Thai Senators 'considering appointing new premier'

[webfact]

POLITICS
Senators 'considering appointing new premier'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SENATORS ARE considering the appointment of a new prime minister with full authority to run the country, in a bid to find a way out of the political impasse, sources in the upper House said yesterday.

The appointment would be made with reference to the Constitution and the Senate would give reasons explaining the need for its actions, according to the sources.

However, there are some legal problems and obstacles, as the caretaker government has not sought an extraordinary session for the Senate to discuss the matter, the sources said.

The senatorial working group responsible for this matter has assigned acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai to find a solution to the legal problems.

Surachai yesterday said, "I have done homework on the problematic issue. But I will not talk about this in detail. This is a sensitive matter."

At their meeting on Tuesday, some senators expressed hope that following imposition of martial law, the military would help the Senate pressure the remaining Cabinet members to resign and pave the way for appointment of a new prime minister, according to the sources.

A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers. However, this proposal was opposed by many other senators who did not want to see the military's involvement in the appointment of a new PM.

Senator Dej-udom Krairit said he expected a Constitutional Court verdict in a case filed recently by Senator Paiboon Nititawan asking the court to rule whether the remaining Cabinet members could still remain in power.

He expected that verdict in two weeks. "But if we can't wait, I believe Surachai has a way. He has met many people, both in secret and in the open," he said.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party's legal expert Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said he would today petition the Constitutional Court to rule whether it is constitutional for Surachai and other senators to attempt to appoint a new prime minister to set up a new government

In a related development, the Election Commission will ask the Council of State whether the acting prime minister has the legal power to jointly schedule the next election with the EC, according to Metha Silaphan, a senior EC official. He expected the EC secretary-general to write the Council of State today about this matter.


-- The Nation 2014-05-22

[DirtFarmer]

Ya know in my opinion ...all this tiptoeing around by the Democrats the EC The Fast and Furious Forty... only points to one thing and we all know what that is... considering this... stating that...it's all hogwash... it looks like a duck...it walks like a duck...why not call it a putsch...and go for lunch? It will not take long for the world to see through this thinly veiled whitewash "in a bid to find a way out of the political impasse" and all the whistleblowers will actually think they helped their country by taking it back farther... It is sad to see so many sheep with the wool pulled so far over their eyes that all they can see are their selfies..."oh look here's one at the Asoke Protest... here's one with the army during the coup...ooops martial law...what are we going to have for lunch...and meanwhile in the back rooms the rabid re-write and additional dis-empowering of the Constitution will take place.. un beknownst and not cared about and two years down the road they will announce the reforms have taken place and not to worry anymore all is well... it really is ToonTown and we are dealing with Roger Rabbit....as I have said from the beginning... reforms were really just a buzz word...just a catchy little over used banner to trot out and hang opposite the picture of the demon of the moment... SIn nam jai will continue to be the basis of corruption the ingrained wattanathum of doing business..... from top to bottom, the indoctrination in place of education, the receding of personal freedoms and the only thing that will slither out under the door are the rights of the people to have a potent say in their own destiny... Where else in the world does the Election Commission have this unbelievable power..? I cannot think of another place where the bean counters have a knife in the pie of every single step of a society's daily breath? I hope that this takeover, this abrogation, this butchering, this tailoring of Democracy is only my opinion and that I can be proved wrong by the noble people of Thailand who refuse to accept what appears to be happening under their feet...

"A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers. However, this proposal was opposed by many other senators who did not want to see the military's involvement in the appointment of a new PM."

too late..it has happened already the military is 100% involved.

"The appointment would be made with reference to the Constitution and the Senate would give reasons explaining the need for its actions, according to the sources."

I thought the position was to defer to the Constitution and allow it to govern... my bad "refer" to it is good enough...

Edited May 21, 2014 by DirtFarmer

[Chris Lawrence]

Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai; what side of the fence does this man sit?

[kurtgruen]

Finally, things are falling into place.

[kurtgruen]

Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai; what side of the fence does this man sit?

At least, he is not sitting on it

[leggo]

There is only one way to go forward- election,election,election. If the Thai people are not allowed to decide their own future thru the ballot box the same old scenario will keep repeating itself. Thailand has to learn to grow up if it wants to be considered a democracy.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Chris Lawrence]

Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri met with two representatives of the Senate in an undisclosed location Monday to avoid disruption from the protesters.

