Justice arrives on the scene to steal Suthep's thunder

[webfact]

OVERDRIVE
Justice arrives on the scene to steal Suthep's thunder
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- An unelected government is now widely believed to be waiting in the wings to take the reigns of power. Yingluck Shinawatra is set to be removed from power either by the National Security Council transfer case or the rice pledging scandal.

Following her conviction, an unelected administration would be formed via special clauses in the Constitution. This mechanism is nothing if not controversial. Its use would certainly open even deeper divisions between the two sides of the political crisis.

Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government campaign, on Wednesday called for a final rally to "finish off" Yingluck Shinawatra. We have heard him say the same thing numerous times before. But this time he sounded deadly serious. He has been leading the mass protests against Yingluck and her fugitive brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, since October 30 last year. The campaign has seen many ups and downs over the past five months. At the peak of his popularity, Suthep led millions of supporters out onto the streets to protest against Yingluck. But like a certain kind of soccer player, Suthep likes to run around with the ball rather than put it straight in the net.

Meanwhile we have had rumours of a military coup, as well as attacks on protesters involving guns and M-79 grenades that have killed dozens and injured upwards of 700. The pressure has mounted on Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha to act and end the crisis. But Prayuth is no Prince Hamlet. He has not been haunted by his own indecisiveness or hesitation. He refuses to do anything that might upset the status quo. Reaching retirement at the end of September without military action is his ultimate goal.

Whenever a violent incident brings calls for him to intervene, Prayuth quickly dampens them down. ASTV analysts suspect he has a strong and longstanding relationship with Yingluck and Thaksin. Or, in other words, that he belongs to the other side of the political divide. Prayuth always urges a political settlement, even while the other side launches M79 grenades. At the same time, Suthep gets along very well with Prayuth. When the protest leader's colleagues, Dr Seri Wongmontha, Anchalee Phaireerak et al, slammed Prayuth for failing to back the campaign, Suthep quickly spoke out in support of the Army chief.

The scenario is somewhat farcical, a political merry-go-round: Suthep would like to kick out Yingluck; Prayuth is friends with Yingluck and does not want to kick her out; Suthep is friends with Prayuth and supports his stance.

At the same time, the independent agencies are at work and look set to remove Yingluck. The red shirts have come out to support the premier and attack the independent agencies. But their power base seems to have weakened dramatically and they now fail to muster broad public support. In the end, Yingluck will be ousted by the independent agencies - not by Suthep and all the efforts of his mass protests. This is so ironic.

In fact, there was a window of opportunity to remove Yingluck on March 27, one day before the Senate election. Suthep summoned a mass rally, marching at its head all the way from Lumpini Park to Parliament, where hundreds of thousands of protesters roamed Government House and Parliament. On that day, he was supposed to stage a people's revolution - without tearing up the Constitution. Expectations were that Suthep would resort to Article 3 of the Constitution, which states that sovereign power belongs to the people, and to Article 7, which allows the appointment of an interim prime minister under special circumstances - as seen in 1973 in the aftermath of the October 14 student uprising. In this scenario, the military would come out in support of the "people's revolution". But the political script fell apart. For some reason Suthep chose not to go through with it, and hence the crisis has continued.

Now Suthep wants a rally to end all rallies. On May 5, Coronation Day, he will lead protesters in a pledge of allegiance to Nationhood, Religion and the Monarchy. The red shirts will hold a parallel rally. Then on May 13, Suthep will organise mass prayers and merit-making for the country. On May 14, he vows to initiate actions to end the Yingluck government. But how? Once again, we haven't been told.


-- The Nation 2014-05-02

[15Peter20]

"But this time he sounded deadly serious."

Next time he will sound even more than deadly serious. Just you wait and see.

[Scamper]

As this writer aptly points out, it is the courts - and not Suthep - that will be the determining factor. That has been clear for some time. And that's how it should be - this should be placed in the hands of those institutions that are empowered by the constitution. But this is not to deflect from the very real impact the PDRC has had. Without Suthep's efforts to galvanize and energize the movement in the wake of the amnesty bill, Yingluck would not have dissolved parliament on December 9, nor found herself and her administration in such a tight spot ever since. But make no mistake, it is the law that is catching up with the Yingluck administration - not Suthep. And the law will have the final word.

[rijb]

As this writer aptly points out, it is the courts - and not Suthep - that will be the determining factor. That has been clear for some time. And that's how it should be - this should be placed in the hands of those institutions that are empowered by the constitution. But this is not to deflect from the very real impact the PDRC has had. Without Suthep's efforts to galvanize and energize the movement in the wake of the amnesty bill, Yingluck would not have dissolved parliament on December 9, nor found herself and her administration in such a tight spot ever since. But make no mistake, it is the law that is catching up with the Yingluck administration - not Suthep. And the law will have the final word.

