Prayut will not commit to poll date

[webfact]

ELECTION
Prayut will not commit to poll date
The Nation

Deputy Premier indicates early 2016; NLA to meet over impeachment cases

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday refused to say exactly when the elections would be called, saying the timeframe would depend on when Thailand achieves its goals in accordance with the National Council for Peace and Order's reform roadmap.

"If we continue fighting or opposing what we initiate, how will the country move forward?" he asked.

He said an election would be called after the new Constitution is drawn up and reforms on 11 fronts are completed. He admitted that his government might not be able to solve some problems due to time constraints and that the next government would have to continue working on finding solutions.

"Please don't put pressure on me. I did not write the roadmap alone. I am not the chairman of the National Reform Council and I'm not chairman of the charter drafting committee,'' he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had said earlier that general elections might be held in early 2016.

Separately, Prayut said he was concerned about the country's situation when he leaves for Italy to attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), which runs until tomorrow.

"Please help take good care of the country, should any issues arise. We must help ensure peace and order and refrain from creating conflicts,'' he said.

Discussion behind closed doors

Meanwhile, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will hold a closed-door debate tomorrow before calling for a vote on whether the assembly should go ahead with impeaching two politicians from the previous government charged with constitutional offences.

NLA member Somchai Swangkarn said the meeting would be held behind closed doors because the discussion might implicate a third party. The NLA will be discussing legal technicalities on whether the assembly can impeach the two politicians, as their alleged offences must be prosecuted under the 2007 Constitution, which is now defunct. If not, the assembly will have to see if there are other laws that they can take recourse to.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had earlier recommended that the Senate launch impeachment proceedings against former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont and former Senate deputy speaker Nikom Wairatpanich.

Somchai said the NLA would decide if the impeachment case against the two politicians should be put to rest or handed back to the NACC, which can then take it to the new Parliament.

All decisions made by the NLA regarding the issue would be based on simple majority, he said.

Somchai also dismissed claims that the NLA did not have the authority to make a decision on the impeachment case, arguing that Article 5 of the interim charter empowers the NLA to make a final decision in any legal disputes.

He also rejected the reason that politicians in question should not face impeachment, as they no longer held political office. He said the politicians in question would still face a five-year political ban if they were found guilty of offences, citing the impeachment of former premier Somchai Wongsawat and former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban.

Former Pheu Thai Party MPs led by Amnuay Khlangpha yesterday submitted a letter to NLA chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, calling on the assembly to exercise its judgement and prudence in deciding whether to go ahead with impeaching Somsak and Nikom.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-will-not-commit-to-poll-date-30245571.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-16

[englishoak]

At this rate it could be longer to the next election than the average elected government survive between coups

[ScubaPhuket]

He sounds scared to me. Thais do not travel well.

[Mango Bob]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

[canuckamuck]

He may have intended to only stay for a year, but now he has had a taste of the rarefied air of absolute power. Drifting through his days in a cloud of yes men and props form the old guard.

Stepping down will be very difficult indeed.

[bkkgooner]

I have a gut feeling they are delaying the election until something else rather important happens in Thai history and then anything could happen including civil war

[soalbundy]

I have a gut feeling they are delaying the election until something else rather important happens in Thai history and then anything could happen including civil war

That is one big elephant, lucky the man who has a strong door to close behind him.

[brewsterbudgen]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

Indeed, certain events need to happen and the outcome concluded (to their satisfaction) before any election is held. Edited October 16, 2014 by brewsterbudgen

[Tatsujin]

I have a gut feeling they are delaying the election until something else rather important happens in Thai history and then anything could happen including civil war

Yup, you got it . . . and it was one of the reasons why the coup happened when it did also . . . not "just" about the Shinawatra's . . .

[tracker1]

Mmmm achieving goals Whens the kick off ??? lot of talk !

[Estrada]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

I agree with you. The indications are that due to the health of the man behind the yellow curtain, he will stay in power for a long long time until well after the situation improves. I am sure that the General regret relinquishing power so soon after the 2006 coup and aren't about to reliquish power anytime soon. I predict that the Generals will only reliquish power around 2019 which is when the global economic crisis is due. Also most of the major infrastructure projects will be contracted out by then leaving only crumbs for the future civilian government.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Estrada

[Ve37]

I disagree that the election will be postponed so it can be rigged,...the Elitists are seeking are more permanent solution,...the election, when it is allowed to occur, will be Constitutionally protected from Officials other than the Bangkok Elitists (aka Conservative Yellow Shirts) from having any power. Everything will be run by an unelected group of (as Gen Prayuth calls) "Good People," ...a term meaning only minority Yellow Shirt, Bangkok Elitist. No Populist from North Thailand will be allowed any status.

“Before martial law was declared, Gen Prayuth told me ‘Khun Suthep and your masses of PDRC supporters are too exhausted. It’s now the duty of the army to take over the task’, ” Mr Suthep said.

[Ve37]

The indications are that due to the health of the man behind the yellow curtain, he will stay in power for a long long time until well after the situation improves.

well said. "the man behind the yellow curtain (aka, PDRC)"

[Eric Loh]

Delaying the promised election carries a lot of perils internally and externally. Pressure from inside can spill over into unchartered consequences from civilians and the military. External pressure like sanctions and investment pulling out will hurt the economy. I doubt the General will like history to remember him as a villain.