In a statement following the meeting, Niwattumrong said the Cabinet cannot resign because "it will be negligence of duty and against the constitution," and insisted he "can carry out duties and has full authority" as prime minister.

The Cabinet has operated in a caretaker capacity with limited power since Yingluck dissolved the lower house in December in a failed bid to ease the political crisis. A new government cannot normally be named until there are elections, which anti-government demonstrators have vowed to block unless political reforms occur first.

"After being informed of the government's clear stance like this, the Senate will move on to other plans. We have backup plans that can be implemented within this week," Sen. Wanchai Sornsiri, the spokesman of the Senate's coordinating panel, told reporters, without elaborating about the plans. "Had the government resigned, as in the initial plan, it would have been easier." Mailonline 19.05.14

So get rid of Yingluck and the nine senators to push on with plans to elect new government?

Again, its hard to see how railroading change is going to be palatable for all Thai's.

[Chris Lawrence]

Finally, things are falling into place.

Didn't you mean out of place?

[MrJohnson]

This 'compromise' of appointing a so-called neutral PM is simply kicking the can further down the road. The simmering anger and frustration of the UDD will worsen and nothing of substance will be achieved. In 12-18 months or less this will erupt once again.

[tezzainoz]

Ya know in my opinion ...all this tiptoeing around by the Democrats the EC The Fast and Furious Forty... only points to one thing and we all know what that is... considering this... stating that...it's all hogwash... it looks like a duck...it walks like a duck...why not call it a putsch...and go for lunch? It will not take long for the world to see through this thinly veiled whitewash "in a bid to find a way out of the political impasse" and all the whistleblowers will actually think they helped their country by taking it back farther... It is sad to see so many sheep with the wool pulled so far over their eyes that all they can see are their selfies..."oh look here's one at the Asoke Protest... here's one with the army during the coup...ooops martial law...what are we going to have for lunch...and meanwhile in the back rooms the rabid re-write and additional dis-empowering of the Constitution will take place.. un beknownst and not cared about and two years down the road they will announce the reforms have taken place and not to worry anymore all is well... it really is ToonTown and we are dealing with Roger Rabbit....as I have said from the beginning... reforms were really just a buzz word...just a catchy little over used banner to trot out and hang opposite the picture of the demon of the moment... SIn nam jai will continue to be the basis of corruption the ingrained wattanathum of doing business..... from top to bottom, the indoctrination in place of education, the receding of personal freedoms and the only thing that will slither out under the door are the rights of the people to have a potent say in their own destiny... Where else in the world does the Election Commission have this unbelievable power..? I cannot think of another place where the bean counters have a knife in the pie of every single step of a society's daily breath? I hope that this takeover, this abrogation, this butchering, this tailoring of Democracy is only my opinion and that I can be proved wrong by the noble people of Thailand who refuse to accept what appears to be happening under their feet...

"A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers. However, this proposal was opposed by many other senators who did not want to see the military's involvement in the appointment of a new PM."

too late..it has happened already the military is 100% involved.

"The appointment would be made with reference to the Constitution and the Senate would give reasons explaining the need for its actions, according to the sources."

I thought the position was to defer to the Constitution and allow it to govern... my bad "refer" to it is good enough...

We are all allowed out opinions here on TVF

and you have had yours

My opinion is how glad myself and many of my Thai friend are that you have not right of vote in Thailand

we all want this problem solved and Thailand get back on its feet

They have enough politician causing trouble, they not need Farlang trying to change this country in to their way of life or thoughts

[tezzainoz]

Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai; what side of the fence does this man sit?

I prefer he sits on the fence

and his judgement are fair to both sides

[tezzainoz]

There is only one way to go forward- election,election,election. If the Thai people are not allowed to decide their own future thru the ballot box the same old scenario will keep repeating itself. Thailand has to learn to grow up if it wants to be considered a democracy.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think you made a few mistakes,

There is only one way to go forward - Fair elections the democratic way, not the Thaksin way

The Thai people must be allowed to decide their own future thru the ballot box with out pressure from people telling them who to vote for, not allowing them to hear other parties policies, or bribing those who do not care anyway

Thailand has to learn to grow up if it wants to be considered a True Democracy.

Edited May 22, 2014 by tezzainoz

[Stradavarius37]

I for one am happy that the Army is bringing all the children to the table. They won't let them leave without eating all of their vegetables.

