Thai PM Yingluck set to face court as legal troubles intensify

[webfact]

Thai PM to face court as legal troubles intensify
by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, May 6, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's besieged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived at the nation's Constitutional Court Tuesday to face allegations of abuse of power that could see her sacked from office.

The case, one of two potential knockout legal moves against her premiership, comes as Thailand's political crisis reaches a critical juncture.

Anti-government protesters are still massed on Bangkok's streets -- although in diminished numbers -- and Yingluck's supporters are also threatening to rally to defend her.

Hundreds of police, some in riot gear, surrounded the court and searched cars on nearby streets ahead of the premier's arrival at the court.

The premier is due to testify against the complaint, filed by a group of senators who said that the replacement of then-national security chief Thawil Pliensri after she was elected in 2011 was for the benefit of her party.

Under the constitution -- forged after a 2006 coup that ousted Yingluck's billionaire brother Thaksin Shinawatra as premier -- such an offence could lead to her removal and a ban from politics.

The court could also extend its verdict to cabinet members who endorsed the decision to remove Thawil, potentially dislodging a layer of ruling party decision-makers with ties to Thaksin, who lives overseas to avoid jail for corruption convictions.

"The prime minister is convinced that she did not break the law but it's up to the judges," said Jarupong Ruangsuwan, leader of the ruling Puea Thai party.

"All I can say is that if the court convicts the prime minister and her entire cabinet there will be turmoil," he said, adding "all may be known today."

The court has not given a date for its ruling.

- End game near? -

The Constitutional Court has played a key role in recent chapters of Thai politics.

Critics accuse it of rushing through Yingluck's case and allege previous rulings show that it is politically biased against the Shinawatras.
In 2008, the court forced two Thaksin-linked prime ministers from office.

The backdrop to the current crisis is an eight-year political rupture since Thaksin was booted out off office by an army coup.

The kingdom has become fractured since then, split between the Bangkok-based elites and middle-classes, backed by the royalist south -- and the rural north and northeast and urban poor who have powered Thaksin-led or allied governments to office in every election since 2001.

Six months of political street protests, sparked by a bungled bid to push through an amnesty that could have allowed Thaksin to return, have so far failed to force Yingluck from office.

At least 25 people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in political violence, raising fears of widespread unrest if she is dumped from office.

Observers say the legal challenges appear poised to upend her administration, raising the potential for a backlash by her "Red Shirt" supporters.

Yingluck has also been charged by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with neglect of duty in connection with a costly rice subsidy scheme that critics say fomented rampant corruption.

If indicted on those charges, Yingluck would be suspended from office and face an impeachment vote in the upper house of parliament that could lead to a five-year ban from politics.

The Red Shirts have vowed to take to the streets if Yingluck is toppled, raising the spectre of clashes with security forces.

"But as of now, it remains impossible to know whether the Red Shirts will offer as much resistance as some of their leaders claim," said Michael Montesano at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

The Constitutional Court in March nullified a February general election disrupted by protesters, leaving the kingdom in legislative limbo with only a caretaker government.

Election authorities and the ruling party have agreed on July 20 for new polls, but the date has been rejected by the opposition Democrat Party, casting doubts over its likely success.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-06

[webfact]

Yingluck testifies to Constitutional Court



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra testified to the Constitutional Court Tuesday to defend her transfer of the former national security chief Thawil Pliensri which the Supreme Administrative Court had earlier ruled was an unlawful transfer.

She was accompanied by a team of lawyers, several cabinet ministers and the Defense Ministry’s permanent secretary Gen Nipat Thonglek.

Before appearing at the court, Ms Yingluck held a meeting with her lawyers at the Office of Gen Nipat at Muang Thongthani on Chaengwattana road.

The court was scheduled to hear testimonies from four witnesses today at 10.30 a.m. They included Senator Phaiboon Nititawan, National Security Council chief Thawil, former permanent secretary for transport Pol Gen Vichian Potphosri and the caretaker prime minister.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal police were despatched to clear the compound of the Constitutional Court of all suspected objects while anti riot police were also deployed to ensure that there was no attempt by pro government supporters to obstruct the court to work.

(photo : twitter @KHA_TII)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/yingluck-testifies-constitutional-court/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-06

[ginjag]

Yingluck testifies to Constitutional Court

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra testified to the Constitutional Court Tuesday to defend her transfer of the former national security chief Thawil Pliensri which the Supreme Administrative Court had earlier ruled was an unlawful transfer.

