Thai court dissolves opposition party critical of military rule

[NanLaew]

4 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

Why? Didn't they hold a bi-election after a Khon Kaen MP was banned because he was imprisoned for murder? So there will now be 11 constituencies left without an MP! What a complete shambles. Clearly we still live under a military dictatorship and democracy is still a long way off. What happened to all those ruling party MPs who owned media shares. Have their cases been heard yet? 

Because an open seat is a seat that can't vote against them. In the aftermath of this sham court ruling, they know that calling bi-elections will see their current, openly gerrymandered house majority quickly evaporate as any viable opposition easily comes up with more desirable, likeable candidates than the clique of army despots ever can. Their pool of retired sycophants was already quite shallow and the few smarter ones that actually were soldiers, are keeping their heads well below the parapet when asked, 'Do you want to come out of your comfy, pre-funded retirement to become an MP?'

 

The only army faction with a garrison chock full of wannabe politicians hasn't had their coup yet.

[Yadon Toploy]

1 hour ago, seajae said:

looks like the pm is doing a hun sen, removing anyone/party that can challenge him, we may be in for a dictatorship for years to come looking at what the govt is doing, have to wonder how big the cake box sent to the court was, this does not bode well for Thailand

 

Indeed.

 

The coup supporters on here should hang their heads in shame.

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The court ruled that the money Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, party leader, dished out in loans represented a massive donation – illegal under Section 66 of the Political Parties Act, which limits donations to Bt10 million per year

A rather idiosyncratic court interpretation of the Organic Political Party Act. 
 

I find hard to understand the manner which the learned judges inability to distinguish the different between loan and donation. The Act spelt out specifically the legal context for donation not loan. 
 

Where did the Bt10 million appeared as mentioned in Section 66. This seem a travesty of justice in the most blatant form.

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0498.pdf

[FarFlungFalang]

12 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

I think they will FEEL the one finger as they continue to get shafted!

I think they hardly notice this permanent state of existence.

[FarFlungFalang]

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

find hard to understand the manner which the learned judges inability to distinguish the different between loan and donation.

To busy distinguishing their snouts in the trough!

[poohy]

Not my words but those of a well known  commentator outside Thailand......

 

"Thais in the Red Shirt movement that emerged after the 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra, the most popular and successful prime minister in the country's history, learned all this more than a decade ago. They described the process of seeing the truth about Thailand as becoming "ตาสว่าง", which roughly translates in English as being awakened, or having your eyes opened.

 

The Red Shirt movement had a diverse support base but most of its members were Thais from poorer regions of the north and the northeast, and the Lao underclass in Bangkok.

 

Future Forward has much broader support across Thailand, including among the middle class and progressive members of the elite in Bangkok. It attracted supporters of all ages, but was particularly popular among younger Thais.

The clumsiness and obvious unfairness of the destruction of the Future Forward Party will ensure that many more Thais become ตาสว่าง and see through the lies of the military and ....."

 

[anfh]

The Freedom party was vastly supported by young voters who had never voted before since there were no elections. They are against the junta. As more young people reach voting age there will be an oven bigger number to support whichever party comes forward to take up the position left by Freedom. The junta will have a difficult time continually dissolving any opposition party In the future. 
im not sure how long a government term is in Thailand, but at the next election ( assuming the junta dont declare another coup ) there will be a far greater majority voting for opposition parties. 

[FarFlungFalang]

5 minutes ago, poohy said:

Thailand as becoming "ตาสว่าง", which roughly translates in English as being awakened, or having your eyes opened.

The other interpretation is "eyes wide shut".Roughly speaking.

[neeray]

5 hours ago, steven100 said:

Thank you, justice has prevailed again. Kinda reminds me of the Australian guy, Clive Palmers united party, nothing but trouble and a waste of millions of dollars.

 

Take your head out of Prayuts behind @Steven100 and smell the roses of a better future. You'll find it most refreshing.

[Guderian]

Just the same old, same old, the Sino-Thai elite in Bangkok making sure that the poorer Thai people in the provinces don't have any chance of a real say in how the country is run.

[phkauf]

Maybe, just maybe this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. The FFP had support from a broad section of Thais and they feel cheated. Maybe, just maybe they will follow the path of the PEACEFUL protestors from HK and stage rallies to show their disgust. And I stress peaceful, because there is no need to give the military another excuse to stage a coup.

People should vote with the pocketbooks when they can, buy from local shops and not the big corporate owned shops. HK has apps that show which stores are pro or anti government and there are long lines at shops that are anti-government. 

