Pheu Thai wants an answer from EC on poll

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai wants an answer from EC on poll
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party has demanded that the Election Commission provide a clear answer on campaign expenses for the new election because their MPs, who spent funds already for the February 2 election, could lose if they face spending limits less than their rivals.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsab said the party would send Charupong Ruangsuwan and strategist Bhokin Bhalakula to discuss the new election on Tuesday with the commission and other parties.

He said the party wanted to know how much each MP candidate could spend on their campaign. Some Pheu Thai candidates who took part in the poll in February (annulled later by the Constitutional Court) spent Bt1.2 million on campaigning - so how much are they allowed to spend in the new election? Is it Bt300,000? The election law bans MP candidates from spending more than Bt1.5 million on campaigns.

Jirayu said if that was the case, Democrat Party MP candidates would have an advantage as they can spend Bt1.5 million in the next poll because they did not take part in the February 2 election.

The party also wanted to know how the EC would react if anti-government protesters try to block a new election with protests.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the party would send party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Chamni Sakdiset to attend the meeting on Tuesday to discuss how the election can be held as soon as possible. But he said that did not mean the party agreed to take part in a new election.

"Our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,'' he said.

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

He dismissed as a lie a remark made by Ukrit Mongkolnavin, chairman of Thailand's Independent National Rule of Law Commission (NRLC) and former Senate and Parliament President, that a royal command was needed if Yingluck was to step down as caretaker Prime Minister.

Chavanond said when the late ex-premier Samak Sundaravej was dismissed from duty, there was no royal command. "If there are attempts to involve royal power, we will take legal action," he said.

He also accused the government of negligence after red shirt hard-liner Wuthipong Kochathamakun or Ko Tee to flee the country despite being charged with lese majeste.

"If the government ignore this case, we cannot have a peaceful and organised election and the Democrats will not take part in the election,'' he said.

Chart Thai Pattana Party director Nikorn Chamnong welcomed the Democrats' decision to attend the meeting on Tuesday but said he did not personally expect the meeting to yield any concrete outcomes about the new election.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy. "Abhisit is under pressure from the public and other political parties to take part in the election. (If he decides to take part) chief anti-government protester Suthep Thaugsuban will not be able to fully block the election because that would adversely affect his political associates," he said.

-- The Nation 2014-04-20

[Bluespunk]

The election was annulled. It doesn't count so spending can't count I would imagine. Funny enough, I despise PT, but I can see why they want everything very clear on this point.

[Bluespunk]

"Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy. "Abhisit is under pressure from the public and other political parties to take part in the election. (If he decides to take part) chief anti-government protester Suthep Thaugsuban will not be able to fully block the election because that would adversely affect his political associates," he said."

Taking part in elections is a part of democracy. It is not democracy in itself. As PT proved winning an election does not mean that a party will rule in a legitimate, democratic manner.

[WoopyDoo]

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy.

It will prove that they will stand against elections that are actually 'UN-democratic'.

Unless the PTP version of democracy includes the ability to

Buy votes.

Buy village chiefs to force voters to vote PTP.

Intimidate the Dem campaigners with murder and violence if they attempt to campaign in the north/northeast where 60% of the voters reside.

Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes.

If the PTP are actually serious about democracy, they will agree to have an electoral reform to severely punish a party for any of the above.

If they are against an election reform, then they are admitting that they rely on the above to win, which is how they have won their past elections.

All quite simple really.... PTP hold the key to whether the Dems will agree to participate.

[WoopyDoo]

"Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy. "Abhisit is under pressure from the public and other political parties to take part in the election. (If he decides to take part) chief anti-government protester Suthep Thaugsuban will not be able to fully block the election because that would adversely affect his political associates," he said."

Taking part in elections is a part of democracy. It is not democracy in itself. As PT proved winning an election does not mean that a party will rule in a legitimate, democratic manner.

Actually elections have to be 100% free and fair before they can be considered democratic.

Otherwise they are no more democratic that the latest North Korean elections where fear and intimidation as well as the barring of opposition saw Kim Jong Un romp to victory.

PTP use these same methods up to a point and really only just gained under 50% of the vote.

