Compromise is key, says Thai Army Chief

[BlueNoseCodger]

If I put a picture of my monkey on a placard and its position on the ballot and walk up this village with 500 Baht in my hand for each voter then for sure I could get my monkey elected. Why, monkey or people the only thing they are interested in is the 500 Baht. Until this changes the north will continue to control the bought election. It would do no good to post the army at the polling stations as the Taksin payoffs take place long before voting. This has to stop but I don't think it can. They love money more than their country. We are going through another big rain dance!

I don't buy it. Both sides use corruption,it does not guarantee a win. The PT wins elections because they have populist policies. Like it or not that is what most of the rural lower income earners want.

Populist policies that bankrupt the country.... 2 problems rolled into one.... and their answer: it's our mandate, we promised in our election campaign. Herein lieth a big part of the problem.

Populist policies, are not a problem, they're what parties do to make peoples lives better. You'd have to be dumb to do unpopular policies!

Bankrupting the country? No, 1.8% of GDP increase in debt for 4.5% increase in GDP, i.e. debt to GDP dropping each year.

Growth doesn't come from a rich elite buying another Ferrari, it comes from a poor person, borrowing to buy a truck to start a business, and all the complex businesses built on top of that, they all service lots of these little guys. So they all benefit.

Herein lieth the problem: a clueless elite, easily mislead by an incompetent opposition party. The Democrats have no idea how to run the country, they have no idea how to win elections, but when they lose, they go running to Papa Songkhla and he puts them in power by pulling a bunch of strings. Only you don't see it as corruption, you see it as 'good people' helping overcome buffaloes. But its corruption.

[casualbiker]

It appears the general is the wisest head of all. He kept his cool and didn't rush into making hasty decisions. Let's not forget that UDD/red shirts militants threatened his daughters/family. Yet he has risen above it. The message is clear. There is still enough time to find the way out of this mess without spilling hectoliters of blood.

Hmmm. I'd say that a 3am declaration of martial law with prepared orders to muzzle basic freedoms, occupy hundreds of properties, block key roads.... I'd call that fairly hasty. The Kamnan has planned for more than six months, giving careful notice at every step. The UDD have planned for weeks and over a period of time decided to interfere with practically no one.

But the man (of course) with 200,000 guns and heavy artillery is the one who doesn't make hasty decisions? Is there some way you can think of that he can change or annul his 3am decision in any manner?

.

I would call it responding to a threat of violence .. more information is coming out day by day!

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[ABCer]

Of coarse this is Good News!

But why Thai glorious ignorant stubborn and not caring for the country political Leaders needed an Army General to teach them a new word - "Compromise" ?

I would want this General for a next PM. Less feminine than Yingluck, less sweet talking than Abhisit but with guts to use force and wisdom to know when.

[Eric Loh]

What the Army should be doing is to declare that fresh elections will be held and all polling stations will be open and guarded by the military.

The political parties will have a chance to broadcast their platforms and policies and then let the people of Thailand decide who they want to run the country.

Unfortualty it is not that simple

They should have new elections but neither party can stand. Make way for new government and new restrictions as to what pm'a can do to stop the abuse of power which started all this in he first place

Prime ministers should only be aloud to stand for 1 term not 2 or 3 to avoid them getting to comfortable

Also I am please that the army have the power to stop all nonsense and show good judgment and they have shown the world that they are in charge of the country but they support democracy which is very important as the powers that be could push for dictatorship but they chose not to which I am very happy about

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Prime ministers should only be aloud to stand for 1 term not 2 or 3 to avoid them getting to comfortable.

Yes, it is in theConstitution, only 8 consecutive years for premiership. Taksin would be out in 2008 even without the coup. All these wasted years just because the elites got impatient.

[DubaiIsCalling]

"We won't Thailand to be like Ukraine or Egypt" That has to be an understatement. Here it is worse. For decades. The deep south. Corruption. Elite clinging to power. An average of +1 military coup per 10 years. The General is a populist bringing all these warriors to have a grim on their face. What will change. Zero zero , nada rien de knots, Zlotzkly. Thaksin has to come back. The only leader with Balls and a majority support.

