Acting Thai Prime Minister Niwatthamrong insists on elections

[Payboy]

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

[h90]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

The yellow shirts????

If you mean the PDRC, they are for elections.

Only after they have an appointed (their own) PM, and a dramatic reformation to the electoral process, to ensure they get the correct result. Preferably not allowing the the ignorant and uneducated to vote.

You forgot one thing. Suthep also said he doesnt want Puea Thai or any of their members participating in elections anymore. In other words, he wants elections with no opposition. Kind of like North Korea. You get to vote, but you only have the choices they want you to have.

how many parties are in Thailand, I think 97, that leaves 95 opposition parties....PTP got dissolved 2 times for fraud already....

Beside new parties can be found every day.....Just please not again one with Thaksin as leader who buys everyone 500+ Baht for the vote.

[h90]

The yellow shirts????

If you mean the PDRC, they are for elections.

Only after they have an appointed (their own) PM, and a dramatic reformation to the electoral process, to ensure they get the correct result. Preferably not allowing the the ignorant and uneducated to vote.

You forgot one thing. Suthep also said he doesnt want Puea Thai or any of their members participating in elections anymore. In other words, he wants elections with no opposition. Kind of like North Korea. You get to vote, but you only have the choices they want you to have.

" elections with no opposition"

yes .That's exactly what General Pinochet did in Chile in 1973.

Or what Thaksin did 2006. Also not to forget his talks about fusing all parties of Thailand incl. the Democrats into one.

[Thaiisnotrequired]

Amazing this.. another idiot, totally out of depth unlawfully makes a committment, and we see all the frogs crawl out from under the stones they have been hiding under for a week, believing this is a new beginning of the old end.

Sorry guys, red pansies, but this is going nowhere. Don't build your hopes up too fast.... don't believe a word of your new ( ) PM's words.

What this is pushing for more is a real military coup, in his hindsight, and your so called buddies at the top won't be there for very long if such arises... that you can believe!

You really should try to keep up to speed

read the headline in the Bangkok Post (which is not allowed to be posted here) which refers to the opposition's plans being in tatters

You mean the one where Prayuth is moving his army's HQ following PDRC around, to make sure he backs them 100%?

Edited May 12, 2014 by Thaiisnotrequired

[WoopyDoo]

Same old, same old...... Nothing new here.... spouting the same old PT rhetoric... It is almost as if we still have Ying;luck... Nothing more than throwing a different cover over the glove puppet.

That will attempt to FORCE the EC into an election it knows won't succeed and more money will be wasted.

You have to totally cut out the Thaksin/PTP cancer and undemocratic election process if you even want to consider running a general election.... if not.... they will be blocked once again in the south enough to have them once again nulled.

I see nothing new at all since December.

If they refuse to all compromises, then this cabinet need to be cleared completely.

[Thaiisnotrequired]

You could hand this lot to Tony Blair and the end all round would still come up with roses, obtusively well....

[Morch]

Same old, same old...... Nothing new here.... spouting the same old PT rhetoric... It is almost as if we still have Ying;luck... Nothing more than throwing a different cover over the glove puppet.

That will attempt to FORCE the EC into an election it knows won't succeed and more money will be wasted.

You have to totally cut out the Thaksin/PTP cancer and undemocratic election process if you even want to consider running a general election.... if not.... they will be blocked once again in the south enough to have them once again nulled.

I see nothing new at all since December.

If they refuse to all compromises, then this cabinet need to be cleared completely.

You may want to check the other newspaper for an update on the EC.

Seems like they want to meet, but set forth a few conditions - either to get a quick decision, or to protect their heinies (or both).

[Asiantravel]

Amazing this.. another idiot, totally out of depth unlawfully makes a committment, and we see all the frogs crawl out from under the stones they have been hiding under for a week, believing this is a new beginning of the old end.

Sorry guys, red pansies, but this is going nowhere. Don't build your hopes up too fast.... don't believe a word of your new ( ) PM's words.

What this is pushing for more is a real military coup, in his hindsight, and your so called buddies at the top won't be there for very long if such arises... that you can believe!

You really should try to keep up to speed

read the headline in the Bangkok Post (which is not allowed to be posted here) which refers to the opposition's plans being in tatters

You mean the one where Prayuth is moving his army's HQ following PDRC around, to make sure he backs them 100%?

