Thailand at Stalemate - Asia Sentinel
03 FEBRUARY 2014
In a lose-lose scenario, the crisis continues as the Democrats use the bureaucracy to battle the government
With Thailand’s emergency
election over with a minimum of violence but a maximum of confusion, it
appears the government’s opponents were successful in disrupting the
polls just enough to prevent a decisive outcome. The Bangkok Post called
it a “lose-lose” outcome in an editorial Monday.
The results won’t be known for weeks
or months but it seems unlikely a new parliament can be convened after
438 of Bangkok’s 6,671 polling places and several constituencies in the
south were denied the right to vote by anti-government protesters.
That leaves Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra weakened and vulnerable to the end game in her opponents’
apparent strategy: the use of the government bureaucracy and the courts
to finish off her government and perhaps put an end to electoral
democracy in Thailand for an indefinite period.
While Yingluck and her Pheu Thai
party remain popular, she does not have enough strength in the armed
forces to impose her will and any attempt to use her allies in the
police to clear the streets of illegal protesters under an existing
emergency decree could provoke a military backlash. The result is
stalemate.
Having boycotted the polls and
orchestrated the street protests that have roiled Bangkok in recent
months, it appears that the Democrat Party and its business and royalist
backers have given up all hope of beating the forces of ousted premier
Thaksin Shinawatra at the polls. Instead, they have done all that they
can to make any polls meaningless, while creating as much chaos as
possible.
Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in
2006, can thank his own hubris for creating the conditions that gave his
opponents an opening for the crisis they wanted. He and his Pheu Thai
allies (with Yingluck’s apparently reluctant consent) pushed forward a
blanket amnesty bill late last year that would have forgiven thousands
of corruption cases, including Thaksin’s own, thus clearing the way for
him to come home from his self-imposed exile in Dubai.
When the foolish and ill-timed bill
was passed in parliament, the outraged public reaction was immediate and
heartfelt. Yingluck withdrew the bill but the damage was done and the
Democrat’s had the opening they needed to create a crisis in the
streets.
Yingluck played into their hands by dissolving parliament on December 9 and seeking a fresh mandate with a snap election.
“Suthep Thaugsuban [the protest
leader and one-time Democrat politician] and his team took two years to
prepare for this to happen," Jatuporn Prompan, a senior Pheu Thai
member, told Reuters recently. "He was preparing with the support of a
network of elite bureaucrats."
The protests, sustained by massive
donations from numerous large businesses in Bangkok and backed by a
combination of popular support among the middle classes and thugs
providing muscle, created unease, harmed the economy and allowed
Suthep’s calls for ill-defined reforms to appear reasonable.
Violence along the edges, some of
which has been blamed on Suthep’s People's Democratic Reform Committee
(PDRC), claimed ten lives and caused hundreds of injuries in recent
weeks, adding to a sense of an impending cataclysm.
Now the Democrats can use their
control of the permanent bureaucratic machinery of government to finish
the job. Thailand's anti-corruption commission has already launched an
impeachment investigation into Yingluck’s role as head of a wasteful
rice-pledging scheme that had a devastating impact on the treasury and
has left unpaid farmers furious.
There are other cases in the
Constitutional Court brought by the PDRC seeking to nullify Sunday’s
polls. In addition, the Election Commission itself seemed to be more on
the side of the Democrats than the government in the run-up to the
polls.
Thaksin himself is said by sources to
expect his sister to soon be out of a job. He is said to be supporting
his long-time ally, the current foreign minister Surapong
Tovichakchaikul, to take over the leadership of the party should
Yingluck be indicted.
There are at least two new groups of
supposedly nonpartisan figures proposing a series of reforms as a way
out of the crisis, but it remains to be seen how much traction they will
gain. There is also the murky role of the monarchy.
It has long been presumed that the
king is gravely ill and that a transition to a new monarch will be
underway fairly soon. Inevitably, a new monarch will be weak and
uncertain during a time of crisis and many analysts believe that the
Bangkok establishment deeply fears having Thaksin and his forces in
control of the country during that crucial period.
So is there a way forward? In the
north and northeast, furious “Red Shirt” enemies of the Bangkok status
quo are said to be ready to fight against any coup d’état, which
means that while massive violence has been avoided so far, the nation
remains on a razor’s edge. The Red Shirts, backed by Thaksin’s
resources, would far outnumber any street heavies Suthep could muster
and the prospect of pitched battles even against the army is not out of
the question.