She was accompanied by a team of lawyers, several cabinet ministers and the Defense Ministry’s permanent secretary Gen Nipat Thonglek.

Before appearing at the court, Ms Yingluck held a meeting with her lawyers at the Office of Gen Nipat at Muang Thongthani on Chaengwattana road.

The court was scheduled to hear testimonies from four witnesses today at 10.30 a.m. They included Senator Phaiboon Nititawan, National Security Council chief Thawil,

former permanent secretary for transport Pol Gen Vichian Potphosri and the caretaker prime minister.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal police were despatched to clear the compound of the Constitutional Court of all suspected objects while anti riot police were also deployed to ensure that there was no attempt by pro government supporters to obstruct the court to work.

(photo : twitter @KHA_TII)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/yingluck-testifies-constitutional-court/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-06

Was uncle Tom Cobbly present ??? did they take the kitchen sink. Photo op--she is resembling her sister (CM) more and more.

[fab4]

Oh, my good lord you're funny. I forgot that everything the PTP does has to be approved by Thaksin in certain peoples eyes. I get it now, haha.......................... Next

Wasn't that their election slogan?

No the slogan was Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts, which is nowhere near the same as what you're alluding to which would be, Thaksin decides, Pheu Thai acts.

So your rejoinder wasn't as pithy or as witty as you and your "likees" presumably thought it was.................Next,

[fab4]

If she get sacked, the really mess will begin.

The "mess" started the day she was "elected".

She has failed miserably at every single thing she has touched. The single worst PM in the history of Thailand, and her failures will be felt for years to come by the Thai people.

Removing her and the lifeline to the convicted fugitive can only be a good thing for Thailand.

On this one subject alone that's it in a nutshell. nothing more nothing less.

What you posted are facts, the only ones that oppose your view is this hardcore Magnificent 7 of pro gov supporters on TVF.

They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist.

This is not a rant by a suthep/dem supporter because I stand for true transparent / non corrupt governance --not this load of family greedy so and so's.

"They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist."

More to the point I, for one, am ignoring your constant whining on almost every political thread, that nobody will answer your pleadings for an answer to an irrelevant and off topic question.

It's not that an answer isn't available, it's just that nobody has the inclination to waste any more time on you.

[h90]

Yingluck testifies to Constitutional Court

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra testified to the Constitutional Court Tuesday to defend her transfer of the former national security chief Thawil Pliensri which the Supreme Administrative Court had earlier ruled was an unlawful transfer.

She was accompanied by a team of lawyers, several cabinet ministers and the Defense Ministry’s permanent secretary Gen Nipat Thonglek.

Before appearing at the court, Ms Yingluck held a meeting with her lawyers at the Office of Gen Nipat at Muang Thongthani on Chaengwattana road.

The court was scheduled to hear testimonies from four witnesses today at 10.30 a.m. They included Senator Phaiboon Nititawan, National Security Council chief Thawil,

former permanent secretary for transport Pol Gen Vichian Potphosri and the caretaker prime minister.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal police were despatched to clear the compound of the Constitutional Court of all suspected objects while anti riot police were also deployed to ensure that there was no attempt by pro government supporters to obstruct the court to work.

(photo : twitter @KHA_TII)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/yingluck-testifies-constitutional-court/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-06

Was uncle Tom Cobbly present ??? did they take the kitchen sink. Photo op--she is resembling her sister (CM) more and more.

Her sister could be the next PM, so maybe they want us to get used to it.

[Morch]

Oh, my good lord you're funny. I forgot that everything the PTP does has to be approved by Thaksin in certain peoples eyes. I get it now, haha.......................... Next

Wasn't that their election slogan?

No the slogan was Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts, which is nowhere near the same as what you're alluding to which would be, Thaksin decides, Pheu Thai acts.

So your rejoinder wasn't as pithy or as witty as you and your "likees" presumably thought it was.................Next,

Them desperate semantics again.

Not trying to compete with the authority, eloquence and wit of your trademark "Next".

[scorecard]

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

If she get sacked, the really mess will begin.

The "mess" started the day she was "elected".

She has failed miserably at every single thing she has touched. The single worst PM in the history of Thailand, and her failures will be felt for years to come by the Thai people.

