Too early to say if Thai Democrats will run in a fresh election: party official

[worgeordie]

My betting is that they do take part in any forthcoming elections,

as the party will be disbanded if they do not ,as its the law that

if any party does not take part in 2 consecutive elections they

are dissolved.

regards worgeordie

[binjalin]

lest anyone would think the Dems in anyway plan anything or show leadership or decisiveness they'll just 'wait and see' hoping the judiciary will install them instead

[h90]

As expected, the Democratic party is well away from a decision on this. And the reality of it is that they actually don't have to make a definite decision until the day they would need to register. The last decision was made just two days prior to the day that they needed to register. The Democratic party is being called a pragmatic party by some. Yes, indeed it is. Like all other parties. And one of the rules of politics is always to leave yourself leg room. Those who don't ( and there's a sea of them right now ) find they inadvertently box themselves in. The Democratic party doesn't want to box itself in. ( Of course, they know there are always people who will speak on their behalf, so no vacuum is created as far as they are concerned ! ) But to be honest, nobody really knows how any of this will play out. The Democratic party has been consistent that they want an election that is free and fair, and by that they mean free from the influence of a certain man in Dubai, who has the unmistakable ability to tilt the system in a way it was not designed to be tilted. Abhisit has come out for a referendum on reform, on allowing reform discussions to take place. It is a fabulous idea. And it is popular. If recent polls are any indication, it would pass. But no one really expects Pheu Thai to go that route, because they truly are set against reform. So an election now would present no change. And that is why the Democratic party is so indecisive. Public opinion right now puts both parties in the 20s. The Thai people have moved beyond partisan politics. But the public does show a convincing support for reform. Ultimately, the stalemate will be resolved by the courts, as is what is supposed to happen.

As the country does actually need governing by some faction or other, ( leaving out peoples councils etc).

Couldn't all parties contest an election with each of them confirming that within a fixed period of time a referendum relating to reforms will be carried out.

The ongoing reforms before elections is a non starter, the country needs to get back to what passes for normal as soon as possible, no matter what party is freely and fairly elected to power.

The most likely outcome would be that either nothing is done or nothing meaningful.....

Which party would do reforms that bring her own leaders in jail, cut their source of money and takes care that they aren't elected anymore?

So the only way to get reforms is a neutral body......even it is doggy I don't know anything better that has a remote chance of working.

[h90]

My betting is that they do take part in any forthcoming elections,

as the party will be disbanded if they do not ,as its the law that

if any party does not take part in 2 consecutive elections they

are dissolved.

regards worgeordie

The last election will not count, as the Democrats told from the beginning that it is illegal and the court ruled it illegal.

Of course it would be still a risk for them.

[h90]

lest anyone would think the Dems in anyway plan anything or show leadership or decisiveness they'll just 'wait and see' hoping the judiciary will install them instead

The courts can't install the Dems.....

[Thai at Heart]

As expected, the Democratic party is well away from a decision on this. And the reality of it is that they actually don't have to make a definite decision until the day they would need to register. The last decision was made just two days prior to the day that they needed to register. The Democratic party is being called a pragmatic party by some. Yes, indeed it is. Like all other parties. And one of the rules of politics is always to leave yourself leg room. Those who don't ( and there's a sea of them right now ) find they inadvertently box themselves in. The Democratic party doesn't want to box itself in. ( Of course, they know there are always people who will speak on their behalf, so no vacuum is created as far as they are concerned ! ) But to be honest, nobody really knows how any of this will play out. The Democratic party has been consistent that they want an election that is free and fair, and by that they mean free from the influence of a certain man in Dubai, who has the unmistakable ability to tilt the system in a way it was not designed to be tilted. Abhisit has come out for a referendum on reform, on allowing reform discussions to take place. It is a fabulous idea. And it is popular. If recent polls are any indication, it would pass. But no one really expects Pheu Thai to go that route, because they truly are set against reform. So an election now would present no change. And that is why the Democratic party is so indecisive. Public opinion right now puts both parties in the 20s. The Thai people have moved beyond partisan politics. But the public does show a convincing support for reform. Ultimately, the stalemate will be resolved by the courts, as is what is supposed to happen.

As the country does actually need governing by some faction or other, ( leaving out peoples councils etc).

Couldn't all parties contest an election with each of them confirming that within a fixed period of time a referendum relating to reforms will be carried out.

The ongoing reforms before elections is a non starter, the country needs to get back to what passes for normal as soon as possible, no matter what party is freely and fairly elected to power.

Don't be sensible. This whole issue isn't about reform. Its about squshing the shinawatras.

Same thing isn't it? Get rid of this bunch of Shin's and you automatically achieve reform.

Oh really? Where you start.

U got all day. Corruption is everywhere. The political class is untouchable. The police are untouchable. The army is untouchable. The judges are pliant on a daily basis. The civil service is corrupt. Local government is corrupt. Less majeste is over bearing. Defamation law is a joke. Education is failing.

So. Do you really think it's enough to get rid of the shins. Do you think Suthep is going to tackle this stuff? I don't. The only way for it to be tackled is through the will of the people. Parliament. Any attempt Suthep makes will be a white wash.