The spin doctor is working hard this morning.

Will Suthep go away if the court doesn't rule in his favor?

Will YL/Thaksin go away if the court doesn't rule in her/his favor?

Will you keep spinning, regardless of the outcome?

Let me guess: no, no, yes

Edited May 2, 2014 by rijb

[pisico]

As this writer aptly points out, it is the courts - and not Suthep - that will be the determining factor. That has been clear for some time. And that's how it should be - this should be placed in the hands of those institutions that are empowered by the constitution. But this is not to deflect from the very real impact the PDRC has had. Without Suthep's efforts to galvanize and energize the movement in the wake of the amnesty bill, Yingluck would not have dissolved parliament on December 9, nor found herself and her administration in such a tight spot ever since. But make no mistake, it is the law that is catching up with the Yingluck administration - not Suthep. And the law will have the final word.

The spin doctor is working hard this morning.

Will Suthep go away if the court doesn't rule in his favor?

Will YL/Thaksin go away if the court doesn't rule in her/his favor?

Will you keep spinning, regardless of the outcome?

Let me guess: no, no, yes

Doctor he is not.

What you call a spin reveals that Scamper have invested and adhere emotionally to the tribal ideology driving Suthep and his mob.

So consumed he is by the righteous fervour, that the emotion clouds any intellectual function.

There is no cure for the apocryphal doctor

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

As this writer aptly points out, it is the courts - and not Suthep - that will be the determining factor. That has been clear for some time. And that's how it should be - this should be placed in the hands of those institutions that are empowered by the constitution. But this is not to deflect from the very real impact the PDRC has had. Without Suthep's efforts to galvanize and energize the movement in the wake of the amnesty bill, Yingluck would not have dissolved parliament on December 9, nor found herself and her administration in such a tight spot ever since. But make no mistake, it is the law that is catching up with the Yingluck administration - not Suthep. And the law will have the final word.

It is the law that will finally give the shove Scamper, but you are right, Khun Suthep played the lone hand in bringing discredit to the PTParty , to the courts attention, to the people and importantly to the international community.

[Eric Loh]

Haven't we been treated to the final day prediction by the Nation since the first day Suterp started his personal crusade. This opinion piece should be in the writer personal blog not on national newspaper as it scaring the people and businesses. Unelected PM is constitutionally illegal unless Suterp is bold enough to tear up the constitution and snatch power. Then he will face the wrath of the people power. Army step in and Suterp will be arrested and trial for treason.

[kurtgruen]

Suthep's huge demonstrations against the Amnesty Bill, initially got Yingluck to step down. As a Caretaker Government, she doesn't have the influence to change laws anymore, which stopped her and her team in its tracks.

Thanksin's cronies were busy, trying to declare Amnesty for him and to change the Constitution to suit them. All that, thanks mostly to Suthep, has ground to a halt.

So I believe, that Suthep is doing his job well. Keeping people motivated and out on the streets for six months is not an easy job and I am not sure if it had been done before anywhere, on this big scale and for so long, before?

I believe, that things will unfold very similar to last time, when the PAD took over the airport and the Government was forced out by the courts. Both forces, Suthep and the Courts, work in harmony. The courts will get the credit, yes.

[noitom]

The Thai press has done a bang up job of providing full blow by blow commentary of everything Suthep has done and said. The Thai press has never called this seditionist out. When a nation's press gets totally corrupted in its reporting and obvious bias, it leads to real trouble at the grass roots level when the people wise up.

[KIWIBATCH]

..........an on and on it goes.............

[rijb]

The courts will get credit for what? Doing their job?

The courts don't have a solution for fixing the country.

They might clear the way for a solution. But, it's not a solution.

What is the solution? Who has the solution?

Is it in Mark's pocket?

[h90]

Suthep's huge demonstrations against the Amnesty Bill, initially got Yingluck to step down. As a Caretaker Government, she doesn't have the influence to change laws anymore, which stopped her and her team in its tracks.

Thanksin's cronies were busy, trying to declare Amnesty for him and to change the Constitution to suit them. All that, thanks mostly to Suthep, has ground to a halt.

So I believe, that Suthep is doing his job well. Keeping people motivated and out on the streets for six months is not an easy job and I am not sure if it had been done before anywhere, on this big scale and for so long, before?

