Crackdown On Anti-Thaksin Movement

[John K]

The fact that many don’t think things out is becoming more and more apparent. Bomb stories that the facts don’t add up and now How can the PAD violate election laws if they are not a political party?

[slimdog]

How can the PAD violate election laws if they are not a political party?

Section 44. No candidate nor any person shall commit any act to induce electors to cast a ballot for him or her or other candidate or any political party or to abstain from voting for any candidate or political party by the following means:

(1) Providing, giving, offering, promising to give or preparing to give properties or any other benefits which can be calculated in money value to any person;

(2) Giving, offering or promising to give money, properties or any other benefits whether directly or indirectly to the community, association, foundation, temple, education institution, asylum or any other institution;

(3) Advertising for an election by organizing an entertainment;

(4) Treating or promising to treat any person with meals;

(5) Deceiving, forcing, threatening, intimidating, slandering or inducing the misunderstanding in the popularity of any candidate or political party.

[John K]

How can the PAD violate election laws if they are not a political party?

Section 44. No candidate nor any person shall commit any act to induce electors to cast a ballot for him or her or other candidate or any political party or to abstain from voting for any candidate or political party by the following means:

(1) Providing, giving, offering, promising to give or preparing to give properties or any other benefits which can be calculated in money value to any person;

(2) Giving, offering or promising to give money, properties or any other benefits whether directly or indirectly to the community, association, foundation, temple, education institution, asylum or any other institution;

(3) Advertising for an election by organizing an entertainment;

(4) Treating or promising to treat any person with meals;

(5) Deceiving, forcing, threatening, intimidating, slandering or inducing the misunderstanding in the popularity of any candidate or political party.

So anytime Thaksin opens his mouth and starts spreading more lies about himself #5 is violated. That will be very hard for him, I doubt he will last a week.

So if the PAD is simply providing the truth and not making any negative comments... does that count? The truth will hurt Thaksin enough without needing to be negative. I see that as enforcement of rule #5.

I don’t think the PAD is saying who to vote for, they are airing the truth and explaining it in detail for the people who may have a hard time figuring it out on their own. After all the uneducated voters may need the help so essentially a community service.

[Plus]

Section 44. No candidate nor any person shall commit any act to induce electors to cast a ballot for him or her or other candidate or any political party or to abstain from voting for any candidate or political party by the following means....

I don't see how inducing voting AGAINST someone is an offence here. In fact PAD's goal has nothing to do with elections at all, they also had no problems demonstrating before the April elections, and they didn't encourage people to abstain from voting.

And it's not a police duty to interpret election laws, it's up to the Election Commission to decide wheather PAD rallies break them or not.

[womble]

And it's not a police duty to interpret election laws, it's up to the Election Commission to decide wheather PAD rallies break them or not.

Absolutely!!!

[slimdog]

I don't see how inducing voting AGAINST someone is an offence here. In fact PAD's goal has nothing to do with elections at all, they also had no problems demonstrating before the April elections, and they didn't encourage people to abstain from voting.

My understanding is that when a Royal Decree is in effect no one is supposed to discourage, or for that matter illegally encourage, the voting against any particular politician or political party.

Remember that it was violating Article 44, which is one of the charges levelled against the Democrat Party, when they were charged with encouraging people to vote "No-Vote".

As you mentioned, PAD did rally, prior to the April Election without any difficulties. However it might be difficult to argue that previous commissions allowed the practice, when the same commission was convicted of dishonest and corrupt practices.

Whilst generally, the Election Commission is the organisation which will investigate charges of election fraud, with no commission in place, it is arguable about the police's role, especially as the PAD are not a political party. Technically should they not get involved then they could themselves be taken to court for dereliction of duty.

I think this one will have to be argued out in either the Constitutional or Administrive courts to get a clear answer.

[bulmercke]

Earlier this year Thaksin announced on television that he would not accept the premiership in the next government .i.e the one that will be formed after this October's election.

The PAD are holding him to this decision and this, and His Majesty's Sixtieth anniversary celebrations, accounts for why the PAD have been so quiet in the last few months.

However, it now appears conclusively that Thaksin has gone back on his word and is intending to resume his premiership in the next government.

His decision to stand down was primarily brought about by the PAD protests and the large anti-Thaksin vote in BKK in the last election.

He knows that the PAD are his biggest threat and he also knows very well that they can and will mobilise tens of thousands of disgruntled Bangkokians if he retreats on his word.

That is why he now appears so intent, through his TRT proxy - the police - on stamping out and eradicating the threat the PAD holds for him.