Meanwhile, the elite bureaucrats will
likely push Yingluck out of the way relatively soon but that will
neither give the country a government nor forge a consensus for a way
forward.
For that to happen, a change will be needed in a mindset of confrontation. There appears no sign of that anytime soon.
Showing posts with label Pheu Thai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pheu Thai. Show all posts
Monday, February 3, 2014
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Thaksin wants us to accept ruling by court : Govt MP | The Nation / Thailand
Thaksin wants us to accept ruling by court : Govt MP | The Nation / Thailand
The Nation, July 4, 2012
After a rumour that Thaksin Shinawatra asked Pheu Thai Party not to fight if the Constitution Court objects to the charter amendment bill, a Pheu Thai MP confirmed yesterday that Thaksin wants the party to accept the court's ruling.
Udon Thani MP Kriangsak Sroisee-ngam said he met Thaksin in Dubai and the former PM said that in the principle the party should accept the Constitution Court's order. He also believed there would be no serious incident after the judgement.
"Thaksin was saying that he is not a rival [of the court] and the court hadn't put down the flag before. He believes that the court will rule [the case] fairly as amending the charter doesn't overthrow the Constitution, instead it is only a legislative duty," Kriangsak said.
In regard to the reconciliation bill, he said Thaksin said it should be postponed if society still doesn't understand it. The former PM also reiterated the objective of the bill was to bring harmony back to the country and to allow people with different ideas to find solutions together with others.
Meanwhile, an adviser to the Administrative Court has refused to be a witness at hearings on whether the government's proposed change to Section 291 is constitutional or not.
The Administrative Court issued a statement yesterday saying that court adviser Kanchanchanarat Leewiroj, whose was listed among 16 witnesses, was never contacted in advance by petitioners or the Constitution Court about being a witness before her name was given to the media. And she had no wish to become a witness.
Another "witness", National Human Rights Commissioner Paiboon Varahapaitoon, also said yesterday he was not contacted in advance and had no knowledge as to who put his name on the list. He was perplexed by the situation.
"I can confirm that I have not received any notification [from the Constitution Court] to be a witness and if it is sent to me, I must first look at the issues they want me to answer," he said.
The government is set to argue its case in court, from tomorrow. Wattana Saengpairoh, spokesman for the House Speaker, said a legal team was ready to fight a battle with the Constitution Court but no details could be revealed at this stage.
He insisted the government was only seeking to amend the charter - not to rewrite the whole thing - and that nothing in regard to the monarchy would be touched.
Many legal experts would be consulted, Wattana said.
A source at Government House said Cabinet made PM's Office Minister Worawat Auapinyakul the leader of government representatives for the court's hearing while Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit would be lead representative from Pheu Thai Party.
The source said the government had already sent extra documents, which had made officials feel confident that the court would not find the government fully guilty, though this might cause another problem. So, the government would have to sent a Cabinet meeting agenda report to confirm that the government would not amend any part of the Constitution connected to the monarchy.
The Nation, July 4, 2012
After a rumour that Thaksin Shinawatra asked Pheu Thai Party not to fight if the Constitution Court objects to the charter amendment bill, a Pheu Thai MP confirmed yesterday that Thaksin wants the party to accept the court's ruling.
Udon Thani MP Kriangsak Sroisee-ngam said he met Thaksin in Dubai and the former PM said that in the principle the party should accept the Constitution Court's order. He also believed there would be no serious incident after the judgement.
"Thaksin was saying that he is not a rival [of the court] and the court hadn't put down the flag before. He believes that the court will rule [the case] fairly as amending the charter doesn't overthrow the Constitution, instead it is only a legislative duty," Kriangsak said.
In regard to the reconciliation bill, he said Thaksin said it should be postponed if society still doesn't understand it. The former PM also reiterated the objective of the bill was to bring harmony back to the country and to allow people with different ideas to find solutions together with others.
Meanwhile, an adviser to the Administrative Court has refused to be a witness at hearings on whether the government's proposed change to Section 291 is constitutional or not.
The Administrative Court issued a statement yesterday saying that court adviser Kanchanchanarat Leewiroj, whose was listed among 16 witnesses, was never contacted in advance by petitioners or the Constitution Court about being a witness before her name was given to the media. And she had no wish to become a witness.
