Parties not averse to Thai poll delay

[webfact]

CONCERN OVER DEMOCRACY
Parties not averse to poll delay
Pravit Rojanaphruk,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation



Democrats, Pheu Thai express concern, want constitution to be democratic

BANGKOK: -- Politicians from the country's two largest political parties would not object to a delay in holding the next general election provided the new constitution is democratic, according to the participants of a junta-organised meeting yesterday.

Sources said the politicians were more concerned about the content of the constitution.

Some observers said yesterday's meeting, which was supposed to focus on reform and reconciliation, appeared instead to be a stamp of approval for a National Council for Peace and Order's (NPCO) plan to stay in power longer than its roadmap.

Worachai Hema, a red-shirt leader who is a politician of the Pheu Thai Party, said that representatives from the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties agreed that it was acceptable to them if the next general election were delayed but that the new constitution must be democratic.

"If the draft constitution is left unchanged, the political conflict will never end," he said, adding that politicians from both parties wanted the new charter to address the issues of political conflict, reconciliation and democracy. He called for a public referendum on the constitution.

Jatuporn Promphan, leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), told reporters when arriving at the meeting's venue, the Army Club, that the gathering was meant to pave the way for reform.

It was organised by the NCPO's Reconciliation Centre and featured, among others, leading politicians, political activists and media figures.

Participant Phayaw Akkahad, whose daughter was killed in the 2010 political unrest, described the meeting as a move to "seek reconciliation between politicians and the NCPO".

"I felt that they seemed to talk about reconciliation between politicians and the NCPO. They almost didn't talk about the people," she said.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha defended the junta's sudden invitation to the meeting of some 40 people, which included red-shirt leaders and academics, to the "reconciliation talk".

He said it was not a repeat of the summons issued right after the coup last May, when many people were detained for up to a week to have their attitudes "adjusted".

Some of those invited in person by military officers who visited their homes feared going to yesterday's meeting and refused to attend while one attendee prepared his clothes in case he was detained by the military.

However, they all were allowed to leave after the morning session and have lunch at the Army Club, with no one having to sign any "agreement" with the NCPO.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was among those in attendance. He left without talking to reporters.

Siam University law lecturer Ekachai Chainuvati said the invitees were treated politely and allowed to speak and leave freely.

The meeting was chaired by the commander of the First Region Army Region Lt-General Kampanat Ruddit, who is also director of the Reconciliation Centre.

Ekachai said no one was asked to sign an agreement with the NCPO restricting their civic rights, unlike the hundreds summoned by the junta after the coup. "The outcome was that it was a military-style reconciliation talks," said Ekachai, adding however that some people were afraid after military officers visited them in person to extend the invitation at night without prior notice.

Staging the meeting at the same place where many people were detained last year was also a cause for concern, Ekachai said.

The law lecturer said Kampanat responded by arranging a meeting room that would not bring back unpleasant old memories.

Ekachai said the absence of leaders from the People's Democratic Reform Committee was noted.

Another invitee, red-shirt UDD co-leader Nuttawut Saikuar, said reconciliation could only be achieved when there was equality among people and a balance of power among many groups.

Former deputy premier Pongthep Thepkanchana, a member of the Pheu Thai Party, was also there.

Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa was among those who did not attend. He said he was busy defending a client in Chiang Mai.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Parties-not-averse-to-poll-delay-30258641.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-24

[chainarong]

It is one thing to attend a meeting it is another to pack your bags in-case you don't return home that day and I don't give a frog arse what colour shirt you wear, unfortunately that is what it is, you never know with the crowd running the place whether you will be aloud to leave , something akin to Hotel California, as to the question, one doubts if anything will be achieved for the people except the blue rinse set and the ruling elite establishing themselves back into their slotted positions they had before those lousy up- start students took it all away.

[Chao Lao Beach]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

[NongKhaiKid]

Jatuporn minus his usual red shirt in attendance but I thought he was in all sorts of trouble or is their appeals ?