There you go again falling behind! I Army deputy spokesman Winthai Suwaree has already made a statement about this (which you obviously missed otherwise you wouldn't posted your statement ) urging people to be careful with groundless stories intentionally made to stir public confusion.

[Nickymaster]

Nice tie.

[rametindallas]

" Any attempt by the courts (to launch a judicial coup) is done so at their own risk," he said. "We have legal mandate." "

This mixture of messages is a common feature of Pheu Thai's announcements. So this man brings nothing new to the table. The suggestion - as always - is that the courts are a force to be regarded with suspicion - is of course a common refrain of Pheu Thai, and the very bread and butter of the UDD. So this warning is not new. What is new is the insistence that Pheu Thai currently has a mandate. Clearly they are referring to the 2011 election, so this statement would be most appropriate then. But by dissolving parliament they no longer had a mandate - but instead - as any caretaker administration that dissolved parliament - were in search of it in the hope of a confirmation by the public in newly arranged polls. But the election was incomplete. And when March 5 arrived and there was no meeting of a quorum-filled parliament after the 30 day required period - the Yingluck administration had lost any and every semblance of a mandate. And most certainly every semblance of a legal mandate. The correct phrase " We had a legal mandate " is the one this man should have adopted, rather than the one he just released - which is as outdated as the file photo itself. And in its stead this man should drop the courts rhetoric. That rhetoric is most definitely illegal. Unless of course we're back to the Pheu Thai/UDD world of " what we think is legal, is legal. What the courts think is legal, isn't, unless they agree with us ". Sadly, we're back to that.

One must always remember, when listening to a member of PTP, that every word spoken comes from Dr. Thaksin. The PTP is the ventriloquist's dummy and Thaksin is the ventriloquist. The same with UDD, CAPO, DSI, AMLO, and every other agency under the control of Thaksin's 'puppet' government. When you hear any one of then speak, you are listening to Thaksin.

[metisdead]

Some off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[thesetat2013]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

You will be joining them of course since you dont have a clue what democray is or how it works and since you flagrantly support an elected party that demonstrates they are above the law and use voilence as a way to ensure their views and opinions are the only correct ones people should follow.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ChrisY1]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

Idiot post!...we're all foreigners here on TVF.....no matter our political persuasion....we don't count!

Your thoughts are also not important......lighten up!

[thesetat2013]

So this new prime minister is only acting out the job. Funny how YL was a caretaker and this guy is only acting. Demeaning to his position. No wonder he insists on elections. He probably didnt learn any new lines for his role as caretaker PM

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ChrisY1]

" Any attempt by the courts (to launch a judicial coup) is done so at their own risk," he said. "We have legal mandate." "

This mixture of messages is a common feature of Pheu Thai's announcements. So this man brings nothing new to the table. The suggestion - as always - is that the courts are a force to be regarded with suspicion - is of course a common refrain of Pheu Thai, and the very bread and butter of the UDD. So this warning is not new. What is new is the insistence that Pheu Thai currently has a mandate. Clearly they are referring to the 2011 election, so this statement would be most appropriate then. But by dissolving parliament they no longer had a mandate - but instead - as any caretaker administration that dissolved parliament - were in search of it in the hope of a confirmation by the public in newly arranged polls. But the election was incomplete. And when March 5 arrived and there was no meeting of a quorum-filled parliament after the 30 day required period - the Yingluck administration had lost any and every semblance of a mandate. And most certainly every semblance of a legal mandate. The correct phrase " We had a legal mandate " is the one this man should have adopted, rather than the one he just released - which is as outdated as the file photo itself. And in its stead this man should drop the courts rhetoric. That rhetoric is most definitely illegal. Unless of course we're back to the Pheu Thai/UDD world of " what we think is legal, is legal. What the courts think is legal, isn't, unless they agree with us ". Sadly, we're back to that.

One must always remember, when listening to a member of PTP, that every word spoken comes from Dr. Thaksin. The PTP is the ventriloquist's dummy and Thaksin is the ventriloquist. The same with UDD, CAPO, DSI, AMLO, and every other agency under the control of Thaksin's 'puppet' government. When you hear any one of then speak, you are listening to Thaksin.