[chainarong]

It would be nice if the PTP stopped demanding and started thinking, the EC will all in good time and will they stop saying democracy , this word is the most said, except not one of the feather brains has got a clue how democracy works and the present waters being charted never will, until there is freedom of speech within certain limits and protocol, Thailand will have no democracy, no matter what spiel is placed on it.

[JesseFrank]

The election law bans MP candidates from spending more than Bt1.5 million on campaigns.

I guess these are daily figures, as in 1996 already Chavalit spent 3 Billion on his personal campaign

[tomhell]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

[Thait Spot]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

Go and watch the democrats campaign up north and then come back and tell me that they are free and fair.

The reds killed one dem in Chiang Mai already. Surprise, surprise, no arrests.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tezzainoz]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

The Thai People who are not sheep of a corrupt Government are aware of alleged corruption and abuses of authority by the current PTP Party

and the negative effects on the country associated with the influence of former prime minister Thakin Shinawatra.

In Jan 2014 the Election Commission (EC) had repeatedly stated it could not guarantee a fair election, but the Caretaker Government insisted on going ahead with it in a bid to whitewash its wrongdoings.

Was this a Democratic Election .............. No

Unless an election is fair, it can not be democratic.

Government supporters continued to threaten independent organisations, the people and political parties which opposed it. and the police fail to perform their duties.

Ms Yingluck had never called for the pro-government and red-shirt demonstrators to behave, suggesting that she supported the actions of these same redshirt demonstrators.

Thai People have witnessed red-shirt demonstrators threaten other party members without facing arrest.

The Democrat Party has also been threatened, many times if they want to campaign in Issan

During the 2005 general election, a political canvasser belonging to his party in Phichit province had been told to stop his campaigning.

When the threat was ignored, the canvasser was shot dead in front of his house three days before the election. Police have still not arrested any suspects

In 2014 things are even worse. Anti-government demonstrators were being ambushed on a main Hyway and no suspects had been arrested.

Under these circumstances, No other party but the PTP is safe to campaign for votes in the North East of Thailand

“The [Democrat] party conducted a survey of potential candidates nationwide and found that 80% had no safe place to campaign for votes, except those in the South, Bangkok and parts of the Central Plains.

So, is this a democratic Election, is it fair if only one political party can campaign for votes but others cannot,

[pisico]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

Go and watch the democrats campaign up north and then come back and tell me that they are free and fair.

The reds killed one dem in Chiang Mai already. Surprise, surprise, no arrests.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Faulty analogy.

1 casualty (from either side) does not represent a rule; not even makes it to be a statistic. It's PR..

Public relations is the management of perception.

Those who allow PR mold their minds show the strength of their character. Or lack of.

To take sides in this convoluted scenario of Thai politics (unless one is fluent in reading and speaking Thai) is tantamount to put the intellect at risk of being hijacked by the Thai PR that sounds more similar to what foreigners left behind in their countries of origin.

For centuries Thailand has been leery and weary of foreigners. For centuries this country's system of government has been pervaded by feudalism, patronage (of which we Farangs can suspect but never know their intricacies), and an array of archaic institutions that are dear to all Thais, even before there were shirts of different colors.

Observe and learn and after that... keep on watching without getting angry at those who do not see this reality as you perceive it... Thanks to PR.

[geriatrickid]

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy.

It will prove that they will stand against elections that are actually 'UN-democratic'.

Unless the PTP version of democracy includes the ability to

Buy votes.

Buy village chiefs to force voters to vote PTP.

Intimidate the Dem campaigners with murder and violence if they attempt to campaign in the north/northeast where 60% of the voters reside.

Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes.

If the PTP are actually serious about democracy, they will agree to have an electoral reform to severely punish a party for any of the above.

If they are against an election reform, then they are admitting that they rely on the above to win, which is how they have won their past elections.

All quite simple really.... PTP hold the key to whether the Dems will agree to participate.

Your constant barrage of lies and innuendo is tiresome. If you are that certain that illegal acts are being undertaken, go and lodge a complaint. The Thai judicial system would welcome you.

