Suthep: Poll disruptions will be repeated

[webfact]

Suthep: Poll disruptions will be repeated

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – Secretary-General of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban has declared that the group will continue to prevent the general election from happening, reiterating that reform must come first.

During his appearance on the PDRC stage at Lumpini Park following the annulment of the February 2 poll by the Constitutional Court, Mr Suthep announced that PDRC supporters would not only attempt to cripple the election for the second time but would also step up their strategy in doing so. He warned the Election Commission (EC) not to waste another budget on the new poll while emphasizing the necessity of pre-election reform.

Mr Suthep also disregarded an earlier suggestion by Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn that the date of the new election could either be determined by a royal decree or settled among political parties. The protest leader reaffirmed that the PDRC would not allow any form of election to take place unless reformation had been made.

The PDRC Secretary-General encouraged the EC to sue the government for a compensation of 3.88 billion baht after the electoral expenses in the previous round went down the drain. He pointed out that the EC had asked the government to postpone the February 2 election but the request fell on deaf ears; therefore, the government must be held accountable for the budget loss.


-- NNT 2014-03-22

[Thai at Heart]

Now this is where, someone either steps in and stops this nonsense or Thailand reduces itself to an international laughing stock.

[tezzainoz]

Ha ha, look at what they are really saying

IF YOU WANT A PAY RISE YOU ASK FOR MORE THAN YOU WANT

then when it gets to the final bargaining you can reduce you wants and take less

Suthep is not the head of the protest, and is just a person those behind the scenes are using

When all is over Suthep we get the Golden Hand Shake and move on

If you open your eyes you will now see the real power heads are starting to come to the surface

There where thousands of Thais who protested for 1 reason only

Thaskins "Get Out Of Jail" free card

Once this has run out of time, Thais will go to an election with no problems

And the winner will take the reigns

[Yunla]

Secretary-General of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban has declared that the group will continue to prevent the general election from happening, reiterating that reform must come first.

He's right. Reform must come before an election. The Dems need to reform into an electable moderate party that represents all working Thais. But since they can't be bothered doing that, the elections should go ahead anyway and it is their own tough luck that they refused to rebrand their policies to appeal to more people.

Elections should keep rolling on unopposed until somebody has that lightbulb-moment where they decide to actually offer a political party with a menu that people actually find appealing. Elections are not the problem - and that is why blocking them is totally wrong. The problem is that the main parties are not offering any clear incentives for the common working person to vote for them with any sense of purpose.

[binjalin]

unfortunately the CC has brought this upon itself - CHAOS!!!

[searcherkind666]

Most of the democratic nation's outside Thailand are amazed that this criminal suthep can violate voting laws with impunity , why are there any election's in Thailand if the loser can keep changing the rule's , if the corrupt court's wont stop this madness then some one should invalidate the court's and install a court that believes in democracy and the rule of law , this Suthep gang is making Thailand look really bad like a banana republic its sad to see and what of the economy ? this Suthep is a criminal and should be treated as such , my prayers are for the good honest people of the land of smile's .

[chainarong]

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Now this is where, someone either steps in and stops this nonsense or Thailand reduces itself to an international laughing stock.

Not much hope when you look at the material you have to work with, on both sides of the road.

[lildragon]

Secretary-General of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban has declared that the group will continue to prevent the general election from happening, reiterating that reform must come first.

He's right. Reform must come before an election. The Dems need to reform into an electable moderate party that represents all working Thais. But since they can't be bothered doing that, the elections should go ahead anyway and it is their own tough luck that they refused to rebrand their policies to appeal to more people.

Elections should keep rolling on unopposed until somebody has that lightbulb-moment where they decide to actually offer a political party with a menu that people actually find appealing. Elections are not the problem - and that is why blocking them is totally wrong. The problem is that the main parties are not offering any clear incentives for the common working person to vote for them with any sense of purpose.

And here is the correct answer! Unfortunately though the dems won't do this. They will wait until they are shoe horned into power and then this whole mess can start over AGAIN!

Both sides have the chance to step back, reform themselves, come to the table with working and transparent policies and go on to win a fair election. Their masters don't want that though. Absolute power, by any means or cost necessary.