A little over the top ramentin....s...........but get your drift.

I think Thaksins influence is starting to wane a little...........he still pays the funds....but is the interest of his so callled supporters still there as before???

[Sattahip2014]

ACTING PM .... yes he should try his hand at ACTING instead of raping and pillaging Thailand.

[JAG]

40 odd posts about an election, isn't anyone going to demand someone recites the principles of democracy?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[gabruce]

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

"Democracy? I want nothing to do with a system which operates on the premise that my rights don't exist simply because I am outnumbered." - R. Lee Wrights

I can't really see how quoting extreme right-wing American politicians, helps to advance Thai democracy - although Mr. Suthep's puppeteers would probably be quite taken with his ideas of totally unfettered capitalism.

Never having seen the quote before and having no idea who "R. Lee Wrights" is, I thought it was a very good quote and struck at an important principle here which I believe the PTP and UDD have forgotten (and quite possibly the PDRC too, though I think the Democrats "mostly" remember). A "good" or "functional" democracy in my opinion must remember that the minority have rights too. This is especially true in my view when the minority is a real minority as well as when the minority is a large minority or even a majority by a different measure. From a western perspective, even individuals have rights that should not be forgotten by the ruling party/government.

A current example was the cheating by the PTP in the senate vote (tell everyone to go home except for your supporters and then vote in the wee hours of the morning on a bill that was changed from the original). They ignored a substantial minority and kicked off the situation we have now. I realize that's an oversimplification, however it's an illustration.

Another example might be the UDD/RedShirt intimidation of artists that don't support the UDD - preventing them from giving performances (with what sounds like an "or else") tacked on the end.

A good example might be the story from a couple of years where a convention centre project in Phuket was cancelled by the new PTP government with the comment from some Deputy Prime Minister or other that if you want anything from the government they better vote PTP next time.

[gabruce]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

Idiot post!...we're all foreigners here on TVF.....no matter our political persuasion....we don't count!

Your thoughts are also not important......lighten up!

His thoughts are important. It's just that they aren't MORE important than anyone else's thoughts here, and that's not very important in decision making in Thailand.

[rametindallas]

Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niwatthamrong_Boonsongpaisan

"A close business associate of Thaksin Shinawatra, he served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee-Media and Advertising front of Shin Corporation since 1995 and as Vice Chairman since 2000.[3] Boonsongpaisan served from 2001 to 2002 as Vice Chairman of iTV and from 1993 to 1995, director of that company between 2002 and 2008, and a member of the board of directors between 2001 to March 16, 2006"

"He served as director of the controversial rice pledging scheme, where rice was bought at inflated prices from farmers and subsequently was left to rot due to lack of buyers.[2] On 30 June 2013 he was appointed Minster of Commerce and a deputy prime minister in the cabinet of Yingluck Shinawatra."

Thailand's New PM Seen Capable of Compromises, Not Miracles http://www.voanews.com/content/thailands-new-pm-seen-capable-of-compromises-not-miracles/1909538.html

"Niwatthamrong has been in and around the fringes of Thai politics for years and has earned the trust of Thaksin Shinawatra"

"Niwatthamrong was chief executive of broadcaster iTV, the once independent television channel that became the Shinawatras' public relations machine when Thaksin's telecoms conglomerate Shin Corporation bought a majority stake in it"

"Niwatthamrong was an executive with Shin Corp where he sat on board meetings with Yingluck, who was at the time a CEO of its unit, cellphone operator Advanced Info Service.

He was brought into politics to help neophyte Yingluck in 2011 as part of a team that crafted her public image and swept her to power in a landslide election win."

This guy's appointment, as 'acting' caretaker PM, is proof, if any was needed, that Thaksin controls the PTP. The current 'acting' caretaker PM (who was never an MP and, therefore, cannot legally be PM) has been Thaksin's boy for 18 years. This guy has been at the heart of Thaksin/PTP corruption during the last 3 years. Yingluck may not be corrupt but this guy certainly is. This guy will say anything Thaksin directs him to. Anyone who trusts this guy is either a Thaksin lover or a dupe.

Edited May 12, 2014 by rametindallas

[Maroon Watcher]

The majority of the rest of the world want or have Free elections

Thailand should resist every attempt to block

a real voting Democratic Right of every common man and women.