I believe, that things will unfold very similar to last time, when the PAD took over the airport and the Government was forced out by the courts. Both forces, Suthep and the Courts, work in harmony. The courts will get the credit, yes.

Well the courts and Suthep work in harmony: The Shinawatra clan and cronies are so corrupt and so much abuse of power that there is ample reason for the courts to force them out. Suthep is taking care that the government can't do their self-amnesty law and that the red shirts can't kill the judges.

[Fat Haggis]

I do hope that theses same courts take as much an intersect in Suthep when it's all over and he then hands himself over to the police then if you believe the courts have to act responsibly!!

I'm willing to bet that he has NO intention of handing himself in and will continue to act with his own self importance and impunity at that! If he and Abhisit are serious about uniting Thailand and beeline they have the majority then why have they not been campaigning in Issan or any other UDD/PTP stronghold?

Lack of bottle or support?

[newcomer71]

perhaps you could change this to this when you copy these stories over then ppl wouldnt get mislead.

Include Khaosod in that statement also please.

Put the whole Thai press, and the job would be complete!

[Luk Mhee]

As this writer aptly points out, it is the courts - and not Suthep - that will be the determining factor. That has been clear for some time. And that's how it should be - this should be placed in the hands of those institutions that are empowered by the constitution. But this is not to deflect from the very real impact the PDRC has had. Without Suthep's efforts to galvanize and energize the movement in the wake of the amnesty bill, Yingluck would not have dissolved parliament on December 9, nor found herself and her administration in such a tight spot ever since. But make no mistake, it is the law that is catching up with the Yingluck administration - not Suthep. And the law will have the final word.

But if Mr. Shutep didn’t start the ball rolling and open everybody’s eyes, then the law would not have acted so quickly, don’t you think? "There is logic behind his madness"

Edited May 2, 2014 by Luk Mhee

[PREM-R]

As this writer aptly points out, it is the courts - and not Suthep - that will be the determining factor. That has been clear for some time. And that's how it should be - this should be placed in the hands of those institutions that are empowered by the constitution. But this is not to deflect from the very real impact the PDRC has had. Without Suthep's efforts to galvanize and energize the movement in the wake of the amnesty bill, Yingluck would not have dissolved parliament on December 9, nor found herself and her administration in such a tight spot ever since. But make no mistake, it is the law that is catching up with the Yingluck administration - not Suthep. And the law will have the final word.

But if Mr. Shutep didn’t start the ball rolling and open everybody’s eyes, then the law would not have acted so quickly, don’t you think? "There is logic behind his madness"

"But if Mr. Shutep didn’t start the ball rolling and open everybody’s eyes, then the law would not have acted so quickly, don’t you think? "There is logic behind his madness"

then the law would not have acted so quickly Shouldn't the law act in a fair and even handed way? Shouldn't the law take as much time as necessary to FULLY allow both pro and anti arguments to be heard? Shouldn't the law act INDEPENDENTLY and not at the whim of an individual or group with an axe to grind?

[h90]

The courts will get credit for what? Doing their job?

The courts don't have a solution for fixing the country.

They might clear the way for a solution. But, it's not a solution.

What is the solution? Who has the solution?

Is it in Mark's pocket?

And looking into Thailands history, it isn't a recent problem.....

Abhisit is part of the problem, not part of the solution....

[wandasloan]

It is the law that will finally give the shove Scamper, but you are right, Khun Suthep played the lone hand in bringing discredit to the PTParty , to the courts attention, to the people and importantly to the international community.

It's a shame you think the courts only react to intimidation from public power groups - or react to it in any slight, tiny manner AT ALL, never mind because the intimidation is "the lone hand".

It's a lot more shame that there is a small, non-zero chance you could be right. For sure, it's what large segments of the public opinion from yellow, red, black and other sides all think. That is not least because of the massively exposed corruption at the Supreme Administrative Court, the one that ruled against Yingluck for wanting to have her own national security adviser. When the public doesn't trust the courts, then the courts will get the benefit of every ill-intentioned bit of rumour-mongering such as your unfortunate post.

Abhisit is part of the problem, not part of the solution....

Haha. Abhisit claims you are half right. That was just before he threatened the country that if they don't accept his "plan" in full, with no changes, well then he'll just have to be prime minister again.

.

.

Edited May 2, 2014 by wandasloan

[Thaiready]

Millions.....555

[rijb]

The courts will get credit for what? Doing their job?

The courts don't have a solution for fixing the country.

They might clear the way for a solution. But, it's not a solution.

What is the solution? Who has the solution?

Is it in Mark's pocket?

And looking into Thailands history, it isn't a recent problem.....