Removing her and the lifeline to the convicted fugitive can only be a good thing for Thailand.

On this one subject alone that's it in a nutshell. nothing more nothing less.

What you posted are facts, the only ones that oppose your view is this hardcore Magnificent 7 of pro gov supporters on TVF.

They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist.

This is not a rant by a suthep/dem supporter because I stand for true transparent / non corrupt governance --not this load of family greedy so and so's.

"They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist."

More to the point I, for one, am ignoring your constant whining on almost every political thread, that nobody will answer your pleadings for an answer to an irrelevant and off topic question.

It's not that an answer isn't available, it's just that nobody has the inclination to waste any more time on you.

Time to cash in your chips fab4, update the CV, but little to update in terms of new skills, and look for a new career.

Perhaps Cambodia or the middle east? I was going to suggest Zimbabwe, but then again Mugabe doesn't need perception throwers, his image is nasty and exactly what he wants to be and outside your basic skills anyway.

Edited May 6, 2014 by scorecard

[tingtongteesood]

AAnd soooooo, the end is neeeeeear, and now those PT clowns face, the final curtain.......But moooore, much more than this, they did it Taaaaaaak's waaaay !

[djjamie]

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

On this one subject alone that's it in a nutshell. nothing more nothing less.

What you posted are facts, the only ones that oppose your view is this hardcore Magnificent 7 of pro gov supporters on TVF.

They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist.

This is not a rant by a suthep/dem supporter because I stand for true transparent / non corrupt governance --not this load of family greedy so and so's.

"They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist."

More to the point I, for one, am ignoring your constant whining on almost every political thread, that nobody will answer your pleadings for an answer to an irrelevant and off topic question.

It's not that an answer isn't available, it's just that nobody has the inclination to waste any more time on you.

Time to cash in your chips fab4, update the CV, but little to update in terms of new skills, and look for a new career.

Perhaps Cambodia or the middle east? I was going to suggest Zimbabwe, but then again Mugabe doesn't need perception throwers, his image is nasty and exactly what he wants to be and outside your basic skills anyway.

I would ask him who this"nobody" is? It isn't me. Who is "nobody"?

Bit like his "majority" claim? WHat majority? Polls don't highlight his majority. Failed Feb2 election doesn't highlight his majority. When the majority voted for the 2007 constitution that is not accepted and a majority is made up to suit an agenda.

So rest assured when he says "nobody" he means himself.

Rest assured when he says the "answers are available" rest assured they are not. They fall over themslves to provide links to prove their points and to get the upper hand, but the one thing that would prove unequivocally, without question and would shut us up and make us look like idiots they reply by stating that we are wasting their time and that was after replying you with a 60 odd word reply. no link in this case. EVERY other case is linked to prove them right and us wrong. Not this time.

So he doesn't want to waste time giving you an answer in showing the PTP schemes are successful, but has no worries wasting his time telling you that he won't waste his time proving the PTP schemes are successful.

That my friend is PTP logic right there.

and in fact deserves the pigeon award.

Edited May 6, 2014 by djjamie

[ratcatcher]

"All I can say is that if the court convicts the prime minister and her entire cabinet there will be turmoil," he said, adding "all may be known today."

Jarupong Ruangsawan

Another threat from a PTP hack. As if there hasn't been turmoil up until now. The last 5 years have been turmoil.

If getting rid of Yingluck will bring "turmoil". I say bring it on. Get it over with and maybe the country can get back to some normalcy. Oh, yes, there's always the red threat of civil war to stir the pot.

[WoopyDoo]

Yingluck and the PTP's personal armageddons are all but at their doorstep.

Her lawyers asked for 15 more days which they were kindly granted, and they will almost certainly use today as an occasion to throw more delays into the case by requesting a bunch of witnesses and then crying 'foul' when they are rejected.

This case is in fact not about witnesses, the case has been tried twice already and all they need (and already have) are the case reports from those lengthy trials.... Nothing can be added to change the 2 previous case of which we all know ruled against Yingluck. Witness requests at this time would be pointless and just beg the question 'why not call these witnesses to the other courts?'

So we all know this witness request is nothing but stalling tactics so the caretaker government can get their grubby little mits on money to pay the rice farmers, before another government come in and pays them instead, which would really piss them off

All the CC will do is echo the former rulings that Thawil's transfer was pure nepotism for family political gain.