[smedly]

Ya know in my opinion ...all this tiptoeing around by the Democrats the EC The Fast and Furious Forty... only points to one thing and we all know what that is... considering this... stating that...it's all hogwash... it looks like a duck...it walks like a duck...why not call it a putsch...and go for lunch? It will not take long for the world to see through this thinly veiled whitewash "in a bid to find a way out of the political impasse" and all the whistleblowers will actually think they helped their country by taking it back farther... It is sad to see so many sheep with the wool pulled so far over their eyes that all they can see are their selfies..."oh look here's one at the Asoke Protest... here's one with the army during the coup...ooops martial law...what are we going to have for lunch...and meanwhile in the back rooms the rabid re-write and additional dis-empowering of the Constitution will take place.. un beknownst and not cared about and two years down the road they will announce the reforms have taken place and not to worry anymore all is well... it really is ToonTown and we are dealing with Roger Rabbit....as I have said from the beginning... reforms were really just a buzz word...just a catchy little over used banner to trot out and hang opposite the picture of the demon of the moment... SIn nam jai will continue to be the basis of corruption the ingrained wattanathum of doing business..... from top to bottom, the indoctrination in place of education, the receding of personal freedoms and the only thing that will slither out under the door are the rights of the people to have a potent say in their own destiny... Where else in the world does the Election Commission have this unbelievable power..? I cannot think of another place where the bean counters have a knife in the pie of every single step of a society's daily breath? I hope that this takeover, this abrogation, this butchering, this tailoring of Democracy is only my opinion and that I can be proved wrong by the noble people of Thailand who refuse to accept what appears to be happening under their feet...

"A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers. However, this proposal was opposed by many other senators who did not want to see the military's involvement in the appointment of a new PM."

too late..it has happened already the military is 100% involved.

"The appointment would be made with reference to the Constitution and the Senate would give reasons explaining the need for its actions, according to the sources."

I thought the position was to defer to the Constitution and allow it to govern... my bad "refer" to it is good enough...

yes lets leave it to PTP - they have done a stellar job - not going to list it here as the list is too long - we all know what they have done

Reconciliation ? remember that Thaksin buzz word so often used, how has that worked out ?...........................you don't hear it too much these days - I wonder why

[smedly]

I for one am happy that the Army is bringing all the children to the table. They won't let them leave without eating all of their vegetables.

and if they don't eat the vegetables there will be no ice cream and the adoption of force feeding

[huanga]

This 'compromise' of appointing a so-called neutral PM is simply kicking the can further down the road. The simmering anger and frustration of the UDD will worsen and nothing of substance will be achieved. In 12-18 months or less this will erupt once again.

Welcome to Thai politics 101 -

Lots of lip service but nothing ever gets done!

Thai politics are going in circles to nowhere!

If you read too much into all the going-ons in Thai politics, you are destined to shorten your life and for what?

At least, the political power brokers all have money to gain at the expense of all non-power-brokers

Democracy? Voting rights? Independent thinking? Freedom of expression and speech? - Please! They all died in this country. These are just tools that they learn to manipulate the masses for their own selfish and personal gains!

Lesson - leave it be because we can't affect changes and Thais won't listen or reason with you!

I have a friend who has been here for over 30 years once told me. Yeah, yeah, yeah! Thai politics is a money grabbing entity that is not pretty! Why fret over it? Look at the good things about Thailand and concentrate on those instead. Re-channel your positive energy into Thai food, culture, travels, women, entertainment. Enrich your life with the positives that this country can offer you but not dwell on the negatives that you have no control over.

Points taken!

Edited May 22, 2014 by huanga

[khunsiam]

Prawit, the retired general is waiting in the corridors to be appointed, meanwhile Prayuth keeps the circus going on, buying time for the senators and the dirty work! It's all in the planning.

[Civil War]

There is only one way to go forward- election,election,election. If the Thai people are not allowed to decide their own future thru the ballot box the same old scenario will keep repeating itself. Thailand has to learn to grow up if it wants to be considered a democracy.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You mean the only way forward is for this rag tag government that lies in tatters with almost zero powers to be cast aside and replaced by a fresh lot with full powers to repair the damage done by the past lot and pay the farmers, the car scheme folks and start election reforms with very harsh penalties for all those who break the democratic electoral regulations that make an election... well...... 'democratic'.

Then yes, I agree.

Then have a true 'free and fair' democratic election in a few months. Only then can Thailand 'grow up' and be 'considered a democracy'.

Dragging the country straight into a 'snap election' (Thaksin style) and you are right....The same old scenario will keep on repeating itself.