Another "witness", National Human Rights Commissioner Paiboon Varahapaitoon, also said yesterday he was not contacted in advance and had no knowledge as to who put his name on the list. He was perplexed by the situation.
"I can confirm that I have not received any notification [from the Constitution Court] to be a witness and if it is sent to me, I must first look at the issues they want me to answer," he said.
The government is set to argue its case in court, from tomorrow. Wattana Saengpairoh, spokesman for the House Speaker, said a legal team was ready to fight a battle with the Constitution Court but no details could be revealed at this stage.
He insisted the government was only seeking to amend the charter - not to rewrite the whole thing - and that nothing in regard to the monarchy would be touched.
Many legal experts would be consulted, Wattana said.
A source at Government House said Cabinet made PM's Office Minister Worawat Auapinyakul the leader of government representatives for the court's hearing while Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit would be lead representative from Pheu Thai Party.
The source said the government had already sent extra documents, which had made officials feel confident that the court would not find the government fully guilty, though this might cause another problem. So, the government would have to sent a Cabinet meeting agenda report to confirm that the government would not amend any part of the Constitution connected to the monarchy.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Thaksin wants to make deals, says Thai Democrat | The Nation / Thailand
Thaksin wants to make deals, says Thai Democrat | The Nation / Thailand
The Nation, June 16, 2012
Thailand's veteran Democrat politician Suthep Thaugsuban insisted yesterday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had sent negotiators over to see him and ask the party to stop opposing his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Suthep said he responded by saying that if he were Thaksin, he would stop going against the will of the public and would withdraw the charter amendment and reconciliation bills. He said withdrawing these bills would secure Yingluck's job through to the end of her four-year term.
When asked if he was sure Thaksin had sent these negotiators, Suthep said: "Certainly! These mediators have been used by Thaksin several times."
Meanwhile, Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, said she believed that the former PM had spoken to everybody, including the Democrats, the Army, businesspeople and even the ammart (elite).
"This is called a game at the top of the pyramid, because it involves talking to the elite. I know that the elitists don't want the reconciliation bill or the charter amendment. Therefore, I'm not surprised that they have exchanged proposals as they [the elite] had worked hard on the 2006 coup before gaining the 2007 Constitution," she said.
However, she said she did not think the Pheu Thai Party would make such deals, because as long as the 2007 Constitution stays in place, the people will remain under the power of the ammart.
Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he thought Suthep was making up stories, otherwise he should provide evidence.
"It appears Suthep is making this up, because it is just part of a political game. It is ridiculous! Who would be naive enough to contact Suthep? And even if they contacted Suthep, I don't believe he can make decisions for the Democrat Party," Prompong said.
Meanwhile, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday that the former PM was indeed in Hong Kong as reported by the media and it was normal for people to fly over and meet with him or have meals with him.
However, he said, these visitors were not likely to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle, because Thaksin respected his sister's decisions.
He added that he did not know where Thaksin would be headed next, but confirmed that it would be in Asia.
The Nation, June 16, 2012
Thailand's veteran Democrat politician Suthep Thaugsuban insisted yesterday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had sent negotiators over to see him and ask the party to stop opposing his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Suthep said he responded by saying that if he were Thaksin, he would stop going against the will of the public and would withdraw the charter amendment and reconciliation bills. He said withdrawing these bills would secure Yingluck's job through to the end of her four-year term.
When asked if he was sure Thaksin had sent these negotiators, Suthep said: "Certainly! These mediators have been used by Thaksin several times."
Meanwhile, Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, said she believed that the former PM had spoken to everybody, including the Democrats, the Army, businesspeople and even the ammart (elite).
"This is called a game at the top of the pyramid, because it involves talking to the elite. I know that the elitists don't want the reconciliation bill or the charter amendment. Therefore, I'm not surprised that they have exchanged proposals as they [the elite] had worked hard on the 2006 coup before gaining the 2007 Constitution," she said.
However, she said she did not think the Pheu Thai Party would make such deals, because as long as the 2007 Constitution stays in place, the people will remain under the power of the ammart.
Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he thought Suthep was making up stories, otherwise he should provide evidence.