I'm surprised he was allowed to get involved given his track record, not the type of person anyone other than his own people would want to be seen with.

Is anyone up to date with his activities etc.

[Tatsujin]

"Another invitee, red-shirt UDD co-leader Nuttawut Saikuar, said reconciliation could only be achieved when there was equality among people and a balance of power among many groups."

He obviously is ignoring his Boss's plans to be the ONLY leader in Thailand, and he has shown time and time again that he doesn't want "equality" or a "balance of power".

[lucky11]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

'How much of a delay'?

Does it matter? as long as it takes to get the charter right seems to be the preferred time scale.

Tough luck if it upsets the US as it is not their country and they should stop interfering and accept what a majority of Thais want. I hope that the new ambassador (if he is approved) does a bit of research into Thainess, it's history and culture as Thailand IS NOT AMERICA!!

If it was adversely affecting the country then there may be an argument to expedite the process towards holding elections BUT things have never been better so I hope that it takes 2 or 3 years longer to get to this point. Unfortunately, I think that it will be sooner than that - the future is bright now due to the ridding of the Shinawatra's and the fact that the next election, when it comes will be free and fair for the first time in decades!!!

[Just1Voice]

"I don't want to cling to power."

Does that have as much truth to it as "There will not be a coup."???

[Just1Voice]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

'How much of a delay'?

Does it matter? as long as it takes to get the charter right seems to be the preferred time scale.

Tough luck if it upsets the US as it is not their country and they should stop interfering and accept what a majority of Thais want. I hope that the new ambassador (if he is approved) does a bit of research into Thainess, it's history and culture as Thailand IS NOT AMERICA!!

If it was adversely affecting the country then there may be an argument to expedite the process towards holding elections BUT things have never been better so I hope that it takes 2 or 3 years longer to get to this point. Unfortunately, I think that it will be sooner than that - the future is bright now due to the ridding of the Shinawatra's and the fact that the next election, when it comes will be free and fair for the first time in decades!!!

Are you sure a majority of actual Thai want this, or is that merely your own biased opinion?

However, I will agree with you if you are speaking about a majority of the greedy Thai elites.

[tx22cb]

Aren't the PDRC leaders miffed that they were not invited to this photo op? Surely not all of them are enrobed?

[Plutojames88]

Seriously , he makes death threats who is complaining?

But accidents happen ...

Words out that he is heading for one ( if the CIA ) gets its way.

[elgordo38]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

'How much of a delay'?

Does it matter? as long as it takes to get the charter right seems to be the preferred time scale.

Tough luck if it upsets the US as it is not their country and they should stop interfering and accept what a majority of Thais want. I hope that the new ambassador (if he is approved) does a bit of research into Thainess, it's history and culture as Thailand IS NOT AMERICA!!

If it was adversely affecting the country then there may be an argument to expedite the process towards holding elections BUT things have never been better so I hope that it takes 2 or 3 years longer to get to this point. Unfortunately, I think that it will be sooner than that - the future is bright now due to the ridding of the Shinawatra's and the fact that the next election, when it comes will be free and fair for the first time in decades!!!

What a majority of Thai's want? really. Free and fair WOW

[lucky11]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

'How much of a delay'?

Does it matter? as long as it takes to get the charter right seems to be the preferred time scale.

Tough luck if it upsets the US as it is not their country and they should stop interfering and accept what a majority of Thais want. I hope that the new ambassador (if he is approved) does a bit of research into Thainess, it's history and culture as Thailand IS NOT AMERICA!!

If it was adversely affecting the country then there may be an argument to expedite the process towards holding elections BUT things have never been better so I hope that it takes 2 or 3 years longer to get to this point. Unfortunately, I think that it will be sooner than that - the future is bright now due to the ridding of the Shinawatra's and the fact that the next election, when it comes will be free and fair for the first time in decades!!!