Actions not words - let the people decide

[thurien]

I insist on election as well, but not before that all rotten elements from both sides are removed.

you'll be running a high risk of emptying the country by a major percentage this way...

[FangFerang]

I insist on election as well, but not before that all rotten elements from both sides are removed.

Each and every politician, who faces any charge PT or Dems. alike should not be able to run in elections (even better ban all parties involved in corruption)

And then call elections and let more all day life Thais participate in politics, not only the wealthy once who are out to even enrich themselves more

I understand why you said that--it makes sense. But...then each party would just file charges against anyone they wanted to nullify on the other side.

Come to think of it, and empty playing field would let new faces come forward.

Changed my mind. Good idea!

[FangFerang]

duplicate post removed by author with buggy connection

Edited May 12, 2014 by FangFerang

[Baerboxer]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

And those that like a corrupt regime surreptitiously moving towards a dictatorship whilst pretending to support democracy; and administrations that act illegally, cheat and lie could join them in the countries you mention or pop over and see Thaksin's good mate Hun Set. Red shirts that means you.

Then perhaps the Thai people could get a decent government.

[heybruce]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

By the way........do you mean a fair election where democrat candidates are not allowed to stand in Isan and the `north??? That fair election>>?

Fair elections in which mobs do not prevent candidates from registering or campaigning and voters from voting anywhere in the country. If there are immediate, firm and effective crack-downs on anyone of any political persuasion who attempts to obstruct the elections, the elections will succeed.

Of course the losing side will then insist the elections weren't really fair, hidden forces were at play, etc.

yes that is exactly what the PDRC wants and what Thaksin wants to avoid.

So no problem. The government tells the redshirt leaders to stand down, Suthep tells his thugs the same, all police chiefs are told they will lose their cushy, corrupt jobs if they don't maintain the peace and keep polls open, and military commanders are told they lose their commissions if any of their people are found working as "bodyguards" for anyone outside the military. Then proceed with the elections in July.

Who cares what Thaksin wants? And if the Democrats don't want to participate that's fine, but they're not allowed to interfere or bitch about the results afterwards.

How's that for a plan forward?

[icare999]

Those that don't like elections or democracy, or can't accept the results should migrate to a country more politically aligned to their thinking eg Burma or Zimbabwe. yellow shirts, that means you.

and people with your naive view don't understand that Taksin and his lot would love to move Thailand to Zimbabwe or North Korea democratic elections. The quickest way to turn Thailand into a Zimbabwie or Burma is to simply lie down and accept rigged elections and brainwashing that have resulted in those countries having wonderful democratic elections.

Wake up and smell the coffee

And please if you don't like it here and fact that thank goodness Thailand have up to now an army and others willing and able to stop megalomaniac dictators using their version of democracy to make this country their own one party state. Please you go to a country that suites your view best and leave us to one which we feel is far better than your IMO naive view of democracy in west.

So please feel free yourself to leave and go to a country better suited to your views. People like you who think you know best as far as here is concerned make me think your just like colonialists of old believing they were far batter qualified than natives

[rametindallas]

" Any attempt by the courts (to launch a judicial coup) is done so at their own risk," he said. "We have legal mandate." "

This mixture of messages is a common feature of Pheu Thai's announcements. So this man brings nothing new to the table. The suggestion - as always - is that the courts are a force to be regarded with suspicion - is of course a common refrain of Pheu Thai, and the very bread and butter of the UDD. So this warning is not new. What is new is the insistence that Pheu Thai currently has a mandate. Clearly they are referring to the 2011 election, so this statement would be most appropriate then. But by dissolving parliament they no longer had a mandate - but instead - as any caretaker administration that dissolved parliament - were in search of it in the hope of a confirmation by the public in newly arranged polls. But the election was incomplete. And when March 5 arrived and there was no meeting of a quorum-filled parliament after the 30 day required period - the Yingluck administration had lost any and every semblance of a mandate. And most certainly every semblance of a legal mandate. The correct phrase " We had a legal mandate " is the one this man should have adopted, rather than the one he just released - which is as outdated as the file photo itself. And in its stead this man should drop the courts rhetoric. That rhetoric is most definitely illegal. Unless of course we're back to the Pheu Thai/UDD world of " what we think is legal, is legal. What the courts think is legal, isn't, unless they agree with us ". Sadly, we're back to that.

