UDD calls for international observation of referendum

[webfact]

UDD calls for international observation of referendum



BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship or the red-shirt movement has called for the United Nations, the European Union or an international organization to send teams to observe the national referendum on the draft charter in Thailand to ensure fairness, transparency and trust.

UDD chairman Jatuporn Promphan made the above statement at a press conference held at the movement’s head office at Imperial Lad Phrao shopping mall which coincided with the announcement of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee Foundation in support of the draft charter. Other key UDD members were also present.

Pointing out at what he described as the current climate of fear in which people are scared to express their political opinions, Jatuporn said that it is impractical for the referendum to be staged in a just and fair manner unless there are teams for the UN, the EU or an international orgainisation to observe the referendum scheduled on August 7.

The UDD leader noted that there is still a lot of confusion regarding the referendum law, particularly Section 61 which specifies that anyone who uses rude or aggressive language, intimidation or violent means against the referendum will be liable to ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of 200,000 baht and may lose their voting right for five years.

Jatuporn questioned the basis used to define an alleged act of rudeness or a rude language. He said that no one had ever written a law in such a fashion.

He disclosed that the UDD core members recently demanded the Election Commission to clarify Section 61 to do away with the confusion.

He called upon members of the public to act as “eyes and ears” of the UDD and to report any irregularities about the referendum on the voting day.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/160805


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-25

[noitom]

He's asking for clarity when the express purpose of the law was to be opaque.

[Somtamnication]

"at the movement’s head office at Imperial Lad Phrao shopping mall". Note to self:.....don't shop at Imperial Lad Phrao.

[Bluespunk]

"Pointing out at what he described as the current climate of fear in which people are scared to express their political opinions, Jatuporn said"

Oh the irony.

Climates of fear? Not allowing others to express their political opinion?

They are the core principles underpinning the UDD.

[Ricardo]

Nothing wrong with having overseas-observers monitor referenda or elections, although this seems less-than-popular here, possibly because "the U.N. is not my father", or has the movement gotten past that point-of-principle now, in which case 'Good' !

[NongKhaiKid]

This is rich coming from the UDD and especially a thug like Jatuporn who should be gracing the inside of a prison cell.

Remember " we won the election, we can do what we like " ?

Unfortunately for LoS there's never much to choose from and aren't all elections, referendums etc above board anyway ?

[smedly]

"Pointing out at what he described as the current climate of fear in which people are scared to express their political opinions, Jatuporn said"

Oh the irony.

Climates of fear? Not allowing others to express their political opinion?

They are the core principles underpinning the UDD.

Thailands finest pillars of democracy................................?

[greenchair]

When Thaksin side stepped regulations and put his daughter in a university programme above other students.

When Thaksin wanted to buy a football team.

When Thaksin wife bought land without paying taxes.

When yingluck tried to change the 2007 constitution back to the original 1997.

When yingluck tried to create an amnesty so Thaksin could come back.

The people protested, all actions were either withdrawn or thoroughly investigated (eventually ).

When park (delete )

When 11 billion (delete)

When projects outlandishly overpriced (delete)

When laws are changed daily(delete )

When immunity (delete ).

When constitution (delete delete delete ).

When family jobs (delete )

When corruption in any government official (delete ).

The people AGREED to everything so the country could move forward.

[klauskunkel]

Pointing out at what he described as the current climate of fear in which people are scared to express their political opinions

Jatuporn being nostalgic about past climates of fear he used to create:

"Our climate of fear was much better than the current one!!!"

[skildpadden]

I don't trust UDD at all, and especially Jatuporn. Their Godfather didn't adhere to UN, so it is a bit ironic hearing this call for UN from them.

However it does make sense to have international observers (UN, OECD, EU or whatever) at the referendum, and for the PM it would be a way to show he is honest about his intentions.

[In Town]

You folks will complain about anything. He is calling for fair elections, not elections that somehow favour redshirts. Are you against the very concept of fair elections? Oh yes, and its all Thaksin's fault.

Unbelievable la la land of smiles.

[Bluespunk]

You folks will complain about anything. He is calling for fair elections, not elections that somehow favour redshirts. Are you against the very concept of fair elections? Oh yes, and its all Thaksin's fault.

Unbelievable la la land of smiles.

No, he's being a hypocrite in calling for things he never allowed.

[In Town]

You folks will complain about anything. He is calling for fair elections, not elections that somehow favour redshirts. Are you against the very concept of fair elections? Oh yes, and its all Thaksin's fault.

Unbelievable la la land of smiles.

No, he's being a hypocrite in calling for things he never allowed.

