Showdown looming

[Lite Beer]

Showdown looming
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Suthep wants appointed PM by Monday or he'll act on his own; red shirts warn of civil war

Anti- and pro-government demonstrators were heading for a dangerous confrontation yesterday after the anti-government leader threatened to take action himself if a new prime minister is not appointed by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the red-shirt supporters of the government yesterday began their "mass rally" on Aksa Road, an area adjacent to Bangkok, to challenge the anti-government group's attempt to hand power to an unelected government. A red-shirt leader also warned that Thailand was lurching towards "civil war".

Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said that he had requested leading figures in the three branches of government, including the Senate Speaker and the Supreme Court president, to help find a new prime minister. He argued that the current government had become "headless" after Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted as prime minister by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.

"There is no prime minister, no caretaker, just an acting prime minister with little power. The time has come for the Senate to appoint one," Suthep declared on television.

Suthep believes caretaker deputy premier Nivattumrong Boonsongpisan, who was appointed acting prime minister by the Cabinet following the court ruling against Yingluck, has no right to serve as caretaker prime minister.

"The people hope there will be a new prime minister of the people by Monday. If not, we will have no choice but to take action by ourselves. We can't allow the country to continue like this anymore," Suthep said.

"From tomorrow [today], we will issue statements. And I will read the statements inside Government House."

Suthep, who has led an anti-government rally that has continued for more than six months, held his press conference yesterday at a protest site outside Government House. The event was also broadcast live on Channels 3, 5, 9 and ThaiPBS.

The PDRC threatened to do "what is necessary" to bring about an appointed "people's government" if the caretaker administration does not resign within 72 hours.

At the red-shirt rally, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman Jatuporn Prompan denounced the PDRC's call for judges, the Senate president and other prominent figures to choose a new premier.

"The red shirts cannot accept the undemocratic and unconstitutional appointment of a prime minister. It would be the beginning of a disaster for the country that will lead to civil war," he said.

Thousands of pro-government red shirts began their new rally yesterday and many of them held aloft Yingluck's portrait.

Red-shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong said the rally might continue for one month.

Surachai Liengboonlertchai, who on Friday was elected to become the new Senate Speaker, said he would call an informal meeting of senators tomorrow in a bid to find a solution for the country.

In a related development, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the country's political deadlock must be solved through legal means.

"A military coup will not end the conflict. A coup will attract a lot of criticism. The conflict must be resolved through a legal framework," he said.

Anti-government protesters set up roadblocks yesterday in an attempt to pressure authorities to resolve the crisis.

They blocked roads and laid siege to the seat of government, the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, and television stations.

Some tourists were forced to abandon taxis and walk to Don Muang Airport.

-- The Nation 2014-05-11

[NongKhaiKid]

" Idiots to the right, idiots to the left,

volley and thunder,

into the valley of death rides the Thai nation . "

[EricBerg]

Idiots indeed. But the missunderstood fugitive is a very smart and vindictive person. He already knows he can never return to Thailand. Now that he is losing his puppet government he will not be prepared to give things up easily. Like last time he will orchestrate shootings and fires. Perhaps he'll soon be shopping in Paris again. That alibi worked in court.

Whatever happens, Thailand must find a way out of this mess. New and clean leadership is a necessity.

[rabas]

" Idiots to the right, idiots to the left,

volley and thunder,

into the valley of death rides the Thai nation . "

But wait! Another holiday, lets all play and go home see the folks. I think if they could just give them all paint ball guns, Thailand could claim to have developed a new and stimulating form of democracy. They could have little paint ball grenades and compressed air launchers.

[Pikeybkk]

The PDRC threatened to do "what is necessary" to bring about an appointed "people's government" if the caretaker administration does not resign within 72 hours.

Or what? Another final battle....<deleted> you moron

[chooka]

So I guess this P.M he demands must be one of his people and only one of his people. How about the MAD MONK will he do?