He is basically abolishing the right to free assmbley....the right for citizens to express their views....even if they are against him.....peacefully and in accordance with the law.

Remember all that clap-trap from Thaksin before the last election reminding everyone that the anti-Thaksin protesters had a perfect right to protest.....even if it was against him....so long as they acted within the rules of the law.

Funny how he has changed his tact so soon!

The iron fist emerges from the velvet glove.

This guy is capable of anything....Tak Bai....Khrue See....if his political survival is at stake.

[sriracha john]

Interior Minister expects {SJ italics} security chaos before general election

BANGKOK, Aug 28 TNA) - Thailand's Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana warned here Monday that troublemakers would cause continuing security chaos and panic among the public for their political gain as the October general election is approaching.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak said law enforcement officers must be cautious in determining motives when dealing with incidents related to bomb and other security threats.

The minister's comment followed a bomb hoax Monday morning near Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's residence, only four days after police foiled an alleged assassination attempt on the premier using a car bomb.

The minister said officials would let police investigators determine the identity of the culprits, and for the time being, 'troublemakers' could not be ruled out.

uhmm.. apparently that means that "well-wishers" and "friends-of-the-family" are still a possibility, as well?

''I'm very certain that similar incidents will continue to happen because the general election is coming. They'll do everything for their political gain," Marshal Kongsak said, "and officials must use their good judgment.''

Last Thursday, police arrested an army lieutenant for allegedly planning the car bombing to kill the prime minister.

However, the interior minister said comments on the assassination attempt should be made with caution as the legal process is in process and is still inconclusive.

''Many people worry that the arrest of the military officer will lead to nothing. We need to wait for more solid evidence. We should have the truth if we wait for another week,'' Marshal Kongsak said.

He said any comment by Prime Minister Thaksin should be regarded as his 'personal opinion'.

Earlier, Mr. Thaksin said that the car bomb was targeting his life.

- MCOT

-------------------

an the circus band played on....

[John K]

Well I am going out on a limb here but the only trouble came from people the TRT hired. The PAD goes out of its way to follow the law, that is why Thaksin had to bring in thugs, they could not provoke PAD.

I think the PAD should go forward at this may be a hollow threat. If the TRT is seen stepping over it’s bounds and doing EC duties, that could be yet another reason to dissolve the TRT by essentially running the election. Right back at you Thaksin!

[Plus]

My understanding is that when a Royal Decree is in effect no one is supposed to discourage, or for that matter illegally encourage, the voting against any particular politician or political party.

What is "illegally encourage"?

Remember that it was violating Article 44, which is one of the charges levelled against the Democrat Party, when they were charged with encouraging people to vote "No-Vote".

That was for boycotting elections with the goal of overthrowing the government, not for no-vote itself

As you mentioned, PAD did rally, prior to the April Election without any difficulties. However it might be difficult to argue that previous commissions allowed the practice, when the same commission was convicted of dishonest and corrupt practices.

It's because election laws do not mean suspension of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. As no political candidates joined the rallies there was no reason for EC to get involved at all.

Whilst generally, the Election Commission is the organisation which will investigate charges of election fraud, with no commission in place, it is arguable about the police's role, especially as the PAD are not a political party. Technically should they not get involved then they could themselves be taken to court for dereliction of duty.

Who? Police? They have no business taking over the EC's duties, or controlling what non-political entities discuss at their rallies. If any laws are found to be breached, people can file complaints with the police (24/7 anti-PAD complaints office is open conviniently at the government house)

I think this one will have to be argued out in either the Constitutional or Administrive courts to get a clear answer.

I think there's nothing to argue about. PAD has every right to hold rallies any time it wants and discuss anything it wants. It's not campaigning for any political party, and it can comment on any issues it deems interesting enough.

I'm sure Kongsak has no legal leg to stand on, PAD's activities are not covered by election laws.

[jdinasia]

Actually .... since no slander charges have been held up against PAD that may be true.

[John K]

PAD may hold massive rally on Friday despite Kongsak's threat

The People's Alliance for Democracy will hold a massive rally on Friday if police miss the seven-day deadline set by the PAD for police to arrest those who attacked anti-Thaksin protesters.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said if police failed to make any progress in the case of attacks against anti-Thaksin protesters by Friday, the PAD would definitely hold a massive rally.

Earlier the day, caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said the PAD would be deemed breaking the election law if they hold any demonstration against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai Party.

But Suriyasai said the people had their constitutional rights to demonstrate.