A coward that runs away from a 2-year jail sentence has balls? Pull the other one. And the notorious Khun_T's Gestapo (DSI) filing trumped-up charges against Abhisit, don't see him running away. Prayuth is the one with balls, evidently.

Prayuth has tanks and guns. No balls. History simply repeats in Thailand with an army top screwing up the battle and progress on democratic evolution. Thaksin was very right to move away with subjective courts comdemning him to prison. That makes him a fighter. He is 100% the opposite of a coward. A coward would trim down his activities and lean backwards (in Soi 31).

[casualbiker]

"We won't Thailand to be like Ukraine or Egypt" That has to be an understatement. Here it is worse. For decades. The deep south. Corruption. Elite clinging to power. An average of +1 military coup per 10 years. The General is a populist bringing all these warriors to have a grim on their face. What will change. Zero zero , nada rien de knots, Zlotzkly. Thaksin has to come back. The only leader with Balls and a majority support.

A coward that runs away from a 2-year jail sentence has balls? Pull the other one. And the notorious Khun_T's Gestapo (DSI) filing trumped-up charges against Abhisit, don't see him running away. Prayuth is the one with balls, evidently.

Prayuth has tanks and guns. No balls. History simply repeats in Thailand with an army top screwing up the battle and progress on democratic evolution. Thaksin was very right to move away with subjective courts comdemning him to prison. That makes him a fighter. He is 100% the opposite of a coward. A coward would trim down his activities and lean backwards (in Soi 31).

Lol..your funny!

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[wandasloan]

It appears the general is the wisest head of all. He kept his cool and didn't rush into making hasty decisions. Let's not forget that UDD/red shirts militants threatened his daughters/family. Yet he has risen above it. The message is clear. There is still enough time to find the way out of this mess without spilling hectoliters of blood.

Hmmm. I'd say that a 3am declaration of martial law with prepared orders to muzzle basic freedoms, occupy hundreds of properties, block key roads.... I'd call that fairly hasty. The Kamnan has planned for more than six months, giving careful notice at every step. The UDD have planned for weeks and over a period of time decided to interfere with practically no one.

But the man (of course) with 200,000 guns and heavy artillery is the one who doesn't make hasty decisions? Is there some way you can think of that he can change or annul his 3am decision in any manner?

I would call it responding to a threat of violence .. more information is coming out day by day!

In the sense that "you" (the general sense only) called the invasion of Iraq by US and many other forces a response to all those weapons of mass destruction.

This is a specious claim, and you shouldn't buy into it so fast. Think for a moment what Prayuth claimed, and the HUGE chasm between his claim and the truth. How often did Suthep and his gang, the mad monk and his gang,. Jatuporn and his gang -— how often and how passionately did they call for this threat of violence the general cited? The army can't (and won't) stop murders. The army can only prevent massive bloodshed between reds and yellows (and oranges, Maha) if they want to shed blood. And there is precisely no evidence anyone wants or wanted or would want any such thing.

I'm fully aware that people in Thailand have weapons and the army can raid 10 or 12 of them and make a splash. So far, the biggest weapons cache of the month was what the guards left behind in Lumpini Park. The lady in Pak Nam, the guy in Pitsanuloke, I'm fully, intensely aware of their weapons "caches", enough to arm a pickup truck of drive-by thugs. The left-behind Lumpini Park weapons would outfit a squad of similar thugs.

It's all despicable, but there are hundreds and hundreds of such caches around Thailand. They do not pose threats of mass bloodshed, mostly because those who could shed blood showed and show no desire to do any such thing.

.

[DubaiIsCalling]

Of coarse this is Good News!

But why Thai glorious ignorant stubborn and not caring for the country political Leaders needed an Army General to teach them a new word - "Compromise" ?

I would want this General for a next PM. Less feminine than Yingluck, less sweet talking than Abhisit but with guts to use force and wisdom to know when.

Force and wisdom. Thailand has fallen back 24 hours ago to the category Banana Republic. Force and wisdom......

[dcutman]

How about this:

We hold elections, Democrats try to win seats, Pheu Thai try to win seats.

Then we allocate the seats based on how many votes each gets, sharing the House of Representatives.

That house can then choose a leader, by electing one.

They can vote for bills and amendments, bill by bill, by voting on it.

Every side can submit proposed amendments and only the ones that gain enough votes get through.