[chooka]

The PDRC threatened to do "what is necessary" to bring about an appointed "people's government" if the caretaker administration does not resign within 72 hours.

Or what? Another final battle....<deleted> you moron

The only way it can be a "Peoples Government" is if the "PEOPLE" elect the government other than that it will simply be an appointed "SUTHEP" Government.

[noitom]

Thai children not playing well with others in the sand box.

[uty6543]

"The red shirts cannot accept the undemocratic and unconstitutional appointment of a prime minister. It would be the beginning of a disaster for the country that will lead to civil war,"

The only language the red shirts know we get what we want or we will kill you.

To both sides how about lets talk and find a solution that we all can live with.

[ChrisY1]

The uprising in 2010 by the reds turned into a disaster......was most likely financed by Thaksin ....and others wanting trouble....

Judging by the numbers of reds massing now, (lots of old ladies and old men...plenty of kids as well) it would seem that the money is again flowing to the reds.....

I hope they get contained early if they start the same BS as last time!

[Chupup]

Its worse than a Thai Soap and getting more stupid by the minute

[noksidam]

"The red shirts cannot accept the undemocratic and unconstitutional appointment of a prime minister. It would be the beginning of a disaster for the country that will lead to civil war,"

The only language the red shirts know we get what we want or we will kill you.

To both sides how about lets talk and find a solution that we all can live with.

They tried voting...it didn't work.

[Thait Spot]

Thaksin could pull the plug on the stand off at any time by retreating his family from politics.

He could also ask Suthep and his clan to do the same for the greater good.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chainarong]

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

So I guess this P.M he demands must be one of his people and only one of his people. How about the MAD MONK will he do?

Chooka he was thinking of U

[Mentors]

Seems that unfortunately only the Red Shirts can stop litte Duce and his criminal gangs and paid naive mob from upper south.

Edited May 11, 2014 by Mentors

[rebelplatoon]

Suthep and Jatuporn exchanging blows. Bad for Thailand.

Neither thinks of 'the people'.

Time for elected (no matter how crooked those elections were) people, both government and opposition, to sit down and find a way out.

Abhisit graciously has said not to join new elections, to take the sting out of things. If the Shins do the same. A business government agreed upon by BOTH sides can be established. Change some laws and get on with elections that all will abide by.

Thailand needs a way out. Be responsible.

[coconutbar]

Thai children not playing well with others in the sand box.

. Except in this sandbox there's live ammo .

[tezzainoz]

The PDRC threatened to do "what is necessary" to bring about an appointed "people's government" if the caretaker administration does not resign within 72 hours.

Or what? Another final battle....<deleted> you moron

The only way it can be a "Peoples Government" is if the "PEOPLE" elect the government other than that it will simply be an appointed "SUTHEP" Government.

The way I see it he does not to vote in a Government but a Cartaker

Now if I wanted a cartaker for my house as I am off over seas for 6 months, I'd want the best man for the job, not the head man in the village

[tezzainoz]

"The red shirts cannot accept the undemocratic and unconstitutional appointment of a prime minister. It would be the beginning of a disaster for the country that will lead to civil war,"

The only language the red shirts know we get what we want or we will kill you.

To both sides how about lets talk and find a solution that we all can live with.

They tried voting...it didn't work.

and they already have as the caretaker PM is undemocratic and unconstitutional

so its alright for us but not okay for you

[Ricardo]

I note a certain similarity in appearance (and politics ?), between Jatuporn & Kim Jong Un, could they possibly be related ?

Edited May 11, 2014 by Ricardo

[tezzainoz]

Suthep and Jatuporn exchanging blows. Bad for Thailand.

Neither thinks of 'the people'.

Time for elected (no matter how crooked those elections were) people, both government and opposition, to sit down and find a way out.

Abhisit graciously has said not to join new elections, to take the sting out of things. If the Shins do the same. A business government agreed upon by BOTH sides can be established. Change some laws and get on with elections that all will abide by.