He said the PAD also held rallies before the April 2 election and the then Election Commission did not consider that the PAD had violated the laws.

Suriyasai said if Kongsak ordered arrests of PAD members for holding rallies, the PAD would lodge a complaint to the Administrative Court.

The Nation

[John K]

This looks like the bluff has been called.

It looks lately there has been more roar than bite from the TRT.

That is not to say this will be the case. Taking a body language read on Thaksin and others that may be involved on the TRT side in the next few days will give his hand away. If the police that may be involved look uncomfortable read it as blood on the horizon.

Edited August 28, 2006 by John K

[sriracha john]

TRT 'will bring millions of people to city'

Former Thai Rak Thai MPs threatened yesterday that many people in the Northeast are prepared to come to Bangkok to "protect" caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) holds demonstrations against him.

Ex-Udon Thani MP Wichai Chaijitvanitkul said that if the PAD thinks a clash will create peace in the country, he is ready to fight.

He said people from the Northeast were preparing to travel to Bangkok if the PAD holds a rally to oust the premier - to encourage Thaksin and defend democracy.

"We tried to be quiet, but it seems the PAD doesn't want this."

Moreover, members of PAD were attempting to attack Thaksin by accusing the government of "setting up" the car-bomb incident, Wichai said.

He couldn't predict how many people might travel to the capital, but claimed more than 200,000 Udon Thani people were prepared to make the journey.

"However many people Sondhi [Limthongkul] can bring, I will bring more," he said. Former Nakhon Ratchasima MP Suporn Atthawong said people from the Northeast want to visit Bangkok to encourage Thaksin, but former MPs have warned them to avoid a conflict.

"I and other [Thai Rak Thai members] told people in each constituency that we have to keep cool."

However, Suporn said that if Thaksin was still pressed by Sondhi and the PAD, perhaps more than 10 million people could go to Bangkok.

"They don't want to make a fight with Sondhi. They want to protect the premier and to keep democracy," he said.

The Nation

Edited August 28, 2006 by sriracha john

[womble]

This is the proof that they are prepared to fight to the death.

Between now and the first court case there is going to be some serious moves by thaksin aimed at taking control. I doubt he will risk going to court so he will eigher try to sieze control through the emergency decree, or somehow create instability in some way or another that could postpone the court dates.

I'm sure there is some serious lobbying behind the scenes with the judges that could hopefully put an end to Thaksin, the question is will he be able to stop the court hearing the cases.

I think it may well be time to get out of Bangkok, things are going to get very messy by the looks of things and it'll be a miracle if no one is killed.

It's quite obvious that Thaksin is only worried about saving his own skin, what happens to the country and the Thai people is obviously of absolutley no importance to him.

[Tony Clifton]

TRT 'will bring millions of people to city'

"We tried to be quiet, but it seems the PAD doesn't want this." What a moronic statement after numerous attacks on PAD protesters and Democratic Party rallies before the last elections.

Proof that no one but TRT is now allowed to protest.

Here we go.

[John K]

Actually I find the statement to be a bit childish ,unrealistic and asinine. It sounds of desperation. No doubt this is part of Thaksin’s plan to set up the emergency decree based on the statement to protect Thaksin.

On the bright side many will get to hear the truth about Thaksin and further erode his vote.

[sriracha john]

TRT 'will bring millions of people to city'

"We tried to be quiet, but it seems the PAD doesn't want this." What a moronic statement after numerous attacks on PAD protesters and Democratic Party rallies before the last elections.

Proof that no one but TRT is now allowed to protest.

Here we go.

Newly hired by the TRT:

[Tony Clifton]

If they come out with more statements such as this last one, they will have the carpet pulled from under their feet quicker than I thought.

Edited August 29, 2006 by Tony Clifton

[slimdog]

Plus

I would be most grateful if you could quote the source where the Charges relating to "No-Vote" were dropped by the OAG.

To the best of my knowledge the Charges against the Democrat Party are:

Boycotting the April 2 election,

Conspiring with the People's Alliance for Democracy to overthrow an elected government

Wrongfully encouraging voters to cast "no votes".

Instigating Songkhla residents to obstruct candidacy registration for the April 23 repeat vote

Paying the Progressive Democratic Party to file fraud charges against the Thai Rak Thai Party.

Just to let you know, I have no particular interest in the outcome of the election, but laws concerning the Constitution and Organic laws within Thailand are of interest to me. (Sad I know)

Edited August 29, 2006 by slimdog

[ilyushin]

what a mess!?!

