Thai army chief calls meeting of political rivals

[ramrod711]

No Yingluck?

How would bringing an incompetent puppet help things?

[northernjohn]

simple answer - election

An election would get a Prime Minister. Big deal a new face to rob the country blind and tear the unity apart.

How about you stop thinking of what you can gain out of all the corruption and start thinking of the people.

This is Thailand and the people here deserve better. I don't give a dam what it cost you to have them stay down trodden. Remember in the last 15 years every election has been won by Thaksin. What has it gained Thailand?

Don't give me any of that well Abhist Bull Sh-t Abhist had a minority government do you under stand the difference and the consequences of a minority government as compared to a majority government.

Edited May 21, 2014 by northernjohn

[WhizBang]

No Yingluck?

Why would Yingluck be involved? She is nothing now. Not that she ever was anything in the first place.

[webfact]

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — In a last minute move, the army invited caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn to a summit meeting of the country's political leaders to be held at 1:30 p.m. today.

The addition of caretaker PM to the list of invitees came as a surprise to many, because earlier in the day an army spokesman said only representatives of the Senate, the Election Commission, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the Democrat Party, and leaders of the protest groups would be invited.

"The invitation of political adversaries to today's dialogue to find a solution does not include the government, especially caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn," said Col. Winthai Suwaree, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

However, only an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start, the army-installed Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) announced on live television that Mr. Niwatthamrong would be invited after all.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Army Club on Viphavadee Road in Bangkok at 1:30 p.m. today.

The secretary-general of the anti-government People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and the chairman of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are also invited, according to the statement.

Each party is permitted to bring four assistants to the meeting, but "the mass and supporters of these individuals are refrained from attending," the army statement said.

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400653411


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-21

[smutcakes]

No Yingluck?

Why would Yingluck be involved? She is nothing now. Not that she ever was anything in the first place.

Suthep has been invited.

[northernjohn]

OK- so a sweepstake on who walks out first?

My bet is on PTP - but only to go out to call Thaksin.

Be funny if the army have a cell phone signal blocker in the room.

Be even better if they took all forms of communications from them and skin searched them for communication devices. When they had to go to the rest room it would be under armed guard. LOL

Sounds funny but when you think of all the damage that has been done to Thailand by one man with a phone it begins to make sense.

[casualbiker]

Will the person behind Suthep be attending too? Or will they only send the puppet Suthep?

Well PTP are sending their puppet Caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan so no change there!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[WhizBang]

Jatuporn, four red-shirt leaders to meet Prayuth at Army club at 1:30pm

BANGKOK: -- Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, said he and four other UDD leaders would meet the Army chief at the Army Club at 1:30 pm.

He said he would be accompanied by Thida Thavornset, Nuttawut Saikuar, Veerakarn Musigapong and Korkaew Pikulthhong.

Jatuporn said the UDD would insist on its stand to have the people made decisions in the conflicts through an election.

-- The Nation 2014-05-21

If I was the General, I would nip this in the bud. Only those specifically invited allowed to attend. No hangers on.

[DirtFarmer]

Very gutsy and interesting op-ed in the Post today from Songkran Grachangnetara who makes some very salient points...Kudos to the editors for allowing it to fly... good to see this perspective Hope the General can make some positive headway this afternoon...

Edited May 21, 2014 by DirtFarmer

[northernjohn]

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK In a last minute move, the army invited caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn to a summit meeting of the country's political leaders to be held at 1:30 p.m. today.

The addition of caretaker PM to the list of invitees came as a surprise to many, because earlier in the day an army spokesman said only representatives of the Senate, the Election Commission, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the Democrat Party, and leaders of the protest groups would be invited.

"The invitation of political adversaries to today's dialogue to find a solution does not include the government, especially caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn," said Col. Winthai Suwaree, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

However, only an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start, the army-installed Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) announced on live television that Mr. Niwatthamrong would be invited after all.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Army Club on Viphavadee Road in Bangkok at 1:30 p.m. today.

The secretary-general of the anti-government People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and the chairman of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are also invited, according to the statement.

Each party is permitted to bring four assistants to the meeting, but "the mass and supporters of these individuals are refrained from attending," the army statement said.

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400653411

-- Khaosod English 2014-05-21

good to see the Army is on the ball they said

"Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country.""

They then realized they had to invite the PTP in. Wish we had a government like that one that makes a mistake and immediately corrects it rather than try to cover it up.