The only real reason for the CC to be handling this case is to hand down the punishment according to the severity of the constitutional breech.

The NACC does not have the right case in hand to indict the entire cabinet, yet the CC does have that right, and I don't think they are going to let the opportunity slip by unless they use the charter amendment abuse case to do that job.

If Yingluck is found guilty (and she has been twice already) Then she is gone, and if SHE is gone, then under the nature of 'precedent' the entire cabinet must also go, because it proves that they are equally guilty of conspiring to this case of nepotism which makes them equally guilty of the same constitutional breeches.

[tingtongteesood]

Really no big deal if Yingluck goes as long as the caretaker government stay till the election and not allow the fascist get their chance of an appointed PM. The caretaker government can select a new interim PM. Yingluck deserved her break from politics.

Eric, you are completely obsessed with elections yet never say a word about the other 14 principles of democracy. You do realize that elections do not equal democracy, they are but a small part of a democracy, right ? Or maybe you don't. But you really should find out more about the others....

[tingtongteesood]

Oh, my good lord you're funny. I forgot that everything the PTP does has to be approved by Thaksin in certain peoples eyes. I get it now, haha.......................... Next

Wasn't that their election slogan?

No the slogan was Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts, which is nowhere near the same as what you're alluding to which would be, Thaksin decides, Pheu Thai acts.

So your rejoinder wasn't as pithy or as witty as you and your "likees" presumably thought it was.................Next,

There is no difference, Dictator Thaksin thinks, then he decides and he dictates to his puppets by Skype ( or in person when they go to visit him ) what to do, no real difference.

[rijb]

Guilty of nepotism? How ironic! Let the first 'elite' without sin, cast the first stone.

[tingtongteesood]

The "mess" started the day she was "elected".

She has failed miserably at every single thing she has touched. The single worst PM in the history of Thailand, and her failures will be felt for years to come by the Thai people.

Removing her and the lifeline to the convicted fugitive can only be a good thing for Thailand.

On this one subject alone that's it in a nutshell. nothing more nothing less.

What you posted are facts, the only ones that oppose your view is this hardcore Magnificent 7 of pro gov supporters on TVF.

They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist.

This is not a rant by a suthep/dem supporter because I stand for true transparent / non corrupt governance --not this load of family greedy so and so's.

"They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist."

More to the point I, for one, am ignoring your constant whining on almost every political thread, that nobody will answer your pleadings for an answer to an irrelevant and off topic question.

It's not that an answer isn't available, it's just that nobody has the inclination to waste any more time on you.

First off, it is neither 'whining' nor off topic, it is a valid and relevant question.

No, it's just that you are an epic fail, you have no answers as there aren't any. Clearly it is you who is 'whining'. Stop spinning, you will fall over.

[WoopyDoo]

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

On this one subject alone that's it in a nutshell. nothing more nothing less.

What you posted are facts, the only ones that oppose your view is this hardcore Magnificent 7 of pro gov supporters on TVF.

They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist.

This is not a rant by a suthep/dem supporter because I stand for true transparent / non corrupt governance --not this load of family greedy so and so's.

"They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist."

More to the point I, for one, am ignoring your constant whining on almost every political thread, that nobody will answer your pleadings for an answer to an irrelevant and off topic question.

It's not that an answer isn't available, it's just that nobody has the inclination to waste any more time on you.

Time to cash in your chips fab4, update the CV, but little to update in terms of new skills, and look for a new career.

Perhaps Cambodia or the middle east? I was going to suggest Zimbabwe, but then again Mugabe doesn't need perception throwers, his image is nasty and exactly what he wants to be and outside your basic skills anyway.

I would ask him who this"nobody" is? It isn't me. Who is "nobody"?

Bit like his "majority" claim? WHat majority? Polls don't highlight his majority. Failed Feb2 election doesn't highlight his majority. When the majority voted for the 2007 constitution that is not accepted and a majority is made up to suit an agenda.

So rest assured when he says "nobody" he means himself.

Rest assured when he says the "answers are available" rest assured they are not. They fall over themslves to provide links to prove their points and to get the upper hand, but the one thing that would prove unequivocally, without question and would shut us up and make us look like idiots they reply by stating that we are wasting their time and that was after replying you with a 60 odd word reply. no link in this case. EVERY other case is linked to prove them right and us wrong. Not this time.