[sriracha john]

Additional comments by Interior Minister provide a rather bizarre interpretation of the Constitution:

Kongsak: PAD rallies illegal

Caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana yesterday warned the People's Alliance for Democracy to end its rallies against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during the run-up to the Oct 15 election or face legal punishment. ACM Kongsak said rallies would be deemed as contravening the election law, which prohibits any actions that either damage or boost the credibility of individuals or political parties. He said authorities must take action against anyone breaking the law as the royal election decree was now in effect. ''Everyone must stop now or be held in violation of the law. What is deemed appropriate during a demonstration is that it must not affect the voting for political parties,'' he said. Prinya Tevanaruemitrkul of Thammasat University's law faculty, denounced the caretaker interior minister's threat, saying PAD members had voiced their opinions in good faith and they could continue to do so despite the election decree. PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the PAD was a civic movement, not a political party, so it had the right under the constitution to gather peacefully.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Aug2006_news10.php

Edited August 29, 2006 by sriracha john

[ilyushin]

Thaksin must quit to avoid bloodshed, says Prawase

The only way around possible confrontation and bloodshed in society is for caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down and ask his supporters to cooperate with the next prime minister, social critic Prawase Wasi said in an open letter released yesterday. He said the prime minister's time was up in running the country and that he had passed the peak of his power.

Mr Thaksin should rise to the challenge and take responsibility for his failure to create reconciliation in society and to end the violence in the deep South by resigning and making way for other people.

He also advised Mr Thaksin to devote himself to humanitarian causes in a similar fashion to Microsoft's Bill Gates.

Prof Prawase also analysed theories about the alleged bomb plot to assassinate Mr Thaksin.

He said police had to verify whether the attempt on the premier's life was a set-up or not. But the public might question the credibility of the police who are carrying out the investigation.

Prof Prawase said it is true that real hatred of the prime minister exists. People with intense feelings are increasingly turning against Mr Thaksin in response to his aggressive, defiant attitude and heavy-handed approach, he said.

The bomb plot might have been thought up by those who think the premier is the cause of the trouble and must be finished off, Prof Prawase said.

In the worst-case scenario, politics would be thrown into turmoil with plots and counter-plots. The whole country would grind to a halt as resources and manpower would be mobilised to protect only one person, the prime minister, according to Prof Prawase.

He said there was another theory that the bomb was a set-up by the powers-that-be to deflect public attention away from something they wanted to cover up.

It might be a ploy intended to get rid of their enemies, to smooth their path to power or to escape from the legal punishment they deserve, he said.

He predicted that if the assassination plot were disproved, the government would make a fool of itself like a boy crying wolf and its credibility would suffer.

Confrontation and bloodshed would ensue and the government would eventually cave in to pressure.

[sriracha john]

MORE bizarre statements coming out of the TRT House of Cards:

Pongpol sure TRT can still thrive without PM

Chairman of Thai Rak Thai's party-list members Pongpol Adireksarn would love to see the Thaksin Shinawatra of old back at the helm but he is confident of the party's future without him as leader.

''When we [Thai Rak Thai party-list candidates] talked about the party's future, some questioned whether we should change the leader. I said no, we don't want to change the leader,'' he said in an interview with the Bangkok Post. ''In fact, we just want to get back the Mr Thaksin who was prime minister in 2001. Mr Thaksin back then listened to everyone. That made him a great man,'' he added. ''Suppose one of the party's driving engines, the Thai Rak Thai leader, shuts down. Then the party must be able to keep going,'' said Mr Pongpol. "But Mr Thaksin's biggest challenge right now is himself," he said. ''The limited information he gets makes his political strategy confusing,'' said Mr Pongpol.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Aug2006_news12.php

--------------------------------------------

Things can't get much more weird-er than that....

errrr.... what I am saying?!?!?!?!! sure they can.

[sriracha john]

The army has run Thailand for ages and police were living off the leftovers. Then, in 1992, khaki guys screwed up and were forced to step down and let civilians take over. That left the gap for the police to fill.

With one of their own at the helm police started asserting themselves. The bomb scare is just the latest opportunity for them to come out as nation saviours.

On the other hand, ISOC isn't exactly the army, it's an agency under supervision of the PM's office, not defence ministry. Sacking Panlop probably had other implications, like taking control over thousands of ISOC volunteers and informants. Could come useful in crackdowns on demonstrations, better than Forestry Dept. volunteers. Incindentally, the Forestry dept has just been told to surrender their weapons - the army said that their guns are much needed in the south now.

Turf battles in preparation for show of force.