Hefty prison sentences and party suspensions for breaches of the election regulations.... Make ALL parties responsible for the actions of their supporters. A single baht changes hands ANYWHERE in the process.... immediate ban..... Populist policies banned, only allow policies that are designed for the good of the country as a whole and economic growth to be allowed.

Setting up of a department in every province where voters and campaigners can report violations and intimidation or ANY incidents of 'vote pushing' by village heads or red shirts and make that party's candidates in that province responsible.... basically party candidates MUST control their supporters at provincial level or risk suspension from the election or an outright ban from politics.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Civil War

[Publicus]

The Yingluck government transferred a civil government employee which was more than enough for the judges to remove her from the premiership along with nine ministers who voted the transfer. A PM and nine government ministers were removed because one government employee was transferred. To the high judges, the ruling for the government employee by a lower court was not enough. The high court judges had to significantly gorge the government because it had transferred one single government employee.

Now the senate is going to ignore the same laws and the constitution members of the senate petitioned the high judges to use to remove PM Yingluck and the nine ministers. Asean and other foreign governments will note that, if this plan is executed, the rule of law in Thailand is not the rule of law over men, but the rule of men over law.

Anti-Thaksin Protesters Are Thailand’s Tea Partiers

By Lennox Samuels

The Daily Beast

“Democracy is not the issue,” Bangkok Post columnist Voranai Vanijaka tells me.

“This is a rebellion. Suthep would be the first to admit it.”

Suthep has declared that it would not be enough for the prime minister to resign

and call new elections. He wants all trace of the Shinawatra machine

'gone.' He wants an unelected people’s council and an interim prime minister

more acceptable to protesters. That would be followed by some kind of 'reform'

that would make it impossible for the Shinawatras to ever win again.

If this doesn’t sound like democracy, it isn’t. But apparently, that’s not

the point.

'You have to throw away this definition of what democracy is supposed to

be” Voranai tells me. 'This is not about democracy and rule of law, blah,

blah, blah. This is a fight. This is a fight for who’s going to run this

country.This is a fight for the future.'"

http://www.thedailyb...a-partiers.html<http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/03/anti-thaksin-protesters-are-thailand-s-tea-partiers.html>

Democracy Now.org

Thai Military Imposes Martial Law

Thailand’s military has imposed martial law after months of anti-government protests. The protesters have blocked elections and called for the ouster of a caretaker government installed after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed by a court earlier this month. Soldiers have blocked off streets in the capital Bangkok, and at least 10 TV stations have been ordered to shut down. The army has denied its efforts constitute a coup

http://www.democracy.../headlines#5201

Democracy in a mess in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand

Democratically elected governments in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand were challenged in the streets this year by losers with no respect for the ballot box and no patience for the democratic process.

A common thread in all three disputes was that well-heeled urban elites assumed as a matter, perhaps, of birthright that their ambitions had far more merit than those of their less educated, poorer and usually rural countrymen

The only certainty is that the perilous state of democracy in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand — where none of the players care to understand that the concept involves a responsibility to be fair and inclusive — will attract global attention again in 2014.

http://o.canada.com/news/democracy-in-a-mess-in-egypt-ukraine-and-Thailand

Economist debate: Democracy

Two big, dynamic middle-income countries where democracy was expected to consolidate, Thailand and Turkey, are now each in severe political crisis as a result of political polarisation and intolerance.

In Thailand, the much-theorised agent of democratic defence and reform, the urban middle class is demanding a kind of "time out" from democracy because its party has lost the last few elections.

http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/1059

[scorecard]

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

The Yingluck government transferred a civil government employee which was more than enough for the judges to remove her from the premiership along with nine ministers who voted the transfer. A PM and nine government ministers were removed because one government employee was transferred. To the high judges, the ruling for the government employee by a lower court was not enough. The high court judges had to significantly gorge the government because it had transferred one single government employee.

Now the senate is going to ignore the same laws and the constitution members of the senate petitioned the high judges to use to remove PM Yingluck and the nine ministers. Asean and other foreign governments will note that, if this plan is executed, the rule of law in Thailand is not the rule of law over men, but the rule of men over law.

Anti-Thaksin Protesters Are Thailand’s Tea Partiers

By Lennox Samuels

The Daily Beast

“Democracy is not the issue,” Bangkok Post columnist Voranai Vanijaka tells me.

“This is a rebellion. Suthep would be the first to admit it.”

