Democrats to boycott July 20 poll again if Abhisit's proposal rejected

[webfact]

Democrats to boycott July 20 poll again if Abhisit's proposal rejected
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsut said Friday that the Democrats would once again boycott the July 20 general election again if party leader Abisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation proposal is rejected.

Chavanon said if Abhisit's proposal for bringing Thailand out of crisis were to be rejected, the country would slip back into the same old circle of conflicts and it would be useless for the Democrats to contest the election.

The Election Commission and the government have agreed to hold the new election on July 20 after the February 2 poll was nullified by the Constitutional Court.

"If that's the case, everything will go back to the same point and we will be unable to move on because conflicts will remain and there will be disorder," Chavanon said after being asked to comment on a scenario should Abhisit's proposal be rejected.

"The election will become bloody so why should the Democrats join it?"

Asked whether the Democrats feared its former MPs would bolt if the party boycotts the election again, Chavanon said the Democrat did not fear defections and the party was confident that its members are politicians with principles.

-- The Nation 2014-05-02

[DirtFarmer]

So any guesses on what the "minor reform is" the famous Abhisit "Proposal"? LOLOL..... Is it Shins don't run I won't run...? Suthep wants to run them out of the country so he says... how is this position by the Dem Party spokesman Chavanon any different than the one they have been fronting since the start? ...do they already know it is dead in the water...? they seem to. Apparently they don't see their numbers having increased exponentially as some people would have us think (polls/projections/stats) that they could win an election... Why else would they play this card now before anybody in the public knows what the Amorphous Proposal is from Kuhn Abhisit.

Nobody knows the proposal yet but we do know the disclaimer for "either/ Or"... either you accept the Abhisit proposal or we won't play again... { I tried...I tried...I tried to bring peace to the country I tried I Challenged I offered I warned I advised I offered, but nobody listened and I can't participate in an election that I cannot win..It doesn't make sense if I can't win! I tried with a proposal but they refused it I tried, they didn't. I tried I tried. Kuhn Suthep your cat is not listening to me! Why not?"

SO now where are we...? another blocked election... another boycotted election,, more insurrection from the mugs on the streets...som nom na

[oldsailor35]

So any guesses on what the "minor reform is" the famous Abhisit "Proposal"? LOLOL..... Is it Shins don't run I won't run...? Suthep wants to run them out of the country so he says... how is this position by the Dem Party spokesman Chavanon any different than the one they have been fronting since the start? ...do they already know it is dead in the water...? they seem to. Apparently they don't see their numbers having increased exponentially as some people would have us think (polls/projections/stats) that they could win an election... Why else would they play this card now before anybody in the public knows what the Amorphous Proposal is from Kuhn Abhisit.

Nobody knows the proposal yet but we do know the disclaimer for "either/ Or"... either you accept the Abhisit proposal or we won't play again... { I tried...I tried...I tried to bring peace to the country I tried I Challenged I offered I warned I advised I offered, but nobody listened and I can't participate in an election that I cannot win..It doesn't make sense if I can't win! I tried with a proposal but they refused it I tried, they didn't. I tried I tried. Kuhn Suthep your cat is not listening to me! Why not?"

SO now where are we...? another blocked election... another boycotted election,, more insurrection from the mugs on the streets...som nom na

Just have the bloody election and award the government to the party with the commanding number of votes. Any party not taking part need have nothing else to say. All parties taking part who win a seat will have a say in whatever the proposals are.

[Costas2008]

Mr Adhisit, don't keep us in suspense any more.

Tell us, what are your proposals?

No, good, keeping them a secret.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Costas2008

[ramrod711]

The Shin clan will, of course, step aside for the good of the country, because "they don't want power, only peace". If you believe that, I have some real estate you may be interested in.

[BlueNoseCodger]

I told you, Democrats are not standing at elections.

Democrat MPs, you can see he's not making preparations to run for elections, and we can see it. So he has no intention of letting the Democrats run for elections.

This means you will have no job, and your supporters have someone elses voice in Parliament.

So why not jump ship to a different party now? You have only a few days left, the registration will be early June, you have to be in a different opposition party 30 days before then. This means you need to switch to a new party now.

Section 101. A person having the following qualifications has the right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(3) being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than ninety days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election, or being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than thirty days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election in the case where the general election is conducted on account of the dissolution of the House of Representatives;

You will win the seat, the democrats will be boycotting, you will have the vote for that seat in the next parliament. Better still you will have a party leader who wants to lead, and wants to get elected, and a chance to win elections.