[millwall_fan]

The courts have enough time to prepare for the indictment of Yingluck for malfeasance. Enough time to overturn the election result, but not enough time to make Mr. Suthep appear in person to answer the charges of murder in 2010 and insurrection in 2013, accepting his excuse that he is 'too busy' leading the protests to answer the charges against him. The courts are hopelessly biased and if reform is needed in Thailand, the judiciary should be the first to be restructured.

[Donnie Brasco]

The moment these "Democrats" are forced to articulate their "reformed" version of "one man-one vote" all Hell will hit the fan.

"Sometimes, 'fuggedabowdit' just means fuggedabowdit."

[geriatrickid]

Suthep with the support of the military and the Democrat party will now hold Thailand hostage. Everyone is for reform. Who best to initiate the reform process? In any enlightened nation where there is a respect for democracy, the answer would be, the elected representatives of the people. The Suthep faction wants its form of reform to come from people it will appoint. That is not acceptable.

Thailand is at the crossroads. If it is in favour of democracy there must be free elections. The continued blackmail of Suthep must stop. The military must step aside and allow the civil authorities to proceed with their case against Suthep and that means an end to their protection of him.

[Tarric]

To be completely frank I am tired of both sides and their cheerleaders championing the righteousness of their respective causes. At the end of the day the country is slowly falling apart socially and economically while the PTP/Thaksin/UDD and the Democrats/Suthep/PDRC continue with their political brinksmanship.

Both sides need to accept that they are not going to get what they want, there is not going to be any rousing victory for either side without the blood of the Thai people on the street. If large scale violence does occur Thailand can kiss any chance of prosperity and continued economic growth goodbye.

The Democrats need to contest this next election and push for reform through traditional channels, even if they lose they can be an effective opposition holding the government to account on spending. With strong oversight they could reduce corruption at the highest levels and show the people that they have their best interests at heart.

[ginjag]

unfortunately the CC has brought this upon itself - CHAOS!!!

Look at the root cause, before coming out with such a crazy statement.

An elected NONE government in power----top Ministerial jobs given to non qualified persons who are part of the Shin machine. The country could not run with a leader ruling it from abroad, that for a start was illegal, apart from Thai money missing, could be anywhere same as the missing aircraft.

Disaster from day one in government. AND YOU BLAME SUTHEP, ECC, and anyone else.

Yingluck went for an election knowing full well it would be a disaster, but she ha a chance to get in IF the snap decision worked, as she knew she aand a load of her party were already under the microscope for offences against the state.

So here we are today, waiting for the outcome. BUT IT WILL BE ECC FAULT AGAIN, as the Shins followers will never believe wrong has been committed.

This saying speaks volumes, easy--follow the money, then show the world where it went.

[ginjag]

Suthep with the support of the military and the Democrat party will now hold Thailand hostage. Everyone is for reform. Who best to initiate the reform process? In any enlightened nation where there is a respect for democracy, the answer would be, the elected representatives of the people. The Suthep faction wants its form of reform to come from people it will appoint. That is not acceptable.

Thailand is at the crossroads. If it is in favour of democracy there must be free elections. The continued blackmail of Suthep must stop. The military must step aside and allow the civil authorities to proceed with their case against Suthep and that means an end to their protection of him.

Lets not get in front of ourselves---PROCEED with the most important case---against the Billions of missing money, Yingluck in the forefront.

Once we have them charged go after anyone else that broke the law.

First things first GK.

Please see sense get the rif raf out of the way----REFORM--lovely non corrupt elections. This is the way, not all this B/S about the ECC --Suthep--bent courts--bashing the military---

With a decent non corrupt government, NONE of this would have happened, and all this money Thailand would have in the bank for infrastructure, schools-hospitals- I want to see on paper how much money has disappeared and to who ????

[chooka]

Strip people of their right to vote again. The only person who has any right to elect a government in Thailand appears to be Suthep

[ginjag]

Strip people of their right to vote again. The only person who has any right to elect a government in Thailand appears to be Suthep

Quite simple really in theory, the PTP elected had the chance to pull Thailand into a new era, could have had 4 years of unopposed decisions, money in the bank, infrastructure half done.

