At the crossroads and faced with a choice of four paths: Thai opinion

[webfact]

OVERDRIVE
At the crossroads and faced with a choice of four paths
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- After six months, 24 deaths and more than 700 injuries, it seems we are finally inching towards the climax of our political drama.

The Senate has been busy holding talks with different parties - university rectors, military chiefs, independent agencies, private bodies and the media - over how to resolve the crisis. A decision on how to make the next move was expected to arrive yesterday.

The key question is whether the Senate has the authority, the legitimacy or the guts to appoint an interim prime minister to end the political deadlock. If it fails to do so, Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protest group, will take matters into his own hands by staging a "people's coup". This would be both an audacious and precarious move. The red shirts have threatened violence if an interim prime minister is appointed.

Thai politics is drifting in a vacuum. The Senate is the only legislative body left in operation. The House of Representatives has been out of action since being dissolved on December 9. The country no longer has a sitting prime minister, after the Constitutional Court dismissed Yingluck Shinawatra on May 8 for abuse of power. The ruling Pheu Thai Party is pushing for a fresh election in the wake of February 2's aborted poll. A date of July 20 has been tentatively set, but chances are slim that the election will go ahead.

Surachai Liengboonlertchai, the Senate speaker, is under pressure to come up with a solution as the crisis drags on. But senators are divided over how or whether they should go ahead and vote in an interim government. Article 7 of the Constitution offers a broad mandate to resolve the political crisis through traditional means in the event that all constitutional laws or legal technicalities are exhausted. But opinions differ on whether Article 7 allows the appointment of an interim prime minister through traditional power and means. Meechai Ruchuphand, an expert on constitutional matters, says that Article 7 cannot be applied in this case because the authority of the caretaker Cabinet remains intact. Only when the whole Cabinet falls can we rely on this extraordinary measure.

But Suthep, who has now led protesters to occupy the country's seat of power, Government House, has vowed to resort to a "people's coup" if all other avenues are exhausted. He will stage large rallies over the weekend in a bid to garner as much support as possible. Then on Monday he will resort to Article 3 of the Constitution, which states that the sovereign power belongs to the Thai people, to stage his people's coup. Acting on behalf of the masses and through Article 3, Suthep will proceed to seek the appointment of an interim prime minister. This sounds crazy to most people, but the protest leader looks deadly serious. If the Senate fails to come up with a way out, on Monday Suthep will ask leaders of the military, the police and the bureaucracy to report to him at Government House.

So, the possible ways out of this crisis are:

1. A fresh election to settle the conflict. (Slim possibility.)

2. The Senate appointing an interim prime minister via Article 7 of the Constitution. (Possible.)

3. Suthep seeking the appointment of an interim prime minister via Article 3 of the Constitution. (Audacious and precarious.)

4. A military coup. (This cannot be ruled out.)

Whichever path is taken, we will see bitter debate between opposing sides and, quite possibly, violence. Let's hope that the bloodshed is minimal as Thailand reaches the culmination of this crisis.


-- The Nation 2014-05-16

[Mango Bob]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

[MrJohnson]

So, the possible ways out if this crisis are;

1. Hold an election and respect and abide by the outcome.

2. Refer to point 1.

[Siripon]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

[kiwikoppy]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

maybe you and all other reform callers should first explain what the heck you are going to reform and how.

calling just for reform is useless without any explanation behind it.

If there was a nice written reform plan, the current government might even implement it, who knows.

Cut screaming reform reform reform does nothing else but making you (suthep and the rest) look like a fool

[tezzainoz]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

I agree

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those in a fair election, where:

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

No other choice is acceptable.

[MrJohnson]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

Suthep and his supporters hide behind the banner of reform. There will be no reform if he gets his way. There will simple be return to the good old days of the 'born to rule' brigade. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Suthep and his backers had allocated all of their resources to winning the hearts and minds of the electorate instead of disrupting the lives of tens of thousands of ordinary Bangkok folk, they might just have a chance of winning the next election. As it is, they have no chance. Interim appointed PM will simply create more division. The ballot box, the ballot box, the ballot box.

[jollyman]

Remember

Make a Thai man angry, first time he will just Smile

Make a Thai man angry a second time, he will shoot you!

[millwall_fan]

The Nation has stated (for once the blindingly obvious. Except they didn't need 4 points. 1 would do.

1. A fresh election to settle the conflict. (perfectly simple if the army guarantee it.)

[tezzainoz]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

Suthep and his supporters hide behind the banner of reform. There will be no reform if he gets his way. There will simple be return to the good old days of the 'born to rule' brigade. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Suthep and his backers had allocated all of their resources to winning the hearts and minds of the electorate instead of disrupting the lives of tens of thousands of ordinary Bangkok folk, they might just have a chance of winning the next election. As it is, they have no chance. Interim appointed PM will simply create more division. The ballot box, the ballot box, the ballot box.

