Uncertainty over Abhisit’s future as leader

[webfact]

Uncertainty over Abhisit’s future as leader
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party “alumni” from the supposedly defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) got together yesterday but the party’s future is unclear as key players are split on whether Abhisit Vejjajiva should remain the party leader.

 

While showing solidarity with the Democrat Party, the PDRC’s former core leaders, Thavorn Senniam and Akanat Promphan, came out differently in their support of Abhisit in his next run for premiership.

 

Abhisit, meanwhile, insisted that PDRC head Suthep Thaugsuban has washed his hands of the party for good, saying the Democrat’s former secretary general had promised not to intervene in internal affairs because he would work only in the civil sector. 

 

The rare coffee meeting yesterday between the PDRC exleaders and Abhisit came after word had spread that the PDRC was trying to take over the Democrat Party and remove the current leader.

 

In 2013 and 2014 when the PDRC was demonstrating on the streets in Bangkok, the core leaders claimed that the PDRC and the Democrat Party were unrelated.

 

After almost a twohour meetฌing, Thavorn said he wanted to make it clear that in their fight against the “Thaksin regime”, nobody had resigned from the party, refuting reports that said “they were returnฌing to Democrat Party again”.

 

“We have always been Democrats up to the present,” the former PDRC leader said. “We joined, also with the Democrat Party, the fight against the blanket Amnesty Bill and we won.”

 

‘Focused on reforms’

 

The focus of the discussion yesฌterday addressed two points, Thavorn said. First, both entities would remain united in following the road map towards an election. Second, they shared the same ambiฌtion of achieving reforms within one year after the Constitution was promulgated.

 

“We will follow everything up. If this government fails to reform [the country], then it is our duty to carry it on,” Thavorn said. “Our [PDRC and the Democrat Party’s] focus has always been aligned on this point.”

 

While noting that the party advoฌcated elections and wanted Abhisit to become PM again, Thavorn said former PDRC secretary general Suthep’s recent remark, showing support for PM Prayut Chanocha to continue his premiership for another five years, was a different view. 

 

“Holding different views is possible. Just don’t judge and say the person is wrong. Suthep’s view is not wrong. It is just his view,” Thavorn said.

 

Akanat, former spokesman of the PDRC and Suthep’s stepson, said the talk yesterday centred more around national interests, especially reforms, and less around who would run for the PM’s post or how the Democrat Party would change structurally.

 

Akanat said it was “a matter for the future” whether or not the PDRC would root for Abhisit to keep his leadership of the party.

 

In a separate interview, Abhisit said he had no power to force anyone to advocate for him. 

 

The Democrat Party was run on democratic principles; everyone had the right to choose their leader so long as the person held onto the party’s ideology, he said. 

 

“I’m not worried that there are people competing with me in chamฌpioning the leader’s position. The Democrat Party exists until today because of democracy. I’m confident that everyone is aware that we hold a certain ideology. And everyone is here today because of that ideology,” he said. “So, don’t turn that into something else. Our party is an institution. We can’t act like an adhoc one.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30316767

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-31

 

 

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The Democrat Party was run on democratic principles; everyone had the right to choose their leader so long as the person held onto the party’s ideology, he said. 

The principle just do not get much exercise

Edited May 31, 2017 by yellowboat

[JAG]

So if they never resigned from the Democratic Party, does that mean that whilst they actively planned and put into place measures which were intended, and succeeded, in preventing voting in a constitutionally mandated election, they were acting as members of that party?

 

Were they acting as members of the "Democratic Party " when they connived with the military to stage a coup, which overthrew an elected government and installed a military junta?

 

It casts a rather long shadow on the title "Democratic" doesn't it?

[mtls2005]

Good thing they used a close-up which only shows four people. Five people would be illegal, but then those rules only apply to the "other side".

 

It would be nice if they had some actual ideas (platform?) to raise everyone up, to improve the lives of all Thais, and create a sustainable democracy. Oh, right. What was I thinking?

Edited May 31, 2017 by mtls2005

[Dobredin Ghusputin]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Democrat Party was run on democratic principles; everyone had the right to choose their leader so long as the person held onto the party’s ideology, he said. 

 

You can choose any colour you want as long as it is yellow.

 

[janclaes47]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The rare coffee meeting yesterday between the PDRC exleaders and Abhisit came after word had spread that the PDRC was trying to take over the Democrat Party and remove the current leader.

 

Now who would have ever thought that. May be soon a monk as head of the democrat party?

[Dexlowe]

Perhaps Abhisit should show some moral fortitude by leading the movement for an election instead of just paying lip service to the peoples' rights. As it stands, he is seen as something of a wishy-washy figure who is allowing the likes of Chaturon to be seen as more of a peoples' champion. Certainly, he has made the odd utterance about an election, but that's not exactly "leading the way" - many Thais I speak to want reforms and the right to determine their own destiny. Abhisit is not helping them to achieve that - but sadly, no one else in the Democrats is showing any signs of courage, not even Korn, upon whom many have placed their faith.

 

 

[mtls2005]

I suspect that there is some level of distrust among some factions of the "powers-that-be" in a foreign-born, foreign-educated top boy who famously skirted military service with dodgy paperwork?

 

But he does have "the look" so suspect they have no qualms about using him as a puppet?

