TotallyOz Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Who didn't see this coming? The so-called "multicolour" shirts Friday launched a signature campaign to initiate graft proceedings against Pheu Thai candidate Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin Shinawatra. The campaign, spearheaded by Tul Sitthisomwong, will set up a table to solicit signatures at Thammasat University on June 18. Tul said he wanted the Department of Special Investigation to probe Yingluck as a nominee in the asset concealment case involving ex-PM Thaksin and his family. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/&039;Multicolours&039;-launch-graft-campaign-on-Yi-30156965.html Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Who didn't see this coming? I'm sure many did. Did you happen to notice the article was published June 3, not July 3 and the signature campaign was to take place on June 18? My calendar says this month is July . . . Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 3, 2011 Author Posted July 3, 2011 I'm sure many did. Did you happen to notice the article was published June 3, not July 3 and the signature campaign was to take place on June 18? My calendar says this month is July . . . Yes, I did see that. The date does not matter. There is no way that one party is going to let the people's vote stand. I have been saying this for months. I have no doubt that the courts or the military will intervene. Do you disagree? Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Do you disagree? In Thailand, who knows? What I am expecting is since the Thai Supreme Court has upheld Thaksin's conviction and asset seizure, it's going to be difficult for any government official, including Thaksin's sister to overturn that. I don't know what kind of pardon power she would have as Prime Minister. Even if she can unilaterally pardon Thaksin and restore his assets, I doubt she would be stupid enough to actually go through with it, at least not any time soon. With the military, if another coup is in the offing, I don't think it will happen right away. I think if Yingluck does make a serious attempt to bring Thaksin back or if the military sees her as merely acting as his puppet, if the military is going to step in, that's when they would do it. After all, this is the same military that threw Thaksin out in the first place. Whatever she is, I don't think Yingluck is stupid and I don't think she would fail to see the risks involving the military. My guess is she already has had private talks with the military leadership and agreements have been probably been struck behind the scenes. In a CNN article about the election results, the last two paragraphs say: The biggest worry he (Abhisit) and his party supporters have is that Yingluck will make a move to try and bring her brother back to Thailand by offering special concessions to keep him out of jail. Yingluck has denied the accusation. "I can't do anything special for my brother," she has said. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07/03/thailand.election/index.html Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 3, 2011 Author Posted July 3, 2011 I am not sure the power of the Judicial courts have in Thailand. However, I went through 4 years of George Bush when he was appointed by the Supreme Count instead of elected. Now, we have someone truly elected but not in line with what the Supremes of Thailand want. What power they may have over this I think is as great or greater than the SCOTUS. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 What power they may have over this I think is as great or greater than the SCOTUS. That remains to be seen. Don't forget, the Shinawatra name to Thailand seems to hold a clout very similar to the clout the Kennedy name had in the USA. If Yingluck had been an ordinary politician instead of Thaksin's sister, what chance would she have had to win this election? As far as I know, she's never held a political office in her life - until now. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Interesting ending to the discussion a couple of hours ago on True Channel 78, the news channel in English. The moderator asked the guests what sort of cabinet is likely to be assembled by Pheu Thai. Whilst the general assessment was that the overall quality of MPs was slightly higher than usual this time around, one Thai commentator said the portfolios would be filled by "the usual rogues gallery of people with vested interests and questionable backgrounds, with mega projects being promoted so that the usual kick-backs can be pocketed." Clearly, plus ça change! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 What I am expecting is since the Thai Supreme Court has upheld Thaksin's conviction and asset seizure, it's going to be difficult for any government official, including Thaksin's sister to overturn that. I don't know what kind of pardon power she would have as Prime Minister. I don't share your expectations. May I refer you back to my post (#15) on the Pheu Thai Party will probably win thread, and in particular the quote from The Bangkok Post of 25th June about a Pheu Thai legal team working on the amnesty which will bring Thaksin back - Chalerm Yubamrung did not earn himself a doctoral degree in law for nothing. He is now putting his legal expertise to good use by heading the Pheu Thai Party's team in drafting an amnesty law that promises to be highly controversial indeed. . . . when it became apparent that the idea would draw more flak than praise, its confidence in getting the amnesty proposal out of the blueprint stage paled, according to a party source. Mr Chalerm, however, remained defiant. He was apparently convinced that the amnesty would be the ticket to bringing Thaksin home, ending three years of life in self-imposed exile . . . Mr Chalerm has tried to add a more agreeable ring to the amnesty plan by renaming the proposed amnesty bill as a national reconciliation bill. But the essence of it will likely be intact, meaning a reprieve for Thaksin from the two-year jail term he faces for abusing his authority during his premiership . . . Mr Chalerm is certain the bill will sail smoothly through if Pheu Thai heads the next government. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/243895/thaksin-ticket-home---amnesty Quote
PattayaMale Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 I think the fact that former PM Thaskin did so much talking today about the election results did not help his sister. To prevent problems, it might be wise for the former PM Thaskin to be quiet and let his sister do the speaking. She may follow his advice as it is true she has very little experience, but by former PM Thaskin talking too much, problems may occur. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 it might be wise for the former PM Thaskin to be quiet and let his sister do the speaking. I'd say the chances of that are roughly equivalent to getting LMTU, or me for that matter, to be quiet. I believe very few Thais saw this election as a vote for Yingluck. I believe most probably saw it as either a vote against Abhisit and/or a vote for Thaksin. I believe the majority of people who voted for her are hoping Thaksin will be able to come back with impunity and run the country. There are still a lot of Yellow-Shirts out there. It would be nice if whatever takes place now occurs legally and peacefully, but I think it's far too soon to make predictions one way or the other. I think Yingluck's toughest job now is going to be playing her cards right and winning over those opposed to Thaksin. I don't think that's going to be easy. I believe if six months go by, after she takes office, and there has been no coups or civil unrest, then she stands a good chance of success. Who knows? There could be rioting, violence, coups, and lord-knows-what. She also could turn out to be the best thing that's ever happened to Thailand. She won the election. She deserves her chance. The Thai people overwhelmingly wanted her and her party to win. I hope it all goes well, but I'm not ready to bet the farm just yet that it will. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 3, 2011 Author Posted July 3, 2011 She won the election. She deserves her chance. The Thai people overwhelmingly wanted her and her party to win. I hope it all goes well, but I'm not ready to bet the farm just yet that it will. I agree. She deserves her chance and it is possible she will become the greatest Prime Minister in the history of Thailand and I hope that is the case. I think PattayaMale has a good point and I wish Thaskin had kept quiet today. However, I don't think it hurt her at all. I think it helped her as the majority of people who voted with her today love him as well. I wish her well as she forms her new government and I hope she is able to bridge the divides that separate this amazing country. Quote
Bob Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 I believe very few Thais saw this election as a vote for Yingluck. I believe most probably saw it as either a vote against Abhisit and/or a vote for Thaksin. I believe the majority of people who voted for her are hoping Thaksin will be able to come back with impunity and run the country. I agree that the vote wasn't mainly for Yingluck but I disagree that the vote was for Thaksin. I could be wrong but I believe the votes in this election (and in 2001, 2006, and 2007) were more of a philosophical vote for the have-nots and against the rich and powerful (nevermind that many of the Peua Thai candidates fall into the "rich and powerful" category). In a sense, not much different than the usual block of voters for Democrats (have-nots) and Republicans (big business and the rich)in the US. Peua Thai, in my view, would have had the most votes in this election regardless of who they suggested would be named as Prime Minister. Quote