BUT they chose to neglect and line their pockets, and actually thought no one could do anything about it, THEY were wrong.

Now it is all coming to light The Shins and followers are doing what they always were good at---BLAME everyone else.

[Tatsujin]

Now this is where, someone either steps in and stops this nonsense or Thailand reduces itself to an international laughing stock.

We passed that point a LONG long time ago . . .

[baxida]

*Deleted post edited out*

How is this a 'badly written rant' without proven facts?? They are all criminals and that is a PROVEN fact. Doesn't matter which side you are on, laws are fractured by politicians wide scale. One guy is hiding in a cave/hotel in Dubai and the other is trying to overthrow the government. How the f*** can anybody have the audacity to defend either one.

OK he did cross the line though using too many apostrophes though...

Edited March 23, 2014 by Scott

[DirtFarmer]

Ah yes...the final Anti election push..coming this summer at a theatre near you...

[Bluespunk]

"Suthep: Poll disruptions will be repeated"

Idiot. Blocking the election has achieved nothing and never will. This verdict offers a way out of a mess you are as responsible for as PT's misrule and you'd throw it away. Give it up and go home.

Edited March 22, 2014 by Bluespunk

[pianoman]

To be completely frank I am tired of both sides and their cheerleaders championing the righteousness of their respective causes. At the end of the day the country is slowly falling apart socially and economically while the PTP/Thaksin/UDD and the Democrats/Suthep/PDRC continue with their political brinksmanship.

Both sides need to accept that they are not going to get what they want, there is not going to be any rousing victory for either side without the blood of the Thai people on the street. If large scale violence does occur Thailand can kiss any chance of prosperity and continued economic growth goodbye.

The Democrats need to contest this next election and push for reform through traditional channels, even if they lose they can be an effective opposition holding the government to account on spending. With strong oversight they could reduce corruption at the highest levels and show the people that they have their best interests at heart.

And you really think that the Democrats want Reform??? All that they want is to be back in power so that they can take advantage of the Corruption that is rampent on both sides, and without having to share the wealth / spoils with the poor as Thasksin was doing...

Pianoman

[rwhoov]

Well, just what are the reforms Suthep keeps screaming about? Why do I get the feeling that he wants to disenfranchise voters unlikely to vote for him. If not, then reveal the reforms. Agreeing to implement unknown reforms would be the height of folly and stupidity. So come on, Suthep. Tell us what your reforms are! Somehow he never does...

[ginjag]

Well, just what are the reforms Suthep keeps screaming about? Why do I get the feeling that he wants to disenfranchise voters unlikely to vote for him. If not, then reveal the reforms. Agreeing to implement unknown reforms would be the height of folly and stupidity. So come on, Suthep. Tell us what your reforms are! Somehow he never does...

Near anything opposite to what has transpired over 2 years. rid the country of in your face corruption, for starters, ANYONE caught in any government capacity charged and convicted. NO to inactive posts---sacking. Audits for any contracts/work carried out. Complete re-structure of the Bib

Independent courts to be set up, one normal---one high court for appeals etc.

No coloured declared villages--- illegal. Let the experts sort out the rest---these are mega reform tasks---(to my thinking)

[Ricardo]

Suthep is wrong, he's achieved all that he can, it's time for him to step aside, and for the Dems to participate in a new election.

Whoever wins should pursue real reform of the Constitution, which changes must be endorsed by a national-referendum, not rammed-through by some shady 4am-vote in a muzzled Parliament.

Both sides have to change their positions, in order to achieve this, are either of them capable of doing so ? Who knows !

[Fat Haggis]

Gingag, why are you idolising a man waist deep in corruption himself, and feel the need to call people a JOKE ?? I think you should take a good long hard look at yourself, and realise that there's no winners here.

All that will happen now is Thailand becomes a Dicatorship, and the will of the people is now irrelevant..there will never be another election again in Thailand, under this latest ruling.

Doesn't matter if you disband the PTP, you think the people will just roll over and support the Dems..what will happen now is that Songkran will be replaced by the annual Military Coup, as the most revered time of the year

Suthep and Thaksin are both dicks!!

