Slowly, slowly it is all ending for the anti - democracy yellows.

Good Night aparthied, Good Morning freedom

Try living inside of a red village, and be told which way to vote, be told to mind what you say, you should be left alone not forget to buy some drink for the village head man now and again.

But with your attitude you will be the talk of the town and very much invited to all functions VIP style.

Sweet, sign me up.

[tomacht8]

The election to Parliament will probably be nullified.

The EC has repeatedly announced before the election, that a fair and peaceful election was not possible, because of the protests

Why the CCourt should not confirm that.

Edited March 19, 2014 by tomacht8

[HonestQuietBob]

I believe the Reds are more than happy to re-run the elections.

What they have a problem with is the 18 - 24 months of unelected rule the other side want to impose before elections are held.

The Reds would love to have these elections annulled and a new election contested in 6 weeks time. They would win and Suthep's goose would be cooked.

Why do the other mob insist on a period of unelected rule?

All this nonsense hasn't been for nothing, they've clearly got something up their sleeve and as soon as they can get PTP out of the way who knows what they'll spring on everyone.

Election is called immediately, caretaker government continues as is until a victor is declared in 6 weeks.

Seems pretty straight forward - Democrats reject it out of hand (they know they'll lose)

Maybe at the start of this round of conflict, your prediction would have been true... but now, after losing a lot of support i beleive the PTP family would struggle to get enough votes to become the 'second party' in a coalition, this is something both the PTP and red Shirt movement are most scared of.

PTP couldnt rely on the farmers vote any more, this part of the electorate could very easily swing into the Democrats side or at the very least, swing away from the PTP side.

PTP lost a few of the recent by-elections as i remember, and some of those in areas considered to have been Red strong holds. There is also a lot more dissent in some of the more traditional Red areas... this is shakey ground for PTP as losing these areas to either the Democrats or some of the smaller parties pushes them further and further away from taking government again.

Do you think the current coalition partners will remain loyal to the PTP after this mess? They know if they support them things will heat up for them very quickly and any association with the failed schemes of the government could lead to law suits, so this time around i expect to see a swing in the alliegence of a lot of these smaller parties.

Thats the real reason why PTP dont want this ellection annuled, they will lose some of the seats they *think* they have won up north... they are desperate for this election to be concluded because of this.

Who cares what the Reds want.

Surely the best thing for the country is to call fresh elections with no boycotts to be held ASAP.

Whoever wins forms government and gets left alone to implement the policies they campaigned with for their entire term.

Whoever the opposition is, it's their job is to hold the government accountable using methods that obey the rule of law.

As for red support, its been very strong for 10 years now and one would assume that will continue.

If not, so what.

It means the Democrats have earned the respect of the people and deserve to be in government.

If they win, leave them alone and let them do the job they've been hired to do.

[Tarric]

Yingluck.... Take a look at this picture.

These are your exterminators.

We can only hope.

Either way, Friday looks to be real interesting. The big questions is, what will the UDD/Red Shirts do if the ruling is to anull the election?

While the more hardline red shirts like Ko Tee for example will want to press the issue, however the word from Thaksin himself is that the PTP will accept an anulled election. Thaksin said that he believed that the election would be anulled, there would be another election where all sides participated and the PTP was returned to power with a sizeably reduced number of seats.

So far Thaksin's predictions seem to be on track, there is growing discontent in the electorate with Yingluck largely being held responsible for the current political impasse which gives the Democrats a reasonable shot at winning an election which would encourage the Democrats brass to participate. While the PDRC and the Democrats would love to run the Shin clan out of the country they know that its not going to happen without a fight, so if they can capitalise on a multitude of issues facing the PTP/UDD alliance they have a shot at power which they would be fools to pass up.

[whybother]

Who cares what the Reds want.

Surely the best thing for the country is to call fresh elections with no boycotts to be held ASAP.

Whoever wins forms government and gets left alone to implement the policies they campaigned with for their entire term.

Whoever the opposition is, it's their job is to hold the government accountable using methods that obey the rule of law.

As for red support, its been very strong for 10 years now and one would assume that will continue.

If not, so what.

It means the Democrats have earned the respect of the people and deserve to be in government.

If they win, leave them alone and let them do the job they've been hired to do.

"As for red support, its been very strong for 10 years now and one would assume that will continue."

I thought the red shirts formed after the coup ... less than 8 years ago.

"Whoever wins forms government and gets left alone to implement the policies they campaigned with for their entire term."

Hasn't that been the problem? The PTP government were implementing their policies, and costing the country billions of baht, and issuing unconstitutional laws while voting illegally, and trying to issue laws that millions of Thais from both sides were against.

Maybe if they'd obeyed the rule of law, they wouldn't be in the crap that they are at the moment.

[HonestQuietBob]

Who cares what the Reds want.

Surely the best thing for the country is to call fresh elections with no boycotts to be held ASAP.

Whoever wins forms government and gets left alone to implement the policies they campaigned with for their entire term.

Whoever the opposition is, it's their job is to hold the government accountable using methods that obey the rule of law.

As for red support, its been very strong for 10 years now and one would assume that will continue.

If not, so what.

It means the Democrats have earned the respect of the people and deserve to be in government.

If they win, leave them alone and let them do the job they've been hired to do.

"As for red support, its been very strong for 10 years now and one would assume that will continue."

I thought the red shirts formed after the coup ... less than 8 years ago.

"Whoever wins forms government and gets left alone to implement the policies they campaigned with for their entire term."

Hasn't that been the problem? The PTP government were implementing their policies, and costing the country billions of baht, and issuing unconstitutional laws while voting illegally, and trying to issue laws that millions of Thais from both sides were against.

Maybe if they'd obeyed the rule of law, they wouldn't be in the crap that they are at the moment.

I'm not a pedant.

To me there is only 2 sides.

One is the Reds (pro Thaksin) and the other is the Yellows (anti-Thaksin).

The rest is just hair splitting BS.

An awful lot of the accusations against the PTP government are either false or exaggerated and originate from less than reputable sources.

The rest of their perceived ills, are just par for the course in Thailand, ills that the Democrats probably outdo the PTP by miles and miles.

The masses of this country have been ripped off for so long by so much populist policies that redistribute wealth are to be expected.

The pendulum has to swing back in the opposite direction quite a lot to try and get some balance in the current state of affairs

The old establishment are just going to have to accept that their slice of the pie is going to be much, much smaller.

Just because a policy doesn't benefit you personally doesn't mean it's bad or corrupt.