Bid to meet Suthep to find way out

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POLITICS
Bid to meet Suthep to find way out
The Nation


Supporters of the anti-government People

Coalition to invite Democrats, other parties to talks; warn of Asean suspension

BANGKOK: -- Political parties plan to hold talks and send representatives to People's Democratic Reform Committee chief Suthep Thaugsuban for discussions to resolve the political deadlock, as they fear internal conflict could even lead to the country's suspension from Asean.

The coalition parties will call a meeting of 53 political parties to find out what each party thinks about the Constitutional Court ruling that nullified the February 2 election.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday that the meeting would be held at the Royal Police Cadet Academy in Nakhon Pathom's Sam Pran district on Friday.

Prompong said the Democrat Party would be invited to join the meeting. If the party rejects the invitation, the Democrats would be criticised as not being sincere with the public on the issue of democracy, the spokesman said.

Chart Thai Pattana Party's key member Somsak Prissanananthakul said politicians known to be close to Suthep would try and convince him to enter into negotiations.

"In this political crisis, no one wins 100 per cent or loses 100 per cent. The Asean integration will begin in about 100 days. If we are still struggling with internal conflicts, we may lose the chance to become an Asean economic hub as we have aspired. In a worst-case scenario, we may be suspended from Asean,'' he said.

Suthep said yesterday that he has at no time approached anyone for the position of interim premiership, saying the time is not ripe for such a move.

He added that the PDRC would not join talks with the Election Commission in order to find a political solution to the ongoing problems.

Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar recently disclosed a list of people who he claimed were candidates for interim premier to replace Yingluck Shinawatra in case she were to be indicted by the national anti-graft agency over the rice-pledging scheme.

Suthep said the PDRC has never approached anyone to become an interim prime minister and the red shirts' list of names comes from their own imagination.

"We haven't moved to that process, as we have yet to remove the Thaksin regime. The prime minister must resign first and only after that will the search for a neutral premier start," he said.

The former deputy prime minister said the PDRC will definitely not attend any negotiations except face-to-face talks with the prime minister broadcast live on television.

The PDRC has stressed its stand on national reforms before an election, he said, adding that a new general election will be useless given voters' poor response to the Senate's advance election on Sunday.

The Constitutional Court annulled the February 2 election, compelling the EC to organise a new round of balloting nationwide.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on Yingluck and Suthep to hold 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 had 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 wanted 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."

Nuttawut said he would reveal a list of PDRC supporters today to prove that they would benefit if the current government was removed. The list would include names of potential ministers or members of the PDRC who would form the appointed government as suggested by Suthep.

"Our standpoint is clear. We will not accept coups of any form and an unlawful PM. If the situation reaches that point, we will come out to fight but in a democratic way,'' Nuttawut said.


-- The Nation 2014-03-26

[chooka]

Stop being a spoilt rich elite Suthep and at least bloody try and talk. Simply baring your naked buttocks and then giggling like an immature school kid because you think it's funny isn't going to achieve anything. Suthep proves that Thailand and it's people are not mature or developed enough to even consider ASEAN, yes they should be banned from ASEAN.

[DirtFarmer]

They are desperate for media time... "Prompong said the Democrat Party would be invited to join the meeting. If the party rejects the invitation, the Democrats would be criticised as not being sincere with the public on the issue of democracy, the spokesman said."

Does anybody buy this extremely shallow attempt... at sincerity...? It is farcical posturing from a depleted force...oh they may still force YL out mind with the aid of the CC and Ombudsman and the other "independent" agencies ( though questionably incorrect rulings...?) mind you but do they really think they are fooling anybody here...? utter waste of energy..but another way to get Abhiset's grand plan for a Suthep and YL TV debate fronted... (though it was never his idea... and just rehash what was in the other Media Blurb about the same ridiculous idea)..

Yes let's invite the Democrats they can show how sincere they are about Democracy... LOLOL

Edited: nice selfie though Suthep... everybody wants a selfie with Dear Leader...

Edited March 26, 2014 by DirtFarmer

[huanga]

"Prompong said the Democrat Party would be invited to join the meeting. If the party rejects the invitation, the Democrats would be criticised as not being sincere with the public on the issue of democracy, the spokesman said."

Same can be said about Suthep inviting Yinguck to hold reform talk on live TV. If she refuses, can it be construed that she doesn't care about Thailand?

What a bunch of stinking BS this Prompong is spewing!

[ikke]

Yes Suthep, now you brought the country to the edge, if you refuse to join this talks, Thailand will fall down totally , ALL thanks to you and your greedy elite.

[expat888]

I don't think Suthep is interested in compromise. It's his way or the highway.

[aussieinthailand]

In what "Democratic" country can a X deputy PM like Suthep be allowed to just say NO I'm to busy to front court on murder charges and be let allowed to destroy the country and economy and still not be thrown in jail?

This fool changes his mind more than he changes his underwear, at least once a month,,, First he won't talk then he will, then he will only talk with Thaksin, then not, but will talk with Y L only on live TV, and what is it now, will he change a few day's before the live TV debate???

Throw him in jail and forget about him and try to repair the damage done to this country.

[gabruce]

I can just see it now. If the Democrats did attend this PTP meeting.

They'll be one of 53 parties and allocated the same time as everyone else (except the PTP who being the government would have 50% speaking time or so).

The Democrats would say that the CC made a legal ruling and the country should abide by it. After that first sentence, the PTP moderator would say thank you for your opinion, now sit down and shut up.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Stop being a spoilt rich elite Suthep and at least bloody try and talk. Simply baring your naked buttocks and then giggling like an immature school kid because you think it's funny isn't going to achieve anything. Suthep proves that Thailand and it's people are not mature or developed enough to even consider ASEAN, yes they should be banned from ASEAN.

He IS ready to talk to her but she doesn't want to talk to him. What is she afraid of?

[antimedia]

Suthep like Yingluck has a master so cannot commit to anything without their direction and approval . Unfortunately for Thailand that is The New World Order led by the west, principaly The USA and Great Britain.

[ianf]

Yes Suthep, now you brought the country to the edge, if you refuse to join this talks, Thailand will fall down totally , ALL thanks to you and your greedy elite.

"Greedy"????? Thaksin's greed certainly has no boundaries.

[Stan7444]

What a useless waste of space for this article since it only repeats like a parrot the same wording as in every other article, like we have never read any of this crap before.