Complete and utter bullcrap. The UDD and Jataporn never ever have tried to limit speech or prevent anyone from participating in elections. You have somehow inverted reality in your own mind, but just because you say it doesn't make it true in any way. We all know who controls speech and prevents fair elections, and it is not the UDD. Its not even Thaksin.

[craigt3365]

Nothing wrong with having overseas-observers monitor referenda or elections, although this seems less-than-popular here, possibly because "the U.N. is not my father", or has the movement gotten past that point-of-principle now, in which case 'Good' !

The norm for Thai politicians is to tell outsiders to mind their own business. They don't understand "Thainess". Incredible they are asking for it now. Wow.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Thaksin_Shinawatra

• "UN is not my father"

  • March 2003 -- His reply to a reporter when asked about the announcement of United Nation's Human Rights Office that it would to send officials observe Thai police conduct during Thaksin's anti-drugs campaign, which eventually left several thousand people dead.

[In Town]

Nothing wrong with having overseas-observers monitor referenda or elections, although this seems less-than-popular here, possibly because "the U.N. is not my father", or has the movement gotten past that point-of-principle now, in which case 'Good' !

The norm for Thai politicians is to tell outsiders to mind their own business. They don't understand "Thainess". Incredible they are asking for it now. Wow.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Thaksin_Shinawatra

• "UN is not my father"

  • March 2003 -- His reply to a reporter when asked about the announcement of United Nation's Human Rights Office that it would to send officials observe Thai police conduct during Thaksin's anti-drugs campaign, which eventually left several thousand people dead.

Again you equate Thaksin with UDD. Is that really fair? UDD has always supported international monitoring in Thailand; its the xenophobic Democrat/PDRC that want to hide in the darkness, afraid their malfeasence will come to light in the illumination of international scrutiny.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

brought to you by the same team that thought it was ok to have the opposition party removed from parliament by the riot squad so they could pass their biased and corrupt bills in the middle of the night.

Karma is a bitch

[sweatalot]

What about calling for international investigation of "UDD" ?

their performance regarding violence and arson ?

proof for their democratic behavior ?

how do they (and their followers) define democracy ?

who is financing them?

who is paying for their radio stations?

who paid for their failed coup in 2010 - which must have been quite expensive?

How do they persuade their followers?

what about their violent attack on a PM and spelling HIV infected blood and shit at his house ?

what about pretending a funeral ceemony for people they did not like?

what about chasing away artist they did not like?

etc. etc.

Edited April 25, 2016 by sweatalot

[Bluespunk]

You folks will complain about anything. He is calling for fair elections, not elections that somehow favour redshirts. Are you against the very concept of fair elections? Oh yes, and its all Thaksin's fault.

Unbelievable la la land of smiles.

No, he's being a hypocrite in calling for things he never allowed.

Complete and utter bullcrap. The UDD and Jataporn never ever have tried to limit speech or prevent anyone from participating in elections. You have somehow inverted reality in your own mind, but just because you say it doesn't make it true in any way. We all know who controls speech and prevents fair elections, and it is not the UDD. Its not even Thaksin.

THe UDD are the antithesis of free speech and their bully boy tactics while PT were in power created climates of fear.

Their attempts to prevent any event allowing political views they disagreed with, which were frequent and always threatened violence if they didn't get their way, shows their utter disregard for free speech.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Bluespunk

[In Town]

You folks will complain about anything. He is calling for fair elections, not elections that somehow favour redshirts. Are you against the very concept of fair elections? Oh yes, and its all Thaksin's fault.

Unbelievable la la land of smiles.

No, he's being a hypocrite in calling for things he never allowed.

Complete and utter bullcrap. The UDD and Jataporn never ever have tried to limit speech or prevent anyone from participating in elections. You have somehow inverted reality in your own mind, but just because you say it doesn't make it true in any way. We all know who controls speech and prevents fair elections, and it is not the UDD. Its not even Thaksin.

THe UDD are the antithesis of free speech and their bully boy tactics while PT were in power created climates of fear.

Their attempts to prevent any event allowing political views they disagreed with were frequent and always threatened violence if they didn't get their way shows their utter disregard for free speech.

Oh yes, you are right. How could I have forgotten that they muzzled Suthep, Abhisit and Issara, and closed down Blue Sky TV. Yes, neither the Democrats or PAD or PDRC were ever allow to spew their filthy hatred on the airwaves or in print. Newspapers everywhere were prevented from reporting news, and political parties were not allowed to meet. Yes, I think I remember now.

[sweatalot]

Nothing wrong with having overseas-observers monitor referenda or elections, although this seems less-than-popular here, possibly because "the U.N. is not my father", or has the movement gotten past that point-of-principle now, in which case 'Good' !