Suthep has declared that it would not be enough for the prime minister to resign

and call new elections. He wants all trace of the Shinawatra machine

'gone.' He wants an unelected people’s council and an interim prime minister

more acceptable to protesters. That would be followed by some kind of 'reform'

that would make it impossible for the Shinawatras to ever win again.

If this doesn’t sound like democracy, it isn’t. But apparently, that’s not

the point.

'You have to throw away this definition of what democracy is supposed to

be” Voranai tells me. 'This is not about democracy and rule of law, blah,

blah, blah. This is a fight. This is a fight for who’s going to run this

country.This is a fight for the future.'"

http://www.thedailyb...a-partiers.html<http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/03/anti-thaksin-protesters-are-thailand-s-tea-partiers.html>

Democracy Now.org

Thai Military Imposes Martial Law

Thailand’s military has imposed martial law after months of anti-government protests. The protesters have blocked elections and called for the ouster of a caretaker government installed after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed by a court earlier this month. Soldiers have blocked off streets in the capital Bangkok, and at least 10 TV stations have been ordered to shut down. The army has denied its efforts constitute a coup

http://www.democracy.../headlines#5201

Democracy in a mess in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand

Democratically elected governments in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand were challenged in the streets this year by losers with no respect for the ballot box and no patience for the democratic process.

A common thread in all three disputes was that well-heeled urban elites assumed as a matter, perhaps, of birthright that their ambitions had far more merit than those of their less educated, poorer and usually rural countrymen

The only certainty is that the perilous state of democracy in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand — where none of the players care to understand that the concept involves a responsibility to be fair and inclusive — will attract global attention again in 2014.

http://o.canada.com/news/democracy-in-a-mess-in-egypt-ukraine-and-Thailand

Economist debate: Democracy

Two big, dynamic middle-income countries where democracy was expected to consolidate, Thailand and Turkey, are now each in severe political crisis as a result of political polarisation and intolerance.

In Thailand, the much-theorised agent of democratic defence and reform, the urban middle class is demanding a kind of "time out" from democracy because its party has lost the last few elections.

http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/1059

And the economist does it again with way less than balanced comment. How sad, once a highly respected economic review provider now lacking in credibility, I cancelled my subscription some 5 years ago/

[rabas]

"A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers. However, this proposal was opposed by many other senators who did not want to see the military's involvement in the appointment of a new PM. who worried that the Army may not have confiscated all the war weapons destined to the caretaker Cabinet members."

Does anyone else think that Thailand is not a lot different from the American Wild West in the 1800s?

[Piichai]

There is only one way to go forward- election,election,election. If the Thai people are not allowed to decide their own future thru the ballot box the same old scenario will keep repeating itself. Thailand has to learn to grow up if it wants to be considered a democracy. /quote]

The Thai people been allowed to decide their own future thru the ballot box for years and the same old scenario has indeed kept repeating itself. Only reforms can make it change.

[Piichai]

Again, its hard to see how railroading change is going to be palatable for all Thai's.

Of course those who have benefited from corruption won't like it, but it must be done for the good of the country.

[Piichai]

This 'compromise' of appointing a so-called neutral PM is simply kicking the can further down the road. The simmering anger and frustration of the UDD will worsen and nothing of substance will be achieved. In 12-18 months or less this will erupt once again.

If you haven't noticed, the playing field has changed.

After weeks of refusing to meet, PTP & UDD were at the table yesterday. That should tell you what they think of the military.

And if the Reds choose to make problems in 12-18, the military will still be there.

[fab4]

Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai; what side of the fence does this man sit?

Well, at least now it is so plainly obvious that even the blind can see, certain members on this forum excepted.

[fab4]

"A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers. However, this proposal was opposed by many other senators who did not want to see the military's involvement in the appointment of a new PM. who worried that the Army may not have confiscated all the war weapons destined to the caretaker Cabinet members."

Does anyone else think that Thailand is not a lot different from the American Wild West in the 1800s?

No, I think it is only you who is daft enough to believe 2 guns found in an advisor to a Cabinet Ministers car points to a cache of weapons destined for the cabinet. I swear there must be a facebook page dedicated to "stupid things to say" for TVF members of a certain political bent

[Thait Spot]

This is like a game of football now where the referee has been labeled a bar steward by some fans even before he's blown a whistle one way or the other - and that's very juvenile.

Prayuth is taking a very simple, very direct approach - get all parties to put their wish lists on the table and then negotiate. The first part is simple, the next part will Herculean

It's what the political parties should have done months ago - but didn't

[khunsiam]

Again, its hard to see how railroading change is going to be palatable for all Thai's.