The intimidation of candidates is more pronounced in the south, particularly in the Democrat stronghold, and apex of corruption in Thaialand, Phuket-Krabi-Surat thani & Nahkon Si Thammarat. Non Democrat candidates have been shot at, had their election signs vandalized and faced threats of violence. And yet, you remain silent. When Suthep was the chief organizer for the Democrats and delivered the votes in his fiefdom, do you think he attracted votes based upon his brilliant ideas and dashing good looks alone?

You refuse to acknowledge that the Democrat party has its own history of corruption allegations nd of vote buying and of intimidation. The Democrat Party has engaged in its own sophisticated form of gerrymandering except, that it directed it to appointing judges and election officials who could be counted upon to favour the Democrats and sabotage anything PTP.

I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated.

[Scamper]

" Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats. "

" The red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs " is the best description of Pheu Thai in its history. That's exactly what Pheu Thai is. And that's exactly what the problem with Pheu Thai is - that they are indeed the arms and legs of the UDD.

As Pheu Thai continues to wage an incessantly combative stance with the EC ( will that ever stop ? ) Abhisit is attending the meeting while his counterpart, Yingluck ( whoops ! ) - while his counterpart, Charupong ( of February 23 UDD rally fame ! ) is representing Pheu Thai.

Whether or not they participate in the election is a powerful card that the Democrats hold. Because even if there was no blockage of the vote, there would be no quorum without the Democratic party on the ballot. There will always be strong pluralities in Bangkok and the South to ensure that a " no " vote would overwhelm local ( or flown in ) candidates. Nobody knows what the Constitutional Court will decide, or the path that it will recommend. But if an election were held with another relative of Thaksin's one can be sure of this - the Democratic party would not participate. The country has come too far to go back to exactly where it was before. If the Democratic party were to contest such an election they would be in effect enablers of Thaksin's hold to power. Keeping all that in mind, the Democratic party is in a strong negotiating position. What really bugs Thaksin and Pheu Thai is that, in fact, they really don't control this to the degree they assume. At the end of the day, they will have to talk.

[somo]

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy.

It will prove that they will stand against elections that are actually 'UN-democratic'.

Unless the PTP version of democracy includes the ability to

Buy votes.

Buy village chiefs to force voters to vote PTP.

Intimidate the Dem campaigners with murder and violence if they attempt to campaign in the north/northeast where 60% of the voters reside.

Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes.

If the PTP are actually serious about democracy, they will agree to have an electoral reform to severely punish a party for any of the above.

If they are against an election reform, then they are admitting that they rely on the above to win, which is how they have won their past elections.

All quite simple really.... PTP hold the key to whether the Dems will agree to participate.

Your constant barrage of lies and innuendo is tiresome. If you are that certain that illegal acts are being undertaken, go and lodge a complaint. The Thai judicial system would welcome you.

The intimidation of candidates is more pronounced in the south, particularly in the Democrat stronghold, and apex of corruption in Thaialand, Phuket-Krabi-Surat thani & Nahkon Si Thammarat. Non Democrat candidates have been shot at, had their election signs vandalized and faced threats of violence. And yet, you remain silent. When Suthep was the chief organizer for the Democrats and delivered the votes in his fiefdom, do you think he attracted votes based upon his brilliant ideas and dashing good looks alone?

You refuse to acknowledge that the Democrat party has its own history of corruption allegations nd of vote buying and of intimidation. The Democrat Party has engaged in its own sophisticated form of gerrymandering except, that it directed it to appointing judges and election officials who could be counted upon to favour the Democrats and sabotage anything PTP.

I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated.

An excellent response to an idiotic post that repeats untruths.

Vote buying has already been dismissed as being irrelevant. The election that saw Taksin win the first time was hailed by international bodies at the time as the fairest ever held in Thailand.

Village bosses can't order any villager to do anything. If my village boss tried to he'd get a good kicking and lose the next election.

"Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes."

Crickey every political party in the world does this. It is quite a normal thing to do.

