Poll delay proposal slammed
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai demands speedy election; politicians who attended Thursday's meeting do not represent the people, say experts

A PROPOSAL by political leaders to have the next general election deferred by at least a year in order to fix the draft constitution came under a barrage of criticism yesterday. Opponents of the idea said the proposal made no sense, lacked a mandate and would further derail a return to democracy.

Pheu Thai Party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said yesterday that the party wants a speedy election.

Some participants at Thursday's meeting with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) suggested that the military junta of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha could stay on for at least another year or even longer if the draft charter would be made acceptable to all and be submitted to a national referendum.

Those who support the move reportedly included Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Jatuporn Promphan and Chart Thai Pattana representative Somsak Prissananantakul.

However, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno yesterday said that an amendment to the provisional charter would be needed in order to allow an extension of the charter-writing process.

Phumtham, who was among the 40 or so participants at Thursday's meeting with the NCPO, yesterday said there must be a quick return of power to the people.

"We want election to be held quickly … and for the rights and liberties of the people to be respected," said Phumtham, who made over a dozen tweets on the issue yesterday.

Phumtham said media reports that there was a consensus to give the NCPO and the Prayut administration more time were inaccurate.

A source from the meeting on Thursday, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, told The Nation that a military officer kept repeating the same question to many key participants. The question was what they thought of a delay of the next general election, which is currently slated for early next year.

Siam University law lecturer Ekachai Chainuvati, who attended the meeting hosted by the NCPO's Reconciliation Centre at the Army Club, is also opposed to a deferred roadmap to election and insisted that there was no consensus.

"I am 100 per cent against such a move. My position has always been that election is a basic and fundamental human right vested in all human beings all over the world. The event of May 22 [2014] was damaging enough. The more the NCPO extends its stay, the worse it will be," said Ekachai.

He added that whatever suggestions were made in support of the election delay were made by individual politicians and cannot be construed as being the position of each political party, as all parties are now banned by the NCPO from holding meetings.

Pro-democracy activist Phayaw Akkhad, who was also at the meeting, accused politicians of making the move to appease the military junta without considering the views of the people.

She said politicians should ask themselves whether they have a mandate from the people to make such proposal.

"I don't agree with [the proposal] allowing the military junta who seized power to stay longer," said Phayaw.

She added that politicians should be sensitive to the fact that the political rights of the people have been robbed by the 2014 putsch.

"They don't respect the people," Phayaw remarked. "And do they really represent the people?"

Political scientist Sirote Klampaiboon yesterday called the proposal a "bad sign", and an attempt to create a political discourse that would extend the length of stay in power for the military junta by citing the inadequate draft charter as an excuse.

"In the current situation, the CDC can still amend the draft charter [within the given timeframe]."

Sirote questioned if the leaders of the two big parties were now colluding with the NCPO.

National Reform Council (NRC) member Alongkorn Ponlaboot said it is necessary for the Kingdom to quickly return to democracy in accordance with the original roadmap of the NCPO and any delay was unacceptable.

Akanat Promphan, spokesperson of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said amending the draft can be done within the current time frame. He added that it's not too late for the CDC to heed the criticisms.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Poll-delay-proposal-slammed-30258753.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-25

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

This Nation article is very different from the report made by a General yesterday.

I smell Attitude Adjustment in the air.

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

hmm, I don't recall us agreeing too often, but it looks like we might agree on what the 'intervention' last year was not about, namely, not about reconciliation, stopping corruption, nor preventing a 'civil war'...

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

hmm, I don't recall us agreeing too often, but it looks like we might agree on what the 'intervention' last year was not about, namely, not about reconciliation, stopping corruption, nor preventing a 'civil war'...

Perhaps not. But the level of political violence has dropped to a very low level, some formerly untouchable people are having their corruption exposed, and a major incurrence of debt by the corrupt Yingluk government was prevented.

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

hmm, I don't recall us agreeing too often, but it looks like we might agree on what the 'intervention' last year was not about, namely, not about reconciliation, stopping corruption, nor preventing a 'civil war'...

The time for good humour, jokes, a cup of hope and a little satire has passed. Now it's the cold hard reality of the situation the country is faced with we have to address.....but I still have a pinch of hope being an optimist.

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

hmm, I don't recall us agreeing too often, but it looks like we might agree on what the 'intervention' last year was not about, namely, not about reconciliation, stopping corruption, nor preventing a 'civil war'...

The time for good humour, jokes, a cup of hope and a little satire has passed. Now it's the cold hard reality of the situation the country is faced with we have to address.....but I still have a pinch of hope being an optimist.

well, I know what you mean.

But I am not terribly optimistic at this point.