So he doesn't want to waste time giving you an answer in showing the PTP schemes are successful, but has no worries wasting his time telling you that he won't waste his time proving the PTP schemes are successful.

That my friend is PTP logic right there.

and in fact deserves the pigeon award.

Allow me to elaborate more.

fab4 like all the red supporters who think YL and the PTP have been a tremendous government who's policies have brought goodness and quality of life to all those poor and previously neglected people from the north etc.... Are nothing more than hypocrites.

Before this political impasse reared its ugly head, I am willing to bet as much as you like, that these very same people were out in force criticizing the very same government on almost every policy and governing issue that was raised in this forum...

However, now that their sacred Thaksin regime is under threat, they all seem to rally around with the same agenda that this government has been the best thing for Thailand since the Japs retreated.

Basically, they are just an argument looking for someone to have it with.

[Morch]

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

"They know who they are, and have never posted replies to requests of their democratically elected governments mega achievements. Never will because they don't exist."

More to the point I, for one, am ignoring your constant whining on almost every political thread, that nobody will answer your pleadings for an answer to an irrelevant and off topic question.

It's not that an answer isn't available, it's just that nobody has the inclination to waste any more time on you.

Time to cash in your chips fab4, update the CV, but little to update in terms of new skills, and look for a new career.

Perhaps Cambodia or the middle east? I was going to suggest Zimbabwe, but then again Mugabe doesn't need perception throwers, his image is nasty and exactly what he wants to be and outside your basic skills anyway.

I would ask him who this"nobody" is? It isn't me. Who is "nobody"?

Bit like his "majority" claim? WHat majority? Polls don't highlight his majority. Failed Feb2 election doesn't highlight his majority. When the majority voted for the 2007 constitution that is not accepted and a majority is made up to suit an agenda.

So rest assured when he says "nobody" he means himself.

Rest assured when he says the "answers are available" rest assured they are not. They fall over themslves to provide links to prove their points and to get the upper hand, but the one thing that would prove unequivocally, without question and would shut us up and make us look like idiots they reply by stating that we are wasting their time and that was after replying you with a 60 odd word reply. no link in this case. EVERY other case is linked to prove them right and us wrong. Not this time.

So he doesn't want to waste time giving you an answer in showing the PTP schemes are successful, but has no worries wasting his time telling you that he won't waste his time proving the PTP schemes are successful.

That my friend is PTP logic right there.

and in fact deserves the pigeon award.

Allow me to elaborate more.

<snip>

Basically, they are just an argument looking for someone to have it with.

Whereas ardent anti-government posters....?

[djjamie]

Guilty of nepotism? How ironic! Let the first 'elite' without sin, cast the first stone.

Completely agree. I see the senate make up is not far from your mind. The most contentious point being that relatives could contend for positions in the senate. Don't get me wrong I am a strong supporter of nepotism if you own a fish and chip shop. It is a nice family business. However The Right Honorable Ahbisit learned at Eton and Oxford that successful govt's are not "family businesses" When a govt becomes a family business the name changes to a regime.

Well done and nice post.

[Fat Haggis]

Can you ask the great Suthep to make it stop raining here in Khon Buri seeing as he's being revered as some sort of demigod ?

He's as corrupt as those he wishes removed from Thailand will he step back as he has stated many times once Yingluck goes?

Suthep has NO intention of stepping back and out of the picture once Poo is gone quite the opposite and when it all goes tits up just remember you thought he was the messiah

[Baerboxer]

Critics accuse the Constitutional Court of rushing through Yingluck's case and allege previous rulings show that it is politically biased against the Shinawatras.

This means that when a court convicts a PTP member it s bias, not that maybe they are a corrupt bunch, stealing from Thai citizens. YL has had ample time to respond. She, and her lawyers, have been devising all sorts of schemes to hang on to their alleged 'power'. Slowing the process is bad for the country, but then, they were never in it for the good of the country. Corruption is rampant. Differing opinions are crushed. Elections are bought. Other parties are threatened with violence. Laws adjusted to fit the Sae Khu clan.

For the life of me I can t see the difference with Adolf and the brown shirts and the Sae Khu clan and the red shirts. Democracy is lost.