[Thai at Heart]

I thought the previous vote, essentially, didn't happen. It was a figment of imagination, a willow the whisp in the forest.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[ramrod711]

Pheu Thai wants an answer from EC on poll

Farmers want to get paid! Lying, thieving, incompetent, corrupt government breaks promise upon promise. Many farmers commit suicide, Yingluck claims she was not negligent, cries, sobs and hobbles from rented wheelchair.

[somo]

Pheu Thai wants an answer from EC on poll

Farmers want to get paid! Lying, thieving, incompetent, corrupt government breaks promise upon promise. Many farmers commit suicide, Yingluck claims she was not negligent, cries, sobs and hobbles from rented wheelchair.

Are you a farmer?

The other EC (European Community) farming policy has suffered just as much from similar accusations so Thailand is not so special it's incompetence.

What I find suprising is the empathy farangs here have with the farmers on this issue. They use it in support of the Democatic Party (sic) who have never given a stuff for the farmers. At least not until they woke up to the fact they could decide elections.

At least someone is trying to do something to help them even if it is like in the EC very difficult to implement.

[Thai at Heart]

Pheu Thai wants an answer from EC on poll

Farmers want to get paid! Lying, thieving, incompetent, corrupt government breaks promise upon promise. Many farmers commit suicide, Yingluck claims she was not negligent, cries, sobs and hobbles from rented wheelchair.

Are you a farmer?

The other EC (European Community) farming policy has suffered just as much from similar accusations so Thailand is not so special it's incompetence.

What I find suprising is the empathy farangs here have with the farmers on this issue. They use it in support of the Democatic Party (sic) who have never given a stuff for the farmers. At least not until they woke up to the fact they could decide elections.

At least someone is trying to do something to help them even if it is like in the EC very difficult to implement.

Indeed, equating the democrats with a love of the farmers is ridiculous. I rememeber being in a sugar plant in isaan several years ago. The workshops were running PC form 10 years ago and hard hats were anathema. The whole place was actually a steel frame with corrugated iron for walls.

The owner came from Bangkok for a visit in his polished Merc to visit with a democrat big wig in tow. Quite the most ghastly 30 minutes of waiing and scraping went on. These people don't give a damn about farmers or what or how they take their money out of society.

Yingluck is bent, the dems have been legally remiss for decades.

[siampolee]

PT wants election on June 15

So why is there this sudden urge to have or command an election one wonders?

Has the omnipotent puppet master given his orders at last now the understudy is waiting in the wings

[northernjohn]

It would be nice if the PTP stopped demanding and started thinking, the EC will all in good time and will they stop saying democracy , this word is the most said, except not one of the feather brains has got a clue how democracy works and the present waters being charted never will, until there is freedom of speech within certain limits and protocol, Thailand will have no democracy, no matter what spiel is placed on it.

A sensible post.

I for one am fed up to the top with the constant barrage from PTP of I want I want I want.

We all know what they want they want Thaksin back as a dictator.

The welfare of the citizens in Thailand is not in their plans unless it gives them a greater return than what they give for it.

[northernjohn]

PT wants election on June 15

So why is there this sudden urge to have or command an election one wonders?

Has the omnipotent puppet master given his orders at last now the understudy is waiting in the wings

+1

[rubl]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

Go and watch the democrats campaign up north and then come back and tell me that they are free and fair.

The reds killed one dem in Chiang Mai already. Surprise, surprise, no arrests.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Faulty analogy.

1 casualty (from either side) does not represent a rule; not even makes it to be a statistic. It's PR..

Public relations is the management of perception.

Those who allow PR mold their minds show the strength of their character. Or lack of.

To take sides in this convoluted scenario of Thai politics (unless one is fluent in reading and speaking Thai) is tantamount to put the intellect at risk of being hijacked by the Thai PR that sounds more similar to what foreigners left behind in their countries of origin.

For centuries Thailand has been leery and weary of foreigners. For centuries this country's system of government has been pervaded by feudalism, patronage (of which we Farangs can suspect but never know their intricacies), and an array of archaic institutions that are dear to all Thais, even before there were shirts of different colors.

Observe and learn and after that... keep on watching without getting angry at those who do not see this reality as you perceive it... Thanks to PR.

