Impossible to pinpoint winners and losers in Yingluck verdict

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Impossible to pinpoint winners and losers in Yingluck verdict
Kornchanok Raksaseri

BANGKOK: -- After the Constitutional Court's ruling that dismissed caretaker prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, many interpreted the decision in different ways.

Some people see the ousting of Yingluck from the post as her loss. Others, though, point to her somewhat sanguine facial expression as an indication that she may have felt relieved to be free of the burden passed on to her by her brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin.

There's a school of thought, too, that the ruling was a victory for Yingluck and her government. Most existing Cabinet members will retain their posts and Pheu Thai is still the (caretaker) ruling party. It can look ahead to the next election in a strong position.

Although anti-government groups were happy that Yingluck was finally forced out of her post, the court ruling highlighting her illegitimacy, the ball is still firmly in their court. There is no political vacuum, which will pave the way for a non-elected PM, as they want. What are they going to do next?

Critics of the Constitutional Court, meanwhile, have argued that the court was biased and already knew its verdict even before the trial. Still, the court's ruling was not so extreme as to lead to violence, contrary to warnings from various parties.

One interesting question is whether the Constitutional Court's ruling or any other decision by independent agencies changes the situation (I don't want to use the word "game") in Thai politics?

No matter how the ruling is interpreted, it is clear that the huge political division remains. Priorities are different on both sides and even among those who do not identify with either one. Therefore, someone will always be unhappy. Everybody wants to win, but is such an absolute victory possible?

Government supporters have attacked the legitimacy of independent agencies and insist that decisions on the fate of politicians should be made through elections.

Anti-government groups, meanwhile, insist that the court and other independent agencies are legitimate mechanisms in a system of check and balances.

To the opposing sides, there are different preferred choices on what, or who, should have the final say: election or court (and independent agencies)?

Although Yingluck is gone, her men remain and will continue to push for an election. Without prior reform, however, the government's opponents are unlikely to accept the result of such a poll, knowing the Thaksin camp is likely to win a majority again.

The opposing sides cannot agree whether to reform and revise the rules - and make sure they are free, fair and agreed - before the election, or to have political parties propose their reform ideas and fight on that platform in the election.

Although the court did not deliver an extreme verdict, nobody is fully happy with the outcome and frustration could mount. The rift between opposing sides continues and is likely to widen.

The question is, will the stand-off reach a breaking point, a stage that will be painful for everyone? Will an absolute victory for one side start a new round of the fight?

Alternatively, can conflicting parties try harder to focus on the common goal of moving Thailand forward by talking and listening with open hearts?

There are many others who identify with neither of the opposing groups. Their voices must also be heard.

Whether or not they intend to abuse their power, politicians have a habit of using their influence to benefit themselves the most.

The Constitutional Court's ruling may be historic for not only ousting the PM, but for also showing that politicians cannot just move the goalposts on a whim.

In this sense, democracy lovers and the people who promote equality should be happy that the court, and Thai society, is doing its best to promote transparency against the patronage system.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

[Torkmada]

The outcome of the next election will give a true indication of the level of division in this land.

One would expect turnout will be very high - 75% +

Should things transpire in a similar fashion to Thaksins 2005 triumph, surely it would be the death knell of the anti-democrats.

PTP pushing 60% (2005 = 56.4%) of the popular vote and the Democrats sinking below 20% (2005 = 16.1%) would be a pretty clear indication of the unity of the vast majority of Thais as to how they want their country run and who they want to run it.

In the face of such an overwhelming and resounding defeat the geriatric generals, plutocrats, PAD, PDRC, Yellows, Pitak Siam, Suthep, Democrats, Abhisit, appointed Senators, NACC, CC judges, Health Dept. officials, ex military Thai Airways executives, Singha Beer heiresses and that crazy assed Monk would be forced to give up entirely their futile and illegal attempts to snatch power forever more.

Pretty obvious why they all are so afraid of elections being held isn't it!

Edited May 9, 2014 by Torkmada

[MaxLee]

"Impossible to pinpoint winners and losers in Yingluck verdict"

It's quite easy to determine the losers:

"We innocent bystanders and other innocent honestly hard working people who are just trying to live our daily lives at work and with our lovely families and friends, always and each and every day in fear to be hit by gunshots or bomb attack at any random time..."

Both parties Pro- OR Anti-government are pushing through their agendas at the cost of innocent people's and children's life.

Any more questions???

[Scamper]

A somewhat aimless editorial. The conclusion of the author - that things are firmly in Pheu Thai's court - is too fanciful for words. They have just selected a prime minister from half a cabinet, with no legislative power, no parliament, and no public mandate. There is indeed a vacuum, because there is no constitutionally elected prime minister. The constitution allows for the election of a prime minister through two means - from a quorum-filled parliament - or from the Senate in the event of a quorum-less parliament. There is no provision for what Pheu Thai is doing. And where is the power ? There is none. No one in the " administration " can actually administer. They are frozen. There is diminishing expectation of a July 20 election. And there is diminishing expectation it will run any more smoothly than the last election. Pheu Thai can walk in front of cameras, pose for pictures, and talk about overseas conferences. But they can't actually govern.