Well you should learn to be more discerning. A comparison between the Shinawatra family and UDD with Hitler and the SA is the last refuge of a failed argument and renders the rest of your "opinion" irrelevant (in my opinion).

Oh, the Shinawatra family name was adopted by Thaksins father in 1938 because of the anti Chinese movement here. I don't know what you are trying to say by using the Sae Khu family name, perhaps subtle racism, but the Shinawatra siblings you are talking about have always been Shinawatras and for some strange reason they are referred to as Shinawatra. Why, you even managed to use their real name in the first line of your post, wasn't so hard, was it.

A very large number of UK politicians, past and present, have changed their names or their families have. Some quiet senior. The reason - to avoid ethnic and religious discrimination and to make themselves more appealing to electorate by appearing to be of the same heritage,

The Shinawatra family are Chinese who changed their name to appear Thai to avoid persecution and bias against them. Sae Khu is the original family name. Nothing wrong in pointing out the history to people. Might help in contextualizing certain attitudes and actions.

[Morch]

Guilty of nepotism? How ironic! Let the first 'elite' without sin, cast the first stone.

Completely agree. I see the senate make up is not far from your mind. The most contentious point being that relatives could contend for positions in the senate. Don't get me wrong I am a strong supporter of nepotism if you own a fish and chip shop. It is a nice family business. However The Right Honorable Ahbisit learned at Eton and Oxford that successful govt's are not "family businesses" When a govt becomes a family business the name changes to a regime.

Well done and nice post.

Is Singapore an example of a "successful government" or a "regime"?

[northernjohn]

Critics accuse the Constitutional Court of rushing through Yingluck's case and allege previous rulings show that it is politically biased against the Shinawatras.

The above was a quote by mistake what they really meant to say was

Critics accuse the Constitutional Court of rushing through Yingluck's case and allege previous rulings show that it is politically biased against the Shinawatras. Upholding the law and punishing wrong doers.

[northernjohn]

Critics accuse the Constitutional Court of rushing through Yingluck's case and allege previous rulings show that it is politically biased against the Shinawatras.

This means that when a court convicts a PTP member it s bias, not that maybe they are a corrupt bunch, stealing from Thai citizens. YL has had ample time to respond. She, and her lawyers, have been devising all sorts of schemes to hang on to their alleged 'power'. Slowing the process is bad for the country, but then, they were never in it for the good of the country. Corruption is rampant. Differing opinions are crushed. Elections are bought. Other parties are threatened with violence. Laws adjusted to fit the Sae Khu clan.

For the life of me I can t see the difference with Adolf and the brown shirts and the Sae Khu clan and the red shirts. Democracy is lost.

Well you should learn to be more discerning. A comparison between the Shinawatra family and UDD with Hitler and the SA is the last refuge of a failed argument and renders the rest of your "opinion" irrelevant (in my opinion).

Oh, the Shinawatra family name was adopted by Thaksins father in 1938 because of the anti Chinese movement here. I don't know what you are trying to say by using the Sae Khu family name, perhaps subtle racism, but the Shinawatra siblings you are talking about have always been Shinawatras and for some strange reason they are referred to as Shinawatra. Why, you even managed to use their real name in the first line of your post, wasn't so hard, was it.

A very large number of UK politicians, past and present, have changed their names or their families have. Some quiet senior. The reason - to avoid ethnic and religious discrimination and to make themselves more appealing to electorate by appearing to be of the same heritage,

The Shinawatra family are Chinese who changed their name to appear Thai to avoid persecution and bias against them. Sae Khu is the original family name. Nothing wrong in pointing out the history to people. Might help in contextualizing certain attitudes and actions.

I am surprised that Fab 4 would object to history. He is always talking about it.

[djjamie]

Can you ask the great Suthep to make it stop raining here in Khon Buri seeing as he's being revered as some sort of demigod ?

He's as corrupt as those he wishes removed from Thailand will he step back as he has stated many times once Yingluck goes?

Suthep has NO intention of stepping back and out of the picture once Poo is gone quite the opposite and when it all goes tits up just remember you thought he was the messiah

Ahhh yes, Suthep, the Mandela of the East.

"I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances" Nelson Mandela

I might ask you to provide an uneven burden of proof to state your claim that Suthep has no intention of stepping back, but a/ I am not extremely frustrated by your comments and b/ asking that just makes me look silly.