KhorTose Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I am more then pleased that she won. Let us all hope that the powers that be except this mandate and let this country start solving some of its monumental p[problems. I do have the urge to dig some people who told me how mad the people of Bangkok were at the red shirts for all the disruption they caused. PT received more support in Bangkok then they did in 2001 and 2005 . Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I agree that the vote wasn't mainly for Yingluck but I disagree that the vote was for Thaksin. Sorry Bob, but I have to disagree. Of course it's merely a hunch as I have only had the chance of discussing the election with a small number of Thais. But the taxi drivers and others I have chatted with here in Bangkok in the past weeks have all spoken about Thaksin and that they will vote to bring Thaksin back. Perhaps the feelings outside the capital were different. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 A friend was speaking to a Thai woman who was saying she thinks Abhisit and Thaksin are both corrupt. The difference, she said, was at least Thaksin was doing things that were of some help to the people. Abhisit was only helping his friends. I don't know how true that is, but I believe her view reflects that of a great many Thais. The thing I dislike is the perception that Yingluck's victory means Thaksin won. When Clinton was president, a joke was, "The Secret Service has dramatically increased Hillary's protection. If something ever happens to her, Bill becomes President." I can't help but wonder if the Thai perception is if anything ever happens to Thaksin, Yingluck becomes Prime Minister . . . Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Like it or not, there will be be a number attempts at settling of old scores, such is the nature of Thai politics. Today the Chairwoman of the red shirt movement, Thida Thavornset, is calling for the new government to bring those responsible for the killings in May last year to justice. She said outgoing prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and officials in the Centre for Resolutions of Emergency Situation would be held responsible for the deaths and injuries. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Thida-calls-on-new-govt-to-bring-Abhisit-military--30159414.html I guess that statement is the Thai version of a preliminary perp walk! Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 is calling for the new government to bring those responsible for the killings in May last year to justice. I hope they are brought to justice. But, isn't The Nation owned by the NY Daily Post? One seems to be as agenda free as the other one. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I guess that statement is the Thai version of a preliminary perp walk! They say turnabout is fair play. Maybe this time Abhisit will be the one who has to flee the country to avoid a prison term. Of course, maybe justice would be served if both Abhisit and Thaksin end up sharing a cell. Quote
Guest HeyGay Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I'd say the chances of that are roughly equivalent to getting LMTU, or me for that matter, to be quiet. Yes and Ill be avoiding a certain Cafe just off Sunee plaza for the USA Day celebration with all the hot air blowing up Soi Yabba. Thailand's fate rests on how Thaksin wields new power BANGKOK, July 4, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's hopes of emerging from years of political turmoil hinge on how a victorious opposition wields its new-found power, including a possible amnesty for its fugitive leader, experts say. After overseeing a landslide victory by his Puea Thai party from self-imposed exile, Thailand's controversial ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra is widely expected to pull the strings in the new government. Yet hasty attempts to bring him back as a free man would likely rattle his powerful enemies and threaten his sister's tenure, as well as the stability of the kingdom, which is deeply split between his supporters and enemies. "She would be wise to move very slowly on this. There will have to be a lot of behind the scenes negotiation with key figures in the military and the palace before she can act." Thaksin himself is based in Dubai to avoid a jail term for corruption and is also wanted on terrorism charges linked to last year's unrest, but he has voiced hopes of returning to see his daughter marry in Thailand in December. Yingluck has cautiously raised the idea of a general amnesty for convicted politicians, which would pave the way for her big brother to come back, although he said on Monday that his return was "not a priority". An amnesty would risk infuriating many in the Bangkok-based establishment in government, military and palace circles, and could prompt protests by the royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement -- the arch enemies of the Red Shirts. A swift return for Thaksin "would be provocative to his opponents and adversaries and they may well take to the streets again," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Yes and Ill be avoiding a certain Cafe just off Sunee plaza for the USA Day celebration Those of us who were there are grateful you kept that promise. Aren't you going to tell us all about how Yingluck is one of your "dear friends" and how you've been invited to her inauguration dinner? Quote
