POLITICS
Abhisit calls on Yingluck, Suthep to hold talks on live TV

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Tuesday called on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban to told talks on national reform live on TV.

The live broadcast would create confidence among the people and prevent the spread of rumours that cause both sides to attack each other.

Abhisit was speaking to the Senate committee on political development and public participation in politics. The committee invited Abhisit to express his opinion on political reform.

Abhisit admitted that certain reforms could not be completed before an election because they would require charter amendments to implement them.

As a result, he said a public referendum should be held on whether the people want reforms so that politicians would have to commit themselves to carrying out reforms after the election.

"The most difficult thing about reforms is to find the starting point, as both sides are squabbling over whether the reforms should be introduced before or after the next election," Abhisit said.

"Each side refuses to accept the other's reasons. So, I think we must follow a middle path. We must carry out urgent things first because it is impossible to complete all reform issues fast. For example, decentralisation cannot be done in one or two years. And if an election is held now, no one will believe that it will lead to reform."


-- The Nation 2014-03-25

Bring it on!

Yingluck v Suthep live on TV !

What a brilliant show that would be but who would be the moderator ?

That won't go down well with the "acting" PM. He should have offered her a position on a Thai TV soap. She'd be a natural.

Very sensible what he said.

About the TV, broadcast...........can't think she can hold a debate, but it will be really enjoyable to see her crying again.

Smart man Abhisit. Distancing himself from the conflict and presenting the voice of reason happy in the knowledge that Yingluck couldn't tell you the 2 sides of a coin and that Suthep can talk for days

Why not? Everything else has failed so far.

Bring it on!

Yingluck v Suthep live on TV !

What a brilliant show that would be but who would be the moderator ?

George?

Yingluck having a debate? It has never happened since she became PM and it will never happen. That's not part of their kind of democracy.

She already said she wouldn't do that. What wrong with Abhisit? A short memory or does he just like to hear himself talk?

Bring it on!

Yingluck v Suthep live on TV !

What a brilliant show that would be but who would be the moderator ?

Kermit the frog.

And at the end of the show they make him PM.

She already said she wouldn't do that. What wrong with Abhisit? A short memory or does he just like to hear himself talk?

It's not that strange that a PM appears on TV to have a debate. What's wrong with Yingluck? Why doesn't she like to do that? After all she is the leader of Thailand!!

Really good to finally see some solid suggestions from the Dem side and the realism that not all reforms can take place before the next elections.

A commitment from both sides to honor any suggested reforms would go a long way to satisfying a lot of the people prior to elections.

As for the talks on TV, never going to happen, certainly not "live". Yingluck is incapable of speaking without a script and without crying.

She already said she wouldn't do that. What wrong with Abhisit? A short memory or does he just like to hear himself talk?

Nope, I just think he'd like the acting PM of the country come out and explain her governments policies, plans for the future, strategies for resolving the rice payment crisis and her thoughts on eradicating corruption. Not too much to ask really.

The best suggestion yet. Hold a referendum for proceeding with reform. Abhisit is right in saying that few trust that reform would ever follow an election. All we have to do is look to the last election to see that that really didn't pan out ! Abhisit has pointed out the common point between the two sides. PDRC want reform, and Pheu Thai " says " that they want reform. A referendum puts the public will to the test. Abhisit's suggestion of a televised debate between Yingluck and Suthep is not just window-dressing. His calls for dialogue between the two are becoming much more apparent. Abhisit is aware that talk is necessary, and he is also aware a referendum offers a democratic solution. Give Pheu Thai five minutes to shoot it down, however. They'll dream up all sorts of excuses. They'll call it unconstitutional, and they'll suggest Suthep debate Ko Tee. But at least Abhisit's call has made it into the public consciousness, and the more Pheu Thai takes us further into the Twilight Zone, the more sensible the suggestion will look.

Abhisit was a bit weak when he was in power, perhaps he's grown a pair.

This would be like a fly weight fighting a heavy weight. The outcome is a foregone conclusion .

She already said she wouldn't do that. What wrong with Abhisit? A short memory or does he just like to hear himself talk?

What's wrong with a PM that's too sacred to debate because she doesn't know enough to do so?

The simple answer is that she's not fit for purpose - like having a papier mache hammer

Bring it on!

Yingluck v Suthep live on TV !

What a brilliant show that would be but who would be the moderator ?

I propose the Fox Lady as moderator,any seconders?

The last time yingluck was in a situation like this where she was absolutely forced to debate was at the censure debate. yingluck cancelled the weekly Cabinet meeting before hand and in fact cleared her whole schedule. She stayed late in her office so her coach, PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva, could train her on how to cope with the showdown. She spent hours reading information prepared by Suranand. When the Senate held a general debate against the PTP she spent the time learning the lines prepared by Suranand, rather than attending the debate. She essentially turned her back on all her democratic responsibilities and bunkered down for a week so she could parrot whatever Suranand told her to.