[Torkmada]

A somewhat aimless editorial. The conclusion of the author - that things are firmly in Pheu Thai's court - is too fanciful for words. They have just selected a prime minister from half a cabinet, with no legislative power, no parliament, and no public mandate. There is indeed a vacuum, because there is no constitutionally elected prime minister. The constitution allows for the election of a prime minister through two means - from a quorum-filled parliament - or from the Senate in the event of a quorum-less parliament. There is no provision for what Pheu Thai is doing. And where is the power ? There is none. No one in the " administration " can actually administer. They are frozen. There is diminishing expectation of a July 20 election. And there is diminishing expectation it will run any more smoothly than the last election. Pheu Thai can walk in front of cameras, pose for pictures, and talk about overseas conferences. But they can't actually govern.

You miss the point my rambling friend.

PTP selected the new PM not Suthep, the Senate or any other anti-democrat.

There is no vacuum, PTP are still running things and Suthep is still feeding the ducks in the park

[Tatsujin]

There won't be any "next" elections whilst PT continue to ignore the law/constitution and appoint illegally members to be PM and for people like Chalerm and Surapong to continue on in any function within the caretaker Govt. Until this is resolved, EC won't be scheduling jack shit.

[jalansanitwong]

Theyre all winners...

1. no one was fined

2. no one goes to jail

maybe the same thing will happen in the wake of the rice scandal case

no one will have to return any of the 400 billion baht that vanished

no one will go to jail

BREAKING NEWS ..... new PM Abhisit sentences 600 farangs to prison for not having work permits.

TIT

[gabruce]

The outcome of the next election will give a true indication of the level of division in this land.

One would expect turnout will be very high - 75% +

Should things transpire in a similar fashion to Thaksins 2005 triumph, surely it would be the death knell of the anti-democrats.

PTP pushing 60% (2005 = 56.4%) of the popular vote and the Democrats sinking below 20% (2005 = 16.1%) would be a pretty clear indication of the unity of the vast majority of Thais as to how they want their country run and who they want to run it.

In the face of such an overwhelming and resounding defeat the geriatric generals, plutocrats, PAD, PDRC, Yellows, Pitak Siam, Suthep, Democrats, Abhisit, appointed Senators, NACC, CC judges, Health Dept. officials, ex military Thai Airways executives, Singha Beer heiresses and that crazy assed Monk would be forced to give up entirely their futile and illegal attempts to snatch power forever more.

Pretty obvious why they all are so afraid of elections being held isn't it!

On the other hand it could go the other way: PTP 20% Democrats 80%. Aren't baseless predictions fun? My prediction: Democrats 60% PTP 30% minor parties 10%.

[doctorproc156]

Winners - Privy Council associated elites

Losers - The Thai people

[Eric Loh]

I do agree that Yingluck, Taksin and PT will not be overly unhappy with the court verdict. Taksin picked Yingluck for the previous election was brillant strategy suitable for that period of time. Even if she is not dismissed, she will very likely pass the premiership to another person after the next election. She was chosen for her appeal and being sister to Taksin. But times may have changed now and the Taksin influence may have wane and a different kind of person is needed. In a way, Yingluck dismissal and the large coverage of critics of the courts may help her party to get lots of sympathy votes.

Suterp and his allies really have the worst of the verdicts as they gain nothing. Yingluck dismissal was a hallow victory and even if the impeachment is successful and she is banned; mades absolutely no difference as she not meant to be in politics for long haul.

This has push Suterp to his edge and will play out his last card of more civil disobedience and more violence to draw the military out. Now left to see what Prayuth will say or do. Suterp began his last (hopefully) battle starting today.

[FangFerang]

It is too sad to be funny and too comic to be dreadful.

[lovetotravel]

The Economist had a great article on Thailand today. One big thing was to reduce Bangkok's grip on the rest of the country. Only the Bangkok governor is currently elected. All the others are selected. Which means whoever wins the national election literally controls the entire country. Not a good thing. All governors should be independently elected. I think that would change things dramatically.

[tezzainoz]

A somewhat aimless editorial. The conclusion of the author - that things are firmly in Pheu Thai's court - is too fanciful for words. They have just selected a prime minister from half a cabinet, with no legislative power, no parliament, and no public mandate. There is indeed a vacuum, because there is no constitutionally elected prime minister. The constitution allows for the election of a prime minister through two means - from a quorum-filled parliament - or from the Senate in the event of a quorum-less parliament. There is no provision for what Pheu Thai is doing. And where is the power ? There is none. No one in the " administration " can actually administer. They are frozen. There is diminishing expectation of a July 20 election. And there is diminishing expectation it will run any more smoothly than the last election. Pheu Thai can walk in front of cameras, pose for pictures, and talk about overseas conferences. But they can't actually govern.

You miss the point my rambling friend.

PTP selected the new PM not Suthep, the Senate or any other anti-democrat.