The norm for Thai politicians is to tell outsiders to mind their own business. They don't understand "Thainess". Incredible they are asking for it now. Wow.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Thaksin_Shinawatra

• "UN is not my father"

  • March 2003 -- His reply to a reporter when asked about the announcement of United Nation's Human Rights Office that it would to send officials observe Thai police conduct during Thaksin's anti-drugs campaign, which eventually left several thousand people dead.

Again you equate Thaksin with UDD. Is that really fair? UDD has always supported international monitoring in Thailand; its the xenophobic Democrat/PDRC that want to hide in the darkness, afraid their malfeasence will come to light in the illumination of international scrutiny.

"Again you equate Thaksin with UDD."

and right so

or better he is the owner, commander in chief and paymaster of the reds

[djjamie]

After witnessing how Jatuporn works and his ability to blame everyone for the faults of the UDD I would love to see how this plays out.

Without international observations Jatuporn will state that the referendum is rigged. (Rightly so to)

With international observation and the vote is a "no vote" then we can be assured that the majority voice was reflected in the result.

Now the Jatuporn factor ----With international observation and the vote is a "yes vote" Jatuporn will blame the international observers as being biased because he simply cannot respect the majority when that majority does not do what he wants them to do.

I for one hope there is international observation of this referendum and I hope the small violent minority backing Jatuporn will respect the majorities wishes no matter what the outcome.

Edited April 25, 2016 by djjamie

[Bluespunk]

No, he's being a hypocrite in calling for things he never allowed.

Complete and utter bullcrap. The UDD and Jataporn never ever have tried to limit speech or prevent anyone from participating in elections. You have somehow inverted reality in your own mind, but just because you say it doesn't make it true in any way. We all know who controls speech and prevents fair elections, and it is not the UDD. Its not even Thaksin.

THe UDD are the antithesis of free speech and their bully boy tactics while PT were in power created climates of fear.

Their attempts to prevent any event allowing political views they disagreed with were frequent and always threatened violence if they didn't get their way shows their utter disregard for free speech.

Oh yes, you are right. How could I have forgotten that they muzzled Suthep, Abhisit and Issara, and closed down Blue Sky TV. Yes, neither the Democrats or PAD or PDRC were ever allow to spew their filthy hatred on the airwaves or in print. Newspapers everywhere were prevented from reporting news, and political parties were not allowed to meet. Yes, I think I remember now.

I have never expressed support for suthep or the pdrc. Quite the opposite in fact.

However that doesn't change the fact that the udd are a bunch of violent, street thug, bully boy, stormtroopers.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Bluespunk

[In Town]

After witnessing how Jatuporn works and his ability to blame everyone for the faults of the UDD I would love to see how this plays out.

Without international observations Jatuporn will state that the referendum is rigged. (Rightly so to)

With international observation and the vote is a "no vote" then we can be assured that the majority voice was reflected in the result.

Now the Jatuporn factor ----With international observation and the vote is a "yes vote" Jatuporn will blame the international observers as being biased because he simply cannot respect the majority when that majority does not do what he wants them to do.

I for one hope there is international observation of this referendum and I hope the small violent minority backing Jatuporn will respect the majorities wishes no matter what the outcome.

I agree with you 100%. Lets have a fair referendum and respect the majority's wishes no matter what the outcome, for or against.

[sweatalot]

THe UDD are the antithesis of free speech and their bully boy tactics while PT were in power created climates of fear.

Their attempts to prevent any event allowing political views they disagreed with were frequent and always threatened violence if they didn't get their way shows their utter disregard for free speech.

Oh yes, you are right. How could I have forgotten that they muzzled Suthep, Abhisit and Issara, and closed down Blue Sky TV. Yes, neither the Democrats or PAD or PDRC were ever allow to spew their filthy hatred on the airwaves or in print. Newspapers everywhere were prevented from reporting news, and political parties were not allowed to meet. Yes, I think I remember now.

you seem to be somebody who tries to derail this thread - the subject is not Suthep, Abhisit, Issara

stick to the subject please

[In Town]

Oh yes, you are right. How could I have forgotten that they muzzled Suthep, Abhisit and Issara, and closed down Blue Sky TV. Yes, neither the Democrats or PAD or PDRC were ever allow to spew their filthy hatred on the airwaves or in print. Newspapers everywhere were prevented from reporting news, and political parties were not allowed to meet. Yes, I think I remember now.

THe UDD are the antithesis of free speech and their bully boy tactics while PT were in power created climates of fear.