Well, at least the perception has been nicely managed again here, it would seem, as an analogy only of course

[Baerboxer]

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy.

It will prove that they will stand against elections that are actually 'UN-democratic'.

Unless the PTP version of democracy includes the ability to

Buy votes.

Buy village chiefs to force voters to vote PTP.

Intimidate the Dem campaigners with murder and violence if they attempt to campaign in the north/northeast where 60% of the voters reside.

Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes.

If the PTP are actually serious about democracy, they will agree to have an electoral reform to severely punish a party for any of the above.

If they are against an election reform, then they are admitting that they rely on the above to win, which is how they have won their past elections.

All quite simple really.... PTP hold the key to whether the Dems will agree to participate.

Your constant barrage of lies and innuendo is tiresome. If you are that certain that illegal acts are being undertaken, go and lodge a complaint. The Thai judicial system would welcome you.

The intimidation of candidates is more pronounced in the south, particularly in the Democrat stronghold, and apex of corruption in Thaialand, Phuket-Krabi-Surat thani & Nahkon Si Thammarat. Non Democrat candidates have been shot at, had their election signs vandalized and faced threats of violence. And yet, you remain silent. When Suthep was the chief organizer for the Democrats and delivered the votes in his fiefdom, do you think he attracted votes based upon his brilliant ideas and dashing good looks alone?

You refuse to acknowledge that the Democrat party has its own history of corruption allegations nd of vote buying and of intimidation. The Democrat Party has engaged in its own sophisticated form of gerrymandering except, that it directed it to appointing judges and election officials who could be counted upon to favour the Democrats and sabotage anything PTP.

I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated.

And you of course will be stepping out of the shadows and making similar complaints against those in the South that you spew similar vitriol against?

Or is it another case of do as I say, not as I do?

Typical PTP mantra - "we do no wrong, its the others".

[Pimay1]

Pheu Thai wants an answer from EC on poll

Farmers want to get paid! Lying, thieving, incompetent, corrupt government breaks promise upon promise. Many farmers commit suicide, Yingluck claims she was not negligent, cries, sobs and hobbles from rented wheelchair.

Are you a farmer?

The other EC (European Community) farming policy has suffered just as much from similar accusations so Thailand is not so special it's incompetence.

What I find suprising is the empathy farangs here have with the farmers on this issue. They use it in support of the Democatic Party (sic) who have never given a stuff for the farmers. At least not until they woke up to the fact they could decide elections.

At least someone is trying to do something to help them even if it is like in the EC very difficult to implement.

At least someone is trying to do something to help them even if it is like in the EC very difficult to implement.

If you are referring to the PTP trying to help the farmers by paying them for entering the rice scam scheme you are barking up the wrong tree. The PTP has their backs to the wall and are about to loose a large portion of their voter base i.e. the farmers. That is why they are frantically grabbing at straws trying to find the money. PTP, using your own words have never given a stuff for the farmers. This scheme had two goals. First deceive the farmers into believing they would be paid 15,000 Baht per ton for their rice whereby resulting in a solid vote from all farmers. That worked. Second PTP thought they could control world rice market price. They would hold the rice in warehouses, cutting off exports to the rest of the world. The sudden shortage from the world’s number one rice exporter would cause a spike in global prices. That failed.

[Thait Spot]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

Go and watch the democrats campaign up north and then come back and tell me that they are free and fair.

The reds killed one dem in Chiang Mai already. Surprise, surprise, no arrests.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Faulty analogy.

1 casualty (from either side) does not represent a rule; not even makes it to be a statistic. It's PR..

Public relations is the management of perception.

Those who allow PR mold their minds show the strength of their character. Or lack of.

To take sides in this convoluted scenario of Thai politics (unless one is fluent in reading and speaking Thai) is tantamount to put the intellect at risk of being hijacked by the Thai PR that sounds more similar to what foreigners left behind in their countries of origin.

For centuries Thailand has been leery and weary of foreigners. For centuries this country's system of government has been pervaded by feudalism, patronage (of which we Farangs can suspect but never know their intricacies), and an array of archaic institutions that are dear to all Thais, even before there were shirts of different colors.