Of course those who have benefited from corruption won't like it, but it must be done for the good of the country.

wonder if those who are fighting corruption with the corrupt gonna like it?

[focus27]

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

The Yingluck government transferred a civil government employee which was more than enough for the judges to remove her from the premiership along with nine ministers who voted the transfer. A PM and nine government ministers were removed because one government employee was transferred. To the high judges, the ruling for the government employee by a lower court was not enough. The high court judges had to significantly gorge the government because it had transferred one single government employee.

Now the senate is going to ignore the same laws and the constitution members of the senate petitioned the high judges to use to remove PM Yingluck and the nine ministers. Asean and other foreign governments will note that, if this plan is executed, the rule of law in Thailand is not the rule of law over men, but the rule of men over law.

Anti-Thaksin Protesters Are Thailand’s Tea Partiers

By Lennox Samuels

The Daily Beast

“Democracy is not the issue,” Bangkok Post columnist Voranai Vanijaka tells me.

“This is a rebellion. Suthep would be the first to admit it.”

Suthep has declared that it would not be enough for the prime minister to resign

and call new elections. He wants all trace of the Shinawatra machine

'gone.' He wants an unelected people’s council and an interim prime minister

more acceptable to protesters. That would be followed by some kind of 'reform'

that would make it impossible for the Shinawatras to ever win again.

If this doesn’t sound like democracy, it isn’t. But apparently, that’s not

the point.

'You have to throw away this definition of what democracy is supposed to

be” Voranai tells me. 'This is not about democracy and rule of law, blah,

blah, blah. This is a fight. This is a fight for who’s going to run this

country.This is a fight for the future.'"

http://www.thedailyb...a-partiers.html<http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/03/anti-thaksin-protesters-are-thailand-s-tea-partiers.html>

Democracy Now.org

Thai Military Imposes Martial Law

Thailand’s military has imposed martial law after months of anti-government protests. The protesters have blocked elections and called for the ouster of a caretaker government installed after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed by a court earlier this month. Soldiers have blocked off streets in the capital Bangkok, and at least 10 TV stations have been ordered to shut down. The army has denied its efforts constitute a coup

http://www.democracy.../headlines#5201

Democracy in a mess in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand

Democratically elected governments in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand were challenged in the streets this year by losers with no respect for the ballot box and no patience for the democratic process.

A common thread in all three disputes was that well-heeled urban elites assumed as a matter, perhaps, of birthright that their ambitions had far more merit than those of their less educated, poorer and usually rural countrymen

The only certainty is that the perilous state of democracy in Egypt, Ukraine and Thailand — where none of the players care to understand that the concept involves a responsibility to be fair and inclusive — will attract global attention again in 2014.

http://o.canada.com/news/democracy-in-a-mess-in-egypt-ukraine-and-Thailand

Economist debate: Democracy

Two big, dynamic middle-income countries where democracy was expected to consolidate, Thailand and Turkey, are now each in severe political crisis as a result of political polarisation and intolerance.

In Thailand, the much-theorised agent of democratic defence and reform, the urban middle class is demanding a kind of "time out" from democracy because its party has lost the last few elections.

http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/1059

And the economist does it again with way less than balanced comment. How sad, once a highly respected economic review provider now lacking in credibility, I cancelled my subscription some 5 years ago/

I have never assumed that The Economist was in any way balanced or neutral. It is one of the few interesting magazines that are readily available at newsagents, but it is no better than many of the think-tanks that now publish online. A quick look at who owns The Economist will dispel any notion of neutrality.

[Chris Lawrence]

Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai; what side of the fence does this man sit?

I prefer he sits on the fence

and his judgement are fair to both sides

I honestly hope you are right.....but.....the majority of Thais might feel different. Have you read any of the Generals comments on interviews with the press? Why has Suthep be given carte blanche to rally the forces? Taken that the elite and rich middle class hold positions of power in various civil services and the judiciary, results are currently be staged-managed?

Have a read of some other press outside Thailand at the moment and go back on some history to what is happening.

The General is no genie. You can't rub his bottle and all things disapear.

If its not a coup, wouldn't the constitution require the military to actually protect the caretaker government?

Don't know about you but I would feel cheated if this happened in my country.

We are only but an annoyance to the elite and super rich of Thailand, the silly ones that hang out and marry their bar girls; toe jam between their toes.