That system is fair to everyone, and the Thai people get their voice heard.

Oh really? Fair to everyone?

Will the dems be allowed to campaign anywhere north of BKK, without being shot at of fire bombed? Say Udon Thani, Chiangmai ect?

Now if they were I would agree with your statement. But what are the chances of that happening? I wold assume slightly less than zero.

And can PTP politicians serve in Samut Sakhon without fear of democrat MP's gunning them down?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/521784-thai-democrat-mp-khanchit-sought-in-murder-case/

Happens all over you know?

To answer your question, witch you butted in with out answering mine.

I dont know, I have never heard of PTP politicians being threatened in Samut Sakon. If you supplied a link to your accusation it would be much easier to answer.

I will ask you, can the dems go to Udon , Chiang Mai or any where else that is pro Shin and campaign without being threatened or assaulted by pro gov red shirts?

[khunsiam]

Yes compromise is the only solution as neither side shall ever agree

Can only agree to disagree and meet in the middle when it comes to negotiations

Both side have to sign to say they accept

My only worry is there shall be some hard line people that won't accept this and start a new group of pro or anti government

If the army is trying to work on restoring democracy then this is a good thing

Means that the army are against dictator ship and want to act as a referee when needed

Respect to the army !

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Referee? Here is an article from 13 Dec 2013 and guess who will be appointed as PM by the Senate the coming days, it's a coup.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/13/us-thailand-protest-military-idUSBRE9BC0PB20131213?irpc=932

[khunsiam]

13 Dec 2013 : "The military sources said that if Suthep's protests lead to violence, the two (Prawit-Anupong) could help sway the military to intervene or even to seize power on the pretext of national security, allowing Suthep to go ahead with his People's Council"

[DekDaeng]

What the Army should be doing is to declare that fresh elections will be held and all polling stations will be open and guarded by the military.

The political parties will have a chance to broadcast their platforms and policies and then let the people of Thailand decide who they want to run the country.

"What the Army should be doing is to declare that fresh elections will be held and all polling stations will be open and guarded by the military."

So long as it is followed by "And all Departments of Justice shall follow all actions of the new government 'live' and shall take appropriate action immediately when unconstitutional or criminal activity is suspected"

[wandasloan]

"What the Army should be doing is to declare that fresh elections will be held and all polling stations will be open and guarded by the military."

So long as it is followed by "And all Departments of Justice shall follow all actions of the new government 'live' and shall take appropriate action immediately when unconstitutional or criminal activity is suspected"

You mean "unconstitutional or criminal activity" like sidelining the government, annuling the sections on basic rights in the constitution, and failing to get authority even for a simple martial law order? That kind of unconstitutional AND criminal activity? Shouldn't that already be happening today, instead of sometime in a mythical future?

Or do you mean first of all, citizens will get their orders at gunpoint, and then they will carry them out precisely and exactly and unquestioningly and THEN starts all the unconstitutional and criminal investigation against all citizens who refuse to obey orders?

Aren't those citizens actually called "proles"?

.

Edited May 21, 2014 by wandasloan

[khaowong1]

How about this:

We hold elections, Democrats try to win seats, Pheu Thai try to win seats.

Then we allocate the seats based on how many votes each gets, sharing the House of Representatives.

That house can then choose a leader, by electing one.

They can vote for bills and amendments, bill by bill, by voting on it.

Every side can submit proposed amendments and only the ones that gain enough votes get through.

That system is fair to everyone, and the Thai people get their voice heard.

You make is sound real simple.. But it's not. The reason there's such a mess now is, because those that were elected last time, stole the country blind. There has to be some kind of accounting for those politicians.. There has to be some kind of safeguards in place to keep the same thing from happening again. Just to flat out hold new elections is not going to solve anything but same same but different.

[NeilSA1]

First time I have seen thew red witch smiling! Must be because now they can blame the ARMY for not paying the rice farmers.

I had the first post on the topic removed for suggesting something similar...it's still a frightening image...

Maybe it was just a bit of wind.......

Edited May 21, 2014 by NeilSA1

[bobmac10]

What the Army should be doing is to declare that fresh elections will be held and all polling stations will be open and guarded by the military.

The political parties will have a chance to broadcast their platforms and policies and then let the people of Thailand decide who they want to run the country.