The original story:

Army wants guns back from forestry department

Published on Aug 28, 2006

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has expressed concern and disappointment at being asked to return 400 automatic rifles to the Army.

The guns had been on loan to forestry officers but the Army now wants them back for field use in the deep South.

The response:

Forest rangers to return rifles

Caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat has agreed to return about 1,000 HK-33 assault rifles to the army. The rifles, on loan from the army, were distributed to forestry officials. However, the army recently requested the return of the rifles by Oct 1. The move follows rumours that forestry officials have received training in crowd-control techniques so they can be used to handle anti-government demonstrators. ''If the army needs these rifles back, then take them,'' said Mr Yongyuth.

----------------------------------------------

No word yet on the disparity in the number of weapons, 400 versus 1,000. Perhaps the Tree Minister has far more weapons than the Army had given him.

[Ricardo]

TRT 'will bring millions of people to city'

"However many people Sondhi [Limthongkul] can bring, I will bring more," he said. Former Nakhon Ratchasima MP Suporn Atthawong said people from the Northeast want to visit Bangkok to encourage Thaksin, but former MPs have warned them to avoid a conflict.

"I and other [Thai Rak Thai members] told people in each constituency that we have to keep cool."

However, Suporn said that if Thaksin was still pressed by Sondhi and the PAD, perhaps more than 10 million people could go to Bangkok.

"They don't want to make a fight with Sondhi. They want to protect the premier and to keep democracy," he said.

The Nation

But where can TRT or the police find 10 million black shirts from, to fit all these 'former rubber tappers', so that they don't arrest or beat up the wrong set of protesters by mistake ?

[brahmburgers]

"unforgettable Thailand" ...in the sense of unforgettable bump on the head for participating in a initially -peaceful protest - perchance?

What's next in the unforgettably cunning mind of the caretaker PM:

Will he lose his credit cards (before he loses his marbles) to an unsavory Malaysian character - who suddenly empties the Thaksin family bank accounts. Then the PM can stand before his minions with a tear in his eye and declare he's broke. Within days, millions of identically scripted cards will get mailed to him - from the NE and Chiang Mai - expressing heartfelt sorrow.

[ilyushin]

FYI

Caretaker governments

In politics, a caretaker government rules temporarily. A caretaker government is often set up following a war until stable democratic rule can be restored, or installed, in which case it is often referred to as a provisional government.

Caretaker governments may also be put in place when a government in a parliamentary system is defeated in a motion of no confidence, or in the case where the house the government is responsible to is dissolved, to rule the country for an interim period until an election is held and a new government is formed. This type of caretaker government is adopted in Bangladesh where an advisor council led by the former chief judge rules the country for 3 months before an elected government takes over. In systems where coalition governments are frequent a caretaker government may be installed temporarily while negotiations to form a new coalition take place. This usually occurs either immediately after an election in which there is no clear victor or if one coalition government collapses and a new one must be negotiated.[1]

Caretakers

Caretakers, similarly, are individuals who fill seats in government temporarily without ambitions to continue to hold office on their own. This is particularly true with regard to U.S. Senators who are appointed to office by the governor of their state following a vacancy created by the death or resignation of a sitting senator. Sometime governors wish to run for the seat themselves in the next election but do not want to be accused of unfairness by appointing themselves in the interim, and sometimes they do not wish to be seen as taking sides within a group of party factions or prejudicing the outcome of a primary election by picking someone who is apt to become an active candidate for the position. At one time, widows were often selected as caretakers; this custom has declined somewhat as women have begun to seek elected office in their own right on a routine basis.

Caretaker in Thailand means take care of your interest.

[Plus]

Slimdog,

I don't know where to find the actual charges filed against Democrats, this is the latest I could find

Fraud cases to court Thurs

Published on Jul 4, 2006

Attorney-General Pachara Yutitham-damrong will on Thursday [July 6] ask the Constitution Court to dissolve five political parties for alleged electoral fraud.

..........

The allegations against the Democrat Party do not include three claims made by an Election Commission investigation - not fielding candidates in the election, campaigning for voters to cast a "no vote" and attempting to seek a royally appointed prime minister.

The charges against the Democrats are boycotting the April 2 election, inciting Songkhla residents to obstruct registration of candidates in the April 23 by-election and soliciting false statements from the Progressive Democrat Party that the Thai Rak Thai Party paid small parties to run in repeat voting on April 23.

On that Thursday Thaksin opened his big mouth and spoke of "charismatic person" and stole the show.

[ilyushin]

Wish we had a power broker like deceased H.E. Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata to deal with Dr. T.