Their attempts to prevent any event allowing political views they disagreed with were frequent and always threatened violence if they didn't get their way shows their utter disregard for free speech.

you seem to be somebody who tries to derail this thread - the subject is not Suthep, Abhisit, Issara

stick to the subject please

Look, this thread is about the UDD's call for international observers of the referendum. Its not me that suggested the UDD's call is hypocritical because they have a (non-existent) history of suppressing free speech, its not me that blamed it all on Thaksin, even though that name is not mentioned in the article. I'm am just trying to correct factual mischaracterisations. You should appreciate that.

[craigt3365]

Again you equate Thaksin with UDD. Is that really fair? UDD has always supported international monitoring in Thailand; its the xenophobic Democrat/PDRC that want to hide in the darkness, afraid their malfeasence will come to light in the illumination of international scrutiny.

With respect, the UDD was formed after Thaksin was kicked out by a coup. With the express intent of supporting him. This topic isn't about the Democrats/PDRC.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13294268

The red-shirts began as supporters of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in September 2006. This support has transferred to Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party led by his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin_Shinawatra

From abroad he has continued to influence Thai politics, through the People's Power Party that ruled in 2008, and its successor organization Pheu Thai Party, as well as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or "red shirt" movement.

You did see Thaksin's quote about the UN? I don't see the UDD having always in support of international monitoring in Thailand.

[Bluespunk]

Oh yes, you are right. How could I have forgotten that they muzzled Suthep, Abhisit and Issara, and closed down Blue Sky TV. Yes, neither the Democrats or PAD or PDRC were ever allow to spew their filthy hatred on the airwaves or in print. Newspapers everywhere were prevented from reporting news, and political parties were not allowed to meet. Yes, I think I remember now.

THe UDD are the antithesis of free speech and their bully boy tactics while PT were in power created climates of fear.

Their attempts to prevent any event allowing political views they disagreed with were frequent and always threatened violence if they didn't get their way shows their utter disregard for free speech.

you seem to be somebody who tries to derail this thread - the subject is not Suthep, Abhisit, Issara

stick to the subject please

Look, this thread is about the UDD's call for international observers of the referendum. Its not me that suggested the UDD's call is hypocritical because they have a (non-existent) history of suppressing free speech, its not me that blamed it all on Thaksin, even though that name is not mentioned in the article. I'm am just trying to correct factual mischaracterisations. You should appreciate that.

No it was me that said it was hypocritical and it is, despite what you may try to tell yourself.

[In Town]

Again you equate Thaksin with UDD. Is that really fair? UDD has always supported international monitoring in Thailand; its the xenophobic Democrat/PDRC that want to hide in the darkness, afraid their malfeasence will come to light in the illumination of international scrutiny.

With respect, the UDD was formed after Thaksin was kicked out by a coup. With the express intent of supporting him. This topic isn't about the Democrats/PDRC.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13294268

The red-shirts began as supporters of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in September 2006. This support has transferred to Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party led by his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin_Shinawatra

From abroad he has continued to influence Thai politics, through the <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" data-cke-saved-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People" s_power_party_(thailand)"="">People's Power Party that ruled in 2008, and its successor organization Pheu Thai Party, as well as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or "red shirt" movement.

You did see Thaksin's quote about the UN? I don't see the UDD having always in support of international monitoring in Thailand.

With respect. The UDD was formed in opposition to the 2006 coup, which denied the majority their democratic choice, and they have stated over and over that they are against double standards in society and for democracy. Many, including the maoist redshirt, reject Thaksin; but many more remember him with fondness as the only national leader the country has ever had that seemed to listen to the poor, and develop programs to relieve there suffering. And its true that Thaksin has from time to time supported the movement, but it is more accurate to say they are in parallel rather than one. PT is the vehicle of Thaksin. If, as seems likely, Thaksin never returns to Thailand, the movement for democracy will continue without him. His removal may have been the spark, but the movement has moved well past simple Thaksinism.

PT depends on UDD for votes because they agree on more political issues than disagree, but they are different entities. PT are old time politicians while UDD are mostly new and modern.

Yes, in 2003 Thaksin rejected UN monitoring of the war on drugs. I agree, So?

[craigt3365]

Thai politics are complex...and extremely corrupt. All around. Time for new players who actually care for their country, not their pocket books. UDD doesn't fall into that camp. Nor does the competition. Sadly....

[SABloke]

"at the movement’s head office at Imperial Lad Phrao shopping mall". Note to self:.....don't shop at Imperial Lad Phrao.

I went there once for my visa. Let's just say calling it a ''grimy'' place would be putting it mildly.