[spidermike007]

Abhisit deserves no future in politics. He has his chance. And he blew it on a monumental level. He was fabulously ineffective, and his cabinet was also. Granted, it was difficult period. But, all periods in Thailand are difficult. He could have done so much more. It seems as if he was not able to demonstrate any real leadership ability, and was not able to rally his troops. Time to move on. He is done, hopefully. He reminds me alot of Obama. Possibly had good intentions, but not much of a leader. And now he is reminding me a bit of Cheeto. No leadership ability whatsoever. Of course he is reminding me of Cheeto without the insanity, psychosis, pathology, hatred, racism, lack of intelligence, refusal to study, and inability to concentrate.

 

Where will the next crop of political leaders come from? Where are they now hiding? Are there any capable, and earnest potential future leaders out there? 

[Orton Rd]

clever and decent bloke, but hopelessly weak, true he had his chance and was not up to it, who is?

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Democrat Party exists until today because of democracy.

I think it's because of the grace of the junta. In the next election the military will again need a political cut-out to guarantee continuation of the Dark State agenda (now called the NCPO 20-year Reform Plan). Abhisit has proven himself a willing pawn of the elitist minority and this political meeting is an affirmation of his availability.

[55Jay]

Abhisit surfaced for air a few weeks back, along with Yingluck, to scold the Junta about squandering their opportunity to reform the country.    Apparently no attitude adjustments were given for their critical outbursts.  Now there are "rumors" that PDRC clan wanted to "take over" the Democrat Party.   And then bombs. 

 

So to clear the political air about all this non-political stuff (wink wink), former PDRC and Dems had a public meeting at a coffee shop in excess of 5 people (7 counted in article yesterday).  A careful outline of the meeting's agenda, which included an updated assurance that Godfather Suthep was out of politics for good, that PDRC and Dems are of one mind, and another rousing promise to carry on wherever the Junta leaves off in the future.  And it all gets published in The Nation with happy photographs.  No fuss, no muss, and no reaction from the Junta. 

 

[Hereinthailand]

Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss, DaDa Dum

[gamini]

Abhisit Is one of the few leaders who have got class, good breading, uncorruptible and high integrity as well as being very well educated. He was PM under very difficult circumstances and under a lot of pressure. He has learned a lot and his time will come. Hopefully he will again lead Thailand because there really isn't anyone to compare with him.

[williamgeorgeallen]

3 hours ago, gamini said:

Abhisit Is one of the few leaders who have got class, good breading, uncorruptible and high integrity as well as being very well educated. He was PM under very difficult circumstances and under a lot of pressure. He has learned a lot and his time will come. Hopefully he will again lead Thailand because there really isn't anyone to compare with him.

he wanted the coup so the army could take power and hand it over to him right? all the time he is fronting the so called democratic party.

[Reigntax]

4 hours ago, gamini said:

Abhisit Is one of the few leaders who have got class, good breading, uncorruptible and high integrity as well as being very well educated. He was PM under very difficult circumstances and under a lot of pressure. He has learned a lot and his time will come. Hopefully he will again lead Thailand because there really isn't anyone to compare with him.

 

Correct. He is the best Thai political jelly back without doubt and beyond comparison.

[Smarter Than You]

When Thailand needed and F.W. de Klerk it got Abhisit.

This tainted dud is done, Suthep calls the shots now.

[funandsuninbangkok]

Insert hand up anus

 

push up until shoulder depth, arm fully in

 

make sure fingers are tightly behind upper lip, thumb should control lower lip

 

move fingers to make Mark say what you want

 

Wash arm and hands with hot water when done with puppet. Dispose of properly. Not for reuse

[Baerboxer]

12 hours ago, JAG said:

So if they never resigned from the Democratic Party, does that mean that whilst they actively planned and put into place measures which were intended, and succeeded, in preventing voting in a constitutionally mandated election, they were acting as members of that party?

 

Were they acting as members of the "Democratic Party " when they connived with the military to stage a coup, which overthrew an elected government and installed a military junta?

 

It casts a rather long shadow on the title "Democratic" doesn't it?

 

Your furtive imaginations running away again.

[Baerboxer]

7 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

 

Yup. Pretty much a clear admission of what we all knew already but others still lie or are in denial about.

 

Yet there are some that consider this criminal and illegal behaviour to be completely acceptable and benevolent. 

 

Like presuming UKIP members or Militant Tendency members might be member of the Tories or Labor as an analogy. 

 

Or being an appointed Red Shirt leader and an appointed party list PTP MP.

 

Yep, that's how pressure groups work.

Edited May 31, 2017 by Baerboxer

[wakeupplease]

Democrat

 

The magpie and his possie do not know the meaning of the word

[JAG]

57 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Your furtive imaginations running away again.

Really? Which bits am I imagining then? The election being blocked, or the coup being planned? 

 

You surely don't believe that the election "self destructed", or that the commander in chief woke one morning, yawned, scratched his fundamental orifice and said, "Why not, I'll stage a coup right after NAAFI break?"

 

I know you're not that daft...

Edited May 31, 2017 by JAG

[Cadbury]

Abhisit may be a fine man but there is only one leader in Thailand and that is PM Prayut. When he is the mood to talk to the media he will remind you; just in case you are uncertain.

Edited May 31, 2017 by Cadbury