[bra]

56 minutes ago, 248900_1469958220 said:

I agree however, that has been the case in many other countries in the past. Take a look at the people of Hong Kong, getting the <deleted> beaten out of them....and coming back for more.....a different breed perhaps?

As Chairman Mao said "power comes out of the barrel of a gun"

[bristolgeoff]

Taksim  changed his party  name when in power because of something similar. This party will do the same I imagine

[DrTuner]

Was obvious. Now is the last time for Thais to rise up before it's into the dark abyss for decades. Most likely they will do nothing and Thailand becomes another Myanmar, but under Chinese rule. Doomed.

[SABloke]

57 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

I find hard to understand the manner which the learned judges inability to distinguish the different between loan and donation. The Act spelt out specifically the legal context for donation not loan. 

Well, apparently they did distinguish between the two, and admitted that loans weren't donations, and so they couldn't dissolve the party for receiving loans, so they brought up the fact that Thanathorn put the interest on the loan too low to be considered a legitimate loan. That's according to a report on the judgement (I have not read the judgement myself)

[Emdog]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

Thais are giving the three finger salute, but eventually they will just use the one finger.

Three fingers: "Read between the lines" heard that from McEnroe & cracked me up

[JAG]

3 hours ago, 248900_1469958220 said:

I have wondered when the straw that breaks the camels back will come for.....years. I do wonder whether this nation is now too pacified to act. There have been many, many times over the past decade AT LEAST where I thought the straw would drop....it never came. Your thoughts?

I too have wondered when the reaction will occur, and what the catalyst will be. Perhaps when (next election?) there is a clear, unequivocal majority for the opposition parties and the regime gerrymanders the results to remain in power.

 

What is clear is that the dynamics in Thai politics are changing. A new grouping (class?) is emerging, young, educated  - maybe not so much in the widely understood "western" sense, given the shortcomings of the Thai education system so perhaps we should say more aware. Critically they get their news and share their opinions and communicate ideas on platforms which the existing establishment do not and cannot control. They know that they have no hope of any advancement as long as political and economic control, employment and business opportunities are held in the grip of the super rich "elite". This is demonstrated in the emergence and electoral success of Future Forward, under its predominantly young leadership team. The hyper wealthy clique and the military ( whoever calls the shots - it is debatable) are aware of that. But they are aging, as is their traditional foe, Thaksin and his Pheu Thai. 

 

Future Forward, (or whatever it is to be called now) are young, they have time on their side. The gerontocracy are running out of time. The single universally respected stabilising presence in Thai society has gone. The new young er opposition clearly have no time for the remaining shibboleths of society: the patriotic slogans, the respect for uniforms and status and the ridiculously bloated and corrupt "establishment" organisations. 

 

The reaction will come, I am sure. Perhaps sooner if military rule resumes, later if the traditional corrupt gerrymandering denies them their political voice.

 

 

Edited February 22, 2020 by JAG

[chilli42]

People get the government they deserve.  

[Tchooptip]

and banned its charismatic leader from politics for 10 years... The juges are afraid of nothing☹️

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, Yadon Toploy said:

Indeed.

 

The coup supporters on here should hang their heads in shame.

He's just a troll....don't let him worry you!

[Guest]

6 hours ago, DannyCarlton said:

Living on the Darkside, in Pattaya, I will be watching from the bleachers, beer in hand and not a care in the world. I've no doubt that it won't affect me in any way.

Actually, it may accelerate the weakening of the THB ... so yes... the affect for you is "More Beer Please!"  555

[AgMech Cowboy]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

many were soon defiantly raising “three-finger salutes”

Looks like a salute to 'hitler' less one finger. I hate salutes except between the Boy & Girl Scouts, policeman to policeman, military soldier to officer or to the flag. I don't even like the gate guards/security saluting.

[DannyCarlton]

16 minutes ago, bangkokequity said:

Actually, it may accelerate the weakening of the THB ... so yes... the affect for you is "More Beer Please!"  555

It already has started to weaken the Baht.

[scorecard]

18 minutes ago, JAG said:

I too have wondered when the reaction will occur, and what will be the catalyst will be. Perhaps when (next election?) there is a clear, unequivocal majority for the opposition parties and the regime gerrymanders the results to remain in power.

 

What is clear is that the dynamics in Thai politics are changing. A new grouping (class?) is emerging, young, educated  - maybe not so much in the widely understood "western" sense, given the shortcomings of the Thai education system so perhaps we should say more aware. They know that they have no hope of any advancement as long as political and economic control, employment and business opportunities are held in the grip of the super rich "elite". This is demonstrated in the emergence and electoral success of Future Forward, under its predominantly young leadership team. The hyper wealthy clique and the military ( whoever calls the shots - it is debatable) are aware of that. But they are aging, as is their traditional foe, Thaksin and his Pheu Thai. 