Man the lifeboats, Captain Abhisit is scuttling the ship!

[Scamper]

It's hardly surprising - as these discussions are still taking place between Abhisit and party leaders - that any final communique would be released between them before the fact, but when it is it will clearly be not only instantly mocked by Pheu Thai supporters but in fact will be an actual turning point as well, as this news story suggests - because the Democratic party this afternoon has now gone on record by announcing that unless some form of agreement is reached, they will boycott the election. The argument is exactly the same as it was on December 21 when the party boycotted the previous election. The argument is - nothing has changed. The reforms that needed to be addressed have not been addressed. Pheu Thai is operating as if nothing has changed since November 1 when they passed the amnesty bill at 4 in the morning and started a firestorm in the country. With the Yingluck administration as obstinate as ever - with Surapong and Chalerm as intimidating as ever, with the independent agencies and courts under intimidation, and with Thaksin's skype connection as alive and well as it ever was - absolutely nothing has changed. Why would the Democrats want to enable a quorum for an administration run like this - an administration being directed by a prime minister's brother - why would they possibly want to do that - why would they possibly want to enable an administration that is beset by scandal and criminal investigations ? Pheu Thai supporters will doubtless be delighted with the Democratic party and Abhisit's withdrawal - just as Pheu Thai undoubtedly was in December when they were already dreaming of sweeping every constituency in the country. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum.

[moonao]

Sounds like an ultimatum from a 6 year old boy. just when you thought the democrats couldn't get any more childish, they come out with this.

[DirtFarmer]

I told you, Democrats are not standing at elections.

Democrat MPs, you can see he's not making preparations to run for elections, and we can see it. So he has no intention of letting the Democrats run for elections.

This means you will have no job, and your supporters have someone elses voice in Parliament.

So why not jump ship to a different party now? You have only a few days left, the registration will be early June, you have to be in a different opposition party 30 days before then. This means you need to switch to a new party now.

Section 101. A person having the following qualifications has the right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(3) being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than ninety days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election, or being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than thirty days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election in the case where the general election is conducted on account of the dissolution of the House of Representatives;

You will win the seat, the democrats will be boycotting, you will have the vote for that seat in the next parliament. Better still you will have a party leader who wants to lead, and wants to get elected, and a chance to win elections.

Man the lifeboats, Captain Abhisit is scuttling the ship!

You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day..

Like ( lol ) would be a lovely curve to throw (clapping)

[Piichai]

Good for them!

No elections without reform.

[Thailand]

The Dems have just become an ex party.

What a shower of pathetic little people.

Their childish tantrums and lack of anything that resembles concern for the country will not be missed.

Wonder what name they will come up with in the future?

[Thaddeus]

Sounds like an ultimatum from a 6 year old boy. just when you thought the democrats couldn't get any more childish, they come out with this.

Actually, it sounds like an adult giving a bunch of unruly children a well deserved slap.

[See the bears]

Unless you accept the proposal, that we don't know about, we won't run in the election.

[moonao]

Sounds like an ultimatum from a 6 year old boy. just when you thought the democrats couldn't get any more childish, they come out with this.

Actually, it sounds like an adult giving a bunch of unruly children a well deserved slap.

adult ? you got to be joking. politically, Abhisit is the socially awkward kid in the corner with no friends, constant whining and nobody listens to him.

[toybits]

Then the Democrat Party would cease to exist. Question is - Will they be missed? Nah...

[Melyn]

Sounds like an ultimatum from a 6 year old boy. just when you thought the democrats couldn't get any more childish, they come out with this.

Sounds like logic laced with principles

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Ricardo]

The Shin clan will, of course, step aside for the good of the country, because "they don't want power, only peace". If you believe that, I have some real estate you may be interested in.

Beachfront property in Atlantis ?

Happily I already have the deeds to a couple of rai, but might be persuaded to part with them, for an appropriate price !

[Mango Bob]

It's my ball and if you don't play by my rules, I will take my ball and go home. Just another reason to hate Abhisit.

[WoopyDoo]

Mr Adhisit, don't keep us in suspense any more.

Tell us, what are your proposals?

No, good, keeping them a secret.

I am just as curious as you.... but you will have a tough time asking any poker player to let you peek at their cards.

[Eric Loh]

The Shin clan will, of course, step aside for the good of the country, because "they don't want power, only peace". If you believe that, I have some real estate you may be interested in.