Abhisit is part of the problem, not part of the solution....

And yet, you seem to think Suthep is part of the solution.

I can't believe he's more than just a greedy pawn, hired by the old, retired guys.

[WhizBang]

That has to be one of the silliest articles I have read in a long time.

At this point, all Suthep has to do is wait for the Constitution Court and the NACC to do thier jobs. However, he does need to keep some pressure on the government.

My main worry is what will happen when Yingluck et al. get the boot? I just cannot see Thaksin or the Red/UDD sitting still.

[noitom]

"An unelected government is ready to go." In other words, the seditionist leader Suthep has already picked and has waiting his seditionist takeover group. An unelected government ready to go is a euphemism for seditionists and the Thai press should say so.

[MaxLee]

"But this time he sounded deadly serious."

Next time he will sound even more than deadly serious. Just you wait and see.

Dear Mr. Suthep, the Elections are in July 24th around the corner, you've already lost and Thaksin is gonna take revenge and this is "deadlier serious" than your few million people protests.

Thaksin the legend will never die, and this time he will take revenge on you, Abhisit and rest of the independent agencies, Thawil and the rebelling rice farmers with a lethal vengeance.

And this is deadly serious!!!!

[empireboy]

"But this time he sounded deadly serious."

Next time he will sound even more than deadly serious. Just you wait and see.

Dear Mr. Suthep, the Elections are in July 24th around the corner, you've already lost and Thaksin is gonna take revenge and this is "deadlier serious" than your few million people protests.

Thaksin the legend will never die, and this time he will take revenge on you, Abhisit and rest of the independent agencies, Thawil and the rebelling rice farmers with a lethal vengeance.

And this is deadly serious!!!!

I think you're right. Thanksin, like him or hate him, will NOT take this sitting down and this is DEADly serious for Thailand I feel.

[Eric Loh]

The court can do their hatchet job for Yingluck but will leave the cabinet alone that allows the caretaker government to continue till the election. I think that will be aceptable to Taksin and PT. Important for them to prevent Suterp seizing power if there is no government. Yingluck is prepare to go and a new caretaker PM can be appointed. Also think Ahbisit plan is all about the Shin family to leave politics, set up reform council, election and next government implement reform. From sources, Taksin is ready to withdraw his family from politics. Now that is a great sacrifice.

[Stan7444]

"But this time he sounded deadly serious."

Next time he will sound even more than deadly serious. Just you wait and see.

Hopefully he just turns up dead and I am serious about it.

[Bakseeda]

Haven't we been treated to the final day prediction by the Nation since the first day Suterp started his personal crusade. This opinion piece should be in the writer personal blog not on national newspaper as it scaring the people and businesses. Unelected PM is constitutionally illegal unless Suterp is bold enough to tear up the constitution and snatch power. Then he will face the wrath of the people power. Army step in and Suterp will be arrested and trial for treason.

Eric.... come down from planet Zug-Zug and back to the real world.. If this was the UK ,Suthep would be knighted..He will go down in history as a Great Thai Leader and a Hero.. unlike you who will just go down... pathetic...

[Eric Loh]

Haven't we been treated to the final day prediction by the Nation since the first day Suterp started his personal crusade. This opinion piece should be in the writer personal blog not on national newspaper as it scaring the people and businesses. Unelected PM is constitutionally illegal unless Suterp is bold enough to tear up the constitution and snatch power. Then he will face the wrath of the people power. Army step in and Suterp will be arrested and trial for treason.

Eric.... come down from planet Zug-Zug and back to the real world.. If this was the UK ,Suthep would be knighted..He will go down in history as a Great Thai Leader and a Hero.. unlike you who will just go down... pathetic...

555 like your sense of humour. Are you always so funny? Great leader, dear leader, we aint in North Korea or China yah?

[marko kok prong]

this article and most of the posts seem to think it is a forgone conclusion that she will be impeached or whatever,i am not so sure,we will have to wait and see.

[oldsailor35]

Haven't we been treated to the final day prediction by the Nation since the first day Suterp started his personal crusade. This opinion piece should be in the writer personal blog not on national newspaper as it scaring the people and businesses. Unelected PM is constitutionally illegal unless Suterp is bold enough to tear up the constitution and snatch power. Then he will face the wrath of the people power. Army step in and Suterp will be arrested and trial for treason.

Eric.... come down from planet Zug-Zug and back to the real world.. If this was the UK ,Suthep would be knighted..He will go down in history as a Great Thai Leader and a Hero.. unlike you who will just go down... pathetic...

And would he have to hand back the land he has stolen and the money he has made from Palm Oil scams etc.