Observe and learn and after that... keep on watching without getting angry at those who do not see this reality as you perceive it... Thanks to PR.

If killing and beating people up is PR in your world, I'm very happy you are living your own delusions

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Melyn]

Chavanond says: our country is having a political crisis and is not ready to have the election,

This sounds so wrong and arrogant and it sounds much more like North Korea or any other undemocratic state.

It sounds like: We cannot win the next elections so we dont want new elections

Chavanond explained that the red shirts were seen as the government's arms and legs and had continuously resorted to threats and intimidation of independent agencies and the Democrats.

My question: Is it possible that this so called "independent agencies" are not independent.

Maybe someone can explain to me the story of the "independent agencies". (and their connection to military, democrats and old family clans)

Tom

Go and watch the democrats campaign up north and then come back and tell me that they are free and fair.

The reds killed one dem in Chiang Mai already. Surprise, surprise, no arrests.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Faulty analogy.

1 casualty (from either side) does not represent a rule; not even makes it to be a statistic. It's PR..

Public relations is the management of perception.

Those who allow PR mold their minds show the strength of their character. Or lack of.

To take sides in this convoluted scenario of Thai politics (unless one is fluent in reading and speaking Thai) is tantamount to put the intellect at risk of being hijacked by the Thai PR that sounds more similar to what foreigners left behind in their countries of origin.

For centuries Thailand has been leery and weary of foreigners. For centuries this country's system of government has been pervaded by feudalism, patronage (of which we Farangs can suspect but never know their intricacies), and an array of archaic institutions that are dear to all Thais, even before there were shirts of different colors.

Observe and learn and after that... keep on watching without getting angry at those who do not see this reality as you perceive it... Thanks to PR.

It happens up noirt whenever there is an election. Assault, battery, intimidation.

Dead bodies are facts. Not PR

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JamesHawkins]

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy.

It will prove that they will stand against elections that are actually 'UN-democratic'.

Unless the PTP version of democracy includes the ability to

Buy votes.

Buy village chiefs to force voters to vote PTP.

Intimidate the Dem campaigners with murder and violence if they attempt to campaign in the north/northeast where 60% of the voters reside.

Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes.

If the PTP are actually serious about democracy, they will agree to have an electoral reform to severely punish a party for any of the above.

If they are against an election reform, then they are admitting that they rely on the above to win, which is how they have won their past elections.

All quite simple really.... PTP hold the key to whether the Dems will agree to participate.

Your constant barrage of lies and innuendo is tiresome. If you are that certain that illegal acts are being undertaken, go and lodge a complaint. The Thai judicial system would welcome you.

The intimidation of candidates is more pronounced in the south, particularly in the Democrat stronghold, and apex of corruption in Thaialand, Phuket-Krabi-Surat thani & Nahkon Si Thammarat. Non Democrat candidates have been shot at, had their election signs vandalized and faced threats of violence. And yet, you remain silent. When Suthep was the chief organizer for the Democrats and delivered the votes in his fiefdom, do you think he attracted votes based upon his brilliant ideas and dashing good looks alone?

You refuse to acknowledge that the Democrat party has its own history of corruption allegations nd of vote buying and of intimidation. The Democrat Party has engaged in its own sophisticated form of gerrymandering except, that it directed it to appointing judges and election officials who could be counted upon to favour the Democrats and sabotage anything PTP.

I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated.

You complain of the lies and innuendos, demanding that that he go and lodge a complaint. Two examples in other posts that are related to what he referenced have been highlighted. Candidate/canvasser murdered and poll of Democrat candidates revealing the lack of safety and intimidation of candidates in the North and Northeast. Yet you make the same accusations about the south without even one example. I suggest you do the same that you insist that he do by taking your evidence to the authorities. Write The Nation; sign the letter with your real name. Let me use your words:

"I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated."

[rickirs]

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"Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy. "Abhisit is under pressure from the public and other political parties to take part in the election. (If he decides to take part) chief anti-government protester Suthep Thaugsuban will not be able to fully block the election because that would adversely affect his political associates," he said."