Get your real estate ready. From what I heard, Taksin and the Shin family is willing to step aside from politics if election will take place and the Dem participate. Now that is a real sacrifice, not the less than imporant sacrifice from smarty pants.

[Morch]

The Shin clan will, of course, step aside for the good of the country, because "they don't want power, only peace". If you believe that, I have some real estate you may be interested in.

Get your real estate ready. From what I heard, Taksin and the Shin family is willing to step aside from politics if election will take place and the Dem participate. Now that is a real sacrifice, not the less than imporant sacrifice from smarty pants.

Thaksin said numerous times that he's not involved in politics.

How is this any different?

When they handed out those 5 year bans from politics, the banned politicians just sent their own people back.

[chrisrazz]

Have I got this straight? There is no mention of reform in the OP. It talks of a reconciliation proposal, that, though not yet public, appears not in the spirit of reconciliation given the threat of boycott if not accepted. True reconciliation needs no threats. Put the proposals on the table for consideration, negotiate and agree, that's reconciliation.

[choff56]

I told you, Democrats are not standing at elections.

Democrat MPs, you can see he's not making preparations to run for elections, and we can see it. So he has no intention of letting the Democrats run for elections.

This means you will have no job, and your supporters have someone elses voice in Parliament.

So why not jump ship to a different party now? You have only a few days left, the registration will be early June, you have to be in a different opposition party 30 days before then. This means you need to switch to a new party now.

Section 101. A person having the following qualifications has the right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(3) being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than ninety days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election, or being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than thirty days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election in the case where the general election is conducted on account of the dissolution of the House of Representatives;

You will win the seat, the democrats will be boycotting, you will have the vote for that seat in the next parliament. Better still you will have a party leader who wants to lead, and wants to get elected, and a chance to win elections.

Man the lifeboats, Captain Abhisit is scuttling the ship!

"Save me, save me from tomorrow".

[Jack Mountain]

No hidden agenda huh?

[rickirs]

Time is fast running out for the Democrats to decide whether they will participate in the July 20, 2014 election if made by royal decree.

(1) Contituency candidate registration for the Feb. 2, 2014 election date began 42 days in advance or Dec. 23, 2013. If the new election date is July 20, 2014, the date for constituency candidate registration might be be June 9 following the previous election schedule. Party-list candidate registration begins one day before or June 8, 2014.

(2) The date of application for candidacy in an election on a constituency basis shall not be later than twenty days as from the date the Royal Decree coming into force or May 20, 2014. Electoral Laws, Chapter 1, Part 1, Sec. 7(1).

If the Democrats do not file its constituency candidates and party-list candidates on or about May 20, 2014 it is already election game over for the Democrats. The remaining option is then a campaign for voters to vote "No" on the ballots or once again shutdown voting stations and hope that the EC violates the constitution so that the Constitutional Court will nullify the election again.

[srsv1238]

It's hardly surprising - as these discussions are still taking place between Abhisit and party leaders - that any final communique would be released between them before the fact, but when it is it will clearly be not only instantly mocked by Pheu Thai supporters but in fact will be an actual turning point as well, as this news story suggests - because the Democratic party this afternoon has now gone on record by announcing that unless some form of agreement is reached, they will boycott the election. The argument is exactly the same as it was on December 21 when the party boycotted the previous election. The argument is - nothing has changed. The reforms that needed to be addressed have not been addressed. Pheu Thai is operating as if nothing has changed since November 1 when they passed the amnesty bill at 4 in the morning and started a firestorm in the country. With the Yingluck administration as obstinate as ever - with Surapong and Chalerm as intimidating as ever, with the independent agencies and courts under intimidation, and with Thaksin's skype connection as alive and well as it ever was - absolutely nothing has changed. Why would the Democrats want to enable a quorum for an administration run like this - an administration being directed by a prime minister's brother - why would they possibly want to do that - why would they possibly want to enable an administration that is beset by scandal and criminal investigations ? Pheu Thai supporters will doubtless be delighted with the Democratic party and Abhisit's withdrawal - just as Pheu Thai undoubtedly was in December when they were already dreaming of sweeping every constituency in the country. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum.

The way to effect change is for the democrats to run. Success is never guaranteed. But you have to try earning an electoral mandate. If you don't run, you cannot participate. You cannot complain.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[BlueNoseCodger]

I told you, Democrats are not standing at elections.

Democrat MPs, you can see he's not making preparations to run for elections, and we can see it. So he has no intention of letting the Democrats run for elections.

This means you will have no job, and your supporters have someone elses voice in Parliament.