Thailand needs a way out. Be responsible.

we all want new elections, but they have to be democratic and constitutional

No 1) we need freedom of speech by all parties in all areas

No 2) Section 102 Enforced

A person under any of the following prohibitions shall have no right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(6) having been expelled, dismissed or removed from the official service, a State agency or a State enterprise on the ground of dishonest performance of duties or corruption;

3) All parties yellow and red to abide by the rule of law

[Asiantravel]

“ The PDRC threatened to do "what is necessary" to bring about an appointed "people's government" if the caretaker administration does not resign within 72 hours. “

There you go…………….. A clear statement from a “ would be” fascist leader

Edited May 11, 2014 by Asiantravel

[Asiantravel]

Thaksin could pull the plug on the stand off at any time by retreating his family from politics.

He could also ask Suthep and his clan to do the same for the greater good.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I bet you any money you like that will still not satisfy Suthep.

Even if what you said happened, they will still be jumping up and down demanding electoral reform ( stretched out for a number of years in order to plunder the coffers further himself ) and probably in the meantime disenfranchise the rural voters

[Som wat]

Suthep wants appointed PM by Monday or he'll act on his own;

Let me guess, for the people?

What a disgusting, fascist, childish thug.

[Lingba]

Yes, a showdown indeed!...lets set up a huge stadium in the middle of Bangkok, with seating all around and let the two parties involved like the gladiators of old, have it out...TV package tickets can be sold on pay-per-view as well...a great event for the world to see..just how barbaric and backward this country is

[h90]

Suthep wants appointed PM by Monday or he'll act on his own;

Let me guess, for the people?

What a disgusting, fascist, childish thug.

Want to get rid of vote buying and corruption in Thailand might be childish and naive for the Shinawatras it might be even disgusting but surely it isn't fascist.

[Just1Voice]

Well, let's see. Suthep said that if the red shirts approached his "peaceful" demonstrators with malicious intent, he would call the protests off and tell his people to go home. There's more than a handful of reds in BKK now, so seems like an easy enough solution to send Suthep packing.

Just my opinion

[Fat Haggis]

Tezza who is this we you keep referring to?

Do you actually have a vote yes or no? I don't believe you do, so stop with this we crap, this is for the Thais to sort themselves and being married to a a Thai girl doesn't give you any rights to vote either so please stop referring yourself as if you actually have a say in what's going on.

If however you have PR status and have a right to vote that is fine but I don't believe you have this

[Robby nz]

Suthep and Jatuporn exchanging blows. Bad for Thailand.

Neither thinks of 'the people'.

Time for elected (no matter how crooked those elections were) people, both government and opposition, to sit down and find a way out.

Abhisit graciously has said not to join new elections, to take the sting out of things. If the Shins do the same. A business government agreed upon by BOTH sides can be established. Change some laws and get on with elections that all will abide by.

Thailand needs a way out. Be responsible.

we all want new elections, but they have to be democratic and constitutional

No 1) we need freedom of speech by all parties in all areas

No 2) Section 102 Enforced

A person under any of the following prohibitions shall have no right to be a candidate in an election of members of the House of Representatives:

(6) having been expelled, dismissed or removed from the official service, a State agency or a State enterprise on the ground of dishonest performance of duties or corruption;

3) All parties yellow and red to abide by the rule of law

Ah come on Tezz, if section 102 was enforced about three quarters of PT would be out on their ear.

But seriously, section 102 needs to be expanded to cover anyone with a criminal conviction.

And anyone on bail or waiting for a criminal case to be heard against them should be suspended until such time they are found not guilty, if guilty the above applies.

That would cover the other quarter of PT, many of the smaller parties and a few of the Dems.

Then and only then could this country get a Government that would be suitable for role models for the kids.

[Asiantravel]

Suthep is the biggest hypocrite on this planet because of all people should be aware of the legal validity of the caretaker government.

He and his Democrat Party conveniently used to the brief period of Chavarat Charnvirakul's caretaker role after Somchai Wongsawat was ousted