[ginjag]

Suthep is wrong, he's achieved all that he can, it's time for him to step aside, and for the Dems to participate in a new election.

Whoever wins should pursue real reform of the Constitution, which changes must be endorsed by a national-referendum, not rammed-through by some shady 4am-vote in a muzzled Parliament.

Both sides have to change their positions, in order to achieve this, are either of them capable of doing so ? Who knows !

Suthep in so many ways was wrong---from the eyes of the government and it's supporters, He upset a regime that was raping the country, THERE IS THE CRIME.

He highlighted the injustice-he accelerated the courts actions and gave Thailand a chance to have a second think.

Whatever his private gains out of it we can only guess--But I believe it wasn't to be the new PM. IF he has to be tried for his protest action then so be it.

There will be only a handful of candidates left after the courts have dealt with them. SO REFORMS first then FAIR ELECTIONS to follow. What is there to be afraid of then ???

You cannot expect Thai people to vote for a candidate if he doesn't know if he did wrong-----get these so and so MPs out of the picture. The clean ones left can then be voted for.

[ggold]

To be completely frank I am tired of both sides and their cheerleaders championing the righteousness of their respective causes. At the end of the day the country is slowly falling apart socially and economically while the PTP/Thaksin/UDD and the Democrats/Suthep/PDRC continue with their political brinksmanship.

Both sides need to accept that they are not going to get what they want, there is not going to be any rousing victory for either side without the blood of the Thai people on the street. If large scale violence does occur Thailand can kiss any chance of prosperity and continued economic growth goodbye.

The Democrats need to contest this next election and push for reform through traditional channels, even if they lose they can be an effective opposition holding the government to account on spending. With strong oversight they could reduce corruption at the highest levels and show the people that they have their best interests at heart.

Totaly agree with you, But then you said!

With strong oversight they could reduce corruption at the highest levels and show the people that they have their best interests at heart.

wasn't that part of the problem in the last Parliament? PTP wouldn't give the dems the time to debate any of the constitutional changes proposed and they sneaked the vote through at 4am in the morning.

surely they've been there and done that!

[ginjag]

Gingag, why are you idolising a man waist deep in corruption himself, and feel the need to call people a JOKE ?? I think you should take a good long hard look at yourself, and realise that there's no winners here.

All that will happen now is Thailand becomes a Dicatorship, and the will of the people is now irrelevant..there will never be another election again in Thailand, under this latest ruling.

Doesn't matter if you disband the PTP, you think the people will just roll over and support the Dems..what will happen now is that Songkran will be replaced by the annual Military Coup, as the most revered time of the year

Suthep and Thaksin are both dicks!!

I do not idolize Suthep--READ MY POST do not twist it.

Thailand was in a dictatorial state, hence the problems.

The people will have choices--IF THE COURTS CLEAN UP THE JOB.

If Suthep is deep in corruption then let the powers that be convict him....................The WINNERS should be the Thai people NOT any party.

I said all along get after the wrong doers, but tackle from the top down, Suthep will Have to bow to the courts when it is his turn. However bad he may be----he has not squandered 1 trillion + to be revealed with all the 2 years of dictatorial government. Elected is no excuse for plunder of state money.

[jimbeam1]

Now this is where, someone either steps in and stops this nonsense opr Thailand reduces itself to an

international laughing stock.

Sadly it has already gained that title.

Jb1

[rickirs]

(If this is repeated I apologize as seemed to have problems uploading)

The Constitutional Court held that when there is a polling station that is not open on election day, the whole election is voided. By Suthep's declaration that he will repeat poll closures in any new elections, does that then mean that if the EC does schedule an election, it could be held liable (not Suthep of course) as a dereliction of duty to hold an election because there is certainty by Suthep's previous actions that the election will be voided? Once the EC is dissolved by the Constitutional Court, there can be no further elections. Since poll closures can be done by anyone of any political persuasion, Thailand is facing a future of a failed state.

Frankly, the country under such circumstances might as well revert back to a pure monarchy with an appointed government by the King for it to remain viable as a nation. The alternative will be military rule once again and if there's one thing the military doesn't know well, is how to run a country once the violence settles down. Hello 50 baht to the USD.