[waynethor]

"If we continue fighting or opposing what we initiate, how will the country move forward?" he asked.

TRANSLATION: "Until you all think like me, love me, and accept all my decisions completely and without questions, I refuse to allow Thailand to have any form of democracy. I am the smartest and most talented person in the world, and to think that a mere human could repair this retched place is absurd. By the way, I am passing a bill to declare myself a demigod. "

[jesimps]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

Definitely.

[Torrens54]

Good for him.

No point in "jumping the gun" he obviously wants to get it right, first time and not leave the country with yet another mess for the Military to have to sort out.

Somehow, I don't think he is going to be too worried about a few "Nay-Sayers" baying in the streets about any delays.

[jesimps]

"If we continue fighting or opposing what we initiate, how will the country move forward?" he asked.

When you think of it, if they allow elections the PTP will get voted in and there'll be another coup in a couple of years so they may as well avoid groundhog day and stay as they are.

TRANSLATION: "Until you all think like me, love me, and accept all my decisions completely and without questions, I refuse to allow Thailand to have any form of democracy. I am the smartest and most talented person in the world, and to think that a mere human could repair this retched place is absurd. By the way, I am passing a bill to declare myself a demigod. "

[Ve37]

Delaying the promised election carries a lot of perils internally and externally. Pressure from inside can spill over into unchartered consequences from civilians and the military. External pressure like sanctions and investment pulling out will hurt the economy. I doubt the General will like history to remember him as a villain.

How will the Man Behind the Yellow Curtain be seen as not a villain? Perhaps his astrologer knows.

“Before martial law was declared, Gen Prayuth told me ‘Khun Suthep and your masses of PDRC supporters are too exhausted. It’s now the duty of the army to take over the task’, ” Mr Suthep said.

[Ve37]

TRANSLATION: "Until you all think like me, love me, and accept all my decisions completely and without questions, I refuse to allow Thailand to have any form of democracy.

I don't think the General would go that far,...it could upset his Yellow Shirt base. What is going to occur is a Constitutionally backed democracy that limits all powers of the elected, who will have to submit to a Good People's Committee, made up entirely of PDRC.

[waynethor]

"If we continue fighting or opposing what we initiate, how will the country move forward?" he asked.

(YOUR POST REMOVED FORM HERE, jesimps...)

TRANSLATION: "Until you all think like me, love me, and accept all my decisions completely and without questions, I refuse to allow Thailand to have any form of democracy. I am the smartest and most talented person in the world, and to think that a mere human could repair this retched place is absurd. By the way, I am passing a bill to declare myself a demigod. "

(AND PUT HERE WHERE IT BELONGS)

When you think of it, if they allow elections the PTP will get voted in and there'll be another coup in a couple of years so they may as well avoid groundhog day and stay as they are.

Let me fix this for you. You put your reply in my post,

Edited October 16, 2014 by waynethor

[ratcatcher]

I have a gut feeling they are delaying the election until something else rather important happens in Thai history and then anything could happen including civil war

Bullseye and any further discussion is against TVF rules.

[tullynagardy]

Is it still trying to pass off the line "to implement reforms against corruption," despite the first few months of his tenure being rocked by corruption scandals? (not least the fact the NLA and his own brother all have inexplicable vast wealth)

Good to see above even the pro coup types finally have worked out what it`s all been about. We got there in the end (apart from Djjamie but I don`t think hes playing with a full deck of cards)

[Bernard Flint]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

My prophecy is correct.

This newly retired General needs a few billion baht before full retirement, the smiling will stop soon when the pressure builds up, then the true man comes out.

[ratcatcher]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

My prophecy is correct.

This newly retired General needs a few billion baht before full retirement, the smiling will stop soon when the pressure builds up, then the true man comes out.

Perhaps try to see the bigger picture, see a few above posts.

[Robespiere]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

Definitely.

The Reds will not sit quietly for that long.

When they do take to the streets, what can Prayuth do? Start shooting?

The outcome of the situation is inevitable, the weight of human history is clearly on one side here.

Slowly, slowly...

[ThailandNoob]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

Definitely.

The Reds will not sit quietly for that long.

When they do take to the streets, what can Prayuth do? Start shooting?

The outcome of the situation is inevitable, the weight of human history is clearly on one side here.

Slowly, slowly...

He has already shown himself willing to start shooting (remember 2010?). Yes the weight of history is on one side, but in the medium term I fear civil war.

Sent from my IS11T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[TheCruncher]

It wouldn't surprise me if an election is not held for three or four years. This was well planned out in advance.

Definitely.

The Reds will not sit quietly for that long.

When they do take to the streets, what can Prayuth do? Start shooting?

The outcome of the situation is inevitable, the weight of human history is clearly on one side here.

Slowly, slowly...

He has already shown himself willing to start shooting (remember 2010?). Yes the weight of history is on one side, but in the medium term I fear civil war.

Sent from my IS11T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I remember 2010, and especially that Prayut wasn't the army head at that time.

[phuketandsee]

I have a gut feeling they are delaying the election until something else rather important happens in Thai history and then anything could happen including civil war

I suspect they can pull the plug to effect that event when they are ready. Perhaps another important actor has decided not to play ball.

[icare999]

until the shinawati cancer and red shirt demand are fully out of picture i pray no election even if thats 5 + years. Id prefer to live under a benign military dictatorship anyway than crap we've had from Taksin and his red shirts for last decade