Is this just your opinion written on the back of a beer coaster

Or you have fact to prove this

Please provide facts

[jollyman]

Why cannot they have an election and form a government for national unity, say with a life of 3 yrs max. It could be like the British had durring the WW2, all parties , very successful. Once the war was won, it went back to fresh elections. Here it could the same, all parties sort out this reform stuff, then go back to the people. . Probably too simple for Thai Brains

[The stuttering parrot]

Now we have suteps self styled peoples coup on the agenda.

A desperate statement from a desperate man.

Elections a slim possibility ?Says the nation!

The EC has just announced that July the 20 might be a bit early so it would be august 3.

Just go ahead EC let the people have their say!

They have been put on the sidelines for to long now and it's a pressure cooker situation so release the valve and have an election.

The other alternatives are divisive with no long term solution for any side!

[Piichai]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

maybe you and all other reform callers should first explain what the heck you are going to reform and how.

calling just for reform is useless without any explanation behind it.

If there was a nice written reform plan, the current government might even implement it, who knows.

Cut screaming reform reform reform does nothing else but making you (suthep and the rest) look like a fool

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed

While we can all agree that these items are important changes to be made, it's unlikely PTP would enact them as it would mean the end of their regime.

[Piichai]

Why cannot they have an election and form a government for national unity, say with a life of 3 yrs max. It could be like the British had durring the WW2, all parties , very successful. Once the war was won, it went back to fresh elections. Here it could the same, all parties sort out this reform stuff, then go back to the people. . Probably too simple for Thai Brains

Abhisit discussed his reform framework with many parities.

PTP, however, refused to get involved.

[MrJohnson]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

Suthep and his supporters hide behind the banner of reform. There will be no reform if he gets his way. There will simple be return to the good old days of the 'born to rule' brigade. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Suthep and his backers had allocated all of their resources to winning the hearts and minds of the electorate instead of disrupting the lives of tens of thousands of ordinary Bangkok folk, they might just have a chance of winning the next election. As it is, they have no chance. Interim appointed PM will simply create more division. The ballot box, the ballot box, the ballot box.

Is this just your opinion written on the back of a beer coaster

Or you have fact to prove this

Please provide facts

It is my opinion based on twenty plus years of living in Thailand and observing Thai politics. Talk to many of those in the yellow shirt camp to find that many do not believe in universal suffrage. Many believe that the folks in Isaan and the North are 'uneducated' and therefore not qualified to vote. And by the way, what is a beer coaster? If are are trying to belittle my opinions by suggesting that I am some kind of barfly, then you are only belittling yourself Good Sir. Read my posts on TV and you will find that they are generally thoughtfully crafted.

[TimCM]

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed

While we can all agree that these items are important changes to be made, it's unlikely PTP would enact them as it would mean the end of their regime.

This would never work as there be no one left to contest the election on any side. Sure PT are guilty of many of these things but if you can't see that suthep is also guilty of these things as well, I just feel sorry for you

[Piichai]

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed

While we can all agree that these items are important changes to be made, it's unlikely PTP would enact them as it would mean the end of their regime.

This would never work as there be no one left to contest the election on any side. Sure PT are guilty of many of these things but if you can't see that suthep is also guilty of these things as well, I just feel sorry for you

It may indeed be difficult for some on *all* sides. But reforms such as these are needed to move the country forward.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Piichai

[noitom]

We don't hear anything from the Thai Mr. Bigs...the Thai Forbes top 50 or any of the country club set. No ne stands up to take leadership. What does that mean? They don't care? They will just jet out with their wealth to the UK, US, SG, HK? Isn't it odd that we never see real leadership from the business class emerge? Are they in bed with the PDRC? What's that all about?

[smedly]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

simple as that isn't it - one sentence...................................except that

1. The Majority of Thai people don't want an election before reforms

2. We already had an election in Feb and it failed (remember there were more No votes and Spoiled votes than actual votes)

You and your other mates/id's that keep spamming this nonsense here need to once and for all realise that an election is not going to happen before there are massive changes and investigations into the stolen 800billion baht and those responsible thrown in jail

[Piichai]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

simple as that isn't it - one sentence...................................except that

1. The Majority of Thai people don't want an election before reforms

2. We already had an election in Feb and it failed (remember there were more No votes and Spoiled votes than actual votes)

You and your other mates/id's that keep spamming this nonsense here need to once and for all realise that an election is not going to happen before there are massive changes and investigations into the stolen 800billion baht and those responsible thrown in jail

Very good point. And I expect more than a few heads will roll.