Taking part in elections is a part of democracy. It is not democracy in itself. As PT proved winning an election does not mean that a party will rule in a legitimate, democratic manner.

Actually elections have to be 100% free and fair before they can be considered democratic.

Otherwise they are no more democratic that the latest North Korean elections where fear and intimidation as well as the barring of opposition saw Kim Jong Un romp to victory.

PTP use these same methods up to a point and really only just gained under 50% of the vote.

"...only just gained under 50% of the vote."

I never saw any election vote results posted. A lot of speculation heard. Can you provide a source for number and percentage of votes that the PTP received?

[rickirs]

Why aren't the Democrats held accountable for all campaign funds spent by the 64 parties that participated in the Feb, 2, 2014 election that was nullified by the Constitutional Court?

The Feb. 2, 2014 election date was scheduled in compliance with the ruling given previously by the Constitutional Court that the election date need only the agreement between the Government and the EC. But because the Democrats/PDRC boycotted 10% of the election stations and prevented those from being avaliable to voters, by joint agreement the Government and EC scheduled a new election date for those boycotted election stations. Then the Constitutional Court nullified the Feb. 2nd election because not all elections polls were open on the same day. The nullification was the fault of the Democrats/PDRC.

To be fair to the 64 parties that particpated in the Feb, 2nd election, the Democrats/PDRC needs either to reimburse the 64 party's campaign costs that they now have to duplicate for the next election, be limited to half of what it would normally be allowed for campaign funds in the next election, or be barred from the next election. Oherwise an unfair burden is placed on the 64 parties to campaign for the next election date.

[rickirs]

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Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the meeting on Tuesday would prove the Democrats' sincerity in upholding democracy.

It will prove that they will stand against elections that are actually 'UN-democratic'.

Unless the PTP version of democracy includes the ability to

Buy votes.

Buy village chiefs to force voters to vote PTP.

Intimidate the Dem campaigners with murder and violence if they attempt to campaign in the north/northeast where 60% of the voters reside.

Use populist policies that harm the economy to buy targeted votes.

If the PTP are actually serious about democracy, they will agree to have an electoral reform to severely punish a party for any of the above.

If they are against an election reform, then they are admitting that they rely on the above to win, which is how they have won their past elections.

All quite simple really.... PTP hold the key to whether the Dems will agree to participate.

Your constant barrage of lies and innuendo is tiresome. If you are that certain that illegal acts are being undertaken, go and lodge a complaint. The Thai judicial system would welcome you.

The intimidation of candidates is more pronounced in the south, particularly in the Democrat stronghold, and apex of corruption in Thaialand, Phuket-Krabi-Surat thani & Nahkon Si Thammarat. Non Democrat candidates have been shot at, had their election signs vandalized and faced threats of violence. And yet, you remain silent. When Suthep was the chief organizer for the Democrats and delivered the votes in his fiefdom, do you think he attracted votes based upon his brilliant ideas and dashing good looks alone?

You refuse to acknowledge that the Democrat party has its own history of corruption allegations nd of vote buying and of intimidation. The Democrat Party has engaged in its own sophisticated form of gerrymandering except, that it directed it to appointing judges and election officials who could be counted upon to favour the Democrats and sabotage anything PTP.

I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated.

You complain of the lies and innuendos, demanding that that he go and lodge a complaint. Two examples in other posts that are related to what he referenced have been highlighted. Candidate/canvasser murdered and poll of Democrat candidates revealing the lack of safety and intimidation of candidates in the North and Northeast. Yet you make the same accusations about the south without even one example. I suggest you do the same that you insist that he do by taking your evidence to the authorities. Write The Nation; sign the letter with your real name. Let me use your words:

"I defy you and your coterie of vitriol spewers to step out of the shadows and to make your complaints and allegations public. Nothing precludes you from writing to the Nation and signing your name to that letter. I'm sure they would be willing to publish your allegations since you have them all substantiated."

Your response is a sham.

Demoracts did not register for the election and no Democrats were on any ballots; therefore, there could be no Demorcat candidates/canvassers to be interferred with. Anyone who wanted to show support for the Democrats would be voting a "no vote" and no one would know who those people might be.