So why not jump ship to a different party now? You have only a few days left, the registration will be early June, you have to be in a different opposition party 30 days before then. This means you need to switch to a new party now.

Section 101. A person having the following qualifications has the right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(3) being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than ninety days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election, or being a member of any and only one political party for a consecutive period of not less than thirty days up to the date of applying for candidacy in an election in the case where the general election is conducted on account of the dissolution of the House of Representatives;

You will win the seat, the democrats will be boycotting, you will have the vote for that seat in the next parliament. Better still you will have a party leader who wants to lead, and wants to get elected, and a chance to win elections.

Man the lifeboats, Captain Abhisit is scuttling the ship!

You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day..

Like ( lol ) would be a lovely curve to throw (clapping)

Well unless they're all Lemmings (visual aid below), then they'll switch parties now, while they still can and rejoin the democracy under a proper leader.

[BlueNoseCodger]

Time is fast running out for the Democrats to decide whether they will participate in the July 20, 2014 election if made by royal decree.

(1) Contituency candidate registration for the Feb. 2, 2014 election date began 42 days in advance or Dec. 23, 2013. If the new election date is July 20, 2014, the date for constituency candidate registration might be be June 9 following the previous election schedule. Party-list candidate registration begins one day before or June 8, 2014.

(2) The date of application for candidacy in an election on a constituency basis shall not be later than twenty days as from the date the Royal Decree coming into force or May 20, 2014. Electoral Laws, Chapter 1, Part 1, Sec. 7(1).

If the Democrats do not file its constituency candidates and party-list candidates on or about May 20, 2014 it is already election game over for the Democrats. The remaining option is then a campaign for voters to vote "No" on the ballots or once again shutdown voting stations and hope that the EC violates the constitution so that the Constitutional Court will nullify the election again.

Royal decree has not been drafted or submitted yet.

So assuming it's approved around the 12th*, we're looking at a candidate registration starting around 1st June, which runs for minimum 7 days., i.e. registration closes 8th June.

So they have at least 6 days left to register with another party. GIven they have to switch parties 30 days before the registration.

You can see why Abhisit is trying to delay. If he can lock his MPs in to the Democrat party, they they have to fall off the cliff with him. I don't think he's running for election, because if he was, he'd be preparing for the election now and not stalling. If he's not running, he'd be resigning to clear the way for a new leader. So he has no intention of resigning, and no intention of letting the Democrats run.

* Government is expected to draft the law next week, i.e. no later than the 10th, allow a few days for approval of the decree in Royal Decree form.

Edited May 2, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Cricketnut]

It's hardly surprising - as these discussions are still taking place between Abhisit and party leaders - that any final communique would be released between them before the fact, but when it is it will clearly be not only instantly mocked by Pheu Thai supporters but in fact will be an actual turning point as well, as this news story suggests - because the Democratic party this afternoon has now gone on record by announcing that unless some form of agreement is reached, they will boycott the election. The argument is exactly the same as it was on December 21 when the party boycotted the previous election. The argument is - nothing has changed. The reforms that needed to be addressed have not been addressed. Pheu Thai is operating as if nothing has changed since November 1 when they passed the amnesty bill at 4 in the morning and started a firestorm in the country. With the Yingluck administration as obstinate as ever - with Surapong and Chalerm as intimidating as ever, with the independent agencies and courts under intimidation, and with Thaksin's skype connection as alive and well as it ever was - absolutely nothing has changed. Why would the Democrats want to enable a quorum for an administration run like this - an administration being directed by a prime minister's brother - why would they possibly want to do that - why would they possibly want to enable an administration that is beset by scandal and criminal investigations ? Pheu Thai supporters will doubtless be delighted with the Democratic party and Abhisit's withdrawal - just as Pheu Thai undoubtedly was in December when they were already dreaming of sweeping every constituency in the country. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum.

Well how about putting all minor and major reforms on the table? Tis about time the dems got their act together, oh but it seems they can't. They need someone to agree. In western politics you don't need agreements from the other sides, put what you have on the table and stop crying that a coup hasn't happened yet ya bunch of whingers!

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[louse1953]

Sounds like an ultimatum from a 6 year old boy. just when you thought the democrats couldn't get any more childish, they come out with this.

Actually, it sounds like an adult giving a bunch of unruly children a well deserved slap.

adult ? you got to be joking. politically, Abhisit is the socially awkward kid in the corner with no friends, constant whining and nobody listens to him.

At least the corner is in Thailand,not the sandpit that TS likes to play in.