Are you sure a majority of actual Thai want this, or is that merely your own biased opinion?

However, I will agree with you if you are speaking about a majority of the greedy Thai elites.

Yes I am sure, polls after polls don't lie - you only have to look at the situation in Thailand now compared to how it was pre-coup to see this.

Besides, ALL sides at the meeting want this delay if it is deemed necessary to ensure free and fair elections when they are eventually held.

There you go, I've made my point - if you are still not convinced by this then name the groups of people who are against the delay should there be one. Remember, your examples need to total 30 million plus!! good luck with that one.

[lucky11]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

'How much of a delay'?

Does it matter? as long as it takes to get the charter right seems to be the preferred time scale.

Tough luck if it upsets the US as it is not their country and they should stop interfering and accept what a majority of Thais want. I hope that the new ambassador (if he is approved) does a bit of research into Thainess, it's history and culture as Thailand IS NOT AMERICA!!

If it was adversely affecting the country then there may be an argument to expedite the process towards holding elections BUT things have never been better so I hope that it takes 2 or 3 years longer to get to this point. Unfortunately, I think that it will be sooner than that - the future is bright now due to the ridding of the Shinawatra's and the fact that the next election, when it comes will be free and fair for the first time in decades!!!

What a majority of Thai's want? really. Free and fair WOW

The only entity that thrives on it 'not' being free and fair is Thaksin and his monstrosity the PTP!!!

[Orac]

PTP seem to have adopted an 'enough rope' strategy.

[Just1Voice]

How much of a deley ????

CIMB has issued adviced to investers saying that in their belief, when there is an election, the current PM will "win" it.

'How much of a delay'?

Does it matter? as long as it takes to get the charter right seems to be the preferred time scale.

Tough luck if it upsets the US as it is not their country and they should stop interfering and accept what a majority of Thais want. I hope that the new ambassador (if he is approved) does a bit of research into Thainess, it's history and culture as Thailand IS NOT AMERICA!!

If it was adversely affecting the country then there may be an argument to expedite the process towards holding elections BUT things have never been better so I hope that it takes 2 or 3 years longer to get to this point. Unfortunately, I think that it will be sooner than that - the future is bright now due to the ridding of the Shinawatra's and the fact that the next election, when it comes will be free and fair for the first time in decades!!!

Are you sure a majority of actual Thai want this, or is that merely your own biased opinion?

However, I will agree with you if you are speaking about a majority of the greedy Thai elites.

Yes I am sure, polls after polls don't lie - you only have to look at the situation in Thailand now compared to how it was pre-coup to see this.

Besides, ALL sides at the meeting want this delay if it is deemed necessary to ensure free and fair elections when they are eventually held.

There you go, I've made my point - if you are still not convinced by this then name the groups of people who are against the delay should there be one. Remember, your examples need to total 30 million plus!! good luck with that one.

Hard to get an accurate (truthful) poll when people are too afraid to really say what they want/believe. My wife was recently contacted by a pollster and admits to saying exactly what they wanted to hear, out of fear of what might or could happen to her if she didn't. If you trust the polls over the last year or so, which are behind the scenes sponsored by the ILLEGAL Junta, then I'll bet you also still believe in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy.

[phoenixdoglover]

As one participant noted, this was not about reconciliation between the rival political parties; this was about reconciliation between politicians and the NCPO (aka, the military).

Message: the military will be part of government. You need to reconcile with that fact.

In the face of that, delay is the better option. Yes, give the Junta some more rope.

[lucky11]

........and your 30 million Thai's that don't want a delay are?

[Artisi]

Beware the "Thai politicians" bearing gifts.

[rametindallas]

Democrats, Pheu Thai express concern, want constitution to be democratic

That proposed new charter is so 'god-awful' that even Jatuporn and Abhisit are in agreement!

Please go back to the 1997 'People's Constitution' with some small changes to strengthen NGOs and create an atmosphere for freer and fairer elections. Don't reinvent the wheel!