[bigbamboo]

I see once again the prefix of caretaker has been dropped, so she is back as PM again.

The same seems to apply to the cabinet ministers.

In there eyes only.

I also note that :

The ruling Pheu Thai Party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit said his party would meet to consider Ahbisit's 10-step roadmap today. Pheu Thai key members claim that the plan goes against the charter

So they haven't as yet met to consider Abhisits plan yet have dismissed it out of hand.

I imagine the Boss has already been on Skype to them.

[fab4]

Critics accuse the Constitutional Court of rushing through Yingluck's case and allege previous rulings show that it is politically biased against the Shinawatras.

This means that when a court convicts a PTP member it s bias, not that maybe they are a corrupt bunch, stealing from Thai citizens. YL has had ample time to respond. She, and her lawyers, have been devising all sorts of schemes to hang on to their alleged 'power'. Slowing the process is bad for the country, but then, they were never in it for the good of the country. Corruption is rampant. Differing opinions are crushed. Elections are bought. Other parties are threatened with violence. Laws adjusted to fit the Sae Khu clan.

For the life of me I can t see the difference with Adolf and the brown shirts and the Sae Khu clan and the red shirts. Democracy is lost.

Well you should learn to be more discerning. A comparison between the Shinawatra family and UDD with Hitler and the SA is the last refuge of a failed argument and renders the rest of your "opinion" irrelevant (in my opinion).

Oh, the Shinawatra family name was adopted by Thaksins father in 1938 because of the anti Chinese movement here. I don't know what you are trying to say by using the Sae Khu family name, perhaps subtle racism, but the Shinawatra siblings you are talking about have always been Shinawatras and for some strange reason they are referred to as Shinawatra. Why, you even managed to use their real name in the first line of your post, wasn't so hard, was it.

A very large number of UK politicians, past and present, have changed their names or their families have. Some quiet senior. The reason - to avoid ethnic and religious discrimination and to make themselves more appealing to electorate by appearing to be of the same heritage,

The Shinawatra family are Chinese who changed their name to appear Thai to avoid persecution and bias against them. Sae Khu is the original family name. Nothing wrong in pointing out the history to people. Might help in contextualizing certain attitudes and actions.

Thank you for highlighting the implied racism.

[djjamie]

Guilty of nepotism? How ironic! Let the first 'elite' without sin, cast the first stone.

Completely agree. I see the senate make up is not far from your mind. The most contentious point being that relatives could contend for positions in the senate. Don't get me wrong I am a strong supporter of nepotism if you own a fish and chip shop. It is a nice family business. However The Right Honorable Ahbisit learned at Eton and Oxford that successful govt's are not "family businesses" When a govt becomes a family business the name changes to a regime.

Well done and nice post.

Is Singapore an example of a "successful government" or a "regime"?

Very very good post and thank you for highlighting this.

Singapore is an example of a very successful authoritarian regimes.

One needs to understand that the opposite to a successful govt is not a failed regime. I can see how you would allure to a regime being not successful when looking at the damage the Shin regime has caused to Thailand, but regimes believe it or not can be successful as you have highlighted.

Thank you so much for bringing this up and allowing others to see that because the Shin regime was a complete failure that other regimes like Singapore can in fact be successful.

I would really love to extrapolate further, but since this is by definition "off topic" now I won't.

Edited May 6, 2014 by djjamie

[DrTuner]

I really, really wish these news were less frequent but actually contained some new information, you know, like real news. In the last few months there have been only a few notable events outside the daily M-79 parties, but every single day brings at least 3-4 articles with 0 new info to the Thailand News forum.

Wouldn't bring in the clicks, I suppose.

[northernjohn]

I see once again the prefix of caretaker has been dropped, so she is back as PM again.

The same seems to apply to the cabinet ministers.

In there eyes only.

I also note that :

The ruling Pheu Thai Party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit said his party would meet to consider Ahbisit's 10-step roadmap today. Pheu Thai key members claim that the plan goes against the charter

So they haven't as yet met to consider Abhisits plan yet have dismissed it out of hand.

I imagine the Boss has already been on Skype to them.

I would not be a bit surprised if they were not under standing orders to oppose any thing Abhist says. If he says the color of the sky is blue they are to say no it is purple. Thaksin's drive for power know's no boundaries. Hense the complete lack of morals or common sense.