[smedly]

Why cannot they have an election and form a government for national unity, say with a life of 3 yrs max. It could be like the British had durring the WW2, all parties , very successful. Once the war was won, it went back to fresh elections. Here it could the same, all parties sort out this reform stuff, then go back to the people. . Probably too simple for Thai Brains

well if you wakened up that is exactly what Suthep is trying to achieve and the many millions of Thai that are fed up with the blatant abuse and theft of the Shins

[smedly]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

maybe you and all other reform callers should first explain what the heck you are going to reform and how.

calling just for reform is useless without any explanation behind it.

If there was a nice written reform plan, the current government might even implement it, who knows.

Cut screaming reform reform reform does nothing else but making you (suthep and the rest) look like a fool

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed

While we can all agree that these items are important changes to be made, it's unlikely PTP would enact them as it would mean the end of their regime.

well said and 100% correct

[ginjag]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

maybe you and all other reform callers should first explain what the heck you are going to reform and how.

calling just for reform is useless without any explanation behind it.

If there was a nice written reform plan, the current government might even implement it, who knows.

Cut screaming reform reform reform does nothing else but making you (suthep and the rest) look like a fool

Only a few posts and already to defend--denial.

Had YOUR PTP had the brain to do it when they pledged to do it ---we could have had them already BUT they would have to suit Thaksins agenda.

If PTP couldn't do it and Yingluck wasn't allowed to do anything, we have to allow some bright individuals to get to the table and write it up.

[MrJohnson]

We don't hear anything from the Thai Mr. Bigs...the Thai Forbes top 50 or any of the country club set. No ne stands up to take leadership. What does that mean? They don't care? They will just jet out with their wealth to the UK, US, SG, HK? Isn't it odd that we never see real leadership from the business class emerge? Are they in bed with the PDRC? What's that all about?

I am sure they are very busy behind the scenes Tom. Popular opinion has it that big business was behind the move to Lumpini Park, so that it would impact less on business and retail. They may well be squirreling away money overseas also. It would be a smart move I'm sure.

[pmugghc]

The only path the people want is the right to vote for those you will represent them. No other choice is acceptable.

Bob or Pipkins, please calm down, you're over excited, what is this:' for those you will represent them'?

Forward with reform, drag the unwilling Pheua Thai into the future.Let the days of dinosaurs like Banharn and Thaksin, owners and masters of entire political parties, become history.

Reform Thailand, reform the people!

maybe you and all other reform callers should first explain what the heck you are going to reform and how.

calling just for reform is useless without any explanation behind it.

If there was a nice written reform plan, the current government might even implement it, who knows.

Cut screaming reform reform reform does nothing else but making you (suthep and the rest) look like a fool

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed

While we can all agree that these items are important changes to be made, it's unlikely PTP would enact them as it would mean the end of their regime.

I'd add increased decentralization to the list, with elected governors, move more of funding and accountability to the provinces. Reform the police.

We can't have 45% of the country (incl most tax payers) held hostage by the majority using simple populist policies to rob the country.

[soalbundy]

And the beat goes on. Listen to '' I care'' by Al-Bundy

[rickirs]

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Why cannot they have an election and form a government for national unity, say with a life of 3 yrs max. It could be like the British had durring the WW2, all parties , very successful. Once the war was won, it went back to fresh elections. Here it could the same, all parties sort out this reform stuff, then go back to the people. . Probably too simple for Thai Brains

Abhisit discussed his reform framework with many parities.

PTP, however, refused to get involved.

If you remember that Abhisit didn't have the backing of Suthep either.

[rickirs]

There is a fifth path.

Remove from public through carrying out court approved arrast warrants Suthep, Issara, and all the other PDRC leaders who have violated laws and the constitution for prosecution without bail, then hold elections wherein the PDRC/PCAD would not be barred from the election.

[Piichai]

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed

While we can all agree that these items are important changes to be made, it's unlikely PTP would enact them as it would mean the end of their regime.

I'd add increased decentralization to the list, with elected governors, move more of funding and accountability to the provinces. Reform the police.

We can't have 45% of the country (incl most tax payers) held hostage by the majority using simple populist policies to rob the country.

Added another of my own.

Reforms should include things such as;

• Eliminate nepotism
• Eliminate cronyism
• Require transparency
• Require free and fair elections
• Permanent bans from politics for those convicted of abusing the public's trust
• Eliminate constitutional loopholes that have recently been exposed
• Increased decentralization
• Elected governors
• RTP reform
• End MP immunity

[ginjag]

The 5th path is obvious, but it is against the rules to post about this way out.