BLAH BLAH yeah B:AH B:AH.. talking about beat on! Democracy next right? Wake up!!! What do you think all this is about??? If an election solved the issues why has this been dragging on for over 9 years??? WAKE UP and smell the roses man!

So Marcus, what's the alternative?

Surely democracy needs to be encouraged?

It took the Western nations hundreds of years to become truly democratic.

The Thais need to continue along this path and improve with each step

Edited May 21, 2014 by bobmac10

[robblok]

A simple compromise is for the current caretaker government to continue governing while reforms (whatever that means) are being undertaken followed by elections.

This is a win win for both the reforms before elections group and for the Reds as they are still the "government", albeit not having full authority.

Might be a good compromise though nobody trust this government to do the reforms, you need an other party to do that.

Unless of course beforehand it is agreed what the reforms will be then its just a question of implementing them.

At this point the government is weak.. so they will have to do a lot of concessions it wont take much to topple them now.

Even though the army looks impartial we all know who they favor, so the government will have to give in to remain in power.

No one trusts no one to do any reforms, one of the reasons being that no one (other than Suthep it seems) knows what the reforms are supposed to be. This is one of the first issues that need to be thrashed out and agreed to.

In the meantime, the stalemate needs to be resolved. PT will not give up power unless it's at the ballot box. PDRC does not want to quit unless there are reforms before elections. So let PT continue "governing" under the watchful eye of the Army and in the meantime, set up an acceptable committee to implement agreed upon reforms. Both sides save face, both sides win, both side's supporters would accept.

I would go for that option seems like a nice compromise.

If PTP would get voted in and they would do the rice scheme again.. this time they would have to budget it for say 300 billion or so. Not put it at 0 bt (or even winning money on it) This would be bad for them because then they would have to cut on other things and of course they will have to cut anyway as the economy is worse. But from my experience the PTP maxes out the buget based on positive things that never come true only to spend more (and steal more of course)

Also I would not agree with the big loan without checks and balances for infrastructure. It would have to be a crystal clear budget that can be checked easy.

Those are my only two addums to your otherwise good suggestion

[penwithcris]

Perhaps Proportional Representation should be considered when forming the next government. There is still likely to be a majority of Pheu Thai MP's, but there will also be a sizeable number of Democrats and representatives from the smaller parties who will bring balance to the administration

I believe Thais would generally welcome such a move, and it would mean that persons living in the North East, for example, who did not support Pheu Thai, would feel that their vote for any of the other parties was more meaningful, because it would count towards electing an MP that shared their views

I think PR would also reduce the amount of alleged bullying and vote buying that is often reported.

It would be more likely that fairer legislation would emerge. The middle class deserve to have a voice in Parliament as much as the 'working class' Pheu Thai voters

Perhaps they might even as a coalition begin to concentrate on improving Thailand as a whole, and not just promoting their own vested interests

[Donk]

Army Commander Chief Gen Prayuth seems like a very wise man! Hope everyone understands that compromise is the only salvation for Thailand!

[Acharn]

I'm certainly hopeful that something will come of this. I think, though, there is no way to reconcile "reforms before elections, or no elections at all," with "elections are the only legitimate way forward, and the people who make reforms must be elected." Since I think a very large majority prefer the second option I hope that's what Gen. Prayuth goes for -- but I'm not sure he will.

[slygeeza]

may be a reflection on the people I mix with, but I have not met any Thais that have the slightest clue about politics, if they vote, which I doubt, they vote for who they are told to vote for or who they are paid to vote for, I dont really see how democracy can ever work under these conditions, but maybe i just mix with the wrong people

[Greg Nixon]

Adults will easily compromise. Some spoilt children will insist on getting their way but even smart children will compromise.

[Greg Nixon]

Without prejudice. The royal families $17 B trumps Thaksin's remaining $500 million. Thaksin's gamble to recover his billions failed.

[charmonman]

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

How about this:

We hold elections, Democrats try to win seats, Pheu Thai try to win seats.

Then we allocate the seats based on how many votes each gets, sharing the House of Representatives.

That house can then choose a leader, by electing one.

They can vote for bills and amendments, bill by bill, by voting on it.

Every side can submit proposed amendments and only the ones that gain enough votes get through.