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

Actually those "minions" you despise are the people of the country you live in (and up country? - PT almost took Bangkok in the last 3 elections). And if you've missed it, the primary problem faces right now is disappearing down a financial black hole. The nation is a mess.

Hell, he can't even get the trains to run on time ...

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TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

That's a little bit rosy tinted. The noses have changed at the trough, not the activity. If anything it's intensified.

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think. alt=wai.gif>

There is a "deliberate flaw" but it's not the conspiracy of a red herring. It is from the beginning a military establishment that believes it has the sole right to determine the how, what, when, and where of Thai people's rights and liberties. It is with the military that believes it alone has the right of judgement to determine the destiny of 65 million Thais and the NCPO's agenda for the draft 2015 constitution reflects that perception with rigid military precision.

It is the military's view of Thai society that is fatal. In real democracies that isn't an issue as the miltary has no political power. Military leaders either "resign" or are fired by their civilian superiors. But in Thailand the military has since 1932 held the Thai peoples hostage to its armed might and not allowed any constitution to remain involatile no matter the wording of their constitution (ref. Article 6-1997 Constitution).

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

I'm afraid that situation will also be applicable in 2016-2017-2018...........................

Do you prefer indefinite military ruling?

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

hmm, I don't recall us agreeing too often, but it looks like we might agree on what the 'intervention' last year was not about, namely, not about reconciliation, stopping corruption, nor preventing a 'civil war'...

lets hope it has prevented a civil war & not postponed it

Perhaps not. But the level of political violence has dropped to a very low level, some formerly untouchable people are having their corruption exposed, and a major incurrence of debt by the corrupt Yingluk government was prevented.

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

Actually those "minions" you despise are the people of the country you live in (and up country? - PT almost took Bangkok in the last 3 elections). And if you've missed it, the primary problem faces right now is disappearing down a financial black hole. The nation is a mess.

Hell, he can't even get the trains to run on time ...

He never said he despises the people up country - just the gangsters that bribe, intimidate, coerce and con them into voting for them so they can line their own pockets.

PT did really well in the Dong Meuang by-election, loosing a safe seat where their candidate had given up his party list seat; or the Bangkok governor election when Thaksin was so sure they'd win he arrogantly offered to put up a telephone pole as candidate. Face up to it - people have realized when it comes to the Shins - you can polish a turd but it's still and always will be a turd.

Did the railways run wonderfully smoothly, on time and safely under previous PM's? Seem to remember constant derailments and accidents with trains under YL puppet regime. Using your logic she was responsible as PM Her lad did apparently design the lunchboxes for their high speed supa dupa planned trains that only hiso would be able to afford.

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TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

That's a little bit rosy tinted. The noses have changed at the trough, not the activity. If anything it's intensified.

Intensified - any proof, evidence, facts you'd care to share with us? Or just spouting the usual PT propaganda lies?

PTP - wanted to get their hands on a 2.2 trillion baht loan, which they'd administer off budget, without parliamentary checks. And when challenged the puppet said "just trust us" 5555 She tells even bigger whoppers than you. What a bunch of comedians!

Those of PT who keep talking about returning power to the people should keep in mind the fact that it was the power of the people which disposed of them when the people came out in protest against them when they tried to push through the amnesty bill which nobody wanted.

This included their own people, as per :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678356-more-and-more-red-shirts-taking-a-stand-against-thai-amnesty-bill/

BANGKOK: -- OPPOSITION against the controversial blanket amnesty bill within the red-shirt movement is growing as the Pheu Thai Party refuses to budge and continues trying to push it through Parliament.

Those who are now claim to speak for the people have no mandate to do so and are only representing their own interests.

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

Coming from you, this comment is not surprising..the adjustment session worked quite well on you it seems.

Prayout is not saving the country, he is saving the wealth of the elite and his own which may be in danger when this "particular event" will happen

Those of PT who keep talking about returning power to the people should keep in mind the fact that it was the power of the people which disposed of them when the people came out in protest against them when they tried to push through the amnesty bill which nobody wanted.

This included their own people, as per :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678356-more-and-more-red-shirts-taking-a-stand-against-thai-amnesty-bill/

BANGKOK: -- OPPOSITION against the controversial blanket amnesty bill within the red-shirt movement is growing as the Pheu Thai Party refuses to budge and continues trying to push it through Parliament.

Those who are now claim to speak for the people have no mandate to do so and are only representing their own interests.

Wrong, for the first part of your comment, this was not the reason the army stepped in.

Right for the second part : Prayout has no legitimate mandate and represent only his own interest as well as the "happy few" at the top of the country

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

Actually those "minions" you despise are the people of the country you live in (and up country? - PT almost took Bangkok in the last 3 elections). And if you've missed it, the primary problem faces right now is disappearing down a financial black hole. The nation is a mess.