One must always remember, when listening to a member of PTP, that every word spoken comes from Dr. Thaksin. The PTP is the ventriloquist's dummy and Thaksin is the ventriloquist. The same with UDD, CAPO, DSI, AMLO, and every other agency under the control of Thaksin's 'puppet' government. When you hear any one of then speak, you are listening to Thaksin.

A little over the top ramentin....s...........but get your drift.

I think Thaksins influence is starting to wane a little...........he still pays the funds....but is the interest of his so callled supporters still there as before???

Maybe a little over the top. The PTP, UDD, CAPO, DSI, are always on message, always on the same message because the source is the boss in Dubai. The Democrats never have a cohesive message and Suthep has lost his mind and only agrees with Suthep. I'm amazed that the anti-Thaksin forces are effective at all except for the common goal of ousting Thaksin's influence from the country. Good luck with that as there are so many powerful forces that depend on Thaksin for their power and continued wealth increases. Thaksin has so broken out of hte box. In the past, leaders would enrich themselves and their cronies and get kicked out so the next bunch of thieves could feed at the public trough. Thaksin decided he did not want to move on but finish his goal of creating a dynasty. Talk about 'buck the system'. This is a battle with no real winners and the regular folk, who are being used as pawns in many cases, will be the real losers as they don't have millions of Baht to cushion their loss.

[anteater]

The yellow shirts????

If you mean the PDRC, they are for elections.

Only after they have an appointed (their own) PM, and a dramatic reformation to the electoral process, to ensure they get the correct result. Preferably not allowing the the ignorant and uneducated to vote.

Are you serious or is that a joke?

Sadly he is serious. Those are the exact words that many on Suthep's side of the fence use to describe their belief that the franchise should be based on their interpretation of intelligence,

and the PDRC's proposed 'reforms' are designed to make them win elections as they are unable to do so at the moment

I agree Millwall and CP. I have heard several middle-class Thais say this (all Chinese-Thais). For example, if you put the point to them that the Thaksin parties such as PT won majorities at previous elections, their rejoinder is that those people who voted for PT are ignorant and/or uneducated 'farmers' and such ignoramuses should not be allowed to vote.

No, really they say that!

This country is incredible! It's like being in former South Africa or Rhodesia. I can't imagine anywhere else in the world where middle-classes 'think' like this and would dare to say it openly. This is Southeast-Asian apartheid - one of the most racist countries in the world.

And remember that the PAD's top man, the Chinese-Thai, Sondhi Limthongkul, hated democracy so much that he proposed that even the lower house of parliament should be mainly appointed, not elected! (see 'Thaksin' [silkworm Books, 2009] p.332]

Actually the stupidest people I have met in Thailand are not the maligned farmers of Isaan (they are often very smart, actually) but rather these middle-class Thais. They can't argue, they can't debate; they know little of what happens elsewhere in the world. They just have their silly prejudices.

Edited May 12, 2014 by anteater

[jennywren]

I'm with Anteater here.

After 20 years, I am totally of the opinion that the Thai middle class are the dumbest, most ignorant and self serving people on the face of the earth. Just watch the crap masquerading as Television programs on an evening and this is almost a documentary on the middle and upper middle classes.

They still black people up on screen to indicate stupidity!!!! Their idiot plinky plonk music is played by their dumb offspring who were too slow to learn music at school and this is the pinacle of what the entire elites are capable of music wise!!! Then there is the rush to nose jobs, boob jobs and hideous haircuts. All this from the people who have decided that the majority of the country should have no rights to vote!!! rant over... cool drink ordered.

Luckily there is only a small middle class and they are easily trounced at every election due to their sheer stupidity and blind obedience to the likes of Suthep, Abhisit or anybody in a military uniform.

All my years in Krabi, Songkhla Udon Thani and Khon Khen, convince me that Bangkok should be fenced off and allowed to get on with it. But please, let me and my family out of this zoo and let us find a small business to do where folk are friendly, smile and have guts. Think its time to head North again.

Edited May 12, 2014 by jennywren