That system is fair to everyone, and the Thai people get their voice heard.

Brilliant. I would add the following :

The party that wins the most seats and forms the government abides by the law, and the decisions of courts.

The ruling party does not try to pass new laws for the benefit of influential individuals.

Whichever party is in government does not take its orders from a self-exiled, criminally convicted, corrupt billionaire.

The ruling party governs for the benefit of the country as a whole, rather than its own members, and that it respects the opinions and rights of the minority as well as the majority.

[Chris Lawrence]

Yeah, but you don't see the little bloke under the table with a magnum pointed at the nuts of the people smiling.

I wonder where the gulag's are going to be?

To say the the general is a wonder worker is an understatement. The fact that he is saying have a proposal by Thursday 2.00 pm sounds more like a 'do this or else'. The other problem is that the General won't answer questions, can't give a rats arse about the media, is therefore not transparent in any dealings (the coup he is having that is not a coup does not compel him to be accountable); how can any one in a fair and just world bring about such change without the threat of some kind of pressure?

To say the General is a saviour appeals to the gulliible of this world or the one's that believe the 'Nation' actually reports truth and fairness.

At the end of this process, the same problems will exist. If nothing changes nothing changes. Smiles and sweet words not a nation make.

[Chris Lawrence]

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

How about this:

We hold elections, Democrats try to win seats, Pheu Thai try to win seats.

Then we allocate the seats based on how many votes each gets, sharing the House of Representatives.

That house can then choose a leader, by electing one.

They can vote for bills and amendments, bill by bill, by voting on it.

Every side can submit proposed amendments and only the ones that gain enough votes get through.

That system is fair to everyone, and the Thai people get their voice heard.

Brilliant. I would add the following :

The party that wins the most seats and forms the government abides by the law, and the decisions of courts.

The ruling party does not try to pass new laws for the benefit of influential individuals.

Whichever party is in government does not take its orders from a self-exiled, criminally convicted, corrupt billionaire.

The ruling party governs for the benefit of the country as a whole, rather than its own members, and that it respects the opinions and rights of the minority as well as the majority.

Who controls the courts and the civil servants?

Mr T is the smoke screen. You need to look past this to see what is really happening.

[Strangebrew]

The Military had to step in to restore order Because Thai's are like children, The strict Father had to bring order. Now the General will slap them on the wrist and make them play nice. Hopefully he can teach them how to compermise. And those not willing make them disappear after the military now has the rein's of the circus horse. Now get them to dance to your music.

[wabothai]

The only compromise is to rid of corruption, don't they get it? Who gives a ....about smiles. Stop smiling and go to work !!!!!

[PhilipCook]

There has to come a point of critical mass when enough Thais think 'for the good of the country' and act accordingly instead of purely selfish interests. Armies don't make that happen, societies do. Example, in the LA area you have Koreatown and you have Thaitown. Ever wonder why the former is doing much better than the latter? The Koreans help each other to become successful, the Thais bad mouth each other, hearts full of envy and the differences beween the two districts are obvious. United they stand, divided they fall.

[johnno2]

How about this:

We hold elections, Democrats try to win seats, Pheu Thai try to win seats.

Then we allocate the seats based on how many votes each gets, sharing the House of Representatives.

That house can then choose a leader, by electing one.

They can vote for bills and amendments, bill by bill, by voting on it.

Every side can submit proposed amendments and only the ones that gain enough votes get through.

That system is fair to everyone, and the Thai people get their voice heard.

Oh really? Fair to everyone?

Will the dems be allowed to campaign anywhere north of BKK, without being shot at of fire bombed? Say Udon Thani, Chiangmai ect?

Now if they were I would agree with your statement. But what are the chances of that happening? I wold assume slightly less than zero.

And can PTP politicians serve in Samut Sakhon without fear of democrat MP's gunning them down?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/521784-thai-democrat-mp-khanchit-sought-in-murder-case/

Happens all over you know?

'Lite Beer', on 27 Dec 2011 - 14:19, said:

Democrat MP Kanchit turns himself in following issuance of arrest warrant for murder of Samut Sakhon PAO chief/TAN_Network

What?? He didn't do a runner?? He'd never cut it as a red shirt

He didn't do a TAKSIN and run away to live in another country