[casualbiker]

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute

By Khaosod English

"The invitation of political adversaries to today's dialogue to find a solution does not include the government, especially caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn," said Col. Winthai Suwaree, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

However, only an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start, the army-installed Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) announced on live television that Mr. Niwatthamrong would be invited after all.

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400653411

-- Khaosod English 2014-05-21

"

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation."

Maybe they remembered that he was formerly the commerce minister so he is there because of this paragraph.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[bkkjames]

While I wish him well in bringing the parties together for the benefit of the country, I am not holding my breath on a significant outcome of a positive nature.

Hopefully I will be proved wrong.....again

[p_brownstone]

Sounds like he's trying to cram an appointed dictator down everyone's throat, and he didn't invite the caretaker PM? Now we know for sure bthis is a coup. he's going to say an election is not possible because this big army he called out cannot secure a few election venues from 'protesters'.

He's invited PTP leaders - what makes you think he's excluded the acting caretaker PM?

Umm the fact the opening post says he was believed not to have been invited duhh....

Quote from the OP :

"Caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who replaced ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra after a controversial court ruling earlier this month, was also invited."

Patrick

[airconsult]

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK In a last minute move, the army invited caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn to a summit meeting of the country's political leaders to be held at 1:30 p.m. today.

The addition of caretaker PM to the list of invitees came as a surprise to many, because earlier in the day an army spokesman said only representatives of the Senate, the Election Commission, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the Democrat Party, and leaders of the protest groups would be invited.

"The invitation of political adversaries to today's dialogue to find a solution does not include the government, especially caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn," said Col. Winthai Suwaree, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

However, only an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start, the army-installed Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) announced on live television that Mr. Niwatthamrong would be invited after all.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Army Club on Viphavadee Road in Bangkok at 1:30 p.m. today.

The secretary-general of the anti-government People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and the chairman of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are also invited, according to the statement.

Each party is permitted to bring four assistants to the meeting, but "the mass and supporters of these individuals are refrained from attending," the army statement said.

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400653411

-- Khaosod English 2014-05-21

good to see the Army is on the ball they said

"Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country.""

They then realized they had to invite the PTP in. Wish we had a government like that one that makes a mistake and immediately corrects it rather than try to cover it up.

Yes but note that "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country" - the democrats were in the first list of invites, but not the caretaker cabinet.

[casualbiker]

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK In a last minute move, the army invited caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn to a summit meeting of the country's political leaders to be held at 1:30 p.m. today.

The addition of caretaker PM to the list of invitees came as a surprise to many, because earlier in the day an army spokesman said only representatives of the Senate, the Election Commission, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the Democrat Party, and leaders of the protest groups would be invited.

"The invitation of political adversaries to today's dialogue to find a solution does not include the government, especially caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn," said Col. Winthai Suwaree, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

However, only an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start, the army-installed Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) announced on live television that Mr. Niwatthamrong would be invited after all.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Army Club on Viphavadee Road in Bangkok at 1:30 p.m. today.

The secretary-general of the anti-government People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and the chairman of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are also invited, according to the statement.

Each party is permitted to bring four assistants to the meeting, but "the mass and supporters of these individuals are refrained from attending," the army statement said.

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400653411

-- Khaosod English 2014-05-21

good to see the Army is on the ball they said

"Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country.""

They then realized they had to invite the PTP in. Wish we had a government like that one that makes a mistake and immediately corrects it rather than try to cover it up.

Yes but note that "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country" - the democrats were in the first list of invites, but not the caretaker cabinet.

So were the PTP party hierarchy and their militia UDD leaders! You point if there was one is not convincing!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[airconsult]

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK In a last minute move, the army invited caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn to a summit meeting of the country's political leaders to be held at 1:30 p.m. today.

The addition of caretaker PM to the list of invitees came as a surprise to many, because earlier in the day an army spokesman said only representatives of the Senate, the Election Commission, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the Democrat Party, and leaders of the protest groups would be invited.

"The invitation of political adversaries to today's dialogue to find a solution does not include the government, especially caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn," said Col. Winthai Suwaree, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country."

However, only an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start, the army-installed Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) announced on live television that Mr. Niwatthamrong would be invited after all.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Army Club on Viphavadee Road in Bangkok at 1:30 p.m. today.

The secretary-general of the anti-government People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and the chairman of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are also invited, according to the statement.

Each party is permitted to bring four assistants to the meeting, but "the mass and supporters of these individuals are refrained from attending," the army statement said.

