Parties boycotting meeting are troublemakers: junta

[webfact]

Parties boycotting meeting are troublemakers: junta

By THE NATION

 

 

JUNTA LEADERS yesterday branded political parties boycotting today’s meeting as troublemakers, with the prime minister saying they were like boxers who refused to abide by the rules and would not listen to the referee’s explanations.

 

However, a political scientist said this only pointed to the junta’s failure in reconciliation efforts that have been constantly highlighted by the coup makers over the past four years. 

 

Wanwichit Boonprong said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has now become part of the problem. 

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that the parties “are like boxers who will not respect the rules or listen to the referee. If they don’t come, then they should just stop boxing”.

 

General Prayut, who heads the ruling NCPO, also said that people should themselves decide on what should be done with politicians who refuse to join a meeting that aims to explain the “rules and regulations” of the upcoming elections. 

 

The national vote has been tentatively scheduled for February 24. 

 

Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also defence minister, said yesterday that parties boycotting the meeting were troublemakers. 

“They are just making trouble, but I don’t think there will be any impact. We have invited them for a discussion. There is no reason not to come,” he told reporters at Government House. 

 

General Prawit, who is a key junta figure in charge of national security, was referring to the main political parties Pheu Thai and Democrat, as well as some new parties including Future Forward, Thai Raksa Chart and Puea Chat that have boycotted the meeting.

 

He said the meeting was being held for the parties to have their queries about the election answered. “We are ready to explain whatever they want to know,” Prawit said. 

 

Wanwichit, meanwhile, said the stance the two key parties have taken indicates failure right from the start. He said this decision could stem from a couple of reasons: the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party stealing former MPs from other parties; and an electoral system that clearly favours Phalang Pracharat. 

 

This is why many parties are feeling uncomfortable about joining today’s talk, Wanwichit said. 

 

Also, he said, their participation in the event could be seen as a move to legitimise Prayut’s plan to retain power, which is why they have rejected the invitation. 

 

He said that instead of sorting out the issues that led to the 2014 coup, the coup makers are now seeking to maintain their political power. Political parties are also feeling victimised, as the junta leader is manifesting his political ambitions, while holding the reins of the election, he said. 

 

105 parties invited

 

Meanwhile, NCPO spokesperson Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said yesterday that the junta has invited 105 political parties to the meeting. 

 

“The NCPO wants all parties to cooperate so the elections can be held without any problems,” she said. “We call on them to be open-minded and take part in the discussion.”

 

Also, she said, the NCPO wanted all sides to hear relevant information about the vote. “The authorities will also hear suggestions from the political side,” she added. 

 

As for parties boycotting the meeting, Sirichan said she hoped they would change their minds. 

 

Jarungvith Phumma, Election Commission (EC) secretary-general, said yesterday that some 60 parties had accepted the invitation. 

 

The EC is scheduled to report its preparedness for the election as well as relevant laws and regulations at the meeting. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, meanwhile, said he expected the NCPO to set an election date at the meeting, and hinted that a |“surprise” will also be disclosed at the event. 

 

“What I can say is that certain things will be unveiled at the meeting. We have a lot in store,” he told reporters. 

 

The junta, its organs and the EC is scheduled to meet with political parties today at the Royal Thai Army Club. This venue was where General Prayut, as Army chief, had held mediation talks with conflicting political groups in May 2014, but ended up seizing power after failing to secure an accord. 

 

In December last year, Prayut, in his capacity as NCPO head, had issued an order empowering the junta to “work with” the EC and relevant authorities to set an election date. 

 

Political parties, meanwhile, are calling on the junta to lift political restrictions put in place since the 2014 military coup. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30359971

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-07

[chainarong]

Perhaps some of the draconian laws and rules that had no discussion nor debate from outsiders would be suffice to say stick it up your meeting  jumper. 

[Samui Bodoh]

"...The junta, its organs and the EC is scheduled to meet with political parties today at the Royal Thai Army Club. This venue was where General Prayut, as Army chief, had held mediation talks with conflicting political groups in May 2014, but ended up seizing power after failing to secure an accord..." 

 

At the precise venue where he betrayed the politicians before...

 

How very subtle.

 

 

[Thailand]

Rigging the deck then complaining about getting caught doing it.

[Somtamnication]

LOL. Yep. And if you do not vote for us, you are a troublemaker. Got it, thanks.

[Eligius]

I expect the 'big revelation' will be the date of a certain crowning ....

For all that, it is obvious (to me anyway) that the February 'election' will be delayed. Excuses will be manufactured and events will somehow supercede which make a further delay 'necessary'.

 

The main political players who are boycotting today's meeting (of all places in The Army Club - so symbolic of the framework of control for the planned future) are right to do so.

 

They need to get the guts now to boycott the entire 'election' and proclaim to the Thai people, in detail, why they are doing so.

 

The real fight is just about to begin ...

 

 

[zzaa09]

Just suppose there was this election.........and no one show up.

[zzaa09]

9 minutes ago, Eligius said:

I expect the 'big revelation' will be the date of a certain crowning ....

For all that, it is obvious (to me anyway) that the February 'election' will be delayed. Excuses will be manufactured and events will somehow supercede which make a further delay 'necessary'.

 

The main political players who are boycotting today's meeting (of all places in The Army Club - so symbolic of the framework of control for the planned future) are right to do so.

 

They need to get the guts now to boycott the entire 'election' and proclaim to the Thai people, in detail, why they are doing so.

 

The real fight is just about to begin ...

 

 

We should be expecting a delay or cancellation.

As nothing has been made official regarding the coronation.

Plays right into their hands.

[PatOngo]

12 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

Just suppose there was this election.........and no one show up.