So this debate that Abhisit suggest, though beneficial in opening up communications and showing opposing views of the parties involved to the voter base, it will only be counter productive for the PTP. Besides the point that an uneven footpath can topple the leader of the PTP and bring her to her knees, yingluck is already unable to grasp or relay the fundamentals of what her brother wants. As it stands now she cries one day and laughs the next. Stipulates that everyone must respect the rule of law then the next day says the PTP will not acknowledge the courts rulings. This is not the sign of a women in control and the last thing the PTP want is for the nation to see a broken, minority driven puppet as the mantel of power that the PTP want to project as a sign of strength. If refusing to parade their leader out at the behest of showing responsibility and a commitment to achieving reconciliation to the voter base then one would not be surprised. They have not shown the respect to the voter base before and they will take that voter base for granted again. Fortunately, for the majority of Thai's, that disrespect for the voter base translated, at the last failed election into what the people truly want for the future and I tellz ya….It aint the PTP.

Just going on past appearances on various interviews, no chance. If she had nothing to hide and had done a good job no one could make her lose face. This is quite the opposite, the PM would be under fire from the first word, and she would never be able to cope with the onslaught.

The P.M. © should take the challenge not to do would be the final DENIAL.

The handful of pro gov posters will not be responding as they are the same as the PM, blame another or switch the subject.

Healthy debate, clear the air. Why would the P.M. decline ?????

Bring it on!

Yingluck v Suthep live on TV !

What a brilliant show that would be but who would be the moderator ?

I propose the Fox Lady as moderator,any seconders?

Second.

LOL, good choice.

Smart man Abhisit. Distancing himself from the conflict and presenting the voice of reason happy in the knowledge that Yingluck couldn't tell you the 2 sides of a coin and that Suthep can talk for days

Abhisit might be smart, but after boycotting the last election and threatening to do the same at the next one, the man has no credibility. He is nothing more than Suthep's lap dog answering to his master's voice. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt by the marginalised leader of a marginalised and increasingly irrelevant party.

If he wanted to make a serious contribution, he could start by confirming that his party will contest the next election and set out policies that benefit the whole country, not just the Democrats tradition supporters.

She already said she wouldn't do that. What wrong with Abhisit? A short memory or does he just like to hear himself talk?

Think you have missed the point entirely.

Smart man Abhisit. Distancing himself from the conflict and presenting the voice of reason happy in the knowledge that Yingluck couldn't tell you the 2 sides of a coin and that Suthep can talk for days

Abhisit might be smart, but after boycotting the last election and threatening to do the same at the next one, the man has no credibility. He is nothing more than Suthep's lap dog answering to his master's voice. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt by the marginalised leader of a marginalised and increasingly irrelevant party.

If he wanted to make a serious contribution, he could start by confirming that his party will contest the next election and set out policies that benefit the whole country, not just the Democrats tradition supporters.

Did you forget the main reason, you have a nerve when you fail to nominate your Issan lady to tell the whole world the truth. failed post does not want to know.

She already said she wouldn't do that. What wrong with Abhisit? A short memory or does he just like to hear himself talk?

Nope, I just think he'd like the acting PM of the country come out and explain her governments policies, plans for the future, strategies for resolving the rice payment crisis and her thoughts on eradicating corruption. Not too much to ask really.

No, not too much to ask but certainly far in excess of what our Barbie-doll interim PM will every be capable of.

Maybe Abhisit and Yinluck should debate on TV, call it "Thailand's Winner Takes All"

Abhisit was a bit weak when he was in power, perhaps he's grown a pair.

Yes I was very unhappy with him as PM, and sure many thought it can't get worse....but it could get a lot worse.....

The best suggestion yet. Hold a referendum for proceeding with reform. Abhisit is right in saying that few trust that reform would ever follow an election. All we have to do is look to the last election to see that that really didn't pan out ! Abhisit has pointed out the common point between the two sides. PDRC want reform, and Pheu Thai " says " that they want reform. A referendum puts the public will to the test. Abhisit's suggestion of a televised debate between Yingluck and Suthep is not just window-dressing. His calls for dialogue between the two are becoming much more apparent. Abhisit is aware that talk is necessary, and he is also aware a referendum offers a democratic solution. Give Pheu Thai five minutes to shoot it down, however. They'll dream up all sorts of excuses. They'll call it unconstitutional, and they'll suggest Suthep debate Ko Tee. But at least Abhisit's call has made it into the public consciousness, and the more Pheu Thai takes us further into the Twilight Zone, the more sensible the suggestion will look.