The POMC has not provided any explanation for the last-minute alteration of the invitation.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400653411

-- Khaosod English 2014-05-21

good to see the Army is on the ball they said

"Col. Winthai said that the invitation was only extended to those who are involved in "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country.""

They then realized they had to invite the PTP in. Wish we had a government like that one that makes a mistake and immediately corrects it rather than try to cover it up.

Yes but note that "illegal actions" and "unrest in the country" - the democrats were in the first list of invites, but not the caretaker cabinet.

So were the PTP party hierarchy and their militia UDD leaders! You point if there was one is not convincing!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Or maybe it was too subtle for you?

The caretaker cabinet was not invited at first because it was not deemed to have made any illegal actions and tried to calm unrest, not cause it.

The other parties were deemed to have caused unrest or illegal actions.

[xminator]

If upholding the peace is the goal of this martial law, then the army should make sure one of the outstanding arrest warrants on Suthep is carried out. Complete with the 30 day detention without bail. Better yet, keep him under lock together with the fake monk until elections have been held.

[Crushdepth]

So who's representing Thaksinistas?

[smutcakes]

Sounds like he's trying to cram an appointed dictator down everyone's throat, and he didn't invite the caretaker PM? Now we know for sure bthis is a coup. he's going to say an election is not possible because this big army he called out cannot secure a few election venues from 'protesters'.

He's invited PTP leaders - what makes you think he's excluded the acting caretaker PM?

Umm the fact the opening post says he was believed not to have been invited duhh....

Quote from the OP :

"Caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who replaced ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra after a controversial court ruling earlier this month, was also invited."

Patrick

Not that it matters, but the OP was later amended after my post.

[AleG]

No Yingluck?

Ying-who?

[Marcel1]

Now all General Prayut Chan-O-Cha has to do is lock the chamber when everyone is there and trow away the key.

without their dear leaders the (Pro and anti) protesters are lost sheep's anyway and the army can suggest they go home without making a fight.

protests solved, all the leaders can be charged for unrest, corruption, violence, deaths etc. etc. etc.

Dissolve the PTP, let people make new parties with legal and clear receipts as where they money is coming from and then you can think about new elections which should be still controlled by the army.

Imo Prayut is doing a good job and making good decisions so far, he just took control when the tensions where getting too high and otherwise it was just waiting for more deaths and violence.

I truly hope they will find a peaceful solution all together. One which is fair for all the people in Thailand, not only the reds or yellows.

[a99az]

Thai army chief calls meeting of political rivals.

Should this not read: Political leader calls Army chiefs to a meeting? Or is Thailand now ruled by the Army?

[IamNoone88]

At last some leadership. Gen Prayuth has at least stepped (albeit reluctantly) and hopefully will grabs these parties by the scruff of the neck and knock heads their together. Prayuth has my vote and thanks for at least trying to end this mess.

[h90]

So who's representing Thaksinistas?

no one, beside Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.

They should have invited Potjaman.

[h90]

Thai army chief calls meeting of political rivals.

Should this not read: Political leader calls Army chiefs to a meeting? Or is Thailand now ruled by the Army?

If you don't know: Thailand is under Martial law. That is a law specially for war times which gives the Military a lot rights.

While the "political leaders" are expired acting caretaker leader. And from many seen as illegal.

[Artisi]

Will the person behind Suthep be attending too? Or will they only send the puppet Suthep?

That person doesn't travel often and especially if the likes of Jutaporn et. al. are attending.

[bapak]

Will the person behind Suthep be attending too? Or will they only send the puppet Suthep?

That person doesn't travel often and especially if the likes of Jutaporn et. al. are attending.

Enlighten me. Who is the party behind Suthep?

[Payboy]

That monk must be feeling all left out now.

At least they should've brought him in to drive out the bad spirits from the meeting room.

Edited May 21, 2014 by Payboy

[gabruce]

Sounds like he's trying to cram an appointed dictator down everyone's throat, and he didn't invite the caretaker PM? Now we know for sure bthis is a coup. he's going to say an election is not possible because this big army he called out cannot secure a few election venues from 'protesters'.

He's invited PTP leaders - what makes you think he's excluded the acting caretaker PM?

Umm the fact the opening post says he was believed not to have been invited duhh....

Read it again. The opening post says that the acting caretaker PM is "also" invited. That means that he is invited.

[Civil War]

Those involved in legal actions may well be leaving the meeting in armoured personnel carriers.