There is no vacuum, PTP are still running things and Suthep is still feeding the ducks in the park

all you just proved is there is to sides to every opinion

a glass half empty is also half full

PTP are presently living in there own ego

Yes they have stopped Suthep taking over the Government seats

but Yes ... they are still sitting in them but are powerless to do any thing

Unless all parties come together with new reforms coming from all parties and being agree to by the Thai people

PTP are siting in the driver seat with no steering wheel

[newcomer71]

Unless all parties come together with new reforms coming from all parties and being agree to by the Thai people

PTP are siting in the driver seat with no steering wheel

The problem is with this morning action, Suthep is showing that is not willing to have any party to participate in reforms (?!?), he just wants the whole stake.

Thailand is falling, I foresee the worst crisis in the last 40 years coming.

[SABloke]

The Economist had a great article on Thailand today. One big thing was to reduce Bangkok's grip on the rest of the country. Only the Bangkok governor is currently elected. All the others are selected. Which means whoever wins the national election literally controls the entire country. Not a good thing. All governors should be independently elected. I think that would change things dramatically.

Well, this is one of the requested reofrms that is currently on the table. Pheu Thai are 100% against this idea. It is not about reducing Bangkok's grip on the rest of the country, it's about reducing the governments grip on every aspect of people's lives in the rest country.

[peterquixote]

its surprising how well the thai baht has stood up to this Shinawatra Pheu Thai corrupt.

A year ago nearly 30 baht to $1USA, now 32 baht.

In my currency NZ we have gone from 25 baht to $NZ1 to 27 baht.

About tourism and western flights into Bangkok

I have no trouble getting a flight over to Thailand any day I like now,

Last year I had to book well ahead.

[northernjohn]

A somewhat aimless editorial. The conclusion of the author - that things are firmly in Pheu Thai's court - is too fanciful for words. They have just selected a prime minister from half a cabinet, with no legislative power, no parliament, and no public mandate. There is indeed a vacuum, because there is no constitutionally elected prime minister. The constitution allows for the election of a prime minister through two means - from a quorum-filled parliament - or from the Senate in the event of a quorum-less parliament. There is no provision for what Pheu Thai is doing. And where is the power ? There is none. No one in the " administration " can actually administer. They are frozen. There is diminishing expectation of a July 20 election. And there is diminishing expectation it will run any more smoothly than the last election. Pheu Thai can walk in front of cameras, pose for pictures, and talk about overseas conferences. But they can't actually govern.

Even if they were elected they have proven they can not govern.

From a airhead PM to an appointed one by people with out the power to do it. We have a Senate that now has the seated membership to appoint a legal interim PM. But the PTP is above the law. The scum is getting deeper and deeper.

[northernjohn]

its surprising how well the thai baht has stood up to this Shinawatra Pheu Thai corrupt.

A year ago nearly 30 baht to $1USA, now 32 baht.

In my currency NZ we have gone from 25 baht to $NZ1 to 27 baht.

About tourism and western flights into Bangkok

I have no trouble getting a flight over to Thailand any day I like now,

Last year I had to book well ahead.

The Canadian dollar has fallen.

[DK2223]

The outcome of the next election will give a true indication of the level of division in this land.

One would expect turnout will be very high - 75% +

Should things transpire in a similar fashion to Thaksins 2005 triumph, surely it would be the death knell of the anti-democrats.

PTP pushing 60% (2005 = 56.4%) of the popular vote and the Democrats sinking below 20% (2005 = 16.1%) would be a pretty clear indication of the unity of the vast majority of Thais as to how they want their country run and who they want to run it.

In the face of such an overwhelming and resounding defeat the geriatric generals, plutocrats, PAD, PDRC, Yellows, Pitak Siam, Suthep, Democrats, Abhisit, appointed Senators, NACC, CC judges, Health Dept. officials, ex military Thai Airways executives, Singha Beer heiresses and that crazy assed Monk would be forced to give up entirely their futile and illegal attempts to snatch power forever more.

Pretty obvious why they all are so afraid of elections being held isn't it!

On the other hand it could go the other way: PTP 20% Democrats 80%. Aren't baseless predictions fun? My prediction: Democrats 60% PTP 30% minor parties 10%.

Then please ask your beloved party to go for election..

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 5.3 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[zydeco]

Losers: Kikoman, JackRich, Pipkins and all the other Little Red Riders who now seem to have vanished into thin air.

[doctorproc156]

The Economist had a great article on Thailand today. One big thing was to reduce Bangkok's grip on the rest of the country. Only the Bangkok governor is currently elected. All the others are selected. Which means whoever wins the national election literally controls the entire country. Not a good thing. All governors should be independently elected. I think that would change things dramatically.

Well, this is one of the requested reofrms that is currently on the table. Pheu Thai are 100% against this idea. It is not about reducing Bangkok's grip on the rest of the country, it's about reducing the governments grip on every aspect of people's lives in the rest country.

This is a great Idea, changing Thailand to a federation of states. In Malaysia there are states run by the opposition and they have been doing tremendously well compared to the other states, this is because they practice clean governance and an open tender system for granting projects.