And miss the free handouts? People will turn up regardless. Ideology has no meaning in local politics. Greed is the driving factor!

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

JUNTA LEADERS yesterday branded political parties boycotting today’s meeting as troublemakers, with the prime minister saying they were like boxers who refused to abide by the rules and would not listen to the referee’s explanations.

radically hypocritical

[zzaa09]

2 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

radically hypocritical

Footnote:

Such doesn't apply to the usual forced military coups and subsequent occupations. 

Perfectly acceptable by their rules. 

[baboon]

33 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

And miss the free handouts? People will turn up regardless. Ideology has no meaning in local politics. Greed is the driving factor!

Hmm. The Mother in Law is quite happy to take whatever is on offer, but is she grateful to the giver? Is she ball locks. It simply re-enforces her opinion that the givers are slimy scumbags who are not to be trusted...

[kannot]

Worried that he'll get "knocked out"

[kannot]

1 hour ago, Eligius said:

I expect the 'big revelation' will be the date of a certain crowning ....

For all that, it is obvious (to me anyway) that the February 'election' will be delayed. Excuses will be manufactured and events will somehow supercede which make a further delay 'necessary'.

 

The main political players who are boycotting today's meeting (of all places in The Army Club - so symbolic of the framework of control for the planned future) are right to do so.

 

They need to get the guts now to boycott the entire 'election' and proclaim to the Thai people, in detail, why they are doing so.

 

The real fight is just about to begin ...

 

 

No it  will be "February 29th" ..............there  all done and dusted

[Dave67]

I find it quite amusing to see the Junta struggling to control something they cannot control the contempt of the Thai people

[Denim]

4 minutes ago, baboon said:

Hmm. The Mother in Law is quite happy to take whatever is on offer, but is she grateful to the giver? Is she ball locks. It simply re-enforces her opinion that the givers are slimy scumbags who are not to be trusted...

Ditto with my Thai relatives.

They thank Thaksin for the current government largesse. Before him they felt ignored now even the junta is trying to woo them for their vote , which will go to PT or any anti junta party.

[Brigand]

With them moving the parliament building to an area surrounded by military complexes and trying to gather together all political parties for a lecture on how a so far unconfirmed election will work, in of all places the Royal Thai Army Club, just sends the most contemptuous message to everyone. It's this constant attempt to reinforce the idea that the military is above and beyond the law and politics that is irksome imo.

On top of that I read a news article today online about the Swiss report of Thailand becoming the most unequal country in the world with 1% of the population owning just shy of 67% of all wealth and 10% of Thais owning nothing or being in the negative when debt is factored in. Way to go junta, returning happiness to the 1% more like.

The politicians are right not to attend as if they did it only serves to strengthen the idea that Pinocchio and his cohorts are above reproach whilst telling the children, as they see them, what they can and can't do.  

[jayboy]

There is something tragi-comic at work here. It is as though a burglar has smashed his way into a house and then started belabouring the hapless occupants that they are not taking his barked commands very seriously.

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

Rigging the deck then complaining about getting caught doing it.

Sadly, it is doubtful they know what they are doing is wrong.  Their status as hi-so's has negated such teachings.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

prime minister saying they were like boxers who refused to abide by the rules and would not listen to the referee’s explanations.

 

When the referee is running for office and can change the rules at a whim to suit him, why bother?  If these parties do not show their indignation now, they will be complicit in an abomination.  Can't believe he is this childish and stupid

[Ossy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

with the prime minister saying they were like boxers who refused to abide by the rules and would not listen to the referee’s explanations.

Referee? . . . I didn't know that political meetings needed one. But this is different, with our self-appointed PM wanting to glean valuable policy info from his 'enemies' . . . he suddenly becomes the self-appointed referee . . . amazing, but not merely amazing; with thinking on his childlike level, were he to become the country's 'legal' PM, Thailand will have truly receded into the dark ages.

[Ossy]

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

The real fight is just about to begin ...

And things might just get a bit feisty, too, now that Uncle Tu's chucked another dummy - yes, another one - out the pram.

[Ossy]

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

The real fight is just about to begin ...

And things might just get a bit feisty, too, now that Uncle Tu's chucked another dummy - yes, another one - out the pram.

[TKDfella]

This Pm has no idea what a referee is let alone try to use it as an analogy. Referees at a fight don't make the rules they apply them only. In the PM case he is both chairman of the boxing board of control and a messenger of his own misguided rules.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Just suppose there was this election.........and no one show up.

Prayut's best case scenario then.

Pro-military voters will vote and likely every military soldier and conscript will have their orders.

I'd rather see a 80%+ voter turnout.

 

[Eligius]

39 minutes ago, jayboy said:

There is something tragi-comic at work here. It is as though a burglar has smashed his way into a house and then started belabouring the hapless occupants that they are not taking his barked commands very seriously.

Excellent comparison, Jayboy. I fully agree with you. Great analogy.

[Mainhattencitizen]

3 hours ago, Thailand said:

Rigging the deck then complaining about getting caught doing it.

The only troublemakers in Thailand the past 4 years have been the Junta

[kamahele]

When are politicians going to be allowed to campaign?

 

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, baboon said:

Hmm. The Mother in Law is quite happy to take whatever is on offer, but is she grateful to the giver? Is she ball locks. It simply re-enforces her opinion that the givers are slimy scumbags who are not to be trusted...

Good on her, I would take from all of them if I was in their position too, then vote with my conscience...….Alas, but I am just an observer.

[Burma Bill]

From an earlier report, I believe Mr. Abhisit suggested boycotting the meeting. Unbelievable - "yellow" trouble makers!

[harada]

It must be very hard on someone who is used to people snapping to attention when he barks out his orders.????