Abhisit says no to direct election for PM

[JAG]

Abhisit should just retire from politics and as well the nut monk that calls himself now a Phra from a Wat in Surat Thani.

It was a big mistake for Chuan Lekpai to bring Mark from Oxford on board. He should go home and let Surin, Supachai or Korn run the show at the Democrat Party.

I really don't think removing Abhisit will make much of a difference to the Democrat's chances in an election. Most Thais are the rural or urban poor, they're not middle-class, and their lives are very different to the elite (the vast bulk of the elite look the same as Chinese people).

The rural and urban poor will always vote Thaksin rather than Democrat. But if the junta takes part in an election, well, some of the rural and urban poor will vote for the junta if the junta provides subsidies for petrol and diesel, and throw in land reform to distribute land to the poor and landless. And throw in other benefits as well.

But those would be " populist policies", and we all know that they are evil. In fact some of the more evangelical supporters of "reform" here may even consider them to be vote buying!

Edited December 11, 2014 by JAG

[JAG]

Good to see a man with impeccable intelligence, a polished education and a calm demeanor offering constructive criticism to benefit Thai's.

Some will see this as completely disrespecting democracy and not supporting democratic elections. But then the PTP have the same stance? It is not about democratic elections (which is the only principle of democracy the PTP respect). It is about the route the PM takes to holding the position. Through the house of representatives or through direct elections.

Of course the ones that cannot differentiate between the two routes to being PM have highlighted why reform is needed. They have shown they have basically no understanding of democracy. I wish them well on their journey to a greater understanding of democracy and hope it helps them have a broader understanding of what the Right Honorable Ahbisit is talking about.

Of course with his Oxford education it can be a brain overload for the farmer types to understand. Again, which is why reform is needed.

"Of course with his Oxford education it can be a brain overload for the farmer types to understand"

You really do have a spectacular contempt for the people you profess to live amongst don't you? No wonder they had a go at you, in Khon Kaen wasn't it?

Lots of "farmer types" in Khon Kaen I understand.

Edited December 11, 2014 by JAG

[CarlTyson]

Reform = cherry picking off your political enemies so the 'right' person wins the next election.

[binjalin]

Is there any country where both parliament AND PM (as in Prime Minister) are directly elected by the electorate?

The United States of America

The USA has a President, not a Prime Minister

Semantics....same.

not really the same... but Rubl's first question was the right one (amazingly) - is there any country? or is this going to be another demo of "Thainess" like the "Ebola Cure" another show of "we know best and you all don't understand us"

it's a recipe for disaster

Semantics.

In the US the government is elected by the people:

President = PM

Congress = Parliament

Or is that not the "answer" you want it to be? SMH

it is not a monarchy and therefore not the same or is that not the answer YOU want it to be?

[2fishin2]

Is there any country where both parliament AND PM (as in Prime Minister) are directly elected by the electorate?

The United States of America

The USA has a President, not a Prime Minister

Semantics....same.

not really the same... but Rubl's first question was the right one (amazingly) - is there any country? or is this going to be another demo of "Thainess" like the "Ebola Cure" another show of "we know best and you all don't understand us"

it's a recipe for disaster

Semantics.

In the US the government is elected by the people:

President = PM

Congress = Parliament

Or is that not the "answer" you want it to be? SMH

it is not a monarchy and therefore not the same or is that not the answer YOU want it to be?

The word "monarchy" was never stated in the original question.

The word monarchy has nothing to do with the US government hence the reason why our democracy although being so young, is still much more effective in governing than Thailand. We dont need make believe governing.