 

Future Forward, (or whatever it is to be called now) are young, they have time on their side. The gerontocracy are running out of time. The single universally respected stabilising presence in Thai society has gone. The new young er opposition clearly have no time for the remaining shibboleths of society: the patriotic slogans, the respect for uniforms and status and the ridiculously bloated and corrupt "establishment" organisations. 

 

The reaction will come, I am sure. Perhaps sooner if military rule resumes, later if the traditional corrupt gerrymandering denies them their political voice.

 

 

Sure but I wonder if there's another slant re you last paragraph.

 

IMHO if won't be too long before the ruling coalition collapses (certainly hope so), then 3 possible scenario questions (or more):

 

1. Will the PM be able to 'reorganize' what's left to continue in power? Doubtful he could get the numbers without very obvious bribing of more folks from the opposition and looking very incredulous and unethical / immoral sparking even more criticism.

 

2. A new election, and IMHO the re-birth of FF and Korn's new party would probably dominate the numbers and with others who will never be drawn to a coalition offer by P, might be able to form a government.

 

3. If things start to look even worse for the current ruling coalition perhaps P might try to bring in some new election rules requiring that the house of reps must include a certain % of seats appointed by a military body. Or something similar. 

[JAG]

8 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Sure but I wonder if there's another slant re you last paragraph.

 

IMHO if won't be too long before the ruling coalition collapses (certainly hope so), then 3 possible scenario questions (or more):

 

1. Will the PM be able to 'reorganize' what's left to continue in power? Doubtful he could get the numbers without very obvious bribing of more folks from the opposition and looking very incredulous and unethical / immoral sparking even more criticism.

 

2. A new election, and IMHO the re-birth of FF and Korn's new party would probably dominate the numbers and with others who will never be drawn to a coalition offer by P, might be able to form a government.

 

3. If things start to look even worse for the current ruling coalition perhaps P might try to bring in some new election rules requiring that the house of reps must include a certain % of seats appointed by a military body. Or something similar. 

Yes, perhaps the easiest fix is changing the rules to ensure that the appointed Senate gets to vote in the more mundane aspects of government,

[Arthur Mullard]

7 hours ago, steven100 said:

Thank you, justice has prevailed again. Kinda reminds me of the Australian guy, Clive Palmers united party, nothing but trouble and a waste of millions of dollars.

 

Is this picture for real??? OMG. Poor, poor country. Poor, poor country. The picture says it all.

[Rimmer]

Off topic post dragging Mr Trump into the topic removed

[30la]

Justice always wins!
If the military then decides justice ....

[Eric Loh]

54 minutes ago, SABloke said:

Well, apparently they did distinguish between the two, and admitted that loans weren't donations, and so they couldn't dissolve the party for receiving loans, so they brought up the fact that Thanathorn put the interest on the loan too low to be considered a legitimate loan. That's according to a report on the judgement (I have not read the judgement myself)

That is even more ludicrous as loan is conditioned based on Thailand Loan Agreement Act that specify a 15% interest rate ceiling and no mentioned of how low rate should be. This verdict is all about political expediency; period. Sad day for Thailand yet again. 

https://www.thaicontracts.com/component/tags/tag/loan-agreement.html

[poohy]

20 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Sure but I wonder if there's another slant re you last paragraph.

 

IMHO if won't be too long before the ruling coalition collapses (certainly hope so), then 3 possible scenario questions (or more):

 

1. Will the PM be able to 'reorganize' what's left to continue in power? Doubtful he could get the numbers without very obvious bribing of more folks from the opposition and looking very incredulous and unethical / immoral sparking even more criticism.

 

2. A new election, and IMHO the re-birth of FF and Korn's new party would probably dominate the numbers and with others who will never be drawn to a coalition offer by P, might be able to form a government.

 

3. If things start to look even worse for the current ruling coalition perhaps P might try to bring in some new election rules requiring that the house of reps must include a certain % of seats appointed by a military body. Or something similar. 

Reading opinions outside Thailand it is fare to say Prayuth is merely a face of the government yes he is inept but he is there for a reason he will be replaced by the physcotic army guy in time (and we all know who Apirats  main backer is)

 

Sadly for Thailand this current situation and future plans which most certainly do not include a democratic government and any sort of progressive thinking are now being controlled and manipulated  from 8,789 km afar!