Hell, he can't even get the trains to run on time ...

But;....but, nobody else has ever got the trains to run on time either !

PT are only bringing this up for self serving reasons. Some of them will be very worried they are next on the hit list for 'Unusual Wealth', others will be worried they are not going to get their noses back in the trough before they get to retirement age. Anyone who thinks these people are interested in what's good for the country and its people is demented !

TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

Yes, if this 'cleansing operation' was being applied evenly & fairly instead of using it as an excuse for exterminating your political rivals.

Any optimism would end with the same Peau thai (current name ) corrupt gangsters put back by their minions up country. Keep the reigns of power General P and save the country from completely dissappearing down a black hole!

I'm afraid that situation will also be applicable in 2016-2017-2018...........................

Do you prefer indefinite military ruling?

Yes!!! More of the same please. In fact as long as they can stall the process for would suit me.

TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

Yes, if this 'cleansing operation' was being applied evenly & fairly instead of using it as an excuse for exterminating your political rivals.

If you had a plague of rats in your house................................

TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

Yes, if this 'cleansing operation' was being applied evenly & fairly instead of using it as an excuse for exterminating your political rivals.

If you had a plague of rats in your house................................

Problem is, they are in every house & by exterminating them in only some the problem remains.

I agree with those who recognize that the squabbling among political factions will be used by the Junta as an indicator of "instability", and thus will be cause for postponing elections. This could go on indefinitely.

If only Thailand could achieve what other countries have achieved, where politicians never differ.

Last night, the self-appointed Prime Minister was complaining that he has so many problems to solve, and people were so impatient. He seemed petulant and self absorbed. My wife said he sounded like a "mafia" guy. Poor guy. People obey his orders, but nobody loves him.

TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

Yes, if this 'cleansing operation' was being applied evenly & fairly instead of using it as an excuse for exterminating your political rivals.

If you had a plague of rats in your house................................

Problem is, they are in every house & by exterminating them in only some the problem remains.

Generally they are more plentiful in certain houses because they were previously allowed to help themselves to plenty of cheese, with no restrictions.

TBH I would rather see this cleansing operation to continue as long as possible, more and more of these corrupt officials are being exposed and presented to the courts, we all know that as soon as there is an elected government in place the process will stop or at least there will be an attempt to polarize it to one side or the other- unless of course the new political structure, reforms and charter have the desired effect.

Lets not forget there are many people previously in positions of power and influence who have creamed off the Thai people through their illegal activities sitting waiting for a knock at the door or who have already exited Thailand to evade exposure - the courts and possible asset seizures, they have a vested interest in getting to elections as soon as possible.

Yes, if this 'cleansing operation' was being applied evenly & fairly instead of using it as an excuse for exterminating your political rivals.

If you had a plague of rats in your house................................

Problem is, they are in every house & by exterminating them in only some the problem remains.

Trouble is, 90% of the rats live in the North, so surely, dealing with the problem where it is most needed is the way to set about eradicating them.

I am guessing most posters on TVF have heard of a "Red Herring".

I have thought for sometime that the draft constitution was written with deliberate flaws to provoke an outcry from some people in Thailand which leads to the draft being scrapped and another undertaken....which will take some time. I think I am right!

I am thinking it's a deliberate ply to maintain the status quo until after a special someone joins his eminent forbears in the not so distant future.

That special someone was on telly last night and, at a guess, the wait will not be long I think.

The west calls this "floating trial balloons" to see how long they can maintain power.

Those of PT who keep talking about returning power to the people should keep in mind the fact that it was the power of the people which disposed of them when the people came out in protest against them when they tried to push through the amnesty bill which nobody wanted.

This included their own people, as per :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678356-more-and-more-red-shirts-taking-a-stand-against-thai-amnesty-bill/

BANGKOK: -- OPPOSITION against the controversial blanket amnesty bill within the red-shirt movement is growing as the Pheu Thai Party refuses to budge and continues trying to push it through Parliament.

Those who are now claim to speak for the people have no mandate to do so and are only representing their own interests.

Wrong, for the first part of your comment, this was not the reason the army stepped in.

Right for the second part : Prayout has no legitimate mandate and represent only his own interest as well as the "happy few" at the top of the country

Obvious from your posts you have no idea of what went on.

The Yingluck Govt had been dissolved long before the military stepped in and it was the people that brought that about.

When the military took over there was no elected Govt only 26, or was it only 22 left, appointed caretaker cabinet ministers who had been appointed by the convicted criminal on the run.

Prayout has never claimed to speak for the people it is your beloved red leaders and ex PT MP's who are making that (false) claim.