Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

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Wissanu denies wanting to dissolve, reregister parties
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam Tuesday denied that he wanted the political party laws to be rewritten so all political parties are dissolved and registered as new parties.

"Others may want that but I did not say that, nor did I make a leading comment to test the waters," he said.

Wissanu also ruled out the possibility of an 11-month road map to democracy following a 3-3-3-2 formula as presented by Pheu Thai Party leader Chaturon Chaisang, who was education minister under the last government. According to the formula, three months would be spent writing a new charter, three months on a public referendum, three months to write supplementary laws and two months on election campaigns.

Wissanu's formula on the other hand is 6-4-6-4. The deputy PM said Chaturon's method barely allows enough time for the charter drafters to write organic laws. Even though old constitutions such as those written in 1997, 2007 or the last charter draft could be used as models, they would still need to be revamped.

Also, he said, political parties would have problems if they are given just two months to campaign for votes, especially if the new election laws carry some "bizarre" content.

"Once there are new political party laws, the old ones will be automatically cancelled. Old political parties will have to be registered and maybe even find new party members. If you give them just two months, old parties would be at an advantage, while new parties would be disadvantaged. This is why we want at least four months," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Wissanu-denies-wanting-to-dissolve-reregister-part-30269310.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-22

[mikemac]

................."Others may want that but I did not say that, nor did I make a leading comment to test the waters," he said."..................

Ah-ha ! But now you are doing just that, testing the waters.

[thesetat2013]

It would probably be the best thing to happen with Thai politics. Get rid of the reds and yellows and make them reapply with a chance at refusals for applications based on past events.

[Fat Haggis]

It would probably be the best thing to happen with Thai politics. Get rid of the reds and yellows and make them reapply with a chance at refusals for applications based on past events.

A much better thing would be for the army to do what it's supposed to do,and trains to do, and to keep out of politics altogether, instead of being the common denominator since the 1930's!!

[bangrak]

Dessolve all(!) political parties seems a must to me, but it's that re-registering part I have a problem with: don't!

[Reigntax]

It would probably be the best thing to happen with Thai politics. Get rid of the reds and yellows and make them reapply with a chance at refusals for applications based on past events.

A much better thing would be for the army to do what it's supposed to do,and trains to do, and to keep out of politics altogether, instead of being the common denominator since the 1930's!!

Do you mean trains for coups? I cant think of anything else they have achieved during that period.

[Srikcir]

Wissanu's formula means 20 more months added to the already 16 months that Prayut has been in power or a total of 3 years! And that's assuming there are no "road bumps" along the way.

Compare this to Egypt where in the span of 12 months it had also a military coup, new constitution and national elections. All accomplished during an active terrorist resistence.

If the current government wants to truly see a transition to democracy, it needs to abandon its grand scheme of invisible dominance. Time is not on its side for a peaceful conclusion and retribution might become the meal for the day.