It's about time the laggard Abhisit caught up with the prevailing view of the country that a referendum needs to be held on any "reforms" certain people have vaguely referenced.

In fact, the Senate committee that invited Abhisit needs to invite Suthep to present his "reforms" proposal to it and thereby to the public so that everyone can see and know what changes Suthep has in mind. Suthep would need to be specific, comprehensive, detailed, because voting only on the word "reform" would otherwise occur in a vacuum.

If not invite Suthep, then the Senate committee should recall Abhisit to present reforms, given the DP boycotted the Feb 2nd election, remains up in the air about any new election, and Abhisit's democratic credentials have been self-revealed to be less than stellar.

Abhisit really needs to clean up his act. He's calling for a referendum out of one side of his mouth while out of the other side he's calling for a dog and pony television show between the caretaker PM and the streetwalker and foot stomper Suthep, who has no position in government or in a political party, and thus no standing to debate the prime minister.

If it's beneath the Senate committee to invite Suthep to air his reforms, then it certainly would be inappropriate to allow Suthep to appear offhand on live television opposite the prime minister. The Senate committee needs to complete the task it has assumed. Meanwhile the PM can continue to work on the delinquent EC to do its job to schedule a general election.

Abhisit was a bit weak when he was in power, perhaps he's grown a pair.

Yes I was very unhappy with him as PM, and sure many thought it can't get worse....but it could get a lot worse.....

Tell us what you were not happy about. ????

was there mass monies disappearing, did they buy billions worth of dud tablets, did they go against the law of the land and try to rush through bills at 3am, was he ruled by a relative abroad, did he leave the country in a financial mess???? Answer NO.

On topic Abhisit in a debate with Yingluck would make her more dim than PTP polices that's why she will either decline or not answer, because she answers to only ONE.

Smart man Abhisit. Distancing himself from the conflict and presenting the voice of reason happy in the knowledge that Yingluck couldn't tell you the 2 sides of a coin and that Suthep can talk for days

Abhisit might be smart, but after boycotting the last election and threatening to do the same at the next one, the man has no credibility. He is nothing more than Suthep's lap dog answering to his master's voice. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt by the marginalised leader of a marginalised and increasingly irrelevant party.

If he wanted to make a serious contribution, he could start by confirming that his party will contest the next election and set out policies that benefit the whole country, not just the Democrats tradition supporters.

You still seem to think that elections before reform are useful. Democratic and all that. "respect my vote till it's counted" as the Pheu Thai attitude is?

The best suggestion yet. Hold a referendum for proceeding with reform. Abhisit is right in saying that few trust that reform would ever follow an election. All we have to do is look to the last election to see that that really didn't pan out ! Abhisit has pointed out the common point between the two sides. PDRC want reform, and Pheu Thai " says " that they want reform. A referendum puts the public will to the test. Abhisit's suggestion of a televised debate between Yingluck and Suthep is not just window-dressing. His calls for dialogue between the two are becoming much more apparent. Abhisit is aware that talk is necessary, and he is also aware a referendum offers a democratic solution. Give Pheu Thai five minutes to shoot it down, however. They'll dream up all sorts of excuses. They'll call it unconstitutional, and they'll suggest Suthep debate Ko Tee. But at least Abhisit's call has made it into the public consciousness, and the more Pheu Thai takes us further into the Twilight Zone, the more sensible the suggestion will look.

It's about time the laggard Abhisit caught up with the prevailing view of the country that a referendum needs to be held on any "reforms" certain people have vaguely referenced.

In fact, the Senate committee that invited Abhisit needs to invite Suthep to present his "reforms" proposal to it and thereby to the public so that everyone can see and know what changes Suthep has in mind. Suthep would need to be specific, comprehensive, detailed, because voting only on the word "reform" would otherwise occur in a vacuum.

If not invite Suthep, then the Senate committee should recall Abhisit to present reforms, given the DP boycotted the Feb 2nd election, remains up in the air about any new election, and Abhisit's democratic credentials have been self-revealed to be less than stellar.

Abhisit really needs to clean up his act. He's calling for a referendum out of one side of his mouth while out of the other side he's calling for a dog and pony television show between the caretaker PM and the streetwalker and foot stomper Suthep, who has no position in government or in a political party, and thus no standing to debate the prime minister.

If it's beneath the Senate committee to invite Suthep to air his reforms, then it certainly would be inappropriate to allow Suthep to appear offhand on live television opposite the prime minister. The Senate committee needs to complete the task it has assumed. Meanwhile the PM can continue to work on the delinquent EC to do its job to schedule a general election.

Another skirting around the topic--debate on TV. as stated before---reforms after the government has been ousted by the court.