"It appears Suthep is making this up, because it is just part of a political game. It is ridiculous! Who would be naive enough to contact Suthep? And even if they contacted Suthep, I don't believe he can make decisions for the Democrat Party," Prompong said.
Meanwhile, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday that the former PM was indeed in Hong Kong as reported by the media and it was normal for people to fly over and meet with him or have meals with him.
However, he said, these visitors were not likely to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle, because Thaksin respected his sister's decisions.
He added that he did not know where Thaksin would be headed next, but confirmed that it would be in Asia.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Abhisit, Pracha, other Thai MPs cleared
Abhisit, Pracha, other Thai MPs cleared
Bangkok Post, April 20, 2012
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party asked the court
to rule whether Democrat and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and
Democrat MP for Phitsanulok Warong Dejkitvikrom should be stripped of
their parliamentary status, and alleged that as MPs they wrongfully
interfered in the work of state officials by handing out relief bags to
flood victims in Phitsanulok.
The court ruled that the accusation was groundless and that the distribution of relief bags was aimed at helping people affected by the flooding.
In the second case, the Democrats had filed a counter-suit asking the court, through the House speaker, to rule whether Pol Gen Pracha and the six Pheu Thai MPs should lose their MP status for interfering in the work of government officials in the distribution of relief supplies during the floods late last year.
The six MPs are Karun Hosakul, Thanusak Lekuthai, Jirayu Huangsap, Surachart Thienthong, Vicharn Minchainant and Vorachai Hemma.
The court also found that Pol Gen Pracha and the six Pheu Thai MPs
had been intent on helping the people in flood affected areas and there
was no evidence of corruption or working for their own self-interest.
The court dismissed all the petitions.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions disqualified Pheu Thai's Chinnicha Wongsawat as an MP and banned her from politics for five years for making a false declaration of her assets while serving as MP for Chiang Mai.
Ms Chinnicha was sentenced to two months in jail, suspended for one year, and a fine of 4,000 baht.
The petition was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The anti-graft agency found her guilty of making a false declaration of assets and liabilities in violation of Section 263 of the constitution.
Ms Chinnicha is a daughter of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Mrs Yaowapa, a younger sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Bangkok Post, April 20, 2012
The Constitution Court on Friday dismissed
petitions against a number of Pheu Thai and Democrat MPs for alleged
constitutional violations in giving out relief supplies during the
devastating floods late last year.
The court ruled that the accusation was groundless and that the distribution of relief bags was aimed at helping people affected by the flooding.
In the second case, the Democrats had filed a counter-suit asking the court, through the House speaker, to rule whether Pol Gen Pracha and the six Pheu Thai MPs should lose their MP status for interfering in the work of government officials in the distribution of relief supplies during the floods late last year.
The six MPs are Karun Hosakul, Thanusak Lekuthai, Jirayu Huangsap, Surachart Thienthong, Vicharn Minchainant and Vorachai Hemma.
The court dismissed all the petitions.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions disqualified Pheu Thai's Chinnicha Wongsawat as an MP and banned her from politics for five years for making a false declaration of her assets while serving as MP for Chiang Mai.
Ms Chinnicha was sentenced to two months in jail, suspended for one year, and a fine of 4,000 baht.
The petition was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The anti-graft agency found her guilty of making a false declaration of assets and liabilities in violation of Section 263 of the constitution.
Ms Chinnicha is a daughter of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Mrs Yaowapa, a younger sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Thai government backtracks on amnesty law
Thai government backtracks on amnesty law
Bangkok Post, April 17, 2012
The law is a major tool to create national reconciliation between
supporters and opponents of Thaksin, but the right time for the exiled
leader to return is after real reconciliation takes place, Pheu Thai
spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.
Mr Prompong said all of the parties concerned need to agree with the law's contents before it can be enforced this year or the year after.
He does not want Thaksin's return to become a "target" for his opponents to attack.
During his Songkran trip to Cambodia, Thaksin, currently in self-exile to avoid serving a two-year jail term for abuse of power convictions, said he would only return when the atmosphere in the country is safe for him.
The former premier said he wished to come back when it was safe for him to walk around in the streets and not have to ride in "bulletproof cars".
The Pheu Thai Party's latest statement is an about turn from its earlier resolution to push through the reconciliation law without consulting the opposition and the broader public.
After the King Prajadhipok's Institute's (KPI) proposals to end the conflicts among political groups were approved in the Pheu Thai-dominated House on April 6, party leaders expressed their determination to pass a reconciliation law based on them.
Among the proposals are the granting of an amnesty to political offenders and dropping corruption and abuse of power charges against the Thaksin administration by the defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee, set up by the coup-makers who toppled the Thaksin government on Sept 19, 2006.
The suggestions stirred controversy as opposition leaders called the move to quickly pass a law based on these proposals an attempt to whitewash the ex-premier's crimes. They pointed instead to the KPI's recommendation not to rush the reconciliation process.
Mr Prompong said Pheu Thai MPs would ask parliament to consider passing the law during its session in August or September after the cabinet had considered it.
However, he relaxed this timeframe yesterday, saying the cabinet would not issue a decree on national reconciliation because it would be criticised for not listening to other voices.
However, deputy Democrat leader Thaworn Senneam was not convinced by Mr Prompong's words.
He believes the government plans to speed up the process by issuing an "amnesty decree" through a cabinet resolution, rather than trying to pass an amnesty act through parliament.
Such a decree would only require the cabinet's green light for enforcement. Then, Mr Thaworn said, parliament would be told of the new law.
Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin wants the government to carefully consider its intentions to issue a reconciliation law because of its potential to spark new conflicts.
Gen Sonthi, who led the coup against the Thaksin government in 2006, chairs an ad hoc House panel on national reconciliation, which asked the KPI to study solutions to the conflict between the pro- and anti-Thaksin groups.
Former supreme commander Boonsrang Niampradit said he does not want the government to focus only on political conflicts, but to also take heed of economic, educational and social problems.
If these problems could be resolved, Gen Boonsrang said, the political situation would improve.
Bangkok Post, April 17, 2012
The Pheu Thai-led government will not rush to
enact a national reconciliation law, though ousted premier Thaksin
Shinawatra hopes an improved political atmosphere will allow him to
return to Thailand this year.
Mr Prompong said all of the parties concerned need to agree with the law's contents before it can be enforced this year or the year after.
He does not want Thaksin's return to become a "target" for his opponents to attack.
During his Songkran trip to Cambodia, Thaksin, currently in self-exile to avoid serving a two-year jail term for abuse of power convictions, said he would only return when the atmosphere in the country is safe for him.
The former premier said he wished to come back when it was safe for him to walk around in the streets and not have to ride in "bulletproof cars".
The Pheu Thai Party's latest statement is an about turn from its earlier resolution to push through the reconciliation law without consulting the opposition and the broader public.
After the King Prajadhipok's Institute's (KPI) proposals to end the conflicts among political groups were approved in the Pheu Thai-dominated House on April 6, party leaders expressed their determination to pass a reconciliation law based on them.
Among the proposals are the granting of an amnesty to political offenders and dropping corruption and abuse of power charges against the Thaksin administration by the defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee, set up by the coup-makers who toppled the Thaksin government on Sept 19, 2006.
The suggestions stirred controversy as opposition leaders called the move to quickly pass a law based on these proposals an attempt to whitewash the ex-premier's crimes. They pointed instead to the KPI's recommendation not to rush the reconciliation process.
Mr Prompong said Pheu Thai MPs would ask parliament to consider passing the law during its session in August or September after the cabinet had considered it.
However, he relaxed this timeframe yesterday, saying the cabinet would not issue a decree on national reconciliation because it would be criticised for not listening to other voices.
However, deputy Democrat leader Thaworn Senneam was not convinced by Mr Prompong's words.
He believes the government plans to speed up the process by issuing an "amnesty decree" through a cabinet resolution, rather than trying to pass an amnesty act through parliament.
Such a decree would only require the cabinet's green light for enforcement. Then, Mr Thaworn said, parliament would be told of the new law.
Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin wants the government to carefully consider its intentions to issue a reconciliation law because of its potential to spark new conflicts.
Gen Sonthi, who led the coup against the Thaksin government in 2006, chairs an ad hoc House panel on national reconciliation, which asked the KPI to study solutions to the conflict between the pro- and anti-Thaksin groups.
Former supreme commander Boonsrang Niampradit said he does not want the government to focus only on political conflicts, but to also take heed of economic, educational and social problems.
If these problems could be resolved, Gen Boonsrang said, the political situation would improve.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
